After Liu Bei captured Hanzhong in the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an (219), he ordered Meng Da, who was then the Taishou of Yidu, to set out from Zigui and attack Fangling in the north. In this context, the Battle of Fangling broke out. It is worth noting that in this battle, one of Zhuge Liang's eldest brothers-in-law was killed by Meng Da and died here.
So, why was zhuge Liang's eldest brother-in-law killed by Meng Da in the Battle of Fangling? Who is he?
The answers to these questions can be found in the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms and the Biography of Liu Feng. According to the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Feng's Biography:
In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Fengda returned from Zi to the north to attack Fangling, and Fangling Taishou Puqi was killed by Dabing.
It can be seen that Pu Qi was Fang Ling Taishou at that time and served Cao Wei. Liu Bei ordered Meng Da to attack Fangling, which naturally met with a counterattack from Pu Qi. Therefore, the main generals of the Battle of Fangling were actually Ku Qi on Cao Cao's side and Meng Da on Liu Bei's side. Because of his military talent slightly inferior to Meng Da, he was defeated in the Battle of Fangling and died here.
As for the relationship between Chu Qi and Zhuge Liang, according to the record of "Characters and Pu Qin" in volume 2 of the "Xiangyang Qi Old Record": "Qin Congzu Qi's wife, that is, Zhuge Kongming's eldest sister also". It can be seen from this that Pu Qi's wife is Zhuge Liang's eldest sister, and that Pu Qi is naturally Zhuge Liang's eldest brother-in-law.
It should be pointed out that it is no accident that Qu Qi was able to become Zhuge Liang's eldest brother-in-law. In the Jingzhou area, the Nanjun Clan is a typical local Hao clan with a strong local influence, represented by Ku Yue, Qu Liang, and Qu Qi. The reason why Zhuge Liang married Ku Qi was undoubtedly to establish contact with the Ku family and seek its protection.
In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208), Cao Cao led an army to march south to Jingzhou, Liu Biao fell ill and died, liu Chun and most of the upper echelons of Jingzhou surrendered to Cao Cao, and Ku Yue and Qu Qi also followed Liu Qi to surrender to Cao Cao. In order to consolidate his control over Fangling, Cao Cao appointed Ku Qi as the Taishou of Fangling. Zhuge Liang, on the other hand, followed Liu Bei in his fight against Cao Cao, established the Sun-Liu Alliance, and carried out a grand route. It can be said that since Liu Biao's death, Zhuge Liang and Qu Qi have parted ways, and the two have embarked on completely different paths, one is attached to Cao Cao, and the other assists Liu Bei.
Because of this, there is the tragedy of Pu Qi being killed by Meng Da at the Battle of Fangling. After Liu Bei took Hanzhong, he was bound to seize Fangling Commandery in the middle of Han in order to prepare for the future attack on Xiangyang from both the south and the west. Under the fierce attack of Meng Da, Qu Qi was eventually killed. Presumably, after Zhuge Liang learned of this news, he may have mixed feelings in his heart!