, was from Ningyang County, Dongping Commandery (present-day Shandong). He was a literary figure during the
period and one of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an.
Biography
During the Jian'an era, Liu Zhen was summoned by Cao Cao to serve as an attendant to the Chancellor. He had frequent interactions with Cao Pi and his brothers. Later, Liu Zhen incurred Cao Cao's wrath for "looking straight" at Cao Pi's wife, Lady Zhen, during a banquet. Cao Cao punished him for disrespect and later released him from punishment but appointed him to a minor official position.
Liu Zhen did not leave many poems; only fifteen of his works have survived, with the three "Gift to My Younger Brother" being his most representative pieces. In the 22nd year of Jian'an (217 AD), a plague broke out, and Liu Zhen died from it along with Chen Lin, Xu Gan, and Ying Yang. His collected works, "The Collection of Liu Gonggan," are still extant.
Anecdotes
According to the Sanguozhi: Fangji Biography under Zhou Xuan: Later, ''Dongping's Liu Zhen'' dreamt of a snake growing four legs and living in a hole at his door. He asked Zhou Xuan to interpret the dream, and Zhou Xuan said: "This is a national omen, not something concerning your family. It foretells the killing of a female bandit." Soon after, the female bandits Zheng and Jiang were both captured and executed. The snake symbolizes a woman, and the legs are unusual for a snake.
Family
• Father: Liu Liang, a descendant of Prince Wu of Liang, Liu Wu, he was orphaned at a young age and lived in poverty. He had an upright character and clear talent, supporting himself by selling books. During the reign of Emperor Huan, he was recommended as a filial official and served various posts up to Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. He was respected for his literary achievements and died as Magistrate of Yewang. Throughout his life, he did not conform to popular trends and once criticized the world's excessive pursuit of profit and competition through deceitful means in his works "Breaking the Herd" and "Debating Unity and Harmony." His biography is included in the Hou Hanshu: Literary Figures Biography.
Evaluation
• Liu Zhen was an important member of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an and one of the representative writers of "Jian'an Literature," often referred to as "the Sage of Articles." However, academic research on him seems somewhat thin and has some unreasonable aspects. Based on his surviving works, his poetry is characterized by a high tone, rich emotions, and a clear and melancholic atmosphere.
• Cao Pi praised him for his "excellent five-character poems, surpassing contemporaries" (from A Letter to Wu Zhi). His style is simple and accessible, excelling in metaphors and allusions.
• Liu Zhen's weakness was a lack of rich vocabulary, leading Zhong Rong in the Poetry Critiques to comment: "His spirit surpasses his writing; he regrets the lack of refinement. However, from Cao Zhi onwards, Liu Zhen stands alone." "He upholds righteousness and seeks uniqueness, often producing stunning works. His firm resolve withstands frost, and his noble style transcends convention." (from Poetry Critiques Volume 1).
• According to Yu Huan's The Canon: "The Crown Prince once invited several literati for a banquet. When the wine was flowing freely and everyone was enjoying themselves, he ordered his wife, Lady Zhen, to come out and greet them. Everyone at the table bowed their heads, but Liu Zhen alone looked straight ahead. Upon hearing this, Cao Cao had him arrested and imprisoned."
Artistic Representation
Television and Film
• 1975 TV series The Luo Goddess: Wu Minjia
• 2017 TV series Great Strategist Sima Yi: The Alliance of Strategists: Ren Yu
Further Reading
Notes
External Links
References
• 劉楨 (Chinese)
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Liu Zhen (2nd century – 217 AD), courtesy name Gonggan, was from Ningyang County, Dongping Commandery (present-day Shandong). He was a literary figure during the Eastern Han period and one of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an.