Liu Kun (Jin dynasty)

Liu Kun
劉琨
Inspector of Bing Province (幷州刺史)
In office
306 (306)  316 (316)
MonarchEmperor Hui of Jin / Emperor Huai of Jin / Emperor Min of Jin
Personal details
Born271
Died22 June 318
SpouseLady Cui
RelationsLiu Yu (elder brother; c.265-c.311)
Sima Lun's daughter-in-law (elder sister)
ChildrenLiu Zun
Liu Qun
Parents
  • Liu Fan (father)
  • Lady Guo (mother)
OccupationMilitary general, poet
Courtesy nameYueshi (越石)
Posthumous nameMin (愍)
PeerageMarquis of Guangwu (廣武侯)

Liu Kun (271 – 22 June 318), courtesy name Yueshi, was a Chinese military general and poet of the Jin dynasty. An esteemed writer during the early years of his career, he was also known for his time as the Inspector of Bingzhou, during which he spearheaded Jin's efforts in fighting back against the Han-Zhao dynasty. Despite his determination and active role in the war against Han, he lacked the sufficient military and administrative skills to quash the growing Han threat, suffering repeated defeats and having to heavily rely on his alliance with the Tuoba-Xianbei. He was eventually driven out from Bingzhou following a decisive defeat to Shi Le in 316 and fled to Youzhou, where he allied with the chieftain, Duan Pidi. After Pidi suspected him of betrayal, he was arrested and executed via strangulation in 318.