Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Liu Feng (died 220 AD), originally surnamed Kou, was a military officer and adopted son of the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. Born in Lu Commandery, Liu Feng possessed strong physical strength and martial prowess. When Liu Bei was staying in Jing Province and lacked an heir, he adopted Liu Feng into his family, treating him as a biological son. Liu Feng subsequently participated in numerous key campaigns alongside Liu Bei’s generals, including the expedition to conquer Yi Province and the defense of strategic commanderies in Hanzhong.
In 219 AD, during the critical phase of the Jing Province campaign, Liu Feng was stationed at Shangyong alongside Meng Da, commanding regional garrison forces. When Guan Yu faced overwhelming encirclement by Eastern Wu and repeatedly sent urgent requests for military rescue from Shangyong, Liu Feng and Meng Da refused to dispatch reinforcements, citing the instability of their newly conquered garrison territories and direct orders. Following Guan Yu’s capture and execution, Liu Feng’s failure to rescue his uncle sparked deep resentment from Liu Bei. Compounded by Meng Da’s subsequent defection to Cao Wei and Liu Feng’s internal conflicts with local officers like Shen Dan, Liu Feng retreated to Chengdu. Overwhelmed by his failure, political isolation, and Liu Bei’s severe displeasure over his refusal to save Guan Yu, Liu Feng was ordered to commit suicide by Liu Bei in 220 AD.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Feng is portrayed as a valiant and dutiful adopted son of Liu Bei who serves with distinction in early campaigns, such as the capture of Yi Province and the battles of Hanzhong in Chapters 60 to 72. He demonstrates considerable martial courage and assists veterans like Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun.
However, his tragic downfall unfolds in Chapters 73 to 77. Stationed at Shangyong, Liu Feng is persuaded by Meng Da to ignore Guan Yu’s desperate pleas for help. When Guan Yu is executed by Eastern Wu, Liu Bei is consumed by grief and fury. Although Zhuge Liang advises caution, Liu Bei’s anger is fueled by Meng Da’s betrayal. When Liu Feng returns to Chengdu, a remorseful yet furious Liu Bei condemns him for failing to rescue Guan Yu and forces him to take his own life, a decision Liu Bei later deeply regrets.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “Shangyong is newly pacified and our garrison is unstable; we cannot easily mobilize our main forces to march far away.” — Liu Feng refusing Guan Yu’s request for reinforcements.
- “I regret not listening to Meng Da earlier, yet I also grieve that I failed my uncle in his hour of utmost peril.” — Liu Feng reflecting on his tragic fate.
Liu Feng (劉封) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Joining the Expedition to Yi Province
Liu Feng accompanies Liu Bei into Yi Province, displaying martial valor in frontline skirmishes against Liu Zhang’s forces.
Stationed at Shangyong
Liu Feng is assigned alongside Meng Da to govern the strategic commandery of Shangyong, securing the northern borders of the newly established Hanzhong domain.
Refusing to Rescue Guan Yu
Despite receiving repeated urgent pleas from Guan Yu trapped at Maicheng, Liu Feng and Meng Da refuse to send troops, directly contributing to Guan Yu’s execution.
Tragic Death by Suicide
Following Meng Da’s defection to Cao Wei and his own defeat by local officials, Liu Feng flees to Chengdu, where a furious Liu Bei orders him to commit suicide.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Liu Feng on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Adoptive father and ruler of Shu Han; he adopted Liu Feng to serve as an heir before the birth of his biological son, but later ordered Liu Feng to commit suicide in 220 AD due to his failure to rescue Guan Yu.
- Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): Adoptive younger brother; the biological son of Liu Bei who succeeded him as the second Emperor of Shu Han.
Friends
- Meng Da (孟达, Mạnh Đạt): Co-commander at Shangyong; he persuaded Liu Feng to ignore Guan Yu’s pleas for reinforcements in 219 AD and later defected to Cao Wei, leaving Liu Feng isolated.
Enemies
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): Adoptive uncle; his capture and execution by Eastern Wu forces in 219 AD followed Liu Feng’s refusal to provide military aid, which ultimately led to Liu Feng’s downfall.
- Shen Dan (申耽, Thân Đam): Local official at Shangyong who turned against Liu Feng, contributing to his military defeat and subsequent retreat to Chengdu.
- Shen Yi (申仪, Thân Nghi): Local official at Shangyong who, alongside his brother Shen Dan, opposed Liu Feng and facilitated his loss of control over the region.
Other
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Chancellor of Shu Han; in the novel, he advised Liu Bei to show leniency toward Liu Feng, fearing that Liu Feng might cause trouble if left alive, which influenced the final decision regarding his fate.
In Novel
Chapter 36
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): Liu Bei meets Kou Feng, the orphaned son of Luo Hou’s family, at his uncle Liu Mi’s household. Impressed by the young man’s appearance and character, Liu Bei adopts him as his son and changes his surname from Kou to Liu. Liu Bei orders him to regard Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as his uncles. Guan Yu objects that Liu Bei should not adopt a son while he has no biological heir, but Liu Bei insists that Liu Feng will serve him as a true son.
Chapter 39
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): Liu Feng is entrusted with military responsibilities alongside Guan Ping during Liu Bei’s operations from Xinye. He is part of the younger generation of commanders being developed around Liu Bei and takes part in the preparations for the fighting against Cao Cao’s forces.
Chapter 40
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): During Cao Cao’s attack on Xinye, Liu Feng operates with the Shu commanders in the defensive arrangements around the city. He participates in the movement of troops and the deception designed to make Cao Cao’s army overestimate the strength and readiness of Liu Bei’s defenses.
Chapter 41
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): As Liu Bei evacuates Xinye and leads the population toward Jiangling, Liu Feng helps organize the boats and transport needed for the river crossing. His role is part of the emergency effort to move Liu Bei’s followers and civilian population while Cao Cao’s army pursues them.
Chapter 49
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): After the Red Cliffs victory, Liu Feng joins the pursuit of the defeated Wei forces and helps Liu Bei’s side secure the aftermath of the campaign. He remains one of Liu Bei’s field commanders as the struggle for Jingzhou develops.
Chapter 57
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): When Zhou Yu attempts to move his army toward Yi Province, Liu Feng and Guan Ping command troops upstream and block the water route. Their presence forces Zhou Yu to confront the fact that Liu Bei has already taken measures to prevent an unchecked Wu advance toward the west.
Chapter 71
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): Zhuge Liang orders Liu Feng and Meng Da to take 3,000 troops into the mountain passes during the Hanzhong campaign. Their task is not to engage Cao Cao’s main army directly but to establish numerous banners and visible signs of a larger force, creating the impression that Shu has troops positioned everywhere and making the Wei commanders uncertain about the true size and location of Liu Bei’s army.
Chapter 73
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): Liu Feng and Meng Da are ordered to attack Shangyong and the surrounding commanderies. Shen Dan, the local administrator, leads his followers to surrender. After the conquest, Liu Bei promotes Liu Feng to General Who Assists the Army (副将军) and orders him to share command of Shangyong with Meng Da.
Chapter 76
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): After Guan Yu retreats to Maicheng, he sends Liao Hua through the encirclement to request immediate relief from Liu Feng and Meng Da at Shangyong. Liao Hua explains that Guan Yu has only a small force left and is surrounded by Wu troops. Liu Feng asks Meng Da what to do, but Meng Da argues that Shangyong has only recently submitted and that their limited force cannot defeat both Wu and Wei. Liu Feng accepts the argument and refuses to send the requested relief, leaving Guan Yu without the reinforcements he needs.
Chapter 77
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): After Guan Yu and Guan Ping are captured and killed, Liu Bei learns from Liao Hua that Liu Feng and Meng Da refused to send troops. Zhuge Liang advises Liu Bei to deal with the matter carefully rather than immediately arresting them, because a sudden move could cause further disorder. Liu Bei therefore delays punishment while planning how to isolate the two commanders.
Chapter 79
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong (Kou biological surname)): Liu Feng is ordered to fight Meng Da after Meng Da defects to Wei. Meng Da sends him a letter accusing Liu Bei of intending to kill him and attempting to exploit the strained relationship between Liu Feng and Guan Yu. Liu Feng tears up the letter, kills the messenger, and challenges Meng Da personally. They fight fewer than three rounds before Meng Da retreats; Liu Feng pursues him for more than twenty li, only to be ambushed by Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang. Liu Feng’s army is routed, and he retreats toward Shangyong. At the city, Shen Dan announces that he has already surrendered to Wei, while Shen Yi reveals another Wei force under Xu Huang. Liu Feng escapes with only about one hundred cavalry and reaches Chengdu. Liu Bei refuses to forgive him for failing to rescue Guan Yu and for allowing himself to be influenced by Meng Da. Liu Bei orders Liu Feng executed. The novel later states that Liu Bei regrets the decision after learning that Liu Feng had rejected Meng Da’s offer to surrender and had killed the messenger.
In History
Summary
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong) was an adopted son of Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and an important Shu military commander. His original family name was Kou (寇), according to the historical tradition.
Year: 219 AD
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong) failed to provide military assistance to Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) when requested and later lost Shangyong.
Year: 220 AD
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong) was recalled and executed by Liu Bei after being accused of disobedience and other offenses.
Historical Record
- Liu Feng (刘封, Lưu Phong) was a real historical adopted son and commander of Liu Bei. His execution is recorded in the Sanguozhi.