The Road to the Throne: How Liu Bang Founded China's Han DynastyThe stories of the Chinese great emperors reflect the ancient Chinese philosophy, ideology, their wisdom and their ways of administration. Liu Bang is an outstanding example. Rising from a peasant background to become Emperor, he founded the Han Dynasty which lasted for about four hundred years and essentially laid the foundations of China as we know it. Liu Bang (256 BC?195 BC), posthumously called Emperor Gaozu, was a low-ranking functionary in an obscure corner of the realm when he caught the wave of the great uprisings against the Qin Dynasty. First as leader of a local contingent and then as general of larger and larger armies, he eventually overthrew the despotic Qin emperor. Today, the Han are the majority ethnic identity in China. This is the story of the rise of Emperor Gaozu, his alliances and his rivalries, and the priceless partnership provided by his chief military strategist Zhang Liang, who planned victorious campaigns from a distance of 1000 miles; Xiao He, who stabilized the state, pacified the people, and assured the food supply to the army; and General Han Xin, who commanded the Han army in its conquest of the State of Wei, the State of Zhao, the State of Yan and the State of Qi and played a great role in the defeat of Xiang Yu. In an era we may think was run by sheer force and autocratic rule, the greatest achievements are credited to the person who accepts advice, who rewards wise subordinates, and who shares the spoils rather than playing winner-takes-all. |
Contents
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The Great Uprisings against the Qin Dynasty | 21 |
The Common Effort to Overthrow the Qin Dynasty | 47 |
The Struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu | 99 |
The Founding of the Han Dynasty | 167 |
Members of the Lü Family Conspire to Usurp the Throne and Liu Heng Ascends to the Throne of the Han Dynasty | 227 |
Other editions - View all
The Road to the Throne: How Liu Bang Founded China's Han Dynasty Hing Ming Hung Limited preview - 2011 |
The Road to the Throne: How Liu Bang Founded China's Han Dynasty Hing Ming Hung Limited preview - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
appointed area of Guanzhong asked Bang’s battle camp Cao Shen capital Chang'an Chen Ping Chen Sheng Chen Xi Chen Yu Chenggao command Crown Prince defeated Dowager Lü Zhi east Empress Dowager Lü Fan Kuai fight former King Gong Guan Ying Guanzhong Haan Xin Han Xin Hanzhong Hebei Province Henan Province Huns Jing joined Liu Bang Julu killed King Huai led his army Liu Bang Liu Bang's army Liu Ying Liu Zhang Lü family Lu Wan Luoyang Majesty marched Marquis ministers ordered palace Peng Yue Pengcheng Prefecture premier Qin area Qin army Qin Dynasty Qin soldiers sent an envoy Shandong Province Shang Shanxi Province Song Yi surrendered throne Tian Heng Tian Rong took troops Wei Bao Western Chu army whole realm Xiahou Ying Xiang Bo Xiang Yu Xianyang Xiao Xingyang Yellow River Yi Ji Ying Bu Yong Zhang Er Zhang Han Zhang Liang Zhao Gao Zhong Zhou Bo