Overview
Gaozu was a Founder and Emperor of Han.
IdentityHistorical · Male
Life and dates
Attested activity
References in the histories
No matching passages.
Book of Han, Chapter 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 10 passages
六年春，上以為信壯武，北近鞏、雒，南迫宛、葉，東有淮陽，皆天下勁兵處也，乃更以太原郡為韓國，徙信以備胡，都晉陽。
In the spring of the sixth year, the emperor considered Xin strong and martial. Since to the north his territory lay near Gong and Luo, to the south it pressed upon Wan and Ye, and to the east it had Huaiyang, all places with powerful troops, the emperor instead made Taiyuan Commandery the Han kingdom, moved Xin there to guard against the Hu, and set his capital at Jinyang.
上許之。
The emperor approved.
上賜信書責讓之曰：「專死不勇，專生不任，寇攻馬邑，君王力不足以堅守乎？
The emperor sent Xin a letter of reprimand, saying, "To cling to death alone is not courage; to cling to life alone is not responsibility. When the enemy attacked Mayi, was your strength insufficient to hold it?
七年冬，上自往擊破信軍銅鞮，斬其將王喜。
In winter of year seven, the emperor personally campaigned, defeated Xin's forces at Tongdi, and beheaded Xin's general Wang Xi.
聞冒頓居代谷，上居晉陽，使人視冒頓，還報曰「可擊」。
Hearing that Modu was at Daigu, the emperor remained at Jinyang and sent scouts to observe him. They returned and reported, "He can be attacked."
上遂至平城，上白登。
The emperor advanced to Pingcheng and camped at Baideng.
匈奴騎圍上，上乃使人厚遺閼氏。
Xiongnu cavalry surrounded him, and he sent rich gifts to Modu's consort.
護軍中尉陳平言上曰：「胡者全兵，請令彊弩傅兩矢外鄉，徐行出圍。」
Guard Commandant Chen Ping told the emperor, "The Hu army is still at full strength. Order the strong crossbowmen to fit two arrows each and face outward, and withdraw slowly from the encirclement."
漢使柴將軍擊之，遺信書曰：「陛下寬仁，諸侯雖有叛亡，而後歸，輒復故位號，不誅也。
Han sent General Chai to attack and sent Xin a letter, saying, "The emperor is generous and humane. Even feudal lords who rebel and flee, if they later return, are restored to their former ranks and titles and are not put to death.
信報曰：「陛下擢僕閭巷，南面稱孤，此僕之幸也。
Xin replied, saying, "Your Majesty raised me from the alleys and let me face south as an independent ruler—this was my good fortune.