Liu Fei (刘肥, Lưu Phì; 221–189 BC; posthumously Prince Daohui of Qi 齐悼惠王), was the eldest son of Western Han founding Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang (born out of wedlock to Lady Cao before Liu Bang married Empress Lü).
In 201 BC, Liu Bang ennobled Liu Fei as Prince of Qi, granting him seventy-three cities in the richest cultural and commercial heartland of China. In 193 BC, visiting Chang’an to pay homage to the new Emperor Hui (Liu Ying), Emperor Hui seated his elder half-brother Liu Fei in the seat of honor above himself out of fraternal respect. Watching this, Empress Lü (Empress Lü) flew into a murderous fury, ordering two cups of poisoned wine poured for Liu Fei. When Emperor Hui innocently picked up the other poisoned cup to toast his brother, Empress Lü panicked and knocked the cup from Emperor Hui’s hand. Realizing he had narrowly escaped death, Liu Fei consulted his chancellor, who advised: ‘Empress Lü loves only Princess Luyuan; cede your rich territory of Chengyang to Princess Luyuan and declare her Queen Mother of your realm!’ Empress Lü was delighted, and Liu Fei was permitted to return alive to Qi.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 52, House of Qi Daohui): “Liu Fei ceded Chengyang to Princess Luyuan, calling her Queen Mother; Empress Lü rejoiced, threw a feast in his honor, and let him return to Qi in peace.”
Liu Fei — Historical & Literary Timeline
221 BC
Birth in Pei County
Eldest son of Liu Bang and Lady Cao.
201 BC
Prince of Qi
Ennobled with seventy-three cities, ruling the largest principality in the Han Empire.
193 BC
The Poisoned Wine Crisis
Escapes poisoned wine in Chang’an by ceding Chengyang to Princess Luyuan.
189 BC
Passing in Linzi
Passes away peacefully; his sons later lead the military restoration against the Lü clan.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu): Founding emperor.
- Mother Lady Cao (曹氏): Liu Bang’s early companion in Pei County.
- Brother Liu Ying (Emperor Hui): Younger brother who saved him from drinking the poison.
- Half-Sister Princess Luyuan (鲁元公主): Granted Chengyang to satisfy Empress Lü.
- Sons Liu Xiang (Prince of Qi), Liu Zhang (Marquis of Zhuxu): Sons who exterminated the Lü clan in 180 BC.
Friends
- Wise Chancellor Chancellor of Qi: Devised the strategy to cede Chengyang.
Enemies
- Murderous Matriarch Empress Lü (吕后): Attempted to poison him in Chang’an.
Other
- Qi Elders Scholars of Linzi: Supported his prosperous northern court.
In Shiji
The Price of Survival
"He traded land for his life; yet the sons he raised in Qi returned with iron swords to avenge the house of Liu."
Historical Context
Liu Fei's sons, Liu Xiang and Liu Zhang, were the decisive military leaders whose armed uprising from Qi annihilated the Lü clan and enthroned Emperor Wen in 180 BC.
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