King Liu Jiao of Chu was the younger brother of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, sharing the same mother, with the style name You. Among Liu Bang's four brothers, the eldest was called Bo and died early. When Liu Bang was young and down on his luck, he would often go out to handle affairs, sometimes bringing guests to his sister-in-law's house for dinner. His sister-in-law disliked her young brother-in-law, so every time he brought guests, she'd fake throwing out the soup and smash the pot, causing the guests to leave. After the guests left, the sister-in-law would see that there was still plenty of meat soup in the pot, leading Liu Bang to hold that against her. Later, when Liu Bang became emperor, he rewarded his brothers, but chose not to grant a title to his eldest brother's son. Liu Bang's old man pleaded for his nephew, but Liu Bang said, "It's not that I forgot to grant him a title, it's because she was a terrible woman." So Liu Bang made his nephew Liu Xin the Marquis of Gengjie, while his second brother held office in Dai.
In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, Liu Bang captured King Han Xin of Chu in Chen territory and appointed his brother Liu Jiao as the King of Chu, with the capital at Pengcheng. After ruling as King of Chu for twenty-three years, Liu Jiao died, and his son Liu Ying succeeded him, known as the King of Yi. After ruling for four years, the King of Yi died, and his son Liu Wu succeeded him.
Liu Wu ruled as the King of Chu for twenty years. In winter, he was caught having an affair due to dressing Dowager Bo in mourning attire and had Donghai taken from him. In spring, Liu Wu plotted with the King of Wu to rebel. His prime minister Zhang Shang and grand tutor Zhao Yiwu advised against it, but he did not listen. Liu Wu killed Zhang Shang and Zhao Yiwu, raised troops, and together with the King of Wu, attacked Liang territory to the west, breaking through Jibi. When they reached the south of Changyi, they fought against the Han dynasty's general Zhou Yafu. The Han army cut off Wu and Chu's supplies, causing the soldiers to go hungry. The King of Wu ran, Liu Wu killed himself, and the army surrendered to the Han dynasty.
After the Han Dynasty pacified the states of Wu and Chu, Emperor Xiaojing wanted to make the son of the Marquis of De inherit the title of King of Wu, and the son of King Yuan of Chu, Liu Li, inherit the title of King of Chu. Empress Dowager Dou said, "The King of Wu was a bad person, leading the rebellion of the Seven States and causing chaos in the world. How can we let his son inherit the kingship?" So she disagreed with allowing the descendants of the King of Wu to inherit the kingship, but agreed to let Liu Li inherit the title of King of Chu. At that time, Liu Li was the Zong Zheng of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, Liu Li was made the King of Chu, and he was instructed to worship the ancestral temple of King Yuan of Chu, becoming known as King Wen of Chu.
King Wen of Chu ruled for three years before passing away. His son Liu Dao succeeded him and was known as King An. King An's reign lasted twenty-two years before his death. His son Liu Zhu succeeded him and was known as King Xiang. King Xiang reigned for fourteen years before passing away. His son Liu Chun succeeded him. In the second year of the Di Jie era, someone accused King Xiang of plotting a rebellion. King Xiang committed suicide, and the state of Chu was abolished, becoming the Pengcheng Prefecture of the Han Dynasty.
Prince Zhao, Liu Sui, was the second son of Emperor Gaozu, whose name was You, and he was posthumously honored as "King You." The posthumous title of "King You" was given to him because he died of sorrow. During the reign of Empress Dowager Lu, Lu Lu was appointed to the state of Zhao, and a year later Empress Dowager Lu died. The ministers purged the Lu clan, and then appointed Liu Sui, the son of King You, as the King of Zhao.
After a few years, Emperor Xiaowen became emperor, and two years later appointed Liu Sui's younger brother, Liu Biqiang, giving him the Hejian Prefecture of Zhao and making him the King of Hejian, later known as King Wen. King Wen ruled for thirteen years before passing away, and his son, King Ai, Liu Fu, succeeded him. However, King Ai only reigned for one year before passing away, leaving no son. Thus, the Kingdom of Hejian was dissolved and absorbed into the Han Dynasty.
Liu Sui became the King of Zhao for twenty-six years. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, due to Chao Cuo's reforms, the territory of Zhao was reduced to Changshan Commandery. Later, during the Wu-Chu rebellion, King Liu Sui of Zhao also participated, planning to rebel alongside them. His prime minister Jiande and the imperial secretary Wang Han strongly advised against it, but he did not listen at all and even killed Jiande and Wang Han! He then deployed his troops on the western border of Zhao, waiting to attack Chang'an with Wu and Chu. He also sent envoys to contact the Xiongnu, intending to join forces to attack the Han Dynasty. The Han sent General Li Ji against him. King Liu Sui of Zhao retreated to defend Handan, and a seven-month stalemate ensued. As a result, the Seven States of Wu and Chu were defeated in Liangdi and could not advance westward. Upon hearing this, the Xiongnu retreated. After Luan Bu pacified Qi, he and the Han army flooded Handan. The walls of Handan were breached, and King Liu Sui of Zhao committed suicide, leading to Handan's surrender. Thus, the line of Zhao You was extinguished.
Sima Qian said: When a country is thriving, there will definitely be some good signs. The wise will use these good signs, while the wicked will back down. When a country is declining, the virtuous will withdraw, and the treacherous will gain power. Had King Wu spared Duke Shen and heeded his advice; had Zhao valued and employed Fang, how could there have been plots of regicide and usurpation, bringing only shame? Alas, the virtuous! If they did not have inherent excellent qualities, how could they be valued? "Safety and danger depend on the orders issued, survival and destruction depend on the people appointed," that perfectly sums it up!
