In 180 BC, Empress Lü died. Before she died, she made careful arrangements, hoping that after her death, the Lu family could also stand up and continue to control the government.
However, both the Liu family's clan and the founding heroes of the Han Dynasty have long held grudges against the Lu family. They had already united, waiting for the opportunity, and were ready to kill the Lu clan in one fell swoop.
The first to stand up openly against the Lu clan was Liu Bang's eldest grandson, Liu Xiang, the king of Qi.
In the process of destroying the Lu family, Liu Xiang has the "merit of righteousness", and it is Liu Bang's bloodline, so it stands to reason that he will ascend to the throne.
However, he lost to Liu Heng, the fourth uncle who had no sense of existence at that time. He died just a year after losing the throne.
In this article, we will talk about the second generation of Qi King of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiang, who was once very close to the throne.
As Liu Bang's eldest grandson, sitting in the rich land of Qi, Liu Xiang's life is not comfortable. The suppression of their vein began with Liu Xiang's father, Liu Fei's generation.
Liu Fei is Liu Bang's eldest son and the half-brother of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty Liu Ying. After Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty, he named Liu Fei as the king of Qi, and his fief was in the Qi country, leading six counties and seventy-three counties, and all the people who spoke Qi were under the rule of Qi.
It was also the largest feudal state in the early Han Dynasty.
The main income of the princes and kings of the Han Dynasty was taxes, rents, and commercial operations in the fiefdoms. The territory of Qi is vast, the land is fertile, and the population is large, as the king of Qi, Liu Fei naturally earns a lot of money.
However, after Liu Bang died, Liu Fei went to Chang'an, not only almost lost his life, but also sent Chengyang County, one of the six counties.
Liu Fei was in Chang'an, and was courteous to his half-brother Liu Ying, and even when he held a banquet, he was arranged to be at the head of Liu Ying, the emperor.
This made Empress Lu, who was present, furious, and immediately asked people to serve two cups of poisoned wine to Liu Fei. If Liu Ying hadn't brought the poisoned wine over and sacrificed his life to save him, Liu Fei would have died in the hands of Empress Lu.
Afterwards, Liu Fei took the initiative to dedicate Chengyang County to Princess Lu Yuan, the daughter of Empress Lu, and respected Princess Lu Yuan as the queen mother, which eliminated Empress Lu's killing intent, returned to Qi safely, and died a good death.
After Liu Fei's death, his eldest son Liu Xiang succeeded to the throne and became the second king of Qi in the Han Dynasty.
Soon after Liu Xiang succeeded to the throne, Empress Lü gave him a dismissal: she cut out Jinan County of Qi and used it as the fief of her nephew Lü Tai.
A few years later, in order to envelop Liu Ze, the highest and oldest in the Liu family's clan, Empress Lu cut out the Langxi County of Qi and gave it to Liu Ze.
In just over ten years, there are only three of the original six counties of Qi left.
Moreover, Empress Lu also summoned Liu Xiang's two younger brothers, the second brother Liu Zhang and the third brother Liu Xingju, to Chang'an, nominally to Chang'an as a guard, and also made the two of them marquis, in fact, it also has the meaning of deterring Liu Xiang, the king of Qi, as hostages.
Under the high pressure of Empress Lu, Liu Xiang has been keeping to himself in other places, but he has maintained close contact with his two younger brothers in Chang'an.
And his two younger brothers were not idle, especially the second brother Liu Zhang, who was very active in Chang'an, and dared to behave in front of Empress Lu, gathered many ministers in the court, and prepared for the future anti-Lu.
"Historical Records": Zhu Lu is afraid of Zhu Xuhou, although the ministers are all dependent on Zhu Xuhou, the Liu family is strong.
In 180 BC, Liu Xiang received a secret letter from his two younger brothers from Chang'an: Empress Lü had died, and Lü wanted to launch a rebellion to get rid of the founding heroes of the Han Dynasty.
They advised Liu Xiang to raise troops into Chang'an and seize the throne, and they would meet him in Chang'an.
Liu Xiang, who dared to act boldly, immediately summoned several henchmen, including his uncle Sijun, Lang Zhongling Zhuwu, and Lieutenant Wei Bo, to discuss the matter of raising troops.
However, before Liu Xiang officially started his army, there were two problems that needed to be resolved.
The first question is the prime minister of Qi.
At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the princes and kings had great power in the feudal country, but if there was no tiger talisman from the imperial court, they could not transfer troops privately.
Moreover, the prime minister of the feudal state was appointed by the imperial court, and in addition to helping the princes and kings govern the fiefdoms, there was also a very important task, which was to monitor and contain the princes and kings.
The first prime minister of Qi was Cao Shen, who was personally appointed by Liu Bang. During the reign of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty, Empress Lu was in charge and transferred Cao Shen to the imperial court to Xiangguo. In other words, the prime ministers after the Qi State were all appointed by Empress Lu.
And when Liu Xiang was preparing to raise troops, the prime minister of Qi was called Zhaoping.
There is no record in the history books that Zhaoping was Empress Lü's henchman, or just an ordinary minister who reassured Empress Lü. But his actions proved that he would not support Liu Xiang.
As soon as the news that Liu Xiang wanted to raise troops against Lu spread, Prime Minister Zhaoping preemptively sent troops to surround the palace.
Liu Xiang naturally will not sit still. He estimated that Zhaoping only knew that he was going to raise troops, but he didn't know who supported him, so he asked Wei Bo to contact Zhaoping in the name of opposing Liu Xiang.
Wei Bo said to Zhaoping: The King of Qi does not have a tiger talisman, but he wants to send troops, and your approach of putting him under house arrest is really too correct. Let me help you besiege the palace.
Wei Bo was a lieutenant and happened to be in charge of leading the troops. Zhaoping felt that it was just right for him to be in charge of this matter, so he handed over the military power to him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Wei Bo got the military power, he immediately surrounded the Prime Minister's Mansion. Only then did Zhaoping know that Wei Bo was on Liu Xiang's side, and he fell for Wei Bo.
Unable to return to the sky, Zhaoping had to commit suicide.
"Historical Records": Summoning Ping Xinzhi is to make Wei Bo's generals besiege the palace. Bo both generals and soldiers, so that the encirclement of the prime minister's house.
Next, Liu Xiang has to solve the second problem: the problem of troops.
With the power of princes and kings, it is already difficult to fight against the imperial court. What's more, the Qi State in Liu Xiang's hands is only a half-blooded Qi State, and the first six counties have been cut off three counties.
And these three counties belong to: Zhang Yan, the grandson of Empress Lü, Lü Tai, the nephew of Empress Lü, and Liu Xiang's uncle and grandfather Liu Ze.
If you want to expand the source of troops, the best way is to merge Liu Ze's forces. Liu Ze is not a member of the Lu family, and there is hope for cooperation; Liu Ze's feudal state was cut out of Langxie County from Liu Xiang's Qi State, and the time for cutting it out was only a few years, which was relatively easy to control.
However, Liu Xiang does not fully trust Liu Ze. After all, Liu Ze was named king by Empress Lu, so I don't know what special cooperative relationship there is between him and Empress Lu.
So, Liu Xiang played a small conspiracy against Liu Ze.
Liu Xiang sent his henchman Zhu Wu to say to Liu Ze:I want to send troops to fight against the Lu clan, but I am young, have a low seniority, and I don't understand military affairs. So I want to hand over the army of Qi to you, and let you lead us to quell the rebellion together.
Zhu Wu also told Liu Ze that Liu Xiang was already in the army and didn't dare to leave casually, so he couldn't come to see Liu Ze in person, so he could only ask Liu Ze to meet him.
When Liu Ze heard that this was a good thing that fell from the sky, he immediately went to Qi to see Liu Xiang happily.
As soon as Liu Ze arrived in Qi State, he was detained by Liu Xiang, and his army was also taken over by Liu Xiang.
Subsequently, Liu Xiang sent troops to attack Jinan County, where Empress Lu's nephew was located. First, this was the first battle against the Lu clan, and second, Jinan County was originally Liu Xiang's fiefdom, and he may have intended to absorb the military resources of Jinan County and continue to replenish his troops.
At the same time, Liu Xiang officially sent a letter to the princes and kings, announcing to the world that he was going to crusade against the Lü clan.
"Historical Records": Today, Zhulu honored officials without authorization, gathered troops to be solemn, robbed the loyal ministers of the princes, and corrected the system to make the world, and the temple was in danger. Now the widow led the army into the execution, and he should not be the king.
The news of Liu Xiang's army quickly spread to Chang'an.
At this time, the little emperor of Lu Houli was still young and was just a mascot. The real person in charge of Chang'an is the nephew of Empress Lu, Xiangguo Lu.
Lü Chan immediately sent a man he thought he was trustworthy to lead a large army to quell the rebellion. And that person is the general who irrigates the baby.
When Empress Lu was alive, Guan Ying, like most of the founding heroes, behaved very submissively to Empress Lu, and no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like she has two hearts. However, the Lu family didn't know that these people just couldn't fight against Lu Hou, so they could only lie dormant and silently wait for the opportunity to oppose Lu Xingliu.
The infant who got the military power realized that the time had come.
Liu Xiang's army can give a great shock to the people of the Lu family in Chang'an, and it is just convenient for them to act. It is naturally impossible for the baby to fight with Liu Xiang.
So,As soon as Guan Ying arrived at the front line, he reached an agreement with Liu Xiang: Chang'an is about to change, you don't move, as long as the time comes, we will kill back to Chang'an together.
Liu Xiang followed the advice of the baby, and after conquering Jinan County, he Chen soldiers were on the border of Qi and waited for the opportunity.
"Historical Records": It is to leave troops in Xingyang, so that the king of Yu Qi and the princes will make peace with Lian, so as to wait for the change of the Lu family and punish him together.
Just when Liu Xiang and Guan Ying were making peace on the front line, the heroes in Chang'an City and Liu Xiang's younger brother were not idle.
Among the Lü family, Lü Chan, the nephew of Empress Lü, was the prime minister and commanded the southern army; Lü Lu was a general and commanded the Northern Army. As long as these two people are resolved, the rest of the Lu clan will not have anything to fear.
The heroes sent Lu Lu's friend Li Ji to lure Lu Lu:The Queen Mother has died, and the Lu family is not enough to deter the ministers. If you can return the seal, surrender your military power, and return to your fiefdom, the army of the King of Qi will naturally retreat, and the ministers will no longer embarrass you, and you and your descendants will be able to enjoy wealth and prosperity from now on.
Lu Lu, who was already nervous, after several struggles, really handed over his military power and waited for the old man to return to his hometown. So the ministers took control of the forces of the Northern Army. This is also the strongest army in Chang'an City.
And Lu Chan is not so easy to fool. As soon as he saw that Liu Xiang's army was eyeing him outside, and the heroes were ready to attack inside, he was anxious, and decided to break the net and enter the palace to hold the little emperor hostage.
Before he could enter the palace, Liu Xiang's younger brother arrived with an army and slashed Lu Chan.
Immediately, the heroes took action, wiped out the Lu family, and deposed the little emperor supported by the Lu family, preparing to set up a new monarch.
Liu Xiang is naturally a popular candidate for the new emperor. He has 3 huge strengths:
First, Liu Xiang is Liu Bang's eldest grandson. The previous emperor recognized by the heroes was Liu Ying, the son of Liu Bang, so according to the normal inheritance of the throne, it would be Liu Bang's grandson's turn to ascend the throne. Among the grandchildren, the most qualified to inherit the throne is naturally Liu Xiang's eldest grandson.
Second, Liu Xiang made great contributions to the extermination of the Lu clan. He himself personally led the army and was the first to raise the banner of the crusade against the Lu clan; His younger brother Liu Zhang cut down the first knife that killed the Lu family. Among the clans, Liu Xiang has the greatest credit, and is naturally the most qualified to be the emperor.
Third, Liu Xiang has outstanding ability. Just from the process of his army, it can be seen that this is a brave and resourceful person, and the Qi State is also in order under his years of governance. Such a person is an excellent candidate for the new emperor.
However, there are also some ministers who have scruples about Liu Xiang.
At this time, a person rushed to Chang'an, expressed his opinion, and completely excluded Liu Xiang from the candidate for the throne.
This person is Liu Ze, the king of Langya, who was detained by Liu Xiang at the beginning of Liu Xiang's army.
He hated that he had been deceived, so he said to Liu Xiang: It's useless for you to keep me here, it's better to send me to Chang'an. Now the ministers are hesitating who will inherit the throne, and I can help you.
Liu Xiangxin thought it was true, and immediately sent Liu Ze to Chang'an with extremely high specifications.
However, what Liu Ze said in Chang'an was completely different from what he promised Liu Xiang.
He said to the ministers:King Qi's uncle is violent, if you choose him as the emperor, I am afraid that there will be a second Lu family. And the acting king's mother, the Bo clan, is a generous elder, and he is more suitable than the king of Qi.
Liu Ze was the tallest and oldest person in the Liu family clan at that time, and his words were very weighty.
His feudal state is Langya County, which was cut out from Liu Xiang's Qi State, next door to Liu Xiang, and he has also dealt with Liu Xiang and knows Liu Xiang very well.
As soon as his words came out, the scales immediately tipped to the side of the acting king. In the end, the heroes decided to welcome the acting king into Beijing as emperor.
The acting king is Liu Bang's fourth son, Liu Xiang's fourth uncle, Liu Heng, that is, the future Emperor Wen of Han.
On the surface, Liu Xiang can't be the emperor because of Liu Ze's words. But don't forget, the historical record of this incident is:
The ministers wanted to establish the king of Qi, and the evil king of Lang and the ministers said ......
That is to say, while most people want to establish Liu Xiang, in addition to Liu Ze, there are another group of ministers who do not agree to establish Liu Xiang as emperor.
So, what are their concerns?
Liu Xiang's personal qualities can be preferentially excluded. During the whole discussion, Liu Xiang's personality was never within the scope of the discussion. What the ministers value more is Liu Xiang's external conditions.
In my opinion, there are two main reasons for the ministers' concerns about Liu Xiang.
First, Liu Xiang became the emperor, and the ministers did not "follow the dragon's merits".
The sons of Emperor Hui of Han were all killed by the heroes in the name of unknown biological fathers, and Emperor Hui of Han had no descendants in name. In this case, Liu Xiang, as Liu Bang's eldest grandson, made great contributions and ascended the throne as the emperor.
Moreover, according to the Zhaomu system of the Temple System of the Son of Heaven, "the ancestor is in the middle, and the left is Zhao and the right is Mu." The father is on the left for Zhao, and the son is on the right for Mu. The second is Zhao, the third is Mu", two generations of the Son of Heaven are two generations is more reasonable.
Even if Liu Xiang has not made an inch, just according to the order of inheritance, there are enough reasons to inherit the throne.
However, in this way, most of the ministers' "meritorious support" was wiped out.
This would be detrimental to the interests of the Minister.
Second, Liu Xiang is not easy to control.
It can be seen from Liu Xiang's performance in raising troops that this person is both wise and brave, dares to act, and ascends to the throne, which is bound to be difficult to control.
Moreover, once Liu Xiang succeeds to the throne, his team will all have the merit of destroying the Lu family, and it will inevitably squeeze out the right to speak of the heroes.
And Liu Heng, who was still in the country at that time, had no outstanding performance, and even Empress Lu wanted to change him to a better fief, but he didn't dare to agree, he looked docile and controlled.
An emperor who is easy to control, and an emperor who is not easy to control, the ministers naturally choose the latter, which is more in line with their own interests.
Of course, Liu Heng was just pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger, he was not easy to control at all, and the heroes miscalculated. But that's for another time.
After the heroes decided to appoint Liu Xiang's fourth uncle Liu Heng as the emperor, they sent Liu Xiang's younger brother Liu Zhang to inform Liu Xiang of the news.
At that time, Liu Xiang had a heavy army, and the court was in turmoil. If he is angry and swings his army into Chang'an, he may not have a chance at all.
But Liu Xiang still chose to strike and returned to Qi. In the history books, there is no complaint from him about this matter.
But his concessions, and the credit of their brothers, were not duly rewarded.
In the second year of Emperor Wen of Han's accession to the throne, Liu Xiang diedI don't know if it's related to the loss of the throne and depression.
The history books do not record the year of Liu Xiang's birth, but based on the experience of their father and son, and what he said to Liu Ze, it can be inferred that he should have been quite young when he died, most of them were not yet 30 years old.
Emperor Wen of Han gave him the nickname "Mourning". In the law, mourning means that Gongren is short and Lourdes is not built, and I have to say that this nickname is not worthy of Liu Xiang's great contribution to the Han Dynasty.
And Emperor Wen of Han's suppression of Qi is far more than that.
While Liu Xiang was alive, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty once returned to Liu Xiang the three counties that Empress Lu had cut out from the Qi State.
However, as soon as Liu Xiang died, Liu Xiang's young son ascended the throne, and Emperor Wen of Han cut out the land of Qi and gave it to Liu Xiang's younger brothers. Since then, the state of Qi has no longer regained the demeanor of the first great power in the early Han Dynasty, and it does not pose any threat to the imperial court.
Moreover, the distribution of land to Liu Xiang's younger brother is not a preferential treatment for them.
For example, Liu Xiang's second brother Liu Zhang and third brother Liu Xingju both contributed to the action of destroying the Lu clan, and the heroes once promised them to give them the two great feudal states of Zhao and Liang.
However, after Emperor Wen of Han ascended the throne, he suppressed their merits, directly cut out the two counties of the original Qi State, and sent them away.
At least six of Liu Xiang's 12 younger brothers participated in the later Qi rebellion or other rebellions, perhaps due to the unfair treatment of their lineage.
If Liu Xiang could have predicted the outcome of their lineage, I don't know if he would choose to call off the army and return to Qi State, or raise troops to fight?
Which one do you think it will be?
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