subject: The Greatest Emperor in Chinese History-Top Ten-Num 2-Han Gao Zu [print this page] Emperor Gao Zu Emperor Gao Zu
Emperor Gao Zu was born to the name of Liu Bang. He born in as a commoner but managed to rise from this low position to find the Han Dynasty. He ruled China after the Qin dynasty collapse from 202 BC to 195 BC. He is viewed as cunning and cruel but an ambition man.
During the Qin dynasty he was turned into a fugitive when he allowed captives to escape while he was guarding them. This was punishable by death during the Qin dynasty so he freed all the prisoners and accompanied them. In 208 Bc there was open rebellion from all across china. Liu Bang joined this rebellion and proved his worth; soon he was leading an army in the rebellion.
When he still had little power Liu Bang managed to marry above his position. He married Lu Zhi, a daughter of a wealthy family. Lu Zhi convinced her father of the potential of Liu Bang and what he could achieve. Both Liu Bang and Lu Zhi are recorded in history as ruthless and cruel.
In the rebellion Liu Bang's army was the first into the Qin's capital city. The emperor surrendered to him and he spared the life of the emperor and of the population of the city. However Liu Bang had to retreat from the city as another general named Xiang Yu wanted the achievement of capturing the emperor. Xiang Yu had the larger force and Liu Bang was no match for his army. Xiang Yu executed the emperor and set the palace on fire.
China was soon divided as these two men fought over the country. This led to a 4 year war where Xiang Yu had the upper hand. However a treaty was formed named the treaty of Hongguo which divided the country into 2, allowing both men to govern. Once signed, Liu Bang betrayed Xiang Yu and defeated him while he was unprepared. Making Liu Bang the emperor of China and starting the Han Dynasty.
Liu Bang managed to crawl from him humble start to the Emperor of China, a feat that only very few could do. Once he became emperor he rewarded him followers. This cause some controversies as he gave the greatest position to his advisor Xiao he, who did not participate in any battle. The generals demand and answer for this unfair treatment, Liu Bang told them that he was using the concept of the Hunter and the hunting dog. Xiao He is the hunter, as he created all the major policies and plans of the country, therefore is he more important that the hunting dog or generals on the battlefield.
Once Liu Bang had the country stable he started removing threat to that power including the generals that once helped him. An example of this is the execution of Han Xin, the grand marshal of Liu Bang's armies. Once his power as emperor had been stabilized he started many policies to help China regain its power. After years of wars and tyrant rule Liu bang introduce many tax relief policies that helped the country regain its power once again.
This emperor managed to beat a low position and a lack of education to united China then cemented his rule with policies that help stabilized his rule and the country.
The Greatest Emperor in Chinese History-Top Ten-Num 2-Han Gao Zu
