Lady Cai, also known as Caishi, is character and a minor antagonist in the fourteenth century Chinese classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by the late Luo Guanzhong, and it's multiple adaptations being the main antagonist of Liu Bei's time in Jing part. She is the second wife of Liu Biao who was the governor of Jing and relative of Liu Bei.
Biography
Lady Cai was a noblewoman that was born in Nan Commandery. He married Liu Biao, the long and aging governor of Jing, who was a relative to the Emperor of Han as well as Liu Bei. She was his second wife and she gave birth to his second son Liu Cong. Her marriage with Liu Biao made her family very influential and was soon controling most of the province. Her younger brother Cai Mao was the top general of Jing and commanded it's navy.
As Liu Biao ws getting older, there was a debate over who of his two son's Liu Qi and Liu Cong would succeed him. Liu Qi was the eldest son so he was more likely to succeed him so Lady Cai with the help of her brothers started to plot in order to have her son Liu Qi suceed him and thus mentain her family's influence and power. When Liu Bei sought refuge in Jing following his many defeats by Cao Cao, Liu Biao often asked his oppinion on the succession topic.
Liu Bei favored Liu Qi more and thus soon became an enemy of Lady Cai who along with her brothers often accused him of wanting to take over Jing for himself and bringing danger to the state as he was an enemy of Cao Cao, which would lead him to attack. Soon they ploted to assassinate Liu Bei during a feast. Liu Bei was able to escape and was stationed in Xinye, a city in the north boders of Jing. Liu Biao was enraged when he heard of this but soon became gravely ill and could not take further action.
Lady Cai then proceeded to prevent Liu Qi from meeting his father who died shortly after. When Cao Cao's invasion was imminent Lady Cai advised her son to surrender to Cao Cao believing that he would still keep his post as the new governor of Jing. Cao Cao accepted their surrender and promoted Cai Mao as commander of his navy, as his skills in naval combat would be needed in the upcoming wars with Sun Quan. He also advised Liu Cong and Lady Cai to relocate in Northern China, and ordered his men to escort them. On the way they were both betrayed and killed.
Other Media
Lady Cai appears as an antagonist in the 2010 Three Kingdoms TV series, specifically being the main antagonist of Episodes 30-31. She is portrayed by Cao Xiwen.
Relationships
Enemies
- Liu Qi
- Liu Bei
- Zhao Yun
- Guan Yu
- Zhang Fei
- Sun Qian
 Villains
| ||
|
Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others | ||