Liu Yun (governor) facts for kids

Liu Yun (died February 24, 951) was an important figure during China's Five Dynasties period. He was a military governor (a powerful general in charge of a region) of the Later Han dynasty. He was also known as Liu Chengyun before 949.

Liu Yun was a cousin to Liu Chengyou, who was the emperor of Later Han. After Emperor Liu Chengyou died, Liu Yun was chosen to be the next emperor. However, a powerful general named Guo Wei had other plans. Liu Yun was stopped on his way to the capital city. He was later killed by Guo Wei, who then started his own dynasty, the Later Zhou. Liu Yun's father, Liu Chong, later founded the Northern Han dynasty. He fought against Later Zhou to get revenge for his son's death.

Early Life and Career

We don't know exactly when Liu Yun was born. His father was Liu Chong. Liu Chong was the younger brother of Liu Zhiyuan. Liu Zhiyuan was a very important general who later founded the Later Han dynasty. He became Emperor Gaozu.

Liu Zhiyuan liked Liu Yun very much. So, he adopted Liu Yun as his own son. This meant Liu Yun was treated like a biological son. Because of this adoption, Liu Yun was probably called Liu Chengyun. This name matched the names of Liu Zhiyuan's other sons.

In 948, Liu Yun became the military governor of Wuning Circuit. This area is now part of Xuzhou, Jiangsu. In 949, he received an honorary title. This title was Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. It meant he was like a chancellor, a high-ranking official. Around this time, he started being called Liu Yun. This was likely to show respect for his adoptive brother, Emperor Liu Chengyou.

A Throne Lost

In late 950, Emperor Liu Chengyou grew tired of being controlled by his senior officials. He ordered some of them, including Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and Wang Zhang, to be killed. He also sent a message to kill Guo Wei, another powerful general. But Guo Wei found out and escaped. Sadly, Guo Wei's family was harmed.

Guo Wei then rebelled and marched his army towards the capital, Kaifeng. In a battle near Kaifeng, Emperor Liu Chengyou was killed. Guo Wei entered the capital and took control.

Choosing a New Emperor

For a while, Guo Wei pretended he wanted a new Later Han emperor. Empress Dowager Li, Liu Zhiyuan's wife and Liu Chengyou's mother, suggested several people. These included Liu Yun's father, Liu Chong, and Liu Yun himself.

At first, officials, including Guo Wei, wanted Liu Chengxūn to be emperor. He was Liu Zhiyuan's biological son. But Empress Dowager Li said Liu Chengxūn had been sick for a long time. So, he wasn't suitable for the throne.

Liu Yun then became the next choice. Empress Dowager Li issued an order naming Liu Yun as the new emperor. She sent important officials, including Feng Dao, to welcome him to the capital. Feng Dao suspected Guo Wei wasn't sincere. He told others he felt like he was lying. But he still went to Liu Yun.

When Liu Yun's father, Liu Chong, heard his son would be emperor, he was very happy. He had been preparing to march on Kaifeng himself. But he stopped his plans, saying, "If my son were emperor, what else could I wish for?"

The Journey to the Capital

Liu Yun left his officers to defend his base. He then set off for Kaifeng with Feng Dao. His journey was like that of an imperial prince. His helpers shouted, "May you live 10,000 years!" This is what people would say to an emperor.

But when Liu Yun sent messengers to Guo Wei's army, the generals refused to bow. They worried that if a Liu family member remained emperor, they would be punished. Guo Wei heard this and went to his army. There, his soldiers declared him emperor. Guo Wei then marched towards Kaifeng to take the throne himself.

Danger at Song Prefecture

By this time, Liu Yun had reached Song Prefecture. He was escorted by a general named Zhang Lingchao. When Guo Wei's allies heard what happened, they sent General Guo Chongwei to stop Liu Yun.

Guo Chongwei arrived at Song Prefecture with his soldiers. Liu Yun was surprised and went to a tower to ask what was happening. Guo Chongwei said he was there to protect Liu Yun. He claimed Guo Wei was worried Liu Yun didn't know about the army's actions.

Liu Yun's assistant, Dong Yi, suspected treachery. He suggested Liu Yun should act quickly. He advised Liu Yun to take control of Zhang Lingchao's soldiers. Then, they should gather resources and flee north to Liu Chong's territory. Dong Yi believed Guo Wei wouldn't be able to chase them.

Liu Yun hesitated and didn't follow the advice. That night, Guo Chongwei secretly met Zhang Lingchao. He convinced Zhang to join his side. Liu Yun became very scared. He could no longer act.

Guo Wei then sent a letter to Liu Yun. He claimed he was forced into his actions by the army. He also called Feng Dao back to the capital. Liu Yun felt he was in great danger. Some of his close friends were killed.

The End of a Dream

Soon after, Empress Dowager Li issued a new order. She removed Liu Yun from the emperorship. He was instead named the Duke of Xiangyin. She also named Guo Wei as the regent, meaning he would rule for now.

On Chinese New Year, Guo Wei officially became emperor. He started the Later Zhou dynasty. Liu Chong asked Guo Wei to let Liu Yun return home. Guo Wei promised Liu Yun's life would be spared. He also offered Liu Chong a high title if he served the new emperor.

Meanwhile, Liu Yun's officers, Gong Yanmei and Yang Wen, resisted Guo Wei's orders. They hoped help would come from Liu Chong. Liu Yun even wrote to them, asking them to surrender. But they continued to fight.

On February 24, 951, Liu Yun was killed in Song Prefecture. This happened on Guo Wei's orders. On the same day, Liu Chong declared himself emperor of Han. This new state is known as Northern Han. Later, Liu Yun's former base fell to Guo Wei's army. Gong and Yang were killed.

Liu Yun had a son named Liu Jiwen. He later became an official in the Liao dynasty.