Liu Cong
emperor of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Han Zhao
Years: 255 - 318
Liu Cong (died 318), courtesy name Xuanmen, nickname Zai, formally Emperor Zhaowu of Han (Zhao), is an emperor of the Chinese/Xiongnu state Han Zhao.
Liu Cong's reign is one filled with contradictions.
He is a ruler who is obviously intelligent and capable of logical reasoning, and during his father Liu Yuan's reign, he is a capable general as well.
On the other hand, as his reign progresses, he becomes increasingly cruel, unstable, extravagant, and unable to listen to proper advice.
Toward the end of his reign, any official who dares to speak against his actions face the potential of death.
During his reign, both he and the Han Zhao state display great potential, as Han Zhao expands from a small state occupying modern southern Shanxi to encompassing nearly all of modern Shanxi, Shaanxi, eastern Gansu, and significant portions of Shandong, Hebei, and Henan -- although the eastern half of the empire is under the control of the general Shi Le and arguably only nominally under Han Zhao's rule.
Liu Cong and his state will never realize their potential.
