Cui Yi

Historical Record

Cui Yi has no clear record in the historical materials; his life, deeds, family background, and interactions with contemporaries are nowhere to be found in the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Therefore, the historical authenticity of Cui Yi and his specific role in history cannot at present be verified from the historical materials. ^c:1518

In the Novel

In the novel the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cui Yi is a younger brother of Cui Lie, a former minister over the masses, living in seclusion in the mountains and forests. Discontented with the conduct of the Ten Attendants in selling offices and ranks and envying the worthy, he chose to withdraw from the world and live in reclusion. Cui Yi's first appearance is at the moment when Emperor Shao, Liu Bian, and the Prince of Chenliu, Liu Xie (the later Emperor Xian of Han), having encountered the chaos of the Ten Attendants, fled in distress to Mount Beimang. ^c:1518

The novel depicts the plight of Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu fleeing in the dead of night: amid the cold and hunger of Mount Beimang, by the fourth watch they still had nowhere to go. Just as they despaired, suddenly fireflies came in their hundreds and thousands, lighting the way before them. The two followed the firefly-light until the fifth watch, when, their feet sore and unable to walk farther, they rested beside a haystack at the edge of a hill. Before this haystack stood a manor, and the master of the manor was none other than Cui Yi. ^c:1518

That night Cui Yi dreamed that two red suns fell behind his manor, and when he woke with a start he threw on his clothes and went out to look, finding a red glow rising to the heavens above the haystack behind the manor. He went to investigate and discovered Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu lying beside the grass. After asking the two their identities, the Prince of Chenliu told Cui Yi that the person before him was the reigning emperor, who had fled here owing to the chaos of the Ten Attendants, and that he himself was the emperor's younger brother, the Prince of Chenliu. Hearing this, Cui Yi was greatly startled and at once prostrated himself, announcing his own name: "Your servant is Cui Yi, younger brother of Cui Lie, former minister over the masses. Seeing the Ten Attendants selling offices and envying the worthy, I withdrew into seclusion here." He then helped Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu into the manor, knelt to offer them wine and food, and attended to them with care. ^c:1518

Cui Yi's image in the novel is that of an upright man loyal to the House of Han and loathing the eunuchs' usurpation of power. Though he lived in seclusion, his heart was set on court affairs, and at a critical moment he provided aid to the imperiled emperor, displaying his noble character and his loyalty to the House of Han. His appearance added a glimmer of hope to the flight of Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu, and reflected the sympathy and support of the common folk for the House of Han. ^c:1518

Key Relationships

* Liu Bian (serves): In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cui Yi is the savior of Emperor Shao, Liu Bian; at the moment of the emperor's flight, he provided shelter and food, displaying his loyalty and service to the House of Han. ^c:1518 (novel only)
* Cui Lie (sibling_of): Cui Yi is the younger brother of Cui Lie, the former minister over the masses. This identity is explicitly mentioned in the novel to explain Cui Yi's background and his knowledge of and discontent with court affairs. ^c:1518 (novel only)

Iconic Scenes

Cui Yi's iconic scene is, without doubt, the episode in which he takes in and aids Emperor Shao, Liu Bian, and the Prince of Chenliu, Liu Xie, at his manor on Mount Beimang. In this scene, Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu, cold and hungry on their flight, are all but in despair. Cui Yi discovers the two through a strange dream at night, and upon learning their identity at once lends his aid, helping them into the manor and presenting wine and food. This moment displays not only Cui Yi's benevolence and loyalty but also provides a brief interval of peace and hope in the flight of Emperor Shao and the Prince of Chenliu. Cui Yi's announcement of his own name and his explanation of the reason for his seclusion are also completed in this scene, rounding out his character. ^c:1518 (novel only)