The Hereditary House of the Five Clans, Twenty-Ninth

Emperor Xiaojing's sons numbered thirteen who were enfeoffed as kings. Their mothers were five, and sons born of the same mother were considered agnates. Lady Li's sons were named Rong, De, and Yanyu. Lady Cheng's sons were named Yu, Fei, and Duan. Lady Jia's sons were named Pengzu and Sheng. Lady Tang's son was named Fa. Lady Wang Erxu's sons were named Yue, Ji, Cheng, and Shun.

The Hejian Xian King, Liu De, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was enfeoffed as the King of Hejian by virtue of being an imperial son. He was fond of Confucian learning; his dress, attire, and conduct were always in accordance with Confucian norms. The Confucian scholars east of Mount Tai largely followed him and associated with him.

He reigned for twenty-six years and died. His son, the Gong King, Liu Buhai, succeeded him. He reigned for four years and died. His son, the Gang King, Liu Ji, succeeded him. He reigned for twelve years and died. His son, the Qing King, Liu Shou, succeeded him.

The Linjiang Ai King, Liu Yanyu, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was enfeoffed as the King of Linjiang by virtue of being an imperial son. He reigned for three years and died. He had no descendants, so his fief was abolished and converted into a commandery.

The Linjiang Min King, Liu Rong, in the fourth year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was established as the Heir Apparent. Four years later, he was deposed and, as a former heir apparent, was enfeoffed as the King of Linjiang.

He reigned for four years. He committed an offense by encroaching on the vacant land outside the temple enclosure to build palaces. The emperor summoned Liu Rong. When Liu Rong set out, he performed a sacrifice to the god of the road at the north gate of Jiangling. After he had already boarded the carriage, the axle broke, and the carriage was destroyed. The elders of Jiangling wept and said in private: "Our king will not return!" When Liu Rong reached the capital, he went to the Commandant's Office to undergo interrogation. The Commandant, Zhi Du, interrogated and cross-examined Liu Rong. Liu Rong became frightened and committed suicide. He was buried at Lantian. Tens of thousands of swallows brought earth in their beaks and placed it upon his grave. The common people all pitied him.

Liu Rong was the eldest son of Emperor Jing. He died without descendants. His fief was abolished, and its territory was incorporated into Han, becoming Nan Commandery.

The founding kings of the three fiefs above were all sons of Lady Li.

The Lu Gong King, Liu Yu, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was enfeoffed as the King of Huaiyang by virtue of being an imperial son. Two years later, after the rebellion of Wu and Chu was pacified, in the third year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, he was transferred to be enfeoffed as the King of Lu. He was fond of constructing palaces, gardens, and parks, and of raising dogs and horses. In his later years, he was fond of music and disliked eloquent speech and debate. He had a stutter.

He reigned for twenty-six years and died. His son, Liu Guang, succeeded him as king. Liu Guang was initially fond of music, carriages, and horses. In his later years, he became stingy, fearing only that his wealth would not be sufficient for use.

The Jiangdu Yi King, Liu Fei, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was enfeoffed as the King of Runan by virtue of being an imperial son. At the time of the Wu and Chu rebellion, Liu Fei was fifteen years old. He had physical strength and courage and submitted a memorial requesting to attack Wu. Emperor Jing bestowed upon Liu Fei the seal of a general, allowing him to attack Wu. After Wu was broken, two years later, he was transferred to be enfeoffed as the King of Jiangdu, governing the former territory of Wu. For his military merit, he was bestowed the imperial banner. In the fifth year of the Yuanguang era, the Xiongnu invaded Han in great force, causing harm. Liu Fei submitted a memorial requesting to attack the Xiongnu. The emperor did not consent. Liu Fei was fond of displaying strength and force, constructing palaces and towers, and recruiting heroic men from all directions. He was extremely arrogant, proud, and extravagant.

He reigned for twenty-six years and died. His son, Liu Jian, succeeded him as king. Liu Jian reigned for seven years and then committed suicide. When the Kings of Huainan and Hengshan were plotting rebellion, Liu Jian had heard a little of their schemes. He considered that his own fief was close to Huainan and feared that if events erupted one day, he would be swallowed up. Therefore, he secretly manufactured weapons and often wore the general's seal bestowed by his father and traveled carrying the imperial banner. When the Yi King died and was not yet buried, Liu Jian took a fancy to the Yi King's favored beauty, Nao Ji. At night, he sent someone to fetch her and committed adultery with her in the mourning hut. When the Huainan King's rebellion came to light, the court punished the conspirators, and the matter implicated the Jiangdu King, Liu Jian. Liu Jian became afraid and sent someone with a large amount of money to try to settle the case. He also believed in shamans and invocators, sending people to perform sacrifices and prayers, uttering wild and reckless words. Liu Jian also committed incest with all of his sisters. When the matter became known to the court, the Han high officials requested to arrest and punish Liu Jian. The emperor could not bear it and sent a high minister to conduct the trial on the spot in the king's palace. Liu Jian confessed to the crimes he had committed and then committed suicide. His fief was abolished, and its territory was incorporated into Han, becoming Guangling Commandery.

The Jiaoxi Yu King, Liu Duan, after the rebellion of the seven states of Wu and Chu in the third year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era was pacified, was enfeoffed as the King of Jiaoxi by virtue of being an imperial son. Liu Duan was by nature cruel and violent. He also suffered from impotence; whenever he approached a woman, he would fall ill for several months. He had a favorite young man who served as a Gentleman. This Gentleman later committed fornication with a woman of the inner palace. Liu Duan seized and killed him, and also killed his son and mother. Liu Duan repeatedly violated the emperor's laws. The Han high officials repeatedly requested to execute Liu Duan. The emperor, for the sake of fraternal bonds, could not bear to do so, but Liu Duan's actions became even more excessive. The relevant officials again requested to reduce his fief, and half of it was cut away. Liu Duan was resentful in his heart and then became negligent in his duties. The storehouses decayed and leaked; goods rotted, losing sums in the tens of thousands, yet he ultimately refused to collect or transfer them. He ordered his officials not to collect taxes and rents. Liu Duan dismissed all his guards, sealed the palace gates, and only went out for excursions through one gate. He often changed his name, disguised himself as a commoner, and went to other commanderies and kingdoms.

If the Chancellors and officials of two-thousand-picul rank who went to Jiaoxi followed the Han laws in governing, Liu Danz would search out their offenses and inform the court against them. If they had no offenses, he would use deceitful methods to poison them to death. He employed deceitful methods, which were manifold and varied. His strength was sufficient to resist remonstrance; his cunning was sufficient to conceal faults. If the Chancellors and officials of two-thousand-picul rank followed the Jiaoxi king's way of governing, then Han would use the law to punish them. Therefore, although Jiaoxi was a small state, the number of two-thousand-picul officials who were killed or wounded was very great.

He reigned for forty-seven years and died. Ultimately, he had no son to inherit the kingship. His fief was abolished, and its territory was incorporated into Han, becoming Jiaoxi Commandery.

The founding kings of the three fiefs above were all sons of Lady Cheng.

The Zhao King, Liu Pengzu, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojing's first reign era, was enfeoffed as the King of Guangchuan by virtue of being an imperial son. After the rebellion of the Zhao King, Liu Sui, was pacified, Pengzu was king in Guangchuan. Four years later, he was transferred to be enfeoffed as the King of Zhao. In the fifteenth year, Emperor Xiaojing died. Pengzu was by nature skilled in flattering speech and fawning demeanor, outwardly respectful but inwardly harsh and treacherous. He was fond of the law and used cunning arguments to harm others. Pengzu had many favored concubines and a large number of sons and grandsons. If the Chancellors and officials of two-thousand-picul rank wanted to follow the Han laws in governing, it would be detrimental to the king's house. Therefore, whenever a Chancellor or official of two-thousand-picul rank arrived to take up his post, Pengzu would put on black coarse clothing, personally go to welcome them, and sweep clean their official residence for them. He would set up numerous dubious matters to alarm them. Once he caught hold of any slip of the tongue or any taboo violation on the part of the two-thousand-picul official, he would record it. If the two-thousand-picul official wanted to govern according to law, Pengzu would use these handles to coerce him. If he did not comply, Pengzu would submit a memorial accusing him and would slander him with matters of depravity, greed, and profit. Pengzu reigned for over fifty years. No Chancellor or two-thousand-picul official was able to complete a full two-year term; they always left office due to offenses. In severe cases, they were executed; in lighter cases, they were subjected to punishment. Therefore, no two-thousand-picul official dared to govern the state of Zhao. And the Zhao king monopolized power. He sent envoys to the counties to establish customs barriers for merchants and levy taxes, and the revenue from this exceeded the regular tax revenue of Zhao. Therefore, the Zhao king's house had much gold and money, but when he bestowed gifts upon his concubines and sons, it was all completely spent. Pengzu took as a concubine the former favored concubine of the Jiangdu Yi King, Nao Ji, who had been violated by the king Jian, and he greatly favored her.

Pengzu did not like constructing palaces or sacrificing to ghosts and spirits. He was fond of engaging in the affairs of an official. He submitted a memorial requesting to oversee the pursuit of robbers and thieves within the state. He often patrolled the city of Handan at night with his constables. Because Pengzu was treacherous and perverse, all the various envoys and traveling merchants did not dare to stay in Handan.

The Zhao king's heir apparent, Liu Dan, committed incest with his own daughter and with his full sister. He had a grudge against his retainer, Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong accused Liu Dan, and Liu Dan was therefore deposed. Zhao established a new heir apparent.

King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, was enfeoffed as the King of Zhongshan in the third year of the Former Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son. Fourteen years later, Emperor Xiaojing died. Liu Sheng was fond of wine and lusted after women, having over one hundred and twenty descendants. He often reproached his elder brother, the King of Zhao, saying, "You, brother, are a king, yet you act as an official handling government affairs. A king should daily listen to music and enjoy sensual pleasures." The King of Zhao also reproached him, saying, "The King of Zhongshan merely indulges in pleasure day and night, and does not assist the Son of Heaven in pacifying the people; by what right is he called a vassal!"

Liu Sheng reigned for forty-two years and died. His son, King Ai, Liu Chang, succeeded him. Liu Chang reigned for one year and died. His son, Liu Kunchi, took his place as King of Zhongshan.

The founding kings of the two principalities above were both sons of Consort Jia.

King Ding of Changsha, Liu Fa. Liu Fa’s mother, Consort Tang, was originally a maidservant of Consort Cheng. Emperor Jing summoned Consort Cheng to his bedchamber, but Consort Cheng, being indisposed, was unwilling to go. She had the maidservant Tang dress up and serve him at night. The emperor, drunk and unaware, thought she was Consort Cheng and favored her, and she became pregnant. Only afterward did he realize it was not Consort Cheng. When a son was born, he was named Liu Fa. Liu Fa was enfeoffed as the King of Changsha in the second year of the Former Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son. Because his mother was of lowly birth and without favor, he was enfeoffed in a principality that was low-lying, damp, and barren.

Liu Fa reigned for twenty-seven years and died. His son, King Kang, Liu Yong, succeeded him. Liu Yong reigned for twenty-eight years and died. His son, Liu Fuyu, succeeded him as King of Changsha.

The founding king of the principality above was the son of Consort Tang.

King Hui of Guangchuan, Liu Yue, was enfeoffed as the King of Guangchuan in the second year of the Zhong Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son.

Liu Yue reigned for twelve years and died. His son, Liu Qi, succeeded him as king. Liu Qi had a favored minister named Sang Ju. Later, Sang Ju committed a crime, and Liu Qi wanted to execute him. Sang Ju fled, and Liu Qi then seized Sang Ju’s clan. Sang Ju, resentful of Liu Qi, submitted a memorial accusing Liu Qi of committing incest with his full sister. From then on, Liu Qi repeatedly submitted memorials accusing the Han court’s high officials and favored ministers, including Suo Zhong.

King Kang of Jiaodong, Liu Ji, was enfeoffed as the King of Jiaodong in the second year of the Zhong Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son. He reigned for twenty-eight years and died. When the King of Huainan plotted rebellion, Liu Ji secretly heard of it and privately prepared scaling ladders, arrows, and other offensive and defensive weapons, waiting for the King of Huainan to act. When court officials investigated the King of Huainan’s rebellion, the testimony implicated Liu Ji. Liu Ji, being closest to the emperor, was deeply grieved by this, fell ill, and died. He dared not appoint an heir and reported the matter to the emperor. Liu Ji had an eldest son named Liu Xian, whose mother was not favored; he had a younger son named Liu Qing, whose mother was favored. Liu Ji often wanted to make Liu Qing his heir, but because it violated the order of succession, and due to his own guilt, he did not make it explicit. The emperor, taking pity on him, enfeoffed Liu Xian as the King of Jiaodong to continue King Kang’s sacrifices, and enfeoffed Liu Qing on the former lands of the King of Hengshan as the King of Liu’an.

King Ai of Jiaodong, Liu Xian, reigned for fourteen years and died. His son, Liu Qing, succeeded him as king.

King Qing of Liu’an, Liu Qing, was enfeoffed as the King of Liu’an in the second year of the Yuanshou era, by virtue of being the son of King Kang of Jiaodong.

King Ai of Qinghe, Liu Cheng, was enfeoffed as the King of Qinghe in the third year of the Zhong Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son. He reigned for twelve years and died without descendants. His principality was abolished, and its lands were incorporated into the Han dynasty, becoming Qinghe Commandery.

King Xian of Changshan, Liu Shun, was enfeoffed as the King of Changshan in the fifth year of the Zhong Yuan era of Emperor Xiaojing, by virtue of being an imperial son. Liu Shun was closest to the emperor, being Emperor Jing’s youngest son. He was arrogant, lazy, and given to much licentiousness, repeatedly violating prohibitions, but the emperor often pardoned him. He reigned for thirty-two years and died. The heir apparent, Liu Bo, succeeded him as king.

Initially, King Xian Liu Shun had a concubine who was not favored, and she bore his eldest son, Liu Zhuo. Because his mother was not favored, Liu Zhuo was also not loved by King Xian. The queen, Xiu, gave birth to the heir apparent, Liu Bo. King Xian had many concubines, and his favored concubine bore sons Liu Ping and Liu Shang; the queen was rarely favored. When King Xian became critically ill, his favored concubines often attended to him, so the queen, out of jealousy, did not often attend to him and always returned to her own quarters. When the physicians presented medicine, the heir apparent, Liu Bo, did not personally taste it, nor did he stay overnight to attend to the king’s illness. When King Xian died, the queen and the heir apparent only then arrived. King Xian had never treated his eldest son, Liu Zhuo, as a human being, and at his death, he did not allocate him any property. Some among the courtiers advised the heir apparent and the queen to let the other sons share the property with the eldest son, Liu Zhuo, but they refused. After the heir apparent succeeded as king, he also refused to take in or support Liu Zhuo. Liu Zhuo resented the queen and the heir apparent. When Han envoys came to oversee King Xian’s funeral, Liu Zhuo himself reported that when King Xian was critically ill, the queen and the heir apparent did not attend to him; after King Xian died, they left the mourning chamber after six days; the heir apparent, Liu Bo, privately engaged in fornication, drank wine, gambled, played the zhu, rode in carriages with women, galloped around the city walls and through the markets, and entered prisons to visit prisoners. The Son of Heaven sent the Grand Usher Zhang Qian to investigate the queen and interrogate King Liu Bo, requesting the arrest of witnesses to Liu Bo’s fornication. Liu Bo then hid them. When officials pursued Liu Bo urgently, he had them beaten and arbitrarily released prisoners whom the Han dynasty suspected. The relevant officials requested the execution of Queen Xiu and King Liu Bo. The emperor, considering that Queen Xiu had always been of bad conduct and had been falsely accused by Liu Zhuo, and that Liu Bo lacked good teachers, could not bear to execute them. The relevant officials requested the deposition of Queen Xiu and the relocation of King Liu Bo and his family to Fangling, and the emperor agreed.

Liu Bo reigned as king for a few months before being relocated to Fangling, and his principality was cut off. A little over a month later, the Son of Heaven, because Liu Bo was the closest relative, issued an edict to the relevant officials, saying: "King Xian of Changshan died young, and his consorts and concubines were not harmonious. The legitimate son and the illegitimate son slandered and fought each other, falling into unrighteousness and causing the principality to be extinguished. I deeply pity him. Now enfeoff King Xian’s son, Liu Ping, with thirty thousand households, as the King of Zhending; enfeoff his son, Liu Shang, with thirty thousand households, as the King of Sishui."

King Ping of Zhending was enfeoffed as the King of Zhending in the fourth year of the Yuanding era, by virtue of being the son of King Xian of Changshan.

King Si of Sishui, Liu Shang, was enfeoffed as the King of Sishui in the fourth year of the Yuanding era, by virtue of being the son of King Xian of Changshan. He reigned for eleven years and died. His son, King Ai, Anshi, succeeded him. He reigned for eleven years and died without sons. Then the emperor, pitying that the principality of Sishui had been cut off, established Anshi’s younger brother, Liu He, as the King of Sishui.

The founding kings of the four principalities above were all sons of Wang Furen, Erxu. Later, the Han dynasty further enfeoffed their collateral descendants as the kings of the two principalities of Liu’an and Sishui. In total, the descendants of Erxu now number six feudal kings.

The Grand Historian says: In the time of Emperor Gaozu, the feudal kings could levy taxes and appoint officials below the level of the Neishi themselves. The Han dynasty only set up a Chancellor for them, who wore a gold seal. The kings themselves appointed the Yushi, Tingwei Zheng, and Boshi, and their system was similar to that of the Son of Heaven. After the Rebellion of the Seven States of Wu and Chu, in the era of the Five Clans kings, the Han dynasty set up officials of the two-thousand-bushel rank for them, changed the title of "Chancellor" to "Minister," and they wore silver seals. The kings could only collect rents and taxes, and their power was stripped away. After this, some kings became so poor that they even rode in oxcarts.

Emperor Jing had thirteen sons, and the Five Clans were on amicable terms. After Consort Li was deposed, the axle of King Linjiang, Liu Rong’s, chariot broke. King Yanyu, Liu Cheng, died young. King Hejian, Liu De, wore Confucian robes. King Lu, Liu Yu, was fond of palaces and gardens. King Jiaoxi, Liu Duan, was keen on galloping and hunting. King Jiangdu, Liu Fei, had talent. King Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, enjoyed blessings and long life. King Changsha, Liu Fa, had a small fief. King Jiaodong, Liu Ji, manufactured arrowheads. The benevolent and virtuous were established as heirs; the perverse in conduct were exterminated in their clans. The four sons of Erxu, after being enfeoffed, became six kingdoms.