Liu Zong
Liú Zǒng (
Background
It is not known when Liu Zong was born. He was the second son of Liu Ji,[2] who ruled Lulong Circuit as its military governor (Jiedushi) starting in 785 (when he succeeded Liu Zong's grandfather Liu Peng).[3] Liu Zong's older brother Liu Gun was considered Liu Ji's heir, and during Liu Ji's rule was made deputy military governor, then considered the post for the heir among warlords who controlled their circuits de facto independently from the imperial government.[4][5] Liu Zong was made the prefect of Ying Prefecture (瀛州, in modern Cangzhou, Hebei). Liu Zong was described by the Old Book of Tang to be treacherous.[2]
Killing of father and brother
In 810, Liu Ji was commanding his Lulong troops in attacking Wang Chengzong, the ruler of neighboring Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei), whom Emperor Xianzong had declared a renegade.[5] He had Liu Gun remain at Lulong's capital You Prefecture (幽州) to serve as acting military governor, while Liu Zong accompanied him on the campaign, serving as the army commander.[2] During the campaign against Wang, Liu Ji had Liu Zong command the siege of Anping (安平, in modern Hengshui, Hebei), and Anping fell in one day. However, the Lulong army became bogged down at Raoyang (饒陽, in modern Hengshui) and was not able to advance further.[6]
Meanwhile, Liu Ji grew ill during the campaign. Liu Zong conspired with Liu Ji's assistant Zhang Qi (張玘), treasurer Cheng Guobao (成國寶), and other officers, to take over power. He had people pretend to be imperial messengers arrive at the Lulong army's camp to state, "As the imperial government sees that you, Lord Chancellor,
As military governor
In 816, as Emperor Xianzong waged another campaign against Wang Chengzong, Liu Zong mobilized his troops and captured Chengde's town Wuqiang (武強, in modern Hengshui). He also put Leshou (樂壽, in modern Cangzhou) under siege.
In 817, Wang's ally Wu Yuanji, who ruled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in modern Zhumadian, Henan), was defeated and captured by the imperial general Li Su. In fear, Wang submitted to imperial authority and surrendered two of his six prefectures to imperial control. In the aftermaths of Wang's actions, Liu's officer Tan Zhong (譚忠) persuaded him to also submit to imperial authority.[10]
Resignation and death
Meanwhile, it was said that Liu Zong, after he had killed his father and brother, had often been fearful in his heart, and at times he saw his father and brother in his dreams. He often gave food to several hundred
In response to Liu's proposal, Emperor Muzong gave a number of Liu's relatives honored titles, issued a money reward to the Lulong soldiers, and further issued two alternative edicts — one bestowing the dharma name of Dajue on Liu Zong, granting him a temple named Bao'en Temple (報恩寺), and giving him special purple monk robes; and one making him the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an, Shandong) and giving him the honorary chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中). He had his eunuchs deliver the two edicts to Liu Zong, to let Liu Zong decide which edict he would accept. However, before the edicts could arrive at You Prefecture, Liu Zong took tonsure and became a monk, and he prepared to depart You Prefecture. Some soldiers refused to let him leave, and he executed some 10 of the leaders and gave his seals to Zhang Qi, making Zhang the acting military governor. He then left in the middle of the night, and only in the morning did the soldiers find out. Zhang submitted a report stating, "I do not know where Liu Zong is by this point." On May 2,[1] Liu Zong, who was by then in Ding Prefecture (定州, in modern Baoding), died.[11]
Notes and references
- ^ a b "中央研究院網站". Sinica.edu.tw. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ a b c d e Old Book of Tang, vol. 143 Archived 2008-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 232.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 237.
- ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 238.
- ^ a b New Book of Tang, vol. 212 Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ At that time, Liu Ji carried an honorary chancellor title.
- ^ "中央研究院網站". Sinica.edu.tw. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 239.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 240.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 241.
Sources
- Old Book of Tang, vol. 143.
- New Book of Tang, vol. 212.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 238, 239, 240, 241.