The 11th Year of Han: Power Reshuffle in the Early Western Han and the End of Non-Liu Kings

Brief Introduction

The 11th Year of Han, i.e., 196 BC, was a year of pivotal significance in the early establishment of the Western Han Dynasty. During this time, Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) was on the throne, and the central government faced severe challenges from local vassal kings. Two core events occurred this year: the "Death of Han Xin" and the "Rebellion of Ying Bu." These events marked critical steps for Liu Bang in eliminating kings of different surnames and consolidating imperial power, setting the tone for the political landscape of the early Western Han Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Timeframe: The 11th Year of Han corresponds to 196 BC.
2. Death of Han Xin: Han Xin, the Marquis of Huaiyin, whose merit overshadowed his master, was lured into a trap by Empress Lu and Xiao He and executed in the Bell Room of Changle Palace, resulting in the extermination of his three clans. This marked the beginning of the purge of kings of different surnames and serves as the historical prototype for the idiom "When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden."
3. Rebellion of Ying Bu: Ying Bu, the King of Jiuyang, feared for his own safety after Han Xin's execution and thus raised an army to rebel against Han. Liu Bang led a campaign personally while ill. Although he ultimately defeated Ying Bu, Liu Bang was injured by an arrow, planting the roots for his later death from illness.
4. Political Landscape: After this year, kings of different surnames were largely eliminated. Liu Bang began to enfeoff his own relatives as kings, establishing the principle that "If not of the Liu clan, all under heaven shall attack them."

Connection to the "Records of the Grand Historian" (Shiji)

Sima Qian recorded the turmoil of the 11th Year of Han through multiple biographies and annals in the Records of the Grand Historian, demonstrating profound historical insight:

* 《Shiji: Annals of Emperor Gaozu》: Records the process of Liu Bang's personal campaign against Ying Bu, as well as Liu Bang's complex state of mind when he remarked, "The world is not yet settled, so I travel lightly," despite his severe injuries. This reflects the helplessness and resilience of the founding emperor.
* 《Shiji: Biographies of the Marquis of Huaiyin》: Details the tragic process of Han Xin from being appointed general to his execution, revealing the structural contradiction between meritorious officials and imperial power.
* 《Shiji: Biographies of Qing Bu》: Records Ying Bu's transition from a meritorious official to a rebel general. It reflects the survival dilemma of kings of different surnames in the early Han Dynasty, indicating that his rebellion was an inevitable reaction of "when the hare dies, the fox mourns."

Historical Significance

The 11th Year of Han was not only a year of military campaigns but also a year of political purge. Through the records in the Records of the Grand Historian, we can see the harsh reality that Liu Bang had to sacrifice meritorious officials to stabilize imperial power. The events of this year set the tone for the later "White Horse Alliance," profoundly influencing the political structure of the early Western Han Dynasty, causing the Han Dynasty to gradually move from the "Parallel System of Commanderies and Kingdoms" towards centralization.

Keywords: The 11th Year of Han, 196 BC, Han Xin, Ying Bu, Records of the Grand Historian, Western Han History, Kings of Different Surnames