Li Han (Jin dynasty)
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Li Han | |
|---|---|
| 李含 | |
| Intendant of Henan (河南尹) | |
| In office 303 – c.August 303 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Hui of Jin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | c.August 303 |
| Courtesy name | Shirong (世容) |
Li Han[a] (died c.August 303),[1] courtesy name Shirong, was an official of the Jin dynasty (266–420). A subordinate of the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, his feud with the brothers Huangfu Shang and Huangfu Zhong, was a driving factor in the War of the Eight Princes. To eliminate the brothers, Li Han influenced his prince into first attacking the Prince of Qi, Sima Jiong and then the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai. He was killed after his plot to assassinate Sima Ai was discovered.
Li Han was born into a humble family from Didao County, Longxi Commandery. He was described as being gifted from a young age, and he later moved to Shiping Commandery (始平郡), where he was nominated as xiaolian by both Shiping and Longxi.[2]
Around this time (c.late 270s to early 280s),[b] Li Han met Huangfu Shang, a member of a prominent gentry family from Anding Commandery. Shang initially took pity on Li Han due to his background and attempted to befriend him, but Li Han snubbed him. Angered by his rejection, Shang wrote and circulated a short disparaging letter about him throughout Qin province, which led to Li Han being given the low-ranking position of Gate Chief. However, the Inspector of Yong province, Guo Yi (郭奕; nephew of Guo Huai) had known of Li Han's talents, so after a meeting between the two, he made him a member of his staff as an Assistant Officer at Chang'an.[c]
Li Han became a xiucai and was then recommended to serve in a government office. He was summoned to the capital, Luoyang to serve as Assistant of the Grand Protector and the Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace of Qin State. Afterwards, the Minister Over the Masses appointed him as Rectifier of Shiping Commandery. When the Prince of Qin, Sima Jian (司馬柬; Emperor Hui's only full brother to live to adulthood) died in 291, Li Han was ordered to bury him in accordance with the ceremonial rites and carry out the mourning period. After he ended the period, the Master of Writing, Zhao Jun (趙浚),[d] who hated Li Han for refusing to serve under him, reported that Li Han should not have released himself from mourning. Despite the minister Fu Xian (傅咸; son of Fu Xuan) submitting a memorial in his defense, Emperor Hui did not listen, and the Grand Rectifier, Fu Zhi (傅祗; son of Fu Gu) had him demoted to the fifth rank and sent back to Chang'an.[4]
Back in Chang'an, the imperial household appointed him as a Supervisor of the Granary. Eventually, the Minister Over the Masses, Wang Rong appealed on Li Han's behalf, arguing that a minister as high-ranking as he was should not have been demoted to the position he currently had. Emperor Hui agreed and ordered Li Han to drop his post. He was later appointed as the Magistrate of Shiping.[5]