Liu Hong (236 – 306[1]), courtesy name Heji or Shuhe,[2] was a military general and politician of the Jin dynasty (266–420).
After quelling the revolt of Zhang Chang, Liu Hong ushered Jingzhou into a brief period of peace and stability, making it a haven for refugees fleeing the various conflicts happening throughout most parts of China at the time.
Liu Hong was from Pei State, Xiang Commandery (相郡), which is around present-day Suixi County, Anhui.
During his youth, Liu Hong resided in Luoyang, where he was classmates with the future Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan; the pair were also born in the same year.
Due to their past acquaintanceship, Sima Yan appointed Liu Hong Grandee at the Gate of the Heir Apparent as a token of friendship.
For his conduct, the people and officials praised Liu Hong, and the court awarded him the title of "Duke of Xuancheng".
Liu Hong and his fellow generals camped at Wancheng, but not long after, the rebels killed Sima Xin at Fancheng in June.
[7] The court chose Liu Hong to be Sima Xin's replacement, granting him the offices of General Who Guards The South and Chief Controller of Jingzhou.
[8] Liu Hong marched to the provincial capital of Xiangyang, but when Zhang Chang took the city of Wancheng, he retreated to camp at Liang County (梁縣; in present-day Ruzhou, Henan).
[4] While Liu Hong was away, a general, Zhang Yi (張奕), was appointed by Jin to govern Xiangyang in his absence.
With Zhang Chang no longer a threat, Liu Hong decided to return to Xiangyang and take control of Jingzhou.
To rectify this issue, Liu Hong asked and received the court's consent to personally hand out appointments so he could fill the vacant offices.
He sent a petition to the court asking Pi Chu to be justly rewarded while also pointing out that, as per tradition, he and a promoted relative by marriage cannot have mutual supervision over one another.
[14] In 304, the rebel leader, Li Xiong, ousted the Jin Inspector of Yizhou, Luo Shang, out from Chengdu.
He comforted the performers by allowing them to settle in the commanderies and counties and returned them once the situation in the imperial court was stable.
Liu Hong responded by sending Tao Kan and the Administrator of Wuling, Miao Guang (苗光), to camp at Xiaokou.
As Chen Min's forces withdrew, the Administrator of Nanyang, Wei Zhan (衞展), advised Liu Hong to kill the general Zhang Guang, who, although had helped in defending Jingzhou, was friends with Sima Yong.
[23] Soon after his death, Liu Hong's former marshal, Guo Mai (郭勱), rebelled and intended to make Sima Ying the leader.
To appease the people, the court appointed Liu Fan as the Interior Minister of Shunyang (順陽; south of present-day Xichuan County, Henan).