The Rise of the Xiongnu Liu Dynasty
As ethnic minorities flocked to the Central Plains, they faced a harsh reality of enslavement and oppression under the ruling Western Jin dynasty. Yet, their spirit endured, fueled by an unwavering determination to defy their oppressors. In the twilight of the Western Jin regime, aristocrats from these ethnic backgrounds began to shake loose from the dynasty's grip, forging their own paths towards independence. A pivotal moment unfolded in the Bingzhou[1] region at the outset of the Taikang period. Originally, this area teemed with 59,200 registered households of Han Chinese residents. As the Yongjia period (307-312) dawned, the majority were exiled to the southern regions, leaving behind a mere 20,000 households. The balance of power tipped, leaving the Han people at a conspicuous disadvantage compared to the ethnic minority factions. Guided by their chieftain, Liu Yuan, the Xiongnu people achieved a remarkable feat: the establishment of their own political order in the Fen River Basin.
Liu Yuan, hailing from a prestigious lineage of Xiongnu leaders, held key positions throughout his life in Jin court. His grandfather, Yufuluo, served as the esteemed Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, while his father, Bao, was known as the Wise Prince of the Left. After the Xiongnu chieftains surrendered to the Han dynasty, Liu Yuan's family, considering themselves descendants of the Han dynasty, adopted the imperial surname Liu.[i]
During Emperor Wu of Jin’s reign, Liu Yuan served as the Commander of the Northern Region. Amidst the chaos of the Eight Princes, Sima Ying, the Prince of Chengdu, sought Liu Yuan's aid. He was sent back to Bingzhou to rally the five Xiongnu tribes for the civil war. This endeavor led to his appointment as the Northern Chanyu. Upon his arrival in Zuoguo City, Liu Yuan was unanimously proclaimed as the Grand Chanyu by Xiongnu nobles. In 304, he changed his title to King of Han and established Zuoguo City[2] as his capital. He further proclaimed himself Emperor in 308, establishing the capital at Pingyang[3] and adopted the state name "Han."
A formidable coalition soon united behind Liu Yuan's banner. Wang Mi and Cao Yi, having marshaled their troops in Qing and Xu, merged their forces with Ji Sang and Shi Le, who had mustered armies in Zhao and Wei. Adding to this tide of support, Lu Zhuyan, representing the four Xianbei tribes in Shangjun, and Shan Zhen, a Di chieftain, pledged their loyalty to Liu Yuan.
With this newfound alliance, Liu Yuan appointed Wang Mi as the Governor of Qing and Xu provinces, unleashing a wave of military expeditions across Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yu. Wang Mi's campaigns bore fruit, as he swiftly secured numerous counties along his path, even menacing the stronghold of Xuchang, a pivotal gateway to the Western Jin capital of Luoyang. With Luoyang cowering in trepidation, its gates would remain tightly shut throughout daylight hours.
Meanwhile, Shi Le embarked on military campaigns throughout regions like Weijun[4], Jijun[5], and Dunqiu[6]. With an army of 30,000 soldiers, he swiftly conquered over 50 fortresses, appointing their leaders as his own generals and captains. Adding to his strength, he conscripted 50,000 able-bodied men into his ranks. By the summer of 309, Shi Le's expansionist efforts had yielded remarkable results, with over a hundred fortresses falling under his control in the northern provinces. With his forces now surpassing 100,000 soldiers, he relentlessly engaged and defeated the Jin army, forcing the surrender of several key fortresses in Hebei and obtaining valuable hostages.
In the same year, Liu Yuan sent his generals to capture Liyang[7], defeated the Jin general Wang Zhan at Yanjin[8], and drowned over 30,000 men and women in the Yellow River. Following these victories, Liu Yuan's son, Liu Cong, led a renewed siege on the city of Luoyang.
In 310, after the death of Liu Yuan, the reins of power fell to his eldest son, Liu He. However, his rule was abruptly cut short by his younger brother, Liu Cong, who seized control by resorting to fratricide. Cong wasted no time in sending his cousin, Liu Yao, and general Wang Mi, along with a force of 40,000 soldiers, to venture out of Luoyang. With strategic finesse, they maneuvered through the realms of Liang, Chen, Ru, and Ying, capturing over 100 fortresses. They succeeded in isolating Luoyang through these campaigns.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
In 311, Shi Le achieved a decisive victory at Ningping City[9] in Ku County[10], annihilated the main forces of Western Jin that numbered over 100,000 soldiers. In that summer, Liu Yao and Wang Mi captured Luoyang and took Emperor Huai captive. Fast forward to 316, and Liu Yao managed to seize Chang'an and Emperor Min. This turn of events eventually spelled the downfall of the Western Jin dynasty.
----------------------------------------
[1] Present-day Shanxi.
[2] Present-day northern Lishi, Shanxi.
[3] Northwest of present-day Linfen, Shanxi.
[4] With its capital at Ye.
[5] With its capital at Ji, now southwest of Ji County, Henan.
[6] With its capital at Dunqiu, now southwest of Qingfeng, Henan.
[7] Now northeast of Jun County, Henan.
[8] Now north of Yanjin, Henan.
[9] Now 35 li northeast of Dan City, Henan.
[10] Present-day Luyi, Henan.
----------------------------------------
[i] In Records of Liu Yuanhai (JS101):
"In the first year of Yongxing, Yuanhai [...] ascended the throne of King of Han and issued an order, saying: 'In the past, our Taizu Emperor Gao, with his martial spirit, established a great foundation. Taizong Emperor Xiao Wen emphasized virtue and brought peace to the Han dynasty. Shizong Emperor Xiao Wu expanded the territory and subdued the barbarian tribes, surpassing the glory of Tang [Yu]. Zhongzong Emperor Xiao Xuan gathered talented individuals, filling the court. These ancestors of ours surpassed the Three Kings and exceeded the achievements of the Five Emperors [...] However, the reigns of Yuan and Cheng were short-lived, and the reigns of Ai and Ping were short as well. Treacherous ministers like Wang Mang caused chaos and rebellion. Our imperial ancestor Shizu Emperor Guangwu [...] conducted sacrifices to heaven in the Han tradition, not deviating from the old ways [...] Xianzong Emperors Xiao Mming and Suzong Emperor Xiao Zhang carried on the legacy, and the brilliance shone again. However, since the reigns of Emperor He and Emperor An, the imperial principles have gradually declined [...] The Yellow Turbans caused turmoil throughout the Nine Provinces, and eunuchs with wicked intentions spread wide within the Four Seas. Dong Zhuo took advantage of the situation and became rampant, while Cao Cao and his sons committed evil acts one after another. Therefore, Emperor Xiao Min (Emperor Xian, Liu Xie) abandoned the empire, and Emperor Zhaolie (Liu Bei) established a glorious lineage in Min and Shu [...] Since the loss of the ancestral shrines and the decline of the imperial lineage, forty years have passed. Now, Heaven has enticed us to repent for the calamities brought upon the imperial Han. We have witnessed the mutual destruction of the Sima family members. [...] As I have been recommended by the nobles, I will continue the achievements of our three imperial ancestors [...] ' He then pardoned those within his territory and adopted the era name Yuanxi, posthumously honoring Liu Shan as Emperor Xiao Huai. He established ancestral altars for the three founding emperors and the five noble ancestors to be worshipped."
Thus, it can be concluded that when Liu Yuan initially rose in rebellion, he also falsely claimed to be a descendant of the Han dynasty, aiming to deceive the Han people and eliminate ethnic prejudice in order to consolidate his rule. The adoption of the name "Han" for his state was likely due to this historical association.
In Catalog of Metal and Stone Inscriptions (Jin Shi Lu), it is mentioned in the account of the spurious Han Minister of Minister Liu Xiong's stele: "His given name was Xiong, courtesy name Yuanying, a descendant of Emperor Gao, the grandson of Emperor Xiaoxuan. When Wang Mang usurped the throne, he fled to the border regions and was recognized by foreign countries, thus assuming the title of Chanyu." Xiong was Yuan’s younger brother. According to the record in Records of Liu Yuanhai (JS101), it states: "In the beginning, Emperor Gaozu of Han married his princess to Modu, forming a brotherly relationship, which is why their descendants adopted the surname Liu." However, this stele explicitly mentions Emperor Xuan, not Liu Yuan's initial rise to power. Could it be that Liu Yuan used this stele to deceive the masses?