Qian 11: Liu Bei Becomes a Son-in-Law

Liu Bei, styled Xuande, was a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan. After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan married his sister to Liu Bei as a scheme to detain him. Liu Bei, having entered the Sun family, indulged in pleasure and nearly forgot his grand cause. Following Zhuge Liang’s strategy, Zhao Yun falsely reported that Cao Cao was attacking Jingzhou, waking Liu Bei, who then escaped with Lady Sun. This qian warns of being misled by beauty and corrupted by ease.

This is a lower qian, like a boat navigating dangerous shoals. In career, one is easily tempted by immediate gains or sensual pleasures, losing ambition; someone must wake you. In love, if the relationship becomes too comfortable, change may arise; mutual growth is needed. In wealth, cooperative projects may hide traps requiring careful scrutiny. This qian warns: be vigilant in peace, do not indulge in pleasure.