Song, Liao, and Jin · Ruler of Northern Han

Liu Chengjun 劉承鈞

Born AD 926; died AD 955 to AD 968

Passages: 56
Chapters: 6
Histories: 3

Overview

Liu Chengjun was a ruler of Northern Han.

Life and dates

Birth

AD 926 丙戌
Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Wang Baoheng (王保衡) Source Work Jinyang Jianwen Yaolu 晉陽見聞要錄
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 71, 74

Death

AD 968 十八年秋七月辛丑
Cause Death
Directly stated · History of Liao 7, passage 110
AD 955 to AD 968 立十三年
Cause Illness
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 115

Age

29
AD 954 顯德元年甲寅 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 67, 71, 74, 77

Attested activity

AD 957 天會元年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 79
AD 957 顯德四年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 79
AD 955 應曆5年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 93
AD 956 乾祐九年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 79
AD 951 to AD 969 應歷
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 78, passages 6, 10
AD 951 to AD 968 AD 951-968
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 135, passage 220

Show 3 more source-backed claims

AD 951 周廣順元年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 156
AD 954 承鈞立
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 32, 67, 77
AD 955 to AD 968 承鈞立十三年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 115

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Liu Jiyuan (劉繼元)
adopted son 養子 · Adoptive parentage
son 子
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 121; History of Liao 7, passage 110
Parent of Liu Jien (繼恩)
adopted son 養子 · Adoptive parentage
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passages 115, 121
Child of Liu Chong (劉崇)
father 父
second son 次子
son 子
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 67, 70; New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 65; Old History of the Five Dynasties 135, passages 220, 236; History of Liao 6, passage 93
Child of Mother of Liu Chengjun (漢主母)
mother 母 · maternal line
Directly stated · History of Liao 7, passage 67
Spouse of Lady Guo (郭氏)
wife 妻
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 136

Kinship Role sons · Count 0 · Negated true
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 121

Key source chapters

Career and standing

AD 954 顯德元年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 67, 77
AD 955 子承鈞立
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 64
AD 955 顯德二年十一月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 135, passage 236

Places and affiliations

Eastern Han (Northern Han) 東漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 32, 79
Northern Han 漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passages 93-94
Polity Northern Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 10
At Northern Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Liao 7, passages 67, 110

Learning and skills

Skill calligraphy 書 · Level skilled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 66

Events and relationships

Changed era to Tianhui
AD 957 天會元年 · Political · Actor
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 79
Observed mourning
AD 954 to AD 956 乾祐七年至九年 · Ritual · Actor · Duration Years: 3
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 79
Sent tribute envoys and gifts to Haili
Diplomatic · Sender
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 10
Relation Patron of · Person Guo Youwei (郭無為)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 70, passages 90, 125

References in the histories

Search passages

History

56 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 135Volume 135: Biographies of Usurpers 2: Liu Shouguang, Liu Zhi, Liu Chong · 4 passages

署其子承鈞為侍衛親軍都指揮使、太原尹，以判官鄭拱、趙華為宰相，副使李瑰、代州刺史張暉為腹心，尋遣承鈞率兵攻晉、隰二州，不克而退。 He made his son Chengjun guard commander and Prefect of Taiyuan, Zheng Gong and Zhao Hua grand councilors, Li Gui and Zhang Hui of Daizhou his intimates, then sent Chengjun against Jin and Xi; failing, he withdrew.

距太原一舍，其子承鈞夜以兵百人迎之而入。 One stage from Taiyuan his son Chengjun met him at night with a hundred soldiers and brought him in.

顯德二年十一月，崇以病死，其子承鈞襲偽位。 In the eleventh month of Xiande's second year Chong died; Chengjun usurped the throne.

鈞之事跡具皇家日曆。 Chengjun's career is recorded in the imperial calendar.

History of Liao, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Muzong 1 · 2 passages

十一月乙未朔，漢主崇殂，子承鈞遣使來告，且求嗣立。 On the yiwei new moon of the eleventh month Han's ruler Liu Chong died; his son Liu Chengjun sent envoys announcing the death and asking that his succession be recognized.

遣使吊祭，遂封冊之。 The Emperor sent envoys to mourn and invest the new ruler, and Liu Chengjun was thereupon enfeoffed and confirmed in succession.

History of Liao, Chapter 7Volume 7 Annals 7: Muzong 2 · 2 passages

冬十月庚辰，漢主有母喪，遣使賻吊。 That winter, in the tenth month on gengchen day, the ruler of Han was in mourning for his mother, and the Emperor sent envoys with condolence gifts.

秋七月辛丑，漢主承鈞殂，子繼元立，來告，遣使吊祭。 On xinchou day in the seventh autumn month Han's ruler Liu Chengjun died and his son Liu Jiyuan succeeded; when Han reported the death, the court sent envoys to offer condolences and perform the mourning rites.

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 1 passage

漢主劉承鈞每遣使入貢，必別致幣物，詔許受之。 Whenever the Northern Han ruler Liu Chengjun sent tribute envoys, he would also send separate gifts, and an edict permitted Haili to accept them.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 70Volume 70: Hereditary House of Eastern Han · 39 passages

乃以周廣順元年正月戊寅即皇帝位于太原，以子承鈞為太原尹，判官鄭珙、趙華為宰相，都押衙陳光裕為宣徽使，遣通事舍人李𧦬間行使于契丹。 On the wuyin day of the first month of Guangshun 1, Min took the throne at Taiyuan, made Chengjun prefect of Taiyuan, appointed staff officers Zheng Qing and Zhao Hua as chancellors, named Chen Guangyu, chief military escort, Commissioner of the Palace Service, and sent Palace Communications Officer Li Gongyan as liaison envoy to the Khitan.

旻自敗於高平，已而被圍，以憂得疾，明年十一月卒，年六十，子承鈞立。 Broken at Gaoping, then besieged, he sickened with care and died at sixty in the eleventh month of the following year; Chengjun succeeded.

承鈞，旻次子也。 Chengjun was Min's second son.

旻卒，承鈞遣人奉表契丹，自稱男。 On Min's death he sent Khitan a petition calling himself the emperor's "boy."

述律答之以詔，呼承鈞為兒，許其嗣位。 Shulü replied by edict, hailed him as "son," and confirmed his throne.

承鈞既立，始赦境內，改乾祐十年曰天會元年，立七廟於顯聖宮。 Chengjun then declared amnesty, renamed Qianyou 10 as Tianhui 1, and raised seven shrines at Xiansheng Palace.

契丹遣高勛助承鈞，承鈞遣李存瑰與勛攻上黨，無所得而還。 Khitan sent Gao Xun; Chengjun paired Li Cungui with him against Shangdang but gained nothing.

明年，世宗北伐契丹，下三關，契丹使來告急，承鈞將發兵，而世宗班師，乃已。 Next year Shizong marched on Khitan and seized three passes; urgent Khitan pleas moved Chengjun to mobilize—until Shizong retired and he stood down.

承鈞欲謀於契丹，繼沖道筠意，請無用契丹兵。 Chengjun meant to call on Khitan; Jichong conveyed Yun's plea to keep Khitan out.

承鈞即率其國兵自將出團柏谷，群臣餞之汾水。 He led his own army through Tuanbai Gorge while ministers toasted him on the Fen.

承鈞至太平驛，封筠隴西郡王。 At Taiping Post he created Yun Duke of Longxi.

筠見承鈞儀衛不備，非如王者，悔臣之，筠因自陳受周氏恩，不忍背德。 Yun found Chengjun's train unkingly, repented his oath, and admitted Zhou's kindness left him unable to rebel.

而承鈞與周世仇也，聞筠言亦不悅。 Chengjun, Zhou's hereditary foe, took equal offense.

遣宣徽使盧贊監其軍，筠心益不平，與贊多不葉，承鈞遣宰相衛融和解之。 He posted Lu Zan as supervisor; friction grew; Wei Rong was sent to patch peace.

已而筠敗死，衛融被執至京師，太祖皇帝問融承鈞所以助筠反狀，融言不遜，太祖命以鐵楇擊其首，流血被面，融呼曰：「臣得死所矣！」 Yun fell; Wei Rong was captured; Song's Taizu asked how Chengjun helped the revolt; Rong answered rudely; an iron maul split his brow; he shouted, "A worthy death!"

遣融致書於承鈞，求周光遜等，約亦歸融太原。 Rong carried a letter seeking Zhou Guangxun and company, offering to send Rong back too.

承鈞不報，融遂留京師。 Chengjun did not answer; Rong remained.

承鈞謂趙華曰：「不聽公言，幾至於敗。 He told Zhao Hua, "Not heeding your words, I nearly came to ruin.

承鈞由此益重儒者，以抱腹山人郭無為參議國政。 Thereafter he prized scholars and installed the mountain man Guo Wuwei in counsel.

承鈞內樞密使段常識之，薦其材，承鈞以諫議大夫召之，遂以為相。 Duan Chang of the privy council praised him; Chengjun made him Remonstrance Officer, then chancellor.

自旻世凡舉事必稟契丹，而承鈞之立多略。 Under Min every move was cleared with Khitan; Chengjun often acted without telling them.

契丹遣使者責承鈞改元、援李筠、殺段常不以告，承鈞惶恐謝罪。 Khitan envoys rebuked his new era, aid to Yun, and Chang's death unreported; he prostrated himself in apology.

使者至契丹輒見留，承鈞奉之愈謹，而契丹待承鈞益薄。 Envoys to Khitan were routinely held hostage; Chengjun grew more obsequious, Khitan more dismissive.

承鈞自李筠敗而失契丹之援，無復南侵之意。 After Yun's defeat Chengjun lost Khitan backing and abandoned any plan to strike south.

太祖皇帝嘗因界上諜者謂承鈞曰：「君家與周氏為世仇，宜其不屈，今我與爾無所間，何為困此一方之人也？ Song's Taizu once told a border agent to ask Chengjun, "Your house and Zhou are ancient enemies—no wonder you resist; but I bear you no grudge—why make this pocket of land suffer?

承鈞遣諜者復命曰：「河東土地兵甲，不足以當中國之十一； Chengjun sent back word: "Hedong's land and arms are less than a tenth of yours—

然承鈞家世非叛者，區區守此，蓋懼漢氏之不血食也。」 yet my line was never rebel-born; I hold this corner lest the Han house lose its sacrifices forever."

太祖哀其言，笑謂諜者曰：「為我語承鈞，開爾一路以為生。」 Taizu was moved, smiled, and said, "Tell him I will leave him a road to live by."

故終其世不加兵。 So for Chengjun's lifetime Song never marched against him.

承鈞立十三年病卒，其養子繼恩立。 After thirteen years Chengjun died; his adopted heir Jien took the throne.

旻以其子承鈞無子，乃以二子命承鈞養為子。 As Chengjun had no heir, Min had both boys adopted as his sons.

承鈞立，以繼恩為太原尹。 On his accession Chengjun made Jien prefect of Taiyuan.

承鈞嘗謂郭無為曰：「繼恩純孝，然非濟世之才，恐不能了我家事。」 Chengjun once told Guo Youwei, "Jien is dutiful but no statesman—I doubt he can settle our house's affairs."

承鈞病臥勤政閣，召無為，執手以後事付之。 Dying in the Diligence Pavilion, he summoned Youwei, clasped his hand, and entrusted the aftermath.

承鈞卒，繼恩告哀於契丹而後立。 After Chengjun's death Jien notified Khitan of mourning, then enthroned himself.

繼恩服缞裳視事，寢處皆居勤政閣，而承鈞故執事百司宿衛者皆在太原府廨。 Jien governed in hemp mourning and lived only in the Diligence Pavilion; Chengjun's old officials and guards stayed in the prefectural offices.

初，承鈞之語郭無為也，繼恩怨無為不助己，及立，欲逐之而未果，故霸榮之亂，人皆以謂無為之謀，霸榮死，口滅而無知者。 Jien had resented Youwei since Chengjun's remark that he lacked talent; on taking power he tried to oust him and failed—so when Barong struck, rumor blamed Youwei; Barong's death left no witness.

承鈞妻郭氏，繼元兄弟自少母之。 Chengjun's consort was a Guo; Jiyuan and his brothers had called her mother since childhood.

及立，遣嬖者範超圖殺郭氏，郭氏方缞服哭承鈞於柩前，超執而縊殺之，於是劉氏之子孫無遺類矣。 On his accession he sent his favorite Fan Chao to kill Lady Guo as she mourned before Chengjun's bier—strangling her—and with that the Liu line was extinguished.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 71Volume 71: Timeline for the Hereditary Houses of the Ten Kingdoms · 8 passages

終旻之世，猶稱乾祐，至承鈞立，然後改元，則旻之志豈不可哀也哉！ Throughout Min's life he still used the Qianyou reign era; only when Cheng Jun succeeded did the state change its era name—how lamentable was Min's resolve!

劉旻，《九國志》云，乾祐七年十一月旻卒，享年六十，子承鈞立，時年二十九。 For Liu Min, the Jiuguo Zhi says that in the eleventh month of the seventh year of Qianyou Min died at the age of sixty and his son Cheng Jun succeeded at the age of twenty-nine.

又有旻偽中書舍人王保衡《晉陽見聞要錄》雲，旻乙卯生，卒年六十一，子承鈞立。 There is also the Jinyang Jianwen Yaolu by Wang Baoheng, a Secretariat drafter in Min's court, which says Min was born in the yimao year, died at the age of sixty-one, and was succeeded by his son Cheng Jun.

承鈞丙戌生，立時年二十九。 Cheng Jun was born in the bingxu year and was twenty-nine when he succeeded.

又書承鈞丙戌生，立時年二十九，則當是顯德元年甲寅歲也。 It also records that Cheng Jun was born in the bingxu year and was twenty-nine at succession—which would place his accession in the jiayin year, the first year of Xiande.

豈有旻卒於二年，承鈞以元年嗣位？ How could Min have died in the second year while Cheng Jun succeeded in the first?

以《九國志》參較，旻享年六十，顯德元年卒，承鈞以是歲嗣位，時年二十九，為得其實，但《見聞要錄》衍「一」字爾。 Compared with the Jiuguo Zhi, Min died at sixty in the first year of Xiande and Cheng Jun succeeded that same year at twenty-nine—this is the correct account; the Jianwen Yaolu merely added a spurious character for "one."

《九國志》又云，承鈞立，服喪三年，至乾祐九年服除，改十年為天會元年，當是顯德四年。 The Jiuguo Zhi also records that when Cheng Jun succeeded he observed three years of mourning; in the ninth year of Qianyou the mourning period ended and the tenth year was renamed the first year of Tianhui—which corresponds to the fourth year of Xiande.