Liu Yu (Han Zhao)
| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 刘裕 |
| Courtesy name | Dexuan (德玄) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
Biography & Historical Record
Liu Yu, courtesy name Dexuan, was an imperial prince of the Han Zhao (Former Zhao) state during the Sixteen Kingdoms period; third son of founding emperor Liu Yuan (Emperor Guangwen) and younger brother of Emperor Zhaowu Liu Cong. Renowned among the Xiongnu nobility for his refined manners, military courage, and filial piety, Liu Yu held high rank in both civil and military councils of the emerging northern empire.
When Liu Yuan established his imperial government in Pingyang in 308 AD, Liu Yu was enfeoffed as the Prince of Qi (齐王) and appointed General Who Conquers the North. During the succession crisis of 310 AD following his father’s death, Liu Yu maintained firm alliance with his brother Liu Cong, supporting the defense of the state against internal rebellion and external Jin counter-offensives. Later, during the palace turbulence under Liu Cong’s successor Liu Can, Liu Yu was caught in court intrigues instigated by the usurper Jin Zhun, dying with tragic honor in defense of the royal altar.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In literary traditions and the historical appendices of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the sons of Liu Yuan represent the resurgence of frontier princes whose martial valor matched the legendary heroes of the early Three Kingdoms.
“The sons of the steppe rode with bow and lance, each guarding his fiefdom with fierce filial devotion, proving that in times of grand division, only brotherhood and iron resolve could sustain an imperial house.”
Liu Yu (Han Zhao) — Historical Timeline
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Liu Yuan (刘渊, Lưu Uyên): Father; founding monarch of Han Zhao who proclaimed the restoration of the Han imperial line.
- Brother Liu Cong (刘聪, Lưu Thông): Brother; Emperor Zhaowu of Han Zhao alongside whom Liu Yu fought in the consolidation of northern territories.
- Brother Liu He (刘和, Lưu Hòa): Brother; short-lived emperor whose factional purge brought disaster to the royal house.
- Brother Liu Ai (刘艾, Lưu Ngải): Brother; Prince of Beihai, comrade in arms in the northern border defense.
Friends
- Liu Cong (刘聪, Lưu Thông): Imperial sovereign and brother who entrusted Liu Yu with the defense of the capital prefecture.
Enemies
- Jin Zhun (靳准, Cận Chuẩn): Treasonous official who orchestrated a brutal palace coup in 318 AD at Pingyang, massacring royal family members.
- Western Jin Remnant Forces: Imperial Jin loyalists fighting to dislodge the Han Zhao garrisons from the northern commanderies.
Other
- Shi Le (石勒, Thạch Lặc): Powerful allied commander operating across the eastern plains of Hebei and Henan.
In Novel
Chapter 119 (Rise of the Northern Banners)
- Liu Yu (刘裕, Lưu Dụ): Son of the northern imperial founder Liu Yuan; represented the gallant royal princes whose personal guards secured the palace bastions during the dynastic upheaval of the early 4th century.
Chapter 120 (Historical Aftermath of the Three Kingdoms)
- Liu Yu (刘裕, Lưu Dụ): Remembered in chronicle lore for unyielding fidelity to his imperial brother, standing fast against treacherous court usurpers.
In History
Summary
- Liu Yu (刘裕, Lưu Dụ) (?–318 AD), courtesy name Dexuan (德玄, Đức Huyền), was Prince of Qi (齐王) of the Han Zhao dynasty; third son of founding emperor Liu Yuan (刘渊, Lưu Uyên).
Year: 308 AD
- Created Prince of Qi upon the formal establishment of the Han Zhao imperial government at Pingyang.
Year: 310 AD
- Collaborated with his brother Liu Cong to defeat the rebellious court faction of Zong Yan, restoring stability to the capital.
Historical Record
- Book of Jin (晋书), Volume 101 & 102: Details the princely appointments and familial relationships of Liu Yuan's sons.
- Zizhi Tongjian (资治通鉴), Volumes 87–90: Chronicles his military assignments and steadfast loyalty to the state.
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