Liu Ye (Three Kingdoms)

Last updated
Liu Ye
劉曄
Palace Counsellor (太中大夫)
In office
? (?)–234 (234)
Parent
  • Liu Pu (father)
OccupationOfficial
Courtesy name Ziyang (子揚)
Posthumous name Marquis Jing (景侯)
PeerageMarquis of Dong Village
(東亭侯)

Liu Ye (late 160s [2] - 234), [a] courtesy name Ziyang, was an adviser to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. After the fall of the Eastern Han dynasty, he served as an official in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, serving under Cao Pi and Cao Rui. He was a member of the House of Liu, the imperial clan of the Han dynasty, and a direct descendant of Emperor Guangwu, via Guangwu's seventh son Liu Yan. He had two sons: Liu Yu (劉寓) and Liu Tao (劉陶).

Contents

Early life

Liu's mother died when he was six. On her deathbed, she told him and his brother Liu Huan to kill a dangerous and treacherous servant belonging to his father Liu Pu once they were older. [3] Liu killed the servant six years later. Liu Pu was angry and asked his son the reason for the murder. [4] Liu Ye replied that he was just following his mother's last wish and was ready to take punishment. After hearing the explanation, Liu Pu had a change of heart, and forgave Ye. [5]

While Xu Shao was at Yangzhou, he praised Liu Ye as someone with the ability to help a sovereign govern his realm. [6]

Due to his family background and act of killing the servant, Liu already had a great reputation when he was in his early twenties. During this time, some local rich landowners had formed their own private armies. Among them, Zheng Bao (郑宝) was the strongest and he wanted to force people living in Huainan to move to another prefecture. [7] Zheng wanted to take advantage of Liu's reputation to assist with the eviction; Liu Ye was unwilling to do so. Around this period, an emissary from Cao Cao came to visit Liu Ye to discuss current state of affairs; Liu Ye persuaded the emissary to stay with him for a few days. [8] Zheng Bao wanted to meet Cao Cao's emissary, so he went to Liu's home with hundreds of soldiers, bringing along cows and wine. [9] Liu Ye then entertained Zheng with a feast. During the feast, he killed Zheng during a toast and threatened the now-leaderless soldiers to withdraw by claiming that by Cao Cao's orders, anyone who attacked would be guilty of the same offences as Zheng. [10] After the feast, Liu went to Zheng Bao's military camp with several servants. At the camp, Liu persuaded Zheng's private army to surrender by analysing the situation for the soldiers. Liu Ye felt that as a member of the imperial Liu clan, he should not have his own army as the Han dynasty was by then floundering; he then gave these thousands of surrendered soldiers to the local governor, Liu Xun (劉勛). [11] After this incident, Liu Ye became a counselor serving under Liu Xun.

Liu Ye could be the "Liu Ziyang" mentioned in Lu Su's biography in Sanguozhi, who was a friend of Lu and wrote a letter to him, asking him to join Zheng Bao. Sima Guang, author of Zizhi Tongjian , was skeptical that "Liu Ziyang" was Liu Ye. [12]

Serving Liu Xun

While Liu Ye was serving under Liu Xun, Sun Ce invited Liu Xun to attack Shangliao City (上缭城); Sun sent Liu Xun gifts and Sun's emissary was overly humble. Liu Ye advised Liu Xun not to attack Shangliao, but Liu Xun did not listen. During the attack on Shangliao, Sun Ce attacked Liu Xun. The defeated Liu Xun then decided to join Cao Cao, and Liu Ye followed suit. [13]

Serving Cao Cao

Before Wei Feng's rebellion, he had an excellent reputation, and many middle- and low- ranking officials were close friends of Wei. However, Liu Ye, upon seeing Wei for the first time, claimed that Wei will eventually rebel. [14]

Serving Cao Pi

After Guan Yu's death, Cao Pi once held a meeting with court officials to discuss if Liu Bei would invade Wu to avenge Guan. Most officials were of the opinion that Shu was a "small country" and only had one famous general: Guan; now that Guan was dead and his troops scattered, Shu would be filled with fear and would not dare to attack. However, Liu Ye gave a different opinion: "Shu may be weak, but given Liu Bei's desire to have a show of force, he'll definitely mobilise his armies to show that he is still a threat to be reckoned with. Also, Guan Yu and Liu Bei have a deep relationship: they are sovereign and subject, as well as father and son. If Liu Bei cannot mobilise his armies to avenge Guan, it would not be a fitting end to this relationship." [15]

In late 220 or early 221, [16] not long after Cao Pi crowned himself emperor, Meng Da defected to Wei and brought with him 4000 soldiers. Meng Da received various important appointments and the title of a marquis. In addition, Cao Pi merged the three commanderies of Fangling, Shangyong and Xicheng (西城) to form a larger commandery, Xincheng (新城), and he appointed Meng Da as the Administrator (太守) of Xincheng and tasked him with defending Wei's southwestern border. Liu Ye advised Cao Pi, "Meng Da is always looking out for rewards which are not rightfully his, and he is prone to schemes due to his talent. Thus, he will not be grateful to Your Excellency. Xincheng borders Sun Quan's and Liu Bei's territories. If the regional situation changes, it will create troubles for the realm."; Cao Pi ignored Liu. [17]

Also in 220, Liu Ye was made Palace Attendant (侍中) and bestowed the peerage of a Secondary Marquis (關內侯). At that time, Cao Pi asked his court whether Liu Bei would avenge Guan Yu, who was killed during Sun Quan's attack on Jingzhou. Most of them opined that Shu was a small state and that Guan Yu was its only famous general. But Liu Ye thought that Liu Bei would definitely wage war to revive his prestige; he also believed that Liu Bei and Guan Yu had a very close relationship and so Liu would avenge Guan. [18] In the end, Liu Bei did attack Sun Quan the following year. By then, Sun Quan was mobilising the power of the entire state of Wu to deal with the invasion, and he proclaimed himself a vassal to Cao Wei. Many officials congratulated Cao Pi, but Liu Ye believed that Sun Quan had no intention of submitting, and submitted himself as a vassal only as a last resort. Liu Ye even suggested that Cao Pi take advantage of the situation to lead troops to attack Wu to avoid future troubles. But Cao Pi disagreed. [19]

When Zhang Liao fell ill while stationed at Yongqiu, Cao Pi sent Liu Ye, along with imperial physicians, to visit Zhang. [20] Also, just before Cao Pi's death, he asked various officials, including Liu Ye, about Yang Fu. At the officials' recommendations, Cao Pi wanted to promote Yang, but died before he could do so. [21]

Serving Cao Rui

Liu Ye's downfall came when Cao Rui was warned by someone that Liu was second-guessing him. Cao Rui decided to test this out; when he realised that Liu Ye was indeed pandering to him, he began to avoid Liu. [22]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Liu Ye's biography in the Sanguozhi recorded that he served in office for two years after his appointment in the 6th year of the Taihe era (227–233) of Cao Rui's reign before his death. [1] Therefore, it is deduced that he died in 234, which corresponds to the 2nd year of the Qinglong era (233–237) of Cao Rui's reign.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guan Yu</span> Chinese general (died 220)

Guan Yu, courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Along with Zhang Fei, he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on most of his early exploits. Guan Yu played a significant role in the events leading up to the end of the Han dynasty and the establishment of Liu Bei's state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. While he is remembered for his loyalty towards Liu Bei, he is also known for repaying Cao Cao's kindness by slaying Yan Liang, a general under Cao Cao's rival Yuan Shao, at the Battle of Boma. After Liu Bei gained control of Yi Province in 214, Guan Yu remained in Jing Province to govern and defend the area for about seven years. In 219, while he was away fighting Cao Cao's forces at the Battle of Fancheng, Liu Bei's ally Sun Quan broke the Sun–Liu alliance and sent his general Lü Meng to conquer Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. By the time Guan Yu learned about the loss of Jing Province after his defeat at Fancheng, it was too late. He was subsequently captured in an ambush by Sun Quan's forces and executed at Linju, Xiangyang Commandery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Xiaoting</span> Battle between Shu and Wu (221–222)

The Battle of Xiaoting (猇亭之戰), also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the state of Shu and the state of Wu, between the years 221 and 222 in the early Three Kingdoms period of China. The battle is significant because Wu was able to turn the situation from a series of initial losses into a defensive stalemate, before proceeding to win a decisive victory over Shu. The Wu victory halted the Shu invasion and preceded the death of Liu Bei, Shu's founding emperor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liu Bei</span> Chinese warlord and founding Emperor of Shu Han (161–223)

Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande (玄德), was a Chinese warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of China.

Lu Xun, courtesy name Boyan, also sometimes called Lu Yi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. He began his career as an official under the warlord Sun Quan in the 200s during the late Eastern Han dynasty and steadily rose through the ranks. In 219, he helped Sun Quan's general Lü Meng invade Jing Province, which led to the defeat and death of Liu Bei's general Guan Yu. In 222, he served as the field commander of the Wu army in the Battle of Xiaoting against Liu Bei's forces and scored a decisive victory over the opponent. Lu Xun reached the pinnacle of his career after this battle as Sun Quan regarded him more highly, promoted him to higher positions, and bestowed upon him unprecedented honors. Throughout the middle and later parts of his career, Lu Xun oversaw both civil and military affairs in Wu while occasionally participating in battles against Wu's rival state, Wei. In his final years, Lu Xun was drawn into a succession struggle between Sun Quan's sons and fell out of Sun Quan's favor as a consequence. He managed to retain his appointment as Imperial Chancellor—an office he assumed in 244—but died a year later in frustration. Lu Xun's role in the Wu government was likened to that of a custos morum, as he believed firmly in and upheld Confucian principles and practices. On the one hand, he provided constant and timely advice to Sun Quan to exercise benevolence and consider the people's welfare. On the other, he vehemently objected to Sun Quan's idea of replacing his legitimate heir apparent in favor of a younger son.

Cao Rui, courtesy name Yuanzhong, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. His parentage is in dispute: his mother, Lady Zhen, was Yuan Xi's wife, but she later remarried Cao Pi, the first ruler of Wei. Based on conflicting accounts of his age, Pei Songzhi calculated that, in order to be Cao Pi's son, Cao Rui could not have been 36 when he died as recorded, so the recorded age was in error; late-Qing scholars Lu Bi (卢弼) and Mao Guangsheng (冒广生) argued instead that Cao Rui was Yuan Xi's son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhuge Jin</span> State of Eastern Wu official (174-241)

Zhuge Jin, courtesy name Ziyu, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in the late Eastern Han dynasty, Zhuge Jin started his career in the 200s as an official under the warlord Sun Quan, who later became the founding emperor of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period. In 215, he served as Sun Quan's representative in a territorial dispute over southern Jing Province between Sun Quan and his ally, Liu Bei. In 219, he joined Sun Quan's general Lü Meng in an invasion of Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province after Sun Quan broke the Sun–Liu alliance. He was subsequently appointed as a general and commandery administrator. Before the Battle of Xiaoting of 221–222, Zhuge Jin attempted to dissuade Liu Bei from going to war with Sun Quan but was unsuccessful. The battle ultimately concluded with victory for Sun Quan's side; both sides made peace later and reestablished an alliance between the Eastern Wu and Shu Han states against their rival state, Cao Wei. From 222 until his death in 241, despite being rather incompetent in military affairs, Zhuge Jin served as one of Eastern Wu's top generals and participated in some battles against Cao Wei forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lu Su</span> Chinese politician, general and diplomat (172–217)

Lu Su (172–217), courtesy name Zijing, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty. In the year 200, when Sun Quan had just taken over the reins of power, his adviser Zhou Yu recommended Lu Su as a talent to Sun Quan. As one of Sun Quan's most important advisers in the warlord's early career, Lu Su is best known for making some significant contributions. Firstly, in 200 he drafted a long-term strategy for Sun Quan's power bloc to emerge as one of three major contending powers in China – a plan similar to Zhuge Liang's Longzhong Plan, which was proposed about seven years later. Secondly, before the Battle of Red Cliffs in late 208, he was the first person to persuade Sun Quan to ally with Liu Bei against Cao Cao. Thirdly, he succeeded Zhou Yu as the frontline commander of Sun Quan's forces in 210 after Zhou's death and maintained the Sun–Liu alliance. Fourthly, in 215, he represented Sun Quan at the negotiations with Liu Bei's general Guan Yu during the Sun–Liu territorial dispute over Jing Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guo Jia</span> Adviser to the warlord Cao Cao (170-207)

Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, was an adviser to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Throughout his 11 years of service, Guo Jia aided Cao Cao greatly with his brilliance and foresight, and his strategies were instrumental to Cao Cao's triumphs over rival warlords such as Lü Bu and Yuan Shao. For example, four years before Cao Cao's decisive victory over Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, Guo Jia already foresaw that Cao Cao would win when he pointed out ten advantages Cao Cao had over Yuan Shao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pang Tong</span> Advisor to Chinese warlord Liu Bei (179-214)

Pang Tong (179–214), courtesy name Shiyuan, was a Chinese politician who served as a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. In his youth, Pang Tong was disregarded because he was plain-looking. The hermit scholar Sima Hui, however, held him in high esteem and called him the "Crown of Scholars in Jing Province". Pang Tong studied under Sima Hui along with Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and Xiang Lang, and he was given the nickname "Fledgling Phoenix". Owing to his friendly attitude, he worked as an appraiser in Nan Commandery. When he reviewed someone, he would prioritise their virtues over their abilities and encourage them to help others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fa Zheng</span> Adviser to warlord Liu Bei (176-220)

Fa Zheng (176–220), courtesy name Xiaozhi, was a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Born in a family of high social status and of noble descent, Fa Zheng travelled to Yi Province in the late 190s and became a subordinate of Liu Zhang, the provincial governor. However, his feelings of alienation and perception of Liu Zhang as an incompetent governor eventually led him to betray Liu Zhang and defect to Liu Bei in 211. Between 211 and 214, Fa Zheng assisted Liu Bei in overcoming Liu Zhang and seizing control of Yi Province, and became one of Liu Bei's most trusted advisers. In 217, he urged Liu Bei to launch the Hanzhong Campaign to capture the strategic Hanzhong Commandery from a rival warlord, Cao Cao, but died a year after Liu emerged victorious in the campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meng Da</span> State of Cao Wei general (died 228)

Meng Da, courtesy name Zidu, was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the early Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served the warlords Liu Zhang and Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty before defecting to Wei. In Wei, he served under the first two rulers, Cao Pi and Cao Rui. Around late 227, he started a rebellion in Wei and aimed to rejoin the Shu-Han but the revolt was swiftly suppressed by the Wei general Sima Yi. Meng Da was captured and executed for treason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liu Zhang (warlord)</span> Late 2nd/early 3rd century Eastern Han warlord

Liu Zhang, courtesy name Jiyu, was a Chinese politician and warlord who served as provincial governor who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He became the Governor of Yi Province, succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei. Six years later, Liu Zhang again surrendered to Eastern Wu, and died shortly afterwards. Liu Zhang is often considered an incapable leader but is noted to have been the original lord of some of Shu Han's most famous generals and officials such as Fa Zheng, Meng Da, Zhang Ni, Liu Ba, Huang Quan, Wu Yi, Li Yan, Dong He and others.

Huang Quan, courtesy name Gongheng, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlords Liu Zhang and Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty and in the state of Shu Han during the early Three Kingdoms period before defecting to Cao Wei. Liu Bei relied heavily on Huang Quan for counsel in both domestic and foreign policy. Under the Wei government, however, Huang Quan was restricted to only internal affairs because even though the Wei emperor Cao Pi appreciated him for his talent, he doubted Huang Quan's allegiance and believed he was still secretly loyal to Liu Bei.

Wang Lang, courtesy name Jingxing (景興), was a Chinese politician and minor warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He served notably in the Han central government as Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery and in the later state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was also a maternal great-grandfather of Sima Yan, the founding emperor of the Jin dynasty, through his granddaughter Wang Yuanji's marriage with Sima Zhao.

Tian Yu, courtesy name Guorang, was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province from the provincial governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between the years 211 and 214 in the late Eastern Han dynasty; although the conflict between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang started in January or February 213 when the latter discovered the former secret communications and subsequently executed Zhang Song. It concluded with victory for Liu Bei and his successful takeover of the province from Liu Zhang in July 214. Yi Province would serve as the foundation of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province</span> Battle between warlords Sun Quan and Liu Bei (219–220)

Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province was fought between the warlords Sun Quan and Liu Bei in the winter of 219–220 in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Sun Quan's forces, led by Lü Meng, invaded Liu Bei's territories in southern Jing Province, which covered present-day Hubei and Hunan. The campaign occurred after the Battle of Fancheng and concluded with victory for Sun Quan's forces, who completely captured all of Liu Bei's territories. Guan Yu, Liu Bei's general guarding those territories, was captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces. The fall of Jing Province and Guan Yu's death provided the trigger for the Battle of Xiaoting between Liu Bei and Sun Quan between 221 and 222.

The Battle of Jiangling was fought between the forces of the Cao Wei and Eastern Wu dynasties in the early Three Kingdoms period of China. The battle, which took place around present-day Jiangling County, Hubei, was an integral part of the Wei emperor Cao Pi's three-pronged campaign against the Wu leader Sun Quan. It spanned a period of about six months from October 222 to April 223. Of the three fronts, the most critical Wei attacks were concentrated against the Wu fortress at Jiangling.

Wei Feng, courtesy name Zijing, was a government official who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

Cao Zhi, courtesy name Yungong (允恭), posthumously known as Duke Ding of Juancheng (鄄城定公), was a son of Cao Zhi, Prince Si of Chen, and his unnamed concubine, and a grandson of Cao Cao. Besides his heritage, Cao Zhi was best known for his friendship with Sima Yan, and his support of Sima You remaining in the capital to help in the administration of the empire, against Yan's wishes.

References

  1. (太和六年, ... 在位二年遜位, ... 薨。謚曰景侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 14.
  2. According to the chronology of Liu Ye's biography in Sanguozhi, he was in his 20s while serving under Liu Xun. Liu Xun was independent only in 199, after Yuan Shu's death. By calculation, Liu Ye's birth year should be in the late 160s.
  3. (而母病困。临终,戒涣、晔以“普之侍人,有谄害之性。身死之后,惧必乱家。汝长大能除之,则吾无恨矣。) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  4. (普怒,遣人追晔。) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  5. 晔还拜谢曰:“亡母顾命之言,敢受不请擅行之罚。”普心异之,遂不责也。 Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  6. (汝南许劭名知人,避地扬州,称晔有佐世之才。) Sanguozhi, vol.14
  7. (宝最骁果,才力过人,一方所惮。欲驱略百姓越赴江表) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  8. (会太祖遣使诣州,有所案问。晔往见,为论事势,要将与归,驻止数日) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  9. (宝果从数百人赍牛酒来候使), Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  10. (晔因自引取佩刀斫杀宝,斩其首以令其军,云:“曹公有令,敢有动者,与宝同罪。”) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  11. (晔睹汉室渐微,己为支属,不欲拥兵, 遂委其部曲与庐江太守刘勋) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  12. In vol.63 of Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang dated Liu Ye's killing of Zheng Bao to the 4th year of the Jian'an era (c.199), while dating Zhou Yu's persuasion to Lu Su to stay in Jiangdong to the 5th year of said era (c.200). In the record of the incident found in Tongjian, there was no mention of Liu Ziyang (鲁肃将北还,周瑜止之,因荐肃于权曰:“肃才宜佐时,当广求其比以成功业。”...). In vol.03 of Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi, Sima Guang expressed his skepticism that the "Liu Ziyang" mentioned in Lu Su's biography in Sanguozhi was referring to Liu Ye. Sima Guang argued that Lu Su was about to join Zhou Yu, and by extension, Sun Quan. According to the account in Liu Ye's biography in Sanguozhi, Liu killed Zheng Bao and Zheng Bao's troops subsequently joined Liu Xun. Liu Xun was then defeated by Sun Ce. If "Liu Ziyang" was indeed Liu Ye, then , then the chronology of events would not make sense. (肃传曰刘子杨招肃往依郑宝.肃将从之瑜,以权可辅止肃.按刘晔杀郑宝以其众与刘勲,勲为策所灭,宝安得及权时也.)
  13. (勋不从。兴兵伐上缭,策果袭其后。勋穷踧,遂奔太祖。) Sanguozhi, vol. 14
  14. (《傅子》曰:初,太祖时,魏讽有重名,自卿相以下皆倾心交之。其后孟达去刘备归文帝,论者多称有乐毅之量。晔一见讽、达而皆云必反,卒如其言。) Fu Zi annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.14
  15. (黄初元年,....诏问群臣令料刘备当为关羽出报吴不。众议咸云:“蜀,小国耳,名将唯羽。羽死军破,国内忧惧,无缘复出。”晔独曰:“蜀虽狭弱,而备之谋欲以威武自强,势必用众以示其有馀。且关羽与备,义为君臣,恩犹父子;羽死不能为兴军报敌,于终始之分不足。) Sanguozhi, vol.14. Note that Chen Shou did not explicitly indicate who was the "father" or "son" in the relationship between Guan Yu and Liu Bei.
  16. The 1st year of the Huangchu era ends on 9 Feb 221 in the Julian calendar.
  17. (达率部曲四千馀家来降。达有容止才观,王甚器爱之,引与同辇,以达为散骑常侍、建武将军,封平阳亭侯。合房陵、上庸、西城三郡为新城,以达领新城太守,委以西南之任。行军长史刘晔曰:“达有苟得之心,而恃才好术,必不能感恩怀义。新城与孙、刘接连,若有变态,为国生患。”王不听。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.69
  18. (黄初元年,以晔为侍中,赐爵关内侯。诏问群臣令料刘备当为关羽出报吴不。众议咸云:“蜀,小国耳,名将唯羽。羽死军破,国内忧惧,无缘复出。”晔独曰:“蜀虽狭弱,而备之谋欲以威武自强,势必用众以示其有馀。且关羽与备,义为君臣,恩犹父子;羽死不能为兴军报敌,于终始之分不足。”) Sanguozhi, vol.14
  19. (后备果出兵击吴。吴悉国应之,而遣使称籓。朝臣皆贺,独晔曰:“吴绝在江、汉之表,无内臣之心久矣。陛下虽齐德有虞,然丑虏之性,未有所感。因难求臣,必难信也。彼必外迫内困,然后发此使耳,可因其穷,袭而取之。夫一日纵敌,数世之患,不可不察也。”) Sanguozhi, vol.14
  20. (辽还屯雍丘,得疾。帝遣侍中刘晔将太医视疾...) Sanguozhi, vol. 17
  21. (文帝问侍中刘晔等:“武都太守何如人也?”皆称阜有公辅之节。未及用,会帝崩。) Sanguozhi, vol. 25
  22. (《傅子》曰:或恶晔于帝曰:“晔不尽忠,善伺上意所趋而合之。陛下试与晔言,皆反意而问之,若皆与所问反者,是晔常与圣意合也。复每问皆同者,晔之情必无所逃矣。”帝如言以验之,果得其情,从此疏焉.) Fu Zi annotation in Sanguozhi, vol. 14