Liu Taigong (), personal name Liu Tuan (This name is found in part 1 of vol.71 of New Book of Tang.), was the father of Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han).
Life Not much is recorded about Taigong historically. He was born and likely lived his early life in Feng town (豐邑) of Pei County, in present-day Feng County, Jiangsu. His personal name is not known. Some historical sources says his name is Liu Zhijia (Chinese:劉執嘉), although this name is likely chosen after Liu Bang became Emperor. He likely came from a humble, rural background.
During the Han-Chu War, Liu Taigong was captured by Chu troops during the Battle of Pengcheng.
After Taigong's son Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Bang continued to visit his father once a week. However, upon hearing from an advisor that it was no longer appropriate for Taigong to "receive" his son, as Taigong was technically one of his subjects, Taigong began to greet his son in deprecatory fashion, honoring the latter's status as emperor. Upon learning the reason behind his father's actions, Liu Bang honored Taigong with the title Taishang Huang on 4 July 201 BCE,bingwu day of the 5th month of the 6th year of Liu Bang's reign (including his tenure as King of Han), per vol.11 of Zizhi Tongjian a year after Liu Bang declared himself emperor in February 202 BCE. The title nominally elevated Liu's status in court protocol as to remain consistent with Confucian norms of filial piety.
Taigong died at a palace in the city of Yueyang in June 197 BC. On 9 August 197 BC,guimao day of the 7th month of the 10th year of Liu Bang's reign (including his tenure as King of Han), per vol.12 of Zizhi Tongjian he was entombed in present-day Lintong District, Xi'an.
Consorts and issue Wang Hanshi (), also known as Liu Ao (, "Old woman Liu", died before 202 BC), posthumously honored as Empress Zhaoling ()Initial posthumous title was Lady Zhaoling (昭灵夫人); changed to Empress Zhaoling on 14 June 181 BC. Liu Bo, Prince Wu'ai (; b. 262 BC, died before 202 BC), first sonInitial posthumous title was "Marquis Wu'ai" (武哀侯; granted in February 202 BC, per vol.1, part 2 of Han Shu; the 1st month of the 5th year of Liu Bang's reign (including his tenure as King of Han) corresponds to 28 Jan to 25 Feb 202 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar). Posthumous title changed to "Prince Wu'ai" on 14 June 181 BC. Liu Xi, Prince Qing of Wu (; 260–193 BC), second son Empress Zhao'ai ()Liu Bang's elder sister initially had the posthumous title of Lady Xuan. On 14 June 181 BC, her posthumous title was changed to "Empress Zhao'ai". ([高后七年]夏五月辛未，诏曰：“昭灵夫人，太上皇妃也；武哀侯、宣夫人，高皇帝兄姊也。号谥不称，其议尊号。”丞相臣平等请尊昭灵夫人曰昭灵后，武哀侯曰武哀王，宣夫人曰昭哀后。) Han Shu, vol.03. Liu Bang, Emperor Gao (; 256–195 BC), third son Liu Jiao, Prince Yuan of Chu (; d. 179 BC),Liu Jiao's biography in Shiji recorded that he was a full younger brother (同母少弟) of Liu Bang. fourth son Retired Empress, of the Li clan (; died June 197 BC)([汉]十年夏五月，太上皇后崩。) Han Shu, vol.1 part 2. The month corresponds to 30 May to 27 Jun 197 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. It is likely that Liu Taigong took the Retired Empress as his wife after the death of Liu Bang's mother. Thus, the Retired Empress was probably Liu Bang's step-mother.
Ancestry
References
Zizhi Tongjian, volumes 9 to 12 Records of the Grand Historian, volume 8 Book of Han, volume 36