Liu Chen was Liu Chan's fifth son and the only prince who was unwilling to surrender to Wei when Shu Han fell. He once dissuaded Liu Chan from fighting in the back of the city, and after not being listened to, he first killed his wife, and then committed suicide and martyrdom in Zhaolie Temple. His loyalty and integrity were admired by later generations, and he was known as the King of the Northland.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Shu Han was a country based on loyalty and righteousness, its founding emperor Liu Bei was a benevolent and virtuous king, his prime minister Zhuge Liang was a wise man, and their soldiers were a group of brave people. Although the Shu Han was small and outnumbered, it was able to stand tall in the troubled times, resist the powerful Wei State, and maintain the tranquility of the southwest.
However, after Liu Bei's death, his son Liu Chan succeeded to the throne, but he was a mediocre and incompetent monarch, he did not want to forge ahead and only knew pleasure, he did not pay attention to political affairs, appointed traitors, he did not cherish the people's power and frequently collected taxes, he did not respect loyal ministers and despised military generals, he did not listen to good words and refused to reform. Under his rule, the national power of Shu Han gradually declined, the people suffered unspeakably, and the wind of loyalty gradually disappeared.
In the sixth year of Jingyao (263), the Wei state attacked Shu Han on a large scale, and Shu Han's resistance was very weak, and soon the Wei army broke through Mianzhu and killed Zhuge Liang's son Zhuge Zhan. Liu Chan followed the advice of Qian Zhou and others and decided to surrender to Wei, unwilling to sacrifice his life for the country. When the news reached Chengdu, Liu Chan's sons agreed, but only Liu Chan's fifth son, Liu Chen, resolutely objected, saying: "If the principles of heaven are exhausted and the strength is exhausted, disasters and failures will inevitably come, then the father and son should have their backs against the city wall to make a decisive battle, and die together for the Jiangshan Sheji, so as to meet the first emperor." Liu Chan did not listen to his words, and still ordered Zhang Shao, Qian Zhou, Deng Liang and others to go out of the city to hand over the seal ribbon and the letter of surrender to the Wei army.
On the day of Deng Ai's surrender, Liu Chen was sad about the pain of losing his country, came to the Zhaolie Temple, first killed his wife and children, and then committed suicide. His testament reads: "The first emperor was based on loyalty and righteousness, established Shu Han, and as a descendant, I cannot inherit the legacy of the first emperor, cannot protect the country, cannot fight to the death with loyal ministers, and can only die to show my loyalty." My wife and children are also willing to die with me, and do not want to be slaves of Wei. After I die, I hope that the first emperor will accept my soul and be with me in heaven, and I don't want to see those who seek glory again. His suicide note is full of admiration for the first emperor, loyalty to the country, contempt for those who surrendered, and also reveals his reluctance to give up his life and his sorrow for the country.
Liu Chen's suicide shocked the entire Shu Han and also the Wei State. The soldiers of Wei all admired Liu Chen's loyalty, and some even shed tears. Although Liu Chan surrendered to Wei, he did not gain the respect of Wei, but was used as a laughing stock by Sima Yan, the emperor of Wei, who ridiculed him for his incompetence and cowardice. Liu Chan's other sons were also not reused by the Wei State, but were migrated to various places and lived a life of exile. Only Liu Chen, although dead, left an eternal legend, known as the king of the North by later generations, and was the last loyal minister of Shu Han.
Liu Chen's story has been widely circulated by later generations and has become a model of loyalty. In historical records and literary works, there are descriptions of Liu Chen, such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", "Huayang National Chronicles", "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and so on. In the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu, there is also a statue of Liu Chen to commemorate his heroic deeds. Liu Chen's spirit has always inspired future generations, let us not forget the martyrs, and live up to the country's mission! Not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of strong enemies, not dishonest and righteous, not discouraged, and worthy of life and worthy of heaven and earth. People who read a lot can have a lot of temperament