Founder of the Han Dynasty: Interpreting "Emperor Gao" Liu Bang in Records of the Grand Historian

Brief Introduction

"Emperor Gao," namely Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, was the first emperor of commoner origin in Chinese history and the founding monarch of the Western Han Dynasty. In Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), he is listed as a crucial chapter in the "Basic Annals" sequence, establishing his core status in China's orthodox historical narrative. Liu Bang's life was a legendary leap from a town head in Sishui to the supreme ruler of the world, and it marked a key turning point in the transition of institutions from Qin to Han. His success signaled a major shift in Chinese history from aristocratic politics to bureaucratic politics.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Commoner Uprising: Liu Bang came from a commoner background and served as the Ting Chang (Town Head) of Sishui. During the chaotic end of the Qin Dynasty, he responded to the will of the people and rose up against Qin. Distinct from the aristocratic Xiang Yu, he represented the rise of the emerging landlord class and commoner forces.
2. Chu-Han Contention: After four years of the Chu-Han War, Liu Bang adopted the advice of strategists and generals such as Zhang Liang and Han Xin. He ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia, proclaimed himself emperor in 202 BC, established his capital at Chang'an, and founded the Han Dynasty.
3. Governance Strategy: After establishing the state, Liu Bang implemented the "Parallel System of Commanderies and Kingdoms" to balance power between the central government and local regions. He promoted the Huang-Lao School of Thought, advocating for a "Policy of Resting the People," reducing corvée labor and taxes, thereby laying a solid economic foundation for the subsequent "Rule of Wen and Jing."
4. Historical Evaluation: He was skilled at employing talent and listening to remonstrations. Although he sometimes appeared rogueish and cunning, he possessed exceptional political wisdom and strategic vision, earning him the title "Emperor Gaozu of Han" from later generations.

Connection with Records of the Grand Historian Content

In the Records of the Grand Historian: Basic Annals of Emperor Gaozu, Sima Qian did not deify Liu Bang but adopted the spirit of "record of facts," showcasing the objective perspective of a historian.

* Interweaving of Myth and Reality: The book records the legend of Liu Bang's mother dreaming of mating with a dragon and giving birth, rendering his color as the "True Dragon Son of Heaven." However, it also records his real early-life appearance of idling around and loving wine and women, restoring him as a flesh-and-blood character.
* Portrayal of Human Nature: Sima Qian vividly described Liu Bang's cold-blooded side, such as pushing his children off the carriage multiple times to lighten the load after his great defeat at Pengcheng, as well as his suspicious psychology when killing Han Xin and Peng Yue, revealing the complexity and multifaceted nature of imperial statecraft.
Song of the Great Wind: The end of the annals includes Liu Bang's Song of the Great Wind*, expressing his attachment to his hometown and reliance on his meritorious officials. It has become an important text for understanding his state of mind in his later years.

Through the Records of the Grand Historian, the "Emperor Gao" we see is not only a victor but also a complex historical figure with both strengths and weaknesses. Sima Qian's brushwork allows Liu Bang's image to transcend simple theories of success and failure, becoming an important window for understanding the origins of Han political culture.