Emperor Gaozu of Han
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Emperor Gaozu of Han | |||||||||||||
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![]() Posthumous depiction from the Ming dynasty | |||||||||||||
Emperor of the Han dynasty | |||||||||||||
Reign | 28 February 202[1] – 1 June 195 BC | ||||||||||||
Predecessor | Qin Er Shi (Qin dynasty) | ||||||||||||
Successor | Emperor Hui | ||||||||||||
King of Han | |||||||||||||
Reign | c. March 206[2] – 28 February 202 BC | ||||||||||||
Born | 256 BC[3] Feng, Pei, State of Chu[4] | ||||||||||||
Died | 1 June 195 BC (aged 61) Chang'an, Han dynasty | ||||||||||||
Burial | |||||||||||||
Consorts | Empress Lü Empress Gao Consort Cao Consort Qi Lady Zhao | ||||||||||||
Issue | Liu Fei, King Daohui of Qi Emperor Hui of Han Liu Ruyi, King Yin of Zhao Emperor Wen of Han Liu Hui, King of Liang Liu You, King of Huaiyang Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan Liu Jian, King of Yan Princess Yuan of Lu | ||||||||||||
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House | Liu | ||||||||||||
Dynasty | Han (Western Han) | ||||||||||||
Father | Liu Tuan | ||||||||||||
Mother | Wang Hanshi |
Emperor Gaozu of Han | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 汉 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | "High Ancestor of Han" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Liu Bang (personal name) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 刘邦 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Emperor Gaozu of Han (Chinese:
Liu Bang was among the few dynastic originators to have born into a peasant family.[6] He initially entered the Qin dynasty bureaucracy as a minor law enforcement officer in his home town Pei County, within the conquered state of Chu. During the political chaos following the death of Qin Shi Huang, who had been the first emperor in Chinese history, Liu renounced his civil service position and became a rebel leader taking up arms against the Qin. He outmanoeuvred rival rebel leader Xiang Yu to invade the Qin heartland and forced the surrender of the Qin ruler Ziying in 206 BC.
After the fall of the Qin, Xiang Yu, as the de facto chief of the rebels, divided the former Qin empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms, with Liu Bang forced to accept control of the poor and remote region of Bashu (present-day Sichuan, Chongqing, and southern Shaanxi), and assuming the title "King of Han". Within the year, Liu Bang broke out with his army and conquered the Three Qins, which started the Chu–Han Contention, a civil war between various forces seeking to inherit the Qin's former supremacy over China.
In 202 BC, Liu Bang emerged victorious following the Battle of Gaixia, unified most of China under his control, and established the Han dynasty with himself as the founding emperor. During his reign, Liu Bang reduced taxes and corvée labor, promoted Confucianism, and suppressed revolts by the lords of non-Liu vassal states, among many other actions. He also initiated the policy of heqin to maintain a de jure peace between the Han and the Xiongnu following the Han defeat at the Battle of Baideng in 200 BC. He died in 195 BC and was succeeded by his son, Liu Ying.
Birth and early life
[edit]According to the Han imperial mythology, Liu Bang's ancestors were the mythical Emperor Yao and the Yellow Emperor.[7] Many ancient Chinese noble families claimed descent from the Yellow Emperor to justify their right to rule.[8]
Liu Bang was born during the late years of the Warring States period;[4] his parents are only remembered as "Liu Taigong" and "Liu Ao" (
According to records, the young Liu was outspoken, charismatic, generous, and forbearing, but he had little interest in education or work[10] and frequently ran into trouble with the law; he was dependent on his brother for subsistence and his father called him "little rascal". Later, he became good friends with Zhang Er (
Liu returned to Pei County. His close friends at the county office, Xiao He and Cao Shen, hid his delinquent behaviour and helped him to be appointed as the local sheriff (
Liu's wife, Lü Zhi, was the daughter of Lü Wen (
Insurrection against the Qin dynasty
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Qin_Uprisings.png/220px-Qin_Uprisings.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Liu_Bang.jpg/220px-Liu_Bang.jpg)
Liu was responsible for escorting a group of penal laborers to the construction site of the First Emperor's mausoleum at Mount Li. During the journey, some prisoners escaped; under Qin law, allowing prisoners to escape was punishable by death. Rather than face punishment, Liu freed the remaining prisoners and fled. Liu was joined by some of the grateful ex-prisoners, and he became their leader. They took over an abandoned stronghold on Mount Mangdang. Liu secretly remained in contact with some old friends, including Xiao He and Cao Shen in Pei County.[citation needed]
According to the legend of the "Uprising of the Slaying of the White Serpent" (Chinese:
In 209 BC, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang started the anti-Qin Dazexiang Uprising. The magistrate of Pei County considered joining the rebellion, and – on the advice of Xiao He and Cao Shen – invited Liu's group to the county to support him; the invitation was transmitted by Fan Kuai, Liu's brother-in-law. However, the magistrate changed his mind and rescinded the offer; he also ordered Xiao and Cao to be killed lest they open the gates for Liu, but they escaped and joined Liu. On Xiao's advice, Liu secured the aid of commoners from the county beside Pei through written appeals delivered by arrows fired across the border. Peasants responded by killing the Pei County magistrate and welcoming Liu's return. Liu became known as the self-styled "Duke of Pei" (沛公).[15]
In 208, the Qin empire faced rebellions that sought to restore the states conquered during the wars of unification. In Wu County, the uprising of Xiang Liang – a commoner and son of a Chu general – installed Xiong Xin as "King Huai II" (
Liu Bang was made "Marquis of Wu'an" (
King of Han
[edit]Feast at Hong Gate
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Hongmen_Banquet_Luoyang_Museum.png/500px-Hongmen_Banquet_Luoyang_Museum.png)
Right: a gilded bronze wine warmer with animalistic relief decorations, 26 BC, Western Han period
Xiang Yu disliked losing the race to Guanzhong. On the advice of Fan Zeng – his advisor – and Cao Wushang (曹無
Enfeoffment at Hanzhong
[edit]After occupying Xianyang, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself the "Hegemon-King of Western Chu" and split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. He gave Guanzhong to three former Qin generals – Zhang Han, Sima Xin and Dong Yi – instead of to Liu. Liu received the isolated Bashu region (Sichuan Basin and upper Han River valley), then a place used for exiling prisoners, as Xiang Yu claimed that Bashu was part of Guanzhong. Zhang Liang, who was leaving for his native state of Han, negotiated a better arrangement on Liu's behalf after bribing Xiang Yu through Xiang Bo. To Liu, Xiang Yu added Nanzheng, the surrounding rift valley region around the (then) middle Han River, and the title of "King of Han".[16]
Liu's army was escorted across the Qinling Mountains by a detachment of Xiang Yu's army. On Zhang Liang's advice, Liu burned the gallery roads behind him to prevent attack by Xiang Yu, and to reassure Xiang Yu that he would not return.[17]
Chu-Han contention
[edit]From 206 to 202 BC, Liu Bang engaged Xiang Yu in a power struggle – historically known as the Chu–Han contention – for supremacy over China, while simultaneously attacking and subjugating the other kingdoms.
Conquest of the Three Qin
[edit]Liu Bang's migration into Nanzheng was far from pleasant – his followers were mostly from the Wu and Chu flatland regions and adapted poorly in the mountainous Bashu lands, and deserters grew on a daily basis. Liu Bang also grew temperamental, as he was very unhappy with his own predicament. One night, rumour arrived that Xiao He also disappeared, and Liu Bang almost had a nervous breakdown. When Xiao He returned the following morning, Liu Bang furiously confronted him and demanded an explanation. Xiao He revealed that he was in a rush chasing back an extremely talented military strategist named Han Xin, who was then merely a low-ranking officer only recently recruited into Liu Bang's army. Xiao He then introduced Liu Bang to Han Xin, who laid out his strategic plan to conquer the states. Impressed and convinced, Liu Bang formally assigned Han Xin as the supreme commander of his army.[18]
Meanwhile, Xiang Yu's overbearing and arbitrary handling over the enfeoffments created much anger among the rebel leaders. Merely four months after Liu Bang's departure into Bashu, a rebellion broke out in the state of Qi in late 206, and Xiang Yu left Western Chu to suppress the revolt. Under Han Xin's advice, Liu Bang sent men to pretend trying to repair the previously burnt gallery roads, drawing away the attention of the Three Qins. At the same time, Han Xin used the distraction to invade Guanzhong unexpectedly via Chencang, and quickly defeated Zhang Han in a surprise attack. Following that, Sima Xin and Dong Yi both surrendered to Liu Bang, and by August or September 205 the Three Qins became part of Liu's Kingdom of Han.[19]
Defeat at Pengcheng
[edit]With Xiang Yu occupied to the east, Liu Bang collected a force of 560,000 troops from his subordinate lands, and marched east to attack Western Chu. En route, he encountered Peng Yue, who joined his cause upon promise of a fiefdom in Wei. As opposed to combining forces, Liu Bang sent Peng Yue's 30,000 troops to pacify the surrounding area. Liu Bang's army entered Xiang Yu's capital of Pengcheng apparently unopposed, looting its valuables and taking its women, but discipline had become lax and each day found the Han troops deeper in their cups.[citation needed]
Hearing of the fall of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu ordered the bulk of his forces to maintain the attack on Qi, while he personally led 30,000 crack troops to retake the capital. He encamped about ten miles from a city in present-day Xiao County, Anhui, and launched an attack on Pengcheng at dawn, and by noon had routed the unprepared Han army, driving them into the nearby Gu and Si Rivers, where over 100,000 men drowned or were killed by Chu soldiers. The remaining Han troops fled south to high ground, but were cornered by Chu forces by the Sui River, where another 100,000 drowned, their corpses damming up the river.
Liu Bang escaped the city with a handful of mounted bodyguards, heading to nearby Pei to collect his family. Xiang Yu also dispatched troops to Pei in an attempt to capture Liu Bang's family. His family had all fled, but Liu Bang encountered on the road his eldest daughter and second eldest son Liu Ying. The Chu army coerced a local into leading them to capture two of Liu Bang's family as hostages: his father Liu Taigong and wife Lü Zhi. One account states Liu Bang's mother was also captured. The Records of the Grand Historian recounts an event during this conflict, an event omitted from Liu Bang's own biography but present in the biography of Xiang Yu, where Liu Bang pushed his own children out of his carriage three times to lighten it in a desperate attempt to escape Xiang Yu's men, and it is only the repeated intervention of Xiahou Ying that secures the children's escape.[20]
Battle of Jingsuo
[edit]After the disastrous defeat at Pengcheng, the strength of the Han forces decreased drastically. Many of the kings who had surrendered to Liu Bang earlier had also defected to Xiang Yu's side. Moreover, the states of Qi and Zhao, which were previously at war with Chu, also requested to make peace.[citation needed]
Upon reaching Xiayi (
In 205 BC, Liu Bang named his son Liu Ying as his crown prince and ordered him to defend Yueyang. Shortly after, Han forces conquered Feiqiu (
Battle of Chenggao and Treaty of Hong Canal
[edit]In 204 BC, after sustaining losses from Chu attacks on the newly built supply routes from Xingyang, the Han army was running short of supplies. Liu Bang negotiated for an armistice with Xiang Yu and agreed to cede the lands east of Xingyang to Western Chu. Xiang Yu wanted to accept Liu Bang's offer, but Fan Zeng advised him to reject it and use the opportunity to destroy Liu Bang. Xiang Yu changed his mind, pressed the attack on Xingyang and besieged Liu Bang's forces inside the city. Liu Bang heeded Chen Ping's suggestion to bribe Xiang Yu's men with 40,000 catties of gold for them to spread rumours[22] that Fan Zeng had the intention of betraying Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu fell for the ruse and dismissed Fan Zeng.[23]
Later that year, while Xiang Yu was away suppressing the rebellion in Qi, Li Yiji advised Liu Bang to use the opportunity to attack Western Chu. Han forces conquered Chenggao and defeated the Chu army led by Cao Jiu near the Si River. Liu Bang's forces advanced further until they reached Guangwu (
Battle of Gaixia
[edit]In 203, while Xiang Yu was retreating eastward, Liu Bang, acting on the advice of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, renounced the Treaty of Hong Canal and ordered an attack on Western Chu. He also requested assistance from Han Xin and Peng Yue to attack Xiang Yu simultaneously from three directions. However, Han Xin and Peng Yue did not mobilise their troops and Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu at Guling (
Three months later in 202, Han forces led by Liu Bang, Han Xin and Peng Yue attacked Western Chu from three directions. The Chu army was running low on supplies and Xiang Yu was trapped in Gaixia. Han Xin ordered his troops to sing Chu folk songs to create a false impression that the Chu homeland had fallen to Han forces. The Chu army's morale plummeted and many soldiers deserted.[26] Xiang Yu attempted to break out of the siege, and after fighting out of repeated traps was left with only 28 men when he reached the northern bank of the Wu River (near present-day He County, Chaohu City, Anhui). He made a last stand and managed to slay several hundred Han soldiers before eventually committing suicide.[27]
Founding of the Han dynasty
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Emperor_gao_of_han_c01s06i01.jpg/220px-Emperor_gao_of_han_c01s06i01.jpg)
In 202 BC, Liu Bang was enthroned as the emperor with support from his subjects even though he expressed reluctance to take the throne. He named his dynasty "Han", and was historically known as "Emperor Gaozu" (or "Emperor Gao"). He established the capital in Luoyang (later moved to Chang'an) and instated his official spouse Lü Zhi as the empress and their son Liu Ying as the crown prince.[citation needed]
The following year, Emperor Gaozu wanted to reward his subjects who had contributed to the founding of the Han Empire, but the process dragged on for a year because they could not agree on the distribution of the rewards. The emperor thought that Xiao He's contributions were the greatest, so he awarded Xiao the title "Marquis of Zan" and gave him the largest amount of food stores. Some of the others expressed objections because they thought that Xiao was not directly involved in battle so his contributions should not be considered the greatest. Emperor Gaozu replied that Xiao He should receive the highest credit because he planned their overall strategy in the war against Xiang Yu.[28] He named Cao Shen as the person who made the greatest contributions in battle and rewarded him and the others accordingly.
Reign
[edit]Reducing taxes and corvée
[edit]Emperor Gaozu disbanded his armies and allowed the soldiers to return home. He gave an order stating that the people who remained in Guanzhong were exempted from taxes and corvée for 12 years, while those who returned to their respective native territories were exempted for six years and that the central government would provide for them for a year. He also granted freedom to those who had sold themselves into slavery to avoid hunger during the wars. In 195 BC, the emperor issued two decrees: the first officialised the lowering of taxes and corvée; the second set the amount of tribute to be paid by the vassal kings to the imperial court in the 10th month of every year. The land tax on agricultural production was reduced to a rate of 1/15 of crop yield. He also privatised the coinage.[citation needed]
Emphasis on Confucianism
[edit]In his early days, Emperor Gaozu disliked reading and scorned Confucianism. After becoming the emperor, he still held the same attitudes towards Confucianism as he did before until he encountered the scholar Lu Jia. Lu wrote the Xinyu (
Dispute over the succession
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Portraits_of_Famous_Men_-_Liu_Bang.jpg/220px-Portraits_of_Famous_Men_-_Liu_Bang.jpg)
In his later years, Emperor Gaozu favoured Consort Qi and neglected Empress Lü Zhi. He thought that Liu Ying, his heir apparent (born to the empress), was too weak to be a ruler. Thus, he had the intention of replacing Liu Ying with another son, Liu Ruyi, who was born to Consort Qi. Lü Zhi became worried, so she asked Zhang Liang to help her son maintain his position. Zhang Liang recommended four reclusive wise men, the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang, to help Liu Ying.
In 195 BC as Emperor Gaozu's health started to worsen, he desired even more to replace Liu Ying with Liu Ruyi as the crown prince. Zhang Liang tried to dissuade him but was ignored, so he retired on the excuse that he was ill. Shusun Tong (the crown prince's tutor) and Zhou Chang also strongly objected to the emperor's decision to replace Liu Ying with Liu Ruyi. Zhou Chang said, "I am not good in arguing, but I know this is not right. If Your Majesty deposes the Crown Prince, I won't follow your orders any more."[30] Zhou Chang was outspoken and had a stutter, which to some made his speech very amusing. The emperor laughed. After that, the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang (also known as the Four Haos of Mount Shang) showed up in the court. Emperor Gaozu was surprised to see them because they had previously declined to join the civil service when he invited them. The four men promised to help Liu Ying in the future if he were to remain as the crown prince. The emperor was pleased to see that Liu Ying had their support so he dismissed the idea of changing his heir apparent.[31]
Military campaigns
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Western_Han_soldiers.jpg/220px-Western_Han_soldiers.jpg)
After establishing the Han dynasty, Emperor Gaozu appointed princes and vassal kings to help him govern the Han Empire and gave each of them a piece of land. There were seven vassal kings who were not related to the imperial clan: Zang Tu, the King of Yan; Han Xin, the King of Hán; Han Xin, the King of Chu; Peng Yue, the King of Liang; Ying Bu, the King of Huainan; Zhang Er, the King of Zhao; Wu Rui, the King of Changsha. However, later, the emperor became worried that the vassal kings might rebel against him because they, after all, had no blood relations with him. Han Xin and Peng Yue were (falsely) accused of treason, arrested and executed along with their families. Ying Bu and Zang Tu rebelled against him but were defeated and killed. Only Wu Rui and Zhang Er were left.[citation needed]
The Xiongnu to the north had been a threat since the Qin dynasty. Qin Shi Huang had sent the general Meng Tian to oversee the defences on the Qin Empire's northern border and the construction of the Great Wall to repel the invaders. Meng Tian achieved success in deterring the Xiongnu from advancing beyond the border. However, after the Qin dynasty collapsed, the Xiongnu seized the opportunity to move south and raid the border again. In 201 BC, Hán Xin (King of Hán) defected to the Xiongnu leader, Modu. In the following year, Emperor Gaozu led an army to attack the Xiongnu but was besieged and trapped by the enemy at the Battle of Baideng.[32] Acting on Chen Ping's advice, he bribed Modu's wife with gifts and got her to ask her husband to withdraw his forces. Modu did so. After returning to the capital, Emperor Gaozu, acting on advice from Liu Jing, initiated the policy of heqin, which involved sending noble ladies to marry the Xiongnu leaders and paying annual tribute to the Xiongnu in exchange for peace between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu.[33]
Jiru
[edit]Gaozu is also recorded as having a male lover known as Jiru, who was said to have more access to the emperor than his own ministers.[34]
Death
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Changling_1.jpg/220px-Changling_1.jpg)
Emperor Gaozu was wounded by a stray arrow during the campaign against Ying Bu. He became seriously ill and remained in his inner chambers for a long period of time and ordered his guards to deny entry to everyone who tried to visit him. After several days, Fan Kuai barged into the chambers to see the emperor and the other subjects followed behind him. They saw Emperor Gaozu lying on his bed and attended to by a eunuch. Fan Kuai said, "How glorious it was when Your Majesty first led us to conquer the empire and how weary we are now. Your subjects are worried when they learn that Your Majesty is ill, but Your Majesty refuses to see us and prefers the company of a eunuch instead. Has Your Majesty forgotten the incident about Zhao Gao?" The emperor laughed and got out of bed to meet his subjects.[35]
Emperor Gaozu's health deteriorated later so Empress Lü Zhi hired a famous physician to heal him. When Emperor Gaozu enquired about his condition, the physician told him that his illness could be cured, but the emperor was displeased and he scolded the physician, "Isn't it Heaven's will that I managed to conquer this empire in simple clothing and with nothing but a sword? My life is determined by Heaven. It is useless even if Bian Que is here!" He refused to continue with the treatment and sent the physician away. Before his death, he said that Cao Shen could succeed Xiao He as the chancellor after Xiao died, and that Wang Ling could succeed Cao Shen. He also said that Wang Ling might be too young to perform his duties so Chen Ping could assist Wang, but Chen was also qualified to assume the responsibilities of a chancellor all by himself. He also named Zhou Bo as a possible candidate for the role of Grand Commandant. He died in Changle Palace (
Song of the Great Wind
[edit]The Song of the Great Wind is a song composed by Liu Bang in 195 BC when he visited his hometown in Pei County after suppressing Ying Bu's rebellion. He prepared a banquet and invited all his old friends and townsfolk to join him. After some drinks, Liu Bang played the guqin and sang the Song of the Great Wind (
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A great wind came forth |
Family
[edit]Consorts and issue
[edit]- Empress Gao, of the Lü clan (241–180 BC), personal name Zhi
- Princess Yuan of Lu (d. 187 BC), first daughter
- Married Zhang Ao, Marquis Xuanping (d. 182 BC), and had issue (one daughter, Empress Xiaohui)
- Liu Ying, Emperor Xiaohui (210–188 BC), second son
- Princess Yuan of Lu (d. 187 BC), first daughter
- Empress Gao, of the Bo clan (d. 155 BC)
- Liu Heng, Emperor Xiaowen (203–157 BC), fourth son
- Furen of the Cao clan (
夫人 、曹氏), Liu Bang's first mistress - Furen of the Qi clan (224–194 BC), personal name Yi
- Meiren of the Shi clan (
美人 石 氏 ) - Lady of the Zhao clan (
趙 氏 ; d. 198 BC), personal name Zi'er (子 兒 )- Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan (
淮南 厲王、劉 長 ; 199–174 BC), seventh son
- Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan (
- Unknown
Ancestry
[edit]Liu Qing | |||||||||||||||
Liu Ren | |||||||||||||||
Liu Taigong (282–197 BC) | |||||||||||||||
Emperor Gaozu of Han (256–195 BC) | |||||||||||||||
Empress Zhaoling | |||||||||||||||
Modern references
[edit]Liu Bang is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei. His life story has also been dramatized in numerous TV series and films (see Chu–Han Contention).
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Gaozu of Han", derived from the Records of the Grand Historian, is the commonly used name, even though he was not accorded the temple name Gaozu ("High Ancestor").
References
[edit]- ^ According to Liu Bang's biography in Book of Han, he was crowned emperor on the jiawu day of the 2nd month of the 5th year of his reign (including his tenure as King of Han). This corresponds to 28 Feb 202 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
- ^ According to Liu Bang's biography in Book of Han, he was created King of Han in the 2nd month of the 1st year of his reign (including his tenure as King of Han). This corresponds to 12 Mar to 10 Apr 206 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
- ^ This is the birth year reported by Huangfu Mi (
皇 甫 謐) (215–282 AD). - ^ a b c
李 祖 德 (2012). "刘邦祭 祖 考 ——兼 论春秋 战国以来 的 社会 变革".中国 史 研究 [Journal of Chinese Historical Studies]. 34 (3). CNKI: 11–58. - ^ According to Liu Bang's biography in Book of Han, he died on the jiachen day of the 4th month of the 12th year of his reign (including his tenure as King of Han). This corresponds to 1 Jun 195 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
- ^ "Gaozu Emperor of Han Dynasty". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ Patricia Buckley Ebrey (2003). Women and the family in Chinese history. Vol. 2 of Critical Asian scholarship (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 171. ISBN 0-415-28823-1.
- ^ Fabrizio Pregadio (2008). Fabrizio Pregadio (ed.). The encyclopedia of Taoism, Volume 1 (ill ustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 505. ISBN 978-0-7007-1200-7.
- ^ Translation Archived 10 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine of Sima Qian's Shiji.
- ^ (
仁 而爱人 ,喜 施 ,意 豁如也。常 有 大度 ,不 事 家 人生 产作业。) Shiji, vol. 08 - ^ (髙祖为布
衣 时,尝数从张耳 游 ,客 数 月 。) Shiji, vol.89 - ^ (
高祖 常 繇咸阳,纵观,观秦皇帝 ,喟然太 息 曰:"嗟乎,大丈夫 当 如此也!") Shiji, vol.08 - ^ (单父
人 吕公善 沛令,避仇从之客 ,因 家 沛焉。沛中豪 桀吏闻令有 重 客 ,皆 往贺。萧何为主吏,主 进,令 诸大夫 曰:"进不满千钱,坐 之 堂下 。"高祖 为亭长,素 易 诸吏,乃绐为谒曰"贺钱万 ",实不持 一 钱。谒入,吕公大 惊,起 ,迎 之 门。吕公者 ,好 相 人 ,见高祖 状 貌,因 重 敬 之 ,引入坐 。萧何曰:"刘季固 多 大言 ,少 成 事 。"高祖 因 狎侮诸客,遂 坐 上 坐 ,无所诎。酒 阑,吕公因 目 固 留 高祖 。高祖 竟酒,后 。吕公曰:"臣 少 好 相 人 ,相 人 多 矣,无如季 相 ,愿 季 自 爱。臣 有 息女 ,愿 为季箕 帚妾。"酒 罢,吕媪怒吕公曰:"公 始 常 欲 奇 此女,与 贵人。沛令善 公 ,求 之 不 与 ,何 自 妄许与刘季?"吕公曰:"此非儿女子 所 知也 。"卒 与 刘季。吕公女 乃吕后 也,生 孝惠 帝 、鲁元公主 。) Shiji, vol.08 - ^ (
高祖 被 酒 ,夜 径 泽中,令 一人 行 前 。行 前者 还报曰:"前 有 大蛇 当 径 ,愿 还。"高祖 醉 ,曰:"壮士 行 ,何 畏 !"乃前,拔剑击斩蛇 。蛇 遂 分 为两,径 开。行 数 里 ,醉 ,因 卧。后 人 来 至 蛇 所 ,有一 老 妪夜哭。人 问何哭,妪曰:"人 杀吾子 ,故 哭之。"人 曰:"妪子何 为见杀?"妪曰:"吾 ,白 帝 子 也,化 为蛇,当 道 ,今 为赤帝 子 斩之,故 哭。"人 乃以妪为不 诚,欲 告 之 ,妪因忽 不 见。后 人 至 ,高祖 觉。后 人 告 高祖 ,高祖 乃心独 喜 ,自 负。诸从者 日 益 畏 之 。) Shiji, vol.08 - ^ (
秦 二 世 元年 秋 ,陈胜等 起 蕲,至 陈而王 ,号 为"张楚"。诸郡县皆多 杀其长吏以应陈涉。沛令恐 ,欲 以沛应涉。掾 、主 吏萧何 、曹参乃曰:"君 为秦吏,今 欲 背 之 ,率 沛子弟 ,恐 不 听。愿 君 召诸亡 在外 者 ,可 得 数 百 人 ,因 劫 众,众不敢不听。"乃令樊哙召刘季 。刘季之 众已数 十 百 人 矣。于是樊哙从刘季 来 。沛令后 悔,恐 其有变,乃闭城 城 守 ,欲 诛萧、曹。萧、曹恐,逾城保 刘季。刘季乃书帛射城上 ,谓沛父老 曰:"天下 苦 秦 久 矣。今 父老 虽为沛令守 ,诸侯并起,今 屠 沛。沛今共 诛令,择子弟 可 立 者 立 之 ,以应诸侯,则家室 完 。不 然 ,父子 俱屠,无为也。"父老 乃率子弟 共 杀沛令 ,开城门迎刘季,欲 以为沛令。刘季曰:"天下 方 扰,诸侯并起,今 置 将 不善 ,壹 败涂地 。吾 非 敢自爱,恐 能 薄 ,不能 完 父兄 子弟 。此大事 ,愿 更 相 推择可 者 。"萧、曹等皆 文 吏,自 爱,恐 事 不 就,后 秦 种族其家,尽 让刘季 。诸父老 皆 曰:"平生 所 闻刘季 诸珍怪 ,当 贵,且卜筮 之 ,莫如刘季最 吉 。"于是刘季数 让。众莫敢为,乃立季 为沛公 .) Shiji, vol.08 - ^ (汉元
年 ,沛公为汉王 ,王 巴 蜀 ,赐良金 百 溢,珠 二 斗 ,良 具 以献项伯。汉王亦 因 令 良 厚 遗项伯 ,使 请汉中地 。项王许之。) Book of Han, vol.40 - ^ (
良 因 说汉王 烧绝栈道,示 天下 无还心 ,以固项王意 。乃使良 还。行 ,烧绝栈道。) Book of Han, vol.40 - ^ (
信 数 与 萧何语,何 奇 之 。至 南 郑,诸将行道 亡者 数 十 人 ,信 度 何等 已 数 言上 ,上 不 我 用 ,即 亡 。何 闻信亡 ,不 及以闻,自 追 之 。人 有 言上 曰:‘丞相 何 亡 。’上大 怒 ,如失左右 手 。居 一 二 日 ,何 来 谒上,上 且怒且喜,骂何曰:‘若 亡 ,何 也?’何 曰:‘臣 不 敢亡也,臣 追 亡者 。’上 曰:‘若 所 追 者 谁?’何 曰:‘韩信也 。’上 复骂曰:‘诸将亡者 以十数 ,公 无所追 ;追 信 ,诈也。’何 曰:‘诸将易 得 耳 。至 如信者 ,国士 无双。王 必欲长王汉中,无所事 信 ;必欲争 天下 ,非 信 无所与 计事者 。顾王策 安 所 决耳。’王 曰:‘吾 亦 欲 东耳,安 能 郁郁 久居 此乎?’何 曰:‘王 计必欲 东,能 用 信 ,信 即 留 ;不能 用 ,信 终亡耳 。’王 曰:‘吾 为公以为将 。’何 曰:‘虽为将 ,信 必不留 。’王 曰:‘以为大将 。’何 曰:‘幸甚 。’于是王 欲 召信拜 之 。何 曰:‘王 素 慢无礼 ,今 拜 大将 如呼小 儿耳,此乃信 所 以去也。王 必欲拜 之 ,择良日 ,斋戒,设坛场,具 礼 ,乃可耳 。’王 许之。诸将皆 喜 ,人人 各自 以为得 大将 。至 拜 大将 ,乃韩信也 ,一 军皆惊。信 拜礼 毕,上 坐 。王 曰:‘丞相 数 言 将 军,将 军何以教寡人计策?’信 谢,因 问王曰:‘今 东乡争 权天下 ,岂非项王邪 ?’汉王曰:‘然 。’曰:‘大王 自 料 勇 悍仁强 孰与项王?’汉王默然 良久 ,曰:‘不 如也。’信 再拜 贺曰:‘惟信 亦 为大王 不 如也。然 臣 尝事之 ,请言项王之 为人也。项王喑𫫇叱咤 ,千 人 皆 废,然 不能 任 属 贤将,此特匹夫 之 勇 耳 。项王见人恭敬 慈爱,言 语呕呕,人 有 疾病 ,涕泣 分 食 饮,至 使 人 有功 当 封 爵者,印 刓敝,忍 不能 予 ,此所谓妇人 之 仁 也。项王虽霸天下 而臣诸侯,不 居 关中而都彭城。有 背 义帝之 约,而以亲爱王 ,诸侯不平 。诸侯之 见项王 迁逐义帝置 江南 ,亦 皆 归逐其主而自王 善地 。项王所 过无不 残 灭者,天下 多 怨,百姓 不 亲附,特 劫 于威强 耳 。名 虽为霸,实失天下 心 。故 曰其强 易 弱 。今 大王 诚能反 其道:任 天下 武勇 ,何 所 不 诛!以天下城 邑封功臣 ,何 所 不服 !以义兵 从思东归之 士 ,何 所 不 散 !且三秦王为秦将,将 秦 子弟 数 岁矣,所 杀亡不可 胜计,又 欺其众降诸侯,至 新 安 ,项王诈坑秦 降 卒 二 十 馀万,唯 独 邯、欣、翳 得 脱 ,秦 父兄 怨此三 人 ,痛 入 骨髓 。今 楚 强 以威王 此三 人 ,秦 民 莫爱也。大王 之 入 武 关,秋 豪 无所害 ,除 秦 苛法,与 秦 民 约,法 三 章 耳 ,秦 民 无不欲得 大王 王 秦 者 。于诸侯 之 约,大王 当 王 关中,关中民 咸知之 。大王 失 职入汉中,秦 民 无不恨者。今 大王 举而东,三秦可传檄而定也。’于是汉王大喜 ,自 以为得 信 晚 。遂 听信计,部署 诸将所 击。 ) Shiji, vol.92 - ^ ([汉
二 年 ]八 月 ,汉王用 韩信之 计,从故道 还,袭雍王 章 邯。邯迎击汉陈仓,雍兵败,还走;止 战好畤,又 复败,走 废丘。汉王遂 定 雍地。东至咸阳,引兵围雍王 废丘,而遣诸将略 定 陇西、北地 、上郡 。)Shiji, vol.08 - ^ Watson (1958), pp. 95–98.
- ^ (
楚 使者 在 ,方 急 责英布 发兵,舍 传舍。随 何 直入 ,坐 楚 使者 上 坐 ,曰:"九江王已归汉,楚 何 以得发兵?"布 愕然 。楚 使者 起 。何 因 说布曰:"事 已 构,可 遂 杀楚使者 ,无使归,而疾走 汉并力 。"布 曰:"如使者 教 ,因 起 兵 而击之 耳 。"于是杀使者 ,因 起 兵 而攻楚 。楚 使 项声、龙且攻 淮南 ,项王留 而攻下邑 。) Shiji, vol.91 - ^
平 曰:"项王为人,恭敬 爱人,士 之 廉 节好礼者 多 归之。至 於行功 赏爵邑,重之 ,士 亦 以此不 附 。今 大王 嫚而少 礼 ,士 之 廉 节者不 来 ;然 大王 能 饶人以爵邑,士 之 顽顿耆利无耻者 亦 多 归汉。诚各去 两短,集 两长,天下 指 麾即定 矣。然 大王 资侮人 ,不能 得 廉 节之士 。顾楚有可 乱 者 ,彼 项王骨 鲠之臣 亚父、鍾离眛、龙且、周 殷 之 属 ,不 过数 人 耳 。大王 能 出捐 数 万 斤 金 ,行 反 间,间其君臣 ,以疑其心,项王为人意 忌 信 谗,必内相 诛。汉因举兵而攻之 ,破 楚 必矣。" 汉王以为然 ,乃出黄金 四 万 斤 予 平 ,恣 所 为,不 问出入 . Book of Han, vol.40 - ^ (项王乃疑范增
与 汉有私 ,稍 夺之权。) Shiji, vol.07 - ^ (项羽
恐 ,乃与汉王约,中分 天下 ,割 鸿沟而西者 为汉,鸿沟而东者 为楚。项王归汉王 父母 妻子 ,...) Shiji, vol.08 - ^ (汉
五 年 ,汉王乃追项王至 阳夏南 ,止 军,与 淮阴侯 韩信、建 成 侯 彭越期 会 而击楚 军。至 固 陵 ,而信、越 之 兵 不 会 。楚 击汉军,大破 之 。汉王复入壁 ,深 堑而自 守 。谓张子房 曰:"诸侯不 从约,为之柰何?"对曰:"楚 兵 且破,信 、越 未 有 分地 ,其不至 固 宜 。君王 能 与 共 分 天下 ,今 可 立 致也。即 不能 ,事 未 可 知也 。君王 能 自 陈以东傅海 ,尽 与 韩信;睢阳以北 至 谷 城 ,以与彭越:使 各自 为战,则楚易 败也。"汉王曰:"善 。"于是乃发使者 告 韩信、彭越曰:"并力击楚。楚 破 ,自 陈以东傅海 与 齐王,睢阳以北 至 谷 城 与 彭相国 。"使者 至 ,韩信、彭越皆 报曰:"请今进兵。") Shiji, vol. 07 - ^ (
羽 壁 垓下,军少食尽 。汉帅诸侯兵 围之数 重 。羽 夜 闻汉军四面 皆 楚歌 ,乃惊曰:"汉皆已 得 楚 乎?是 何 楚 人 多 也!") Book of Han, vol.31 - ^ (
羽 独 所 杀汉军数百 人 。羽 亦 被 十 馀创。顾见汉骑司 马吕马童曰:"若 非 吾 故人 乎?"马童面 之 ,指 王 翳 曰:"此项王 也。"羽 乃曰:"吾 闻汉购我头千金 ,邑万 户,吾 为公得 。"乃自刭。) Book of Han, vol.31 - ^ (论功
行 封 ,群臣 争 功 ,歳 馀不决。上 以何功 最盛 ,先 封 为酂侯 ,食 邑八千 戸 。功臣 皆 曰:"臣 等身 被 坚执兵 ,多 者 百 馀战,少 者 数 十 合 ,攻 城 略 地 ,大小 各 有 差 。今 萧何未 有 汗 马之劳,徒 持 文 墨 议论,不 战,顾居臣 等 上 ,何 也?"上 曰:"诸君知 猎乎?"曰:"知之 。""知 猎狗乎?"曰:"知之 。"上 曰:"夫 猎,追 杀兽者 狗 也,而发纵指示 兽处者 人 也。今 诸君徒 能 走 得 兽耳,功 狗 也;至 如萧何 ,发纵指示 ,功 人 也。且诸君 独 以身从我,多 者 三 两人;萧何举宗数 十 人 皆 随 我 ,功 不可 忘也!"群臣 后 皆 莫敢言 。 )Book of Han, vol. 39 - ^ ([汉
十 二 年 ]十 一 月 ,行 自 淮南 还。过鲁,以大牢 祠 孔子 。 ) Book of Han, vol. 01 part 2 - ^ (
臣 口 不能 言 ,然 臣 期 期 知 其不可 。陛下 雖欲廢 太子 ,臣 期 期 不 奉 詔 。) - ^ Chi-yen Ch'en (14 July 2014). Hsun Yueh and the Mind of Late Han China: A Translation of the SHEN-CHIEN. Princeton University Press. pp. 171–. ISBN 978-1-4008-5348-9.
- ^ (其明
年 ,以护军中尉 从攻反 者 韩王信 於代。卒 至 平城 ,为匈奴 所 围,七日 不 得 食 。) Shiji, vol.56 - ^ (
高 帝 乃使使 闲厚遗阏氏 ,阏氏乃谓冒 顿曰:"两主不 相 困 。今 得 汉地,而单于终非 能 居 之 也。且汉王 亦 有 神 ,单于察之。"冒 顿与韩王信之 将 王 黄 、赵利期 ,而黄、利 兵 又 不 来 ,疑 其与汉有谋,亦 取 阏氏之 言 ,乃解围之一角 。于是高 帝 令 士 皆 持 满傅矢 外 乡,从解角 直 出 ,竟与大 军合,而冒顿遂引兵而去。汉亦引兵而罢,使 刘敬结和亲之约。) Shiji, vol.110 - ^ Sima Qian; Sima Tan (1959) [90s BCE]. "125: 佞幸
列傳 [Those who curried favour]". Records of the Grand Historian史記 (in Chinese). Zhonghua Shuju.
(Translation after Hinsch).非 獨女 以色媚 ,而士宦亦有 之 。昔 以色幸 者 多 矣。至 漢 興 ,高祖 至 暴抗也,然 籍 孺以佞幸;孝惠 時 有 閎孺。此兩人 非 有 材 能 ,徒 以婉佞貴幸 ,與 上 臥 起 ,公卿 皆 因 關 說 。It was not only women who could utilize sexual attraction: this was possible for gentlemen and eunuchs as well. There were actually many of them in the past who used sexuality to garner imperial favour. When the Han arose, Gaozu was perfectly fierce and rough, yet a boy named Ji charmed his way into favour. In the time of Emperor Xiaohui there was the Hong boy. These two people did not possess special talent or ability, but with tenderness and seduction came to become valued and favoured, sleeping and waking with their sovereign, such that even the most powerful ministers sought their influence.
Cited in Hinsch, Bret (1990). Passions of the Cut Sleeve. University of California Press. pp. 36–37. ISBN 9780520078697.
Cited in Louis Crompton, Homosexuality and Civilization (Cambridge, MA and London, Harvard University Press, 2003) ISBN 0-674-01197-X - ^ (
先 黥布反 时,高 帝 尝病,恶见人 ,卧禁中 ,诏户者 无得入 群臣 。群臣 绛、灌等莫敢入 。十 馀日,哙乃排 闼直入 ,大臣 随 之 。上 独 枕 一 宦者卧。哙等见上流涕 曰:"始 陛下 与 臣 等 起 丰沛,定 天下 ,何 其壮也!今 天下 已 定 ,又 何 惫也!且陛下 病 甚,大臣 震 恐 ,不 见臣等 计事,顾独与一 宦者绝乎?且陛下 独 不 见赵高 之 事 乎?"高 帝 笑 而起。) Book of Han, vol.41 - ^ Records of the Grand Historian, "Basic Annals of Gaozu", 80. (in Chinese)
- ^ (in Chinese)
大 风歌
Further reading
[edit]- Ban Gu et al. Book of Han, Volume 1.
- Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4, Part 2. Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd.
- Sima Qian. Records of the Grand Historian, Volume 8.
- Watson, Burton (1958). Ssu Ma Ch'ien Grand Historian Of China. Columbia University Press.
External links
[edit]Quotations related to Emperor Gaozu of Han at Wikiquote
Media related to
漢 高祖 at Wikimedia Commons
- Emperor Gaozu of Han
- 195 BC deaths
- 2nd century BC in China
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