Liu Jian (刘建, Lưu Kiến; d. 181 BC; posthumously Prince Ling of Yan 燕灵王), was the eighth son of Western Han founding Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang.
Ennobled as Prince of Yan in 195 BC following the rebellion and flight of Lu Wan, Liu Jian governed the rugged northeastern frontier for fourteen years with quiet vigilance. When Liu Jian died in 181 BC, he left behind a young son by a favored concubine. To extinguish the Liu royal lineages and install her own nephew Lü Tong as King of Yan, Empress Lü (Empress Lü) dispatched secret assassins to murder the infant prince, abolishing the kingdom of Yan and handing it to the Lü clan.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 9, Annals of Empress Lü): “Prince Ling of Yan died; Empress Lü sent assassins to kill his infant son, abolishing the house of Yan and making Lü Tong King of Yan.”
Liu Jian — Historical & Literary Timeline
195 BC
Prince of Yan
Ennobled by Liu Bang to secure the northeastern border after Lu Wan’s flight.
195–181 BC
Frontier Governance
Guards the borders against northern nomads for fourteen years.
181 BC
Passing & Extinction of His Line
Dies in Ji; his infant heir is murdered by Empress Lü.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu): Founding emperor.
- Brothers Liu Ying, Liu Heng, Liu Ruyi: Imperial brothers.
- Infant Son Unnamed Prince of Yan: Murdered by Empress Lü’s assassins.
Friends
- Frontier Officers Commanders of Yan: Defended the northern Great Wall.
Enemies
- Ruthless Matriarch Empress Lü (吕后): Murdered his infant heir to install her nephew Lü Tong.
Other
- Preceding King Lu Wan (卢绾): Liu Bang’s childhood friend who rebelled and fled to Xiongnu.
In Shiji
"His tomb was scarcely covered before the blades of the Lü struck down his cradle."
Historical Context
The murder of Liu Jian's infant heir demonstrated Empress Lü's systematic plan to replace all regional Liu royal houses with members of her own family.
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