Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang: The Commoner Emperor and Founding Legend in "Records of the Grand Historian"

Brief Introduction

Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang (256 BC – 195 BC), was from Zhongyangli, Fengyi, Pei County. He was the first emperor in Chinese history to rise from a commoner background. As the founding monarch of the Western Han Dynasty, he holds a central position in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji). The Basic Annals of the Gaozu of Han not only records Liu Bang's journey from the Head of the Sishui Pavilion to the ruler of all under heaven but also profoundly analyzes his multifaceted personality. It is an indispensable primary source material for studying the history of the Qin and Han dynasties.

Core Knowledge Points

* The Commoner Emperor: Liu Bang came from a commoner background, breaking the tradition since the pre-Qin era that "the Son of Heaven must come from the nobility." He pioneered the path for commoners to rule the Central Plains, holding epoch-making significance.
* The Chu-Han Contention: Amidst the chaos of the late Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang engaged in a four-year struggle for hegemony against Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. By implementing the "Three Rules of Law," he won the hearts of the people and ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia, unifying the world.
* Han Inheriting the Qin System: After establishing the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang largely followed the systems of the Qin Dynasty but abolished some harsh laws. He implemented the parallel system of Commanderies and Kingdoms, laying the foundation for a unified structure.
* Rest and Recuperation: Given the economic decline following the wars, Liu Bang promoted policies of light corvée labor and low taxes, allowing the people to rest. This laid a solid foundation for the later "Rule of Wen and Jing."

Connection to the Content of "Records of the Grand Historian"

In the Basic Annals of the Gaozu of Han, Sima Qian did not deify Liu Bang but adopted a spirit of realistic recording. The text records legends with mythological colors, such as the "Uprising of Cutting the White Snake," to highlight the divine right of kingship. However, it also unhesitatingly depicts Liu Bang's commoner habits, such as showing weakness at the Hongmen Banquet and pushing his children off the carriage during moments of danger.

Through contrasting Xiang Yu's noble pride with Liu Bang's pragmatism, Sima Qian reveals the underlying logic of Liu Bang's success: his ability to employ talent (Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Han Xin) and his adherence to public sentiment. Additionally, the Records of the Grand Historian includes Liu Bang's Song of the Great Wind, showcasing his ambition and anxiety after founding the dynasty. This narrative style makes Liu Bang's image more three-dimensional and authentic throughout the course of history, making the Shiji the most authoritative textual basis for understanding Emperor Gaozu in later generations. Meanwhile, chapters such as the Basic Annals of Xiang Yu and the Biographies of the Marquis of Huaiyin in the Shiji corroborate Liu Bang's political acumen and historical status from the side.

Conclusion

Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was not only the founder of the Han Dynasty but also a key figure in China's transition toward a mature imperial era. Through the records of the Records of the Grand Historian, we gain insight into how this emperor rose from the grassroots to write a legend in chaotic times, profoundly influencing the political landscape for the next two thousand years.