We all know that marriage is not allowed between close relatives in modern times, and this is also the same in ancient China, where people with the same surname cannot intermarry. However, during the period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, one emperor violated this principle and included two daughters and four granddaughters of his close relatives in the palace, allowing the six daughters to serve one husband. He is the most promiscuous emperor in history - Liu Cong, the Zhaowu Emperor of the Han State.
This kind of behavior makes people laugh and cry. These women became his favorite concubines and received special treatment, known as the "Favorites of the Six Lius".
Liu Cong's behavior aroused heated criticism in both the court and the people, causing him to endure fierce criticism and doubts in the court. Some historical sources describe his actions as "incestuous crimes" and regard him as "the source of the evil of the imperial system".
Teenage years
During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the migration of ethnic minorities became a common practice, and the Central Plains brought together five major ethnic groups, including the Xiongnu, Xiongnu, Di, Qiang, and Xianbei, which were collectively known as Wuhu in history.
The Wuhu Rebellion was not only a major turning point in Chinese history, but also a critical period of ethnic integration.
The Western Jin Dynasty was greatly injured after the Eight Kings Rebellion, and the Wuhu ethnic group took the opportunity to attack, among which the Xiongnu nobleman Liu Yuan rose up on the bank of the Fen River, proclaimed himself the king of Han, and founded the Northern Han Dynasty.
Liu Cong, as the fourth son of Emperor Liu Yuan of the Northern Han Dynasty, has many mysterious legends behind his birth. It is rumored that her mother, Zhang, dreamed of the red sun in her arms when she was pregnant, and Liu Yuan warned her that this was a good omen and should not be revealed.
Zhang was pregnant for 15 months and eventually gave birth to Liu Cong. That night, there was a white light in the house, and everyone regarded it as a miracle. What's even more peculiar is that Liu Cong was born with white hair more than two feet long on his left ear, which was regarded as an extremely rare vision at the time.
As a descendant of the Northern Han royal family, Liu Cong has a high status since he was a child and has attracted everyone's attention and love. As he grew older, he gradually revealed outstanding intellect and leadership, and occupied a pivotal position in the Northern Han Kingdom.
Liu Cong is a talented teenager whose cultural accomplishment far surpasses that of his peers. He is proficient in the study of a hundred schools of scripture and history, especially the "Art of War of Sun and Wu", and has profound attainments in the art of war. In literature and art, he also showed extraordinary talent, especially in calligraphy, cursive and official script, which was highly regarded by everyone.
In terms of martial arts, Liu Cong is also outstanding. He was diligent in martial arts, good at archery, and was able to pull a heavy bow weighing 300 catties, showing amazing strength and skill. On the battlefield, he is brave and resolute, vigorous and flexible, which makes people marvel. Liu Cong's civil and military skills have made him an eye-catching all-rounder.
All these achievements stem from Liu Cong's diligence and unremitting efforts since childhood. He was full of thirst for knowledge, assiduously studied the classics, and also conducted in-depth research and practice on the art of war and martial arts. It is this love and pursuit of knowledge that makes him a real talent.
Not only did he master the basics, but he also delved into various techniques and strategies, which made him even better in real combat. Liu Cong's achievements and talent have also been appreciated and affirmed by many people. His talent and abilities have caught the attention of many, and he is considered a genius with extraordinary talent.
His achievements are also the result of his own continuous efforts, and he has continuously improved his ability and quality through his own efforts and persistence.
At the age of 20, Liu Cong embarked on a journey to travel all over the world, met many young talents, dabbled in a wide range of knowledge, and received various knowledge. Later, with his outstanding talent, he won the favor of the emerging Taishou Guo Yi, and was entrusted with the important task of serving as the chief bookkeeper.
Guo Yi's appreciation of Liu Cong not only stems from his talent, but also affirms his potential, which also lays a solid foundation for his future political path.
With the accumulation of experience and the improvement of ability, Liu Cong gradually obtained higher positions and expanded his social circle. He served as the lieutenant of the right department, and with his excellent political skills and interpersonal skills, he won the trust of the five wealthy clans of the Xiongnu and made outstanding contributions to the harmonious exchanges between the Han and ethnic minorities.
Sima Hao, the king of Hejian, spoke highly of Liu Cong and named him the general of Chisha Zhonglang, praising his outstanding talents in the political and military fields. However, the situation was turbulent, Liu Yuan was in Yecheng, he was afraid that Wang Sima Ying would harm his father, Liu Cong resolutely defected to Sima Ying, served as the general of the right crossbow, and actively participated in the front-line war, showing his bravery and wisdom.
Liu Cong's talent has been widely recognized in both the political and military fields, and he has continuously worked hard to improve his abilities and laid a solid foundation for his future political career. His achievements and efforts have won the respect and praise of everyone.
Emperor period
In the first year of Yongning (304), Liu Yuan became Beidan Yu under the appointment of Sima Ying, and immediately afterwards, Liu Cong was given the honorific title of King Youxian and was ordered to return to the five Xiongnu departments to attract the aid of the Xiongnu for Sima Ying.
However, after Liu Yuan returned to the fifth department, he quickly established himself as Da Danyu, and Liu Cong was immediately canonized as the king of Luli, and the two had secretly accumulated strength and prepared to stand on their own.
At that time, the young Emperor Liu He was influenced by many influences, including Zongzheng Hu Yanyou, Wei Wei Liu Rui, and Liu Cheng, who had always been dissatisfied with Liu Cong, and others, and decided to weaken the power of the kings, especially Liu Cong, who had a heavy army.
In order to achieve this goal, Liu He planned an operation. He first launched a surprise attack, but Liu Cong was prepared and laid a defensive line around the palace in advance, which frustrated Liu He's plan.
Unwilling to fail, Liu He plotted again, he first released the prisoners in the prison in an attempt to create chaos in the palace, and then personally led the troops to infiltrate the palace in an attempt to defeat Liu Cong in one fell swoop.
However, Liu Cong once again learned the news in advance and led his army into the palace quickly. The two sides had a fierce battle in the west room of the Guangji Palace, and in the end Liu Cong successfully defeated Liu He, while Hu Yanyou and others were also captured and beheaded in Nangong.
Liu He's operation ended in failure, and Liu Cong took the opportunity to consolidate his position and further expand his sphere of influence. At the same time, it also marked the establishment of the Han and Zhao kingdoms, and the power struggle between the kings became more and more intense. This event had a profound impact on the political situation during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
After Liu Cong ascended to the throne, he chose a unique way of governing, and although it formally gave way to his brother Liu Yi, the substantive authority remained in his hands. He firmly believed that he was the true heir to the royal blood of Han and Zhao, and that Liu Yi's succession was only established by the status of Empress Shan.
In order to stabilize his position, Liu Cong made a careful political layout. First of all, he selected many of his cronies to hold important positions to ensure that the military and political power was firmly in his hands. Among them, he appointed his cousin Liu Muzhi as the imperial historian, and his confidant Liu Cheng as the central secretary, so that the government decision-making was under control. At the same time, he appointed Yang Jian as prime minister, responsible for the handling of major state affairs, which further consolidated his dominance in the imperial court.
In addition, Liu Cong also focuses on diplomatic strategy, and actively engages in diplomatic activities to gain external support. He regarded himself as the leader of the northern peoples, and sent envoys to the Wu State in the south and the Eastern Jin Dynasty on several occasions to demonstrate his sincerity and strength. He maintained good relations with these regimes, seeking their support and approval.
Finally, Liu Cong is well aware of the importance of national strength, so he actively promotes economic development and domestic construction. In the early years of the state, he implemented a series of preferential policies to encourage the development of commerce and handicrafts, laying the foundation for the prosperity of the country. At the same time, he also paid attention to infrastructure construction, built many water conservancy projects and roads, improved the efficiency of transportation, and further promoted economic development.
The late period of lasciviousness
After Liu Cong ascended the throne and became emperor, the tranquility of the court was broken, and no one expected that this young monarch would be a womanizer. His private life became the focus of everyone's discussion, he was fond of beautiful women, and often had fornications with harem concubines.
It didn't take long for Liu Cong's eyes to turn to his stepmother. He had heard of the beauty of Shan Hou for a long time, and now that he saw it with his own eyes, he felt that the rumors were not as good as the actual case. Empress Shan was originally supposed to be known for being dignified and virtuous, but under Liu Cong's fanatical pursuit, her heart began to waver.
In the dead of night, Liu Cong and Empress Shan met secretly in the palace, and they sought excitement in each other's arms, indulging in this forbidden love until dawn. However, their actions were difficult to conceal after all, and they were noticed by the palace attendants, and the news quickly spread outside the palace, causing an uproar and discussion.
But Liu Cong turned a deaf ear to this, he believed that he was the respect of the Ninth Five-Year Plan, acted unscrupulously, and even severely punished those who talked about it. Empress Shan's son, Liu Yi, was deeply disturbed by this. He was a bright and knowledgeable young man who was deeply worried about Liu Cong's behavior.
Liu Yi visited his mother many times, and each time he would gently persuade her, hoping that she could get rid of this unruly love. However, Empress Shan resented her son's advice, believing that he was interfering in her private affairs.
Gradually, Queen Shan's body became weaker and weaker, and she lost her former luster and became pale and weak. In less than a year, she fell ill, and her condition was so menacing that even famous doctors were helpless.
After Liu Cong learned that Shan Hou was seriously ill, although he briefly felt grief, he quickly regained his composure. He didn't realize that it was his own indulgence and profligacy that had led to the weakening of this once noble and beautiful stepmother.
Eventually, Shan Hou passed away. Liu Yi was grief-stricken, convinced that it was Liu Cong's actions that led to his mother's death. This unbridled emperor enveloped the entire court in fear and unease.
In the later years of Liu Cong's reign, he gradually lost himself in the glitz and extravagance of the harem. In addition to indulging in drunken, he also developed a morbid fascination with the beauties in the palace, and even used extreme means to make them age in a very short period of time, and even to the end of their lives.
One day, Liu Cong became interested in the palace maid Lihua, but because she refused his overtures, he actually ordered her to be tied to a special torture device. He then used the candle flame as a source of fire and relentlessly scorched her until her life was gone. This incident caused a great shock in the harem, and the palace maids were all in danger and silent.
Another time, Liu Cong heard that there was an abnormal body fragrance of the palace maid, and he immediately ordered her to be summoned to the palace. He took a great interest in the body of the court maid and indulged in it day and night, which eventually led to her death due to overwhelm.
In Liu Cong's harem, such absurd things are not uncommon. His methods became more and more cruel, so that the palace ladies dared to be angry but did not dare to speak, and could only silently endure his atrocities.
In a later period of time, Liu Cong heard that the women in Liu Yin's family of Taibao, whether they were two daughters or four granddaughters, were all peerless. Hearing this, he was thrilled in his heart and immediately sent an envoy to Liu Yin's mansion. Liu Yin was very happy to learn that his daughter and granddaughter were expected to enter the palace and become concubines of the royal family, so he agreed to this family affair without hesitation.
Since then, Liu Cong has spent the night with these six beauties every day, immersed in joy, and has almost no time to care about the government. He lived in the harem and handed over the court's recitals and major affairs to two noble concubines, Liu Ying and Liu E. The names of these two noble concubines imply Liu Cong's yearning for Yao Shun's rule, and he hopes that he can become a Ming Jun like Yao Shun.
Although these beauties enjoyed superior treatment in the palace, fighting in the court was also the norm, and they did not always get along with each other, but often fought openly and secretly for favor.
One of the granddaughters was canonized as the queen because of Liu Cong's special favor. After she became queen, other women gradually took a back seat.
However, the good times were short-lived. Liu Cong's younger brother Liu Yi reminded him many times, pointing out that it was not appropriate for them to marry each other with the same surname. Liu Cong also consulted Dazai Liu Yannian and Taifu Liu Jing, and the two gave him advice, saying that Taibao Liu Yin's ancestor was Liu Kanggong of the Zhou Dynasty, although he had the same surname as Liu Cong but had different bloodlines, so he could marry as a concubine. However, this statement has caused widespread controversy among the government and the opposition, and many people believe that it violates the etiquette system.
In addition to the chaos in the harem, Liu Cong also showed his mediocre side in governing the country. He despised the government and let the officials go freely, which made the government increasingly chaotic.
It is said that on one occasion, Liu Cong assigned an official to carry out important government affairs, but the official was not fully prepared. In response, Liu Cong did not get angry, but adopted a lenient attitude, only asking officials to introspect and look forward to the next improvement. However, this approach indirectly weakened the sense of urgency of the officials' work, and the efficiency of the imperial court's operations declined significantly.
When Liu Cong was seriously ill, he felt that his time was running out, so he entrusted the power of the state to a number of loyal men in the hope that they would serve the country wholeheartedly, and finally Liu Cong died in 318, and his reign lasted for nine years.
As the ruler of a country, if he only pursues personal pleasure and ignores the safety of the country, his achievements are limited. But it is worth mentioning that at the end of his life, Liu Cong was able to recognize his own shortcomings and wisely chose to entrust the country to a virtuous man, which undoubtedly reflects his humility and wisdom as a monarch.