早年生涯

劉邦出生于前256年或前247年。劉邦少年時仰慕信陵君，但未及成年，信陵君便亡故。之後信陵君舊門客張耳為外黃令，招徠門客，劉邦因而到大梁往投張耳門下為門客，並與之結交為友。不久魏國滅亡，張耳不願事秦而改名換姓逃亡，劉邦亦返回家鄉。劉邦登帝位後，只要途經大梁，多半會祭祀信陵君；在楚漢戰爭期間，張耳為常山王，被他的故友陳餘所敗，張耳為此故投奔劉邦。後劉邦在秦都咸陽服徭役時見到秦始皇出遊，發出了：「嗟乎，大丈夫當如此也」的感歎。

劉邦早年有一名外婦曹氏，生下長子劉肥，但並未正式娶妻，故劉肥並非嫡子。之後單父縣的門閥呂公因避仇而移居沛縣，縣內士紳豪傑，皆往祝賀。主吏蕭何負責排定門客的座次，要求賀禮不到一千銅錢的客人，都坐在堂下。亭長劉邦認為沛縣諸官吏也沒甚麼了不起，就自稱獻「賀錢一萬」，其實一個銅錢都沒有帶來。呂公看到劉邦的面相後大吃一驚，覺得他將來定是個不凡人物，因此引入堂內就座。蕭何告訴呂公：「劉邦只會說大話，沒甚麼成就。」但呂公不以為然。劉邦坐在上賓座位後，就大聲調侃其他沛縣官吏。呂公對劉邦說：「我很會看面相，但是沒看過像你這麼相貌不凡的，我有個女兒（即呂雉），希望你願意接受她當你的妻子。」事後呂公的妻子呂媼很生氣，說：「你以前說你這個女兒很難得，一定要嫁個非常好的丈夫。沛縣縣令對你這麼好，你還不肯把女兒嫁給他，現在居然要把她嫁給劉邦？」呂公說：「這不是你婦道人家懂的事。」最後還是把女兒嫁給劉邦。呂雉後來生了漢惠帝劉盈和魯元公主。

劉邦為亭長時，經常請假回家到田裡去。有一次呂雉和孩子正在田中除草，有一老者經過討水喝，呂雉讓他喝了水，給他飯吃。老者給呂雉相面說：「夫人是天下貴人。」呂雉又讓他給兩個孩子相面，見了劉盈，說：「夫人尊貴的原因，是因為這個男孩子。」又給魯元公主相面，同樣也是富貴面相。老者走後，劉邦正巧從旁邊的房舍走來，呂雉就把剛才那老人給她們看相的情況，告訴了劉邦。劉邦問這個人在哪，呂雉說：「還不遠。」於是追上了老者，問他剛才的事，老者說：「剛才的夫人、孩子的樣貌都像您，您的相貌貴不可言。」劉邦道謝說：「真的像您說的，我一定不忘您的恩德。」等到劉邦顯貴的時候，卻再也找不到當初那位老者。

反秦戰爭

釋徒斬蛇

前210年十月劉邦奉命押解犯人到驪山，途中有不少人逃脫，因為當時讓犯人逃脫是重如死罪，所以劉邦索性放走所有人，劉邦也因此逃亡，當時逃犯中有十餘人願意跟隨他一同逃亡，也成為未來起義的部分勢力。一行人路遇一條大白蛇擋路，劉邦一怒之下就提劍把蛇斬殺了，突然出現一個老婦人啼哭，自稱：「我兒是白帝之子，化成白蛇躺在路上，卻被赤帝之子殺死了。」隨即消失。由於秦始皇的先祖秦襄公說自己是白帝的後裔，眾人都認為劉邦被賦予取代秦朝的天命，是為「斬蛇起義」。秦始皇常說「東南有天子氣」，乃東遊欲以厭勝之。劉邦自認始皇東遊是針對他，于芒碭山山澤落草為寇。

據沛反秦

秦二世元年七月（前209年），陳勝與吳廣因為下雨誤期，害怕受到秦朝法律處罰，率領約九百名役夫在蘄縣大澤鄉（今安徽宿州東南劉村集）起事，是為大澤之變。當時許多郡縣的仕紳殺死郡守、縣令，以響應陳勝，沛縣縣令恐懼，欲響應陳勝，于是主吏蕭何、獄掾曹參等勸縣令召回劉邦。縣令答應，于是派樊噲往召劉邦。劉邦至沛，而縣令反悔，于是劉邦率約百人於沛縣城外射箭夾信，說服城內人誅殺縣令。劉邦多次推讓後被眾人立為沛縣縣令，自稱沛公，徵發縣中約三千子弟，攻占沛縣等地。劉邦起事後，攻胡陵（江蘇省沛縣龍固鎮）、方與，還守豐。秦泗水郡監「平」將兵圍豐，為劉邦軍所破。接著劉邦命雍齒守豐，親率軍攻薛，泗水郡郡守「壯」戰敗逃到戚（今山東微山），不久為沛公左司馬曹無傷所殺。劉邦還軍亢父。至方與，魏國丞相周市來攻方與（今山東魚台），雍齒佔據豐邑，歸降周市，劉邦攻豐邑，不能攻下。

時東陽寧君、秦嘉在留邑（今沛縣東南）立景駒為王，劉邦欲往投奔，並借兵再度攻擊豐地，路上遇到了張良。章邯的偏將司馬枿往北方進兵，拿下了楚地，在相地屠城，進兵碭郡。東陽寧君與沛公率軍，向西迎擊，在蕭邑之西與司馬枿交戰，不利，劉邦退回留縣休整，獨自出兵擊敗司馬枿獲得勝利，使秦軍退往碭縣東邊，三天攻下碭縣，再以周勃先登攻克下邑，回師聚兵于留邑，接著三天攻取碭郡，得兵五、六千人，此時劉邦約有九千士卒，接連攻取下邑，還軍攻豐邑，不能攻下。

投奔項梁

時楚國起義軍首領項梁在薛城，沛公劉邦率騎兵百餘人前往跟隨，項梁給予劉邦士卒五千人、五大夫等級的將領十人，劉邦反攻豐，拔之。雍齒逃亡魏國。

在得知楚王陳勝確實已死的消息，以及秦嘉立景駒為楚王，項梁為爭取楚國父老的民心，把在外諸將召還薛城，共立楚懷王之孫熊心，亦稱「楚懷王」，史家稱楚後懷王，項梁自命為武信君。六月，章邯破殺魏王魏咎、齊王田儋于臨濟。七月，劉邦攻亢父。章邯包圍田榮于東阿。劉邦隨項梁率軍前往救援，打敗了章邯。劉邦及項羽繼續追擊秦軍至城陽，屠城，駐紮在濮陽東，再次和章邯軍交戰，打敗了秦軍。章邯軍再次聚集，守濮陽、環水。劉項聯軍離開，去攻定陶。八月，定陶無法攻下，往西攻擊到雍丘，與秦軍戰，大破秦兵，五大夫曹參從劉邦攻殺三川郡郡守李由，李由地位顯赫，是秦丞相李斯之子。項羽、沛公還師攻外黃，未下。

九月，項羽、劉邦攻陳留時，聞定陶之役中章邯擊殺項梁，士卒驚恐。劉邦、項羽及呂臣徏楚懷王從盱台遷都彭城。呂臣軍駐彭城東，項羽駐軍彭城西，劉邦駐軍碭城。

入關滅秦

秦二世二年閏九月（前208年九月），楚後懷王遷都彭城，並將項羽、呂臣等諸軍的兵卒收歸自己率領，命沛公劉邦為碭郡首長，封武安侯，率領碭郡的軍隊。又封項羽長安侯，建國於魯，號稱「魯公」。呂臣為司徒，其父呂清為令尹。時秦兵圍趙甚急，趙國數向楚王請求救兵。楚王以宋義為上將軍，項羽為次將，范增為末將，北上救趙。而沛公率軍西攻秦兵。懷王與將軍們約定，誰先進入關中，就可以在關中稱王，但當時秦兵強大，常乘勝逐北，諸將都認為西入關攻秦沒有好處，都不願去，只有項羽因為叔父項梁之死，非常有意願入關攻秦。但楚後懷王及其他諸將都認為項羽為人不可取，為了報叔父之仇一定會屠城，不讓項羽參加西征，于是沛公獨領軍西征。

次月，即秦二世三年十月（前208年十月，秦制以十月為歲首），劉邦率軍西征，收項梁、陳勝散卒，由碭郡到達成陽，與杠里的秦軍殭持，擊敗了王離所率之秦軍，接著在成武南攻王離及東郡尉，大破之，揭開了楚軍反攻的序幕，並為宋義軍的前進，掃除前方障礙做了貢獻。十二月，還至慄，遇到楚軍的將領「剛武侯」（封號，姓名不詳），劉邦奪取了「剛武侯」的部隊，收編了四千餘人，與魏國將軍皇欣、申徒武蒲之軍合攻昌邑，未下，只好繞道至高陽。同期王離敗給劉邦，後來聽章邯之令去圍鉅鹿，項羽跟諸侯聯軍在鉅鹿大破秦軍，俘獲王離，招降章邯。

秦二世三年二月（前207年二月），在昌邑遇彭越，與彭越軍合攻昌邑，未下。在高陽，酈食其、酈商兄弟來投奔，酈食其勸說劉邦襲陳留，掠奪秦兵的糧食，因此封酈食其為廣野君，然後劉邦與酈商一起攻擊開封，卻攻不下，只好繼續向西前進，三月劉邦來到陳留西約30公里的開封，與秦大將趙賁大戰，大破趙賁 在白馬、曲遇大破秦將楊熊，楊熊逃到滎陽，秦二世遣使斬殺楊熊示眾。四月，劉邦攻打潁陽，並破潁陽，透過張良，又占領了韓國的轘轅關。四月劉邦拿下轘轅後，劉邦率領軍由轘轅攻進了洛陽盆地。這時候，趙國的別將司馬卬正想渡過黃河，進入函谷關。劉邦就向北拿下平陰，截斷黃河渡口，向南進軍，與秦軍在洛城東方戰鬥，再次大破趙賁大軍。

六月，與南陽郡守呂齮交戰，攻取南陽郡，呂齮逃到宛城，劉邦想要放棄追擊，但張良說如此將會腹背受敵，一定要先破宛城，劉邦于是攻擊宛城，呂齮本來要自刎，他的舍人陳恢建議投降，呂齮答應了，劉邦封呂齮為「殷侯」，封陳恢食邑一千戶，然後劉邦繼續西進，所經過的城紛紛歸順。到了丹水的時候，秦國的高武侯戚鰓、襄陽侯王陵也在西陵投降了，劉邦于是回過頭來攻打胡陽，遇到了番君吳芮的副將梅鋗，就跟梅鋗一起拿下了析縣和酈縣。劉邦派遣甯昌出使秦地，甯昌還沒回來。這時，鉅鹿之戰結束，秦將章邯向項羽投降。

趙高刺殺了秦二世之後，派人向劉邦說，願意割地給劉邦，劉邦認為有詐，而且趙高奸詐不可信，非但不答應，還處死了秦使者，同時加快攻擊的腳步，用了張良計謀，派酈生與陸賈去遊說、行賄武關的秦將，卻乘機偷襲武關。劉邦攻武關之後，八月，劉邦在經過連續機動後，攻破秦國的東南門戶，位于丹水河谷的險要武關，秦王子嬰即位，隨即刺殺趙高，並發動關中所有軍隊並派大軍據守蟯關、藍田之戰中劉邦擊敗秦軍最後一支大軍，入秦。秦廷大為震動，劉邦最後抵達霸上。子嬰駕素車白馬于軹道投降，劉邦反對眾將的建議，不願處死子嬰，只把他俘虜而已。

楚漢相爭

約法三章

漢元年十月（前207年十月），秦王子嬰于軹道向劉邦投降，秦朝滅亡。史家一般以此月為「漢元年」開始。

劉邦見到秦國皇宮中富裕堂皇，想要入住秦宮中享受榮華富貴，為樊噲、張良所諫阻。于是劉邦乃下令封閉秦王的王宮府庫，還軍霸上，而蕭何等則收了秦朝之地圖、戶籍資料等。劉邦召見咸陽附近的父老、豪傑，慰勞他們說：你們忍受秦朝苛法已經很久了，然後與他們約法三章，把苛法全部廢除，並令吏人仍守舊職。同時也拒絕了秦人犒勞。劉邦此舉，大得秦人民意，唯恐劉邦將來不為秦王。

有人告訴劉邦說：「秦國是六國的十倍富裕，地形易守難攻。聽說章邯投降項羽，項羽要讓章邯到關中稱王，章邯一來，你就沒得稱王了，趕快守住函谷關，不要讓諸侯進兵。」劉邦採納提議，命人守函谷關。十一月中旬，項羽率諸侯聯軍進至函谷關，聞劉邦已定關中並派人守住了關口，大怒，下令黥布等攻破函谷關，十二月，至戲（今陝西西安），欲攻劉邦。而劉邦軍的左司馬曹無傷派人向項羽告密，項羽更怒。而項伯因與張良是好友，往劉邦軍欲勸告張良離去，不要被亂軍殺死，張良因項伯求項羽罷兵。因此發生了鴻門宴故事。鴻門宴中，項羽未聽從亞父范增之計，使得劉邦逃過一劫。（有名的俗諺「項莊舞劍，意在沛公」即出於此。）

項羽分封

項羽進入咸陽，處死子嬰，劫掠財寶，火燒阿房宮（根據考查，應為咸陽宮），自立為西楚霸王，領有梁國、楚國九郡，定都彭城，儼然天下共主，分封群雄。項羽為了困住劉邦，違背懷王所定「先入定關中者王之」之約，假稱巴蜀亦屬關中，改立劉邦為漢王，領有巴、蜀、漢中三郡四十一縣，定都南鄭。然後三分關中，封章邯為雍王，司馬欣為塞王，董翳為翟王，史稱三秦，其餘群雄各有參差。漢王劉邦對此次分封不滿，想要進攻項羽，被丞相蕭何阻止。

關中起兵

項羽立楚後懷王為天子，號稱「楚義帝」，讓義帝成為傀儡，但不久之後，命令黥布刺殺了義帝，以報義帝不遣他入關的仇怨。項羽殺義帝，加上分封無法服眾，有實力的軍人們紛紛起兵叛變，劉邦趁項羽出外平亂，暗渡陳倉，出兵關中，平定三秦，甚至一度攻佔項羽的根據地彭城。

楚河漢界

經過楚漢之間長期的拉鋸戰，在眾多漢軍文臣、武將如曹參、灌嬰、蕭何、靳歙、周勃、酈生、張良等人的協助下，劉邦所率領的漢軍逐漸坐大。楚漢兩國協議以鴻溝為界，鴻溝以西為漢，以東為楚，互不侵犯。但是，當項羽遵守諾言退兵，並放回曾被扣為人質的劉邦的父親劉太公、妻子呂雉之後，劉邦發動偷襲。項羽在陽夏之戰一路敗退，後在陳下之戰劉邦跟項羽展開一次主力大戰（陳下是今河南淮陽）項羽大敗後逃到垓下，韓信、彭越、英布等加入漢軍對項羽的包圍網之後，參戰兵力數倍於楚軍。

垓下滅楚

前202年12月，楚軍在垓下之戰中被漢軍打敗，被圍在垓下。劉邦用四面楚歌之計瓦解楚軍軍心，最後項羽走投無路，自覺無顏見江東父老，只好自刎於烏江邊。這場歷時近五年〔漢元年（前206年）四月至五年（前202年）十二月〕的楚漢戰爭，項羽徹底敗亡而自殺，劉邦統一天下。

建立漢朝

前202年初（漢五年十二月），項羽敗亡。

漢五年（前202年）正月，追尊長兄劉伯為武哀侯，以楚義帝無後，徙齊王韓信為楚王，王楚地。魏相國彭越定梁地，拜為梁王。

諸侯及將相們共同尊請漢王劉邦為「皇帝」。劉邦說：「我聽說皇帝這種尊號，是極其賢能的人才能享有的，空言虛語不是我能接受的，我可承擔不了皇帝的尊號。」群臣們都說：「大王從一個小老百姓的身分起兵討伐暴逆，平定四海，有功的人便分賞土地，封王封侯，如果大王不稱帝，封賞就沒有信用，我們這群人願意以生命向大王請求。」劉邦辭讓再三，實在推辭不過了，說：「諸君都認為這樣才對，那就為了國家的便利，我答應罷。」

漢五年二月甲午，劉邦於泛水之陽即皇帝位，定都洛陽（不久遷至長安），定國號為漢，史稱西漢。並立王后呂雉為皇后，立太子劉盈為皇太子，追尊母為昭靈夫人。

政治

官吏任用

丞相

• 蕭何 （前196年改為相國）

• 曹參

太尉

• 盧綰（前202年）

• 周勃（前196年）

御史大夫

• 周苛（前206年—前203年）

• 周昌（前203年—前197年）

• 趙堯（前197年—前195年）

封賞功臣

漢朝開國，最初僅排定十八人之位次，分別為：蕭何、曹參、張敖、周勃、樊噲、酈商、奚涓、夏侯嬰、灌嬰、傅寬、靳歙、王陵、陳武、王吸、薛歐、周昌、丁復、蟲達。群臣都抱怨蕭何受封第一，甚為不悅，向劉邦抱怨道：「我們像狗、像馬一樣地作戰，在戰事中出生入死，冒著生命危險，受了一大堆傷，為甚麼蕭何一個文弱書生，拿個筆、動動嘴，居然居功第一？這是甚麼道理！」劉邦說：「你們懂得狩獵的道理嗎？知道獵犬的作用嗎？今天各位將軍就好像負責追蹤獵物的狗，但是發現獵物蹤跡，並指揮獵狗的人是蕭何。而且你們都只是一個人追隨我，但蕭何是全家親族都投效我，我不能忘記他的功勞。」

群臣又認為曹參軍功無數，應列第一，但劉邦仍較屬意蕭何。關內侯鄂君於是進諫：「群臣當然沒有錯，曹參的確有野戰略地之功，但楚漢相爭五年，失軍亡眾，喪失不少士兵，但是蕭何從關中派兵來補足士兵的不足，不是蕭何，漢軍早就折損所有兵卒了。楚漢在滎陽殭持時，漢軍面臨缺糧危機，蕭何利用關中的漕運，我們才都有糧草可用。雖然蕭何沒有隨軍出征，卻守護關中，給我們支援，形同隨時陪伴陛下一般，這應是萬世之功。我認為論功應該是蕭何第一，曹參第二。」高祖曰：「你說的沒錯。」於是乃令蕭何第一，賜給錦帶，允許蕭何可以配劍，穿鞋子上殿，入朝拜見時不需要小跑步。

眾將每天辯論誰功勞大，所以十八人以外，遲遲未論功行賞，同時劉邦在宮中看到一群將領們群聚議論，他詢問張良，將領們在商討何事？張良回答道：「陛下本來是個老百姓，當上皇帝，封賞的都是蕭何、曹參這些好朋友，誅殺的都是生平討厭的人。將軍們認為天下的土地不夠封，但很有可能被翻舊帳而被您殺死，所以將領們正在討論如何造反！」此話使得劉邦大為緊張，進一步詢問當如何解決，張良問劉邦：「陛下生平最痛恨，而將領們都知道的有誰？」劉邦答：「雍齒跟我是老朋友，但以前他經常譏辱我，使我難堪，我很想殺了他。不過他多次立功，我又不忍心殺。」張良說：「請陛下立刻重賞雍齒，眾臣見到，就都會放心了。」劉邦立即照做，此事傳開後，眾臣皆認為連皇帝最痛恨的雍齒都能獲賞，想必自己也不會過差，因此打消造反念頭。

劉邦自起兵起，滅亡秦朝，打敗項羽，以及後來消滅異姓王，至即位十二年（公元前195年），共封功臣143人。高后二年（公元前186年），呂后下詔讓陳平序定其他功臣名次。

定都關中

婁敬勸劉邦說：「定都關中。」劉邦尚對此心有疑慮。左右的大臣都是關東地區的人，多數勸劉邦定都洛陽，他們說周朝定都洛陽，擁有天下數百年；秦朝定都關中，到秦二世就滅亡了。洛陽位居「天下之中」，便于四面八方的物資供給，而且四周群山環繞，背靠邙山，東有成皋，西有崤函，背對黃河，面向伊洛之水，土地肥沃，地勢險要，形勢完固，足以設險守國。

張良說：「洛陽雖有此固，其中小，不過數百里，田地薄，四面受敵，此非用武之國也。夫關中左殽函，右隴蜀，沃野千里，南有巴蜀之饒，北有胡苑之利，阻三面而守，獨以一面東制諸侯。諸侯安定，河渭漕輓天下，西給京師；諸侯有變，順流而下，足以委輸。此所謂金城千里，天府之國也，婁敬之說是也。」於是劉邦當即決定起駕往西，定都關中，並拜婁敬為郎中，賜劉姓。

漢律九章

劉邦稱帝後，鑒於全國新形勢，感到：「三章之法，不足以御奸。」於是令蕭何參照秦朝法律：「取其宜於時者，作律九章。」蕭何在保留《秦律》六章的基礎上，補充了《戶律》、《廄律》、《興律》三章，史稱《九章律》。

制定朝儀

漢高帝五年（前202年），天下已經統一，諸侯們在定陶共同尊推漢王劉邦為皇帝，叔孫通負責擬定儀式禮節。當時劉邦把秦朝的那些嚴苛的儀禮法規全部取消，只是擬定了一些簡單易行的規矩。可是群臣在朝廷飲酒作樂爭論功勞，醉了有的狂呼亂叫，甚至拔出劍來砍削庭中立柱，劉邦為這事感到頭疼。叔孫通知道皇帝愈來愈討厭這類事，就勸說道：「夫儒者難與進取，可與守成。臣原徵魯諸生，與臣弟子共起朝儀。」劉邦說：「得無難乎？」叔孫通說：「五帝異樂，三王不同禮。禮者，因時世人情為之節文者也。故夏、殷、周之禮所因損益可知者，謂不相複也。臣原頗採古禮與秦儀雜就之。」劉邦說：「可試為之，令易知，度吾所能行為之。」

于是叔孫通奉命徵召了魯地儒生三十多人。魯地有兩個儒生不願走，說：「公所事者且十主，皆面諛以得親貴。今天下初定，死者未葬，傷者未起，又欲起禮樂。禮樂所由起，積德百年而後可興也。吾不忍為公所為。公所為不合古，吾不行。公往矣，無汙我！」叔孫通笑著說：「若真鄙儒也，不知時變。」

叔孫通就與征來的三十人一起向西來到都城，他們和皇帝左右有學問的侍從以及叔孫通的弟子一百多人，在郊外拉起繩子表示施禮的處所，立上茅草代表位次的尊卑進行演練。演習了一個多月，叔孫通說：「上可試觀。」皇帝視察後，讓他們向自己行禮，然後說：「吾能為此。」于是命令群臣都來學習，這時正巧是十月，能進行歲首朝會的實際排練。

漢高帝七年（前200年），長樂宮已經建成，各諸侯王及朝廷群臣都來朝拜皇帝參加歲首大典。當時的朝儀是：天亮時，由謁者掌禮，來訪者依次進入殿門。宮中設有車騎、步卒守衛，以及兵器、旗幟等。殿上傳言：「趨」，殿下郎中俠陛，陛數百人入殿。功臣、列侯、將軍及其他軍官在西列隊，向東而立；文官自丞相以下在東列隊，向西而立。大行依爵位高低宣示來賓上殿。於是皇帝乘輦出房，百官手執幟而傳警，引諸侯王以下至領六百石薪金的吏員依次奉賀。這時，自諸侯王以下，各人無不肅然起敬。禮成後開始酒會，宮內侍從坐在殿上，全部伏下，以來賓尊卑依次敬酒。九觴酒後，謁者宣佈：「罷酒」。御史在場內執法，見到不依禮儀的人便立刻把他帶走。整個酒會過程中都沒有人敢喧嘩失禮。

大典之後，劉邦非常得意地說：「吾乃今日知為皇帝之貴也。」于是授給叔孫通太常的官職，賞賜黃金500斤。隨叔孫通入京的儒生獲漢高帝封為郎，另外叔孫通把賞賜所得全數分贈隨行的儒生。

消滅各藩

在楚漢戰爭中，劉邦為了換取各路實力軍人的支持，以打敗項羽，故封韓信等人為諸侯王。這樣在西漢建立之初，被封的異姓王共有數人，即齊王韓信（後徙為楚王）、梁王彭越、淮南王英布、韓王信、趙王張耳、燕王臧荼（後更立盧綰）、衡山王吳芮（後改為長沙王）。

王國的封地，多者一百多城，少者三四十縣，總面積比朝廷直轄郡縣還要多，而且各王都擁有軍隊，行政、財政自專，名為漢臣，實為漢不能控制之獨立軍閥，對朝廷造成很大威脅。

漢高祖建國稱帝時已過半百，身體多病，容易疑心，尤其是畏懼那些實力強大的異姓王們，各種削藩政策使得諸侯各自造反。結果，燕王臧荼最先起兵，兵敗之後被捕殺、韓信先由齊王，改為楚王，劉邦假裝出巡楚國，卻將他劫持，貶為淮陰侯，留居京城，不讓他到外地任職，而陳豨於漢十一年（前196年）在代國造反，劉邦親征。舍人樂說告韓信欲攻皇后與太子以應陳豨，呂后採納蕭何之計殺掉韓信，夷三族。彭越被呂后誣以謀逆，被酼刑；韓王信、陳豨等敗後叛逃匈奴，後戰敗被殺；英布起兵淮南，一開始聲勢甚猛，劉邦抱著病御駕親征，並且與曹參會師，夾擊滅了英布。燕王盧綰逃入匈奴。只有長沙國因為國家太小，才勉強得以保存，直到漢惠帝時才因為絕後而國除。

高帝十二年（前195年），劉邦曾殺白馬為盟，除了宗室，不許以後再立異姓諸侯王，訂下誓約：「非劉氏而王者，天下共擊之。」這就是歷史上的「白馬之盟」。

劉邦還承認閩越的當地君長亡諸為王，但事實上閩越相當於藩屬國，所以未在消滅之列。

劉邦對其他的列侯亦起疑心，蕭何刻意以低價強行購買平民的房地產，自毀名譽，來使高祖對他釋疑。高祖崩逝前因重病心憂下令陳平、周勃斬殺一直忠心耿耿的好友樊噲，樊噲是高祖的連襟，還在鴻門宴上救過高祖一命，只因樊噲是呂后之妹婿，高祖擔心樊噲幫助諸呂作亂。後因樊噲是劉邦的老友，又是呂后的妹婿，陳平、周勃不敢妄動，高祖駕崩，樊噲才躲過一劫。

廢立太子

劉邦晚年寵幸愛戚夫人而疏遠了呂后，又認為呂后所生太子劉盈（漢惠帝）過於軟弱，多次想廢黜太子而改立戚氏之子趙王劉如意。

漢高帝十二年（前195年），劉邦隨著擊敗英布的軍隊，回長安，病勢更加沈重，愈想更換太子。張良勸諫，劉邦不聽，張良就託病，不再理事。太子太傅叔孫通進諫規勸道：「古時晉獻公因驪姬之故，罷黜了太子，立奚齊，晉國動亂了數十年，被天下人所笑。秦朝以不早定扶蘇為太子，令趙高得以詐立胡亥，使自己的宗廟滅亡，此陛下所親見。今太子仁孝，天下人皆聞之；呂后與陛下一起憂勞辛苦，難道可以背叛她！陛下必欲廢嫡長子而立少子，臣願意先伏誅，把脖子的血灑汙宮殿之地。」劉邦說：「公不必這麼說，我只是開開玩笑。」叔孫通說：「太子是天下的『根本』，『根本』一搖，天下震動，怎麼以天下開玩笑！」劉邦說：「吾聽公言。」但劉邦只是假裝答應了他，還是想更換太子。

而御史大夫周昌更與劉邦極力爭辯，劉邦問他理由何在，周昌有口吃的毛病，再加上非常激動，也就口吃得更厲害了，他說：「臣口不能言，然臣期期（期，通「極」）知其不可。陛下雖欲廢太子，臣期期不奉詔。」劉邦聽罷，很高興地笑了。呂后因為在東廂側耳聽到上述對話，見到周昌時，就跪謝說：「沒有君，太子幾乎要被廢了。」

呂后很驚慌，不知如何保住太子的地位。有人對呂后說：「留侯善於出計策，陛下相信、任用他。」呂后就派建成侯呂澤脅迫留侯張良說：「君長久以來都是陛下的謀臣，現在陛下打算撤換太子，怎麼能高枕無憂地睡大覺呢？」張良說：「當初陛下多次是處在危急之中，才幸而採用了臣的計策。如今天下已經安定，由于自己偏愛的原因想更換太子，這些是人家骨肉之間的家務事，即使跟臣一樣的一百多個人一同進諫，又有甚麼用處呢？」呂澤竭力要挾說：「為我想想辦法罷！」張良說：「這件事是很難用口舌來爭辯的。陛下有招致不到的四個賢者，這四個人已經年老了，都認為陛下對人傲慢無禮，所以躲在山中，他們依道義而行，不肯做漢朝的臣子。但是陛下很敬重這四個人。現在您果真能不惜錢財，讓太子寫一封信，言辭謙恭，並預備可以安適的馬車，再派有口才的人懇切地聘請，他們應當會來。來了以後，把他們當作貴賓，讓他們時常跟著入朝，叫陛下見到他們，那麼陛下一定會感到驚異並詢問他們。一問他們，陛下知道這四個人賢能，這對太子是一個幫助啊。」於是呂后讓呂澤派人攜帶太子的書信，用謙恭的言辭和豐厚的禮品，迎請這四個人。四個人來了，就住在建成侯的府第中為客。

等到安閑的時候，設置酒席，太子在旁侍侯。那四人跟著太子，他們的年齡都已八十多歲，鬂眉潔白，衣冠非常壯美奇特。劉邦感到奇怪，問道：「彼何為者？」四個人向前對答，各自說出姓名，叫東園公、角裏先生、綺裏季、夏黃公（商山四皓）。劉邦於是大驚說：「我訪求諸公已好幾年了，諸公都逃避著我，現在諸公為何自願跟隨我兒交遊呢？」四人都說：「陛下輕慢士人，擅長的就是辱罵，我們追求義理，不願受人侮辱，所以惶恐地隱居起來了。我們私下得知太子為人仁義孝順，恭敬有禮，珍愛士人，天下人無不伸長脖子想為太子效死，所以我們就來了。」劉邦說：「要麻煩諸公好好調護太子到最後了。」

四個人敬酒祝福已畢，小步快走離去。劉邦目送他們，召喚戚夫人過來，指著那四個人給她看，說道：「我是想更換太子，但他們四個人輔佐太子，太子的羽翼已經形成，難以更換了。呂后真是你的主人了。」戚夫人哭泣起來，劉邦說：「你為我跳楚國的舞，我為你唱楚國的歌。」劉邦唱道：「鴻鵠高飛，一舉千里。羽翮已就，橫絕四海。橫絕四海，當可奈何！雖有矰繳，尚安所施！」劉邦唱了幾遍，戚夫人抽泣流淚，劉邦起身離去，酒宴結束。劉邦最終沒更換太子，臨終時還在牽掛劉如意戚夫人母子。戚夫人也在劉邦死後，遭呂后拔頭髮、斬去手腳，丟進廁所，被稱為「人彘」。

經濟

輕徭薄賦

劉邦稱帝後，將士兵都遣散回家。下令各諸侯子弟留在關中的，免除賦稅、徭役十二年，回到封國去的免除賦稅徭役六年，國家供養他們一年。漢高帝十二年（前195年）二月，他又連下2詔，公告天下，表示朝廷有意輕徭薄賦。而各郡國對朝廷貢獻過多，於是下詔規定數額，並規定進奉日期是每年的10月。漢初實行的十五稅一制（田租為收成的1/15，約為6.67%），更是輕徭薄賦政策的明顯例證。

解放奴婢

凡民眾因為飢餓沒有糧食，自己賣身到富戶，成為奴婢者，皆免除其奴隸身分，改為庶人。

文化

重視儒生

劉邦早年放蕩不羈，輕視儒生，稱帝以後，仍認為讀書無用。儒生陸賈在劉邦面前必言《詩經》、《書經》。劉邦破口大罵說：「你老子我，騎在馬背上得了天下，怎麼要我去鑽研那些《詩》、《書》？」陸賈據理力爭地說：「在馬背上取得天下，難道也在馬背上治理天下麼？商湯和周武王，都是以武力取得天下，然後政治上順應形勢以文治守成，文治與武力並用，這才是長治久安的好方法啊。從前吳王夫差、智伯都是因窮兵黷武而使國家滅亡；秦朝也是一味使用嚴刑峻法而不知變通，最後導致秦二世的滅亡。假使秦朝統一天下之後行仁義，效法古代聖人，那陛下又怎麼取得天下呢？」劉邦雖然不太開心、有點尷尬，但還是對陸賈說：「試著為我寫下，秦國失天下的理由，我之所以得天下的理由，還有古代國家興亡的歷史。」於是命陸賈論述國家興衰存亡的徵兆和原因，共寫十二篇。每寫完一篇就上奏給劉邦，劉邦無不稱贊，左右群臣皆高呼萬歲，他稱這部書為《新語》。

後來劉邦因為平定英布叛亂回途路經山東，還準備祭品，親自祭祀了孔子。

建設

新築長安

漢高帝五年（前202年），開始興建都城長安，當時以秦朝的興樂宮為基礎，修建長樂宮，做為皇宮。漢高帝七年（前200年），長樂宮建成，劉邦從洛陽遷都長安，並在長樂宮行叔孫通所制定的漢朝朝儀。

漢高帝八年（前199年），丞相蕭何主持修建未央宮，並於長樂宮和未央宮之間修建武庫，又於長安東南修建太倉。

劉邦看到宮殿非常壯觀，很生氣的對蕭何說：「天下匈匈苦戰數歲，成敗未可知，是何治宮室過度也？」蕭何說：「天下方未定，故可因遂就宮室。且夫天子四海為家，非壯麗無以重威，且無令後世有以加也。」劉邦這才信服。

軍事

平城之戰

秦亡以後，漠北的匈奴乘機南下騷擾漢朝北方邊境。漢高帝六年（前201年），韓王信投降匈奴。漢高帝七年（前200年），在北伐匈奴時，劉邦打退冒頓又接受婁敬之策，以宗室女假稱長公主，遠嫁冒頓單于，開始了與匈奴的和親政策。

去世

劉邦在討伐英布前，就已得病，之後和英布交戰時，又為流矢所中，回京師後，病況危急，不想見客，躺在皇宮之中，詔令守門武士不讓群臣進入。群臣中如周勃、灌嬰等猛將都不敢進宮。這樣過了十多天，樊噲受不了了，推開宮門，闖了進去，後面群臣緊緊跟隨。看到劉邦枕著一個宦官躺在床上。樊噲等人見到劉邦之後，痛哭流涕地說：「起初陛下與臣等在豐、沛起兵，平定天下，多麼雄壯啊！今天下已定，又多麼的疲憊啊！而且陛下病得很重，大臣震驚恐懼，不願意接見臣等討論大事，反而獨自與跟一個宦官隔絕在這麼？而且陛下唯獨不見趙高之事麼？」於是劉邦笑著從床上起來。

之後劉邦的病情急劇惡化，呂后請了良醫為他醫治，劉邦詢問病情，醫生進言：「可以治好。」劉邦聽了不但不高興，還罵醫生說：「我不過是一個布衣，手提三尺之劍，取得天下，這難道不是天命麼？人的命運是上天預定的，就算是扁鵲就能把我醫好麼？」不願意繼續治療，賜給醫師五十斤黃金，令醫師離去。

之後呂后問劉邦：「陛下百歲之後，蕭相國死了，令誰代之？」劉邦說：「曹參可以。」呂后問還有誰，劉邦說：「王陵可。然陵略顯憨直，陳平可以助之。陳平智謀有餘，但是難以獨當重任。周勃厚道穩重，不夠文雅，但是安定劉氏者一定是周勃，可令為太尉。」呂后再問，劉邦說：「以後的事，也不是你能知道的。」暗示呂后也無法活那麼久。

四月甲辰（前195年6月1日），劉邦駕崩於長樂宮中，呂后和審食其商量說：「那些將軍們跟先帝一樣出身普通編戶之民，後來變成先帝的臣子，就常常流露出不滿、不服的樣子，怎麼可能要他們侍奉少主，如果不全部族滅他們，天下就安定不了。」所以呂后過了四天還不宣布皇帝駕崩，打算發兵殺盡功臣將領。有人轉告這些話給將軍酈商。酈商去會見審食其，說：「我聽說皇帝駕崩四天，還不發喪，意思是要殺掉所有大將。如果真的如此，天下就危險了。陳平、灌嬰率十萬大軍鎮守滎陽，樊噲、周勃率二十萬大軍攻下燕國和代國，如他們聽說皇帝駕崩了，將軍們都即將被遭殺戮，必定會聯兵回頭來攻關中。屆時大臣們在京師叛亂，諸侯們在外面造反，國家遲早要滅亡的了。」審食其把這些話轉告了呂后，呂后才趕緊在丁未日（6月4日）發喪，大赦天下。

五月丙寅（6月23日），葬劉邦于長陵。己巳（6月26日），太子劉盈繼位，是為漢孝惠帝。

漢惠帝來到太上皇廟。群臣們都說：「先帝出身為普通百姓，為世道撥亂反正，平定天下，為漢朝的太祖，功最高。」上謚號為高皇帝，廟號為太祖。又下令全國各郡國諸侯建太祖廟，每年按時祭祀。至今在江西客家地區還有漢高帝信仰，尤其是江西寧都縣漢帝信仰最普遍，幾乎每個村都建有漢帝廟。

個人作品

漢高帝十二年（前195年），劉邦平定英布叛亂後，途中路過故鄉沛縣。在沛宮置備酒席，把老朋友和父老子弟都請來一起開懷暢飲。鄉民們還召集沛中兒童120人唱歌助興。酒到濃時，劉邦彈擊著築琴，唱起自編的楚歌：「大風起兮雲飛揚，威加海內兮歸故鄉，安得猛士兮守四方！」讓兒童們跟著學唱。劉邦邊歌邊舞，熱淚盈眶。他對沛縣父老兄弟說：「遊子悲故鄉。吾雖都關中，萬歲後吾魂魄猶樂思沛。且朕自沛公以誅暴逆，遂有天下，其以沛為朕湯沐邑，複其民，世世無有所與。」沛縣的父老兄弟天天快活飲酒，盡情歡宴，敘談往事，取笑作樂。過了十多天，劉邦決定要走了，沛縣父老堅決要劉邦多留幾日。劉邦說：「吾人眾多，父兄不能給。」於是離開沛縣。這天，沛縣城裏全空了，百姓都趕到城西來敬獻牛、酒等禮物。劉邦又停下來，搭起帳篷，痛飲三天。沛縣父兄都叩頭請求說：「沛幸得複，豐未複，唯陛下哀憐之。」劉邦說：「豐吾所生長，極不忘耳，吾特為其以雍齒故反我為魏。」但在百姓的再三請求下，劉邦才答應免除豐邑的賦稅徭役，並封沛侯劉濞為吳王。

親屬

父母

• 太上皇劉太公

• 昭靈皇后王含始

兄弟姐妹

• 大哥 武哀王劉伯：早死，漢五年春正月，劉邦當時只是漢王，故追封其為武哀侯，高后七年五月辛未，追尊為武哀王。

• 二哥 吳頃王劉喜：被封為代王。後因匈奴來襲，棄城而走，被劉邦降為合陽侯，於前193年去世。其子劉濞被封吳王後，追封其為頃王。

• 四弟 楚元王劉交：儒家代表人物，少與申公、白生、穆生從荀子門人浮邱伯為學《詩》。漢六年春正月，封為楚王。元王歸國，遣子劉郢客與同學往長安再從其師浮丘伯就學。申公等為《詩》作傳，劉交亦為《詩》作傳，號稱《元王詩》，是儒家漢初代表作品之一。

• 宣夫人：劉邦的姐姐，名及事跡皆不詳，高帝稱帝後追尊為宣夫人，呂后七年夏五月辛未（前181年五月）追尊為昭哀后。

后妃

皇后

• 呂雉，即呂后，漢惠帝劉盈、魯元公主之母。惠帝即位，尊為呂太后，謚號「高皇后」，東漢光武帝追去皇字，稱高后。

妃嬪

• 戚姬

• 薄姬，漢文帝劉恆生母。文帝即位，尊為薄太后。

• 管夫人

• 夫人趙子兒

• 石美人，萬石君石奮的姐姐。

• 傅夫人，僅知劉邦所葬漢長陵有傅夫人墓，前41年，有個名叫「忠」的男子與一群人，盜掘傅夫人墓。

• 唐姬，又稱唐山夫人，漢初女詩人，創作有漢初著名詩集《安世房中歌》十七章。

其他後宮

• 曹氏，劉邦年輕時的情婦。《漢書》作曹夫人，未詳是否得到名分。

• 趙姬，張敖所獻美人，無封號。

皇子

• 皇庶長子 齊悼惠王劉肥（母曹氏）

• 皇嫡長子 漢惠帝劉盈（母呂后）

• 皇三子 趙隱王劉如意（母戚夫人）

• 皇四子 漢文帝劉恆（母薄姬）

• 皇五子 趙共王劉恢

• 皇六子 趙幽王劉友

• 皇七子 淮南厲王劉長（母趙姬）

• 皇八子 燕靈王劉建

皇女

• 皇長女 魯元公主（母呂后，下嫁張敖）

• 李公主、申徒公主、榮公主、傅公主。湖北省江陵縣張家山漢簡《二年律令》中《秩律》有「李公主申徒公主榮公主傅主家丞秩各三百石」的記載，整理小組認為是「李公主申徒公主榮公主傅【公】主」，疑為呂后女。另說她們的母親很可能是分別姓李、申徒、榮、傅的劉邦或漢惠帝劉盈姬妾。家丞是漢代諸侯王、列侯、公主家吏的最高長官。《二年律令》的時間是呂后二年（公元前186年）。兩年前，年僅二十八歲的漢惠帝逝世，他共有七個兒子，但無女兒的記載。由于史籍對四位公主均無記載，所以無從判斷。

評價

楚漢

西漢史學家司馬遷在《史記》中的評價：「太史公曰：夏之政忠。忠之敝，小人以野，故殷人承之以敬。敬之敝，小人以鬼，故周人承之以文。文之敝，小人以僿，故救僿莫若以忠。三王之道若循環，終而復始。周秦之間，可謂文敝矣。秦政不改，反酷刑法，豈不繆乎？故漢興，承敝易變，使人不倦，得天統矣。」

東漢史學家班固在《漢書》中對漢高祖劉邦一生事業的評價：

• 「初，高祖不修文學，而性明達，好謀，能聽，自監門戍卒，見之如舊。初順民心作三章之約。天下既定，命蕭何次律令，韓信申軍法，張蒼定章程，叔孫通制禮儀，陸賈造《新語》。又與功臣剖符作誓，丹書鐵契，金匱石室，藏之宗廟。雖日不暇給，規摹弘遠矣。」

• 「贊曰：《春秋》晉史蔡墨有言：陶唐氏既衰，其後有劉累，學擾龍，事孔甲，范氏其後也。而大夫范宣子亦曰：『祖自虞以上為陶唐氏，在夏為御龍氏，在商為豕韋氏，在周為唐杜氏，晉主夏盟為范氏。』范氏為晉士師，魯文公世奔秦。後歸于晉，其處者為劉氏。劉向云戰國時劉氏自秦獲于魏。秦滅魏，遷大梁，都于豐，故周市說雍齒曰：『豐，故梁徙也。』是以頌高祖云：『漢帝本系，出自唐帝。降及于周，在秦作劉。涉魏而東，遂為豐公。』豐公，蓋太上皇父。其遷日淺，墳墓在豐鮮焉。及高祖即位，置祠祀官，則有秦、晉、梁、荊之巫，世祠天地，綴之以祀，豈不信哉！由是推之，漢承堯運，德祚已盛，斷蛇著符，旗幟上赤，協于火德，自然之應，得天統矣。」

酈食其：「收天下之兵，立諸侯之後。降城即以侯其將，得賂即以分其士，與天下同其利，豪英賢才皆樂為之用。」

魏豹：「漢王慢而侮人，罵詈諸侯髃臣如罵奴耳，非有上下禮節也。」

高起、王陵：「陛下慢而侮人，項羽仁而愛人。然陛下使人攻城略地，所降下者因以予之，與天下同利也。」

韓信：「陛下不能將兵，而善將將，此乃言之所以為陛下禽也。且陛下所謂天授，非人力也。」

陸賈：「項羽倍約，自立為西楚霸王，諸侯皆屬，可謂至強。然漢王起巴、蜀，鞭笞天下，遂誅項羽，滅之。五年之間，海內平定。此非人力，天之所建也。」「皇帝繼五帝、三皇之業，統理中國；中國之人以億計，地方萬里，萬物殷富；政由一家，自天地剖判未始有也。」

司馬遷：「然王跡之興，起於閭巷，合從討伐，軼於三代，鄉秦之禁，適足以資賢者為驅除難耳。故憤發其所為天下雄，安在無土不王。此乃傳之所謂大聖乎？」

魏晉南北朝

荀悅：「高祖起于布衣之中，奮劍而取天下，不由唐虞之禪，不階湯武之王，龍行虎變，率從風雲，征亂伐暴。廓清帝宇。八載之間，海內克定，遂何天之衢。登建皇極。上古已來，書籍所載，未嘗有也。非雄俊之才、寬明之略、歷數所授、神祇所相、安能致功如此。」

曹植：「昔漢之初興，高祖因暴秦而起。官由亭長，自身亡徒。招集英雄，遂誅強楚。光有天下，功齊湯武。業流後嗣，誠帝王之元勛，人君之盛事也。然而名不繼德，行不純道。寡善人之美稱，鮮君子之風採。惑秦宮而不出，窘項座而不起。計失乎酈生，忿過乎韓信。太公是誥，于孝違矣。敗古今之大教，傷王道之實義。身沒之後，崩亡之際，果令凶婦肆鴆酷之心，嬖妾被人豕之刑。亡趙幽囚，禍殃骨肉。諸呂專權，社稷幾移。凡此諸事，豈非高祖寡計淺慮以致禍亂？然彼之雄才大略，倜儻之節，信當世至豪健壯傑士也。又其梟將盡藎臣，皆古今之鮮有，歷世之希睹。彼能任其才而用之，聽其言而察之。故兼天下而有帝位，流巨勛而遺元功也。不然斯不免當世之妄。」

曹冏：「漢祖奮三尺之劍，驅烏集之眾，五年之中，遂成帝業。自開關以來，其興立功勳，未有若漢祖之易也。夫伐深根者難為功，摧枯朽者易為力，理勢然也。」

劉邵：「若一人之身，兼有英雄，則能長世；高祖、項羽是也。」

劉淵：「大丈夫當為漢高、魏武，呼韓邪何足效哉!」

石勒：「朕若逢高皇，當北面而事之，與韓彭競鞭而爭先耳。」。脫遇光武，當並驅于中原，未知鹿死誰手。大丈夫行事當礌礌落落，如日月皎然，終不能如曹孟德、司馬仲達父子，欺他孤兒寡婦，狐媚以取天下也

司馬昱：「高祖則倜儻疏達，魏武則猜忌狹吝。」

唐

李世民：「正主御邪臣，不能致理；正臣事邪主，亦不能致理。唯君臣相遇，有同魚水，則海內可安也。昔漢高祖，田舍翁耳。提三尺劍定天下，既而規模弘遠，慶流子孫者，此蓋任得賢臣所致也。」

遼

遼太祖耶律阿保機敬仰劉邦，故兼姓劉氏；又以蕭何助劉，故變其母族、後族為蕭氏，遼朝皇族耶律氏也兼姓劉氏。

宋

司馬光於資治通鑑中，引用班固的評價：「初，高祖不修文學，而性明達，好謀，能聽，自監門、戍卒，見之如舊。初順民心作三章之約。天下既定，命蕭何次律、令，韓信申軍法，張蒼定章程，叔孫通制禮儀；又與功臣剖符作誓，丹書、鐵契，金匱、石室，藏之宗廟。雖日不暇給，規摹弘遠矣。」

蘇軾：「予觀漢高祖及光武，及唐太宗，及我太祖皇帝，能一天下者四君，皆以不嗜殺人者致之，其餘殺人愈多，而天下愈亂。」

蘇轍：「夫古之英雄，唯漢高帝為不可及也夫。」

何去非：「漢太祖挾其在己之智術，固無足以定天下而王之。然天下卒歸之者，蓋能收人之智而任之不疑也。」

范浚：「夫以高祖權略智數，攬英豪而驅御之，蓋真王霸才，雖羽百輩不敵也。」

明

明朝官修皇帝實錄《明太祖實錄》記載，明太祖朱元璋在洪武七年八月初一日（1374年9月7日），親自前往南京歷代帝王廟祭祀三皇五帝、夏禹王、商湯王、周武王、漢高祖、漢光武帝、隋文帝、唐太宗、宋太祖、元世祖一共十七位帝王。

洪武二十一年（1388年）隋文帝的塑像被撤出南京歷代帝王廟，其中對漢高祖劉邦的祝文是：「惟漢高祖皇帝除嬴平項，寬仁大度，威加海內，年開四百。有君天下之德而安萬世之功者也。元璋以菲德荷天佑人助，君臨天下，繼承中國帝王正統，伏念列聖去世已遠，神靈在天，萬古長存，崇報之禮，多未舉行，故于祭祀有闕。是用肇新廟宇于京師，列序聖像及歷代開基帝王，每歲祀以春、秋仲月，永為常典。今禮奠之初，謹奉牲醴、庶品致祭，伏惟神鑒。尚享！」；「項羽南面稱孤，仁義不施，而自矜功伐。高祖知其然，承以柔遜，濟以寬仁，卒以勝之。」

毛澤東

毛澤東對劉邦的評價是「老粗出人物」、「封建皇帝裡邊最厲害的一個」，「他得天下一因決策對頭，二因用人得當」。1964年毛澤東更借題發揮，指出：「自古以來，能幹皇帝大多是老粗出身。漢朝的劉邦是封建皇帝裡邊最厲害的一個——劉敬勸他不要建都洛陽，要建都長安，他立刻就去長安；鴻溝劃界，項羽引兵東退，他也想到長安休息，張良說，什麼條約不條約、要進攻，他立刻聽了張良的話，向東進；韓信要求自封假齊王，劉邦說不行，張良踢了他一腳，他立刻改口說：『要封就封真齊王，何必要假的。』」毛澤東還認為項羽非政治家，劉邦則為一位高明的政治家。

毛澤東在1964年3月24日，在一次聽取匯報時的插話中對漢高祖劉邦，元太祖成吉思汗、明太祖朱元璋的治國能力評價如下：「可不要看不起老粗。」「知識分子是比較最沒有知識的，歷史上當皇帝的，有許多是知識分子，是沒有出息的：隋煬帝，就是一個會做文章、詩詞的人；陳後主、李後主，都是能詩善賦的人；宋徽宗，既能寫詩又能繪畫。一些老粗能辦大事：成吉思汗，是不識字的老粗；劉邦，也不認識幾個字，是老粗；朱元璋也不識字，是個放牛的。」（毛澤東舉例只是為了強調「一些老粗能辦大事」，並不是說成吉思汗和劉邦真的不識字，也不是說劉邦只認識幾個字。事實上，成吉思汗，劉邦，朱元璋三人身為帝王，他們的文化水平至少達到批閱奏摺和簽署命令的程度。劉邦和朱元璋的文化水平不必細談，相關史書記載很多，至于成吉思汗，元初耶律楚材在《玄風慶會錄》一書中提到成吉思汗是可以親自閱覽文件的。）

其他

• 英國史學家湯恩比更與之和羅馬的凱撒大帝齊名。「人類歷史上最有遠見、對後世影響最大的兩位政治人物，一位是開創羅馬帝國的愷撒，另一位便是創建大漢文明的劉邦。愷撒未能目睹羅馬帝國的建立以及文明的興起，便不幸遇刺身亡，而劉邦卻親手締造了一個昌盛的時期，並以其極富遠見的領導才能，為人類歷史開創了新紀元！」（《展望二十一世紀—湯恩比和池田大作對話錄》）

藝術形象

影視

• 香港電視劇《楚河漢界》（1985年）：由吳啟華飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《淮陰侯韓信》（1991年）：由石維堅飾演劉邦。

• 中國電影《西楚霸王》（1994年）：由張豐毅飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《西楚霸王》（1994年）：由白志迪飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《漢劉邦》（1998年）：由劉文治飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《呂后傳奇》（1998年）：由許還山飾演劉邦。

• 香港電視劇《楚漢驕雄》（2004年）：由鄭少秋飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《大漢風》（2005年）：由肖榮生飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《大漢巾幗》（2005年）：由張志宏飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《神話》（2010年）：由李易祥飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《大風歌》（2010年）：由呂良偉飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《韓信》（2010年）：由孫海英飾演劉邦。

• 中國電影《鴻門宴》（2011年）：由黎明飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《楚漢爭雄》（2011年）：由黃秋生飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《楚漢傳奇》（2012年）：由陳道明飾演劉邦。

• 中國電影《王的盛宴》（2012年）：由劉燁飾演劉邦。

• 中國電視劇《秦時明月》（2014年）：由于波飾演劉邦。

動畫

• 中國動畫劇《秦漢英雄傳》（2011年），由李璐擔任劉邦的配音。

• 中國動畫劇《秦時明月》第五季：君臨天下（2015年），由賈邱擔任劉邦的配音。

遊戲

• 《王者榮耀》職業為坦克，為該遊戲「四一分推戰術」的始祖

紀年

軼事

劉氏冠

劉邦喜歡戴用竹皮編成的帽子，他讓掌管捕盜的差役到薛城去監製。到後來顯貴了，仍經常戴著。人們所說的「劉氏冠」，指的就是這種帽子。

對足球的貢獻

由於劉邦喜好蹴鞠，在他成為皇帝以後，促進了蹴鞠成為西漢時期的全國性體育運動，同時亦成為了西漢皇家的重要娛樂項目之一，而不再僅是往日只流行於草根階層。劉邦在皇宮範圍內，規劃了一座專業足球場，謂為鞠城。在劉邦的影響下，此後歷代漢朝皇帝，也包括太子黨在內的皇親及貴族等都喜歡蹴鞠此運動。劉徹踢蹴鞠時，令其文學侍從枚皋作《蹴鞠賦》助興。在漢朝時，蹴鞠被正式的列為漢朝軍人訓練項目之一，被軍事專家視之為兵家伎巧，是提高軍人體能的訓練手段。劉邦向《別錄》稱，「蹋鞠，兵勢也，所以練武士，知有材也，皆因嬉戲而講練之。」

其中劉邦後人──漢武帝劉徹和漢成帝劉驁，更是資深球迷，又經常親自上球場切磋技術。至於劉驁踢蹴鞠的投入程度更是使到朝臣擔心其龍體的安康，後來勸說劉驁不再參與蹴鞠活動，而用名叫彈棋的室內娛樂項目替代之。漢武帝時代的悍將霍去病在遠征匈奴時，軍中曾經一度缺乏軍糧；霍去病於是在戰區上臨時劃了一塊場地，帶領士兵踢蹴鞠，以提起及振奮士氣。

袒護正疆

劉邦大臣正疆上奏事情都很正確，劉邦非常滿意，楚漢戰爭時期，劉邦常常和正疆共坐一輛車，並把自己的寶劍送給正疆。劉邦稱帝後，讓正疆擔任郡守。有人告發正疆罪狀，劉邦問他：「天下大亂的時候，你在哪呢？」告發者說：「逃亡。」劉邦說：「正疆跟從我在軍中吹風淋雨，而你逃了，有什麼資格檢舉他！」于是叫廷尉把告發者鼻子割了。

Birth and early life

In imperial Han myth, Liu Bang's ancestors were the mythical Emperor Yao and the Yellow Emperor. Many ancient Chinese noble families claimed descent from the Yellow Emperor to justify their right to rule.

Liu Bang was born during the late years of the Warring States period; his parents' are only remembered as "Liu Taigong" (劉太公; lit. "Old Sir Liu") and "Liu Ao" (劉媪; lit. "Old Madam Liu") His family was from Zhongyang (中陽里) (Feng (丰邑) district, Pei County) in the state of Chu. According to legend, Liu Bang was conceived after Liu Ao encountered a dragon during a rainstorm.

According to records, the young Liu was outspoken, charismatic, generous, and forbearing, but he had little interest in education or work and frequently ran into trouble with the law; he was dependent on his brother for subsistence and his father called him "little rascal". Later, he became good friends with Zhang Er (張耳, ? — 202 BCE), the magistrate of the nearby Waihuang County and former retainer of Lord Xinling. Liu lived with Zhang Er until the latter went into hiding after the conquest of Chu by Qin.

Liu returned to Pei County. His close friends at the county office, Xiao He and Cao Shen, hid his delinquent behaviour and helped him to be appointed as the local sheriff (亭長) at Sishui Pavilion (泗水亭). Liu Bang forged close relationships with most of the local county bureaucrats, and earned a small reputation in the district. While performing statute labour in Xianyang, the Qin capital, he witnessed Qin Shi Huang undertaking an inspection tour; the royal procession impressed Liu.

Liu's wife, Lü Zhi, was the daughter of Lü Wen, a wealthy and influential gentry from Shanfu County. After moving to Pei County, Lü Wen held a feast for the local elite. Xiao He, who helped to collect gifts from the guests, declared that a seat inside the hall required gifts worth at least a thousand coins. Liu attended the feast without money, and made an offer of ten thousand coins which Xiao He realized was not serious. Nonetheless, Lü had Liu seated beside him based on appearance alone. Lü, further impressed by Liu in conversation, offered his daughter in marriage. Liu and Lü Zhi were married and had two children, Liu Ying (the future Emperor Hui) and the future Princess Yuan of Lu.

Insurrection against the Qin dynasty

Liu was responsible for escorting a group of penal laborers to the construction site of the First Emperor's mausoleum at Mount Li. During the journey, some prisoners escaped; under Qin law, allowing prisoners to escape was punishable by death. Rather than face justice, Liu freed the remaining prisoners and fled. Liu was joined by some of the grateful ex-prisoners, and he became their leader. They took over an abandoned stronghold on Mount Mangdang. Liu secretly remained in contact with some old friends, including Xiao He and Cao Shen in Pei County.

According to the legend of the "Uprising of the Slaying of the White Serpent" (斬白蛇起義), Liu's ascension to rulership was prophesied after becoming an outlaw. In the legend, a gigantic white serpent killed some of the outlaws with its poisonous breath; the serpent was killed by a drunk Liu during the night. The next morning, the outlaws encountered an old woman along the road; when asked why she was crying she mysteriously disappeared after replying: "My child, the White Emperor's son, has been slain by the son of the Red Emperor." Liu reputation grew among his followers, who became convinced of his destiny.

In 209 BCE, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang started the anti-Qin Dazexiang Uprising. The magistrate of Pei County considered joining the rebellion, and – on the advice of Xiao He and Cao Shen – invited Liu's group to the county to support him; the invitation was transmitted by Fan Kuai, Liu's his brother-in-law. However, the magistrate changed his mind and rescinded the offer; he also ordered Xiao and Cao to be killed lest they open the gates for Liu, but they escaped and joined Liu. On Xiao's advice, Liu secured the aid of commoners from the county beide Pei through written appeals delivered by arrows fired across the border. Peasants responded by killing the Pei County magistrate and welcoming Liu's return. Liu became known as the self-styled "Duke of Pei" (沛公).

In 208 BC, the Qin empire faced rebellions that sought to restore the states conquered during the wars of unification. In Wu County, the uprising of Xiang Liang – a commoner and son of a Chu general – installed Xiong Xin as "King Huai II" (楚後懷王) of Chu. Liu joined Xiang Liang's uprising. After Xiang Liang was killed at the Battle of Dingtao, Huai II sent Xiang Yu – Xiang Liang's nephew – and minister Song Yi to lead an army to reinforce the Zhao state against the attacking Qin.

Liu Bang was made "Marquis of Wu'an" (武安侯) and ordered to lead an army against Guanzhong in the Qin heartland. Huai II promised to grant rulership of Guanzhong as "King of Guanzhong" to whoever entered the region first. In 206 BC, Liu Bang won the race to Guanzhong over Xiang and arrived outside Xianyang, the Qin capital. The last Qin ruler, Ziying, surrendered the city without resistance. Liu's occupation policies were informed by Fan Kuai – now his bodyguard – and Zhang Liang – his strategist. Troops were forbidden from mistreating the population and looting. The harsh Qin laws were abolished; murder, robbery and burglary remained subject to strict punishments. Order was quickly restored in the city, and Liu won the respect of the Guanzhong population. Xiao He ordered the collection of all legal documents in the Qin palace and government facilities for preservation.

King of Han

Feast at Hong Gate

Xiang Yu disliked losing the race to Guanzhong. On the advice of Fan Zeng – his advisor – and Cao Wushang (曹無傷) – an informer from Liu's camp – Xiang Yu planned to hold a banquet in which to assassinate Liu. Xiang Yu was pursuaded by Xiang Bo, his uncle and a close friend of Zhang Liang, not to order the assassination during the banquet. Frustrated by the indecision, Fan Zeng ordered Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Yu's cousin, to perform and kill Liu during a sword dance, but this was stymied by Xiang Bo joining the dance and protecting Liu. Zhang Liang slipped away and summoned Fan Kuai, who arrived at the banquet in full armor and scolded Xiang Yu for the sinister plot. Embarrassed by Fan Kuai's accusation, Xiang Yu ordered the sword dance to stop and rewarded Fan Kuai for his bravery. Liu Bang escaped Xiang Yu's camp after pretending to go to the latrine, and then led his army westward. Xiang Yu then sacked Xianyang and burned the Epang Palace.

Enfeoffment at Hanzhong

After occupying Xianyang, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself the "Hegemon-King of Western Chu" and split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. He gave Guanzhong to three former Qin generals – Zhang Han, Sima Xin and Dong Yi – instead of to Liu. Liu received the isolated Bashu region (Sichuan Basin and upper Han River valley), then a place used for exiling prisoners, as Xiang Yu claimed that Bashu was part of Guanzhong. Zhang Liang, who was leaving for his native state of Han, negotiated a better arrangement on Liu's behalf after bribing Xiang Yu through Xiang Bo. To Liu, Xiang Yu added Nanzheng, the surrounding rift valley region around the (then) middle Han River, and the title of "King of Han".

Liu's army was escorted across the Qinling Mountains by a detachment of Xiang Yu's army. On Xiao He's advice, Liu burned the gallery roads behind him to prevent attack by Xiang Yu, and to reassure Xiang Yu that he would not return.

Chu-Han contention

From 206 to 202 BC, Liu Bang engaged Xiang Yu in a power struggle – historically known as the Chu–Han contention – for supremacy over China, while simultaneously attacking and subjugating the other kingdoms.

Conquest of the Three Qin

Liu Bang's migration into Nanzheng was far from pleasant – his followers were mostly from the Wu and Chu flatland regions and adapted poorly in the mountainous Bashu lands, and deserters grew on a daily basis. Liu Bang also grew temperamental, as he was very unhappy with his own predicament. One night, rumor arrived that Xiao He also disappeared, and Liu Bang almost had a nervous breakdown. When Xiao He returned the following morning, Liu Bang furiously confronted him and demanded an explanation. Xiao He revealed that he was in a rush chasing back an extremely talented military strategist named Han Xin, who was then merely a low-ranking officer only recently recruited into Liu Bang's army. Xiao He then introduced Liu Bang to Han Xin, who laid out his strategic plan to conquer the states. Impressed and convinced, Liu Bang formally assigned Han Xin as the supreme commander of his army.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yu's overbearing and arbitrary handling over the enfeoffments created much anger among the rebel leaders. Merely four months after Liu Bang's departure into Bashu, a rebellion broke out in the Qi kingdom in late 206 BCE, and Xiang Yu left Western Chu to suppress the revolt. Under Han Xin's advise, Liu Bang sent men to pretend trying to repair the previously burnt gallery roads, drawing away the attention of the Three Qins. At the same time, Han Xin used the distraction to invade Guanzhong unexpectedly via Chencang, and quickly defeated Zhang Han in a surprise attack. Following that, Sima Xin and Dong Yi both surrendered to Liu Bang, and by 205 BC the Three Qins became part of Liu's Kingdom of Han.

Defeat at Pengcheng

With Xiang Yu occupied to the east, Liu Bang collected a force of 560,000 troops from his subordinate lands, and marched east to attack Western Chu. En route, he encountered Peng Yue, who joined his cause upon promise of a fiefdom in Wei. As opposed to combining forces, Liu Bang sent Peng Yue's 30,000 troops to pacify the surrounding area. Liu Bang's army entered Xiang Yu's capital of Pengcheng apparently unopposed, looting its valuables and taking its women, but discipline had become lax and each day found the Han troops deeper in their cups.

Hearing of the fall of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu ordered the bulk of his forces to maintain the attack on Qi, while he personally led 30,000 crack troops to retake the capital. He encamped about ten miles from a city in present-day Xiao County, Anhui, and launched an attack on Pengcheng at dawn, and by noon had routed the unprepared Han army, driving them into the nearby Gu and Si Rivers, where over 100,000 men drowned or were killed by Chu soldiers. The remaining Han troops fled south to high ground, but were cornered by Chu forces by the Sui River, where another 100,000 drowned, their corpses damming up the river.

Liu Bang escaped the city with a handful of mounted bodyguards, heading to nearby Pei to collect his family. Xiang Yu also dispatched troops to Pei in an attempt to capture Liu Bang's family. His family had all fled, but Liu Bang encountered on the road his eldest daughter and second eldest son Liu Ying. The Chu army coerced a local into leading them to capture two of Liu Bang's family as hostages: his father Liu Taigong and wife Lü Zhi. One account states Liu Bang's mother was also captured. The Records of the Grand Historian recounts an event during this conflict, an event omitted from Liu Bang's own biography but present in the biography of Xiang Yu, where Liu Bang pushed his own children out of his carriage three times to lighten it in a desperate attempt to escape Xiang Yu's men, and it is only the repeated intervention of Xiahou Ying that secures the children's escape.

Battle of Jingsuo

After the disastrous defeat at Pengcheng, the strength of the Han forces decreased drastically. Many of the kings who had surrendered to Liu Bang earlier had also defected to Xiang Yu's side. Moreover, the Qi and Zhao kingdoms, which were previously at war with Chu, also requested to make peace with Chu.

Upon reaching Xiayi (下邑; east of present-day Dangshan County, Suzhou, Anhui), which was defended by his brother-in-law, Liu Bang reorganised his troops for a retreat. When he arrived at Yu (虞; present-day Yucheng County, Shangqiu, Henan), he sent an envoy to meet Ying Bu (King of Jiujiang) to appeal for support. Ying Bu, who held a grudge over Xiang Yu's unfair enfeoffment over the Eighteen Kingdoms, agreed to join Liu Bang and rebelled against Western Chu. Xiang Yu responded by sending Long Ju to attack Ying Bu.

In 205 BC, Liu Bang named his son Liu Ying as his crown prince and ordered him to defend Yueyang. Shortly after, Han forces conquered Feiqiu (廢丘; present-day Xingping, Shaanxi), which was guarded by Zhang Han, who committed suicide after his defeat. On another front, Ying Bu was unable to defeat Long Ju so he gave up on Jiujiang and went to join Liu Bang. Liu Bang reorganised his army, which now included reinforcements from Guanzhong (sent by Xiao He) and Han Xin's troops, and attacked Chu at Jing County (京縣; around present-day Xingyang, Zhengzhou, Henan) and Suoting (索亭; near present-day Xingyang, Henan). He emerged victorious, and drove Xiang Yu's forces east of Xingyang.

Battle of Chenggao and Treaty of Hong Canal

In 204 BC, after sustaining losses from Chu attacks on the newly built supply routes from Xingyang, the Han army was running short of supplies. Liu Bang negotiated for an armistice with Xiang Yu and agreed to cede the lands east of Xingyang to Western Chu. Xiang Yu wanted to accept Liu Bang's offer, but Fan Zeng advised him to reject it and use the opportunity to destroy Liu Bang. Xiang Yu changed his mind, pressed the attack on Xingyang and besieged Liu Bang's forces inside the city. Liu Bang heeded Chen Ping's suggestion to bribe Xiang Yu's men with 40,000 catties of gold for them to spread rumours that Fan Zeng had the intention of betraying Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu fell for the ruse and dismissed Fan Zeng.

Later that year, while Xiang Yu was away suppressing the rebellion in the Qi kingdom, Li Yiji advised Liu Bang to use the opportunity to attack Western Chu. Han forces conquered Chenggao and defeated the Chu army led by Cao Jiu near the Si River. Liu Bang's forces advanced further until they reached Guangwu (廣武). Chu forces led by Zhongli Mo were trapped by the Han army at the east of Xingyang. Following Han Xin's victory in the Battle of Wei River, the Chu army's morale fell and it ran short of supplies months later. Xiang Yu had no choice but to request to make peace with Liu Bang and released Liu's family members, who were held hostage by him. Chu and Han agreed to a ceasefire at the Treaty of Hong Canal (鴻溝和約), which divided China into east and west under their respective domains.

Battle of Gaixia

In 203 BC, while Xiang Yu was retreating eastward, Liu Bang, acting on the advice of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, renounced the Treaty of Hong Canal and ordered an attack on Western Chu. He also requested assistance from Han Xin and Peng Yue to attack Xiang Yu simultaneously from three directions. However, Han Xin and Peng Yue did not mobilise their troops and Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu at Guling (固陵; south of present-day Taikang County, Zhoukou, Henan), and was forced to retreat and reinforce his defences. At the same time, he sent messengers to meet Han Xin and Peng Yue again, and promised to give them land and titles if they joined him in attacking Xiang Yu, and they finally agreed.

Three months later in 202 BC, Han forces led by Liu Bang, Han Xin and Peng Yue attacked Western Chu from three directions. The Chu army was running low on supplies and Xiang Yu was trapped in Gaixia. Han Xin ordered his troops to sing Chu folk songs to create a false impression that the Chu homeland had fallen to Han forces. The Chu army's morale plummeted and many soldiers deserted. Xiang Yu attempted to break out the siege, and after fighting out of repeated traps was left with only 28 men when he reached the northern bank of the Wu River (near present-day He County, Chaohu City, Anhui). He made a last stand and managed to slay several Han soldiers before eventually committing suicide.

Establishment of the Han dynasty

In 202 BCE, Liu Bang was enthroned as the emperor with support from his subjects even though he expressed reluctance to take the throne. He named his dynasty "Han", and was historically known as "Emperor Gaozu" (or "Emperor Gao"). He established the capital in Luoyang (later moved to Chang'an) and instated his official spouse Lü Zhi as the empress and their son Liu Ying as the crown prince.

The following year, Emperor Gaozu wanted to reward his subjects who had contributed to the founding of the Han Empire, but the process dragged on for a year because they could not agree on the distribution of the rewards. The emperor thought that Xiao He's contributions were the greatest, so he awarded Xiao the title "Marquis of Zan" and gave him the largest amount of food stores. Some of the others expressed objections because they thought that Xiao was not directly involved in battle so his contributions should not be considered the greatest. Emperor Gaozu replied that Xiao He should receive the highest credit because he planned their overall strategy in the war against Xiang Yu. He named Cao Shen as the person who made the greatest contributions in battle and rewarded him and the others accordingly.

Reign

Reducing taxes and corvée

Emperor Gaozu disbanded his armies and allowed the soldiers to return home. He gave an order stating that the people who remained in Guanzhong were exempted from taxes and corvée for 12 years while those who returned to their respective native territories were exempted for six years and that the central government would provide for them for a year. He also granted freedom to those who had sold themselves into slavery to avoid hunger during the wars. In 195 BC, the emperor issued two decrees: the first officialised the lowering of taxes and corvée; the second set the amount of tribute to be paid by the vassal kings to the imperial court in the 10th month of every year. The land tax on agricultural production was reduced to a rate of 1/15 of crop yield. He also privatised the coinage.

Emphasis on Confucianism

In his early days, Emperor Gaozu disliked reading and scorned Confucianism. After becoming the emperor, he still held the same attitudes towards Confucianism as he did before until he encountered the scholar Lu Jia (or Lu Gu). Lu Gu wrote a 12-volume book, Xinyu (新語), which espoused the benefits of governing by moral virtue as opposed to using harsh and punitive laws (as it was under the Qin dynasty). Lu Gu read each volume to the emperor after he finished writing it. The emperor was deeply impressed. Under Emperor Gaozu's reign, Confucianism flourished and gradually replaced Legalism (of Qin times) as the state ideology. Confucian scholars, including Lu Gu, were recruited to serve in the government. The emperor also reformed the legal system by relaxing some laws inherited from the Qin regime and reducing the severity of certain penalties. In 196 BC, after suppressing a rebellion by Ying Bu, he passed by Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius, and personally prepared for a ceremony to pay respect to the philosopher.

Dispute over the succession

In his later years, Emperor Gaozu favoured Concubine Qi and neglected Empress Lü Zhi. He thought that Liu Ying, his heir apparent (born to the empress), was too weak to be a ruler. Thus, he had the intention of replacing Liu Ying with another son, Liu Ruyi, who was born to Concubine Qi. Lü Zhi became worried, so she asked Zhang Liang to help her son maintain his position. Zhang Liang recommended four reclusive wise men, the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang, to help Liu Ying.

In 195 BC as Emperor Gaozu's health started to worsen, he desired even more to replace Liu Ying with Liu Ruyi as the crown prince. Zhang Liang tried to dissuade him but was ignored, so he retired on the excuse that he was ill. Shusun Tong (the crown prince's tutor) and Zhou Chang also strongly objected to the emperor's decision to replace Liu Ying with Liu Ruyi. Zhou Chang said, "I am not good in arguing, but I know this is not right. If Your Majesty deposes the Crown Prince, I won't follow your orders any more." Zhou Chang was outspoken and had a stutter, which to some made his speech very amusing. The emperor laughed. After that, the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang (also known as the Four Haos of Mount Shang) showed up in the court. Emperor Gaozu was surprised to see them because they had previously declined to join the civil service when he invited them. The four men promised to help Liu Ying in the future if he were to remain as the crown prince. The emperor was pleased to see that Liu Ying had their support so he dismissed the idea of changing his heir apparent.

Military campaigns

After establishing the Han dynasty, Emperor Gaozu appointed princes and vassal kings to help him govern the Han Empire and gave each of them a piece of land. There were seven vassal kings who were not related to the imperial clan: Zang Tu, the King of Yan; Hán Xin, the King of Hán; Han Xin, the King of Chu; Peng Yue, the King of Liang; Ying Bu, the King of Huainan; Zhang Er, the King of Zhao; Wu Rui, the King of Changsha. However, later, the emperor became worried that the vassal kings might rebel against him because they, after all, had no blood relations with him. Han Xin and Peng Yue were (falsely) accused of treason, arrested and executed along with their families. Ying Bu and Zang Tu rebelled against him but were defeated and killed. Only Wu Rui and Zhang Er were left.

The Xiongnu in the north had been a threat since the Qin dynasty. Qin Shi Huang had sent the general Meng Tian to oversee the defences on the Qin Empire's northern border and the construction of the Great Wall to repel the invaders. Meng Tian achieved success in deterring the Xiongnu from advancing beyond the border. However, after the Qin dynasty collapsed, the Xiongnu seized the opportunity to move south and raid the border again. In 201 BCE, Hán Xin (King of Hán) defected to the Xiongnu leader, Modu. In the following year, Emperor Gaozu led an army to attack the Xiongnu but was besieged and trapped by the enemy at the Battle of Baideng. Acting on Chen Ping's advice, he bribed Modu's wife with gifts and got her to ask her husband to withdraw his forces. Modu did so. After returning to the capital, Emperor Gaozu initiated the policy of heqin, which involved sending noble ladies to marry the Xiongnu leaders and paying annual tribute to the Xiongnu in exchange for peace between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu.

Death

Emperor Gaozu was wounded by a stray arrow during the campaign against Ying Bu. He became seriously ill and remained in his inner chambers for a long period of time and ordered his guards to deny entry to everyone who tried to visit him. After several days, Fan Kuai barged into the chambers to see the emperor and the other subjects followed behind him. They saw Emperor Gaozu lying on his bed and attended to by a eunuch. Fan Kuai said, "How glorious it was when Your Majesty first led us to conquer the empire and how weary we are now. Your subjects are worried when they learn that Your Majesty is ill, but Your Majesty refuses to see us and prefers the company of a eunuch instead. Has Your Majesty forgotten the incident about Zhao Gao?" The emperor laughed and got out of bed to meet his subjects.

Emperor Gaozu's health deteriorated later so Empress Lü Zhi hired a famous physician to heal him. When Emperor Gaozu enquired about his condition, the physician told him that his illness could be cured, but the emperor was displeased and he scolded the physician, "Isn't it Heaven's will that I managed to conquer this empire in simple clothing and with nothing but a sword? My life is determined by Heaven. It is useless even if Bian Que is here!" He refused to continue with the treatment and sent the physician away. Before his death, he said that Cao Shen could succeed Xiao He as the chancellor after Xiao died, and that Wang Ling could succeed Cao Shen. He also said that Wang Ling might be too young to perform his duties so Chen Ping could assist Wang, but Chen was also qualified to assume the responsibilities of a chancellor all by himself. He also named Zhou Bo as a possible candidate for the role of Grand Commandant. He died in Changle Palace, Chang'an, on 1 June 195 BCE and was succeeded by Liu Ying, who became historically known as Emperor Hui.

Song of the Great Wind

The Song of the Great Wind was a song composed by Liu Bang in 195 BC when he visited his hometown in Pei County after suppressing Ying Bu's rebellion. He prepared a banquet and invited all his old friends and townsfolk to join him. After some drinks, Liu Bang played the guqin and sang the Song of the Great Wind.

Family

Consorts and Issue:

• Empress Gao, of the Lü clan (高後 呂氏; 241–180 BC), personal name Zhi (雉)

　• Princess Yuan of Lu (魯元公主; d. 187 BC), first daughter

　　• Married Zhang Ao, Marquis Xuanping (d. 182 BC), and had issue (one daughter, Empress Xiaohui)

　• Liu Ying, Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠皇帝 劉盈; 210–188 BC), second son

• Empress Gao, of the Bo clan (高皇后 薄氏; d. 155 BC)

　• Liu Heng, Emperor Xiaowen (孝文皇帝 劉恆; 203–157 BC), fourth son

• Furen, of the Cao clan (夫人 曹氏)

　• Liu Fei, King Daohui of Qi (齊悼惠王 劉肥; 221–189 BC), first son

• Furen, of the Qi clan (夫人 戚氏; 224–194 BC), personal name Yi (懿)

　• Liu Ruyi, King Yin of Zhao (趙隱王 劉如意; 208–194 BC), third son

• Lady, of the Zhao clan (趙氏; d. 198 BC)

　• Liu Chang, King Li of Huainan (淮南厲王 劉長; 199–174 BC), seventh son

• Unknown

　• Liu Hui, King Gong of Zhao (趙共王 劉恢; d. 181 BC), fifth son

　• Liu You, King You of Zhao (趙幽王 劉友; d. 181 BC), sixth son

　• Liu Jian, King Ling of Yan (燕靈王 劉建; d. 181 BC), eighth son

Ancestry

Modern references

Liu Bang is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.

His life story has also been dramatized in numerous TV series and films (See Chu–Han Contention#Cultural references).