汉初皇位继承权波动的政治史分析

On the Fluctuations of the Royal Succession Rights in the EarlyHan Dynasty from the Perspective of Political History

嫡长子继承皇位是中国古代皇权政治体制的重要结构特征。汉初刘邦在继承者的选择上摇摆于嫡长子与爱子之间,渐而形成两次皇位继承权的政治斗争。汉高帝九年的易太子终结于“家天下事件”的内部阻碍,即太上皇及群臣的反对。汉高帝十二年的波动终结,则是吕氏选择政治主动、不同类型的群臣反对及商山四皓为代表的三大群体所形成的政治合力,阻碍了易太子事件的发生。易太子的政治变动之所以常发生于政权新立之际,是因为政治制度本身与政治行为发展存在矛盾点转移,形成制度的敏感期,造成政治主体对政治结构的预想调整,破坏政治制度的稳定性,从而产生原有政治制度与政治行为之间的内在撕裂。

The inheritance by the eldest son represents a foundational characteristic of the imperial political system in ancient China.At the beginning of the Han Dynasty(206 B.C.–220 A.D.),Liu Bang swayed between designating his eldest son and his favored son as his successor,thereby initiating a political contest for the throne’s succession in early years of his reign.The dynastic transition ultimately encountered internal challenges,specifically the conflict between paternal authority and ministerial opposition.The conclusion of the 12th year of the Han Dynasty was marked by the political dynamics shaped by Empress Dowager LüZhi’s assertion of political initiative,opposition from various factions,and the collective influence of groups such as the Four Sages of Mount Shang(商山四皓),namely four highly educated elderly well-known for their high moral standard and political wisdom who were once imperial ministers at court during the declining years of the Qin Dynasty(221–206 B.C.).This coalition impeded the unfolding of potential fluctuations in the position of crown prince,illustrating a pivotal moment in political resistance and power struggle during that period.The fluctuation in the position of the crown prince often occurs during the establishment of new political regimes due to the inherent contradiction between the political system and the evolution of political behaviors.This contradiction shifts over time,creating a sensitive period for the system where political entities anticipate adjustments in the political structure.This anticipation can undermine the stability of the political system,leading to an inherent rift between the established political systems and evolving political behaviors.