Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han), born in the Warring States period in Zhongyang Village, Pei Feng County (now Feng County, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China) around 256 or 247 BCE, was the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty. His original name was Liu Ji. He is historically significant as the first emperor of China with a commoner background.
As a military and political figure during the end of the Qin Dynasty and the beginning of the Han Dynasty, he actively participated in the anti-Qin activities led by Xiang Yu of the Western Chu. In the Chu-Han Contention, Liu Bang, the King of Han, defeated Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, and unified the realm after the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. He then proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the Han Dynasty and ushering in the Western Han period.
—> Liu Bang adopted Confucianism as the official state ideology during his reign. Confucian principles influenced governance, education, and social order in the early Han Dynasty.
Liu Bang’s Life
Liu Bang’s birth year has two proposed dates: either circa 256 BCE or 247 BCE. Born into a low-ranking noble family in Wei, he later moved to Fengyi in Pei County, central Yang in present-day Feng County, Xuzhou, Jiangsu. In his youth, Liu Bang admired the hero Xiang Yu of Wei and sought refuge with Zhang Er in Daliang, forming a close friendship. During the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang served as a magistrate, managing the Sishui region.
He was known for his open-mindedness, fondness for making friends with heroes, and carefree attitude, including a penchant for revelry. His admiration for Qin Shi Huang turned into a mix of respect and discontent during an encounter, leading to his escape to the mountains. There, he met like-minded individuals and married Lü Zhi, the daughter of the Lü family.
In 209 BCE, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang initiated a rebellion against the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty in Daze Township. Liu Bang, now calling himself Duke of Pei, joined the uprising, pledged allegiance to the leader Xiang Liang, and was titled Marquis of Wu’an and appointed as the chief of Dang Commandery. Known for recognizing talent, Liu Bang gathered capable individuals such as Xiao He, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai, and Zhang Liang. He also formed alliances with other feudal lords, including Han Xin, Wei Bao, and Zhao Ao, collectively resisting the Qin forces.
In 207 BCE, Liu Bang stationed his troops in Bashang, accepted the surrender of Prince Ziying of Qin, abolished oppressive Qin laws, implemented the Three Chapters Agreement, and pacified the populace. He also collected valuable information like maps and household registers, laying the groundwork for future governance.
Upon entering Guanzhong, Liu Bang faced conflicts with Xiang Yu, who accused him of usurping credit. The Hongmen Banquet nearly cost Liu Bang his life, but intervention from advisers like Zhang Liang and Fan Zeng allowed him to escape. Xiang Yu distributed fiefs to various lords, appointing Liu Bang as the King of Han and ruling over Bashu and the Hanzhong region. Unsatisfied with this arrangement, Liu Bang resolved to contest for hegemony against Xiang Yu.
The Chu-Han Contention, spanning four years, involved clever strategies and courageous battles, culminating in Liu Bang’s victory at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE, forcing Xiang Yu to commit suicide. Liu Bang emerged victorious, unifying the realm and subsequently establishing the Western Han Dynasty, with its capital moved to Chang’an.
After proclaiming himself emperor, Liu Bang took measures to secure his rule. He successively eliminated dissident princes such as Zang Tu, Han Xin, Peng Yue, and Ying Bu, dividing the realm among nine same-surname feudal lords. Simultaneously, he instituted laws, encouraged population growth, and focused on governance.
Liu Bang alleviated taxes, demobilized soldiers, exempted conscription, promoted agriculture, restrained commerce, revived the economy, pacified the populace, and stabilized his rule. He opened border markets, easing Han-Xiongnu relations and engaging in multiple conflicts to defend the territory. He demonstrated receptiveness to advice, sought opinions from his ministers, respected local customs without imposing uniformity, and maintained a fondness for music and poetry, composing notable works such as “Da Feng Ge” and “Hong Hu Ge.”
In 195 BCE, while suppressing the rebellion led by Ying Bu, Liu Bang sustained severe injuries, prompting the formulation of the League of the White Horse (白马之盟) to establish rules for imperial succession. He passed away at Changle Palace, aged either 61 or 52, leaving his son Liu Ying to ascend the throne as Emperor Hui of Han. Posthumously, Liu Bang was honored as the Gaozu Emperor (Gaozu of Han), with the temple name Tai Zu, and was interred at Changling.
—> Liu Bang faced challenges, including rebellions and power struggles. Notably, the Rebellion of the Seven States posed a threat to his rule, but he successfully suppressed it and strengthened his control over the empire.
Key Advisers
Zhang Liang: He came from a prominent family in Han, plotted the assassination of Qin Shi Huang, joined Liu Bang, and played a crucial role in strategizing, particularly during the Hongmen Banquet, Battle of Julu, and Battle of Gaixia. He authored the earliest political work, “Biography of Zhang Liang.”
Xiao He: From humble origins, he started as Liu Bang’s subordinate, became the Chancellor of Han, played a significant role in domestic policy, establishing the Three Chapters Agreement, and instituting the county system. He authored the early diary literature, “Xiao He Diary.”
Han Xin: Military figures, initially under Xiang Yu and later sided with Liu Bang, played a crucial role in commanding the army, particularly in capturing enemy cities. He authored “Han Xin’s Art of War,” an early military treatise.
Political Measures
Political
- Implemented the Three Chapters Agreement, abolishing harsh Qin laws, simplifying penalties, pardoning criminals, and lightening the burden on the populace.
- Established the system of enfeoffing princes, instituted the county system, strengthened central authority, and prevented regional lords from gaining too much autonomy.
- Appointed capable individuals, welcomed advice from ministers, refrained from hasty execution of high-ranking officials, and respected the opinions of his court.
- Respected local customs, allowing regions to retain their own scripts, measurements, currency, etc.
- Instituted rules for imperial succession, ensuring the principle of primogeniture to prevent internal conflicts.
Military
- Defeated the Qin and annihilated Chu, unifying the realm and ending the era of Warring States, laying the foundation for the Western Han.
- Suppressed powerful feudal lords, eliminated the influence of non-relatives, and consolidated central control.
- Defended against the Xiongnu, safeguarded the borders, opened border markets, eased relations with the Xiongnu, and promoted economic and cultural exchanges.
Economic
- Reduced taxes, demobilized soldiers, exempted conscription, lightened the burden on the populace, and restored social and economic order.
- Prioritized agriculture, encouraged agricultural production, and increased food production to ensure national food security.
- Opened border markets, promoted foreign trade, increased national financial income, and enriched resources.
The Importance of Confucian Students
In his early years, Liu Bang was licentious and disregarded scholars; even after becoming emperor, he still considered reading useless. Confucian scholar Lu Jia, in the presence of Liu Bang, insisted on discussing the “Book of Songs (Classic of Poetry)” and the “Book of Documents (Classic of History.)” Liu Bang angrily retorted:
I, your father, have conquered the world on horseback. Why should I delve into those ‘Songs’ and ‘Documents’?
Lu Jia argued logically, stating:
Conquering the world on horseback is one thing, but governing the world is another. Both Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou initially achieved dominance through military force, then wisely governed with cultural measures. The combination of culture and military strength is the key to lasting stability. King Fuchai of Wu and Duke Wen of Qi both led their states to ruin due to neglect of military affairs. Similarly, the Qin Dynasty’s reliance on harsh laws without flexibility ultimately led to the downfall of Qin Er Shi. If, after unifying the realm, the Qin Dynasty had embraced benevolence and righteousness, following the ways of ancient sages, how could Your Majesty have achieved dominion?
Though Liu Bang was displeased and somewhat embarrassed, he asked Lu Jia to write about the reasons for the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the reasons for his own success, and the historical cycles of the rise and fall of nations. Thus, Lu Jia composed twelve essays, presenting each one to Liu Bang upon completion. Liu Bang praised them all, and his ministers were hailed with acclamation. He named this collection of writings “Xin Yu,” or “New Discourses.”
Liu Bang later passed through Shandong on his way back after putting an end to the Ying Bu-led uprising. He prepared offerings and personally performed a ritual to honor Confucius.
