Shen Youzhi

Biography

Family Background and Early Life

Shen Youzhi came from the Wuxing Shen clan and was a younger relative of the famous Liu Song general Shen Qingzhi. His father Shen Shuren rose to Chief Clerk of the Western Expedition command under Liu Yiji, Prince of Hengyang, while also serving as an acting staff officer and unit commander, and later followed Liu Yiji to Pengcheng in the Northern Expedition headquarters. Shen Youzhi lost his father while still young and his family was poor.

In 450, the 27th year of Yuanjia, Emperor Wen of Song conscripted commoners from the Three Wu region to resist a Northern Wei invasion. Shen was among those levied. He went to the capital Jiankang, present-day Nanjing, and visited General of the Guards Liu Zunkao, asking to be appointed squad commander over the newly recruited men. Liu rejected him because of his unattractive appearance. Shen thereafter campaigned under his elder clansman Shen Qingzhi. He was not finally appointed a squad commander until 452, during the campaign against the Xiyang tribes.

Follower of the Rising Emperor and Kinsman of Shen Qingzhi

In 453, Crown Prince Liu Shao killed his father and seized the throne. Shen Qingzhi hurried from Bashui to Wuzhou to confer with Prince of Wuling Liu Jun, then General of the Southern Central Army and Inspector of Jiangzhou, and joined Liu Jun in raising troops against Liu Shao. Shen Youzhi was serving in Shen Qingzhi's army and was appointed Chief Clerk of the Southern Central Army headquarters and acting staff officer by Liu Jun. He advanced rapidly with the main force toward Jiankang and fought fiercely at Xinting, where he was wounded. Soon afterward Liu Jun, urged by his generals, proclaimed himself emperor at Xinting as Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song. For his military service, Shen Youzhi became an acting staff officer of the Defender-in-chief headquarters and was enfeoffed as a Fifth-Rank Marquis of Pingluo County. When Defender-in-chief Liu Yigong was later transferred to the office of Grand Marshal, Shen moved with the staff and continued as an acting officer in the Grand Marshal's headquarters.

In 456, Emperor Xiaowu restored the previously abolished post of Metropolitan Affairs Officer of Yangzhou and appointed Kong Can and Shen Youzhi to divide responsibility for public order on the two banks of the capital. Kong “controlled the south bank,” while Shen “controlled the north bank.” The office was again abolished soon afterward, and Shen was transferred to Extra Regular Mounted Attendant.

In 459, Prince of Jingling Liu Dan rebelled at Guangling, present-day Yangzhou. Shen again followed Shen Qingzhi in the campaign and repeatedly distinguished himself, at one point suffering an arrow wound that broke bone. To reward his fighting, Emperor Xiaowu gave him a Qiu-chi style infantry spear. Liu Dan was killed after the city fell in the seventh month. Shen expected a substantial reward, but Shen Qingzhi limited his advancement and he was only transferred to Brigade Commandant of the Crown Prince's Guard. From this point he developed deep resentment toward Shen Qingzhi.

In 463, Shen's mother died and he returned home to mourn. He was subsequently recalled to service as Dragon-Soaring General and Magistrate of Wukang.

Enforcer of the Deposed Emperor and Reward for Denunciation

In 465, the first year of Jinghe, the Former Deposed Emperor Liu Ziye was on the throne. Shen Youzhi was appointed Central Army Staff Officer of the Chariots-and-Cavalry command and assigned palace duty. Liu Ziye carried out widespread killings of imperial clansmen and senior officials, and Shen “carried out his orders.” He even personally killed Shen Qingzhi on the emperor's command. Along with Zong Yue and Tan Jin, Shen became one of Liu Ziye's trusted enforcers. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongxing County with five hundred households, soon promoted to General of the Right Army, and granted an additional one hundred households.

In the twelfth month, Prince of Xiangdong Liu Yu carried out a coup and ascended the throne as Emperor Ming of Song. Shen lost his fief under the general rules applied after the accession. Soon afterward Zong Yue, Tan Jin, and others plotted rebellion. Shen reported their plan to Emperor Ming and consequently returned to palace duty before being appointed Administrator of Donghai.

Victory at Zheqi and Defeat in the Huai River Region

In 466, the second year of Taishi, regional commanders across the empire rejected Emperor Ming and rebelled. Prince of Jin'an Liu Zixun's forces advanced toward the capital. Emperor Ming ordered Prince of Jian'an Liu Xiuren and Wang Xuanmo to campaign against them. Before he could take up his new administrative post, Shen was reassigned as Ning Shuo General and Administrator of Xunyang and led troops to Hukan. Ten vanguard contingents had already arrived before Wang Xuanmo's main command, but they were not under a unified authority. Shen judged that this would lead to collapse and imposed a single chain of command.

Yin Xiaozu was then serving as commander of the vanguard but lacked the soldiers' confidence, while Shen pacified the troops internally and coordinated the generals externally, winning broad support. Rebel generals Zhong Chongzhi and Xue Changbao occupied Zheqi, on the southern bank of the Yangtze northwest of present-day Fanchang in Anhui. Yin Xiaozu was killed by an arrow in battle, and unit commander Fan Qian defected, throwing the government army into panic. The commanders urged Shen to replace Yin. Shen assessed the situation and instead recommended Jiang Fangxing, who was of comparable formal rank, as nominal commander. The government army then inflicted a major defeat on the rebels outside Zheqi. Soon afterward Shen was appointed Acting Bearer of Credentials and General Who Assists the State, replacing Yin Xiaozu as commander of all vanguard forces.

When Xue Changbao's provisions in Zheqi were exhausted, rebel general Liu Hu loaded rice into cloth sacks, hid them in ship holds, and sent the vessels down with the current to supply the stronghold. Shen detected the plan and seized a large quantity of grain. Shen's younger clansman Shen Huaibao was serving among the rebels and sent the trusted Yang Gongzan with a secret letter attempting to recruit Shen. Shen beheaded Yang and sent the letter to Emperor Ming. Soon afterward he captured Zheqi and, for this achievement, was promoted to Bearer of Credentials, Commander of military affairs in Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Southern Qinzhou, Northern Qinzhou, and the Jingling area of Yingzhou, Champion General, Commandant Who Pacifies the Tribes, and Inspector of Yongzhou.

In the sixth month, Yuan Yi moved his army to Quewei. Unit commander Zhang Xingshi crossed beyond Quewei and seized Qianxi upstream. When Liu Hu attacked Zhang, Shen led the other generals against Nonghu. Yuan Yi sent word claiming that the rebels had already broken Qianxi, alarming the commanders. Shen recognized it as false information and ordered the army not to move. Soon afterward genuine news arrived that the rebels had been defeated at Qianxi. Shen sent Yuan Yi the severed ears and noses of rebels brought from Qianxi. Yuan was terrified and immediately recalled Liu Hu. When the rebels at Quewei ran out of food, their army collapsed. Shen pursued them; Yuan Yi was killed on the road. Shen entered Xunyang, captured and executed Liu Zixun, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Zhenyang County with two thousand households.

In the tenth month, Inspector of Xuzhou Xue Andu, who had previously supported Liu Zixun, sent an envoy asking to surrender. Emperor Ming appointed Shen Acting Bearer of Credentials and General of the Vanguard and ordered him and General Who Guards the Army Zhang Yong to lead fifty thousand troops to receive Xue. Frightened by the force, Xue instead submitted to Northern Wei. In the twelfth month Shen advanced toward Pengcheng, present-day Xuzhou, and camped at Xiage. In the first month of 467, Shen and Zhang Yong decided to retreat. Heavy snow and extreme cold had frozen the Si River, forcing the soldiers to march south on foot. Northern Wei troops pursued them, and the Song army suffered a severe defeat east of Lüliang with heavy casualties. Shen was dismissed for the defeat, though he retained duties in his capacity as Duke of Zhenyang County and was stationed at Huaiyin.

Shen soon asked Emperor Ming for permission to launch another northern campaign, but the request was refused. In autumn the emperor ordered him to attack Pengcheng. Shen objected that the Qingshui and Si rivers were dry, obstructing transport of military supplies, and exchanged remonstrating memorials with the emperor seven times. Emperor Ming became furious and issued an edict rebuking him. Frightened, Shen obeyed. In the eighth month he was defeated and wounded, and the army collapsed that night. He abandoned the troops and returned south to Huaiyin. After this defeat, Xiapi, Suyu, and Huaiyang were also taken by Northern Wei.

Command in Yingzhou and Jingzhou

In 468, Shen entered court as General of the Left Guard while also serving as Palace Attendant of the Crown Prince. In 469 he was sent out as Bearer of Credentials, supervisor of military affairs in Yingzhou, and Inspector of Yingzhou, stationed at Xiakou. Shen governed with harshness and violence. He had scholar-officials flogged and openly insulted senior subordinates who displeased him. If a soldier deserted, more than ten other soldiers registered from the same locality could be implicated. At the same time, Shen was well versed in administrative affairs and constantly drove himself to work. Officials and people in Yingzhou feared him, and none dared deceive him. He imposed heavy tax and labor demands in order to strengthen military preparations. In 470 he was advanced to General Who Guards the Army.

In 472, the first year of Taiyu, Emperor Ming died and left an edict appointing Shen, Cai Xingzong, Yuan Can, Liu Mian, and Chu Yuan as regents. At the time there was internal disorder in Yizhou. The incumbent Inspector of Jingzhou, Prince of Jianping Liu Jingsu, was summoned to court, while the newly appointed Inspector Cai Xingzong had not yet departed. Shen was therefore ordered to act in charge of Jingzhou. After Shen reached Jiangling, Wang Daolong, a favorite of the late Emperor Ming who dominated court affairs, feared Cai Xingzong's uncompromising character. Cai was recalled to court as Director of the Secretariat, and Shen instead received the offices of Bearer of Credentials, Commander of military affairs in Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Liangzhou, Ningzhou, Southern Qinzhou, and Northern Qinzhou, General Who Guards the West, and Inspector of Jingzhou. Once established in Jingzhou, he continued the same governing style and gradually displayed behavior suggestive of independent ambitions, no longer strictly following court regulations.

In 474, Prince of Guiyang Liu Xiufan, Inspector of Jiangzhou, raised troops to seize power. Shen immediately responded to the court's call for aid and sent unit commander Sun Tong and Shen Huaiao east with troops. After Liu Xiufan was defeated, Shen was promoted to General-in-Chief Who Conquers the West and offered Opened Office with Rank Equal to the Three Excellencies, though he declined the latter distinction. The court's suspicions of Shen did not diminish. Officials repeatedly wished to summon him to the capital but feared he would refuse and therefore did not dare issue the order. In 476 Shen also assisted in suppressing Liu Jingsu's rebellion.

Rebellion against Xiao Daocheng and Suicide after Defeat

In 477, the first year of Shengming, Xiao Daocheng killed the Later Deposed Emperor and enthroned Emperor Shun of Song. Shen Youzhi, then General-in-Chief of Chariots and Cavalry and holder of Opened Office with Rank Equal to the Three Excellencies, circulated proclamations throughout the realm and raised troops against Xiao. He left his son Shen Yuanyan to defend Jiangling and marched east with the main army. Liu Shilong blocked him at Yingcheng, which Shen was unable to capture despite a prolonged siege. In the first month of 478, his subordinate Liu Rangbing defected and army morale collapsed. Shen retreated toward Jiangling, but Zhang Jing'er had already occupied the city. Shen fled with his son Shen Wenhe toward Huarong and hanged himself in a grove at Li.

Major Activities

Military Activities

Shen Youzhi was an important general in the late Liu Song and spent much of his life campaigning. In his early years he followed Shen Qingzhi against the Xiyang tribes, Liu Shao, and Liu Dan and repeatedly won distinction. In 466, during the war against Liu Zixun's rebellion, he imposed unified command on the government forces at Zheqi, captured the stronghold, discovered a rebel grain-smuggling operation, defeated Yuan Yi at Nonghu, entered Xunyang, and captured and executed Liu Zixun. He was one of the key figures in suppressing the rebellion. He later led troops against Northern Wei around Pengcheng. Although the campaign ended in defeat in severe winter conditions, his military ability continued to be recognized.

Political Activities

Before Emperor Ming's death, Shen was selected as a regent and later became Inspector of Jingzhou. In Jingzhou he governed harshly, extracted substantial taxes and labor services, strengthened military preparations, intercepted merchants and scholars passing through the region, and sheltered fugitives, causing the central court to distrust him. In 477, after Xiao Daocheng killed the Later Deposed Emperor, Shen, as one of the late emperor's regents, circulated proclamations and raised troops in resistance. He became one of the major figures opposing Xiao Daocheng's seizure of power at the end of Liu Song.

Travels and Places of Activity

Shen's career took him across much of Liu Song territory. In his early years he campaigned at Bashui, Wuzhou, Jiankang, and Guangling. During the Taishi era he fought at Hukan, Zheqi, Nonghu, Xunyang, Pengcheng, Xiapi, and Huaiyin. He later commanded from Xiakou in Yingzhou and Jiangling in Jingzhou. After his final defeat he hanged himself at Li in Huarong.

Relations with Contemporaries

Shen's relationships were complex. He began his career under his older clansman Shen Qingzhi but came to resent him after Shen Qingzhi restricted his rewards, and he eventually carried out the Former Deposed Emperor's order to kill him. Shen Youzhi, Zong Yue, and Tan Jin were all trusted enforcers of the Former Deposed Emperor, but Shen later reported Zong and Tan's own plot to rebel. He and Xiao Daocheng were rival power-holders in the final years of Liu Song and ultimately fought one another.

Personal Relations

Family

• Shen Shuren: father.
• Shen Qingzhi: older paternal kinsman.
• Shen Huaibao: younger clansman.
• Shen Wenhe: son.
• Shen Yuanyan: son.

Associates

• Liu Zunkao: rejected Shen's early request to become a squad commander.
• Jiang Fangxing: recommended by Shen as commander during the Battle of Zheqi.
• Zhang Xingshi: colleague during the battles of Zheqi and Nonghu.

Ruler–Minister Relations

• Liu Jun, Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song: ruler whom Shen helped enthrone.
• Liu Ziye, the Former Deposed Emperor: ruler whose trusted enforcer Shen became.
• Liu Yu, Emperor Ming of Song: ruler who later named Shen a regent.
• Liu Zhun, Emperor Shun of Song: Shen's nominal sovereign during the final rebellion.
• Xiao Daocheng: powerful court figure and final political enemy.

Conflicts

• Zong Yue and Tan Jin: Shen reported their plan to rebel.
• Liu Shilong: blocked Shen at Yingcheng during the final campaign.
• Zhang Jing'er: occupied Jiangling before Shen could return.
• Liu Rangbing: subordinate whose defection contributed to the collapse of Shen's army.

Historical Assessment

Southern Dynasties / Contemporary

• Emperor Ming of Song Liu Yu was recorded as saying that Shen had “repeatedly experienced military campaigns and was skilled at pacification,” recognizing his military ability. (*Book of Song*, “Biography of Shen Youzhi”)
• Xiao Daocheng described Shen as “harboring treacherous plans within while displaying loyal sincerity outwardly,” accusing him of concealing disloyal ambitions. (*Book of Southern Qi*, “Annals of Emperor Gao”)
• Contemporary accounts described Shen as “harsh and fierce by nature, fond of carrying out killings,” criticizing the severity with which he governed soldiers and civilians. (*Book of Song*, “Biography of Shen Youzhi”)

Tang Period

• Li Yanshou's *History of the Southern Dynasties* described Shen as having “lost his father young and grown up poor, with an unattractive appearance,” and also recorded that he was “cruel by nature,” emphasizing his harsh character.
• Du Mu's poem “Written at the Wu River Pavilion” was said in the source entry to refer to Shen's defeat and reflect that “victory and defeat in warfare cannot be predicted.” (*Collected Works of Fanchuan*)
• Li Shangyin's poem “Southern Dynasties” was said in the source entry to allude to Shen's uprising in a satirical treatment of politics. (*Poetry of Li Yishan*)

Song and Yuan Periods

• Sima Guang, in the *Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance*, characterized Shen as a man known for martial ability but lacking in scholarship, recognizing his military talent while criticizing his education.
• Hong Mai, in *Spontaneous Essays of the Studio of Forbearance*, discussed Shen's uprising and argued that “he raised troops without a legitimate cause, so his defeat and destruction were fitting.”
• Hu Sanxing, commenting on the *Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance*, wrote that Shen “used campaigns against the tribes as a pretext to accumulate military strength; his intentions were not shallow,” interpreting his preparations as evidence of longstanding ambition.

Ming and Qing Periods

• Wang Fuzhi, in *Du Tongjian Lun*, wrote that Shen “was not without martial talent, but lacked the capacity to plan for the distant future.”
• Zhao Yi, in *Notes on the Twenty-Two Histories*, discussed the disorder at the end of Liu Song and criticized Shen for taking up arms against the court despite being a regent.
• Wang Mingsheng, in *Critical Discussions of the Seventeen Histories*, described Shen as possessing exceptional courage but a suspicious and ruthless nature.

Modern and Contemporary Assessments

• Lü Simian, in *History of the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties*, recognized Shen's military ability, noting that although he rose from the ranks, he knew how to conduct campaigns.
• Tian Yuqing, in *Aristocratic Politics in the Eastern Jin*, treated Shen's uprising as a continuation of the struggle between the Liu Song imperial clan and powerful court officials.
• Wang Zhongluo, in *History of the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties*, characterized Shen as known for martial ability but harsh and violent, arguing that his lack of popular support contributed to his failure.