The Post-Chu-Han Contention Landscape

The suicide of Xiang Yu at Gaixia in 202 BCE marked a pivotal moment in Chinese history, concluding the brutal Chu-Han Contention that had raged across the warring states following the Qin collapse. With his primary rival eliminated, Liu Bang stood as the undisputed military power on the Central Plains. Yet his path to stable rule remained fraught with challenges that would test his political acumen to the utmost.

Liu Bang’s immediate actions following Xiang Yu’s death revealed his priorities as a leader. After performing ritual mourning for his fallen adversary—a calculated display of magnanimity—he raced back to his headquarters in Dingtao, Shandong. This hurried return wasn’t to celebrate victory with his own troops, but rather to execute a daring maneuver against his most formidable subordinate: the brilliant strategist Han Xin, King of Qi.

The Han Xin Dilemma: Talent Versus Threat

Han Xin represented the quintessential paradox of imperial Chinese politics—the indispensable general who becomes too indispensable. His military genius was unparalleled, having delivered the decisive victory at Gaixia that sealed Xiang Yu’s fate. Commanding 300,000 elite troops—50% more than Liu Bang’s own forces—Han Xin controlled the strongest army in the realm. His threefold supremacy made him the most powerful vassal lord:

1. Military Prowess: Undisputed as the era’s greatest tactician
2. Army Strength: 300,000 battle-hardened soldiers under his banner
3. Strategic Achievements: Primary architect of Xiang Yu’s defeat

Liu Bang’s solution was characteristically pragmatic. Entering Han Xin’s camp unannounced, he stripped the general of military command in one swift stroke. This preemptive move neutralized the immediate threat while avoiding outright confrontation. The political calculus was clear—Han Xin’s capabilities made him simultaneously invaluable and dangerous.

The Art of Strategic Enfeoffment

Rather than eliminating Han Xin—which risked alienating other vassal kings—Liu Bang employed a sophisticated blend of demotion and appeasement. In January 202 BCE, he issued two key decrees:

1. Transfer of Han Xin: From King of Qi to King of Chu, moving him from resource-rich Shandong to the Jiangsu region
2. Elevation of Peng Yue: Appointed as King of Liang, rewarding another key ally

This “relocation enfeoffment” (徙封) strategy served multiple purposes:

– Honoring Commitments: Fulfilling pre-victory promises to maintain credibility
– Strategic Positioning: Moving potential threats away from resource bases
– Power Balancing: Creating checks among regional rulers
– Imperial Preparation: Stabilizing the realm for his impending declaration as Emperor

Liu Bang’s approach reflected lessons from both his own experience and historical precedent. Having transformed from a minor亭长 (village official) to hegemon, he understood the psychology of ambition better than most.

The Evolution of Liu Bang’s Enfeoffment Strategy

Liu Bang’s mastery of enfeoffment as a political tool didn’t emerge overnight. His journey reveals three distinct phases:

1. The Petition Phase (求封): Early in his rebellion, Liu Bang sought legitimacy through recognition from established authorities like King Huai of Chu.

2. The Transition: After securing the Guanzhong region, his ambitions expanded from regional power to universal rulership. The realization that no higher authority could legitimize imperial claims prompted a strategic shift.

3. The Patronage Phase (分封): Liu Bang inverted the power dynamic, using enfeoffment as:
– A motivational tool (promising rewards for service)
– A coalition-building mechanism
– A means of gradual centralization

This transformation was guided by two key advisors:

– Han Xin’s Strategic Vision: Advocated using enfeoffment as a means to victory rather than an end in itself
– Zhang Liang’s Discernment: Counseled rewarding current contributors over restoring old aristocratic lines

The Seven Kings’ Petition and Imperial Ascension

The culmination of Liu Bang’s political maneuvering came in early 202 BCE when the seven major vassal kings, led by the newly relocated Han Xin, jointly petitioned Liu Bang to assume the title of Emperor. This carefully orchestrated move addressed several critical issues:

1. Hierarchy Clarification: With all leaders holding kingly titles, a higher authority was needed to establish clear precedence
2. Legitimacy Construction: The petition provided ideological justification through:
– Meritocratic achievement (功大)
– Moral virtue (德厚)
– Social ordering (区分上下)

Liu Bang’s initial show of reluctance—questioning whether he possessed the necessary virtue—followed by gracious acceptance when persuaded it served the people’s welfare, demonstrated masterful political theater. His formal enthronement in February 202 BCE at Dingtao marked the official founding of the Han Dynasty.

Crafting Imperial Authority: The Role of Shu Suntong

The challenges of transitioning from rebel leader to emperor became immediately apparent during early court gatherings, where drunken generals brawled and damaged palace property. Enter Shu Suntong, the former Qin ritualist who had survived multiple regime changes through adaptability.

Tasked with creating court protocols, Shu Suntong:

1. Recruited scholars from his native Shandong
2. Conducted months of rigorous rehearsals
3. Designed ceremonies emphasizing the emperor’s transcendent status

The transformative effect was profound. When officials subsequently performed the new rituals with perfect decorum, Liu Bang famously remarked, “Now I understand the dignity of being Emperor!” This institutionalization of imperial authority through ritual marked a critical step in the Han’s transition from warlord regime to enduring dynasty.

The Capital Question: Lou Jing’s Strategic Intervention

Initially favoring Luoyang for its Zhou dynasty associations and proximity to his eastern power base, Liu Bang was persuaded to relocate the capital to the Guanzhong region (later Chang’an) through the unlikely intervention of Lou Jing, a common soldier. Lou’s arguments, bolstered by Zhang Liang’s support, emphasized:

1. Defensive Advantages: Natural fortification provided by mountain passes
2. Economic Strength: Agricultural productivity of the Wei River valley
3. Strategic Depth: Ability to withstand the loss of eastern territories
4. Historical Legacy: Heartland of Qin administrative innovations

This decision proved historically significant, establishing the western capital model that would dominate Chinese imperial geography for centuries.

Conclusion: The Foundations of Han Governance

Liu Bang’s post-victory maneuvers established critical precedents for Chinese imperial rule:

– The balancing of centralized authority with regional autonomy
– The use of ritual to reinforce political hierarchy
– The strategic selection of capital locations
– The co-optation of talented but potentially dangerous subordinates

These foundations, laid during the chaotic transition from contention to consolidation, enabled the Han Dynasty to emerge as the first long-lasting unified empire after Qin’s collapse—a model that would shape Chinese statecraft for two millennia. The political wisdom displayed in handling the Han Xin situation particularly exemplifies the pragmatic statecraft that characterized Liu Bang’s rule—removing immediate threats while maintaining stability through calculated concessions.