Historical Record
Liu Xun was the eldest son of Liu Zhang, Governor of Yi Province. After Liu Bei took Yi Province, his father Liu Zhang finally surrendered, and Liu Xun's fate took a turn accordingly. According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, after Liu Bei pacified the land of Shu, Liu Zhang asked Liu Bei to keep Liu Xun, and Liu Bei appointed Liu Xun as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household Who Attend the Imperial Carriage c:551. This appointment allowed Liu Xun to remain in Shu Han, belonging to a different political camp than his younger brother Liu Chan (who later served as an official in Eastern Wu). Liu Xun's wife was a daughter of Pang Xi, and this marriage tie carried a certain social and political significance at the time. After Liu Bei settled Shu, Pang Xi was appointed Major to the General of the Left c:551. This appointment of Liu Xun, together with his marriage tie to Pang Xi, together made up his identity and standing in the early period of Shu Han.
In the Novel
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives Liu Xun no detailed literary treatment. In the novel, Liu Xun is mentioned only in a few chapters, and his role functions chiefly as the son of Liu Zhang rather than as a figure with an independent plot or characterization. The novel's depiction of Liu Xun does not depart from the historical record, but neither does it expand upon it or invent anything. Thus, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Xun's image is relatively vague, lacking a distinct personality or specific actions. He exists more as a symbol within the historical background than as an important character driving the plot forward. The novel contains no specific episode of his serving as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household Who Attend the Imperial Carriage, nor does it mention his marriage tie to Pang Xi; these historical details are nowhere emphasized in the novel.
Key Relationships
* Liu Zhang (parent_of): Liu Xun was the eldest son of Liu Zhang, Governor of Yi Province. Liu Zhang surrendered after Liu Bei took Yi Province, and Liu Xun's fate was thus closely bound to Liu Zhang's political career. Liu Zhang asked Liu Bei to keep Liu Xun c:551.
* Pang Xi (kin_of): Liu Xun's wife was a daughter of Pang Xi c:551. After Liu Bei settled Shu, Pang Xi was appointed Major to the General of the Left, and this marriage tie carried a certain social and political influence at the time.
* Shu Han (serves): After Liu Bei pacified Yi Province, he appointed Liu Xun as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household Who Attend the Imperial Carriage c:551, allowing Liu Xun to hold office in the Shu Han regime.
* Liu Chan (sibling): Liu Xun's younger brother Liu Chan, after Liu Zhang's death, was appointed Inspector of Yi Province by Sun Quan and later served as Palace Aide to the Censor-in-Chief in Eastern Wu c:551. Liu Xun and Liu Chan belonged respectively to Wu and Shu, reflecting the different allegiances of family members under the political configuration of the time.
Defining Scenes
* Receiving office after Liu Bei settled Shu: After Liu Bei took Yi Province and Liu Zhang surrendered, Liu Xun did not leave together with his father but was appointed by Liu Bei as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household Who Attend the Imperial Carriage c:551. This scene marks Liu Xun's transition in identity from son of Liu Zhang to official of Shu Han, and reflects Liu Bei's strategy of conciliating the old forces of Yi Province.
* The marriage tie with Pang Xi: Liu Xun's wife was a daughter of Pang Xi c:551. Although the historical sources do not record in detail the specific scene of their marriage, this marriage tie was undoubtedly an important part of Liu Xun's social standing and personal network. Pang Xi served as Major to the General of the Left after Liu Bei settled Shu, and this connection may have brought a certain influence to Liu Xun's official career in Shu Han.
* Brothers divided between Wu and Shu: Liu Xun remained in Shu Han, while his younger brother Liu Chan served as an official in Eastern Wu c:551. This situation of family members belonging to different regimes was an epitome of many gentry families during the Three Kingdoms period, reflecting the helplessness and choices of individual fortunes in an age of chaos. Although there is no specific scene depicted, this geographical and political separation was undoubtedly an important background setting in Liu Xun's life.
Relationships
2 relationships
Chapters2 回 ▸
- 史ch.31
- 演ch.62
Relationship timeline1 条 ▸
史 ch.31
- Pang Xi§15
kin_of
翁婿（刘循妻为庞羲女）
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- I am Liu Xun; my courtesy name is unknown. While my father, Liu Zhang, was alive, Yong Kai, a powerful local leader in N
Life events2 ▸
- 0213-01-01 · LuochengBattle of Luocheng· Commander
- 0214-01-01 · Valley of the Fallen PhoenixDeath of Pang Tong at Luofengpo· Warrior