Liu Pi

Liu Pi (劉闢) (died December 12, 806 ), courtesy name Taichu (太初), was a Chinese military general, poet, politician, and rebel during the Tang dynasty. Early in the reign of Emperor Xianzong, he resisted imperial authority at Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan), and was defeated by imperial forces commanded by Gao Chongwen and executed.

Background and service under Wei Gao It is not known when Liu Pi was born. During the middle of Emperor Dezong's Zhenyuan era (785-805), Liu passed the imperial examinations in the class of those who used language grandly. He was subsequently invited by Wei Gao, then the military governor (Jiedushi) of Xichuan Circuit to serve on Wei's staff. He was eventually promoted to be Zhidu Fushi (支度副使) — Wei's deputy in Wei's capacity as director of military supplies for Xichuan Circuit. It was in this capacity that, in 805, after Emperor Dezong's death and succession by Emperor Shunzong, Wei sent him to the capital Chang'an — to make contact with one of Emperor Shunzong's favorite officials, Wang Shuwen. He informed Wang that Wei wanted to control two neighboring circuits — Dongchuan (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang, Sichuan) and Shannan West (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi) as well, stating to Wang:

Wang, in anger, wanted to execute Liu, but was stopped by the chancellor Wei Zhiyi. When Wang subsequently exiled another regional staff member, Yang Shi'e (羊士諤), who was also in Chang'an to make demands for his supervisor, Liu became fearful and fled back to Xichuan. Subsequently, Wei submitted a petition to Emperor Shunzong, who was then seriously ill, condemning Wang and his associates, causing much apprehension among Wang and his associates. Wang lost power shortly after, and, later in the year, Emperor Shunzong yielded the throne to his son Li Chun the Crown Prince (as Emperor Xianzong).

Hearing that Liu was attacking Dongchuan, Emperor Xianzong considered responding militarily, but was apprehensive that Xichuan was well-fortified. The chancellor Du Huangchang, however, advocated stern military action, pointing out that Liu was, in Du's words, "an insane civilian," who was not capable militarily. Chengdu fell. Liu and Lu took some cavalry soldiers and fled west, hoping to flee to Tufan. Gao sent soldiers to chase after them, and caught up with them at Yangguantian (羊灌田, in modern Chengdu). Liu jumped into a river, intending to commit suicide, but was taken out of the water by the imperial officer Li Dingjin (酈定進). Lu killed his wife and children, and then jumped into the river with rocks strapped to himself, and his body was not recovered.

Gao had Liu delivered to Chang'an. It said that on the way, Liu was still eating normally, believing that he would not be executed. He only became frightened when, as he approached Chang'an, soldiers of the imperial Shence Army (神策軍) bound his head and limbs. As he reached Chang'an, Emperor Xianzong ascended a tower to receive him as a captive, and had an eunuch read him a list of his crimes. He responded, "I, your subject, would not dare to rebel. It was that the soldiers of five camps wanted to do evil, and I was not able to stop them." Emperor Xianzong replied, "I sent an eunuch to deliver banners and your commission certificate. Why did you not accept them?" Liu was forced to admit his guilt. He was delivered to the imperial shrines, and then executed on December 12, 806. Also killed were several of his subordinates, as well as his nine sons.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 140. New Book of Tang, vol. 158. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 236, 237.