高祖本紀

Gaozu is a man of Zhongyang Village in the town of Feng, in the district of Pei. His surname is Liu; his courtesy name is Ji. His father is called the Venerable Sire; his mother, Dame Liu. Previously, Dame Liu once rests by the bank of a great marsh and dreams of an encounter with a spirit. At that moment thunder and lightning darken the sky. The Venerable Sire goes to look and sees a scaly dragon above her. She thereupon conceives and gives birth to Gaozu.

Gaozu has a prominent nose and a dragon-like face, a fine beard and whiskers, and seventy-two dark moles on his left thigh. He is benevolent and fond of people, generous in giving, and open-minded. He always thinks on a grand scale and does not concern himself with the household livelihood. When he comes of age, he is tested as a functionary and becomes Head of the Relay Station at Sishui. He treats none of the officials at the local court with anything but casual disrespect. He is fond of wine and women. He often drinks on credit from Dame Wang and Dame Wu, and falls asleep drunk. Dame Wu and Dame Wang see that a dragon always hovers above him, and find this strange. Whenever Gaozu stays to drink, his wine tab multiplies several times over. Because of the strange omen, at year's end the two families always tear up his tallies and write off the debt.

Gaozu once goes to Xianyang on corvée duty and, free to gaze about, observes the First Emperor of Qin. He sighs deeply and says: "Ah! This is how a great man ought to be!"

A man of Shanfu named Lü Gong is on good terms with the magistrate of Pei. To avoid a feud he comes to stay with the magistrate as a guest, and so settles his household in Pei. The powerful men and officials of Pei, hearing that the magistrate has an important guest, all go to offer congratulations. Xiao He serves as chief clerk and manages the gifts, instructing the assembled gentlemen: "Anyone whose gift is less than a thousand cash, sit below the hall." Gaozu, as a mere station chief, has always made light of the officials. He brazenly writes on his calling card "Gift: ten thousand cash" — though he carries not a single coin. When the card is brought in, Lü Gong is greatly startled. He rises and meets Gaozu at the gate. Lü Gong is a man who delights in physiognomy. Seeing Gaozu's features, he treats him with deep respect and leads him inside to a seat. Xiao He says: "Liu Ji is always full of big talk but short on accomplishment." Gaozu proceeds to treat all the other guests with casual disrespect and takes the seat of honor without the slightest embarrassment. When the wine draws to a close, Lü Gong signals with his eyes for Gaozu to stay. After the drinking ends, Gaozu lingers. Lü Gong says: "Since my youth I have been fond of reading faces, and I have read a great many — but none compares with the face of Ji. I hope Ji will take care of himself. I have a daughter, and I wish to offer her as Ji's wife." After the banquet, Dame Lü angrily rebukes Lü Gong: "You always said you wanted to make something extraordinary of this girl — to marry her to a man of rank. The magistrate of Pei is your friend and sought her hand, yet you would not give her. How can you recklessly promise her to Liu Ji?" Lü Gong says: "This is not something a woman would understand." In the end he gives his daughter to Liu Ji. Lü Gong's daughter is none other than Empress Lü. She bears Emperor Hui and Princess Yuan of Lu.

When Gaozu serves as station chief, he often takes leave to go to the fields. Empress Lü lives in the fields with their two children, weeding. An old man passes by and asks for a drink. Empress Lü gives him food. The old man reads Empress Lü's face and says: "Madam is the most exalted woman in All-Under-Heaven." She has him read the children. Seeing Hui, he says: "The reason Madam will be exalted is this boy." He reads the face of Princess Yuan of Lu — she too will be exalted. After the old man has gone, Gaozu happens to come from a neighboring house. Empress Lü tells him everything: that a traveler passed by and read the faces of her and the children, all destined for great eminence. Gaozu asks where the man went. She says: "He has not gone far." He gives chase, catches up, and questions the old man. The old man says: "Just now, the lady and the children all resemble you, my lord. Your face is so noble it is beyond words." Gaozu thanks him and says: "If it is truly as you say, sir, I shall never forget this kindness." By the time Gaozu rises to eminence, the old man's whereabouts are unknown.

While Gaozu serves as station chief, he has a cap made of bamboo bark and sends a thief-catcher to Xue to have it fashioned. He wears it from time to time, and after he becomes eminent he wears it constantly. This is the so-called "Liu Clan Cap."

As station chief, Gaozu is ordered by the county to escort a gang of convicts to Mount Li. Many abscond along the way. He reckons that by the time they arrive, all will have fled. Reaching the marshes west of Feng, he halts to drink, and that night he releases all the convicts. He says: "You may all go. I too shall disappear from here!" More than ten stout fellows among the convicts wish to follow him. Gaozu, flushed with wine, walks through the marshes by night and sends one man ahead to scout. The scout returns and reports: "There is a great serpent blocking the path. We should turn back." Gaozu, drunk, says: "A brave man walks forward — what is there to fear!" He goes ahead, draws his sword, and strikes the serpent, cleaving it in two. The path opens. After walking several li he lies down, overcome by drink. Those behind come upon the dead serpent. An old woman is weeping in the night. They ask her why. She says: "Someone has killed my son, and so I weep." They ask: "Why was your son killed?" She says: "My son is the son of the White Emperor. He took the form of a serpent and lay across the road. Now the son of the Red Emperor has slain him — that is why I weep." The men think the old woman dishonest and mean to rebuke her, but she suddenly vanishes. When the others catch up, Gaozu is awake. They tell him what happened. Gaozu is secretly delighted and grows self-assured. His followers become daily more in awe of him.

The First Emperor of Qin often says: "In the southeast there is the emanation of a Son of Heaven." He therefore makes an eastern tour to suppress it. Gaozu suspects this refers to himself. He flees into hiding among the crags and marshes of Mount Mang and Mount Dang. Empress Lü goes with others to look for him and always finds him. Gaozu, puzzled, asks how. Empress Lü says: "Wherever Ji stays, there are always cloud formations above. By following them I always find Ji." Gaozu is pleased at heart. Some of the young men of Pei hear of this, and many wish to attach themselves to him.

In the autumn of the first year of the Second Emperor of Qin, Chen Sheng and others rise at Qi, advance to Chen, and declare themselves king, adopting the title "Expanded Chu." Throughout the commanderies and counties, many kill their chief officials to answer Chen She's call. The magistrate of Pei is alarmed and wishes to bring Pei over to Chen She's side. The clerks Xiao He and Cao Can say: "You are a Qin official. If you now turn against Qin and try to lead the young men of Pei, they may refuse to follow. We suggest you summon the fugitives who are in hiding outside — that could yield several hundred men. Use them to overawe the people, and the people will not dare refuse." They thereupon order Fan Kuai to summon Liu Ji. Liu Ji's band already numbers several hundred.

Fan Kuai comes with Liu Ji. The magistrate of Pei then regrets his decision, fears a turn of events, and shuts the city gates to defend the walls, intending to execute Xiao He and Cao Can. Xiao and Cao take fright and leap over the wall to join Liu Ji. Liu Ji writes a message on silk and shoots it over the wall, addressing the elders of Pei: "All-Under-Heaven has suffered under Qin for too long. Though you elders now defend the city for the magistrate, the lords are rising on every side and will soon slaughter Pei. If Pei joins together to execute the magistrate and sets up a worthy man from among its own sons to answer the call of the lords, then your homes and families will be preserved. Otherwise, fathers and sons alike will be slaughtered — to no purpose." The elders thereupon lead their sons to kill the magistrate, open the gates, and welcome Liu Ji, wishing to make him magistrate. Liu Ji says: "All-Under-Heaven is in turmoil. The lords are rising on every side. If you choose the wrong general now, a single defeat will ruin everything. It is not that I presume to put myself forward — I fear my abilities are too slight to protect the fathers, brothers, and sons of Pei. This is a great matter. I beg you to deliberate further and choose a worthy man." Xiao He, Cao Can, and the rest are all men of letters. Protective of themselves, they fear the enterprise may fail and that Qin will afterwards exterminate their clans, so all yield to Liu Ji. The elders all say: "We have always heard of the marvels and omens surrounding Liu Ji — he is destined for eminence. Moreover, divination by tortoise and milfoil shows no one so auspicious as Liu Ji." Liu Ji declines several times. None of the others dares to assume the position. They therefore establish Ji as the Lord of Pei. They sacrifice to the Yellow Emperor and to Chiyou in the courtyard of Pei, smear the drums with blood, and make all banners red — because the serpent that was slain was the son of the White Emperor, and the slayer the son of the Red Emperor; hence the color red is exalted. The bold young men and officials — Xiao He, Cao Can, Fan Kuai and the rest — then muster two or three thousand of the young men of Pei, attack Huling and Fangyu, and return to defend Feng.

In the second year of the Second Emperor, Zhou Zhang, a general of Chen She, marches his army west as far as Xi but then retreats. Yan, Zhao, Qi, and Wei each set up their own kings. The Xiang clan rises in Wu. The Qin Inspector of Sichuan, Ping, leads troops to besiege Feng. After two days the Lord of Pei sallies forth, engages him, and defeats him. He orders Yong Chi to hold Feng and leads his forces to Xue. The Governor of Si Province, Zhuang, is defeated at Xue, flees to Qi, and the Lord of Pei's Aide-de-Camp of the Left captures and kills him. The Lord of Pei withdraws to Kangfu, then advances to Fangyu without engaging. King Chen sends the Wei man Zhou Shi to take territory. Zhou Shi sends a messenger to Yong Chi, saying: "Feng was formerly resettled from Liang. Now Wei has already secured scores of cities. If you submit to Wei, Wei will make you marquis and let you hold Feng. If you do not submit, Feng will be slaughtered." Yong Chi has always been reluctant to serve the Lord of Pei. When Wei recruits him, he promptly revolts and holds Feng for Wei. The Lord of Pei leads his forces to attack Feng but cannot take it. He falls ill and returns to Pei. Resenting Yong Chi and the men of Feng for their betrayal, and hearing that Ning Jun of Dongyang and Qin Jia have set up Jing Ju as acting king at Liu, he goes to join them, hoping to borrow troops to attack Feng. At this time the Qin general Zhang Han advances from Chen, and his subordinate Sima Nie leads troops north to pacify Chu territory, massacres the people of Xiang, and reaches Dang. Ning Jun of Dongyang and the Lord of Pei lead their forces west and fight west of Xiao, but without success. They fall back, gather troops at Liu, and march to attack Dang. After three days they take Dang, absorb its garrison — gaining five or six thousand men — and attack and take Xiayi. They return to besiege Feng. Hearing that Xiang Liang is at Xue, the Lord of Pei rides out with over a hundred horsemen to meet him. Xiang Liang gives him five thousand additional troops and ten officers of the Fifth Rank. The Lord of Pei returns and leads his forces to attack Feng.

After a month or so with Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu takes Xiangcheng by storm and returns. Xiang Liang summons all his subordinate generals to Xue. Having learned that King Chen is certainly dead, he enthrones Xiong Xin, a grandson of the old King Huai of Chu, as King of Chu, with his court at Xuyi. Xiang Liang takes the title Lord of Wuxin. After several months, they attack Kangfu to the north, rescue Dong'e, and defeat the Qin army. The Qi forces then withdraw. Chu alone pursues the routed enemy. The Lord of Pei and Xiang Yu separately attack Chengyang and put it to the sword. They encamp east of Puyang and engage the Qin army, defeating it.

The Qin army regroups and defends Puyang, moating it with water. The Chu forces move off to attack Dingtao, which does not fall. The Lord of Pei and Xiang Yu sweep westward to Yongqiu, engage the Qin army, and inflict a great defeat, killing Li You. They turn back to attack Waihuang, which does not fall.

Having twice defeated the Qin army, Xiang Liang grows arrogant. Song Yi remonstrates, but Xiang Liang does not listen. Qin reinforces Zhang Han. By night, with gags in their mouths, they strike Xiang Liang, inflict a devastating defeat at Dingtao, and Xiang Liang dies. The Lord of Pei and Xiang Yu are at that moment attacking Chenliu. On hearing of Xiang Liang's death, they withdraw eastward with General Lü. Lü Chen's army encamps east of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu's army west of Pengcheng, and the Lord of Pei's army at Dang.

Having destroyed Xiang Liang's army, Zhang Han concludes that the Chu forces are no longer a concern. He crosses the Yellow River and strikes north against Zhao, inflicting a great defeat. At this time Zhao Xie is king. The Qin general Wang Li besieges him at the city of Julu — this is the so-called "army north of the River."

In the third year of the Second Emperor, King Huai of Chu, seeing that Xiang Liang's army has been destroyed, is alarmed. He moves from Xuyi to make his capital at Pengcheng and personally takes command of the armies of Lü Chen and Xiang Yu. He appoints the Lord of Pei as Chief of Dang commandery, enfeoffs him as Marquis of Wu'an, and gives him command of the Dang garrison. He enfeoffs Xiang Yu as Marquis of Chang'an with the title Lord of Lu. Lü Chen is made Minister of Works, and his father Lü Qing is made Chief Minister.

Zhao repeatedly begs for rescue. King Huai thereupon appoints Song Yi as supreme general, Xiang Yu as second-in-command, and Fan Zeng as junior general, and sends them north to relieve Zhao. He orders the Lord of Pei to sweep westward and enter the Pass. He makes a covenant with all the generals: he who first enters and pacifies the land within the passes shall be made its king.

At this time the Qin army is strong, constantly pursuing and exploiting its victories. None of the generals see any advantage in being first to enter the Pass. Only Xiang Yu, burning with rage against Qin for destroying Xiang Liang's army, is eager and wishes to go west into the Pass with the Lord of Pei. The senior generals at King Huai's court all say: "Xiang Yu is headstrong, savage, cunning, and destructive. When Xiang Yu attacked Xiangcheng, not a living soul remained — he buried them all alive. Wherever he passes, nothing is left but ruin. Moreover, Chu has repeatedly advanced only to fail — first King Chen, then Xiang Liang, both met defeat. It would be better to send a man of magnanimity who upholds righteousness to go west and persuade the fathers and elders of Qin. The fathers and elders of Qin have long suffered under their ruler. If we can truly send a man of magnanimity who refrains from violence, the land should submit. Xiang Yu is headstrong and savage — he must not be sent. Only the Lord of Pei has always been a generous man of magnanimity — he should be sent." In the end they refuse Xiang Yu's request and dispatch the Lord of Pei to sweep westward, rallying the scattered troops of King Chen and Xiang Liang. He takes the road from Dang to Chengyang, confronts the Qin army at Gangli in a double encampment, and defeats both forces. The Chu army also sends troops to strike Wang Li, inflicting a great defeat.

The Lord of Pei leads his forces west and encounters Peng Yue at Changyi. They join to attack the Qin army but without success. He falls back to Li and encounters the Marquis of Gangwu. He seizes his forces — some four thousand men — and absorbs them. Together with the Wei generals Huang Xin and the Wei Marshal Wu Pu, he attacks Changyi, which does not fall. He passes west through Gaoyang. Li Yiji, a gate-watcher there, says: "Many generals have passed through here, but I judge the Lord of Pei to be a man of magnanimity." He requests an audience and addresses the Lord of Pei. The Lord of Pei is at that moment sitting with legs spread on a couch, having two serving girls wash his feet. Master Li does not bow but gives a long salute and says: "If Your Lordship truly intends to destroy the lawless Qin, it is not fitting to sit with legs spread while receiving an elder." The Lord of Pei rises at once, straightens his robes, apologizes, and invites him to the seat of honor. Li Yiji advises the Lord of Pei to raid Chenliu to seize the Qin grain stores. He thereupon makes Li Yiji Lord of Guangye, and Li Yiji's brother Li Shang a general commanding the troops of Chenliu. Together they attack Kaifeng, which does not fall. Going west, they engage the Qin general Yang Xiong at Baima, then fight again east of Quyu and inflict a great defeat. Yang Xiong flees to Yingyang. The Second Emperor sends an envoy to behead Yang Xiong as an example. They attack Yingyang to the south and put it to the sword. Joining forces with Zhang Liang, they sweep through the Han territory at Huanyuan.

At this time the Zhao general Sima Ang is about to cross the Yellow River and enter the Pass. The Lord of Pei therefore attacks Pingyin to the north and cuts the river crossings. Moving south, he fights east of Luoyang but his army fares badly. He falls back to Yangcheng, gathers his cavalry, and engages the Governor of Nanyang, Yi, east of Chou, defeating him. He sweeps through Nanyang commandery. The Governor flees and holds up in the walled city of Wan. The Lord of Pei leads his forces past it and heads west. Zhang Liang remonstrates: "Though the Lord of Pei is anxious to enter the Pass quickly, Qin still has numerous troops holding the defiles. If you do not take Wan now, Wan will attack from behind while the might of Qin lies before you — this is a path to disaster." The Lord of Pei thereupon leads his troops back by another road under cover of night, changes his banners, and at dawn encircles the city of Wan three times over. The Governor of Nanyang is about to cut his own throat. His retainer Chen Hui says: "It is not too late to die." He climbs over the wall to see the Lord of Pei and says: "I have heard that Your Lordship has a covenant: he who first enters Xianyang shall be king. Now Your Lordship lingers at Wan. Wan is the seat of a great commandery, with scores of walled cities in a chain, its population large and its stores ample. The officials believe that to surrender means certain death, so they all hold fast to the walls. If Your Lordship spends the whole day in assault, many soldiers will be killed and wounded. If you withdraw and leave Wan, Wan's forces will follow on your heels — before you lies the loss of the covenant for Xianyang, behind you the menace of a strong Wan. In my estimation, the best course is to offer terms of surrender: enfeoff the Governor, have him remain as garrison commander, and take his armored troops with you westward. When the other cities that have not yet fallen hear of this, they will vie to open their gates and await you. Your Lordship will pass through unhindered." The Lord of Pei says: "Excellent." He thereupon enfeoffs the Governor of Wan as Marquis of Yin and grants Chen Hui a fief of a thousand households. He leads his forces west, and none fail to submit. At Danshui, the Marquis of Gaowu, Sai, and the Marquis of Xiang, Wang Ling, surrender Xiling. He turns back to attack Huyang, where he encounters Mei Xuan, a subordinate general of the Lord of Fan. Together they take Xi and Li by surrender. He sends the Wei man Ning Chang as envoy to Qin. The envoy has not yet returned. By this time Zhang Han has already surrendered his army to Xiang Yu in Zhao.

Earlier, Xiang Yu and Song Yi go north to relieve Zhao. When Xiang Yu kills Song Yi and takes his place as supreme general, all the subordinate generals — including Qing Bu — submit to him. He destroys the army of the Qin general Wang Li, receives the surrender of Zhang Han, and all the lords attach themselves to him. When Zhao Gao has already killed the Second Emperor, he sends a messenger proposing to divide the land within the passes and share kingship. The Lord of Pei considers this a ruse. Adopting Zhang Liang's plan, he sends Master Li and Lu Jia to persuade the Qin generals, enticing them with profit, and then launches a surprise attack on Wuguan, breaking through it. He then engages the Qin army south of Lantian, deploying ever more decoy banners and flags, and forbidding all plunder wherever he passes. The people of Qin are pleased. The Qin army's cohesion slackens, and he inflicts a devastating defeat. He fights again north of Lantian and inflicts another great defeat. Pressing his advantage, he shatters the Qin forces completely.

In the tenth month of the first year of Han, the Lord of Pei's forces are the first among the lords to reach Bashang. The King of Qin, Ziying, arrives in a plain carriage drawn by white horses, a cord tied about his neck. He presents the imperial seals, tallies, and credentials, and surrenders by the side of the Zhi Road. Some of the generals urge that the King of Qin be executed. The Lord of Pei says: "King Huai sent me precisely because I am able to show leniency. Moreover, the man has already submitted and surrendered — to kill him now would be inauspicious." He hands the King of Qin over to the officials and proceeds west into Xianyang. He is about to quarter himself in the palace when Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang remonstrate. He thereupon seals up the Qin storehouses of treasure, valuables, and wealth, and withdraws his army to Bashang. He summons the elders and leading men of the counties and says: "Elders, you have long suffered under the harsh laws of Qin — those who criticized the government had their clans exterminated; those who so much as whispered together were executed in the marketplace. I have a covenant with the lords: he who first enters the Pass shall be its king. I am to be king of the land within the passes. I make a covenant with you elders: the law shall consist of three articles only — he who kills shall die; he who injures another or steals shall be punished accordingly. All the rest of the Qin laws are hereby abolished. All officials and people shall carry on as before. The sole reason I have come is to rid you elders of harm, not to commit any violence. Have no fear! Furthermore, the reason I have withdrawn my army to Bashang is merely to await the arrival of the other lords and settle the terms of our agreement." He then sends men along with the Qin officials to tour the counties, townships, and towns and proclaim this. The people of Qin are overjoyed, vying with one another to bring cattle, sheep, wine, and food to feast the soldiers. The Lord of Pei again declines, refusing to accept, saying: "The granaries have plenty of grain — there is no shortage. I do not wish to burden the people." The people are even more pleased, their only fear being that the Lord of Pei will not become King of Qin.

Someone advises the Lord of Pei: "Qin is ten times richer than All-Under-Heaven, and its terrain is strong. Now I hear that Zhang Han has surrendered to Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu has named him King of Yong, to rule the land within the passes. When he arrives, the Lord of Pei may not be able to keep this territory. You should urgently station troops to guard Hangu Pass, refuse entry to the armies of the lords, and gradually conscript more soldiers within the passes to strengthen yourself and resist." The Lord of Pei approves this plan and follows it. In the eleventh month, Xiang Yu indeed leads the armies of the lords westward, intending to enter the Pass, but finds the gates shut. Hearing that the Lord of Pei has already pacified the land within the passes, he is enraged and sends Qing Bu and others to break through Hangu Pass. By the twelfth month he reaches Xi. The Lord of Pei's Aide-de-Camp of the Left, Cao Wushang, hearing that Lord Xiang is furious and means to attack, sends a man to tell Xiang Yu: "The Lord of Pei intends to make himself king of the land within the passes, with Ziying as his chancellor, and to keep all the treasures for himself." He does this hoping to gain an enfeoffment for himself. The Second Father urges Xiang Yu to strike the Lord of Pei. The feast for the troops is being prepared; battle is set for the following dawn. At this time Xiang Yu has four hundred thousand soldiers, nominally a million. The Lord of Pei has a hundred thousand, nominally two hundred thousand — he is no match. As it happens, Xiang Bo wishes to save Zhang Liang's life and goes to see him by night. Through this connection Zhang Liang persuades Xiang Yu with a written appeal, and Xiang Yu relents. The Lord of Pei rides to Hong Gate with just over a hundred horsemen, meets Xiang Yu, and apologizes. Xiang Yu says: "This was told to me by your Aide-de-Camp of the Left, Cao Wushang. Otherwise, how would I have conceived such a thing!" Thanks to Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang, the Lord of Pei manages to escape and return. Upon his return, he immediately executes Cao Wushang.

Xiang Yu then moves west, sacking and burning the palaces of Qin at Xianyang. Everything in his path is ravaged. The people of Qin are bitterly disappointed, yet so frightened that they dare not refuse submission.

Xiang Yu sends a messenger to report to King Huai. King Huai says: "Abide by the covenant." Xiang Yu resents King Huai for refusing to let him go west into the Pass with the Lord of Pei and instead sending him north to relieve Zhao, which caused him to miss the covenant with All-Under-Heaven. He says: "King Huai was set up by my uncle Xiang Liang — he has no merit of his own. By what right does he preside over the covenant? Those who truly pacified All-Under-Heaven are the generals — and I, Ji." He then ostensibly honors King Huai with the title Righteous Emperor, but in reality ignores his commands.

In the first month, Xiang Yu proclaims himself Hegemon-King of Western Chu, ruling nine commanderies of Liang and Chu, with his capital at Pengcheng. Breaking the covenant, he instead names the Lord of Pei King of Han, giving him Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong, with his capital at Nanzheng. He divides the land within the passes into three, establishing the three surrendered Qin generals as kings: Zhang Han as King of Yong, with his capital at Feiqiu; Sima Xin as King of Sai, with his capital at Liyang; Dong Yi as King of Di, with his capital at Gaonu. The Chu general Shen Yang of Xiaqiu is made King of Henan, with his capital at Luoyang. The Zhao general Sima Ang is made King of Yin, with his capital at Zhaoge. King Xie of Zhao is transferred to rule Dai. The Zhao chancellor Zhang Er is made King of Changshan, with his capital at Xiangguo. The Lord of Dangyang, Qing Bu, is made King of Jiujiang, with his capital at Liu. Gong Ao, King Huai's Pillar of State, is made King of Linjiang, with his capital at Jiangling. The Lord of Fan, Wu Rui, is made King of Hengshan, with his capital at Zhu. The Yan general Zang Tu is made King of Yan, with his capital at Ji. The former King of Yan, Han Guang, is transferred to rule Liaodong. Guang refuses to go; Zang Tu attacks and kills him at Wuzhong. The Lord of Cheng'an, Chen Yu, is enfeoffed with three counties in Hejian and resides at Nanpi. Mei Xuan is enfeoffed with a hundred thousand households.

In the fourth month, the armies are disbanded at Xihe, and the feudal lords each depart for their kingdoms. As the King of Han proceeds to his domain, the King of Xiang sends thirty thousand soldiers to escort him; several tens of thousands more from Chu and the other lords follow of their own accord. They enter the Bao Valley from south of Du. As they advance, they burn the plank roads behind them — partly to guard against surprise attack by the other lords, and partly to signal to Xiang Yu that they have no intention of returning east. Upon reaching Nanzheng, many generals and soldiers desert along the way and flee home. The troops all sing songs longing to return east. Han Xin addresses the King of Han: "Xiang Yu has made kings of those generals who served him well, yet Your Majesty alone has been banished to Nanzheng — this is exile. Your officers and soldiers are all men from east of the mountains. Day and night they stand on tiptoe looking homeward. Use them now while their ardor is keen, and great deeds can be accomplished. Once All-Under-Heaven is settled and men grow comfortable, they can never be used again. Better to decide at once on an eastern campaign and contend for mastery of All-Under-Heaven."

In the eighth month, the King of Han employs Han Xin's strategy: he returns by the old road through Chencang and launches a surprise attack on Zhang Han, King of Yong. Zhang Han meets the Han forces at Chencang but his troops are defeated and he falls back. He makes a stand at Haozhi but is defeated again and flees to Feiqiu. The King of Han thereupon pacifies the territory of Yong. He advances east to Xianyang, besieges Zhang Han at Feiqiu, and dispatches his generals to subdue the commanderies of Longxi, Beidi, and Shangjun. He orders Generals Xue Ou and Wang Xi to march out through Wuguan, combining forces with Wang Ling's troops in Nanyang, to escort the Venerable Sire and Lady Lü from Pei. But Chu hears of this and sends troops to block them at Yangxia; they cannot get through. Chu appoints the former magistrate of Wu, Zheng Chang, as King of Han to resist the Han armies.

In the second year, the King of Han pushes east to take territory. Sima Xin, King of Sai, Dong Yi, King of Di, and Shen Yang, King of Henan, all surrender. Zheng Chang, King of Han, refuses to submit; Han Xin is sent to crush him. The King of Han then establishes the commanderies of Longxi, Beidi, Shangjun, Weinan, Heshang, and Zhongdi; beyond the passes he establishes the commandery of Henan. He installs the Han Grand Commandant Xin as the new King of Han. Any general who has brought about the surrender of ten thousand men or an entire commandery is enfeoffed with ten thousand households. The frontier fortifications along the Yellow River are repaired. All the former Qin imperial parks, gardens, and pools are opened so that the common people may farm them. In the first month, the younger brother of the King of Yong, Zhang Ping, is captured. A general amnesty is proclaimed.

The King of Han marches out of the passes as far as Shan, where he comforts the elders beyond the passes, then returns. Zhang Er comes to see him, and the King of Han receives him generously.

In the second month, he orders the Qin altars of soil and grain demolished and the Han altars established in their place.

In the third month, the King of Han crosses the Yellow River at Linjin. Wei Bao, King of Wei, joins him with troops. They take Henei and capture Shen Yang, King of Yin, establishing the commandery of Henei. They cross southward at Pingyin Ford and reach Luoyang. Dong Gong, a village elder of Xincheng, intercepts the King of Han and tells him of the death of the Righteous Emperor. When the King of Han hears this, he bares his arms and weeps bitterly. He then proclaims a state mourning for the Righteous Emperor, observing it for three days. He dispatches envoys to announce to all the feudal lords: "All-Under-Heaven jointly enthroned the Righteous Emperor and served him as sovereign. Now Xiang Yu has banished and murdered the Righteous Emperor in the south of the Yangtze — an act of supreme treason and depravity. We personally conduct the mourning rites; let all the feudal lords don white garments of grief. We shall mobilize the full strength of the armies within the passes, muster the soldiers of the Three Rivers, and sail south down the Yangtze and Han. We call upon the kings of the feudal lords to join us in striking down those who murdered the Righteous Emperor."

At this time the King of Xiang is campaigning northward against Qi. Tian Rong fights him at Chengyang but is defeated and flees to Pingyuan, where the people kill him. All of Qi surrenders to Chu. But Chu burns the cities and walls, and carries off Qi's women and children as captives. The people of Qi rebel. Tian Rong's brother Heng sets up Rong's son Guang as King of Qi, and the new King of Qi revolts against Chu at Chengyang. Although Xiang Yu hears that the King of Han is advancing east, he is already entangled with the Qi armies and resolves to finish them before turning to face Han. The King of Han therefore succeeds in coercing the armies of five feudal lords into his coalition and enters Pengcheng.

When Xiang Yu hears of this, he withdraws from Qi, marches out through Lu and Huling to Xiao, and engages the Han forces in a great battle east of Lingbi on the banks of the Sui River. He utterly destroys the Han army, slaughtering so many soldiers that the Sui River ceases to flow. He then seizes the King of Han's father, mother, wife, and children at Pei and holds them hostage in the Chu camp. At this, the feudal lords — seeing Chu's strength and Han's defeat — all abandon the King of Han and return to Chu's allegiance. Sima Xin, King of Sai, flees to Chu.

The King of Han stations his army south of Xingyang and builds a walled corridor connecting to the Yellow River to draw grain from the Ao Granary. He holds off Xiang Yu for over a year. But Xiang Yu repeatedly raids and seizes the corridor, and the Han army runs short of food. Xiang Yu then lays siege to the King of Han. The King of Han sues for peace, offering to cede everything west of Xingyang to Han. The King of Xiang refuses. The King of Han, deeply worried, adopts Chen Ping's stratagem: he gives Chen Ping forty thousand catties of gold to sow discord between Chu's sovereign and his ministers. As a result, Xiang Yu grows suspicious of the Second Father, Fan Zeng. Fan Zeng — who at this very moment is urging Xiang Yu to press the siege and take Xingyang — becomes furious at the mistrust, pleads old age, and begs leave to return home as a common soldier. He dies before reaching Pengcheng.

The Han army's food runs out entirely. At night, over two thousand women are sent out through the east gate wearing armor. Chu attacks them from all four sides. General Ji Xin then mounts the king's carriage, pretending to be the King of Han, and deceives Chu. The Chu soldiers all shout "Ten thousand years!" and rush to the east side of the city to look. Thus the King of Han escapes through the west gate with a few dozen horsemen. He leaves the Imperial Secretary Zhou Ke, Wei Bao, and the Duke of Zong to hold Xingyang. All the officers and men unable to follow remain in the city. Zhou Ke and the Duke of Zong say to one another: "A king who has turned traitor against his own state cannot be trusted to hold a city." They then kill Wei Bao.

After the King of Han escapes from Xingyang and returns to the passes to raise fresh troops, Yuan Sheng counsels him: "Han has been pinned at Xingyang for years and is always on the defensive. If Your Majesty marches out through Wuguan, Xiang Yu will surely lead his army south in pursuit. Build deep ramparts and hold fast, giving the forces between Xingyang and Chenggao time to rest. Meanwhile, send Han Xin to pacify Zhao north of the River, link up with Yan and Qi, and then return to Xingyang — it will not be too late. This way, Chu must guard against threats on every side, its strength will be divided, and Han will be rested. When you fight again, the destruction of Chu is certain." The King of Han follows this plan, marching his army into the area between Wan and Ye, where he joins Qing Bu to gather troops.

Xiang Yu hears that the King of Han is at Wan and, just as predicted, leads his army south. The King of Han fortifies his position and refuses battle. At this point Peng Yue crosses the Sui River, engages the Chu generals Xiang Sheng and the Duke of Xue at Xiapi, and inflicts a major defeat. Xiang Yu wheels east to strike Peng Yue. The King of Han then moves north and stations his army at Chenggao. After routing Peng Yue, Xiang Yu hears that the King of Han has reoccupied Chenggao. He turns west again, takes Xingyang, executes Zhou Ke and the Duke of Zong, captures Xin the King of Han, and then besieges Chenggao.

The King of Han slips away. With only the Marquis of Teng sharing his chariot, he escapes through the Jade Gate of Chenggao, crosses the Yellow River northward, and rides through the night to Xiuwu. At dawn, claiming to be a messenger, he gallops into the camp of Zhang Er and Han Xin — and seizes command of their army. He then sends Zhang Er north to recruit more soldiers in Zhao, and orders Han Xin east to attack Qi. With Han Xin's forces now under his direct control, the King of Han's strength is restored. He advances to the bank of the Yellow River and feasts the army south of Xiao Xiuwu, intending to resume offensive operations. But the palace gentleman Zheng Zhong persuades him to build high ramparts and deep trenches instead, and avoid a pitched battle. The King of Han follows this advice, and sends Lu Wan and Liu Jia with twenty thousand infantry and several hundred cavalry across Baima Ford into Chu territory to join Peng Yue in striking at the Chu army west of Yanguo, retaking more than ten cities in the Liang region.

The Marquis of Huaiyin, having received his orders to march east, has not yet crossed the Pingyuan region. The King of Han sends the scholar Li Yiji to persuade King Tian Guang of Qi to break with Chu and ally with Han against Xiang Yu. But Han Xin, following the advice of Kuai Tong, attacks and overruns Qi regardless. The King of Qi boils Li Yiji alive and flees east to Gaomi. When Xiang Yu hears that Han Xin has mobilized the armies north of the Yellow River and destroyed both Qi and Zhao, and is preparing to attack Chu itself, he dispatches Long Ju and Zhou Lan to intercept. Han Xin joins battle; the cavalry commander Guan Ying charges, and the Chu army is utterly destroyed. Long Ju is killed. King Guang of Qi flees to Peng Yue. At this point, Peng Yue with his forces controls the Liang region, constantly harassing the Chu army and cutting its supply lines.

Chu and Han remain locked in a prolonged stalemate with no resolution. The able-bodied suffer under endless military campaigns; the old and weak are exhausted from hauling provisions. The King of Han and Xiang Yu face each other across the ramparts of Guangwu and exchange words. Xiang Yu challenges the King of Han to single combat. The King of Han enumerates Xiang Yu's crimes: "At the start, you and I alike received our commission from King Huai: whoever first entered and secured Guanzhong would be made its king. You broke this covenant and banished me to Shu and Hanzhong — that is your first crime. You forged orders to kill the Champion General Song Yi and elevated yourself — your second crime. After rescuing Zhao you should have reported back, but instead you commandeered the armies of the feudal lords and forced your way into the passes — your third crime. King Huai decreed that whoever entered Qin should not plunder, yet you burned the Qin palaces, dug up the First Emperor's tomb, and pocketed its treasures — your fourth crime. You forced the surrender of the Qin king Ziying and then killed him — your fifth crime. You treacherously buried alive two hundred thousand Qin youths at Xin'an and made kings of their Qin commanders — your sixth crime. You gave your own generals the best lands and expelled the rightful rulers, driving their subjects to rebel — your seventh crime. You expelled the Righteous Emperor from Pengcheng, seized his capital for yourself, stole the King of Han's territory, and took all of Liang and Chu for your own — your eighth crime. You secretly had the Righteous Emperor assassinated south of the Yangtze — your ninth crime. To serve as a subject and murder your sovereign, to slay those who have surrendered, to govern without fairness, to make treaties without honor — this All-Under-Heaven will not tolerate. This is supreme treason and depravity — your tenth crime. I lead a righteous army, joined by the feudal lords, to punish a cruel brigand. I need only send convicted criminals to strike you down — why should I trouble myself with single combat?" Xiang Yu, in a great fury, has a concealed crossbowman shoot the King of Han. The bolt strikes him in the chest. But the King of Han touches his foot and cries out: "The wretch has hit my toe!" Despite his wound, the King of Han lies abed. Zhang Liang insists that the King of Han rise and inspect the troops, to steady the soldiers' morale and prevent Chu from exploiting the situation. The King of Han goes out to review the army, but his condition worsens severely. He then races back into Chenggao.

At this time, Peng Yue controls the Liang region with his forces, continually harassing the Chu army and severing its supply lines. Tian Heng goes to join him. Xiang Yu repeatedly strikes at Peng Yue and the others, while the King of Qi, Han Xin, presses his attack against Chu. Xiang Yu grows fearful. He makes a treaty with the King of Han to divide All-Under-Heaven in two: everything west of the Honggou Canal shall belong to Han; everything east shall belong to Chu. Xiang Yu returns the King of Han's father, mother, wife, and children. The whole army shouts "Ten thousand years!" The two sides then part and go their separate ways.

Xiang Yu breaks camp and withdraws east. The King of Han intends to withdraw west as well, but Zhang Liang and Chen Ping persuade him to pursue. He advances and halts his army south of Yangxia, arranging to converge with Han Xin the King of Qi and Peng Yue the Marquis of Jiancheng for a combined assault on the Chu army. But when he reaches Guling, they fail to appear. Chu strikes the Han army and inflicts a major defeat. The King of Han retreats behind his ramparts and digs deep trenches to hold his position. Applying Zhang Liang's counsel — offering generous fiefs to secure their commitment — Han Xin and Peng Yue both march to join him. Liu Jia enters Chu territory and besieges Shouchun. After the reverse at Guling, the King of Han sends envoys to summon the Grand Marshal Zhou Yin to raise the troops of Jiujiang and bring them to join the King of Wu. Zhou Yin marches through Chengfu, and together with Liu Jia and the armies of Qi, Liang, and the other lords, all converge in a great assembly at Gaixia. The King of Wu, Qing Bu, is made King of Huainan.

In the fifth year, Gaozu and the armies of the feudal lords jointly attack the Chu forces and fight the decisive battle against Xiang Yu at Gaixia. The Marquis of Huaiyin commands three hundred thousand troops and takes the van. General Kong holds the left wing; General Fei holds the right. The Emperor takes position in the rear; the Marquis of Jiang and General Chai hold the reserve behind the Emperor. Xiang Yu's soldiers number perhaps one hundred thousand. Huaiyin engages first and is pushed back. Generals Kong and Fei then close from the flanks; when the Chu troops falter, the Marquis of Huaiyin surges forward again, and the Chu army is routed at Gaixia. Xiang Yu's soldiers hear the Han army singing songs of Chu, and believe that Han has already conquered all of Chu. Xiang Yu himself breaks and flees, and with that his army disintegrates entirely. The cavalry commander Guan Ying pursues and kills Xiang Yu at Dongcheng, taking eighty thousand heads. All of Chu is thereupon subdued. Only Lu holds out for Chu and will not surrender. The King of Han leads the armies of the feudal lords north and shows the elders of Lu the head of Xiang Yu. Lu then surrenders. Xiang Yu is buried at Gucheng with the honors due to the Duke of Lu. The King of Han returns to Dingtao, rides into the camp of the King of Qi, and seizes command of his army.

In the first month, the feudal lords and the generals and ministers jointly petition for the King of Han to be honored as Emperor. The King of Han says: "I have heard that the title of Emperor belongs only to the worthy. I will not presume to accept it based on empty words and hollow praise." The assembled ministers all say: "Your Majesty rose from the humblest origins, punished the brutal and the treasonous, and pacified All-Under-Heaven. Those with merit have been rewarded with lands and titles. If Your Majesty does not assume the imperial title, none of us can feel secure. We are prepared to defend this with our lives." The King of Han demurs three times. Unable to refuse, he says: "If you gentlemen truly believe this serves the realm, then let it serve the realm." On the jiawu day, he assumes the position of Emperor on the north bank of the Si River.

The Emperor declares that the Righteous Emperor left no heir. Since the King of Qi, Han Xin, is familiar with the customs of Chu, he is transferred to be King of Chu, with his capital at Xiapi. The Marquis of Jiancheng, Peng Yue, is made King of Liang, with his capital at Dingtao. The former King of Han, Xin, remains King of Han, with his capital at Yangzhai. Wu Rui, King of Hengshan, is transferred to be King of Changsha, with his capital at Linxiang. Because the Lord of Fan's general Mei Xuan rendered meritorious service and followed the army into Wuguan, the Lord of Fan is honored. The King of Huainan, Qing Bu, the King of Yan, Zang Tu, and the King of Zhao, Ao, all retain their existing titles.

All-Under-Heaven is settled. Gaozu establishes his capital at Luoyang; all the feudal lords submit as subjects. The former King of Linjiang, Huan, had sided with Xiang Yu against Han. Lu Wan and Liu Jia are ordered to besiege him; he does not surrender for several months, and when he finally does, he is executed at Luoyang.

In the fifth month, all soldiers are demobilized and sent home. Sons of feudal lords residing within the passes are exempted from taxation for twelve years; those who return to their home regions, for six years; all are given one year of rations.

Gaozu holds a banquet in the Southern Palace at Luoyang. Gaozu says: "Let the marquises and generals hide nothing from me; speak the truth freely. Why is it that I won All-Under-Heaven? And why is it that the house of Xiang lost it?" Gao Qi and Wang Ling answer: "Your Majesty is rude and contemptuous toward others, while Xiang Yu was benevolent and kind to people. And yet, when Your Majesty sent men to attack cities and seize territory, those who surrendered were given a share of the conquest — Your Majesty shared the profits with All-Under-Heaven. Xiang Yu was jealous of the worthy and envious of the able; when men achieved merit he harmed them, when men showed talent he suspected them. When he won battles he gave no credit; when he gained lands he shared no rewards. This is why he lost All-Under-Heaven."

Gaozu says: "You know one reason but not the other. To devise strategies within the command tent and determine victory a thousand li away — in this I am no match for Zifang. To steady the state, care for the people, manage the flow of supplies, and keep the grain roads open — in this I am no match for Xiao He. To command an army of a million, win every battle, and take every stronghold — in this I am no match for Han Xin. These three are heroes among men. I was able to employ them — this is why I won All-Under-Heaven. Xiang Yu had one Fan Zeng and could not even use him — this is why he was captured by me."

Gaozu wishes to make Luoyang his permanent capital. Liu Jing, a man of Qi, remonstrates, and then the Marquis of Liu persuades the Emperor to establish the capital within the passes. That same day Gaozu departs and enters Guanzhong to make it his capital. In the sixth month, a general amnesty is proclaimed throughout All-Under-Heaven.

In the tenth month, Zang Tu, King of Yan, rebels and attacks the territory of Dai. Gaozu personally leads the campaign against him and captures Zang Tu. He thereupon installs Grand Commandant Lu Wan as King of Yan, and orders Chancellor Kuai to lead troops to attack Dai.

That autumn, Li Ji rebels. Gaozu personally leads troops against him; Li Ji flees. Li Ji had been a general under the Xiang clan. When the Xiang clan fell, Li Ji became Duke of Chen. He did not follow Xiang Yu but fled and surrendered to Gaozu, who enfeoffed him as a marquis in Yingchuan. When Gaozu came to Luoyang and summoned all marquis-holders by their registers, Li Ji grew fearful and therefore rebelled.

In the sixth year, Gaozu pays court to the Grand Sire once every five days, observing the rites of a commoner father and son. The Grand Sire's household steward advises the Grand Sire, saying: "There are not two suns in the sky, nor two kings over the land. Though Gaozu is your son, he is the sovereign; though the Grand Sire is his father, he is a subject. How can you allow the sovereign to bow to a subject? If this continues, his authority and dignity will be undermined." The next time Gaozu comes to pay his respects, the Grand Sire takes up a broom and, walking backward, meets him at the gate. Gaozu is greatly startled and dismounts to support his father. The Grand Sire says: "The Emperor is the sovereign — how could I allow you to violate the laws of All-Under-Heaven on my account?" Thereupon Gaozu confers upon the Grand Sire the title of Supreme Emperor. In his heart he approves of the steward's words and rewards him with five hundred catties of gold.

In the twelfth month, a man submits a report of seditious activity accusing Han Xin, King of Chu, of plotting rebellion. The Emperor consults his ministers; they all eagerly urge an attack. Adopting Chen Ping's stratagem, the Emperor feigns a pleasure tour to Yunmeng and summons the regional lords to a gathering at Chen. The King of Chu comes to welcome him, and is immediately arrested. That day, a general amnesty is proclaimed throughout All-Under-Heaven. Tian Ken offers congratulations and takes the opportunity to address Gaozu: "Your Majesty has secured Han Xin and holds the heartland of Qin. Qin is a land of strategic advantage, girded by rivers and mountains, separated from the feudal lords by a thousand li, able to marshal a million halberds — Qin's position is worth a hundred against two elsewhere. Given its terrain and strategic advantage, to send armies down upon the feudal lords is like pouring water from a jug atop a high roof. As for Qi: to the east it has the riches of Langya and Jimo, to the south the bastion of Mount Tai, to the west the barrier of the Turbid River, and to the north the profits of the Gulf of Bohai. Its territory spans two thousand li, it can marshal a million halberds, and separated by a thousand li from the rest, Qi's position is worth ten against two. It is thus a second Qin in the east. Unless one of your own sons is made its king, no one else should be entrusted with Qi." Gaozu says: "Excellent." He rewards Tian Ken with five hundred catties of gold.

More than ten days later, he demotes Han Xin to Marquis of Huaiyin and divides his territory into two kingdoms. Gaozu declares that General Liu Jia has rendered meritorious service many times, and appoints him King of Jing, ruling east of the Huai. His younger brother Jiao becomes King of Chu, ruling west of the Huai. His son Fei becomes King of Qi, ruling over more than seventy cities — all people who speak the Qi dialect are placed under Qi's jurisdiction. He then evaluates the merits of his followers and distributes tally-tokens to enfeoff the various marquises. He transfers Han Xin, King of Han, to Taiyuan.

In the seventh year, the Xiongnu attack Han Xin, King of Han, at Mayi. Han Xin thereupon conspires to rebel at Taiyuan. Man Qiuchen of Baitu and Wang Huang install the former Zhao general Zhao Li as king and rise in revolt. Gaozu goes in person to attack them. It happens that the weather is bitterly cold; two or three out of every ten soldiers lose fingers to frostbite. The army presses on to Pingcheng. The Xiongnu surround Gaozu at Pingcheng for seven days before finally withdrawing. Gaozu orders Fan Kuai to remain and pacify the territory of Dai, and installs his elder brother Liu Zhong as King of Dai.

In the second month, Gaozu returns from Pingcheng through Zhao and Luoyang, arriving at Chang'an. The Palace of Lasting Joy is completed, and the Chancellor and all officials below him relocate their administration to Chang'an.

In the eighth year, Gaozu campaigns east to strike the remnant rebels of Han Xin, King of Han, at Dongyuan.

Chancellor Xiao He has been constructing the Weiyang Palace, erecting the Eastern Watchtower, Northern Watchtower, Front Hall, Arsenal, and Grand Granary. When Gaozu returns and sees how imposing the palace towers are, he grows angry and says to Xiao He: "All-Under-Heaven has suffered bitterly through years of war, and the outcome is still uncertain — why have you built palaces to such excess?" Xiao He replies: "Precisely because All-Under-Heaven is not yet settled, this is the time to complete the palaces. The Son of Heaven takes the Four Seas as his home; without grandeur and magnificence there is nothing to invest his authority with gravity — and one must not leave later generations room to outdo it." Gaozu is pleased.

In the tenth month of the tenth year, Ying Bu the King of Huainan, Peng Yue the King of Liang, Lu Wan the King of Yan, Liu Jia the King of Jing, Liu Jiao the King of Chu, Liu Fei the King of Qi, and Wu Rui the King of Changsha all come to pay court at the Palace of Lasting Joy. Spring and summer pass without incident.

In the seventh month, the Supreme Emperor dies at Yueyang Palace. The kings of Chu and Liang both come for the funeral. Prisoners at Yueyang are pardoned. The city of Liyi is renamed Xinfeng.

In the eighth month, Chen Xi, Chancellor of Zhao, rebels in the territory of Dai. The Emperor says: "Xi once served as my envoy and was most trustworthy. Because Dai was a territory I considered critical, I enfeoffed Xi as a full marquis and entrusted him with the chancellorship to defend Dai — and now he joins Wang Huang and others to plunder the land of Dai! The officials and people of Dai bear no guilt. Pardon them all." In the ninth month, the Emperor goes east in person to attack him. Upon reaching Handan, the Emperor says with satisfaction: "Xi has failed to take Handan in the south and block the Zhang River — I know he is incapable of anything great." When he hears that Chen Xi's generals are all former merchants, the Emperor says: "I know how to deal with them." He then lavishes gold to bribe Chen Xi's officers, and many of them surrender.

In the eleventh year, while Gaozu is at Handan and has not yet finished suppressing Chen Xi's forces, Chen Xi's general Hou Chang roams with over ten thousand men, Wang Huang camps at Quni, and Zhang Chun crosses the Yellow River to attack Liaocheng. The Han sends General Guo Meng together with the Qi generals to strike them, inflicting a great defeat. Grand Commandant Zhou Bo enters through Taiyuan to pacify the territory of Dai. He reaches Mayi, which refuses to surrender, and storms and destroys it.

Chen Xi's general Zhao Li holds Dongyuan. Gaozu attacks but cannot take the city. After more than a month, the garrison soldiers shout insults at Gaozu, and Gaozu is enraged. When the city finally surrenders, he orders those who shouted insults to be executed, and those who did not to be pardoned. He then divides the northern portion of Zhao and installs his son Heng as King of Dai, with his capital at Jinyang.

In the spring, the Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin, plots rebellion in Guanzhong. His three lineages are exterminated.

In the summer, Peng Yue, King of Liang, plots rebellion. He is deposed and exiled to Shu; when he again attempts rebellion, his three lineages are exterminated. Gaozu installs his son Hui as King of Liang and his son You as King of Huaiyang.

In the autumn, the seventh month, Ying Bu, King of Huainan, rebels. He annexes the territory of Liu Jia, King of Jing, to the east and crosses the Huai River northward. Liu Jiao, King of Chu, flees to Xue. Gaozu goes in person to attack him. He installs his son Chang as King of Huainan.

In the twelfth year, in the tenth month, Gaozu engages Ying Bu's army at Huizhui. Ying Bu flees, and Gaozu orders a subordinate general to pursue him.

On his way back, Gaozu passes through Pei and stops there. He holds a banquet at the Palace of Pei, summoning all his old friends, village elders, and their sons and younger brothers for unrestrained drinking. He selects one hundred and twenty youths from among the children of Pei and teaches them a song. When the wine is at its height, Gaozu strikes the zhu lute and composes a song himself:

"A great wind rises — the clouds are driven and scattered! My power extends over All Within the Seas — I return to my homeland! Where shall I find brave warriors to guard the four quarters?"

He has the youths join in and practice the song. Gaozu then rises and dances; stirred to deep emotion, tears stream down his face in several lines. He addresses the fathers and elders of Pei: "The wanderer grieves for his homeland. Though I have made my capital within the passes, after ten thousand years my spirit will still delight in remembering Pei. Moreover, it was from here, as Lord of Pei, that I set out to punish tyranny and lawlessness, and thereby won All-Under-Heaven. I hereby designate Pei as my personal bath-town: its people shall be exempted from all taxes and labor service, generation after generation, forever." The fathers and elders of Pei, the mothers and old friends, spend their days in joyful drinking and deep delight, recounting old stories and laughing together. After more than ten days, Gaozu wishes to leave, but the fathers and elders of Pei press him to stay. Gaozu says: "My retinue is too large — you fathers and elders cannot afford to provide for us." He then departs. The entire population of Pei empties the district and goes to the west of the town to present gifts. Gaozu stops again and holds a drinking feast for three more days. The fathers and elders of Pei all prostrate themselves and say: "Pei has been fortunate enough to receive exemption, but Feng has not yet been exempted — we beg Your Majesty to show it the same compassion." Gaozu says: "Feng is where I was born and raised; I could never forget it. I single it out only because Yong Chi used it as a base to betray me and side with Wei." The fathers and elders persist in their plea, and so he exempts Feng as well, on equal terms with Pei. He then appoints Liu Bi, Marquis of Pei, as King of Wu.

While campaigning against Ying Bu, Gaozu is struck by a stray arrow, and falls ill on the road. His condition worsens. Empress Lü summons a skilled physician. The physician enters and examines him. Gaozu asks for the prognosis. The physician says: "The illness can be treated." At this Gaozu curses him roughly, saying: "I, a commoner in hempen cloth, took up a three-foot sword and won All-Under-Heaven — is this not the Mandate of Heaven? My fate rests with Heaven; even Bian Que himself could do nothing!" He refuses treatment, rewards the physician with fifty catties of gold, and dismisses him. Shortly afterward, Empress Lü asks: "After Your Majesty has passed, if Chancellor Xiao He should also die, who should succeed him?" The Emperor says: "Cao Can will do." She asks who should follow him. The Emperor says: "Wang Ling will do. But Ling is somewhat blunt; Chen Ping can assist him. Chen Ping has wisdom to spare, but he cannot bear sole responsibility. Zhou Bo is solid and earnest, though lacking in letters — yet the one who will secure the House of Liu is surely Bo. He should be made Grand Commandant." Empress Lü asks again about those who come next. The Emperor says: "After that, it is no longer something you will need to know."

Lu Wan and several thousand horsemen wait at the frontier passes, hoping the Emperor will recover so that he may come in person to beg pardon.

On the jiachen day of the fourth month, Gaozu dies at the Palace of Lasting Joy. For four days the death is not announced. Empress Lü confers with Shen Shiqi, saying: "The generals were once commoners alongside the Emperor. Now they serve as his subjects, facing north — this has always galled them. If they must now serve a young sovereign, we shall have no peace in All-Under-Heaven unless we exterminate their entire clans." Someone overhears this and informs General Li. General Li goes to see Shen Shiqi and says: "I have heard that the Emperor has died and for four days the death has not been announced, because there is a plan to execute the generals. If this is truly so, All-Under-Heaven is in peril. Chen Ping and Guan Ying command a hundred thousand troops guarding Xingyang; Fan Kuai and Zhou Bo lead two hundred thousand to pacify Yan and Dai. If they hear that the Emperor has died and the generals are being executed, they will surely wheel their armies around and march on Guanzhong. With great ministers in revolt within and feudal lords rebelling without, the dynasty's destruction can be awaited on tiptoe." Shen Shiqi goes in and conveys this warning. On the dingwei day the death is finally announced, and a general amnesty is proclaimed throughout All-Under-Heaven.

When Lu Wan hears of Gaozu's death, he flees into Xiongnu territory.

On the bingyin day, the burial takes place. On the jisi day, the Heir is installed and proceeds to the Temple of the Supreme Emperor. All the ministers say: "Gaozu rose from humble obscurity, swept away the chaos of the age and restored it to order, pacified All-Under-Heaven, and became the Grand Ancestor of Han. His accomplishments are the highest of all." He is given the exalted posthumous title of Emperor Gao. The Heir succeeds to the imperial title — he is Emperor Xiaohui. An order is issued that each commandery, kingdom, and feudal domain shall establish a temple to Gaozu and offer sacrifices at the proper seasons.

In the fifth year of Emperor Xiaohui's reign, remembering Gaozu's sorrowful joy at Pei, the Palace of Pei is designated as the Original Temple of Gaozu. The one hundred and twenty youths whom Gaozu had taught to sing are all retained as court musicians; whenever vacancies occur, replacements are recruited.

Emperor Gao has eight sons. The eldest, born of a concubine, is Liu Fei, posthumously King Daohui of Qi. Next is Xiaohui, son of Empress Lü. Next is Liu Ruyi, son of Lady Qi, posthumously King Yin of Zhao. Next is Liu Heng, King of Dai, who is later enthroned as Emperor Xiaowen — he is the son of Empress Dowager Bo. Next is Liu Hui, King of Liang, who under Empress Dowager Lü is transferred to become King Gong of Zhao. Next is Liu You, King of Huaiyang, who under Empress Dowager Lü is transferred to become King You of Zhao. Next is Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan. Last is Liu Jian, King of Yan.

The Grand Historian remarks: The governance of the Xia was characterized by sincerity. When sincerity became corrupted, lesser men turned to uncouthness. Therefore the Yin succeeded it with reverence. When reverence became corrupted, lesser men turned to superstition. Therefore the Zhou succeeded it with refinement. When refinement became corrupted, lesser men turned to hollow pretense. To remedy pretense, nothing surpasses a return to sincerity. The Way of the Three Dynasties is like a cycle, ending only to begin again. In the interval from Zhou to Qin, one may say that refinement had become corrupted indeed. Yet Qin did not reform its governance but instead intensified harsh punishments and cruel laws — was this not a grave error? Therefore when Han arose, it inherited the corruption and introduced change, so that the people were not exhausted, and it obtained the legitimate succession of Heaven. Court was held in the tenth month. The imperial carriage bore a yellow canopy with a yak-tail standard to the left. Gaozu was buried at Changling.