Liu Qi

Biography & Historical Record

Liu Qi (刘琦, Lưu Kỳ) (? – 209) was the eldest son of Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu), later Administrator of Jiangxia, ally of Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) at Red Cliffs, and briefly Inspector of Jing Province before dying of illness. Initially favoured because he resembled his father, he was undermined after Liu Biao married Cai Furen (蔡夫人, Sái Phu Nhân) and Liu Cong (刘琮, Lưu Tông) married into the Cai house. Seeking safety he asked Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) for counsel; the Spring-and-Autumn parallel of Shen Sheng (who stayed and died) versus Chong’er (who left and survived) pushed him to request Jiangxia after Huang Zu (黄祖, Hoàng Tổ)‘s death (208). When Liu Biao died, Cai Mao (蔡瑁, Sái Mạo) and Zhang Yun (张允, Trương Duẫn) barred him from the deathbed and installed Liu Cong. After Liu Cong surrendered to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo), Liu Qi joined Liu Bei, fought at Red Cliffs, was recommended Inspector of Jing, and died months later in 209 — clearing Liu Bei’s path in the south.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 39: Desperate for advice, Liu Qi lures Zhuge Liang upstairs, removes the ladder, and threatens suicide until Zhuge Liang cites Shen Sheng / Chong’er and urges him to leave Xiangyang for Jiangxia.

Chapters 40–41: After Huang Zu’s fall he takes Jiangxia; Cai Mao and Zhang Yun block him from dying Liu Biao; Liu Cong is installed. He later joins “uncle” Liu Bei, shelters Changban remnants, and commits Jiangxia / Xiakou strength to the Red Cliffs alliance with Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền).

Chapter 52: Named Governor of Jing after Chibi. When Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc) presses for the return of southern commanderies, Zhuge Liang stages Liu Qi’s sickly interview so Wu’s demand can be delayed. Liu Qi dies of illness soon after; Liu Bei succeeds in Jing.

Liu Qi (刘琦) — Historical & Literary Timeline

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Liu Qi on Wikipedia.

Key Relationships

Family

• Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu): Father. Jing Province governor who first favoured Liu Qi, then lost control of the succession to the Cai house.
• Lady Chen (陈氏, Trần Thị): Mother — first wife of Liu Biao (novel naming); history treats Liu Qi as son of the earlier wife who died young.
• Cai Furen (蔡夫人, Sái Phu Nhân): Stepmother. Matriarch who schemed for Liu Cong over Liu Qi — link /cai-furen/, not /lady-cai/ (Huang Chengyan’s wife).
• Liu Cong (刘琮, Lưu Tông): Younger brother (half-brother in novel colour). Rival installed by the Cai faction; surrendered Jing to Cao Cao.
• Liu Xiu (刘修, Lưu Tu): Younger sibling named in sources; no dedicated site page.
• Cai Mao (蔡瑁, Sái Mạo): Stepmother’s brother / political uncle who blocked the deathbed and sought Liu Qi’s ruin — kin-by-marriage and deadly rival.

Friends

• Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): “Uncle” and protector after Changban; co-commander at Red Cliffs; succeeds Liu Qi’s Jing title after 209.
• Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Reluctant adviser of the ladder scene; later uses Liu Qi’s illness to stall Lu Su.
• Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): Shu general tied to Jiangxia reinforcement and the post-Chibi Jing settlement.

Enemies

• Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Invader of Jing in 208; Liu Qi’s Jiangxia / Xiakou bases feed the anti-Cao alliance at Red Cliffs.
• Cai Furen (蔡夫人, Sái Phu Nhân) / Cai Mao (蔡瑁, Sái Mạo): Domestic faction that drove him from Xiangyang and barred the deathbed.

Other

• Lu Su (鲁肃, Lỗ Túc): Novel (Ch. 52): Wu envoy demanding Jing’s return; Zhuge Liang stages Liu Qi’s sickly interview so the claim can be postponed. History: Lu Su is the real Wu diplomat of the Jing dispute, but the theatrical sickbed is Romance colour.
• Zhang Yun (张允, Trương Duẫn): Cai ally who, with Cai Mao, blocked Liu Qi from Liu Biao’s deathbed and helped install Liu Cong.
• Huang Zu (黄祖, Hoàng Tổ): Predecessor at Jiangxia; his death (208) opens the post Liu Qi requests for safety — the Huang Zu vacancy that saves the elder heir’s life.
• Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền): Red Cliffs ally whose later Jing claims collide with Liu Qi’s brief inspectorship and Liu Bei’s succession.