The Legacy of Han Dynasty’s Thirteen Kings

During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Jing fathered thirteen sons, including one who became Emperor Wu and the rest who were appointed as kings, collectively known as the “Thirteen Kings of Jing.” This title “Five Ancestors” refers to these thirteen kings and their five mothers, those who shared the same mother being considered as kin.

Emperor Jing’s sons who became kings were Rong, De, and Yaoyu from Lady Li; Yu, Fei, and Duan from Lady Cheng; Pengzu and Sheng from Lady Jia; Fa from Lady Tang; and Yue, Ji, Cheng, and Shun from Lady Wang.

Prince De of Hejian was appointed as king in Emperor Jing’s second year, known for his love of Confucian studies and his habit of seeking out Confucian scholars wherever he traveled, especially in Shandong.

He passed away in his twenty-sixth year, succeeded by his son Gongwang, who reigned peacefully for four years until his untimely death. Gongwang’s son, Gangwangji, then took the throne for twelve years until his own death.

Lingjiang’s Ai King Eyu was appointed as king in Emperor Jing’s second year and ruled until the third year, after which his kingdom was abolished due to lack of a successor, and it became a county.

Lingjiang’s Min King Rong, who was appointed Crown Prince in Emperor Jing’s fourth year, was deposed at the age of four and later appointed as Lingjiang’s king. In his fourth year, he was sentenced to exile for invading the palace walls, and he committed suicide on his way to Jiangling’s northern gate.

Rong was the eldest and had no heir. The kingdom was abolished, and the land was incorporated into Han, becoming Nanjun.

The three kings mentioned above are all sons of Lady Li.

Lu Gong King Yu was appointed as the Huaiyang King in Emperor Jing’s second year. Two years later, he was transferred to Lu King after Wu Chu’s rebellion. He enjoyed building palaces, gardens, and breeding dogs and horses. He was interested in music from an early age and disliked rhetorical debates. He had a speech impediment.

He died in his twenty-sixth year, succeeded by his son Guang, who loved music and horses in his youth and was frugal in his later years, fearing he would not have enough wealth.

Jiangdu Yi King Fei was appointed as the Ru’nan King in Emperor Jing’s second year. During the Wu Chu rebellion, Fei, at the age of fifteen, had talent and strength and petitioned to attack Wu. Emperor Jing granted Fei the title of General and sent him to attack Wu. After defeating Wu, Fei moved to Jiangdu after two years, ruled over the former Wu territory, and was awarded the emperor’s banners for his military achievements.

In the fifth year of Yuan Guang, the Xiongnu invaded the Han Dynasty and attacked the Fei, Fei petitioned to attack the Xiongnu, and the emperor did not agree. Fei liked the strength and treated the temple view with hospitality and invited heroes from all four sides.

He died in his twenty-sixth year, and his son, Jian, became the king. He committed suicide in seven years. When Hainan and Hengshan planned to rebel, Jian heard the plot.