The Political Landscape After Liu Muzhi’s Death

When Liu Muzhi, the chief administrator of the Eastern Jin court, passed away, the imperial government briefly considered appointing Xu Xianzhi, the Left Sima of the Grand Commandant, as his successor. This decision stemmed from Liu Yu’s earlier arrangement—Xu had been designated as Liu Muzhi’s deputy before Liu Yu embarked on his northern campaigns.

Xu Xianzhi, hailing from a mid-to-low-ranking aristocratic family in Tan County, Donghai, had initially served under the warlord Liu Laozhi before becoming a key subordinate of Huan Xiu. It was here that he first encountered Liu Yu, who was also serving under Huan Xiu. Impressed by Liu Yu’s leadership, Xu became one of his most trusted confidants, especially after the Jingkou Uprising.

Their alliance was further cemented through marriage: Xu’s nephew married Liu Yu’s eldest daughter, while Xu’s own son wed Liu Yu’s sixth daughter. Notably, despite Liu Muzhi’s immense influence, Liu Yu never formed marital ties with him—a subtle indication of the underlying power dynamics.

Liu Yu’s Dilemma: Trust and Control

Before departing for his northern expedition, Liu Yu deliberately placed Xu Xianzhi as Liu Muzhi’s deputy—a move widely interpreted as a surveillance measure. When Liu Muzhi died, the court proposed Xu as his successor, but Zhang Shao, a cautious advisor, urged restraint: “The situation is precarious. While Xu Xianzhi is indeed the logical choice, the heir is still young and lacks authority. We must consult Liu Yu first.”

Liu Yu, stationed in Guanzhong at the time, doubted Xu’s administrative capabilities. He initially considered appointing Wang Hong, a descendant of the illustrious Wang Dao, but was dissuaded by Xie Hui, a scion of the Xie clan. Xie argued that Wang Hong was politically unreliable compared to Xu Xianzhi. This exchange revealed deeper tensions:

1. Class Loyalty: Xu, a veteran of the Jingkou Uprising, was a trusted ally from Liu Yu’s inner circle, whereas Wang Hong represented the old aristocratic elite.
2. Factional Ambitions: Xie Hui, at just 28, was positioning himself as the future leader of the aristocratic coalition.

Ultimately, Liu Yu appointed Xu as Minister of Personnel, General of Jianwei, and Governor of Danyang, granting him oversight of court affairs—but major decisions were now referred directly to Liu Yu.

The Fragile Guanzhong Administration

Liu Yu’s departure from Guanzhong triggered an emotional outcry from the local Han Chinese population, who pleaded with him to stay: “For a hundred years, we have lived under foreign rule. Now that we finally see Han leadership again, how can you leave?” Liu Yu, moved but pragmatic, left his 12-year-old son Liu Yizhen in charge, supported by a mixed council of northern and southern officials.

This arrangement, however, was fatally flawed:

1. Morale Issues: The southern troops, having fought hard to conquer Guanzhong, were reluctant to remain so far from home.
2. Factional Rivalries: Wang Zhen’e, a northern general, was resented by the southern faction—particularly Shen Tianzi, who believed Wang had stolen credit for the final victory.

Wang Zhen’e’s heavy-handed looting of Chang’an further alienated his peers. When Shen Tianzi accused him of rebellion and executed him (claiming Liu Yu’s secret approval), the fragile power balance collapsed.

The Downfall of Guanzhong

Liu Yizhen’s subsequent execution of his advisor Wang Xiu—who had tried to stabilize the region—destroyed local trust. As Guanzhong descended into chaos, the Xia state under Helian Bobo seized the opportunity, launching a devastating invasion.

Despite heroic resistance by generals like Fu Hongzhi, the southern forces were overwhelmed. Liu Yizhen’s retreat—marked by slow, loot-laden progress—ended in disaster at Qingni, where the Xia army annihilated his rear guard.

Legacy and Lessons

Liu Yu’s Guanzhong campaign, though initially triumphant, exposed critical flaws:

1. Overextension: The southern regime lacked the administrative depth to hold distant territories.
2. Factionalism: Rivalries between northern and southern factions undermined governance.
3. Succession Risks: Entrusting critical regions to inexperienced heirs proved catastrophic.

By 418, Guanzhong was lost, and Liu Yu—now focused on consolidating his power as Duke of Song—abandoned further northern ventures. The campaign’s failure foreshadowed the eventual decline of the Liu Song dynasty, illustrating the perils of military overreach and poor succession planning.

In the end, the tragedy of Guanzhong was not just a military defeat but a cautionary tale about the limits of ambition and the fragility of power.