The history of the Han Dynasty for more than 400 years The mystery of the power dispute between Liu

Mondo History Updated on 2024-02-01

The Han Dynasty, a stable dynasty that lasted for hundreds of years, had a long history and far-reaching influence. It is divided into two periods, the Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Western Han Dynasty began in 202 BC and lasted 210 years until Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty in 8 AD;The Eastern Han Dynasty began in 25 A.D. and ended in 220 A.D. when Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty, and the history of the entire Han Dynasty lasted for 405 years, spanning four centuries!

In this era, we have witnessed countless heroes and heroes, who conquered the Xiongnu in the north and conquered the Western Regions, showing the majesty of strong men. Their heroic deeds have become the most gorgeous chapter in the history of ancient Chinese warfare. The Han Dynasty was also a wonderful stage for court stories and palace fighting dramas, showing the power struggles and human nature within the court.

In February 202 BCE, the Seven Princes signed a letter emphasizing Liu Bang's contribution to the destruction of Qin, and pointing out that the current title does not fully demonstrate his great achievements. They urged Liu Bang to accept the emperor's honorific title so that his exploits could be passed down through the ages.

Liu Bang was naturally happy with such a request, but he knew that in traditional Chinese culture, it is immodest to accept praise from others directly. He adopted a humble attitude, saying that he was not wise enough to be worthy of the emperor's honorific title. He responded: "Whoever becomes an emperor is a wise man. What am I, you're lifting me too high, what can I do?”

Liu Bang's modesty does not mean that he does not want to be emperor. He skillfully used the letters of the Seven Princes, both to show his humble virtues and to pave the way for himself to become emperor. Such strategy and wisdom made Liu Bang appear to be at ease when dealing with political issues.

Han Shin: Han Shin was a man of great military talent, and he showed excellent strategy and command skills in the war. However, he also had a proud and conceited side, which made him politically immature and ultimately led to his tragic end.

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the first thing Liu Bang did was to decisively seize Han Xin's military power. He adopted the style of mixing society in the past, led a group of cronies to break into Han Xin's military camp, and directly took Han Xin's talisman, thus controlling the command of the army. The reason why Liu Bang dared to act like this was because he knew that Han Xin's army was not his descendant, but a temporary patchwork.

Regarding Liu Bang's tough methods, Han Xin's attitude was also expected by Liu Bang. He did not raise any objections and tacitly accepted this reality. This is not the first time that Liu Bang has used this method to seize military power. As early as a year ago, he had already used the same means to take away Han Xin's military power, and Han Xin also did not resist.

Liu Bang's resolute and forceful means showed his wisdom and courage as an outstanding statesman. He was well aware that in the struggle for power, decisive action must be taken to assert his dominance. Although this practice may cause some resentment and disgust, Liu Bang clearly does not care. He was more concerned with maintaining his authority and stabilizing the regime.

According to the "Historical Records", after Han Xin returned to Huaiyin, he would take a large number of guards with him every time he traveled, and the momentum was huge. He rode a tall horse and swaggered through the market, with gongs and drums. Whether it is a neighbor or an old acquaintance, as long as they encounter the honor guard of Han Xin, the king of Chu, they must respectfully kneel and kowtow. In the past, Han Xin kowtowed to people for food, but now people kowtow to him. This huge contrast made Han Xin feel greatly satisfied psychologically.

When this kind of ostentatious behavior gradually lost its freshness, Han Shin came up with a new idea. One day, he suddenly announced: "My Han Xin is developed, and this time I returned to my hometown to repay my kindness!."I want to repay those who have helped me, and I want to take revenge on those who have hurt me!I am the most righteous person, whether it is kindness or hatred, I will double my dedication. His words quickly spread in the township and sparked heated discussions. Some praised him for his kindness, while others criticized him for his vengeance. In Huaiyin City, Han Xin announced his grand plan with great fanfare: "I want to repay those who are kind to me, and I will never let go of those who treat me badly!."I, Han Xin, are the most righteous people, whether it is kindness or hatred, I will prove it with actions!”

He then began to look for those who had crossed paths with him. He found the laundry aunt, known in the history books as "Drifting Mother". Back then, she selflessly provided Han Xin with a free lunch for a few days. Han Xin said to her: "If I develop in the future, I will repay you with a thousand gold!"Now, he really didn't break his promise and gave her a thousand gold, which moved the "drifting mother".

Han Xin found the pavilion chief who had taken him in. When he was down, the pavilion chief selflessly provided him with shelter and food. However, when Han Shin found the pavilion chief, he just casually gave the pavilion chief a hundred dollars. The move sparked controversy, with some arguing that his return was too meagre.

Han Xin found the social brother who had humiliated him more than ten years ago. In the face of the humiliation, Han Xin not only did not retaliate, but gave some gifts to the social brother. He said: "The humiliation you humiliated me back then made me deeply aware of the weakness of human nature and the coldness of the world. Without you, maybe I wouldn't be where I am today. This generosity and gratitude make people's evaluation of Han Shin more complicated.

Han Xin's behavior, both then and now, has aroused heated discussions and thoughts among people.

Peng Yue: Peng Yue is a calm and composed person, he is able to stay calm in the war and develop effective strategies. He also has a strong sense of loyalty, which makes him always a staunch supporter of Liu Bang.

For Peng Yue, Liu Bang's handling method is more direct and simple. In the case that he had promised to make Peng Yue the king of Liang, Liu Bang did not hesitate too much and directly arranged him to Liangdi. Compared with his worries about Han Xin, Liu Bang's attitude towards Peng Yue is obviously more relaxed.

This is mainly because Peng Yue's combat style is different from Han Xin's. Peng Yue was adept at guerrilla warfare, taking advantage of the terrain and enemy weaknesses to attack, a tactic that could indeed pose a certain threat to Liu Bang in some cases. On the frontal battlefield, Liu Bang is well aware of his strength and advantages, and he believes that if the two face each other head-to-head, the outcome is not yet known.

"Historical Records" recorded: "Emperor Gao was angry and made people let King Liang." Liu Bang was extremely angry at Peng Yue's behavior and sent an envoy to rebuke him. Peng Yue had no intention of rebelling in his heart, and for him, although the crime of not being called was serious, it was not irreparable. He never expected that he would be like Han Xin, who would fall into a desperate situation because of a small person.

One of Peng Yue's subordinates was a petty officer who managed the horses, which somehow angered Peng Yue, causing him to be furious and threaten to kill the servant. However, Peng Yue's anger does not seem to really want to take people's lives, after all, people often do not choose to say anything when they are angry. Especially for Peng Yue, a military general with a bold personality, such a threat is more like a momentary angry talk.

But the servant believed it and was terrified. He understood that instead of sitting back and waiting, it was better to take the initiative. But he knew that Peng Yue was strong in martial arts, and he had no possibility of assassinating him. The servant resolutely left Peng Yue's control and fled to Handan to seek refuge. He accused Liu Bang of Peng Yue and Hu Yu plotting to rebel.

Although Peng Yue's actions did show signs of rebellion, Liu Bang hesitated when considering what to do with him. Was Peng Yue's threat making him jealous?Or did he have any scruples about Peng Yue's exploits?Maybe it's the guilt in his heart that makes him reluctant to kill easily?In the end, Liu Bang did not execute Peng Yue, but demoted him to a commoner and exiled him to Tsing Yi County, Shu.

Tsing Yi County is located in a remote place far from the Central Plains, with a harsh environment and poor living conditions. Did Liu Bang place the former King of Liang here with the intention of making him suffer from hunger and cold?Or does he hope that Peng Yue can end the rest of his life here and be isolated from the world?Maybe it's a bit of both. For Liu Bang, the exile of Peng Yue may be the embodiment of his inner contradictions and complex emotions.

Peng Yue's fate ended in tragedy. He was chopped into a mash, and this brutal death was horrifying. According to the Historical Records, Peng Yue's body was packed in boxes and couriered to princes everywhere as a warning to kill chickens and monkeys. The tragedy of his death is undoubtedly extremely rare among the heroes of all generations.

Who ordered Peng Yue to be subjected to such cruel methods?It is likely to be Empress Lu. In order to maintain Liu Bang's authority and her own position, she did not hesitate to take extreme measures to eliminate potential threats. And Peng Yue, as a prince and king of the powerful side, naturally became a thorn in the eyes of Empress Lu.

Peng Yue's death is not only his personal tragedy, but also a warning to those heroes who have fought for Liu Bang and divided the world. His tragic death was undoubtedly a warning to other heroes to always be cautious in their words and deeds, and not to easily offend the authority of the Son of Heaven.

Peng Yue's fate also reveals a harsh reality: in a game of power, sometimes personal merit and loyalty do not guarantee one's own safety. Even if he was a former hero, once he lost the trust of the Son of Heaven, the end could be extremely tragic. Peng Yue's death is not only his personal tragedy, but also a testimony to the cruelty of the political struggle of that era.

Yingbu: Yingbu is a brave and resolute man, who dares to take risky actions in war, often with surprising results.

Liu Bang's treatment of Yingbu is both ingenious and thoughtful. He understood that Yingbu was an unruly and highly skilled martial artist, and that he was quite threatening. However, Liu Bang gained a deeper insight into Yingbu's personality and psychology, and realized that he was actually a person with no ambitions and only seeking a small fortune.

Based on this judgment, Liu Bang did not choose to directly suppress or confront Yingbu, but adopted a more ingenious strategy. He satisfied Yingbu's thirst for power and status, allowing him to return to his old territory in Jiangnan, but was demoted to the king of Huainan and no longer the king of Jiujiang. This arrangement may seem like a change of name, but in reality, it ensures Ingbu's loyalty and obedience.

This kind of treatment is very satisfactory for Yingbu. He was given an increase in power and status without having to put in too much effort and take more risks. Inbu did not raise any objections or rebellion, because the arrangement was exactly what he hoped for—to live a stable life and enjoy the power and wealth that he had.

In this way, Liu Bang successfully dealt with the seemingly thorny Anglo-Bu problem. He was not deceived by Yingbu's appearance, but saw through his essence. This wisdom and strategy made Liu Bang more comfortable in navigating complex power struggles, and further cemented his dominance.

After receiving Peng Yue's meat puree, Yingbu felt great shock and fear. He recalled what happened to Han Xin before, and he couldn't help but shudder in his heart. He knew that he was the same as Han Xin and Peng Yue, they were all heroes with high achievements and mighty sides, but their fate was so tragic. Yingbu's spirit is devastated, and he begins to worry about his fate.

Unlike Han Xin and Peng Yue, Yingbu thinks that his merits cannot be compared to them. Under the arrangement of fate, he went from a nobody and a gangster with brute strength to a king of a country step by step. His experience was full of ups and downs and gore, and he paid a huge price to achieve his goals.

Now seeing the fate of Han Xin and Peng Yue, Yingbu can't help but start to doubt his future. In this era of fierce power struggles, it is often difficult for those who have achieved high merit to die well. He began to worry about his future, wondering if he would end up with the same fate as Han Xin and Peng Yue.

Zhang Ao: Zhang Ao is a gentle and elegant person, he pays attention to cultural accomplishment and etiquette. He also has a strong will, which allows him to remain calm in the face of difficulties.

Liu Bang's treatment of Zhang Ao, the king of Zhao, was complex and subtle. He understood that Zhang Ao, as the second generation of kings, had his own ambitions and intentions, but at the same time, Zhang Ao also had the deep roots and influence of Zhao Di. Therefore, Liu Bang adopted a variety of strategies when dealing with Zhang Ao.

Liu Bang took advantage of his in-laws relationship with Zhang Ao, who married Princess Lu Yuan, the daughter of Liu Bang and Empress Lu, to strengthen the bond between them. This kind of relationship of intimacy and intimacy made Liu Bang have a certain foundation of trust in Zhang Ao, and also increased Zhang Ao's loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang hoped that through this marriage alliance, the Zhao state would remain stable and loyal, and further consolidate his dominance.

Zang Di: Zang Di is a witty and flexible person, and he is good at dealing with all kinds of complex situations. He also has a selfish side, which makes him politically unreliable.

On the issue of Zang Di, Liu Bang does have a certain degree of worry, involving Zang Di's loyalty. Zang Di was once a subordinate of Xiang Yu, and made significant military contributions in the Chu-Han War, and was named King of Yan. Later, he chose to surrender to Han Xin, a move that showed a certain flexibility and scheming, and increased Liu Bang's concerns about his loyalty.

Such fears are not unfounded. Zang Di's deep roots and influence in Yandi make him a force to be reckoned with. If Zang Tu was against the Han dynasty or chose to confront the Han dynasty, it would pose a serious threat to Liu Bang's rule. Therefore, while Liu Bang gave Zang Di power and status, he must pay close attention to his movements in order to ensure the stability of Yandi and the security of his own rule.

In response to this concern, Liu Bang has adopted a variety of strategies. Strengthen their relationship by appreciating and reusing Zang Tu, thereby increasing Zang Di's loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Closely monitor Zang's movements and detect any signs of infidelity in time to avoid potential risks. He may also use certain political means, such as balancing the power of other princes and kings, to contain the potential threat of Zang Tu.

What Liu Bang didn't expect was that a few months after Liu Bang ascended the throne, the first person to rebel was Zang Di, the king of Yan. Liu Bang said angrily: "Lao Tzu has just ascended the throne for a few months, and you will come to rebel!."Lao Tzu wants your life!”

Zang Di's rebellion was not only a provocation to Liu Bang, but also a threat to the stability of the entire Han Dynasty. Liu Bang knew that the rebellion must be quickly quelled in order to restore the authority and stability of the Han Dynasty.

What is confusing is Zang Di's route of march. Historically, the Hebei region has always been a battleground for soldiers, and to defend this region, controlling the Yellow River is a very crucial link. If Zang Di intended to gain a foothold in Hebei and expand his power, he should prioritize control of the various crossings of the Yellow River. In this way, the connection between the north and the south of the Han army could be severed, and more time and space could be bought for themselves.

Zang Di made a surprising decision, he led his army to attack westward, aiming at Daidi. Daidi is located in the northwestern part of present-day Shanxi, and does not border Hebei. This decision was obviously not in line with conventional strategic thinking, because Daidi, which was far away from Hebei, did not directly help Zang Di's operations in Hebei. Control of the Yellow River crossing would provide him with greater strategic leeway and supply lines.

History does not give a clear explanation as to Zang Di's motive for attacking Daidi. Some people believe that Zang Di may have been influenced by other factors, such as some special connection or interest relationship with Daidi. Or he may have misjudged the situation and thought that controlling the land would give him more advantages.

Zang's route to the march has become a mystery, and the reasons behind his decision remain an unsolved mystery. Perhaps only Zang Di himself knows why he chose such an unusual route to march.

Wu Rui: Wu Rui is an open-minded person who has been widely praised for his kindness and generosity towards the people. He also has political acumen, which allows him to handle political matters with ease.

Wu Rui, the king of Changsha, was a different kind of princely king, and his actions and choices stood out against the backdrop of the Chu-Han War. When Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were in the midst of a fierce battle, Wu Rui did not choose to participate in it, but focused on his own territory and planted rice leisurely. His approach to detachment from power struggles demonstrates a unique wisdom and vision.

Wu Rui's choice was not motivated by fear of war or incompetence, but by a deliberate strategic decision. He understood that in the Chu-Han War, no matter which side won, the final winner would be Liu Bang. He chose to cultivate agriculture in his own territory, both to ensure his survival and development, and to avoid the risk of being involved in unnecessary wars.

What is even more remarkable is that Wu Rui's agricultural development plan is not limited to Hunan, he also intends to extend it to Guangxi and even Vietnam. This concept of agricultural development that transcends national boundaries shows his broad vision and forward-looking thinking. Through the development of agriculture, Wu Rui can not only enhance his own economic strength, but also promote inter-regional exchanges and cooperation, and inject new vitality into the economic development of Hunan, Guangxi and even Vietnam.

Liu Bang's approach to Wu Rui is naturally in his eyes and in his heart. He understands Wu Rui's wisdom and vision, and also appreciates his pragmatism and understanding of current affairs. Liu Bang's trust and reassurance in Wu Rui are naturally quite high. Wu Rui's presence not only did not threaten Liu Bang's rule, but was able to contribute to the economic prosperity of the Han Dynasty through his agricultural development program.

During the period when Liu Bang divided the world, Changsha became Wu Rui's fief. The presence of this prince was extremely low, and he only focused on cultivating rice on weekdays, away from the whirlpool of political struggle. After Wu Rui's death, his eldest son, Wu Chen, succeeded to the throne of the king of Changsha.

As Wu Chen's brother-in-law, Yingbu has a close relationship with Wu Chen. When Yingbu faced a crisis, Wu Chen decided to come to the rescue. He proposed to Anh Bu to flee to South Vietnam together, as he had many acquaintances there who could provide refuge. Located in the present-day Liangguang region, the state of Nanyue, although ostensibly subordinate to the Han Dynasty, was in fact independent and self-governing. As long as Yingbu could escape to Nanyue, it would be difficult for Liu Bang to capture him.

Yingbu gladly accepted Wu Chen's suggestion, and together they fled south. Yingbu may have overlooked an important fact: his father-in-law, Wu Rui, was an extremely shrewd man who was able to protect himself with wisdom and cunning. As Wu Rui's son, Wu Chen is likely to have inherited his father's wisdom. Why was Wu Chen willing to flee with Yingbu at the risk of destroying the country and destroying his clan?

Yingbu may have trusted his eldest brother too much to be aware of the potential danger. When they walked to Poyang County in Jiangxi Province, Wu Chen finally found an opportunity. In a private house, he sent someone to assassinate Yingbu. In this way, the life of a generation of heroes Yingbu came to an end.

By beheading Yingbu, Wu Chen successfully cleared his suspicion and preserved the throne. In the face of power, family affection seems so insignificant. For his own interests and survival, Wu Chen did not hesitate to sacrifice his family relationship with Yingbu. The ruthlessness and ruthlessness in the power struggle are revealed, as well as the fragility of family affection in the face of power.

Han Wangxin: Han Wangxin is a cautious and steady person, and he is very cautious in dealing with political affairs. He also has a certain amount of courage and courage, which allows him to stand up in the face of difficulties.

In the era of the struggle between Chu and Han, the names of Han Xin and Han Wangxin were often mentioned, but in fact they were two different people. In order to distinguish them, historians usually refer to the real Han King as "Han Wang Xin". Han Wangxin's ancestor was the real King of Han, and although he was a concubine, he still had royal blood.

Han Wangxin was a tall and mighty man, eight feet five inches tall, not only strong in martial arts, but also good at leading troops in battle. He once led his army to successfully capture many cities in Korea, which is a remarkable achievement. Because he followed Liu Bang for a long time and performed well, he was named King of Han very early.

As one of Liu Bang's most trusted princes, Han Wangxin has a special status in Liu Bang's heart.

Although Han Wangxin excelled in the Chu-Han War, his fate was not smooth. Shortly after the end of the war, Liu Bang's decree to Han Wangxin sent a clear message: for the security of the country, you need to lead your army to defend against the invasion of the Xiongnu. In order to accomplish this task more effectively, Liu Bang decided to move Han Wangxin's fiefdom to Jinyang. Although Han Wangxin was a straightforward man and did not notice the small abacus in Liu Bang's heart, he still accepted the order without hesitation and went to Jinyang.

After arriving in Jinyang, Han Wangxin discovered a serious problem. The location of Jinyang is relatively remote and the transportation is inconvenient, which brings great trouble to the military command. In order to defend himself more easily against the Xiongnu, he made a request to Liu Bang to move his fiefdom to Mayi, which was closer to the steppe and was the front line against the Xiongnu. Liu Bang approved his request.

In the spring of the sixth year of Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (201 BC), Han Wangxin set off for Mayi with firm determination and confidence. Soon after he arrived in Mayi, he began to feel worried. He found that the strength of the Huns was far beyond his imagination. Unlike the infantry-based enemies he had faced in the past, the Huns were all cavalry, skilled in mounted archery, and quick and elusive. This made Han Wangxin very confused, and he sighed: "How can they have so many horses and cavalry?I couldn't get used to this new combat mode at all. ”

As time went on, the situation became more dire. In the autumn, Mao Dunshan Yu personally led a large army to attack Mayi and besieged Han Wangxin in the city. While holding on to the city, Han Wangxin sent an envoy to Liu Bang to ask for reinforcements. He also prepared for the worst, sending people to negotiate with the Xiongnu for the possibility of surrender. Under the crisis, Han Wangxin opened the gates of Mayi and surrendered to the Xiongnu. He reached an agreement with Mao Dun Shan Yu to jointly plot a plan to attack the Han Dynasty.

His betrayal was not forgiven by Liu Bang. Liu Bang sent an army to attack Han Wangxin, and finally beheaded him in the Chang'an Palace in the winter of the seventh year of Han Gaozu. Han's fate has become a poignant tale in history, a reminder of the delicate relationship between betrayal and loyalty.

The fate of the Seven Princes.

Yan Wang Zang Di: Because of the rebellion, Liu Bang was quickly pacified, and was finally killed.

Han Xin, King of Chu: Arrested by Liu Bang, demoted to Marquis of Huaiyin, and later killed by Empress Lu.

Han Wangxin: Surrendered to the Xiongnu and attacked the Han Dynasty, was pursued by Liu Bang and eventually killed.

Peng Yue, King of Liang: Arrested by Liu Bang, demoted to a commoner, exiled to Shu, and later killed by Empress Lu.

Huainan Wang Yingbu: Killed by Wu Chen for rebellion.

Zhang Ao, King of Zhao: He was named King of Zhao by Liu Bang, and was later deposed as Marquis of Xuanping.

The cause of Wu Rui's death is a topic of mixed opinion

A common belief is that he died naturally due to his advanced age. It is said that he was buried in Jishan, Zhentou Township, Wuyuan County, between Wuxicheng and Yaoli, and its cemetery is quite spectacular, with three tombs side by side on the top of the mountain, covering a vast area, and each tomb is about 100 meters apart.

Another view is that Liu Bang became suspicious of Wu Rui's loyalty and feared that he would secretly rebel, so he ordered him to be poisoned. This statement adds a touch of political intrigue to the cause of Wu Rui's death, reminiscent of the brutality and ruthlessness of the power struggle.

There is also a legendary theory that Wu Rui was frightened to death when someone robbed the tomb. This statement is full of mystery and unknowability, which makes the cause of Wu Rui's death even more bizarre. Wu Rui's grave was broken into by tomb robbers, and he died suddenly after being awakened. This way of dying is full of incredible colors.

The Han Dynasty ruled for more than 400 years, a period of political stability, economic prosperity, and cultural prosperity, leaving a rich legacy for future generations. Han culture is not only a representative of Chinese culture, but also has a profound impact on world culture. Whether it was technology, art, or philosophy, the Han Dynasty achieved remarkable achievements. It can be said that the glory of the Han Dynasty is not only a sign of the times, but also a bright pearl in the long river of Chinese history.

Related Pages