Li Gui

Historical Record

Li Gui is not clearly mentioned in the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. This means that in the historical literature we cannot find any account of his life, offices, deeds, or any specific description. Therefore, from the standpoint of the sources, Li Gui is an unrecorded figure. Whether he existed and what role he played in historical events cannot be verified. ^c:12296

In the Novel

In the literary world of Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Li Gui appears as an aide-official, portrayed as a loyal and righteous man who dares to speak the truth. He first appears at the critical moment after Liu Biao's death, when Cai Mao and others sought to set aside the elder son in favor of the younger and install Liu Cong as lord of Jing Province. When none of the officials dared to speak, Li Gui stepped forward and clearly voiced his support for Liu Qi. He declared: "The young master's words are excellent. We should at once send a letter of mourning to Jiangxia, inviting the eldest son to become lord of Jing Province; and command Xuande (Liu Bei) to govern jointly with him. To the north we can resist Cao Cao, to the south we can fend off Sun Quan—this is a foolproof plan." ^c:12296 These words not only affirmed his recognition of Liu Qi's right of succession but also proposed the strategic vision of allying with Liu Bei to counter Cao Cao and Sun Quan, displaying a certain political foresight. However, his loyal but unwelcome words enraged the power-hungry Cai Mao. Cai Mao immediately rebuked him: "Who are you, that you dare speak recklessly to defy our lord's dying command!" ^c:12296 Facing Cai Mao's threats, Li Gui did not flinch but instead loudly denounced Cai Mao and his clique: "Conspiring within and without, falsely claiming a dying command, setting aside the elder for the younger—you would see the nine commanderies of Jingxiang handed over into the hands of the Cai clan! If our late lord has a spirit, he will surely strike you down!" ^c:12296 This impassioned speech tore away the disguise of Cai Mao and his faction, exposing their ambition to usurp the great power of Jing Province. In the end, enraged and humiliated, Cai Mao ordered Li Gui dragged out and beheaded. Li Gui remained unyielding to the death, cursing without cease, displaying his loyalty and righteousness, willing to die rather than submit. His sacrifice further underscored the cruelty and treachery of Cai Mao and his faction, and cast a tragic shadow over the state of Jing Province after Liu Biao's death. In the novel, although Li Gui's role is small, his brief but intense appearance leaves a deep impression on the reader, making him a tragically heroic image of a loyal minister. ^c:12296

Key Relationships

* Relationship with Liu Qi: Li Gui was a staunch supporter of Liu Qi's succession to the seat of Jing Province. After Liu Biao's death, he strongly advocated installing Liu Qi as lord of Jing Province and proposed the strategy of allying with Liu Bei to counter Cao Cao and Sun Quan, showing his loyalty to Liu Qi and his careful consideration of Jing Province's future. (novel only) ^c:12296
* Relationship with Cai Mao: Between Li Gui and Cai Mao there was sharp opposition. Li Gui's loyal words and his exposure of Cai Mao's conspiracy directly enraged Cai Mao, leading to his being ordered beheaded by Cai Mao. The clash between the two is a direct collision of loyalty against treachery, public spirit against private greed. (novel only) ^c:12296
* Relationship with Liu Biao: Although the novel does not directly depict Li Gui's interactions with Liu Biao during the latter's life, Li Gui's furious rebuke of Cai Mao after Liu Biao's death—"If our late lord has a spirit, he will surely strike you down!"—implies his loyalty to Liu Biao and his indignation at the usurpation of Liu Biao's legacy by the Cai clan. He regarded himself as a former minister of Liu Biao, bearing the responsibility of upholding the legitimate Liu line. (novel only) ^c:12296
* Relationship with Liu Bei: When proposing to install Liu Qi, Li Gui also suggested "commanding Xuande to govern jointly," indicating that he recognized Liu Bei's military talent and political influence, and hoped to use Liu Bei's strength to shore up Jing Province's defenses against external threats. This proposal also indirectly affirmed Liu Bei's standing and role in Jing Province. (novel only) ^c:12296

Iconic Scenes

Li Gui's most iconic scene is the moment in Liu Biao's funeral hall when, facing the conspiracy of Cai Mao and his faction, he stepped forward, spoke out impassionedly, and ultimately died for the cause of righteousness. ^c:12296

In Chapter 40 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after Liu Biao died of illness, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and others secretly plotted to set aside the elder son for the younger, intending to install Liu Cong as lord of Jing Province. When Cai Mao announced, "Our lord on his deathbed left word to install the second son Liu Cong as lord of Jing Province," none of the officials dared to speak. At that moment, the aide-official Li Gui resolutely stepped forward and refuted Cai Mao's claim. He first affirmed Liu Qi's right of succession and proposed the strategy of allying with Liu Bei: "The young master's words are excellent. We should at once send a letter of mourning to Jiangxia, inviting the eldest son to become lord of Jing Province; and command Xuande to govern jointly with him. To the north we can resist Cao Cao, to the south we can fend off Sun Quan—this is a foolproof plan." ^c:12296 These words were not only political advice but a defense of Liu Biao's last wishes and a far-reaching consideration of Jing Province's future. However, his loyal words were taken by Cai Mao as "reckless speech defying our lord's dying command," and Cai Mao, enraged, rebuked him. Facing this overbearing power, Li Gui showed no fear but instead loudly denounced Cai Mao and his clique: "Conspiring within and without, falsely claiming a dying command, setting aside the elder for the younger—you would see the nine commanderies of Jingxiang handed over into the hands of the Cai clan! If our late lord has a spirit, he will surely strike you down!" ^c:12296 His words rang out forcefully, striking straight at the core crime of Cai Mao and his faction and exposing their conspiracy before all. Enraged, Cai Mao ordered his attendants to drag Li Gui out and behead him. As Li Gui was escorted to the execution ground, he still "cursed without cease unto death," displaying his heroic spirit of unyielding loyalty. ^c:12296 This scene is Li Gui's sole and most important appearance in the novel; with his own life he defended justice and loyalty, becoming a tragic loyal-minister figure in Romance of the Three Kingdoms who, though given little ink, leaves a deep impression. This scene also lays the groundwork for Liu Bei's later takeover of Jing Province and the eventual fate of Cai Mao and his faction. (novel only)