Liu Xu
Biography & Historical Record
Liu Xu (刘许, Lưu Hứa) was a noble and official of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the eldest son of Liu Fang (刘放, Lưu Phóng), the powerful Director of the Imperial Secretariat (Zhongshu Ling) who, alongside Sun Zi, controlled imperial edicts and court policy under emperors Cao Pi and Cao Rui.
Inheriting his father’s administrative acumen and political favor, Liu Xu served in the imperial civil administration and inherited Liu Fang’s marquisate. He managed regional governorships and court duties with integrity during the transition toward the Sima regency.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 105–106 (The halls of Wei): In the inner palace of Luoyang, Liu Fang held the emperor’s pen, shaping edicts that governed the realm. His sons Liu Xu and Liu Ju inherited the prestige of the secretariat, maintaining the family’s standing amid shifting imperial factions.
Liu Xu — Historical & Literary Timeline
c. 215 AD
Birth into Imperial Bureaucracy
Born in Zhuo Commandery as the eldest son of Grand Secretariat Director Liu Fang.
c. 240 AD
Civil Service in Cao Wei
Enters government office in Luoyang, participating in administrative draftsmanship and court advisory duties.
250 AD
Succession of Marquisate
Inherits his father’s noble title following Liu Fang’s passing, continuing the family lineage in late Wei.
Key Relationships
Family
- Liu Fang (刘放, Lưu Phóng) — Father; Director of the Imperial Secretariat who drafted the decisive edicts elevating Sima Yi.
- Liu Ju (刘局, Lưu Cục) — Brother; court officer in Cao Wei.
- Liu Xi (刘熙, Lưu Hy) — Brother; official of Cao Wei.
Friends / Allies
- Sun Zi (孙资) Clan — Allied family sharing joint control of the Secretariat for decades.
- Sima Yi (司马懿) — Grand Tutor whose regency was facilitated by Liu Fang’s imperial deathbed edict.
Enemies / Rivals
- Cao Shuang (曹爽) Faction — Imperial rivals who attempted to curtail the Secretariat’s authority before 249 CE.
Other
- Cao Rui (曹叡) — Emperor Ming under whose favor the Liu family reached peak court influence.
In Novel
Chapter 105 (The drafting of decrees)
- Liu Xu (刘许, Lưu Hứa): In the secretariat chambers, imperial brushstrokes sealed the fate of armies; the sons of Liu Fang grew up in the shadow of the throne's innermost councils.
Chapter 106 (The succession of honors)
- Liu Xu (刘许, Lưu Hứa): With the passing of the senior ministers, Liu Xu preserved the marquisate and guided his household through the perilous transitions of late Wei.
In History
Summary
- Liu Xu (刘许) was the eldest son of Liu Fang, Director of the Imperial Secretariat in Cao Wei. He inherited his father's marquisate and served in government office.
Year: 250 AD
- Inherited the title of Marquis of Fangcheng upon his father Liu Fang's demise, continuing the bureaucratic lineage.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi, Vol. 14 (Biography of Liu Fang): Records Liu Xu's succession to his father's fiefdom and official ranks in Cao Wei.
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