Liu Qi (Liu Biao's son)

Liu Qi (劉琦) (died c. 209 AD) was a son of Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He is primarily known for his role during the lead-up to and immediately following the Battle of Red Cliffs.

As Liu Biao's eldest son, Liu Qi was initially favored as his heir. However, his younger brother, Liu Cong, gained the favor of his stepmother, Lady Cai, and her brother, Cai Mao, who held significant influence in Jing Province. Fearing for his life due to their machinations, Liu Qi sought assistance from Zhuge Liang, who advised him to request to be stationed in Xia Kou (夏口), a strategically important location. This allowed him to build his own power base and distance himself from the intrigues in Xiangyang, the provincial capital.

After Liu Biao's death in 208 AD, Cai Mao and Lady Cai installed Liu Cong as the new governor. When Cao Cao's forces advanced south, Liu Cong surrendered Jing Province. Liu Qi, still holding Xia Kou, refused to surrender. He subsequently allied himself with Liu Bei, who had retreated south after the Battle of Changban. This alliance was crucial in forming the coalition that eventually defeated Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Following the victory at Red Cliffs, Liu Qi was appointed as the Governor of Jiangxia Commandery (江夏郡), a territory formerly controlled by Huang Zu, who had been defeated and killed by Sun Quan years prior. This governorship, ostensibly granted by the Han court, was actually a result of the power vacuum created by Cao Cao's defeat and the need to legitimize the newly established alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

Liu Qi died not long after his appointment, around 209 AD. This allowed Liu Bei to eventually seize control of the territories Liu Qi governed, further expanding his influence in Jing Province. Liu Qi is often portrayed as a sympathetic figure, overshadowed by the political machinations of his brother and stepmother, and ultimately used as a pawn in the power struggles of the era.