A Kingdom Divided: The Origins of Liu Ci’s Power

The story of Liu Ci, King of Hengshan, begins in 164 BCE when his uncle Emperor Wen of Han enfeoffed him as King of Lujiang—a strategic territory bordering the restless Minyue tribes. This appointment reflected the Han dynasty’s delicate balancing act: rewarding imperial relatives while maintaining control over distant regions.

Liu Ci’s early reign was marked by political maneuvering. During the 154 BCE Rebellion of the Seven States, he notably refused to join the rebellious Wu-Chu coalition. Yet his frequent diplomatic overtures to Minyue raised imperial suspicions, leading Emperor Jing to transfer him northward to the Hengshan kingdom—a move that would set the stage for future conflicts.

Brother Against Brother: The Feud with Liu An

The relationship between Liu Ci and his elder brother Liu An, King of Huainan, became a toxic brew of sibling rivalry and political tension. Historical records describe their mutual accusations of “improper conduct” leading to complete estrangement. This familial breakdown proved significant when Liu An began plotting rebellion.

Ironically, Liu Ci became the first to discover his brother’s treasonous plans. Rather than alerting Emperor Wu, he focused solely on protecting his own territory—a decision revealing his narrow political vision. The brothers’ relationship embodied the tragic paradox of Han aristocracy: bound by blood yet divided by ambition.

The Turning Point: The Wei Qing Affair

In 129 BCE, a seemingly minor incident exposed Liu Ci’s fatal flaws. When his retainer Wei Qing—a practitioner of esoteric arts—sought to serve Emperor Wu directly, the king reacted with disproportionate fury. His brutal punishment of Wei Qing and subsequent clash with his centrally-appointed chancellor revealed:

– A fragile ego threatened by subordinates’ advancement
– Inability to navigate the delicate lord-vassal relationship
– Disregard for Emperor Wu’s growing interest in mystical practices

The emperor’s response was strategically devastating: stripping Liu Ci of authority to appoint mid-ranking officials (those receiving 200 dan or more). This bureaucratic castration left the king surrounded by imperial appointees—a humiliation that would fester into rebellion.

A House Divided: The Dysfunctional Royal Family

Liu Ci’s domestic affairs descended into Shakespearean tragedy, featuring:

1. The Scheming Stepmother: Queen Xu Lai manipulated the king against his heir apparent while plotting to install her own son
2. The Reckless Heir: Crown Prince Liu Shuang’s drunken violence and attempted seduction of his stepmother
3. The Scandalous Princess: Liu Wu Cai’s notorious affairs and betrayal of her brother
4. The Ambitious Second Son: Liu Xiao’s readiness to betray his father for self-preservation

This toxic environment reached its climax when:
– The prince publicly accused his father of harboring rebels
– The king imprisoned his own heir
– Family members traded accusations of incest and treason

The Road to Rebellion

By 125 BCE, Liu Ci—now isolated and embittered—began actively preparing revolt. He:
– Gathered military strategists and astrologers
– Secretly manufactured weapons
– Coordinated with his formerly estranged brother Liu An

Their brief reconciliation during a 124 BCE meeting proved tragically ironic—united not by familial affection but shared treasonous purpose.

The Fall: Betrayal and Suicide

The conspiracy unraveled in 122 BCE when:
1. Liu Xiao preemptively betrayed the plot to save himself
2. Investigators discovered rebel equipment in the prince’s residence
3. The king’s entire household turned against each other

Facing certain execution, Liu Ci chose suicide—a fate shared by his brother Liu An. The Han court executed:
– Queen Xu Lai (for witchcraft)
– Prince Liu Xiao (for incest)
– Crown Prince Liu Shuang (for filial impiety)

Hengshan Kingdom became a commandery, ending this branch of the imperial lineage.

Legacy: Lessons from a Failed Rebellion

Liu Ci’s story illuminates critical aspects of Western Han politics:

1. The Erosion of Princely Power: Emperor Wu’s bureaucratic reforms effectively neutered regional kings
2. The Dangers of Isolation: Liu Ci’s provincial mindset (“measuring private gains shallowly, viewing the sky from a well”) blinded him to broader realities
3. Family as Political Weakness: Both Liu An and Liu Ci fell victim to dysfunctional households

Historically, their downfalls marked the end of serious princely challenges to central authority—a crucial step in consolidating imperial power during China’s formative Han dynasty. The tragedy of Liu Ci serves as enduring testament to how personal flaws, when combined with structural political tensions, can destroy even the most privileged families.