Liu Ji'en

Liu Ji'en (), also known by his temple name Shaozhu (), was the third emperor of the Northern Han state during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He ruled for 60 days in 968 before being killed.

Biography

Liu Ji'en, the son of the foot soldier Xue Zhao () was originally surnamed Xue. Liu Chong, the Northern Han's founding emperor, married one of his daughters to Xue Zhao. Because Xue Zhao was a son-in-law, Liu Chong assumed personal command of him. Xue had no talents, so Liu fed and clothed him without employing him. Xue Zhao's wife often stayed with her father, Liu Chong, rarely seeing Xue. This made him discontent. While drunk, he stabbed her with his sword, injuring her, before killing himself. Liu's daughter later married into the He family, giving birth to Liu Jiyuan. After Liu's daughter and her husband had died, Liu instructed his son Liu Chengjun to adopt Liu Ji'en and Liu Jiyuan.

Once Liu Chengjun became emperor, Liu Ji'en was appointed metropolitan custodian () of Taiyuan. Liu Chengjun once commented to his powerful chief minister Guo Wuwei that "Liu Ji'en is pure and filial, but he does not have the skills to save the age, and is unfit to manage family affairs, I fear." Guo did not respond. Later, as Liu Chengjun lay bedridden in the Qinzheng chambers (), he summoned Guo Wuwei, and held his hand, entrusting future decisions to him. Liu Chengjun died in the seventh month of 768. Liu Ji'en succeeded him, despite Liu Chengjun and Guo Wuwei's strong doubts about his ability to govern.

When Liu Chengjun died, Liu Ji'en delayed his own accession to inform the Khitans of the mourning underway. The envoys sent by the Northern Han to the Liao court to inform them of the death of Liu Chengjun and the accession of Liu Ji'en arrived on August 16, 968. Emperor Muzong of Liao sent envoys to condole and sacrifice. Wearing a coarse outfit of mourning, he insisted on living in the Qinzheng chambers, while the officials that formerly served Liu Chengjun remained at the Taiyuan prefectural offices.

In the eighth month, Emperor Taizu of Song ordered an initial attack on Northern Han territory. The attack reached as far as the Dongguo River (, just outside the Northern Han capital of Taiyuan.

In the ninth month of the year, Liu Ji'en summoned high officials and imperial family members for banquet. Afterwards, he went to the Qinzheng chambers to rest. That night, palace services offical () Hou Barong () led more than ten men with daggers into the chamber, killing Liu Ji'en. When he was killed, Liu Ji'en was 34 years old and had ruled for only 60 days. Other men led by Guo Wuwei infiltrated the room using ladders and killed Hou Barong and his men. Guo Wuwei then installed Liu Jiyuan., vol 482: "無為遣卒登梯入，殺霸榮，立其弟繼元。"

Guo Wuwei was, in fact, behind the assassination of Liu Ji'en. The Song invasion and his own dislike of Liu caused the assassination.

References

Bibliography

Early

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Modern

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{{Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms rulers

10th-century births
968 deaths
Northern Han emperors