Liu He (Han Zhao)
| FAMILY | |
|---|---|
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Han Zhao (Hán Triệu / Hung Nô) |
Biography & Historical Record
Liu He (劉和, Lưu Hòa; ?–310 AD), courtesy name Xuantai (玄泰, Huyền Thái), was the second emperor of the Han Zhao (Former Zhao) state during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the eldest legitimate son of the dynasty’s founder, Emperor Guangwen Liu Yuan (刘渊).
Tall, handsome, and extensively educated in the Confucian classics including the Book of Songs and Spring and Autumn Annals, Liu He initially commanded great respect at court and was designated Crown Prince in 308 AD. Upon Liu Yuan’s death in the autumn of 310 AD, Liu He ascended the throne in Pingyang. However, suspicious of the military influence wielded by his four younger royal brothers, he conspired with his maternal uncle Huyan You to launch a preemptive purge.
The palace coup severely backfired: while Liu He managed to assassinate his younger brother Liu Yu, Prince of Qi, his formidable brother Liu Cong (Prince of Chu) counterattacked the palace with elite cavalry. Liu He was defeated, deposed, and executed at the Guangji Gate after reigning for just a few months.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 120: During the chaotic twilight of the Three Kingdoms and the dawn of the Sixteen Kingdoms, the turbulent succession in Han Zhao between the sons of Liu Yuan dramatically illustrated the bloody volatility of imperial dynastic struggles.
Liu He (Han Zhao) — Historical & Literary Timeline
308 AD
Designation as Crown Prince
Appointed Crown Prince of Han Zhao by his father Liu Yuan in Pingyang.
310 AD (Autumn)
Imperial Accession
Ascends the imperial throne upon the demise of Emperor Guangwen.
310 AD (Winter)
Palace Coup & Downfall
Attempts a purge against his royal brothers but is defeated and slain by Liu Cong.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Liu Yuan (刘渊, Lưu Uyên): Father; founding Emperor Guangwen of Han Zhao who established the state and proclaimed Liu He crown prince.
- Brother Liu Cong (刘聪, Lưu Thông): Younger brother (Prince of Chu); formidable general who counter-attacked the palace and executed Liu He.
- Brother Liu Yu (刘裕, Lưu Dụ): Younger brother (Prince of Qi); murdered during Liu He’s preemptive palace purge at Pingyang.
- Brother Liu Ai (刘艾, Lưu Ngải): Younger brother (Prince of Beihai); targeted in the fraternal succession struggle.
Friends
- Huyan You (呼延攸, Hô Diên Du): Maternal uncle and Grand Preceptor; chief co-conspirator who urged Liu He to eliminate his martial brothers.
Enemies
- Liu Cong (刘聪, Lưu Thông): Rival brother and military strongman; stormed Guangji Gate in Pingyang (310 AD) with veteran cavalry, capturing and beheading Liu He after a reign of only a few weeks.
Other
- Sima Yue (司马越, Tư Mã Việt): Prince of Donghai and regent of Western Jin; contemporary Jin rival who faced the early expansion of Han Zhao.
In Novel
Chapter 119 (Fall of the Kingdoms & Rise of Frontier Powers)
- Liu He (刘和, Lưu Hòa): In the twilight of the Three Kingdoms era, the northern Xiongnu aristocracy—descended from ancient treaties with the House of Han—stood poised along the frontiers, foreshadowing the seismic dynastic transitions that followed the unification by Jin.
Chapter 120 (Twilight of the Three Kingdoms)
- Liu He (刘和, Lưu Hòa): Proclaimed imperial heir in Pingyang, Liu He's brief and tumultuous reign exemplified the tragic fraternal strife and court intrigues that consumed the post-Three Kingdoms dynasties.
In History
Summary
- Liu He (刘和, Lưu Hòa) (?–310 AD), courtesy name Xuantai (玄泰, Huyền Thái), was the second emperor of the Han Zhao (Former Zhao) dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the eldest legitimate son of the founding monarch Emperor Guangwen Liu Yuan (刘渊, Lưu Uyên) and Empress Huyan.
Year: 308 AD
- When Liu Yuan formally declared himself Emperor of Han at Pingyang, Liu He was ennobled as Prince of Liang and subsequently elevated to Crown Prince, standing at the head of civil administration.
Year: 310 AD
- Upon Liu Yuan's death, Liu He ascended the imperial throne. Advised by courtiers Zong Yan and Liu Cheng to purge his militarily powerful half-brothers, Liu He launched a sudden palace offensive against Liu Cong and Liu Yu; the counterattack breached Ximing Gate and Liu He was slain after reigning merely seven days.
Historical Record
- Book of Jin (晋书), Volume 101 (Biographies of Liu Yuan and Liu He): Records his tall, handsome stature, classical education in the Book of Songs, and the ill-fated advice that doomed his seven-day reign.
- Zizhi Tongjian (资治通鉴), Volume 87: Chronicles the palace coup of Pingyang and the ascension of Liu Cong.
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