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Lady Cai is a Chinese name; the family name is Cai.


Lady Cai is a Commander hero in Total War: Three Kingdoms. She is a member of Liu Biao in 190, 194, and 200.

Biography[]

One of Liu Biao's wives, along with Lady Chen. Lady Cai came from the esteemed Cai family in Xiangyang. At the Battle of Guandu, Liu Biao's advisor, Han Song, was sent to Xuchang as an envoy. Han's advice to send a hostage angered Liu Biao, leading to Han’s ordered execution. Lady Cai defended Han’s integrity, and Liu Biao instead imprisoned Han Song.

Lady Cai, although childless, favored her niece's husband, Liu Cong, over Liu Biao's other son, Liu Qi (Lady Chen's son). The Cai family exerted influence in Liu Biao's administration, pressuring him to choose Liu Cong as his heir. Lady Cai often praised Liu Cong and criticized Liu Qi, leading Liu Qi to become Administrator of Jiangxia, possibly to avoid conflicts or due to Cai family pressure. In 208, Liu Qi tried to visit his sick father but was prevented by Lady Cai and her allies. After Liu Biao's death, Liu Cong became Governor of Jing Province, but his rule was short-lived. Subordinates like Liu Bei allied with Liu Qi against Liu Cong and the Cai family, though plans to attack were halted by Cao Cao’s army.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lady Cai opposed Liu Bei in Jing Province, aiming to make Liu Cong prefect. After Liu Biao's primary wife died, Lady Cai became the principal wife. She conspired with Cai Mao to secure Liu Cong's succession, but failed. After Liu Biao's death, Lady Cai and Liu Cong forged a document to appoint Liu Cong as governor. Their scheme unraveled as Cao Cao's army approached Jing. Urged by his mother, Liu Cong surrendered to Cao Cao, leading to their resettlement in Qing Province, where they were assassinated by Yu Jin on Cao Cao's orders.

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