Emperor Gaozu of Han

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Emperor Gaozu of Han bigraphy, stories - Han Dynasty emperor

Emperor Gaozu of Han : biography

256 BC or 247 BC – 1 June 195 BC

Emperor Gao (256 BC or 247 BC – 1 June 195 BC), commonly known by his temple name Gaozu (), personal name Liu Bang, was the founder and first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BC to 195 BC. Liu Bang was one of the few dynasty founders in Chinese history that emerged from the peasant class (another prominent example being Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty). In the early stage of his rise to prominence, Liu Bang was addressed as "Duke of Pei" (), with the "Pei" referring to his hometown of Pei County. He was also granted the title of "King of Han" by Xiang Yu, when the latter split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu Bang was known by this title before becoming Emperor of China.

Evaluation

In contrast with Xiang Yu, who is usually depicted as a romantic man of noble origin, Liu Bang is often mentioned as a rogue or street ruffian. Xiang Yu treated his subordinates and peers well even though he was ruthless and cruel towards his enemies. On the other hand, Liu Bang appeared as a charismatic but shrewd leader, who manipulated his subjects for his own purposes while putting on an image of a benevolent and righteous lord. Liu Bang forbid his men from killing civilians and pillaging the cities he conquered, in order to win the support and trust of the people. In direct contrast, Xiang Yu was cruel and condoned the acts of brutality by his followers towards the common people, that accounted for his decline in popularity. Liu Bang’s strengths include: his ability to make decisions based on advice from his subjects; making sound judgements when accepting others’ views; performing acts that would win him the support of others; his personal charisma.

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang handsomely rewarded his subjects who helped him gain the throne, but he grew suspicious of them later and doubted their loyalties. Two of his subjects who contributed heavily to the dynasty’s founding, Han Xin and Peng Yue, were killed on Empress Lü Zhi’s orders and their clans exterminated as well. Despite his various character flaws, Liu Bang treated the people better than the Qin rulers and was a popular monarch during his reign.

Birth and early life

Liu Bang was born in a peasant family in Zhongyang Village (中陽里), Feng Town (豐邑), Pei County (沛縣), which is in present-day Feng County, Xuzhou, Jiangsu. His parents’ names were not recorded in history and they were referred to as "Liu Taigong" (劉太公; literally: "Old Sir Liu") and "Liu Ao" (劉媼;Note that the Chinese character "媼" (ǎo) is not the personal name of Liu’s mother. It was used as a formal way of addressing an old woman at that time. literally: "Old Madam Liu"). It is said that before Liu Bang’s birth, his mother was caught in a rainstorm and took shelter under a bridge. Just then, there was lightning and thunder and the sky darkened. Liu Bang’s father went to fetch his wife home and saw a dragon hovering above her. Liu Bang’s mother became pregnant and gave birth to Liu Bang.]"]

The mythical Emperor Yao was claimed to be the ancestor of Liu Bang. Yao himself was descended from the Yellow Emperor. Most Chinese noble families claimed descent from Huangdi.

Liu Bang had a high nose, whiskers and a beard, which made him resemble a dragon. He had 72 dark spots on his left leg. The young Liu Bang was outspoken, charismatic and of great forbearance and tolerance. However, Liu Bang enjoyed loafing, disliked reading and showed no interest in farming, hence his father often chided him as a "little rascal". Liu Bang persisted in his idling ways and depended on his brother’s family for food and lodging. When he grew older, he was appointed as a patrol officer and forged close relationships with the officials in the county office, earning himself a little reputation in his hometown. While having drinks with his friends in the local taverns, they would notice a silhouette of a dragon over him whenever he was drunk.]

] The tavern owners felt that Liu Bang was an extraordinary person and provided him with drinks each time free of charge.