Liu Fang

Historical Record

Liu Fang, styled Ziqi, has uncertain dates of birth and death, but throughout his life he played an important role in the Cao Wei regime. He was known for his outstanding talent and his skill in accommodating the wishes of his sovereign. At first, Liu Fang attached himself to Wang Song. In the tenth year of Jian'an (205), when Cao Cao campaigned against Yuan Tan at Nanpi, he sent a letter inviting Wang Song to surrender. Liu Fang composed Wang Song's reply to Cao Cao on his behalf, and its splendid diction won Cao Cao's high regard. Cao Cao not only admired his literary talent but, hearing of his reputation, recruited Liu Fang. When Liu Fang arrived together with Wang Song, Cao Cao was greatly pleased and said to Liu Fang: "In former days Ban Biao attached himself to Dou Rong and achieved the merit of the Hexi region; how like that is your affair with Wang Song today!" Liu Fang was then appointed to military affairs under the Minister of Works, and later held the posts of registrar and recorder, and served as Magistrate of Heyang, Duiyu, and Zan^[1].

During the reign of Cao Rui, Emperor Ming of Wei, Liu Fang served together with Sun Zi as Director and Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, deeply trusted by the emperor; together they took charge of court policy decisions, and the great ministers all sought their friendship. Xin Pi, the Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, alone would not associate with them. Xin Pi's son Xin Chang once remonstrated with his father, holding that Liu and Sun wielded overwhelming power and that everyone flocked to them, and advising Xin Pi to lower his pride somewhat and blend his light and merge with the dust with them, so as to avoid bringing slander upon himself. But Xin Pi declared with grave countenance that Emperor Ming of Wei was no muddled ruler, and that he had his own principles of conduct; even if he were on poor terms with Liu and Sun, the worst would be that he could not rank among the Three Excellencies, and there was no danger to his life — he was unwilling to ruin his own integrity in pursuit of high office^[2]. Later, Bi Gui recommended to Emperor Ming of Wei that Xin Pi replace Wang Si. Emperor Ming of Wei questioned Liu Fang and Sun Zi about this, and the two replied that His Majesty employed Wang Si for his practical results, not for empty repute; that Xin Pi, though upright, was harsh and headstrong by nature, and required His Majesty's deep consideration. In the end, Emperor Ming of Wei adopted Liu and Sun's view, did not employ Xin Pi, and instead sent him out as Commandant of the Guards^[2].

When Emperor Ming of Wei fell gravely ill, he had considered installing Cao Yu, Prince of Yan, as General-in-Chief, to serve as joint regent together with Xiahou Xian, Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Qin Lang, and others. But Cao Yu was respectful and modest by nature and firmly declined. The emperor summoned Liu Fang and Sun Zi into his bedchamber and asked them the reason for the Prince of Yan's refusal. Liu and Sun replied: "It is simply that the Prince of Yan truly knows himself unequal to the great charge." The emperor then asked: "Can Cao Shuang take Cao Yu's place?" Liu Fang and Sun Zi seized the chance to approve, and earnestly urged that Grand Commandant Sima Yi be summoned with all speed to stabilize the imperial house. The emperor adopted their advice and at once handed yellow paper to Liu Fang to draft the edict. After Liu Fang and Sun Zi left the hall, however, the emperor changed his mind again and issued an order stopping Sima Yi from coming. Soon the emperor again summoned Liu Fang and Sun Zi and said: "I had meant to summon the Grand Commandant, but Cao Zhao and the others blocked it — they nearly ruined my great affair!" He then ordered Liu Fang to redraft the edict, and summoned Cao Shuang alone, together with Liu Fang and Sun Zi, to receive it. In the end, Cao Yu, Xiahou Xian, Cao Zhao, Qin Lang, and the rest were all dismissed from office. After Sima Yi arrived, he ascended to the emperor's bedside to receive the edict, and shortly afterward the emperor passed away^[3].

In the Novel

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Fang's image centers chiefly on the critical moment when Cao Rui, Emperor Ming of Wei, gravely ill, entrusted the regency on his deathbed. The novel's description of Liu Fang accords broadly with the historical facts, but lays more emphasis on the role he played in promoting Cao Rui's deathbed arrangement. In the novel, because Emperor Ming of Wei was gravely ill, he wished to make Cao Yu, Prince of Yan, General-in-Chief to assist the heir apparent Cao Fang in governing as regent^[4]. Cao Yu, however, being respectful, frugal, and mild by nature, was unwilling to take on this heavy charge and firmly declined. At this point, Emperor Ming of Wei summoned the Palace Attendant and Imperial Household Grandee Liu Fang and Sun Zi, asking which of the imperial clansmen was equal to the great charge. Because the two had once received favor from Cao Zhen, Liu Fang and Sun Zi recommended Cao Zhen's son Cao Shuang. Emperor Ming of Wei adopted their advice^[4].

Liu Fang and Sun Zi then advised further that if Cao Shuang were to be given heavy responsibility, then Cao Yu, Prince of Yan, should be sent back to his fief. Emperor Ming of Wei agreed to this proposal. The two then asked Emperor Ming of Wei to issue an edict, and carried the edict to instruct Cao Yu, Prince of Yan, ordering him to return to his fief that very day and not to enter the court without an edict. The Prince of Yan could only depart in tears. In the end, Cao Shuang was enfeoffed as General-in-Chief, controlling the whole of court affairs^[4]. In the novel, this act of Liu Fang and Sun Zi is portrayed as tinged with self-interest — "the two had long enjoyed Cao Zhen's favor" — thereby driving Cao Shuang's rise to power, rather than the historical final decision the emperor reached after manifold considerations and repeated deliberation. The novel does not mention the emperor's vacillating process of first summoning Sima Yi, then stopping him, and finally recalling him; instead it casts Liu Fang and Sun Zi directly as the immediate movers behind Cao Shuang's rise, simplifying the complexity of history.

Key Relationships

* Wang Song: The figure Liu Fang attached himself to early on; Liu Fang composed Wang Song's reply to Cao Cao on his behalf, and because of his outstanding literary talent he was recruited by Cao Cao together with Wang Song^[1].
* Cao Wei: The regime Liu Fang served, in which he held such offices as military affairs under the Minister of Works, registrar, recorder, and Magistrate of Heyang, and together with Sun Zi took charge of the central government's confidential affairs^[1].
* Sun Zi: Liu Fang's close friend and political ally; the two together enjoyed Emperor Ming of Wei's deep trust, handled affairs of state together, and gave joint counsel at the emperor's deathbed entrustment^[3].
* Cao Shuang: At Emperor Ming of Wei's deathbed entrustment, Liu Fang and Sun Zi together recommended and brought about Cao Shuang's becoming General-in-Chief and controlling the whole of court affairs^[3]. The novel emphasizes their motive of recommending Cao Shuang because they had received Cao Zhen's favor^[4] (novel only).
* Cao Rui, Emperor Ming of Wei: Liu Fang deeply enjoyed his trust, taking charge of the central government together with Sun Zi, and took part in the important deathbed deliberations when the emperor was gravely ill^[3].
* Xin Pi: At odds with Liu Fang and Sun Zi in political views, he would not associate with them. Liu Fang and Sun Zi once advised Emperor Ming of Wei in a way that caused Xin Pi to fail to replace Wang Si and to be sent out of the capital instead^[2].

Defining Scenes

* Composing the reply to Cao Cao and winning his regard: Liu Fang composed on Wang Song's behalf the reply to Cao Cao's letter of invitation to surrender; its splendid diction won Cao Cao's praise, and he was thereby recruited, beginning his official career in Cao Wei^[1]. This event displays Liu Fang's outstanding literary talent and marks the starting point of his political career.
* The deathbed entrustment of Emperor Ming of Wei and the strong recommendation of Cao Shuang: When Emperor Ming of Wei was gravely ill, Liu Fang and Sun Zi entered his bedchamber and, when the emperor asked about candidates for the regency, strongly recommended Cao Shuang and brought about his becoming General-in-Chief. This scene is a high point in Liu Fang's political career and directly shaped the political landscape of the later Cao Wei period^[3]. In the novel, this scene is portrayed as Liu Fang and Sun Zi recommending Cao Shuang because they had received Cao Zhen's favor, and bringing about Cao Yu, Prince of Yan's, return to his fief, further highlighting their key role in Cao Shuang's rise^[4].
* Holding the central government together with Sun Zi and squeezing out rivals: Liu Fang and Sun Zi jointly held the central government and deeply enjoyed Emperor Ming of Wei's trust. When Bi Gui recommended Xin Pi, Liu Fang and Sun Zi advised the emperor, pointing out that Xin Pi was "harsh and headstrong by nature," which ultimately led to Xin Pi's failing to gain employment and being sent out of the capital instead. This scene reflects the power Liu Fang and Sun Zi held at court and their influence over the political situation^[2].