| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 刘诞, 劉誕, Liú Dàn |
| Nickname | Imperial Censor of Western Han (治书御史) |
| Other name | Lưu Đản |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Jiangxia Commandery (荆州江夏竟陵; Tianmen, Hubei) |
| Died | 194 AD |
| Death Reason | Executed by Li Jue (bị Lý Thôi xử tử tại Trường An) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Han Dynasty |
| Battles | Conspiracy against Li Jue (194 AD) |
Biography & Historical Record
Liu Dan (刘诞, 劉誕, Lưu Đản; ?–194 AD) was an Eastern Han dynasty imperial official and the eldest son of the warlord Liu Yan (刘焉, Lưu Yên), Governor of Yi Province. Belonging to the imperial clan tracing descent from Emperor Jing of Han through Liu Yu, Prince of Lu, Liu Dan grew up in the capital Luoyang surrounded by classical scholars and imperial court dignitaries.
While his father secured autonomous governorship over Yi Province in southwestern China, Liu Dan remained in the imperial capital serving the Han central government as Imperial Censor (治书御史, Zhishu Yushi), alongside his brother Liu Fan who served as General of the Household. Following Dong Zhuo’s assassination in 192 AD and the subsequent coup by generals Li Jue and Guo Si, Chang’an descended into brutal military tyranny.
In 194 AD, loyalist general Ma Teng and Han Sui advanced toward Chang’an to deliver the young Emperor Xian. Liu Dan, Liu Fan, and Imperial Secretary Han Rong secretly formed an internal faction to open the capital gates in coordination with Ma Teng’s western armies and Liu Yan’s relief force. However, the conspiracy was leaked prematurely. Li Jue deployed his nephew Li Meng and veteran generals to crush the advancing army at Changpingguan. Liu Dan and his brother were captured and summarily executed in Chang’an. Their deaths devastated Liu Yan in Yizhou, contributing directly to his sudden illness and demise later that same year.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 10 (Gathering Arms, Ma Teng Rises for the Emperor; Avenging a Father, Cao Cao Campaigns Against Xu Province): When Ma Teng and Han Sui mobilize northwestern forces to rescue the emperor from Li Jue, Liu Dan (刘诞) and his brother Liu Fan act as undercover confederates within Chang’an, providing secret correspondence and gathering loyalist troops before being betrayed and executed by the tyrants.
Liu Dan (刘诞) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Imperial Lineage & Early Service
Born in Jiangxia as eldest son of Liu Yan; enters official service in the imperial capital.
Imperial Censor in Chang’an
Serves as Zhishu Yushi under the turbulent regimes of Dong Zhuo and Li Jue.
Loyalist Conspiracy & Execution
Conspires with Ma Teng to overthrow Li Jue; plot discovered, captured and executed in Chang’an.
See historical sources cited below.
Key Relationships
Family
In Historical Accounts
- Sanguozhi (三国志): Volume 31 (Book of Shu 1): "Yan had four sons: Fan, Dan, Mao, and Zhang. Dan served as Imperial Censor. When Ma Teng assaulted Jue, Dan and Fan plotted from within; when the plot failed, both were executed."
- Hou Hanshu (后汉书): Volume 75 (Biography of Liu Yan): "Li Jue slew Fan and Dan; Yan grieved deeply over his sons, fell sick with malignant ulcers, and passed away."
In History
Summary
- Liu Dan (刘诞, Lưu Đản; ?–194 AD) was an Eastern Han official, eldest son of Liu Yan, who sacrificed his life in Chang'an attempting to restore imperial authority against Li Jue.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi Volume 31 (Biography of Liu Yan).
- Hou Hanshu Volume 75 (Biographies of Liu Yan and Yuan Shu).
- Zizhi Tongjian Volume 61 (Han Chronicle 53).
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