Political Intrigues and Power Struggles During the Reign of Emperor Xiaowen
Crisis in Qi:
During the reign of King Dao of Qi, Liu Fei, born from a concubine of Emperor Gaozu, ascended as the Qi King in the sixth year of Gaozu’s rule, commanding seventy cities. All those who could speak the Qi language were granted audience by the Qi King.
King Dao of Qi was the elder brother of Emperor Xiaohui. In the second year of Xiaohui’s reign, King Dao visited the court where they feasted together, observing familial rituals. Empress Dowager Lv was displeased by this familial intimacy, leading to her decision to punish King Dao. Fearing for his life, King Dao followed the advice of his minister, Xun, and offered the Chengyang Commandery to Princess Lu Yuan. Empress Dowager Lv was pleased with this gift and allowed King Dao to return to his domain.
King Dao reigned as King Huai for thirteen years until his death in the sixth year of Emperor Hui’s reign. His son, Xiang, succeeded him, taking the throne as King Ai.
In King Ai’s first year, Emperor Hui passed away, and Empress Dowager Lv seized control, directing all affairs through Empress Dowager Lv. In the second year, Empress Dowager Lv appointed her nephew, Marquis Li, as King Li, granting him Jinan Commandery to rule. In King Ai’s third year, his brother Zhang joined the Han guards, and Empress Dowager Lv awarded him the title of Marquis of Zhuxu, marrying him to Lv Lu’s daughter. Four years later, Zhang’s brother, Xingju, was appointed Marquis of Dongmu, also stationed in Chang’an.
In King Ai’s eighth year, Empress Dowager Lv allocated Langye Commandery to Liu Ze as Marquis of Langye. The following year, King Zhao of Zhao died mysteriously while visiting the palace. The three kings of Zhao were all deposed, and Empress Dowager Lv installed various Lv family members as the new kings of these states, exerting absolute authority.
At the age of twenty, Marquis of Zhuxu was known for his vigor and resented the Liu clan’s dominance. Once, during a banquet hosted by Empress Dowager Lv, Marquis of Zhuxu, Liu Zhang, was ordered to serve wine. He requested permission to do so according to military regulations. Empress Dowager Lv agreed. As the wine flowed, Zhang sang and danced, eventually requesting to perform a farming song for the empress dowager. Her son mocked, “Father cares only for farming. If you were to become a prince, would you also know farming?” Zhang replied, “I understand it.” The empress dowager then challenged him to sing about farming. Zhang responded, “Deep plowing and careful sowing, nurturing the sprouts, and removing unwanted plants.” Empress Dowager Lv fell silent. Shortly after, one of the Lv clan members became intoxicated and spilled wine. Zhang chased him down, drew his sword, and beheaded him, returning to report, “One person spilled wine, and I executed him according to military law.” The empress dowager and her attendants were shocked. Despite the previous approval of his military law, Zhang retired. From then on, the Lv clan feared the Marquis of Zhuxu, and even senior officials sided with him, strengthening the Liu clan.
The following year, Empress Dowager Lv passed away. King Zhao, Lv Lu, was appointed commander in chief, and King Lv Chan became prime minister, both residing in Chang’an and gathering troops to intimidate the grand ministers, planning to cause chaos. Marquis of Zhuxu and Grand Commandant, General Bo, Prime Minister Ping, and others joined forces to suppress them. Marquis of Zhuxu was the first to behead King Lv, and then Grand Commandant, General Bo, and Prime Minister Ping successfully wiped out all the Lv clan members. Meanwhile, King Zhao of Zhao followed King Ai to Chang’an.
The ministers discussed whether to crown King Zhao, but King Zhao and the ministers said, “King Zhao’s maternal family, Lv, is cruel and domineering, like a tiger wearing a crown. It was because of the Lv clan that the world fell into chaos. Now, they want to revive the Lv clan by crowning King Zhao again. The maternal family of King Dai, the Bo family, is honorable and respected by gentlemen and elders. Moreover, King Dai is also the eldest grandson of Emperor Gaozu and should be established. However, the elders are waiting for King Zhao’s decision. Now, they are hesitating. The Lv clan has the most seniority. The loyal ministers brought their complaints to the empress dowager, who refused to listen. Now, the empress dowager has passed away, and Emperor Xiaohui is still young and inexperienced in governing the world. She depends on the grand ministers. The Lv clan has also taken advantage of the Lv clan’s majesty to gather troops and threaten the loyal ministers and command the temples. This is a dangerous move for the state. Now, I lead the army into the army to eliminate the unjust kings.”
When the Han heard that Qi was going to attack and kill Lv