Liu Fang 劉放

Liu Fang, courtesy name Ziqi, was a man of Zhuo Commandery and a descendant of Liu Hong, Marquis of Xixiang, son of Prince Shun of Guangyang of the Han. He served in various senior posts of the commandery staff and was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt. When the realm fell into great disorder, Wang Song of Yuyang held that territory, and Liu Fang went to him for refuge. Records, Wei 14 §143

When Cao Cao pacified Ji Province, Liu Fang urged Wang Song to entrust himself to Cao Cao: since Dong Zhuo's rebellion, heroes had each built up their own power, but only Lord Cao upheld the Son of Heaven and punished the guilty, so that he prevailed wherever he went; even the two Yuans, when they defended, had melted away like ice in Huainan, and when they fought, had been crushingly defeated at Guandu; just as Qing Bu of old had grasped his sword and gone over to the Han, Wang Song should do likewise. Wang Song agreed, and when Cao Cao, attacking Yuan Tan at Nanpi, invited him by letter, he went over with Yongnu, Quanzhou and Anci. The reply that Liu Fang wrote to Cao Cao on Wang Song's behalf was very elegantly written. Cao Cao thought highly of it, and having also heard what Liu Fang had said to Wang Song, summoned him. Records, Wei 14 §143–145

In the 10th year of Jian'an (205), when Liu Fang came together with Wang Song, Cao Cao was greatly pleased and said how closely this resembled Ban Biao, who of old had relied on Dou Rong and achieved merit in Hexi. Liu Fang became Army Adviser to the Minister of Works, served as Registrar and Recording Clerk, and was Prefect of Heyang, Duiyu and Zan. When the state of Wei was founded, he became Gentleman of the Palace Library together with Sun Zi of Taiyuan. Records, Wei 14 §145–147

When Emperor Wen, Cao Pi, took the throne, Liu Fang and Sun Zi became the Left and Right Assistants, and a few months later Liu Fang was moved to Director of the Palace Library. At the beginning of Huangchu, when the Palace Library was renamed the Palace Secretariat, Liu Fang became Director of the Palace Secretariat and Sun Zi Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, each with the additional title of Serving Within the Palace (jishizhong), and Liu Fang received the rank of Marquis Within the Passes. From then on the two handled confidential affairs. In the 3rd year of Huangchu (222) he was raised to Marquis of Weishou Village, and when Emperor Ming, Cao Rui, took the throne he enjoyed even greater favour and trust, received the additional post of Regular Mounted Attendant, and his rank was raised to Marquis of Xixiang. Records, Wei 14 §148

In Emperor Ming's time, Liu Fang and Sun Zi enjoyed the ruler's trust and decided the government affairs of the day, so there was none among the high ministers who did not cultivate their friendship, except Xin Pi, who kept no contact with them. When Bi Gui memorialized proposing that Xin Pi replace Wang Si as Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Emperor Ming consulted Liu Fang and Sun Zi, who answered that Xin Pi was upright but stubborn and high-handed by nature, and Xin Pi was not appointed. When it was said that the Director and Prefect of the Palace Secretariat monopolized power, Jiang Ji submitted a warning memorial, saying that when attendants are too close, the ruler's person is obscured. Records, Wei 25 §16–18Records, Wei 14 §126–127

Liu Fang was skilled at composing letters and proclamations, and most of the summonses and admonitions among the edicts and orders of the three ancestors were written by him. At the beginning of Qinglong, when Sun Quan allied with Zhuge Liang and intended to invade together, a border scout obtained a letter of Sun Quan's; Liu Fang altered its wording to make it appear that Sun Quan wished to submit to Man Chong, sealed it and showed it to Zhuge Liang. When Zhuge Liang passed it on to Bu Zhi and others of Wu, Sun Quan, fearing that Zhuge Liang would suspect him, explained himself at length. That year Liu Fang and Sun Zi were given the additional titles of Palace Attendant and Grandee of Splendid Happiness, and in the 2nd year of Jingchu (238), when Liaodong was pacified, they were enfeoffed in their home counties for their merit as advisers, Liu Fang becoming Marquis of Fangcheng. Records, Wei 14 §149–150

That year, when Emperor Ming took to his sickbed, he intended to make Cao Yu, Prince of Yan, General-in-Chief and have him assist in the government together with Xiahou Xian, Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao (曹肇) and Qin Lang, but Cao Yu firmly declined. Emperor Ming summoned Liu Fang and Sun Zi into his bedchamber and asked whether Cao Shuang could take Cao Yu's place; the two agreed and earnestly urged that the Grand Commandant Sima Yi be summoned at once to hold together the imperial house. Emperor Ming gave Liu Fang yellow paper to write the edict, but after the two had left he changed his mind and ordered that Sima Yi not come. Soon he summoned the two again, saying that Cao Zhao and others had nearly ruined his plans, had them write the edict again, summoned Cao Shuang alone to receive the command together with the two, and dismissed Cao Yu, Xiahou Xian, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang. Sima Yi arrived, mounted the bed and received the edict, and then Emperor Ming died. Records, Wei 14 §150–153

When Cao Fang, the King of Qi, took the throne, Liu Fang's fief was increased for his merit in settling the great plan, reaching 1,100 households, and his sons became a village marquis, a Chief Commandant of Cavalry and Gentlemen of the Palace. In the 1st year of Zhengshi (240) he was given the additional title of Left Grandee of Splendid Happiness with a gold seal and purple ribbon and ceremonial status equal to the Three Excellencies, and in the 6th year of Zhengshi (245) he was moved to General of Agile Cavalry while continuing as Director of the Palace Secretariat. In the 2nd month of the 9th year of Zhengshi (248) he resigned his post and retired to his residence as a full marquis with the rank of Specially Advanced. He died in the 2nd year of Jiaping (250), was given the posthumous name Respectful Marquis, and his son Liu Zheng succeeded him. Records, Wei 14 §154–155Records, Wei 4 §8 · 17 · 27

Chen Shou said that Liu Fang surpassed Sun Zi in talent and planning but fell short of him in self-cultivation. The two were good at obeying and following the ruler's wishes and never openly spoke of right and wrong, and because they held back Xin Pi and helped Wang Si, they incurred the criticism of the world. It is said, however, that at times, when officials remonstrated, they supported their arguments and also secretly laid out the gains and losses, so they did not lead the ruler by flattery alone. Records, Wei 14 §156

In his assessment, Chen Shou wrote that Liu Fang with his writing and Sun Zi with his diligence and caution both held posts that served as the emperor's throat and tongue, and their power resounded in their day, but because they lacked refined and clear dignity, the voices criticizing them always exceeded the reality. Records, Wei 14 §158