Liu Wu刘武

Where the histories differ

Records of the Grand Historian gives Prince Xiao of Liang a dedicated hereditary house chapter, while History of Han demotes him to a biography and severely criticizes his reliance on kinship to disrupt governance.

• histories differThe chapter level and usurpation evaluation of Prince Xiao of Liang, Liu Wu

  In Records of the Grand Historian, the Hereditary House of Prince Xiao of Liang is given a dedicated chapter listed under 'Hereditary Houses', detailing his treasuries, mansions, and the turmoil over succession to the throne: 'Although Prince Xiao of Liang, because of his close kinship, was enfeoffed with fertile land, yet it happened that the Han dynasty was flourishing and the people were wealthy, so he could accumulate his wealth and expand his palaces, with carriages and robes imitating the Son of Heaven. But this was indeed usurpation.' In History of Han, the Biography of the Three Kings of Wen is demoted to a biography, combined with Prince Huai of Liang, Liu Yi, and Prince Dai of Xiao, Liu Can, in one chapter. The appraisal further criticizes his greed for favor: 'Although Prince Xiao of Liang, because of his beloved kinship, was enfeoffed with fertile land, yet it happened that the Han dynasty was flourishing and the people were wealthy, so he could increase his wealth and expand his palaces and carriages. But this was indeed usurpation. Relying on kinship without satiety, the ox disaster announced punishment, and in the end he died of worry. Alas!'