Liu Shan

Biography & Historical Record

Liu Shan (207–271 AD), courtesy name Gongsi, childhood name A Dou, was the second and final emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, reigning for 40 years from 223 to 263 AD. He was the eldest son of Liu Bei and Lady Gan. During his infancy amidst the chaos of Cao Cao’s invasion of Jing Province, Liu Shan was famously rescued twice by Zhao Yun during the perilous civilian exodus at the Battle of Changban—first saving him from enemy lines and second shielding Lady Gan.

Following Liu Bei’s death at Baidi Castle in 223 AD, the teenage Liu Shan ascended the throne at the young age of 16 under the grand regency of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang. Out of deep respect and absolute trust, Liu Shan famously treated Zhuge Liang like a father, proclaiming that state affairs were handled by the Prime Minister (Father Zhuge) while he managed personal duties. During Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expeditions and subsequent regencies under Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun, Shu Han maintained a stable administration. However, in his later years, Liu Shan fell under the heavy influence of the corrupt eunuch Huang Hao, leading to political stagnation and friction with Jiang Wei’s continuous military campaigns. In 263 AD, when Cao Wei launched a massive three-pronged invasion under Deng Ai and Zhong Hui, Deng Ai’s daring and treacherous mountain march shocked Chengdu. Following the counsel of his official Qiao Zhou, Liu Shan chose to surrender unconditionally to Cao Wei, bringing an end to Shu Han. Relocated to the Wei capital of Luoyang, Liu Shan was granted the mocking title “Duke of Anle” (Duke of Ease and Comfort). During a banquet hosted by Sima Zhao, when musicians played music from Shu and former Shu officials wept, Liu Shan famously smiled and remarked, “This pleasure makes me forget Shu,” giving rise to the famous idiom *le bu shi shu* (so happy one forgets home). He passed away peacefully in Luoyang in 271 AD at the age of 65.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Luo Guanzhong’s epic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Shan is traditionally depicted as a weak-willed, easily manipulated, and mediocre ruler—famously encapsulated by the Chinese proverb *fu dou bu qi* (“A Dou cannot be made to stand upright,” meaning hopeless). Despite the immense sacrifices made by Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang to secure his throne, Liu Shan’s reliance on eunuchs and eventual capitulation to Wei mark the tragic, inevitable decline and fall of Shu Han.

Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings

• “This pleasure makes me forget Shu.” — Liu Shan’s infamous remark to Sima Zhao at the Luoyang banquet when asked if he missed his former kingdom.
• “My father entrusted the state to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang out of supreme trust, and I have followed his guidance all my days.” — Liu Shan reflecting on his relationship with Zhuge Liang.

Liu Shan (刘禅) — Historical & Literary Timeline

Key Relationships

Family

• Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — Father and founding emperor of Shu Han who entrusted the state to his son upon his death in 223 AD.
• Lady Gan (甘夫人, Cam phu nhân) — Biological mother who was shielded by Zhao Yun during the Battle of Changban in 208 AD.
• Empress Zhang (敬哀皇后, Kính Ai hoàng hậu) — Primary wife and daughter of the general Zhang Fei.
• Liu Chen (刘谌, Lưu Kham) — Son and Prince of Beidi who famously opposed the surrender to Wei in 263 AD and committed suicide at the ancestral shrine.

Friends

• Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — Legendary general who saved Liu Shan’s life twice during the civilian exodus at the Battle of Changban in 208 AD.
• Jiang Wan (蒋琬, Tưởng Uyển) — Successive regent who maintained the stability of the Shu Han administration following the death of Zhuge Liang.
• Fei Yi (费祎, Phí Y) — Successive regent who worked to preserve the state’s internal and external affairs after 234 AD.
• Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy) — Military commander who continued the Northern Expeditions in an attempt to preserve the state of Shu Han.

Enemies

• Deng Ai (邓艾, Đặng Ngải) — Wei general who led the daring mountain march that forced the surrender of Chengdu in 263 AD.
• Zhong Hui (钟会, Chung Hội) — Wei general who co-led the three-pronged invasion of Shu Han in 263 AD.
• Sima Zhao (司马昭, Tư Mã Chiêu) — Regent of Cao Wei who accepted Liu Shan’s surrender and held him in Luoyang under the title Duke of Anle.

Other

• Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) — Prime Minister and mentor who served as regent; Liu Shan treated him with the respect due to a father, entrusting him with all state affairs.
• Huang Hao (黄皓, Hoàng Hạo) — Corrupt eunuch whose influence over Liu Shan in his later years contributed to political stagnation and the decline of the state.
• Qiao Zhou (谯周, Tiều Chu) — Official whose counsel directly influenced Liu Shan’s decision to surrender to Cao Wei in 263 AD.