Liu Fei (), formally King Daohui of Qi (; died November 190 BC) was the eldest son of Liu Bang,
Emperor Gaozu of Han
Emperor Gaozu of Han (2561 June 195 BC), also known by his given name Liu Bang, was the founder and first emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning from 202 to 195 BC. He is considered by traditional Chinese historiography to be one o ...
, and Consort Cao—initially his mistress when they lived in the same village. After Liu Bang decisively defeated
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu (), born Xiang Ji, was a Chinese warlord who founded and led the short-lived ancient Chinese states, kingdom-state of Western Chu during the interregnum period between the Qin dynasty, Qin and Han dynasty, Han dynasties of China, d ...
in the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC, he proclaimed himself the emperor of the new
Han dynasty
The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
and named Liu Fei, his first son, the King of Qi.
In December 194 BC, when Liu Fei made an official visit to the capital, he and
Emperor Hui of Han
Emperor Hui of Han (; 210 BC – 26 September 188 BC), born Liu Ying (), was the second emperor of the Han dynasty. He was the second son of Emperor Gaozu, the first Han emperor, and the only son of Empress Lü from the powerful Lü clan. Em ...
(his younger half-brother) both attended a feast put on by Empress Dowager Lü. Emperor Hui, honoring the prince as an older brother, asked him to take a seat at the table even more honored than his own. The empress dowager was greatly offended and instructed her servants to pour two cups of poisoned wine which were set on the table between the trio. She ordered Liu Fei to toast her, while ignoring Emperor Hui. As Liu Fei was about to drink the poisoned wine, Emperor Hui, knowing his mother's murderously jealous temperament and remembering how his other brother
Liu Ruyi
Liu Ruyi (208 – January 194BCAccording to volume 12 of ''Zizhi Tongjian'', Liu Ruyi was poisoned in the 12th month of the 1st year of Emperor Hui's reign. This corresponds to 31 Dec 195 BCE - 28 Jan 194 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar.), ...
had died, suddenly reached for the second cup, which the Empress did not intend. (The second cup was a decoy, placed there only to suggest to Liu Fei that she would return his toast, as ritual required, although he would die immediately on drinking his, so she would not need to drink the other cup. Her resentment toward Liu Fei fully captured her attention and she did not even think of her son's presence.) Empress Dowager Lü jumped up and slapped the second cup away from Emperor Hui, spilling it. Liu Fei realized the trick and left, pretending to be already drunk. In the end, he was only able to leave the capital by offering to the Empress an entire
commandery
In the Middle Ages, a commandery (rarely commandry) was the smallest administrative division of the European landed properties of a military order. It was also the name of the house where the knights of the commandery lived.Anthony Luttrell and G ...
from his principality, to be the feudal estate of Princess Yuan of Lu. Empress Dowager Lü, who greatly loved her daughter as well, was pleased and let Liu Fei return to his principality.(齐悼惠王来朝，饮于太后前。帝以齐王，兄也，置之上坐。太后怒，酌鸩酒置前，赐齐王为寿。齐王起，帝亦起取卮；太后恐，自起泛帝卮。齐王怪之，因不敢饮，佯醉去；问知其鸩，大恐。齐内史士说王，使献城阳郡为鲁元公主汤沐邑。太后喜，乃罢归齐王。) ''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol.12
Family
* Father
**
Emperor Gaozu of Han
Emperor Gaozu of Han (2561 June 195 BC), also known by his given name Liu Bang, was the founder and first emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning from 202 to 195 BC. He is considered by traditional Chinese historiography to be one o ...
(eldest son of)
* Mother
** Consort Cao—Emperor Gaozu's initial mistress
* Wife
** Princess Si, mother of Prince Xiang
* Children
** Liu Xiang (劉襄), Prince Ai of Qi (齊哀王) (died 179 BC)
** Liu Zhang (劉章), Prince Jing of Chengyang (城陽景王) (died 177 BC)
** Liu Xingju (劉興居), Marquess of Dongmou (committed suicide 177 BC)
** Liu Bajun (劉罢军), Marquess of Guangong
** Liu Ningguo (劉宁国), Marquess of Guaqiu
** Liu Xindu (劉信都), Marquess of Ningping
**
Liu An
Liú Ān (, c. 179–122 BC) was a Chinese cartographer, monarch, and philosopher. A Han dynasty Chinese prince, ruling the Huainan Kingdom, and an advisor to his nephew, Emperor Wu of Han (武帝). He is best known for editing the (139 BC) ''Hu ...
(劉安), Marquess Gong of Yangqiu
** Liu Jianglü (劉将闾), Prince Xiao of Qi (created after his nephew Liu Ze died sonless)
** Liu Piguang (劉辟光), Prince of
Jinan
Jinan is the capital of the province of Shandong in East China. With a population of 9.2 million, it is one of the largest cities in Shandong in terms of population. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of ...
Zichuan
The Zichuan District () is one of eight divisions within the city of Zibo in the People's Republic of China, Chinese province of Shandong. As the largest district of Zibo, it is composed of an urban area of over 23 square kilometers,Liu Ang (劉卬), Prince of Jiaoxi, one of the seven princes.
** Liu Xian (劉贤), Prince of Zichuan, one of the seven princes.
** Liu Xiongqu (劉雄渠), Prince of Jiaodong, one of the seven princes.