Liu Jiao刘交

Where the histories differ

In the Records of the Grand Historian, Liu Jiao is given a hereditary house discussing the rise and fall of vassal clans; in the History of Han, he is demoted to a biography expanded to cover the family scholarship of Liu Xiang and Liu Xin.

• histories differThe evolution of Liu Jiao's chapter format and biographical theme in official histories

  In the Records of the Grand Historian, the Hereditary House of the Prince of Chu and Yuan establishes a hereditary house for vassals, with the main theme being the enfeoffment of vassal clans and the way of employing the worthy: "Had King Wu of Chu not punished Master Shen, but followed his words, and had Zhao employed Mr. Fang and his associates, how could there have been plots of usurpation and murder, bringing punishment upon the world? Worthy men, worthy men! Unless one has the substance within, how can one use them? Indeed, 'Safety and danger lie in issuing orders; survival and ruin lie in the appointments made.' Truly is this saying!" In the History of Han, the Biography of the Prince of Chu and Yuan is demoted to a biography, extended to narrate the descendants Liu Xiang and Liu Xin, with the eulogy's focus shifting to classical studies and literature: "Since Confucius, there have been many writers, but only Mencius, Xun Kuang, Dong Zhongshu, Sima Qian, Liu Xiang, and Yang Xiong. These several gentlemen were all broadly learned and well-informed, penetrating the ancient and modern, and their words are of benefit to the world."