courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
Xiuran, was a military officer of the state of
Shu Han
Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' <
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms () from 220 to 280 AD was the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty and wa ...
period of China.
Life
Liu Yin was born in
Chengdu
Chengdu (, ; Simplified Chinese characters, simplified Chinese: 成都; pinyin: ''Chéngdū''; Sichuanese dialects, Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: ), Chinese postal romanization, alternatively Romanization of Chi ...
, the capital of
Yi Province
Yizhou (益州), Yi Province or Yi Prefecture, was a '' zhou'' (province) of ancient China. Its capital city was Chengdu.de Crespigny, p. 256. During the Han dynasty, it included the commanderies Hanzhong, Ba, Guanghan, Shu, Wenshan, Jianwei, ...
(covering present-day
Sichuan
Sichuan (; zh, c=, labels=no, ; zh, p=Sìchuān; alternatively romanized as Szechuan or Szechwan; formerly also referred to as "West China" or "Western China" by Protestant missions) is a province in Southwest China occupying most of the ...
and
Chongqing
Chongqing ( or ; ; Sichuanese dialects, Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), Postal Romanization, alternately romanized as Chungking (), is a Direct-administered municipalities of China, municipality in Southwes ...
). When he was young, Liu Yin was already famous along with his fellow natives Du Zhen and Liu Shen. He was known as someone who was forthright, sincere and bright. Moreover, he was a generous man to his friends. Thanks to those qualities, he became a successful military officer. Later, he was a supporter of Grand General
Jiang Wei
Jiang Wei (202 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Boyue, was a military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in Ji County (present-day Gangu County, Gansu), Jiang Wei started his career as a military officer ...
and accompanied him during his many northern campaigns. When he met the enemy into battles. Liu Yin showed skills in improvising plans, would fearlessly charge through the enemy lines and break their formations. His valour and cleverness made him popular in the army and a champion among the soldiers. For his exploits, he was nominated as General of the Standard (牙門將), Administrator of Ba commandary (巴郡太守) and Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉). Later, he was summoned back to be the new Garrison Commander of Huangjin (黃金圍督) in
Hanzhong
Hanzhong (; abbreviation: Han) is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Shaanxi province, China, bordering the provinces of Sichuan to the south and Gansu to the west.
The founder of the Han dynasty, Liu Bang, was once enfeoffed as the ...
invasion
An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either: conquering; liberating or re-establishing con ...
of
Shu Han
Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' <
Zhong Hui
Zhong Hui (225 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Shiji, was a Chinese calligrapher, essayist, military general, and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the younger son of Zhang Changpu with Zhong Y ...
led his army to the Hanzhong region where most of the local garrisons surrendered to him without opposition. Only Liu Yin refused to surrender; he held onto his strong position and would not be displaced. Although Zhong Hui's generals were ordered to attack him, they were beaten back and could not capture his garrison. After his abdication to
Deng Ai
Deng Ai (197 – late March 264Vol.04 of ''Sanguozhi'' and vol.02 of ''Jin Shu'' both indicated that Deng Ai was arrested in the 1st month of the 1st year of the ''Xianxi'' era. The month corresponds to 15 Feb to 14 Mar 264 in the Julian calendar ...
,
Liu Shan
Liu Shan () (207–271), courtesy name Gongsi, was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. As he ascended the throne at the age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Lia ...
sent Liu Yin a handwritten order commanding him to surrender, only then did he surrender to Zhong Hui.
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao () (211 – 6 September 265), courtesy name Zishang, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Sima Zhao capably maintained control of Wei, which had been ...
heard of this, was greatly impressed and came to deeply respect Liu Yin for his loyalty.
One year later, in 264, Liu Yin was summoned to Hedong where he was appointed as a Consultant Gentleman (議郎). When
Sima Yan
Emperor Wu of Jin (; 236 – 16 May 290), personal name Sima Yan (), courtesy name Anshi (安世), was the grandson of Sima Yi, nephew of Sima Shi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, ...
established the Jin dynasty, he assigned Liu Yin to be the Administrator of Xihe (西河太守). Liu Yin stayed in that office for the next three years before resigning his commission on account of his old age. Before his death, he asked for his remains to be sent back to his homeland in the Shu region. He died among his family at the age of 79 years old.
Liu Yin's elder son, Liu Chong (柳充) later became Prefect of Liandao (連道令). While his younger son, Liu Chu (柳初) was recommended as an abundant talent candidate.
Chang Qu
Chang Qu () (c. 291 – c. 361 CE) was a 4th-century Chinese historian of the Cheng Han dynasty, who wrote the ''Chronicles of Huayang'' or ''Records of the States South of Mount Hua
Mount Hua () is a mountain located near the city of Huayin ...
in the '' Huayang Guo Zhi'' appraised Liu Yin as a fierce warrior possessing both righteousness and virtue.
Du Zhen
As previously mentioned, Du Zhen (杜禎), whose
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Wenran (文然), was born in Chengdu and was famous along with Liu Yin and Liu Shen. His father, Du Qiong was a reputed confucian scholar. During the Jianxing era (建興; 223–237) of Shu Han. He worked alongside
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang ( zh, t=諸葛亮 / 诸葛亮) (181 – September 234), courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. He was chancellor and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is r ...
and assisted him in managing the State's affairs.(杜禎，字文然。柳伸，字雅厚。州牧諸葛亮辟為從事。) ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' vol. 11. After Jin conquered Shu, he became an official of Jin. He reached his highest position when he became the governor of both Liang and Yi provinces. His son also named Du Zhen (杜珍), whose
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Bozhong (伯重), was known as a talented scholar later was appointed with greater responsabilties as an official whose role was to protect the army. He had a son, Du Mi (杜彌), whose
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Jingwen (景文).
Liu Shen
As previously mentioned, Liu Shen (柳伸), whose
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Yahou (雅厚), was born in Chengdu and was famous along with Liu Yin and Du Zhen. He was a veteran of Shu Han alongside Liu Yin and Du Zhen serving successively four emperors (
Liu Bei
Liu Bei (, ; ; 161 – 10 June 223), courtesy name Xuande (), was a warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who founded the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period and became its first ruler. Although he was a distant relative of the H ...
,
Liu Shan
Liu Shan () (207–271), courtesy name Gongsi, was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. As he ascended the throne at the age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Lia ...
,
Cao Huan
Cao Huan () (245/246–302/303), courtesy name Jingming, was the fifth and last emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. On 4 February 266, he abdicated the throne in favour of Sima Yan (later Emperor Wu of the Jin dyn ...
and
Sima Yan
Emperor Wu of Jin (; 236 – 16 May 290), personal name Sima Yan (), courtesy name Anshi (安世), was the grandson of Sima Yi, nephew of Sima Shi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, ...
) and three dynasties. Like Du Zhen, during the Jianxing era (建興; 223–237) of Shu Han. He worked alongside Zhuge Liang and assisted him in managing the State's affairs. After the fall of Shu, he served Jin as official and worked as Administrator of Hanjia (漢嘉) and Badong (巴東). As a well known scholar, he was later recommanded and appointed as assistant under Du Zhen (杜禎) to guard Liang and Yi provinces. His son, Liu Chun (柳純), whose
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Weishu (偉叔) was famous as a man of virtuous moral character and greatly talented. He served many positions, among them were Administrator, Captain and Superintendant.(伸子純，字偉叔；有名德幹器，舉秀才，巴郡、宜都、建平太守，西夷、長水校尉，巴東監軍。) ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' vol. 11.
See also
*
Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
The following are lists of people significant to the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) of Chinese history. Their names in Mandarin pinyin are sorted in alphabetical order.
Fictional characters in the 14th-century historical novel ''Romance of ...
Notes
References
*
Chang Qu
Chang Qu () (c. 291 – c. 361 CE) was a 4th-century Chinese historian of the Cheng Han dynasty, who wrote the ''Chronicles of Huayang'' or ''Records of the States South of Mount Hua
Mount Hua () is a mountain located near the city of Huayin ...
(4th century). ''
Chronicles of Huayang
The ''Chronicles of Huayang'' or ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' () is the oldest extant gazetteer of a region of China. It was compiled by Chang Qu during the Jin Dynasty. It contains roughly 110,000 characters. Its contents comprise history, geography and ...