Can I ask if you have any information about Liu Fu, specifically the one who served Wei? I remember reading somewhere that he was important in the post-Chibi events, but I can't find out why.
He was a fairly accomplished administrator.
Originally from Pei, Liu Fu fled south to Yang province in the early 190s to escape the wars in the north. Around 197 (presumably after Yuan Shu made himself Emperor of ZHong), Liu Fu persuaded two of his generals (Ji Ji and Qin Yi) to defect to Cao Cao. Cao Cao rewarded Liu Fu’s service by giving him a position in the new capital.
Sun Ce captured Lujiang in 199 and appointed Li Shu as administrator of the commandery. Li Shu soon attacked and killed Cao Cao’s Inspector of Yan (Yan Xiang). At that point, all the land between the Huai and Yangzi rivers was overwhelmed by bandits, and Cao Cao was too busy dealing with Yuan Shao to solve the matter. He appointed Liu Fu as the new inspector and sent him to sort out the problems.
Liu Fu established his headquarters at Hefei (in Jiujiang). He bribed the most powerful bandits to accept some measure of his authority and used them as enforces to retore peace to the region. Many refugees thus came to settle in the lands under Liu Fu’s control.
In Yang, Liu Fu established a series of agricultural colonies to defend the frontier and provide for the locals. He also established schools for public education, and a series of canals and waterways for transport and irrigation.
Liu Fu passed away in 208. His work in the region about the Huai brought peace and stability. And with some modification, the fortress he built at Hefei proved to be an unbreakable defensive bulwark.
His career wasn’t exactly thrilling, but Liu Fu was an accomplished administrator whose good work served subsequent generations well.
