Liu Bang

Biodata

Background

Liu Bang began as a commoner. Lü Zhi’s father saw promise in him and offered her in marriage; her household later supported his rebellion. Liu Bang fought against Qin and Xiang Yu and established the Great Han, crediting his success to the people’s support 1 7 22.

According to the sky screen, Liu Bang faced both the Xiongnu threat and difficulty accommodating his meritorious officials. Unable to resolve these problems outright, he concentrated on restoring the nation’s strength. Measures included a tax on people who remained unmarried beyond a certain age 6.

Personality and Rule

Liu Bang took pride in Han’s future strength and longevity. He welcomed the screen’s account of Emperor Wu’s territorial expansion, interpreting it as evidence that a worthy descendant had dealt with the Xiongnu threat 6.

He was wary of threats to his family’s rule. The screen explained that he feared the Lü household could control his crown prince, Liu Ying, and eventually the realm; Liu Bang acknowledged that he did not want the Liu household’s realm to fall into Lü hands 22.

Later viewers disputed his reputation. One praised him by contrast with Cao Cao’s killing of civilians; another argued that Liu Bang had also massacred cities, despite his later reputation for benevolence 16.

Relationships

• Lü Zhi — His wife and Liu Ying’s mother. A video recounts her imprisonment and hostage-taking during Liu Bang’s rise, as well as his treatment of her and their children; the couple watch it together 21.
• Liu Ying — His son and crown prince. Liu Bang feared that Ying’s Lü relatives would dominate him if he became emperor 22.
• Liu Heng — His son. Liu Bang was surprised to learn Heng would become Emperor Wen and came to regard him more highly after hearing praise of his rule 43.
• Xiao He — A minister at Liu Bang’s side when the sky screen first appeared. He could not identify it when asked 1.
• Han Xin — An early Han general whose military ability Liu Bang recognized. Liu Bang was baffled to learn that Han Xin had been removed from the Martial Temple 45.
• Xiang Yu — Liu Bang’s rival during the struggle that established Han. Liu Bang later complained that Xiang Yu’s “shadow” still haunted the dynasty when a video linked Xiang Yu’s saber to Dong Zhuo 1 42 43.
• Liu Che — A later Han emperor whose expansion of Han territory earned Liu Bang’s praise 6.

Story Role

• The sky screen appears: Liu Bang asks Xiao He about the object covering the sky. He is comforted when a minister flatters him by calling it a response to his achievements. He and Lü Zhi later discuss whether the Qing imperial surname Aisin Gioro might be Xiongnu 1.
• Han’s future: Liu Bang celebrates the screen’s account of more than four hundred years of Han dynastic fortune. In Ying Zheng’s timeline, the revelation that Han would follow Qin prompts the First Emperor to order a search for Liu Bang 6.
• The Yellow Turban Uprising: Liu Bang and other Han emperors are shocked by slogans calling for Han’s fall and by the reported population decline 16.
• Lü Zhi’s life: A video recounts Liu Bang’s treatment of Lü Zhi, including her captivity under Xiang Yu and the account that Liu Bang repeatedly pushed their children off his carriage. Viewers debate his conduct and Lü Zhi’s later cruelty toward Lady Qi 21.
• A proposed Han restoration: Liu Bang is pleased when the author of a hypothetical late-Ming cavalry post declares an intention to restore the House of Han instead of saving Ming 40 41.
• Dong Zhuo and Han’s decline: Liu Bang is distressed when the screen describes Dong Zhuo’s seizure of power and portrays him as extinguishing the Han Dynasty’s last breath 42.
• Liu Heng’s succession: Liu Bang learns that Liu Heng would become Emperor Wen rather than his designated successor. A later account says ministers supported Heng after the Disturbance of the Lü Clan 43 44.

Notable Quotes

“Back then, I was just a commoner. I was able to establish Great Han because I had the people’s support.” 7

“Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu—Xiang Yu is already dead, why is his shadow still around? Even the later monarchs of my Great Han failed to shake him off!” 43