Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi) was a prominent official under Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) during the Shu Han (蜀汉, Thục Hán) period. Originally serving under Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương) as the Magistrate of Mianzhu, he surrendered to Liu Bei after the latter took control of Yi Province. Fei Shi was known for his forthrightness and strict adherence to principles, which occasionally brought him into conflict with his superiors.
His most notable historical act occurred when Liu Bei was declared King of Hanzhong. Fei Shi was tasked with traveling to the front lines to confer the title of ‘General of the Vanguard’ upon Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ). Guan Yu, upon hearing that Huang Zhong (黄忠, Hoàng Trung) had been made a ‘General of the Rear’—a rank he considered beneath his dignity—refused the appointment, citing his disdain for serving alongside an ‘old soldier.’ Fei Shi provided a stern rebuke, reminding Guan Yu of the shared interests of the state and the nature of loyalty, successfully persuading him to accept the title.
Later in his career, he served as the Secretariat Chief (尚书令, Shàngshū lìng) under Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng). However, due to his blunt criticism regarding the handling of Wei Yan (魏延, Ngụy Diên) and other internal policy disputes, he was eventually demoted to a commoner.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Fei Shi is portrayed as a loyal and courageous diplomat. He is best known for his diplomatic mission to Gucheng where he confronted Guan Yu regarding the appointment of the Five Tiger Generals. He acts as the voice of reason against Guan Yu’s pride.
“Generals share the glory and the shame of the state. If you refuse the title because you despise Huang Zhong, are you not considering yourself greater than the state?”
Fei Shi — Historical & Literary Timeline
Surrender to Liu Bei
Fei Shi surrenders along with the administration of Mianzhu when Liu Bei captures Yi Province.
The Diplomatic Mission
Fei Shi travels to Jing Province to present Guan Yu with the rank of General of the Vanguard, successfully managing the general’s volatile reaction to the promotion of the Five Tiger Generals.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Fei Shi on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): In 219 AD, Fei Shi acted as a diplomatic envoy to Jing Province to confer the title of General of the Vanguard upon Guan Yu. He successfully used reason and rhetoric to persuade the proud general to accept the post despite Guan Yu’s initial refusal.
- Huang Zhong (黄忠, Hoàng Trung): Fei Shi defended Huang Zhong’s appointment as General of the Rear during his 219 AD mission, reminding Guan Yu that all loyal subjects share the state’s glory regardless of age or status.
Enemies
- No information
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): His sovereign. Fei Shi surrendered to Liu Bei in 214 AD during the pacification of Yi Province and served him as a highly principled diplomat and official.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): His superior. Fei Shi served as Secretariat Chief under Zhuge Liang’s administration, but their relationship became strained due to Fei Shi’s blunt criticisms of state policies, leading to Fei Shi’s demotion.
- Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương): His original lord. Fei Shi served as the Magistrate of Mianzhu under Liu Zhang’s administration before surrendering the territory to Liu Bei in 214 AD.
- Wei Yan (魏延, Ngụy Diên): A Shu Han general. Fei Shi’s outspoken criticism regarding the administration’s handling of Wei Yan and other internal policy matters directly resulted in his demotion to a commoner.
In Novel
Chapter 65
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi): Scholar from Qianwei, courtesy name Gongwei (公衡), who entered Shu Han service after the pacification of Chengdu.
Chapter 73
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi): Sent as imperial envoy to Jingzhou to deliver the insignia of Senior General of the Front to Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ), successfully appeasing Guan Yu’s pride when Guan Yu initially balked at equal rank with Huang Zhong (黄忠, Hoàng Trung).
Chapter 80
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi): Submitted an outspoken memorial candidly advising Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) to delay declaring himself Emperor until Cao Wei was subjugated, resulting in his temporary administrative demotion.
Chapter 91
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi): Appointed to Chancellor Zhuge Liang’s (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) logistics staff during the preparation for the Northern Expeditions.
In History
Year: 214 AD
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi) entered the service of Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) after the conquest of Yi Province. He was appointed as an administrator in the new Shu administration and became known for his direct and outspoken political advice.
Year: 219 AD
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi) served as an envoy to Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) when Liu Bei appointed Guan Yu as General of the Vanguard. Fei Shi attempted to persuade Guan Yu to accept the appointment, despite Guan Yu’s initial displeasure at receiving a lower rank than Ma Chao (马超, Mã Siêu).
Period I
- Fei Shi (费诗, Phí Thi) later served under Shu Han but was demoted after openly criticizing the policy of Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị). His historical biography is brief, but it records him as a frank and independent-minded official.
Gallery
