| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 刘喜, 劉喜, Liú Xǐ |
| Other name | Lưu Hỉ |
| Courtesy name | 仲, 仲, Zhòng, Zhong, tự Trọng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Pei County, Jiangsu (江苏沛县; huyện Bái, Giang Tô) |
| Died | 193 BC |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Western Han Dynasty |
Liu Xi (刘喜 / 刘仲, Lưu Hỉ / Lưu Trọng; d. 193 BC; posthumously Prince Qing of Dai 代顷王), was an imperial prince of the Western Han Dynasty, the elder brother of founding Emperor Gaozu, Liu Bang (Lưu Bang), and father of the notorious Wu Prince Liu Pi.
Originally a humble peasant farmer in Pei County, Liu Xi was praised by their father Liu Taigong as an industrious agriculturalist, in contrast to the idle, tavern-crawling youth of Liu Bang. In 201 BC, after founding the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang ennobled Liu Xi as Prince of Dai, entrusting him with vast northern frontier territories and veteran armies to guard against the formidable Xiongnu nomadic confederation.
However, in autumn 200 BC, Modu Chanyu led a massive Xiongnu cavalry host across the border, encircling Dai commanderies. Lacking military experience, Liu Xi panicked, abandoned his principality and troops, and fled in terror all the way back to Luoyang. Furious at his brother’s cowardice, Liu Bang stripped him of the royal rank of Prince and demoted him to Marquis of Heyang (阖阳侯). Liu Xi died in 193 BC; when his son Liu Pi was created Prince of Wu, Liu Xi was posthumously restored as Prince Qing of Dai.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 50, House of the King of Chu): “Liu Xi could not defend Dai when the Xiongnu invaded; he deserted his realm and fled to the capital. Emperor Gaozu spared his life out of fraternal bond, demoting him to Marquis of Heyang.”
Liu Xi — Historical & Literary Timeline
Qin Dynasty
Peasant Farmer of Pei
Tills the soil diligently; favored by his father Liu Taigong over the unruly Liu Bang.
201 BC
Prince of Dai
Ennobled by Liu Bang as Prince of Dai to defend the northern border.
200 BC
Flight from the Xiongnu
Panics before Modu Chanyu’s invasion; flees back to Luoyang and is stripped of his title.
193 BC
Passing in Chang’an
Dies as Marquis of Heyang; later posthumously restored as Prince Qing of Dai.
Key Relationships
Family
- Brother Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang – Emperor Gaozu of Han): Founding emperor who ennobled Liu Xi and later demoted him for cowardice.
- Father Liu Taigong (刘太公 – Grand Emperor): Father who praised Liu Xi’s agricultural thrift in youth.
- Son Liu Pi (刘濞, Lưu Tỵ – Prince of Wu): Powerful warlord prince who later initiated the Rebellion of the Seven States.
- Nephew Liu Heng (Emperor Wen): Later ruled Dai before ascending the Han imperial throne.
Friends
- Han Ministers Xiao He, Cao Shen: Pei County comrades who assisted the Liu imperial family.
Enemies
- Nomadic Conqueror Modu Chanyu (冒顿单于): Fierce Xiongnu ruler whose invasion sent Liu Xi fleeing south in panic.
Other
- Imperial Consort Empress Lü (吕后): Imperial sister-in-law who oversaw court protocol.
In Shiji
The Contrast of Brothers
"In youth, the old father told Liu Bang: 'Look at your elder brother Liu Xi; he works the soil and gathers grain! What estate do you have?' Years later at the Weiyang Palace feast, Liu Bang raised his cup: 'Father, whose estate is larger today—mine or brother Xi's?!'"
Historical Context
Liu Xi's military failure highlighted the extreme danger of placing untrained imperial princes in frontline command posts, leading Han to rely on marriage diplomacy (*heqin*) with the Xiongnu.
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