The Historical Context of Liu Bang’s Return to Pei

In 195 BCE, Emperor Gaozu of Han (born Liu Bang) was returning to the capital of Chang’an after suppressing the rebellion of Ying Bu (also known as Qing Bu), one of the last major threats to his newly established Han Dynasty. Though victorious, the aging emperor—now in his sixties—was weary from years of warfare and political strife. His journey back to the capital took an emotional detour: a visit to his hometown of Pei County, where he had not set foot since rising from obscurity to become the ruler of China.

This homecoming was more than a personal triumph; it was a symbolic moment in Chinese history. Unlike his rival Xiang Yu, who famously declared, “If a man achieves greatness but does not return to his hometown, it is like wearing fine robes at night—who will see it?” Liu Bang had waited until his power was secure before revisiting his roots. His restraint contrasted sharply with Xiang Yu’s impulsive pride, reflecting the strategic patience that had won him the empire.

The Grand Banquet and the Song of the Great Wind

Upon arriving in Pei, Liu Bang hosted an extravagant feast for the locals, many of whom had known him in his youth as a petty official and sometimes troublemaker. The celebration lasted over ten days, filled with wine, music, and reminiscences. During the festivities, the emperor was asked to impart wisdom to the children of Pei.

Declaring that he had “no virtue to teach,” Liu Bang instead offered something more personal: a song he had composed. Accompanied by the zhu (a stringed instrument), he sang the now-famous “Song of the Great Wind” (Da Feng Ge):

> “A great wind rises, clouds scatter and soar,
> My might spans the land, I return to my home.
> How shall I find brave warriors to guard the four corners?”

Unlike Xiang Yu’s defiant “Song of Gaixia,” which lamented his downfall as a matter of fate, Liu Bang’s lyrics focused not on personal glory but on the enduring need for loyal defenders of the realm. The song, performed by a chorus of local children, moved the emperor to tears—a rare display of vulnerability from a man known for his cunning and resilience.

The Political and Emotional Weight of the Visit

Liu Bang’s return to Pei was not merely sentimental; it carried significant political implications. In a gesture of gratitude, he exempted the county from taxes and corvée labor, declaring, “Pei is the land of my rise, an auspicious place.” When the neighboring county of Feng—where Liu Bang had also lived—petitioned for the same privilege, he initially refused, recalling their betrayal early in his rebellion. Yet, swayed by the pleas of Pei’s elders, he relented, revealing a softer side beneath his hardened exterior.

This moment also hinted at the emperor’s declining health. The campaign against Ying Bu had taken a toll, and his emotional outbursts—alternately jubilant and melancholic—suggested a man confronting mortality. His decision to personally lead the campaign, rather than delegate to his heir apparent Liu Ying, had been influenced by Empress Lü, who feared their son’s weakness would embolden rivals. The court’s internal tensions, particularly the rivalry between Empress Lü and Consort Qi over the succession, cast a shadow over the celebrations.

Cultural Legacy and Historical Reflection

Liu Bang’s homecoming and the “Song of the Great Wind” endure as powerful symbols in Chinese culture. The song, celebrating unity and the need for strong governance, has been invoked by later rulers and scholars as a model of benevolent leadership. The contrast between Liu Bang’s humility and Xiang Yu’s hubris became a recurring theme in Chinese historiography, illustrating the Confucian ideal that true greatness lies in service rather than self-aggrandizement.

The visit also marked a turning point in the Han Dynasty’s early years. Liu Bang’s death the following year would plunge the court into a power struggle between Empress Lü and the Liu clan, but his efforts to consolidate the empire—through both military campaigns and symbolic acts like the Pei banquet—laid the foundation for four centuries of Han rule.

Modern Relevance: Leadership and Legacy

Today, Liu Bang’s story resonates as a study in leadership. His ability to balance ruthlessness with generosity, ambition with nostalgia, offers lessons in statecraft and personal growth. The “Song of the Great Wind” is still taught in Chinese schools, a reminder of the responsibilities that come with power. Meanwhile, the tensions between Pei and Feng counties—forgiven but not forgotten—mirror modern debates over reconciliation and historical memory.

In the end, Liu Bang’s journey home was more than a victory lap; it was a poignant acknowledgment of the past that shaped him and the future he hoped to secure. As the children of Pei sang his words into the wind, the emperor wept—not just for himself, but for the fragile empire he would soon leave behind.