Liu Ju, formally known as Crown Prince Wei and posthumously as Crown Prince Li was a Western Han dynasty crown prince.
15 Facts About Liu Ju
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Liu Ju was the eldest son and the heir apparent to his father, Emperor Wu of Han, until his death at age 38 during the political turmoil that occurred during 91 BC.
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Liu Ju led an uprising against his father's army and died as a consequence of the rebellion.
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Unlike Emperor Wu, who was at times megalomanic and always looking for territorial expansion which burdened his people to their limit, Liu Ju was regarded as a man of peace, interested more in the social well-being and economic recovery of the people, and openly opposed his father on many policies.
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Liu Ju was well known for his hospitality and openness to different opinions, and he maintained a large group of advisers and friends at his palace.
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Liu Ju frequently had conflicts with legal officials who had received promotions from following his father's harsher, more authoritarian policies.
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In 113 BC, Liu Ju married his only well-known consort, Lady Shi, who bore him a son Liu Jin.
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Liu Ju gave birth to Emperor Wu's youngest son Liu Fuling after a rumoured 14-month-long pregnancy, same as the legendary Emperor Yao.
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One other conspirator was Emperor Wu's chief eunuch Su Wen, who had falsely and repeatedly accused Liu Ju of committing adultery with Emperor Wu's junior concubines.
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Liu Ju initially hesitated and wanted to speedily proceed to Ganquan Palace and explain himself to his father, but he found out that Jiang's messengers were already on their way to report the "crime".
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Liu Ju arranged for one of his men to impersonate a messenger from Emperor Wu and arrest Jiang Chong's party.
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Liu Ju then reported his actions to his mother, who authorised him the right to mobilise her palace guards and distribute weapons to any civilian supporters he could muster in preparation to defend himself against any retaliation from Jiang's co-conspirators.
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At this point, Liu Ju had fled to Hu County and took refuge in the home of a poor shoemaker.
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Liu Ju promoted Tian Qianqiu to prime minister, and made major policy changes that supported the ideals supported by his dead son.
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Liu Ju's only surviving offspring, his grandson Liu Bingyi, would eventually become emperor in 74 BC following the death of Crown Prince Ju's childless younger brother Emperor Zhao and a brief reign by their nephew, Prince He of Changyi.