This paper presents a case study of Liu Ping劉平, a Confucian scholar-general (儒將) in Northern Song 北宋 dynasty. It is hoped that through a study of his career, we may be able to understand the background to his rise to power, and Song scholars' perception of Confucian scholar-generals in their time. Liu Ping attracted attention among scholar-generals in Song history mainly because of his defeat in the Battle of Sanchuan Pass三川口. However, his career in the military is worthy of investigation. Being the son of a middle-rank militry officer, Liu Ping gave up his chance to become a junior military officer through the yin蔭 priviledge, but chose to compete for a civilian post through the civil service examination. He obtained his jinshi進士 degree in 1005, and during the next nineteen years, he served as a civilian officer in both the central and local governments. His expertise in military affairs greatly impressed the Emperor. As a result, in 1203, he was promoted from Attendant Cenor(侍御史) to a military official of middle-rank. In the sixteen years that followed, he was promoted several times, and finally in 1039, he became Deputy Commander-in-chief of the Metropolitan Infantry Command(步軍副都指揮使),the third senior rank in the Imperial Army. He was highly praised by Emperor Renzong仁宗 (r.1022-1063), and was recognized by many of his contemporaries as a model officer. In the eyes of his admirers, he was loyal, courageous, and intelligent. In early 1040, Liu Ping led an army of nine thousand to relieve Yanzhou延州 from the Xi Xia西夏 invasion. Unfortunately, his underestimation of Yuan Hao 元昊 (r.1032-1048), the leader of Xi Xia, led to the shameful defeat in the Battle of Sanchuan Pass. He was captured by Yuan Hao and was imprisoned in Xingqing Fu興慶府, where he died few years later. Shortly after the battle, Liu and his deputy Shi Yuansun石元孫 (?-after 1046) were accused by the eunich inspector that they had in fact surrendered to their enemy by choice. The Emperor was infuriated and gave order to arrest Liu's and Shi's families immediately. Nevertheless, most of the civilian officials at the court stood up for him. A special commission was set up with imperial approval to conduct an inquiry. Since Liu was overwhelmingly supported by his friends, the report released by the commission was favourable to him. Accordingly, the Court believed that Liu and Shi had fought against the enemy and died in the battlefield, which was an act of great bravery. It was recommended that they be granted posthumous titles and their families given promotions. However, contrary to all expectations of the Court members, Shi was released by the enemy in 1045, after Song concluded a peace treaty with Xi Xia early that year. His return was indeed an embarrassment. The Court had to admit that the rumour about Liu's surrender was not unfounded, but decided that the truth must not be revealed because the reputation of the country had to be guarded. A Confucian scholar-general can be defeated, but he must not throw himself to his enemy's mercy in order to survive. Except for Sima Guang司馬光 (1019-1086), the Court's decision was not challenged ever since. It never withheld Liu's posthumous title. However, Liu ceased to be a model Confucian scholar-general shortly after his death.