From Rural Roots to Ambitious Dreams

Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, was born in Fengyi, a small town in Pei County—a border region between the warring states of Chu and Wei. This area was a cultural crossroads, with many settlers from Wei, and some even speculated that Liu Bang’s ancestors had migrated from Wei’s capital, Daliang. While the truth of his lineage remains uncertain, one thing is clear: from a young age, Liu Bang’s gaze was fixed westward—first toward Wei, then toward Qin.

His early aspirations were shaped by two towering figures: Lord Xinling of Wei and Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China. These men became his lifelong idols, embodying the ideals of leadership and ambition that would later define his own rule.

The Knightly World of Liu Bang’s Youth

Before becoming an emperor, Liu Bang was a wandering knight—a xia (侠)—a figure deeply embedded in the social fabric of the late Warring States period. The knightly tradition emphasized loyalty, personal honor, and a disregard for rigid social hierarchies. Knights operated in loose but hierarchical networks, with leaders (guoxia, or “national knights”) like Lord Xinling commanding vast followings, while local figures like Liu Bang led smaller bands of followers in rural areas.

In Fengyi, Liu Bang was a xiangxia (乡侠), a “village knight,” gathering a band of restless youths who looked up to him as their leader. His early companion, Lu Wan, would later become a key supporter and a king under Liu Bang’s reign. Yet, beyond the confines of his hometown, Liu Bang was a minor figure in the broader knightly hierarchy. In Pei County, the true leader was Wang Ling, a wealthy and influential xianxia (县侠), or “county knight,” whom Liu Bang and others deferred to.

The Legend of Lord Xinling and Liu Bang’s Pilgrimage

Lord Xinling, a prince of Wei, was renowned for his generosity, his defiance of authority when necessary (as seen in his famous theft of a military tally to save Zhao from Qin), and his ability to attract talented followers. Though Liu Bang never met him, Xinling’s legend loomed large in his imagination.

Determined to follow in his hero’s footsteps, Liu Bang undertook a remarkable journey in his twenties: traveling hundreds of miles on foot from Fengyi to Waihuang, where another famed knight, Zhang Er, carried on Xinling’s legacy. This pilgrimage—akin to a modern youth crossing provinces to meet an idol—reveals Liu Bang’s extraordinary determination.

Zhang Er welcomed Liu Bang, and the two formed a lasting bond. For years, Liu Bang traveled between Pei and Waihuang, immersing himself in the knightly world. But this era was ending. As Qin’s conquests accelerated, the independent knightly networks were dismantled. When Qin forces occupied Waihuang, Zhang Er was branded an outlaw, forcing Liu Bang to abandon his knightly life.

The Legacy of the Knightly Ethos in Liu Bang’s Rise

Though his days as a wandering knight ended, the values he absorbed—loyalty to followers, defiance of unjust authority, and strategic boldness—shaped his later rebellion against Qin. Even after becoming emperor, Liu Bang honored Lord Xinling, posthumously enshrining him with a dedicated tomb guard—a final tribute to the man who had inspired his youth.

The Paradox of the “Rebel Minister”

Liu Bang’s admiration for Lord Xinling also reflected a deeper political philosophy. Xinling’s defiance of King Anxi of Wei to save Zhao exemplified the concept of the fuchen (拂臣), or “rebel minister”—a loyalist who, in extreme circumstances, must disobey his ruler to save the state.

This idea, articulated by the philosopher Xunzi, held that true ministers should prioritize the nation over blind obedience. Xinling’s actions delayed Qin’s conquest by decades, yet he paid a price: exile. Similarly, Liu Bang’s own rebellion against Qin required breaking with tradition to forge a new order.

History shows that such figures—like Xiang Yu, who defied King Huai of Chu, or the 20th-century warlord Zhang Xueliang—often face tragic ends. Yet their defiance reshapes empires.

Conclusion: From Knight to Emperor

Liu Bang’s journey from a small-town knight to emperor was not just a personal triumph but a reflection of a fading warrior ethos colliding with an emerging imperial age. His reverence for Xinling and Qin Shi Huang reveals a man who blended idealism with ruthless pragmatism—a combination that defined the Han Dynasty’s foundation.

The knightly world that shaped him may have vanished, but its spirit endured in the Han’s emphasis on merit, loyalty, and adaptability—a legacy that still echoes in Chinese leadership today.