Liu Ba (died 222), courtesy name Zichu, was an official in the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He originally served under the warlord Liu Zhang before becoming a subordinate of Liu Bei (the founding emperor of Shu) after Liu Zhang's surrender to Liu Bei in 214. Liu Ba was instrumental in helping Liu Bei reward his subordinates from the treasury without impoverishing the common people after their conquest of Yi Province. Liu Ba also helped write the Shu Ke (), the legal code of Shu, along with Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Li Yan and Yi Ji. Liu Ba succeeded Fa Zheng as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing in 220 and held office until his death in 222.
Family background Liu Ba's grandfather, Liu Yao (劉曜) served as the Administrator of Cangwu (蒼梧太守), while his father Liu Xiang (劉祥) was appointed as Administrator of Jiangxia (江夏太守) and General Who Defeats Rebels (盪寇將軍). Around this time, Sun Jian led his troops to defeat Dong Zhuo. As the Administrator of Nanyang (南陽太守) Zhang Zi (張咨) refused to supply Sun with provisions for his army, Sun Jian killed Zhang. Liu Xiang had good relations with Sun Jian, therefore officials and people from Nanyang begrudged Liu Xiang. They raised an army and attacked Liu Xiang. He was defeated and fled. The Governor of Jing Province (荊州牧), Liu Biao also didn't like Liu Xiang; Liu Biao then imprisoned Liu Ba. As Liu Biao wanted a pretext to execute him, Liu Biao would also send to Liu Ba some of Liu Xiang's trusted subordinates, who would pretend that they were going to help Liu Ba escape before Liu Biao executed him. Although this happened several times, Liu Ba didn't fall for the trick and gave them no answer. They informed Liu Biao of the situation who therefore did not kill Liu Ba.(零陵先賢傳曰：巴祖父曜，蒼梧太守。父祥，江夏太守、蕩寇將軍。時孫堅舉兵討董卓，以南陽太守張諮不給軍糧，殺之。祥與同心，南陽士民由此怨祥，舉兵攻之，與戰，敗亡。劉表亦素不善祥，拘巴，欲殺之，數遣祥故所親信人密詐謂巴曰：「劉牧欲相危害，可相隨逃之。」如此再三，巴輒不應。具以報表，表乃不殺巴。) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Early life Liu Ba's was born in Zhengyang County, Lingling Commandery (零陵郡), which is present-day Shaodong County, Hunan. At a young age, he was already famous.(劉巴字子初，零陵烝陽人也。少知名，) Sanguozhi vol. 39
When he reached seventeen years old, Liu Ba was appointed by the commandery to serve as an official. Liu Xian (劉先) wanted to have his sister's son, Zhou Buyi (周不疑) study under Liu Ba. However Liu Ba replied to him : "In my youth, when I lived in the North of Jing. I would travel from one master's home to another and learned "perfect memorization in order to answer any questions" however it isn't enough to have my name so well known. I'm not the same as Yang Zhu able to maintain serenity in all circumstances neither the manner of Mo Di known for attending to the matters of all times. I'm like the southern star Winnow: without substance and useless. You sent me a letter expressing your desire to have your worthy nephew gave up on the beauty of the phoenixes and simurghs only to wander in the world of swallows and sparrows. How would I enlighten him? I am ashamed by "having knowledge but feeling none, being full while seeming to be empty" How could I accomplish this task!"(年十八，郡署戶曹史主記主簿。劉先（主）欲遣週不疑就巴學，巴答曰：「昔遊荊北，時涉師門，記問之學，不足紀名，內無楊朱守靜之術，外無墨翟務時之風，猶天之南箕，虛而不用。賜書乃欲令賢甥摧鸞鳳之艷，遊燕雀之宇，將何以啟明之哉？愧於‘有若無，實若虛’，何以堪之！」) Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Service under Cao Cao Liu Biao repeatedly tried to appoint Liu Ba as a member of his staff and recommended him as a maocai (茂才). However, Liu Ba always refused his requests. In 208, Liu Biao died and Cao Cao led his army to attack Jing province. Liu Bei fled south of the Yangtze with all the nobles and officials of Jing and Chu joining him with the exception of Liu Ba who went north to join Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed him to his staff.(荊州牧劉表連闢，及舉茂才，皆不就。表卒，曹公徵荊州。先主奔江南，荊、楚群士從之如雲，而巴北詣曹公。曹公闢為掾，使招納長沙、零陵、桂陽。) Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Thereafter, Cao Cao was defeated at Wulin (烏林). While returning to the north, he wanted to employ Huan Jie with the mission to convince Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang commanderies to submit. However Huan Jie refused and told Cao Cao that he could not match Liu Ba. Liu Ba said to Cao Cao: "Right now, Liu Bei is taking over Jing Province, this is not acceptable." Cao Cao answered "If Liu Bei plans against me then I would go after him with the might of my Six Armies."(零陵先賢傳曰：曹公敗於烏林，還北時，欲遣桓階，階辭不如巴。巴謂曹公曰：「劉備據荊州，不可也。」公曰：「備如相圖，孤以六軍繼之也。」) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39. However, Liu Bei already had the three commanderies subjugated therefore Liu Ba was unable to accomplish his mission and instead moved to the Jiaozhi Province. Liu Bei deeply regretted that Liu Ba didn't join him. (會先主略有三郡，巴不得反使，遂遠適交阯，先主深以為恨。巴復從交阯至蜀。) Sanguozhi vol. 39.
By the time Liu Ba reached Lingling, the commandery already joined Liu Bei. As Jing was under Liu Bei's control, he decided to move back to the south as a way to one day return to the north. He knew that Zhuge Liang was at Lingzheng so he wrote to him : "During my life, I have been forced to go through danger, faced with troubles and hardships. I met many people concerned about virtue and righteousness who wished to follow me, carrying on the intention of Heaven and obeying nature's will. It was not my intention to have them leave their home for a arduous task. If the path is closed and my days here end, I shall entrust my life to the azur sea not looking back again toward Jing Province." Zhuge Liang quickly wrote him back: "Lord Liu Bei's great ability dominates the empire. He occupies Jing Province and none turn their back to his virtue. He is already well aware of the comings and goings of Heaven and man. Why would you go elsewhere?" Liu Ba answered: "I have received an order, came and was unsuccessful for now I'm going back. This is the righteous way. What else are you speaking of?"(零陵先賢傳云：巴往零陵，事不成，欲遊交州，道還京師。時諸葛亮在臨烝，巴與亮書曰：「乘危歷險，到值思義之民，自與之眾，承天之心，順物之性，非餘身謀所能勸動。若道窮數盡，將託命於滄海，不復顧荊州矣。」亮追謂曰：「劉公雄才蓋世，據有荊土，莫不歸德，天人去就，已可知矣。足下欲何之？ 」巴曰：「受命而來，不成當還，此其宜也。足下何言邪！」) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Service under Liu Zhang When Liu Ba reached Jiao province, he changed his surname to Zhang (張). He met the governor of the province Shi Xie however they had a disagreement. Thereafter, he travelled to Zangke Commandery (牂柯郡) for Yi Province. He was imprisoned in a local commandery, with the administrator wanting to kill him. However the registrar (主簿) convinced him that he was not an ordinary person. The registrar then asked to personally escort Liu Ba to the province seat and meet his governor Liu Zhang. Since Liu Zhang's father, Liu Yan was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) by Liu Ba's father, Liu Xiang. Liu Zhang was glad to meet Liu Ba. For every important discussion, Liu Zhang would consult Liu Ba.(零陵先賢傳曰：巴入交阯，更姓為張。與交阯太守士燮計議不合，乃由牂牁道去。為益州郡所拘留，太守欲殺之。主簿曰：「此非常人，不可殺也。」主簿請自送至州，見益州牧劉璋，璋父焉昔為巴父祥所舉孝廉，見巴驚喜，每大事輒以諮訪。) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
However Pei Songzhi commented that when Emperor Ling of Han was emperor, Liu Yan already served as Minister of Ceremonies () and by the time he was sent as Governor of Yi Province, Liu Xiang was just the Administrator of Jiangxia. Hence, he believes that Liu Xiang could not nominate Liu Yan as a xiaolian (civil service candidate)(臣松之案：劉焉在漢靈帝時已經宗正太常，出為益州牧，祥始以孫堅作長沙時為江夏太守，不得舉焉為孝廉，明也。) Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
When Liu Zhang sent Fa Zheng to welcome Liu Bei, Liu Ba reprimanded him as such: "Liu Bei is a great man. If you let him in Yi province, he will surely bring you misfortune. You have to stop him." Thereafter, when Liu Bei was in the province, Liu Ba once again reprimanded Liu Zhang: "If you send him against Zhang Lu, it would be like releasing a tiger in the mountains and forests." However Liu Zhang wouldn't listen so Liu Ba stopped leaving his house and claimed illness. When Liu Bei surrounded Chengdu, he ordered among his soldiers that anyone who would harm Liu Ba would suffer Nine familial exterminations. When Liu Bei finally met Liu Ba, he was deeply happy.(零陵先賢傳曰：璋遣法正迎劉備，巴諫曰：「備，雄人也，入必為害，不可內也。」既入，巴复諫曰：「若使備討張魯，是放虎於山林也。」璋不聽。巴閉門稱疾。備攻成都，令軍中曰：「其有害巴者，誅及三族。」及得巴，甚喜。) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Service under Liu Bei When Yi Province was settled by Liu Bei. Liu Ba presented his excuses but Liu Bei did not hold him culpable. Moreover, Zhuge Liang repeatedly praised and recommended him for high position therefore Liu Bei appointed him as staff member to his office as Senior West Department Official (軍西曹掾).(俄而先主定益州，巴辭謝罪負，先主不責。而諸葛孔明數稱薦之，先主闢為左將軍西曹掾。) Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Conflict with Zhang Fei Zhang Fei once visited Liu Ba's home. However, Liu Ba refused to speak with him. Because of this, Zhang Fei was angered and furious. Therefore Zhuge Liang said to Liu Ba: "Although Zhang Fei is a martial person, he deeply admires and respects you. Right now, our lord needs to gather many civil and military officers to help him accomplish his great mission. Even if you are a man of high moral and bright talents, you should be less condescending of others." Liu Ba's reply to Zhuge Liang was "When a real man is born in this world, he must associate himself with the greatest heroes. How can I speak with a mere soldier?"(零陵先賢傳曰：張飛嘗就巴宿，巴不與語，飛遂忿恚。諸葛亮謂巴曰：「張飛雖實武人，敬慕足下。主公今方收合文武，以定大事；足下雖天素高亮，宜少降意也。」巴曰：「大丈夫處世，當交四海英雄，如何與兵子共語乎？」) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
When he heard about this conversation, Liu Bei was furious. He said: "I wish to secure the empire however, Zichu (Liu Ba) wishes to throw it into disorder. His desire is to leave and return North; he is only borrowing this road. How could he help me settle my affairs?" Liu Bei also said "Zichu's ability and wisdom are far superior to any men. However even if I can employ him, I fear others wouldn't be able to." Zhuge Liang further said about Liu Ba "In logistics planning and strategies inside the tent curtains, I'm not the equal of Zichu. However if it's about beating the drums, gathering the army encampments and encouraging the common people to do their utmost, I can discuss this with others."(備聞之，怒曰：「孤欲定天下，而子初專亂之。其欲還北，假道於此，豈欲成孤事邪？」備又曰：「子初才智絕人，如孤，可任用之，非孤者難獨任也。」亮亦曰：「運籌策於帷幄之中，吾不如子初遠矣！若提枹鼓，會軍門，使百姓喜勇，當與人議之耳。」) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Zhang Zhao, advisor of the rival warlord Sun Quan, once criticized Liu Ba that he was condescending and should not have been so extreme in his refusal of Zhang Fei. Sun Quan's reply to Zhang Zhao was: "If Zichu had chosen to be insincere and follow the oscillation of the world, only acting to please Liu Bei rather than behaving as his own self then how could he be worthy to be praised as a lingshi (令士; a virtuous scholarly gentleman)?"(零陵先賢傳曰：輔吳將軍張昭嘗對孫權論巴褊阨，不當拒張飛太甚。權曰：「若令子初隨世沈浮，容悅玄德，交非其人，何足稱為高士乎？」) Lingling Xianxian Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Managing Liu Bei's economy
When Liu Bei started his campaign against Liu Zhang, he made an oath with his soldiers. That If their great enterprise is successful then the government treasury with all his goods shall be all theirs. And so when his army conquered Chengdu, all the soldiers threw away their shields and spears and compete with one another to the various stores to take valuable items. Soon the military supplies were falling and Liu Bei was deeply worried about this. Liu Ba told him: "It is simple! You simply have to issue coins worth a hundred coins (直百五銖; zhi bai wu zhu), have the price for them stable and order your officials to manage the government markets." Liu Bei followed his advice and within several months, all the government treasury was full again.(初攻劉璋，備與士眾約：「若事定，府庫百物，孤無預焉。」及拔成都，士眾皆舍干戈，赴諸藏競取寶物。軍用不足，備甚憂之。巴曰：「易耳，但當鑄直百錢，平諸物賈，令吏為官巿。」備從之，數月之間，府庫充實。) Sanguozhi vol. 39.
Liu Bei's imperial pretensions and death