Liu Xingju

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Liu Xingju (劉興居) (d. 177 BC) was a key player during the Lü Clan Disturbance (180 BC). He was the grandson of Emperor Gao of Han and the son of Prince Liu Fei of Qi. In 182 BC, Grand Empress Dowager Lü created him the Marquess of Dongmou and summoned him to the capital Chang'an to serve as an imperial guard commander.

During the Lü Clan Disturbance, Liu Xingju was one of the conspirators against the Lü clan, and he was initially promised the Principality of Liangfor his role in the conspiracy, but after Emperor Wen became emperor, he became aware that Liu Xingju initially wanted to make his brother Liu Xiang, the Prince of Qi, emperor, and was displeased. He therefore denied Liu Xingju the larger Principality of Liang and only created Liu Xingju the Prince of Jibei (a smaller principality carved out of his brother's principality) in 178 BC.

Unhappy over this slight, Prince Xingju planned a rebellion. In summer 177 BC, when Emperor Wen was on a visit to his old Principality of Dai, Prince Xingju mistakenly thought that Emperor Wen was going to lead a military campaign against Xiongnu, and therefore felt this was a suitable time to start his rebellion. When Emperor Wen became aware of Prince Xingju's rebellion, he ordered Chai Wu (柴武), the Marquess of Jipu, to lead an army against Jibei forces. In autumn 177 BC, after military defeats, Prince Xingju killed himself.