Liu Cong

Liu Cong (onyomi: Ryū Sō) is Liu Biao's second son and Liu Qi's younger brother. After inheriting his father's kingdom, he surrendered it to Cao Cao.

The English localization of several games incorrectly spell his name as Liu Zong.

Role in Games
In Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, Liu Cong acts as the commander of Xiangyang during one of Wu's new stages, and he attempts to protect Jingzhou until the arrival of Wei reinforcements. In Dynasty Warriors 9, Liu Cong briefly appears in Chen Gong's DLC story, where he has just succeeded his father's position in Jing province. Despite Liu Bei's heartfelt pleas, Liu Cong is determined to surrender to Cao Cao and refuses to hear his relative out. In Xu Shu's DLC story, Liu Cong and Liu Qi enter a political squabble thanks to Cai Mao's attempts to gain control of Jing province after Liu Biao's death. Thanks to Xu Shu's mediation, both brothers are able to reconcile and pass ownership of the province to Liu Bei as thanks and to honor the decision of their father. After this, he appears in Liu Bei's attacks on Cao Cao's territory.

Liu Cong is a deployable officer for Liu Biao's faction in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. His stats closely mirror that of his brother Liu Qi, though he has a much lower affinity for leadership.

In Dynasty Tactics, he succeeds his father as ruler of Jing Province after the latter's passing. To save himself from Cao Cao's wrath, he immediately cuts ties with Liu Bei.

Historical Information
Born to Liu Biao's first wife, Liu Cong lost his mother at a young age and was constantly overshadowed by Liu Qi in their father's eyes. But when he married one of Lady Cai's nieces, the siblings' positions were reversed. The Cai clan endeared themselves to Liu Cong while slandering his brother in front of Liu Biao. In 208, governorship of Jing was officially passed on to Liu Cong.

One month after the succession, Jing Province was threatened by the presence of Cao Cao's army. Liu Cong was dissuaded from fighting them by his advisors who sought for a peaceful surrender. As a result, he gave Jing to Cao Cao and was awarded the title of marquis. He also became inspector of Qing Province and received additional promotions during his tenure.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The novel portrays Liu Cong as Lady Cai's biological son. Cunning yet cautious, he reluctantly agrees to appease Cao Cao by leaving Jing. While en route to Qing Province, he and his mother are murdered by Yu Jin who had been secretly ordered by Cao Cao to dispose of them.