Liu Yan

劉焉

Image from Koei's ROTK 13

**Liu Yan**, courtesy name **Junlang**, was a ~~pretty megalomaniac dude~~ warlord during the Han who served as the Provincial Governor of Yizhou.

His suggestion to appoint Provincial Governors to Emperor Ling (and it was for himself!) is one of the main reasons of the Han's downfall as many warlords who wielded immense power, such as Cao Cao and Liu Biao, were all Provincial Governors at one point. He slowly built up his power using his said suggestion in Yizhou, but was demoralized once lightning struck his imperial carriages and his capital, and he soon died.

## Biography

His date of birth was not specified (yet). His ancestor was Liu Yu, the Prince of Lu.

### Early life

He studied under Zhu Tian (祝恬) while holding many impressive titles due to his royal blood but when Zhu Tian died, Liu Yan faithfully resigned his posts and secluded himself, starting a school in Yangcheng Mountain and did the Han a huge favor by recommending the students he had that had virtue and righteousness.

Liu Yan eventually stopped mourning and went back to his usual titles and he really held some lofty titles: Prefect of Luoyang, Inspector of Jizhou, Grand Adminstrator of Nanyang, Director of the Imperial Clan, and Minister of Ceremonies.

### Rise of Power

During Emperor Ling's reign, Liu Yan, seeing the political climate deteriorate, decided to do the best thing: run. How did he do this? He suggested to Emperor Ling to appoint those with merits and virtue as Provincial Governors and said he would demonstrate this (which was kind of him) by becoming the Provincial Governor of Jiaozhou. Emperor Ling simply agreed as two other dudes who were inspectors (of other provinces) were murdered. Liu Yan actually wanted to hightail out of Luoyang and flee to the south, but a Palace Attendant named Dong Fu said that there was an 'imperial aura' in Yizhou, so Liu Yan, being the super duper loyal guy he was, requested to become the Provincial Governor of Yizhou instead. Emperor Ling did not see anything wrong so he agreed. It should be said that Xi Jian, the Inspector of Yizhou at the time, burdened his people with heavy taxes so much that their complaints were heard far away. Because of this, Liu Yan was given the even more ridiculous titles, including Imperial Messenger who Oversees the Army, Provincial Governor of Yizhou, and Marquis of Yangcheng, just to punish Xi Jian.

## Personality & Traits

Liu Yan was an opportunist at heart, fleeing from danger or trouble. Liu Yan also was very megalomaniac, moving to Yizhou simply because Dong Fu claimed it had imperial auras and building imperial carriages.

Liu Yan must have been pretty charismatic because his proposal to appoint Provincial Governors was accepted, but then again, Emperor Ling could care less.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 劉焉字君郎，江夏竟陵人也，漢魯恭王之後裔，章帝元和中徙封竟陵，支庶家焉。
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2. ↑ 焉少仕州郡，以宗室拜中郎，後以師祝公喪去官。 〈臣松之案：祝公，司徒祝恬也。〉居陽城山，積學教授，舉賢良方正
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3. ↑ 闢司徒府，歷雒陽令、冀州刺史、南陽太守、宗正、太常。
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4. ↑ 而并州杀刺史张壹，凉州杀刺史耿鄙，焉谋得施。
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5. ↑ He most likely thought that because his surname was Liu, he would someday become the next Emperor.
6. ↑ 焉睹靈帝政治衰缺，王室多故，乃建議言：「刺史、太守，貨賂為官，割剝百姓，以致離叛。可選清名重臣以為牧伯，鎮安方夏。」焉內求交阯牧，欲避世難。議未即行，侍中廣漢董扶私謂焉曰：「京師將亂，益州分野有天子氣。」焉聞扶言，意更在益州。
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7. ↑ 会益州刺史郤俭赋敛烦扰，谣言远闻
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8. ↑ 出为监军使者，领益州牧，封阳城侯，当收俭治罪；
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