Liu Feng (simplified: 刘封, traditional: 劉封, pinyin: Liú Fēng) was Liu Bei’s adopted son. He was from a Luo family (寇氏) in Changsha; Liu Bei adopted him when he had no heir. Liu Feng fought in the Conquest of Yi Province and later took Shangyong with Meng Da. When Guan Yu was besieged at Fancheng in 219, he requested reinforcements from Liu Feng and Meng Da. They did not send help—whether from inability (Shangyong had just been taken and was unstable) or refusal is debated. Guan Yu was captured and executed by Wu. Liu Bei was grief-stricken and angry. Zhuge Liang feared that Liu Feng was too strong-willed and that after Liu Bei’s death he would threaten Liu Shan; he advised removing him. Liu Bei ordered Liu Feng to commit suicide. Liu Feng sighed that he regretted not listening to Meng Da; he died in 220.
Legacy
Liu Feng’s failure to relieve Guan Yu and his subsequent execution are often cited as an example of the harsh demands of loyalty and the removal of potential rivals to the heir. His story underscores the importance of the Fancheng campaign and Guan Yu’s death in Shu’s history.