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Liu Pi (simplified Chinese: 刘濞; traditional Chinese: 劉濞; pinyin: Liú Pì; 216–154 BC) was a nephew of Emperor Gao of Han, son of Liu Xi, Prince of Dai, and appointed Prince of Wu by Emperor Gao. During the reign of Emperor Jing, he initiated the Rebellion of the Seven States to resist the Emperor's centralizing policies, during which he was defeated and killed.

Biography

In 196 BC, he was made Marquess of Pei at the age of 20. He demonstrated his combat ability as a cavalry general in the campaign against Ying Bu. On 30 November 196 BC, Emperor Gao promoted Liu Pi to Prince of Wu due to his growing concerns about the Wu provinces.

When Emperor Wen of Han was on the throne, Liu Pi's son Liu Xian and Crown Prince Qi (later Emperor Jing of Han) were involved in a game of Liubo which ended in the two getting into an argument and the crown prince killing Liu Pi's son with the chess board. Out of revenge and reflecting his growing distrust of the Emperor, Liu Pi started building up his wealth and military power within his territory. Emperor Wen believed his son was at fault for Liu Xian's death and did not hold Liu Pi accountable for his aggressive actions.

After Crown Prince Qi ascended to the throne and became Emperor Jing of Han, based on the advice from Chao Cuo, Emperor Jing began to centralize power in an attempt to reduce the strength of the regional princes. In 154 BC, Liu Pi convinced six other princes to rebel against the emperor, thereby starting the Rebellion of the Seven States. The emperor appointed Zhou Yafu as commander and he defeated Liu Pi's army. Liu Pi was killed during the battle and his title was abolished.

References

1. ^ Ban Biao; Ban Gu; Ban Zhao. "荊燕吳傳" [Biographies of the Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu]. Book of Han (in Chinese). Vol. 35. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
2. xinchou day of the 10th month of the 12th year of Liu Bang's reign (including his tenure as King of Han), per vol.12 of Zizhi Tongjian. In the modified Zhuanxu calendar used during the era, the 12th year of Liu Bang's reign starts from 12 Nov 196 BCE and ends on 01 Nov 195 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar.
3. Ban Biao; Ban Gu; Ban Zhao. "諸侯王表" [Table of nobles related to the imperial clan]. Book of Han (in Chinese). Vol. 14. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
4. Sima Qian. "吳王濞列傳" [Biographies of Pi, the Prince of Wu]. Records of the Grand Historian (in Chinese). Vol. 106. Retrieved 12 July 2011.

• 216 BC births
• 154 BC deaths
• Han dynasty imperial princes
• Han dynasty generals
• Han dynasty rebels