Liu Yao (simplified: 刘繇, traditional: 劉繇, pinyin: Liú Yáo), courtesy name Zhengli (正禮 Zhènglǐ), was the Han Inspector of Yang Province (揚州) and a rival of Sun Ce. He was from Donglai (same as Taishi Ci). In 195 he was in Qu’a when Sun Ce’s army arrived. He had Taishi Ci scout rather than lead troops (saying Xu Zijiang would laugh if he made Taishi Ci a general). At Shenting, Taishi Ci and one rider met Sun Ce and thirteen others and fought a famous duel. Liu Yao was defeated by Sun Ce and fled to Yuzhang, where he died in 197. After his death, over ten thousand of his troops had no master; Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to pacify them, and Taishi Ci returned on the promised day.
Biography
Inspector of Yang Province
Liu Yao was appointed Inspector of Yang Province by the Han court. The province was contested; Yuan Shu had claimed it, and Sun Ce was then campaigning in the south for Yuan Shu (and later for himself). Liu Yao held Qu’a and the region around the Yangtze.
Shenting and defeat
When Sun Ce advanced, Taishi Ci had just joined Liu Yao. Liu Yao used him only for scouting. At Shenting, Taishi Ci and one rider encountered Sun Ce and thirteen riders (including Han Dang and Huang Gai) and fought; each side took something from the other (Sun Ce took Taishi Ci’s halberd, Taishi Ci took Sun Ce’s helmet). Liu Yao’s main force was then defeated by Sun Ce. Liu Yao fled to Yuzhang and died there. Taishi Ci was later captured by Sun Ce, who released him and sent him to gather Liu Yao’s scattered troops—Taishi Ci returned in sixty days as promised.
Legacy
Liu Yao is remembered as the Inspector who lost Yang Province to Sun Ce and who underused Taishi Ci (refusing to make him general for fear of Xu Shao’s ridicule). His defeat allowed Sun Ce to consolidate Jiangdong.