Liu Yao

Late in Liu Cong's reign, Liu Cong grew increasingly cruel and extravagant, as well as increasingly trusting [[eunuch]]s and the treacherous official [[Jin Zhun]]. In 318, as Liu Cong grew ill, he summoned Liu Yao and Shi Le to be [[regent]]s for his son Liu Can, but both Liu Yao and Shi declined, perhaps not wishing to contest the authorities of Jin Zhun, whose daughters had sway with Liu Cong and Liu Can as their wives. Subsequently, when Liu Cong died later that year and Liu Can succeeded to the throne, Jin Zhun became powerful and overthrew Liu Can, slaughtering all members of the imperial Liu clan in the capital Pingyang (平陽, in modern [[Linfen]], [[Shanxi]]). In the massacre, Liu Yao lost his mother Lady Hu, brother, and (he thought at the time) his son and heir [[Liu Yin (Han Zhao)|Liu Yin]]. (However, unknown to his father, Liu Yin fled but was captured by or sold to a tribe named Heiniyuju ({{lang|zh|黑匿郁鞠}}) as a slave.)

Late in Liu Cong's reign, Liu Cong grew increasingly cruel and extravagant, as well as increasingly trusting [[eunuch]]s and the treacherous official [[Jin Zhun]]. In 318, as Liu Cong grew ill, he summoned Liu Yao and Shi Le to be [[regent]]s for his son Liu Can, but both Liu Yao and Shi declined, perhaps not wishing to contest the authorities of Jin Zhun, whose daughters had sway with Liu Cong and Liu Can as their wives. Subsequently, when Liu Cong died later that year and Liu Can succeeded to the throne, Jin Zhun became powerful and overthrew Liu Can, slaughtering all members of the imperial Liu clan in the capital Pingyang (平陽, in modern [[Linfen]], [[Shanxi]]). In the massacre, Liu Yao lost his mother Lady Hu, brother, and (he thought at the time) his son and heir [[Liu Yin (Han Zhao)|Liu Yin]]. (However, unknown to his father, Liu Yin fled but was captured by or sold to a tribe named Heiniyuju ({{lang|zh|黑匿郁鞠}}) as a slave.)

Upon hearing news of Jin Zhun's coup, Liu Yao and Shi each led their armies against Jin, catching him trapped between their forces. Meanwhile, senior Han princes and officials who escaped the Pingyang massacre offered the throne to Liu Yao, who accepted. He offered to not only spare Jin Zhun's life but continue to grant him power if Jin would surrender. However, when Jin Zhun was subsequently assassinated and succeeded by his cousin Jin Ming ({{lang|zh|靳明), who then surrendered to Liu Yao, Liu Yao massacred the Jin clan. As Pingyang was in ruins after the coup and the subsequent war, Liu Yao moved the capital to Chang'an.

Upon hearing news of Jin Zhun's coup, Liu Yao and Shi each led their armies against Jin, catching him trapped between their forces. Meanwhile, senior Han princes and officials who escaped the Pingyang massacre offered the throne to Liu Yao, who accepted. He offered to not only spare Jin Zhun's life but continue to grant him power if Jin would surrender. However, when Jin Zhun was subsequently assassinated and succeeded by his cousin Jin Ming ({{lang|zh|靳明}}), who then surrendered to Liu Yao, Liu Yao massacred the Jin clan. As Pingyang was in ruins after the coup and the subsequent war, Liu Yao moved the capital to Chang'an.

== Early reign ==

== Early reign ==