刘邦
Emperor Gaozu of Han
A village drunkard with no education and no family name — who somehow outlasted every rival to establish the greatest dynasty in Chinese history.
Liu Bang was born a commoner in Pei County. In his youth, he was known for his carefree ways, fond of drink and women, and held only minor posts in the village—never the makings of an emperor. When the Qin Empire began to crumble, he raised a band of followers and entered the contest for supremacy. His greatest talent lay in his ability to listen. He enlisted Zhang Liang for strategy, Xiao He for administration, and Han Xin for warfare. At the Feast at Hongmen, he nearly perished at the hands of Xiang Yu. Yet he survived, suffered defeat, regrouped, and waged war against Xiang Yu for five years. Where Xiang Yu was brilliant in battle, Liu Bang was patient. He offered alliances, promised lands, and won over Xiang Yu’s wavering generals. When Xiang Yu fell at Gaixia, Liu Bang proclaimed himself Emperor Gaozu of the Han dynasty. He governed with restraint, pardoning most of those who had once opposed him. The Qin had burned books and ruled through fear; Liu Bang entered Xianyang with open hands and declared: “The world has been harsh—I shall be merciful.”