Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, was a legendary emperor.
He was the first civilian emperor in Chinese history.
Regarding Liu Bang's birth, historical records are full of mythology.
As Sima Qian recorded in "Historical Records: The Benji of Emperor Gaozu":
Gaozu was born in Zhongyangli, Peifeng City (now Feng County, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province). His surname was Liu and his courtesy name was Ji. His father is called Taigong, and his mother is called Liu Yu. First, Mrs. Liu tasted the slopes of Daze and met God in her dream. At that time, thunder and lightning were dim, and when Taigong looked over, he saw a dragon rising above it. She was already pregnant and gave birth to Gaozu.
The records of Ban Gu of the Eastern Han Dynasty in the "Book of Han" are basically the same as those in the "Historical Records", but the wording has a profound meaning:
Gaozu was born in Zhongyangli, Peifeng City, and his surname was Liu. The mother-in-law tastes the breath of Dazebei, and meets God in her dream. At that time, thunder and lightning were dim, and when my father looked over, he saw a dragon rising above him. She was already pregnant and gave birth to Gaozu.
Throughout history, most of the Han emperors in the Central Plains recorded in history have a bit of a mythical flavor. Some became pregnant after seeing a rainbow, some became pregnant after eating the eggs of sacred birds, and some dreamed of a red sun falling into their arms and became pregnant. There are all kinds of strange things, but the records say Liu Bang was the only one who became pregnant after his mother performed the courtesy of Zhou Gong with Jiaolong.
Therefore, later generations have various speculations, believing that Liu Bang was probably the son of his mother Hongxing who had an affair with an outsider.
Don't worry about this.
But to be honest, Liu Bang does not look like a member of the Liu family. After Liu Bang's two brothers grew up, they helped the family work and worked hard all day long to support the family. Especially the second brother Liu Zhong was a good worker and contributed a lot to improving the economic conditions of the Liu family. But Liu Bang was naughty since he was a child. He often skipped school when he was in school. When he grew up, he was idle and did not know how to make money for his family. Not only did he not make money, Liu Bang also loved to make friends. When he had money, he would spend all his money on eating, drinking and having fun with a group of friends. Liu Bang was scolded by his father Liu Taigong because he did not seek to make progress.
"Look what kind of bad friends you have made!"
However, scolding was useless. No matter how much he scolded, Liu Bang would not do farm work. There was no other way. Liu Taigong relied on his familiarity and wide contacts and spent some money to let Liu Bang become the chief of the Sishui Pavilion in Pei County.
The official position of the pavilion chief is actually not very big. At that time, a pavilion was divided into ten li, with one pavilion chief, and there were hundreds of households in one li. The length of one pavilion was equivalent to the village chief or subdistrict office director who manages 1,800 households today. Ten pavilions constitute a township, and above the township is the county. Above the county is the highest level of administrative division at that time - the county. The chief of the pavilion is a petty official as big as a sesame seed or a mung bean. He is in charge of security, inspection of staying passengers, and civil administration.
Being such a small official, Liu Bang also took advantage of his position to do random things. He led several of his subordinates to hang out on the streets all day long, and had an affair with the Wang family and the Wu family who opened the tavern. When Liu Bang had nothing to do, he would go to Wang's and Wu's taverns to drink and flirt. When he was drunk, he would sleep with them. After drinking someone else's wine, Liu Bang didn't pay him, he just kept accounts. The Wang family and the Wu family were not polite either. Liu Bang refused to pay for the wine, and the price of the wine would be doubled in the future. Liu Bang didn't say anything. He doubled the money if it was doubled. Anyway, he was fearless even if he didn't give money.
The wine accounts were kept until the end of the year. Wang and Wu went to ask for the accounts, but Liu Bang naturally refused and directly pointed out the fact that the two tavern keepers raised the price of wine against him. The county magistrate is not as good as taking charge now, and the accounts cannot be claimed, so they will be invalidated. Wang and Wu lost their money and virginity, and had to find relief pills for themselves. They told people that a dragon often appeared on Liu Bang's body when he was sleeping. This shows that Liu Bang was not an ordinary person, and he didn't want the money for the drinks. Not only did he have an affair with the Wang family and the Wu family, Liu Bang also had an affair with a woman named Cao and gave birth to a son, who would become the future King of Qi Liu Fei.
During this period, Liu Bang also invented something. "Historical Records: The Benji of Emperor Gaozu" records: "When Emperor Gaozu was the chief of the pavilion, he used bamboo skin as a crown. He ordered Xue Zhi, the bandit soldier, to wear it at all times, and he also valued the crown. This is the so-called 'Liu Shi Guan'." Later this The Liu family hat also became popular, and the emperors of the Jin Dynasty had to wear such hats when performing sacrifices. Although it is a small invention, in ancient times it was an act that was not doing business properly.
Confucius said that a man stands tall at thirty and has no doubts at forty. When Liu Bang was in his 30s or 40s, he had neither married nor established a career. He indulged in drinking and debauchery all day long and did not do his job properly. In his position as pavilion chief, he also pretended to be a public servant and benefited for private interests. He sent his "thief-seeking soldiers" who were in charge of catching thieves on a business trip to the state of Lu to help him get " Liu's Crown". It is estimated that Liu Taigong was disgraced by this "problematic middle age", but who could have imagined that in the near future, such a man would create a dynasty and write a legend?
However, it just so happens that such an ordinary little person, who is not a descendant of a phoenix or a grandson, is not from a wealthy family, is not a rich man, does not have a lot of knowledge and power, but he overwhelms those empresses from famous families and unparalleled heroes, bringing peace to the world and determination. The princes became the king of a country that was rich all over the world.
It’s really sad!
Some people say that behind a successful man, there must be a woman who silently supports him. Liu Bang's fortune was precisely because he later married a woman who silently paved the way for him and almost ruined half of his life's hard work.
A good man doesn't have a good wife, a lazy man guards his flowers.
In ancient times, people often said: A good man does not have a good wife, and a lazy man guards the flowers.
What people often say now is: good men cannot meet good women, and good women cannot meet good men.
With Liu Bang's family background and life style, it can be said that he is notorious in his hometown. No good family would be willing to push their daughter into Liu Bang's fire pit.
Therefore, until he was in his forties, Liu Bang, who could be considered a pavilion chief, had no wife, although he had contacts with three women. He was a veritable bachelor.
No one approached Liu Bang as a matchmaker, and Taigong Liu did not make any arrangements. Liu Bang himself was not in a hurry.
No one approached Liu Bang as a matchmaker, and Taigong Liu did not make any arrangements. Liu Bang himself was not in a hurry.
But on this day, a distinguished guest came to Peixian County. This man's surname was Lu, and he had contacts with the magistrate of Peixian County. Because of his enmity with him, he moved his family to Peixian County to avoid trouble.
This man named Lu Gong is a descendant of Lu Shang, the founder of Qi.
Because this person and Qin Prime Minister Lu Buwei are both surnamed Lu, some people say that Lu Pheasant is a descendant of Lu Buwei. This statement is not accurate. Lu Pheasant's father Lu Gong (Lu Wen) is the descendant of Lu Shang, the founder of Qi in the late Qin Dynasty. Descendants, and Lu Buwei was originally a businessman in Wei State, and later came to Zhao State and then to Qin State as prime minister. Regardless of their backgrounds and identities, the two families are different and have no relationship. Just the last name is the same.
well, let's get back to business!
Lu Gong moved to Peixian County, and the magistrate of Peixian County was very happy. Why are you happy? Lu Gong had a daughter, her surname was Lu and her maiden name was Pheasant, and her maiden name was Esu. She was beautiful and was attracted by the county magistrate.
"How can you not move when you are so beautiful?"
Therefore, the county magistrate once sent word that he wanted to marry Lu Pheasant, but Lu Gong did not agree. Lu Gong planned to marry this girl to a rich and powerful man. joke! You are just a county magistrate, but you are so old, but he doesn't take it seriously.
Now, Lu Gong's family has moved to Peixian County and is under the protection of the county magistrate. This is a rare and good opportunity for the county magistrate. Therefore, the magistrate of Peixian County held a banquet to honor Lu Gong and take the opportunity to show off his prestige. When the squires, rich men, and officials in the county got the news, they naturally wanted to curry favor and came to the banquet one after another. The feast is not for free. How can I come empty-handed when I am serving a friend of the magistrate? As a result, some brought souvenirs and some gave money.
With so many people coming to cheer, someone has to be there to receive them, so there can be no chaos. The county magistrate gave the job of receiving guests to Xiao He, the meritorious Cao of Peixian County. Gongcao is the secretary of the county governor or county magistrate, who specializes in assisting the county governor or county magistrate in their work. As the chief secretary of the county magistrate, Xiao He naturally understood the leader's intention and immediately issued an order: Those who give gifts less than one thousand yuan are not allowed to go to the hall to sit on the chair with adults and distinguished guests. They all sit down in the hall!
There is only a few steps between the upper and lower halls, but the treatment is different. These guests came with the same intention, but their treatment was very different. Some people sitting in the hall were unhappy, but they did not dare to say anything. After all, it was the social class division of society, which was absolute at that time.
At this time, Liu Bang got the news and came to eat.
If you don't waste your time eating, it will be useless.
When he arrived at the door, Liu Bang wiped his saliva, swallowed, and immediately walked in with his legs up. The gatekeeper knew Liu Bang and knew that Liu Bang had no money and must have come empty-handed. He immediately stopped him and said, "Hey, Chief Liu Ting, wait a minute! The meritorious officer has ordered that those who have paid more than a thousand dollars be seated in the hall. It’s less than a thousand and you can sit in the hall. You must not have any money, please come over here and ask for it.”
When Liu Bang heard this, he thought: This is an opportunity to make friends with noble people. How could I sit down? I won't! So he pouted at the doorkeeper, meaning that if the latter added his name, Liu Bang would pay him 10,000 yuan!
The gatekeeper couldn't close his mouth. Ten thousand dollars? How could Liu Bang have so much money? But Liu Bang insisted on letting him write the accounts, so he had no choice but to obey, wrote the gift note, and shouted loudly: "Liu Ji, the director of the Sishui Pavilion, congratulates me on the money!"
This voice didn't matter, it alarmed Mr. Lu who was chatting with everyone: He had never met this person, and the other person took 10,000 as soon as he made a move. Who is so rich? He quickly stood up and rushed to the door to greet Liu Bang's arrival.
When he arrived at the door, Mr. Lu took a closer look and saw a handsome bearded man with big eyes and a high nose standing in front of him. He looked so cute that everyone loved him.
Lu Gong was introduced to Liu Bang by someone, and he immediately took Liu Bang to the upper seat in the hall and sat down.
Of course, that's a bit exaggerated.
But seriously, the real historical scenes are not that far removed from what I described.
Lu Gong didn't know Liu Bang's details, but Xiao He knew everything. Xiao He had a good relationship with Liu Bang on weekdays. When he saw Liu Bang coming to the hall without knowing what he was talking about, he was afraid that Liu Bang would get into trouble. He quickly grabbed Lu Gong and said, "Lu Gong, Liu Ji always likes to brag and talk big words. I have never seen him do anything like this." What has happened? Where did he get so much money? He must be joking with you. Just let him sit down."
Mr. Lu didn't believe it. How could such a handsome man who spent tens of thousands of dollars be a braggart?
Xiao He spoke louder and Liu Bang heard him. Originally, Liu Bang planned to just find a corner in the hall, and he didn't dare to make any mistakes. But after listening to Xiao He's words, Liu Bang couldn't stand up: Why do you mean you love to brag?
Liu Bang felt depressed for a while, feeling that he couldn't do it without saying this, so he accepted Lu Gong's invitation and took the seat without hesitation. Many people sitting in the hall in Peixian County knew Liu Bang. When they saw Lu Gong inviting such a rogue to the table, they were very angry and embarrassed, but they couldn't say anything.
Drinking wine and eating vegetables, Liu Bang and Lu Gong had a long talk. During this period, Lu Gong also learned that Liu Bang didn't take any money at all. But the old man liked Liu Bang's spirit of not being afraid of the sky or the earth. The more he looked at Liu Bang, the more he liked him. He signaled Liu Bang with his eyes: "Don't leave when the banquet is over. I have something to tell you." Liu Bang understood this and stayed after eating and drinking.
At this time, the guests had dispersed. Lu Gong talked with Liu Bang in an unusually kind tone and learned that Liu Bang had not married yet. Lu Gong was overjoyed and immediately said: "When I was young, I liked to meet people. I have met many people, but none of them can compare to you. I have a daughter, and she has reached the age of marriage. Yes, I am willing to betroth you." Lu Gong was rich and powerful. Liu Bang never dreamed that he would be able to get into such a marriage, so he was naturally willing in every possible way. Liu Bang and Lu Fei's marriage was decided, and they chose an auspicious day to visit the church to get married. It is equivalent to a modern poor boy falling in love with a rich girl, and his wealth reaches the sky!
Within two years, Liu Bang gave birth to a son and a daughter, named Liu Ying and Liu Le.
The scoundrel whom no one wanted before was now married to a beautiful wife and had children. Liu Bang was naturally so happy that he didn't know why. So I stopped doing my job well in the pavilion and took leave every now and then to go back to my home in Yangli to be with my wife and children. Sometimes Liu Bang was thinking in his heart: He has a wife to cook, and children to sit around his knees. As a national civil servant, he receives national subsidies and enjoys the treatment of civil servants. After a few years, he saves enough money to buy land. master. Isn't this the life that gods live?
Destiny likes to joke. The rulers of the Qin Dynasty never thought that the harsh punishments they relied on to govern the country would create a destroyer for themselves.
Liu Bang himself did not realize that the most carefree days of his life were about to end.
Such a day, which I don't know whether to call lucky or unfortunate, arrived without any preparation for Liu Bang.
It's really sad.
