CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Liu Wenjing刘文静
A minister in the early Tang Dynasty, who together with Duan Zhixuan resisted Qu Tutong at Tong Pass.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 10
- RELATION RECORDS
- 19
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Liu Wenjing, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
1 figure · 1 record＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Liu Wenjing—Li Mimarry
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
7 figures · 10 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Li Yuan→Liu Wenjingappoint
Liu Wenjing→Li Shiminassist
Emperor Gaozu of Han→Liu Wenjingdecree
Emperor TangisLiu Wenjing’s ruler
Qin Shubao→Liu Wenjingentrust
Read the original source
又在袖中取出书札来，对文静道：“此三件烦兄带去，一道表章是叩谢唐王的。两封书启，候李药师与柴嗣昌两兄的。代弟一一致意。”
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
5 figures · 6 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Liu Wenjing—Qu Tutongbattle
Li Yuan→Liu Wenjingkill
Liu Wenjing→Xue Judefeat
Pei Ji→Liu Wenjingdiscord
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Li Shimin→Liu Wenjingbless
Li Yuan→Liu Wenjingorder suicide
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Old Book of Tang
A minister in the early Tang Dynasty, who together with Duan Zhixuan resisted Qu Tutong at Tong Pass. He was the magistrate of Jinyang, and together with Li Shimin he first plotted to raise troops, later becoming a Sima. He served as Sima of the Prime Minister's office, later became Nayan, and was eventually killed.
In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang
Xu Hongke wanted to meet him in Taiyuan. Liu Wenjing of Jinyang was on good terms with Du Ruhui and others. As the magistrate of Jinyang, he was resourceful and assisted Li Shimin in starting the uprising.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Official history15 profile notes
Old Book of Tang
15 relations18 verified quotations- Liu Wenjing→ assist →Li Shimin
- Li Shimin→ bless →Liu Wenjing
- Li Yuan→ appoint →Liu Wenjing
- Liu Wenjing→ assist →Li Yuan
Verified original text · 18
太宗以文静可与谋议，入禁所视之
assist · Old Book of Tang, 裴寂刘文静
特恕二死
specially pardoned two deaths · Old Book of Tang, 裴寂刘文静
16 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Literature / legend12 profile notes
Romance of Sui and Tang
3 relations3 verified quotations- Li Yuan→ appoint →Liu Wenjing
- Qin Shubao→ entrust →Liu Wenjing
- Emperor Tang→ ruler-subject →Liu Wenjing
Verified original text · 3
因刘文静进言道
accept advice · Romance of Sui and Tang, 054
又在袖中取出书札来，对文静道：“此三件烦兄带去，一道表章是叩谢唐王的。两封书启，候李药师与柴嗣昌两兄的。代弟一一致意。”
entrust · Romance of Sui and Tang, 051
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
- Official history13 profile notes
New Book of Tang
8 relations11 verified quotations- Liu Wenjing→ assist →Li Shimin
- Li Shimin→ bless →Liu Wenjing
- Li Shimin→ confer title →Liu Wenjing
- Li Yuan→ appoint →Liu Wenjing
Verified original text · 11
秦王顾它无可与计者，私入视之。
assist · New Book of Tang, 刘斐传
与晋阳令刘文静尤善
make friends · New Book of Tang, 太宗本纪
9 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In the official history, Liu Wenjing, conceited of his great achievements and resentful of being ranked below Pei Ji, made bitter remarks and was executed. The novel, through the mouth of Princess Nanyang, laments his wrongful death.
The Old Book of Tang, Biography of Liu Wenjing, records that Liu Wenjing, proud of his talent and military achievements, was placed below Pei Ji, and being resentful, 'was greatly displeased... and spoke with resentment, drawing his sword and striking a pillar, saying, 'I will surely behead Pei Ji!'' Pei Ji advised the emperor to eliminate him, and Gaozu then killed Wenjing. In the Romance of Sui and Tang, Chapter 63, through the mouth of Princess Nanyang, it laments: 'Unexpectedly, I heard that Lord Liu and Supervisor Pei were at odds, and he was falsely accused of other matters, and suffered cruel execution.' The fact that he was falsely accused and executed due to his rivalry with Pei Ji for power matches the official history.
Relationship network
Original text (3)
太宗以文静可与谋议，入禁所视之
特恕二死
Original relation: specially pardoned two deaths · Old Book of Tang, 裴寂刘文静
秦王顾它无可与计者，私入视之。
- bless← Li Shimin → Liu Wenjinghist × litNew Book of Tang, 太宗本纪New Book of Tang, 高祖本纪Old Book of Tang, 裴寂刘文静
Original text (3)
太宗以文静义旗初起，先定非常之策，始告寂知；及平京城，任遇悬隔，止以文静为觖望，非敢谋反，极佑助之
与晋阳令刘文静尤善
Original relation: make friends · New Book of Tang, 太宗本纪
与晋阳令刘文静谋举大事
Original relation: conspire · New Book of Tang, 高祖本纪
Original text (1)
相国司马刘文静为纳言；
- appoint← Li Yuan → Liu Wenjinghist × litNew Book of Tang, 刑法志New Book of Tang, 高祖本纪Old Book of Tang, 高祖本纪Romance of Sui and Tang, 054
Original text (6)
刘文静为司马
相国府司马刘文静为纳言
Original relation: confer title · Old Book of Tang, 高祖本纪
因刘文静进言道
Original relation: accept advice · Romance of Sui and Tang, 054
命纳言刘文静等损益律令
遣刘文静使突厥
Original relation: dispatch · New Book of Tang, 高祖本纪
刘文静为司马
Original text (2)
文静察高祖有四方之志，深自结托
唐公乃开大将军府，以文静为司马。
Original text (2)
高祖竟听其言，遂杀文静、文起
帝遂杀之，年五十二。
Original text (1)
致文静之极法
Original text (1)
后文静坐与李密连婚
Original text (1)
又在袖中取出书札来，对文静道：“此三件烦兄带去，一道表章是叩谢唐王的。两封书启，候李药师与柴嗣昌两兄的。代弟一一致意。”
Original text (1)
刘文静道：“何必动兵？只消发虎牌传谕各地方总管
Original text (2)
寂有所是，文静必非之，由是与寂有隙
裴寂又言曰…………文静才略，实冠时人，性复粗险，忿不思难，丑言悖逆，其状已彰
Original relation: frame · Old Book of Tang, 裴寂刘文静
Original text (1)
文静自以材能过裴寂远甚，又屡有军功，而寂独用故旧恩居其上，意不平。
Original text (1)
高祖室加裴寂、刘文静
Original text (1)
诛文静则议法不从
Original text (1)
诏纳言刘文静与当朝通识之士
Original text (2)
为举兵掩乘其后
刘文静及薛举战于泾州，败绩
Original relation: battle · New Book of Tang, 高祖本纪
Original text (2)
寻率兵御隋将屈突通于潼关
刘文静等追擒于阌乡
Original relation: catch · Old Book of Tang, 高祖本纪
Original text (1)
从刘文静拒屈突通於潼关