Liu Yuan (Han Zhao) facts for kids

Liu Yuan (劉淵) was an important leader who founded the Xiongnu state called Han Zhao. He became its first emperor in the year 308. His courtesy name was Yuanhai (元海), and he was later known as Emperor Guangwen of Han (Zhao).

Liu Yuan's Family History

Liu Yuan came from a noble Xiongnu family. His ancestors were descendants of Modu Chanyu, a famous Xiongnu leader. For a long time, the Xiongnu people were loyal to the Chinese Han Dynasty and later to the Cao Wei and Jin dynasties.

Later, Xiongnu nobles claimed they were also related to the Han Dynasty's ruling family, the Liu clan. This was supposedly through a Han princess who married Modu Chanyu. Because of this, they changed their family name to Liu.

Liu Yuan's father, Liu Bao, was the son of Yufuluo, one of the last Xiongnu leaders called chanyu. Liu Bao was in charge of the Left Tribe of the Xiongnu. Liu Yuan's mother, Lady Huyan, was likely from another noble family. The Xiongnu tribes lived in what is now southern Shanxi, China. This is probably where Liu Yuan grew up.

Life as a Jin Subject

Chinese authorities often encouraged Xiongnu nobles to send their sons to the capital city, Luoyang. This was to help them learn Chinese culture and to ensure their loyalty. Liu Yuan was sent to Luoyang to live and study Chinese literature.

He became well-known for his studies, especially of the ancient Chinese texts like the Spring and Autumn Annals. He also studied military strategies from famous generals like Sun Tzu and Wu Qi.

A key Jin official named Wang Hun was very impressed with Liu Yuan. Wang Hun's son, Wang Ji, even became a close friend. Wang Hun believed Liu Yuan would make a great general. He often suggested to Emperor Wu of Jin that Liu Yuan should lead armies.

However, other Jin officials and the empress's uncle were suspicious of Liu Yuan. They worried about his Xiongnu background. They convinced Emperor Wu not to give Liu Yuan military commands. Even Emperor Wu's brother, Sima You, was impressed but also afraid of Liu Yuan's skills. He suggested that Liu Yuan should be executed. But Wang Hun convinced Emperor Wu that this would be wrong.

When Liu Yuan's father, Liu Bao, died, Emperor Wu allowed Liu Yuan to take over command of the Left Tribe.

As a leader, Liu Yuan was known for being fair and for listening to others' ideas. He was also generous with his wealth. Because of this, many ambitious people in his region, both Xiongnu and Han Chinese, joined him.

After Emperor Wu died, Emperor Hui of Jin became emperor. The regent, Yang Jun, made Liu Yuan the commander of all five Xiongnu tribes. Later, Liu Yuan lost this position because he couldn't stop a rebellion by some of his countrymen.

Later, Sima Ying, a prince, invited Liu Yuan to be one of his military commanders. Liu Yuan accepted this invitation.

Becoming Independent from Jin

During a period of civil war in China called the War of the Eight Princes (around 304 AD), Xiongnu nobles grew tired of the Jin Dynasty's poor rule. They secretly planned to become independent again.

The leader of the North Tribe, Liu Xuan, sent a message to Liu Yuan. He secretly offered Liu Yuan the title of Grand Chanyu, a high Xiongnu leadership title.

Liu Yuan then told Prince Sima Ying that he could gather Xiongnu soldiers to help Sima Ying. Sima Ying was worried about an attack from another general, Wang Jun. Sima Ying agreed and allowed Liu Yuan to return to his Xiongnu tribes.

Once Liu Yuan was back with his people, he quickly gathered 50,000 men. He was ready to help Sima Ying. But he also publicly accepted the title of Grand Chanyu. (Sima Ying had previously given him a lesser title, North Chanyu).

However, Liu Yuan then heard that Sima Ying's forces had fallen apart. Sima Ying had fled to Luoyang. Liu Yuan then declared his people independent from the Jin Dynasty. He also claimed that, as a descendant of the Han Dynasty, he would take over the Han throne. He chose the title King of Han, which was used by the Han Dynasty's founder, Liu Bang.

He brought back the worship of eight important Han emperors. He made his wife, Lady Huyan, a princess. Liu Yuan's state was called "Han." It is often called "Han Zhao" or "Former Zhao" today. This is because his nephew, Liu Yao, changed the state's name to Zhao in 319.

Liu Yuan's Reign as Emperor

Many people had been impressed with Liu Yuan's abilities. However, his time as emperor was somewhat disappointing at first. He spent a lot of energy trying to bring back the old Han system of government. But he struggled to quickly expand his control.

He set his capital at Lishi (in modern Lüliang, Shanxi). But his control was limited to that local area. His forces often won battles against Jin forces but couldn't hold onto cities. In 305, after a famine, he moved his capital to Liting (in modern Changzhi, Shanxi).

As the years passed, many rebel generals fighting against Jin rule joined Liu Yuan's Han banner. These generals were from different ethnic groups, including Wu Hu and Han Chinese. The most important of these were the Chinese general Wang Mi and the Jie general Shi Le. They joined Han Zhao in 307. They mostly followed Liu Yuan's orders in name only, keeping their own power. But they also seemed to truly respect and fear Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan mostly gave control of his own troops to his son Liu Cong and his nephew Liu Yao. These four generals, even though they couldn't always hold cities, were able to move freely across northern and central China. They defeated most Jin generals who tried to stop them.

In 308, Wang Mi's troops attacked the Jin capital, Luoyang, but were pushed back. That year, after taking more land, Liu Yuan moved his capital to Puzi (in modern Linfen, Shanxi). He then declared himself emperor. This showed an even stronger break from the Jin Dynasty. In 309, he moved the capital again to Pingyang (also in modern Linfen). By this time, Liu Cong and Wang Mi had taken control of all of southern Shanxi for Han Zhao. They attacked Luoyang again but were again defeated.

In 310, Liu Yuan became ill. He made his second wife, Lady Dan, his empress. He also made his oldest son, Liu He, the crown prince. Liu He was the son of his first wife, Empress Huyan, who had likely died by this time.

Liu Yuan died later that year. Liu He became emperor. However, just one week later, Liu He was overthrown and killed by Liu Cong. Liu Cong then became the new emperor.

Era Names During Liu Yuan's Reign

• Yuanxi (元熙 yuán xī) 304–308
• Yongfeng (永鳳 yǒng fèng) 308–309
• Herui (河瑞 hé ruì) 309–310

Liu Yuan's Appearance

The Chinese author Wei Shou wrote in the Book of Wei that Liu Yuan was over six feet tall. He also noted that Liu Yuan had strands of red hair in his long beard.

Personal Information

• Great Grandfather
  • Qiangqui
• Grandfather
  • Chizhishizhuhou Chanyu (150-196)
• Father
  • Liu Bao, leader of Xiongnu's left tribe (左部), son of the Xiongnu chanyu Yufuluo (於扶羅)
• Mother
  • Lady Huyan
• Wives
  • Empress Huyan (became princess in 304, date of becoming empress and death unknown)
  • Empress Dan (became empress and died in 310), mother of Prince Ai
• Major Concubines
  • Consort Zhang, mother of Prince Cong
• Children
  • Liu He (劉和), first known as the Prince of Liang (308), then Crown Prince (310), later emperor
  • Liu Yu (劉裕), the Prince of Qi (309, killed 310)
  • Liu Long (劉隆), the Prince of Lu (309, killed 310)
  • Liu Cong (劉聰), the Prince of Chu, later Emperor Zhaowu
  • Liu Ai (劉乂), first known as the Prince of Beihai (310), then Crown Prince (310), later demoted to the Prince of Beibu (317)
  • Liu Gong (劉恭, killed 310)