Liu Laozhi 劉牢之

Liu Laozhi 劉牢之 (d. 402), courtesy name Daojian 道堅, was a general of the late Eastern Jin period 東晉 (317-420).

He hailed from Pengcheng 彭城 and was 驍勇應募 and vice commander (canjun 參軍) under Xie Xuan 謝玄 (343-388). He was famous in his successes as commander of the vanguard troops of the Northern Army (beifubing 北府兵). In 383, he crushed the strong army of Fu Jian 苻堅 (r. 356-384), the ruler of the Former Qin empire 前秦 (351-394), in the battle of Feishui 淝水, and ended Fu's series of victories unifying northern China. For his achievements, Liu was made General of Dragon Cavalry (longxiang jiangjun 龍驤將軍), and appointed as Household Administrator (neishi 內史) of the Prince of Pengcheng 彭城.

In the years to follow, he served generals such as Wang Gong 王恭 (350-398) and Sima Yuanxian 司馬元顯 (382-402) in fighting against Wang Guobao 王國寶 (350-397) and Sima Shangzhi 司馬尚之 (d. 402). After Wang Gong's defeat, Liu Laozhi followed him as Area Commander-in-chief (dudu 都督) of the provinces Yanzhou 兗州, Qingzhou 青州, Jizhou 冀, Youzhou 幽州, Xuzhou 徐州 and Yangzhou 揚州. In 399 and 400, Liu Laozhi, as General Defending the North (zhenbei jiangjun 鎮北將軍) and Commander-in-chief of Guiji 會稽, commanded troops trying to suppress the rebellion of Sun En 孫恩 (d. 402).

In 402, he was entrusted with the suppression of the usurpation of Huan Xuan 桓玄 (369-404), but Liu decided that he would fare better when supporting the powerful regent Huan. However, Huan Xuan deprived Liu of his command, and Liu committed suicide.