Liu Tun
Liu Tun | |
|---|---|
| 劉暾 | |
| Colonel-Director of Retainers (司隸校尉) | |
| In office 310–311 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Huai of Jin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Laizhou, Shandong |
| Died | 311 Dong'e County, Shandong |
| Relations | Prince of Chengyang, Liu Zhang (ancestor) |
| Children | Liu You Liu Bai Liu Gengsheng |
| Parent | Liu Yi (father) |
| Courtesy name | Changsheng (長升) |
| Peerage | Duke of Zhuxu |
Liu Tun (died 311), courtesy name Changsheng, was an official of the Jin dynasty (266–420). During the War of the Eight Princes, he was one of the few ministers entrusted in managing the Eastern Court while Emperor Hui of Jin was kept in Chang'an. After the Disaster of Yongjia, Liu Tun was captured and plotted with the Han-Zhao general, Wang Mi to break away, but was killed by Shi Le not long after. He was also known for holding the office of Colonel-Director of Retainers five times throughout his career.
Early life and career
[edit]Liu Tun was the son of the Cao Wei and Western Jin minister, Liu Yi. His family was from Ye County, Donglai Commandery, and he was a descendant of the Western Han dynasty prince, Liu Zhang. In 280, he entered the government and was appointed an Academician.
In 282, Emperor Wu of Jin had his brother, the Prince of Qi, Sima You exiled from Luoyang to his fief. He then had his ministers debate on what should be bestowed on his brother for his achievements, during which Liu Tun, along with his fellow academicians, submitted a petition opposing Sima You's banishment. Emperor Wu was furious and had Liu Tun arrested and sent before the Minister of Justice. He was released following a general amnesty but was relieved of his official duties. He was later appointed as the Magistrate of Suanzao and then as an Imperial Clerk.[1]
War of the Eight Princes
[edit]Service under Empress Jia
[edit]Emperor Hui of Jin succeeded Emperor Wu, but because of his developmental disability, he was unable to assert real power over the court. Instead, in 291, the imperial court fell under the control of his wife, Empress Jia Nanfeng and her relatives, Jia Mi and Guo Zhang, becoming known as the Jia-Guo regime. In an unspecified year, a fire broke out in the imperial armory. At the time, Guo Zhang had a hundred men under him who could put out the fire, but he was more interested in protecting his own property. Liu Tun severely questioned him for his actions, and Guo Zhang angrily said, "Sir, I can easily cut off your horns if I wanted to!" Liu Tun replied, "How dare you use favour to act like a tyrant! Are you going to cut the Son of Heaven's faguan as well?" He attempted to remove Guo Zhang from office, and Guo Zhang was unable to defend himself. Despite everyone else making excuses on behalf of Guo Zhang, Liu Tun refused to relent. After the incident, Guo Zhang was said to have become less extravagant and led a more simple life.[2]
Service under Sima Jiong and Sima Ai
[edit]Liu Tun was eventually transferred to Interior Minister of Taiyuan. In February 301, after purging the Jia clan the previous year, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun usurped the throne from Emperor Hui. He appointed Liu Tun as General Who Attacks Barbarians, but he declined. When the Prince of Qi, Sima Jiong, raised a coalition to restore Emperor Hui later that April, Liu Tun raised an army in support of him and joined the Prince of Changshan, Sima Ai.[3][4]
After Sima Lun was deposed later that year, Liu Tun was appointed Assistant of the Left to the Masters of Writing. During his tenure, he was described as having performed diligently and kept the court free from corruption. He later became acting Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk, during which he submitted a petition to the court asking them to dismiss more than ten officials including the Prince of Dong'an, Sima Yao, which earned him praises. He was then officially instated as Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk and appointed Zhongshuzhi, Left General of the Guards and Colonel-Director of Retainers. Afterwards, he sent another petition for the dismissal of a few more officials.[5]
In January 303, when Sima Ai fought Sima Jiong in Luoyang, Liu Tun sided with the former. After Sima Jiong was killed, Sima Ai enfeoffed Liu Tun as the Duke of Zhuxu. The following year in 304, Sima Ai was defeated by the alliance of the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong and the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying. Liu Tun was dismissed from his office, but soon returned as Colonel-Director of Retainers.[6]
Managing the Eastern Court
[edit]In 305, Emperor Hui was forcibly relocated from Luoyang to Chang'an by Sima Yong. The imperial court was divided into two, with the Western Court in Chang'an and the Eastern Court in Luoyang. Liu Tun, as well as the prominent ministers, Xun Fan and Zhou Fu were left behind to manage politics in Luoyang on behalf of the emperor.[7]
Later that year, the Prince of Donghai rallied the forces in the east to campaign against Sima Yong and bring Emperor Hui back to Luoyang. The general, Zhou Quan (周權), forged a proclamation to restore the deposed Empress Yang Xianrong in Luoyang but was foiled and killed. Sima Yong then issued an edict ordering her to commit suicide on the grounds that she was inciting rebellion. However, Liu Tun and his peers defended her, stating that she was under tight surveillance and that she was unaware of any plot. Sima Yong was furious and ordered his subordinate, Lü Lang (呂朗) to arrest Liu Tun, prompting him to flee to the Prince of Gaomi, Sima Lüe at Qing province.[8]
In 306, the Prefect of Jian County, Liu Bogen (劉伯根), became a bandit and rose an army in rebellion in Qing province. As Bogen led his followers towards the provincial capital, Linzi, Sima Lüe appointed Liu Tun as Grand Chief Controller and General Who Guards the Army before sending him to fight the rebels. However, Liu Tun was defeated and fled back to Luoyang.[9]
In June that same year, Sima Yue returned Emperor Hui to the capital with his forces. Yang Xianrong, who was grateful to Liu Tun for saving her life, reported to the emperor about his deeds. As a result, Liu Tun was restored to his previous title, given the office of Household Counsellor With Golden Tassel and once again appointed Colonel-Director of Retainers.[10]
Later life and career
[edit]War with Han-Zhao
[edit]The Jin remained in crisis as northern China came under threat of the Han-Zhao dynasty. During this time, Liu Tun's son, Liu Gengsheng (劉更生) got married, and because his wife had already died, it was tradition that his daughter-in-law pay her respects at her tomb while dozens of guests and relatives accompany her to eat and drink. The Magistrate of Luoyang County, Wang Ling (王棱), was a trusted follower of Sima Yue but despised Liu Tun. With Han forces running rampant in the Hebei region, Wang Ling accused Liu Tun to Sima Yue that he was planning defect, pointing out that the Han commander, Wang Mi was from his hometown. Sima Yue believed him and sent his cavalry to chase after Liu Tun. When Liu Tun heard what was happening while on his way to his wife's tomb, he turned back to confront Sima Yue and accused him of being unrighteous. Sima Yue realized his mistake and regretted the whole ordeal.[11]
In 309, a large Han force was sent to attack Luoyang. Liu Tun was granted tally and made General Who Pacifies the Army and Chief Controller of the city. After the Han was defeated and withdrew, he was appointed Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. By this point, Liu Tun had supervised the officials for many years and was popular among the people. Sima Yue had long had his suspicions of him, so, ostensibly as a promotion, he reduced Liu Tun's authority by making him Household Counsellor With Golden Tassel of the Right, acting Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and Regular Mounted Attendant.[12]
In 310, after Sima Yue brought the imperial army out from Luoyang, Emperor Huai of Jin appointed Liu Tun acting Minister of the Guards with "Specially Advanced". He was then made a Palace Attendant and, for the fifth and last time in his career, the Colonel-Director of Retainers.[13]
Service under Wang Mi and death
[edit]In 311, the Han army once again attacked Luoyang, this time capturing the capital in what is now known as the Disaster of Yongjia. The invaders sacked the city and massacred the inhabitants. Wang Mi, one of the commanders of the attack, recognized Liu Tun as being from the same commandery, so he was able to escape execution. [14]
After falling out with fellow general, Liu Yao, Wang Mi left Luoyang and Liu Tun followed him. Liu Tun advised him, "At present, the heroes are in contention with one another and the Nine Provinces are in chaos. Those who attain great achievements are not tolerated in this world. General, ever since you've raised your army, there was no place you couldn't conquer and no battle you couldn't win, but now you are at odds with the Prince of Shi'an (Liu Yao). Think of the disaster that befell Wen Zhong and take Fan Li as your teacher. Even if you have no ambition of becoming emperor, you should return east to your home province (Qing province) and observe the situation. Unite the realm or split it into three; how could Sun and Liu be wrong? As Kuai Tong had said, the general should plan ahead."[15]
Wang Mi agreed with his words. Liu Tun further advised Wang Mi to summon his subordinate in Qing province, Cao Ni, to attack Shi Le together. Wang Mi dispatched Liu Tun to Cao Ni, but when he reached Dong'a, he was apprehended by Shi Le's cavalry. When Shi Le discovered Wang Mi's letter to Cao Ni in his pocket, he angrily had Liu Tun executed.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ (暾字長升，正直有父風。太康初為博士，會議齊王攸之國，加崇典禮，暾與諸博士坐議迕旨。武帝大怒，收暾等付廷尉。會赦得出，免官...後為酸棗令，轉侍御史。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (其後武庫火，尚書郭彰率百人自衛而不救火，暾正色詰之。彰怒曰：「我能截君角也。」暾勃然謂彰曰：「君何敢恃寵作威作福，天子法冠而欲截角乎！」求紙筆奏之，彰伏不敢言，眾人解釋，乃止。彰久貴豪侈，每出輒眾百餘人。自此之後，務從簡素。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (暾遷太原內史，趙王倫篡位，假征虜將軍，不受，與三王共舉義。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (常山王乂在其國，與太原內史劉暾各帥衆爲穎後繼。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.84
- ^ (惠帝復阼，暾為左丞，正色立朝，三台清肅。尋兼御史中丞，奏免尚書僕射、東安公繇及王粹、董艾等十餘人。朝廷嘉之，遂即真。遷中庶子、左衛將軍、司隸校尉，奏免武陵王澹及何綏、劉坦、溫畿、李晅等。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (長沙王乂討齊王冏，暾豫謀，封朱虛縣公，千八百戶。乂死，坐免。頃之，復為司隸。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (帝入長安，以征西府爲宮。唯尚書僕射荀藩、司隸劉暾、河南尹周馥在洛陽爲留臺，承制行事，號東、西臺。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.85
- ^ (十一月，立節將軍周權，詐被檄，自稱平西將軍，復立羊后。洛陽令何喬攻權，殺之，復廢羊后。太宰顒矯詔，以羊后屢爲姦人所立，遣尚書田淑敕留臺賜后死。詔書屢至，司隸校尉劉暾等上奏，固執以爲：「羊庶人門戶殘破，廢放空宮，門禁峻密，無緣得與姦人搆亂；衆無愚智，皆謂其冤。今殺一枯窮之人，而令天下傷慘，何益於治！」顒怒，遣呂朗收暾；暾奔青州，依高密王略。然羊后亦以是得免。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.86
- ^ (三月，惤令劉伯根反，衆以萬數，自稱惤公...柏根寇臨淄，青州都督高密王略使劉暾將兵拒之；暾兵敗，奔洛陽，略走保聊城。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.86
- ^ (及帝還洛，羊後反宮。後遣使謝暾曰：「賴劉司隸忠誠之志，得有今日。」以舊勳復封爵，加光祿大夫。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (暾妻前卒，先陪陵葬。子更生初婚，家法，婦當拜墓，攜賓客親屬數十乘，載酒食而行。先是，洛陽令王棱為越所信，而輕暾，暾每欲繩之，棱以為怨。時劉聰、王彌屯河北，京邑危懼。棱告越，雲暾與彌鄉親而欲投之。越嚴騎將追暾，右長史傅宣明暾不然。暾聞之，未至墓而反，以正義責越，越甚慚。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (及劉曜寇京師，以暾為撫軍將軍、假節、都督城守諸軍事。曜退，遷尚書僕射。越憚暾久居監司，又為眾情所歸，乃以為右光祿大夫，領太子少傅，加散騎常侍。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (懷帝又詔暾領衛尉，加特進。後復以暾為司隸，加侍中。暾五為司隸，允協物情故也。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (王彌入洛，百官殲焉。彌以暾鄉里宿望，故免於難。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (暾因說彌曰：「今英雄競起，九州幅裂，有不世之功者，宇內不容。將軍自興兵已來，何攻不克，何戰不勝，而復與劉曜不協，宜思文種之禍，以范蠡為師。且將軍可無帝王之意，東王本州，以觀時勢，上可以混一天下，下可以成鼎峙之事，豈失孫、劉乎！蒯通有言，將軍宜圖之。」) Jin Shu, vol.45
- ^ (彌以為然，使暾於青州，與曹嶷謀，且征之。暾至東阿，為石勒遊騎所獲，見彌與嶷書而大怒，乃殺之。) Jin Shu, vol.45
- Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.