| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 刘友, 劉友, Liú Yǒu |
| Other name | Lưu Hữu |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Chang'an, Western Han (西汉长安; Trường An, Tây Hán) |
| Died | 181 BC |
| Death Reason | Starved to death by Empress Lü |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Western Han Dynasty |
Liu You (刘友, Lưu Hữu; d. 181 BC; posthumously Prince You of Zhao 赵幽王), was the sixth son of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, ennobled as Prince of Huaiyang in 196 BC and transferred to Prince of Zhao in 194 BC following the poisoning of his brother Liu Ruyi (Liu Ruyi).
To control the Zhao principality, Empress Lü forced Liu You to marry a noblewoman of the Lü clan. However, Liu You despised his imperious wife and favored other concubines. In venomous jealousy, Lady Lü traveled to Chang’an and slandered Liu You to Empress Lü, falsely claiming that Liu You vowed: ‘When the Empress Dowager dies, I shall exterminate the Lü clan!’ Enraged, Empress Lü summoned Liu You to Chang’an, placed him under armed guard in a residential compound, and cut off all food supplies. Denied water and bread, Liu You composed an agonizing deathbed poem condemning Empress Lü’s tyranny before starving to death in January 181 BC.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 9, Annals of Empress Lü): “Liu You was starved in the compound; he composed a lament: ‘The Lü clan holds power; the house of Liu is in peril. I starve in darkness, yet Heaven will not abandon the righteous!’ He ceased breathing, and Empress Lü ordered him buried in a commoner’s pit.”
Liu You — Historical & Literary Timeline
Western Han
Prince of Huaiyang & Zhao
Son of Liu Bang; transferred to Zhao following Liu Ruyi’s death.
c. 185 BC
Forced Marriage to Lady Lü
Forced into marriage with Empress Lü’s niece; marital discord erupts.
181 BC
Starvation at Chang’an
Summoned to the capital on false charges; starved to death by Empress Lü.
179 BC
Posthumous Restoration
Restored with imperial honors by Emperor Wen as Prince You of Zhao.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang – Emperor Gaozu): Founding Han emperor.
- Brothers Liu Ruyi (刘如意), Liu Heng: Royal brothers targeted by Empress Lü.
- Son Liu Sui (刘遂 – Prince of Zhao): Later rebelled in the Seven States War.
Friends
- Favored Consort Beloved concubine of Zhao: Whose favor sparked Lady Lü’s jealous fury.
Enemies
- Murderous Matriarch Empress Lü (吕后, Lữ hậu): Starved Liu You to death in Chang’an.
- Jealous Wife Lady Lü (吕氏): Slandered her husband to Empress Lü.
Other
- Restoring Emperor Liu Heng (Emperor Wen): Posthumously vindicated Liu You’s innocence.
In Shiji
The Deathbed Lament of Prince You
"The heavens are veiled in clouds; the jackals feast upon the dragon's flesh. Though my bones rot in the dry grass, my ghost shall watch the fall of the Lü!"
Historical Context
Liu You was the third son of Liu Bang murdered by Empress Lü (after Liu Ruyi and Liu Ying's psychological destruction), fueling the total wipeout of the Lü clan in 180 BC.
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