Liu Yizhou (simplified: 刘一舟, traditional: 劉一舟, pinyin: Liú Yīzhōu, jyutping: lau4 jat1 zau1), also known as “Brother Liu” (刘师哥 — Liú Shīgē), is a member of the Wang Wu School (王屋派 — Wángwū Pài) and the former fiancé of Fang Yi (方怡) in The Deer and the Cauldron. He is known for his cowardice and treacherous behavior.
Biography
Relationship with Fang Yi
Liu Yizhou was originally engaged to Fang Yi, a member of the House of Prince Mu (沐王府). The two were supposed to marry, and Liu Yizhou was called “Brother Liu” by both Fang Yi and Mu Jianping (沐剑屏), reflecting his close relationship with the Mu household.
However, their relationship becomes strained due to Liu Yizhou’s cowardly and treacherous behavior, particularly when he betrays or abandons others to save himself.
Cowardice and betrayal
Liu Yizhou demonstrates his cowardly nature on multiple occasions. During dangerous situations, he is quick to abandon others, including Fang Yi, in order to protect himself. This cowardice contrasts sharply with Wei Xiaobao’s willingness to take risks and help others, even when it puts him in danger.
His treacherous behavior becomes evident when he betrays others or fails to come to their aid. In one notable instance, he abandons Fang Yi during a dangerous situation, leading to her eventual relationship with Wei Xiaobao instead.
Confrontation with Wei Xiaobao
Liu Yizhou’s relationship with Fang Yi creates conflict with Wei Xiaobao, who also becomes romantically interested in Fang Yi. The rivalry between them is complicated by Liu Yizhou’s cowardice, which makes it easy for Wei Xiaobao to outmaneuver him.
In one incident, Liu Yizhou attempts to kill Wei Xiaobao out of jealousy and anger, but his attempt fails, and he is instead captured and buried alive by Wei Xiaobao, though he ultimately survives.
Relationship with the Mu household
Despite his association with the House of Prince Mu through his engagement to Fang Yi, Liu Yizhou’s cowardice and treachery ultimately lead to his estrangement from the household. His behavior reflects poorly on the Wang Wu School and causes tension between different anti-Qing organizations.
Personality
Liu Yizhou is characterized by his cowardice, jealousy, and treacherous nature. He is willing to betray others, including his fiancée, to save himself, making him one of the more unsympathetic characters in the novel.
His jealousy of Wei Xiaobao and his inability to accept that Fang Yi might prefer someone else leads him to make poor decisions and take actions that only further damage his reputation and relationships.
Significance
Liu Yizhou represents the negative qualities that contrast with Wei Xiaobao’s more complex character. While Wei Xiaobao may be unprincipled in many ways, he is at least loyal to those he cares about and willing to take risks for them. Liu Yizhou, by contrast, is purely self-serving and cowardly.
His character also serves to highlight Fang Yi’s growth and development, as she moves away from the cowardly Liu Yizhou toward a relationship with Wei Xiaobao, who, despite his flaws, demonstrates genuine care for her.
Liu Yizhou’s story illustrates how cowardice and treachery can destroy relationships and opportunities, providing a cautionary contrast to the novel’s exploration of loyalty and betrayal.