Liu Wenjing

Who was Liu Wenjing?

Liu Wenjing, courtesy name Zhaoren, formally the Duke of Lu, was an important official and one-time chancellor of Tang Dynasty. He initially served as an official of Sui Dynasty and was one of the driving forces in persuading the general Li Yuan to rebel against Emperor Yang of Sui. He eventually assisted Li Yuan in founding Tang Dynasty as its Emperor Gaozu, but was not as honored as Pei Ji and became resentful. He engaged witches, apparently to try to wish for divine favors, and when this was discovered, Emperor Gaozu executed him.