| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 刘太公, 劉太公, Liú Tàigōng |
| Other name | Lưu Thái công |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 272 BC |
| Birth Place | Pei County, Chu State (楚国沛县; huyện Bái, nước Sở) |
| Died | 197 BC |
| Death Reason | Old age / Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Western Han Dynasty |
Liu Taigong (刘太公, Lưu Thái Công; 282–197 BC; personal name Liu Zhuan 刘煓; posthumously the Grand Emperor of Han 太上皇帝), was the father of Western Han founding Emperor Gaozu, Liu Bang (Lưu Bang).
Originally an industrious peasant farmer in Pei County, Liu Taigong frequently scolded his youthful, free-spending son Liu Bang for failing to till the fields like his diligent elder brother Liu Xi (Liu Xi). During the Chu-Han Contention in 203 BC, Liu Taigong was captured by warlord Xiang Yu at Guangwu. Xiang Yu placed the elderly father upon a high butcher board over a boiling cauldron, threatening to boil him alive into meat soup unless Liu Bang surrendered. In an immortal classical dialogue, Liu Bang calmly retorted: ‘We were sworn brothers under King Huai; my father is your father! If you boil our father, be sure to send me a bowl of the broth!’ Xiang Yu, rebuked by Xiang Bo, spared Liu Taigong’s life.
After founding the Han Dynasty in 202 BC, Liu Bang visited his father every five days, bowing low in filial homage. When court chamberlains warned Liu Taigong that the Son of Heaven must not bow before a common subject, Liu Taigong met Liu Bang at the palace gate sweeping the floor with a broom, bowing low. Overcome with filial piety, Liu Bang officially elevated his father to the supreme title of Grand Emperor (Taishang Huang), establishing the first living retired emperor title in Chinese history.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 8, Annals of Emperor Gaozu): “Xiang Yu placed Liu Taigong upon the chopping block, crying: ‘Surrender, or I boil your father!’ Liu Bang replied: ‘Send me a bowl of broth!’ Xiang Bo urged: ‘He who contends for the world regards not family; slaying him brings only infamy.’ Thus Xiang Yu released him.”
Shiji (Treatise on the Grand Emperor): “Emperor Gaozu created his father Taishang Huang, bowing before his chariot with tears of joy.”
Liu Taigong — Historical & Literary Timeline
Qin Dynasty
Farmer of Pei County
Diligent agriculturalist in Zhongyang Village; father of Liu Bang.
205–203 BC
Captivity at Guangwu
Held hostage by Xiang Yu; survives the boiling cauldron threat.
202 BC
Grand Emperor of Han
Ennobled as Taishang Huang by Liu Bang upon the founding of the Han Dynasty.
197 BC
Passing in Changle Palace
Passes away peacefully at age eighty-five; interred with supreme imperial honors.
Key Relationships
Family
- Son Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang – Emperor Gaozu): Founding emperor of Han who bowed before him every five days.
- Son Liu Xi (刘喜 – Prince Qing of Dai): Diligent agricultural elder son.
- Wife Liu Ao (Empress Zhaoling): Mother of Liu Bang.
- Daughter-in-law Empress Lü (吕后): First empress of Han.
Friends
- Rescuing Chu Lord Xiang Bo (项伯): Uncle of Xiang Yu who intervened to prevent him from being boiled alive.
- Pei Comrades Xiao He, Cao Shen: Pei officials who protected the family.
Enemies
- Hegemon Captor Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ): Overlord of Western Chu who threatened to boil him alive.
Other
- Court Chamberlain Palace protocol masters: Devised the ceremonial rites for the Grand Emperor.
In Shiji
The Filial Harmony of Han
"At the Weiyang Palace feast, Liu Bang raised the golden cup to Liu Taigong, smiling: 'Father used to say I was a good-for-nothing who would never possess an estate. Look upon the four seas today: whose estate is larger—mine or brother Xi's?!' Liu Taigong laughed, and the hall thundered with joy."
Historical Significance
Liu Taigong was the first living person in Chinese history to bear the title of Taishang Huang (Grand Emperor), creating the constitutional precedent for imperial abdication and retired emperors.
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