Emperor Gao (高帝) | 24 Histories

Overview

Emperor Gao was a ruler.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Temple name	Gaozu	高祖	Gaozu
Epithet	Han's Great Ancestor	漢太祖	Han Taizu

Life and dates

Death

BC 195 高帝崩
Died
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 170

Attested activity

BC 200 漢七年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 33, 44
BC 198 漢九年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 160
BC 202 漢五年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 2
BC 195 漢十二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 161

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Spouse of Empress Lü (呂后)
empress 后
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 68, 164
Parent of Eldest Princess (長公主)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 56, 68
Parent of Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 68, 160
Parent of Liu Ruyi (劉如意)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 161

Places and affiliations

Han 漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 2, 114
At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Established capital
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 30
At Luoyang 洛陽 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 2

Events and relationships

Besieged at baideng
BC 200 漢七年 · Military · Commander · At Baideng 白登
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 44

References in the histories

Search passages

History

62 passages

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 99Biographies of Liu Jing and Shusun Tong · 62 passages

Open chapter

漢五年，戍隴西，過洛陽，高帝在焉。 In the fifth year of the Han dynasty, while on garrison duty in Longxi, he passed through Luoyang, where Emperor Gao was residing.

婁敬脫輓輅，衣其羊裘，見齊人虞將軍曰：「臣願見上言便事。」 Lou Jing stepped down from his cart, put on his sheepskin coat, and went to see Yu the General, a fellow man of Qi. He said, 'I wish to see the Sovereign and present a matter of advantage.'

於是虞將軍入言上。 General Yu then went in and reported this to the Emperor.

上召入見，賜食。 The Emperor summoned him for an audience and bestowed a meal upon him.

已而問婁敬，婁敬說曰：「陛下都洛陽，豈欲與周室比隆哉？」 Then he questioned Lou Jing. Lou Jing said, 'Your Majesty is establishing the capital at Luoyang—do you wish to rival the Zhou in splendor?'

上曰：「然。」 The Emperor said, 'Yes.'

婁敬曰：「陛下取天下與周室異。 Lou Jing said: "Your Majesty took the empire differently from the Zhou house.

今陛下起豐沛，收卒三千人，以之徑往而卷蜀漢，定三秦，與項羽戰滎陽，爭成皋之口，大戰七十，小戰四十，使天下之民肝腦涂地，父子暴骨中野，不可勝數，哭泣之聲未絕，傷痍者未起，而欲比隆於成康之時，臣竊以為不侔也。 Now Your Majesty arose from Feng and Pei, gathered three thousand soldiers, and with them swept through Shu and Han, pacified the Three Qins, battled Xiang Yu at Xingyang, and fought for the pass at Chenggao. In seventy great battles and forty small battles, the people of the realm had their livers and brains smeared on the ground, and fathers and sons exposed their bones in the fields beyond counting. The sound of weeping has not ceased, the wounded have not yet risen, and yet you wish to compare your flourishing age with the time of Cheng and Kang. I privately think they are not equal.

陛下入關而都之，山東雖亂，秦之故地可全而有也。 If Your Majesty enters the passes and establishes the capital there, then even should the lands east of the mountains fall into chaos, the old territories of Qin can be held in their entirety.

今陛下入關而都，案秦之故地，此亦搤天下之亢而拊其背也。」 Now if Your Majesty enters the passes and establishes the capital there, holding Qin's old territories, this too seizes the realm by the throat while pressing on its back."

高帝問群臣，群臣皆山東人，爭言周王數百年，秦二世即亡，不如都周。 Emperor Gao consulted his ministers, but they were all men from east of the mountains. They argued that the Zhou had reigned for several hundred years while the Qin fell after just two generations, making it far better to establish the capital at the old Zhou site.

上疑未能決。 The Emperor was uncertain and could not reach a decision.

於是上曰：「本言都秦地者婁敬，『婁』者乃『劉』也。」 The Emperor then said, "The one who originally spoke of establishing the capital in Qin territory was Lou Jing; Lou is Liu."

漢七年，韓王信反，高帝自往擊之。 In the seventh year of the Han dynasty, King Xin of Han rebelled, and Emperor Gao personally led a campaign against him.

至晉陽，聞信與匈奴欲共擊漢，上大怒，使人使匈奴。 Upon reaching Jinyang, he learned that Xin intended to join forces with the Xiongnu to attack Han. The Emperor was furious and sent envoys to the Xiongnu.

上使劉敬復往使匈奴，還報曰：「兩國相擊，此宜夸矜見所長。 The Emperor again sent Liu Jing as envoy to the Xiongnu. Jing returned and reported, "When two states are about to fight, each ought to boast and show off its strengths.

上怒，罵劉敬曰：「齊虜！ The Sovereign was angered and cursed Liu Jing, saying: 'Qi captive!

遂往，至平城，匈奴果出奇兵圍高帝白登，七日然後得解。 He pressed onward to Pingcheng, where the Xiongnu indeed unleashed their hidden forces and surrounded Emperor Gao at Baideng. Only after seven days was the siege lifted.

高帝至廣武，赦敬，曰：「吾不用公言，以困平城。 When Emperor Gao reached Guangwu, he pardoned Jing and said, "Because I did not use your advice, I was trapped at Pingcheng.

高帝罷平城歸，韓王信亡入胡。 After Emperor Gao withdrew from Pingcheng and returned, King Xin of Han fled to the Hu.

上患之，問劉敬。 The Emperor was troubled by this and consulted Liu Jing.

獨可以計久遠子孫為臣耳，然恐陛下不能為。」 Only with a plan for the long term can their descendants serve as ministers, but I fear Your Majesty cannot do it.'

上曰：「誠可，何為不能！ The Sovereign said: 'If it truly can be done, why cannot I do it!

劉敬對曰：「陛下誠能以適長公主妻之，厚奉遺之，彼知漢適女送厚，蠻夷必慕以為閼氏，生子必為太子。 Liu Jing replied, "If Your Majesty can truly give him the legitimate eldest princess as his wife and send her with generous gifts, then when he knows that Han has sent a legitimate daughter with such wealth, the barbarians will surely esteem her as Yanzhi, and any son she bears will certainly become crown prince.

陛下以歲時漢所餘彼所鮮數問遺，因使辯士風諭以禮節。 Your Majesty should regularly send them, according to the seasons, whatever goods are abundant in Han and scarce among them, and dispatch eloquent envoys to instruct them gently in ritual propriety.

若陛下不能遣長公主，而令宗室及後宮詐稱公主，彼亦知，不肯貴近，無益也。」 If Your Majesty cannot send the eldest princess, but orders the imperial clan and rear palace to falsely call someone princess, they will also know, and will not be willing to honor and approach her. It will be of no benefit.'

高帝曰：「善。」 The Gao Emperor said: 'Good.'

上竟不能遣長公主，而取家人子名為長公主，妻單于。 In the end, the Emperor could not bring himself to send the eldest princess. Instead, he took a girl from a common family, bestowed on her the title of eldest princess, and married her to the Chanyu.

今陛下雖都關中，實少人。 Now, though Your Majesty has established the capital in Guanzhong, the population there is in truth too sparse.

北近胡寇，東有六國之族，宗彊，一日有變，陛下亦未得高枕而臥也。 To the north, Hu raiders are close by; to the east are the clans of the six states, with powerful lineages. If one day disorder breaks out, Your Majesty still will not be able to sleep soundly.

臣願陛下徙齊諸田，楚昭、屈、景，燕、趙、韓、魏後，及豪桀名家居關中。 I request that Your Majesty relocate the Tian clans of Qi, the Zhao, Qu, and Jing clans of Chu, the descendants of the Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei ruling houses, and all the powerful and prominent families to reside in Guanzhong.

上曰：「善。」 The Sovereign said: 'Good.'

漢二年，漢王從五諸侯入彭城，叔孫通降漢王。 In the second year of the Han dynasty, the King of Han entered Pengcheng with the forces of five feudal lords, and Shusun Tong surrendered to the King of Han.

漢王敗而西，因竟從漢。 When the King of Han was defeated and retreated westward, Shusun Tong followed and ultimately committed himself to the Han cause.

叔孫通儒服，漢王憎之； Shusun Tong wore Confucian robes, and the King of Han disliked them;

乃變其服，服短衣，楚製，漢王喜。 So he changed his attire, adopting a short jacket in the Chu fashion, which pleased the King of Han.

叔孫通聞之，乃謂曰：「漢王方蒙矢石爭天下，諸生寧能鬬乎？ Shusun Tong heard this and then said to them, 'The Han King is currently braving arrows and stones to contend for the empire—how can you Confucian scholars fight?

漢王拜叔孫通為博士，號稷嗣君。 The King of Han appointed Shusun Tong as an erudite and bestowed on him the title Lord Successor of Ji.

漢五年，已并天下，諸侯共尊漢王為皇帝於定陶，叔孫通就其儀號。 In the fifth year of Han, the empire having been unified, the feudal lords together honored the King of Han as Emperor at Dingtao, and Shusun Tong arranged the ceremonies and titles for the occasion.

高帝悉去秦苛儀法，為簡易。 Emperor Gao abolished all the harsh ceremonies and regulations of Qin, replacing them with simplicity.

群臣飲酒爭功，醉或妄呼，拔劍擊柱，高帝患之。 The ministers would drink and quarrel over their merits; some, in their drunkenness, would shout wildly, draw their swords, and hack at the pillars. Emperor Gao found this deeply troubling.

叔孫通知上益厭之也，說上曰：「夫儒者難與進取，可與守成。 Shusun Tong knew the High Emperor increasingly disliked this and persuaded him, saying, 'Confucian scholars are difficult to use for conquest, but they can be used for maintaining what has been achieved.

高帝曰：「得無難乎？」 The High Emperor said, 'Will it not be difficult?'

上曰：「可試為之，令易知，度吾所能行為之。」 The High Emperor said, 'We can try doing it—make it easy to understand and within my ability to perform.'

遂與所徵三十人西，及上左右為學者與其弟子百餘人為綿蕞野外。 So he went west with the thirty summoned scholars, along with the High Emperor's attendants who were scholars and his own disciples—over a hundred people total—and they practiced in a continuous tent in the open fields.

習之月餘，叔孫通曰：「上可試觀。」 After practicing for over a month, Shusun Tong said, 'Your Majesty can try observing.'

上既觀，使行禮，曰：「吾能為此。」 After the High Emperor observed, he had them perform the rites and said, 'I can do this.'

於是皇帝輦出房，百官執職傳警，引諸侯王以下至吏六百石以次奉賀。 Then the Emperor emerged from his chamber on the imperial carriage. The hundred officials performed their duties and relayed the ceremonial alerts, leading the feudal lords and kings down to officials ranked at six hundred bushels to offer their congratulations in order of precedence.

於是高帝曰：「吾乃今日知為皇帝之貴也。」 Emperor Gao then said, "Only today do I understand the dignity of being emperor."

叔孫通因進曰：「諸弟子儒生隨臣久矣，與臣共為儀，願陛下官之。」 Shusun Tong then stepped forward and said, 'These disciples and Confucian scholars have followed me for a long time and helped me create the ceremonies. I wish Your Majesty would give them official positions.'

高帝悉以為郎。 Emperor Gao appointed every one of them as court attendants.

漢九年，高帝徙叔孫通為太子太傅。 In the ninth year of Han, Emperor Gao transferred Shusun Tong to the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

漢十二年，高祖欲以趙王如意易太子，叔孫通諫上曰：「昔者晉獻公以驪姬之故廢太子，立奚齊，晉國亂者數十年，為天下笑。 In the twelfth year of Han, Gaozu wished to replace the Crown Prince with King Ruyi of Zhao. Shusun Tong admonished the High Emperor, saying, 'Formerly, Duke Xian of Jin deposed the crown prince because of Li Ji and established Xi Qi, plunging Jin into disorder for several decades and making it the laughingstock of the empire.

秦以不蚤定扶蘇，令趙高得以詐立胡亥，自使滅祀，此陛下所親見。 Because the Qin failed to designate Fusu early, Zhao Gao was able to fraudulently enthrone Huhai, bringing about the extinction of the Qin sacrificial line—this is something Your Majesty witnessed personally.

呂后與陛下攻苦食啖，其可背哉！ Empress Lu shared hardship and coarse food with Your Majesty. How can you turn your back on her?

陛下必欲廢適而立少，臣願先伏誅，以頸血汙地。」 If Your Majesty insists on deposing the rightful heir and establishing a younger son, I wish to be executed first, staining the ground with my neck blood.'

高帝曰：「公罷矣，吾直戲耳。」 The High Emperor said, 'Enough, you. I was only joking.'

高帝曰：「吾聽公言。」 The High Emperor said, 'I will listen to your words.'

及上置酒，見留侯所招客從太子入見，上乃遂無易太子志矣。 When the High Emperor held a banquet, he saw the guests recruited by Liu Hou following the Crown Prince in for an audience, and the High Emperor finally abandoned any intention to change the Crown Prince.

高帝崩，孝惠即位，乃謂叔孫生曰：「先帝園陵寢廟，群臣莫（能）習。」 After the High Emperor passed away and Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he said to Master Shusun, 'The assembled ministers are not familiar with the rituals for the late emperor's park tomb and ancestral temple.'

高廟，漢太祖，柰何令後世子孫乘宗廟道上行哉？」 The High Temple is the temple of Han's Great Ancestor. How can we allow descendants in later generations to travel along the ancestral-temple road?"

夫高祖起微細，定海內，謀計用兵，可謂盡之矣。 Emperor Gaozu rose from the humblest origins to pacify the realm within the seas, exhausting every stratagem and military art.