Liu Jiyuan (劉繼元) | 24 Histories

Overview

Liu Jiyuan was a ruler.

PeriodSong, Liao, and Jin

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 968 to AD 992 AD 968-992
Directly stated · History of Song 482, passage 251

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Liu Shoujie (劉守節)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Song 482, passage 145

Events and relationships

Surrendered on Duanwu
AD 979 五月五日 · Military · Surrendered ruler
Directly stated · History of Song 482, passage 253

Assessments and attributes

Assessment cruel; would exterminate families of subordinates who offended him · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Song 482, passage 138

References in the histories

History of Song, Chapter 482Volume 482 Biographies 241, Hereditary Houses 5: Liu Jiyuan of the Northern Han Liu Family (Father: Liu Jun; Elder Brother: Liu Ji'en; Appended: Wei Rong, Zhao Wendu, Li Yun, Ma Feng, Guo Wuwei) · 4 passages

Open chapter

初，太宗征繼元，行次澶淵，有太僕寺丞宋捷者掌出納行在軍儲，太宗見其姓名喜，以為師必有捷之兆。 Earlier, when Taizong marched against Jiyuan and halted at Chanyuan, a Song Jie of the Imperial Stud, who managed disbursement of the mobile army stores, caught his eye. Taizong was delighted by the name and took it as a sign the campaign would bring victory.

至癸未，繼元降，乃五月五日也。 On guimao day Jiyuan surrendered—it was the fifth day of the fifth month.

繼元性殘忍，在太原，凡臣下有忤意，必族其家。 Jiyuan was cruel by nature. While in Taiyuan, whenever a subordinate displeased him, he exterminated the whole clan.

劉繼元朕所虜者，待之若賓客，猶恐不慰其意爾。” Liu Jiyuan is a man I took captive, yet I treat him as an honored guest—and still I fear it may not be enough to ease his mind."