tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26364785404809179022024-02-08T02:32:44.305-08:00Emperors of Han DynastyAll about Emperors of Han Dynasty, Emperors of Han Dynasty basic information.veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-32348026375790891072008-09-04T08:15:00.005-07:002008-09-04T08:15:29.937-07:00Emperor Shang of Han<strong>Emperor Shang of Han</strong>, <strong>漢殤帝</strong>, . <strong>Hàn Shāng dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Shang-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty and the fifth of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty. <br />
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The placed him on the throne when he was barely over 100 days old, despite his having an older brother, Liu Sheng , whose age was unknown but was likely to be young as well.<br />
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Empress Dowager Deng also kept Liu Hu , the twelve-year old cousin of Shangdi and future Emperor An of Han in the capital Luoyang as insurance against the baby emperor's death. Liu Hu ascended to the throne when Emperor Shang died in August or September 106; however, Dowager Deng still remained as the regent for the teenager Emperor An. A decree by Empress Dowager Deng during this reign shed light on bureaucratic inefficiency.<br />
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<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Then-Prince Long was born in autumn 105 to and a concubine whose identity is unknown. Because Emperor He had, during his reign, frequently lost sons due to illnesses in childhood, according to the superstitutions of the time, both Prince Long and his older brother Prince Sheng were given to foster parents outside the palace to nurture.<br />
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When Emperor He died early 106, his wife, Empress Deng Sui, retrieved the young princes back to the palace. Prince Sheng was older but regarded as frequently ill and unfit for the throne, for Empress Deng first created the infant Prince Long crown prince. The same night, he was proclaimed emperor. Empress Deng became empress dowager.<br />
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<a name='Reign' id='Reign'></a><h2>Reign</h2><br />
After Emperor Shang was proclaimed emperor, his brother Prince Sheng was created the Prince of Pingyuan.<br />
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Concerned that Emperor Shang might not live long, Empress Dowager Deng also kept Liu Hu, the twelve-year old cousin of Emperor Shang and future Emperor An of Han in the capital Luoyang as insurance against the infant emperor's death. <br />
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As Emperor Shang was an infant, actual and formal power were in Empress Deng's hands. Her brother Deng Zhi became the most powerful official in the imperial government. She issued a general pardon, which benefitted the people who had rights stripped from them for associating with the family of Empress Dou.<br />
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Late in 106, Emperor Shang died. The officials had by this time realized that Prince Sheng, his older brother, was not as ill as originally thought, and wanted to make him emperor. However, Empress Dowager Deng was concerned that he might bear a grudge at not being made emperor before his brother, and therefore insisted on making Emperor Shang's cousin Prince Hu emperor instead, and he took the throne as Emperor An.<br />
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Emperor Shang, having died as a toddler, was not given a separate tomb, as is customary for emperors. Rather, in order to avoid unnecessary expenses, he was buried in the same tomb complex as his father Emperor He.<br />
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<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Yanping'' 106<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor He of Han <br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-88204667129613222672008-09-04T08:15:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:15:19.276-07:00Marquess of BeixiangThe <strong>Marquess of Beixiang</strong>, , sometimes referred to as <strong>Emperor Shao</strong> , was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was selected to succeed after Emperor An's sudden death in 125, but died soon after he became emperor, and an eunuch coup in favour of overthrew the regime of , who put him on the throne.<br />
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No historical records indicate his age, but later references to him imply that he was young, perhaps a child. As his reign was short and considered at least somewhat illegitimate, he is often omitted from the official list of emperors.<br />
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<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
It is not known when Yi was born -- other than he was described as young at the time he ascended the throne in 125 and therefore must have been born late in the reign of . His father was Liu Shou , Prince Hui of Jibei, who was a son of , making him Emperor An's cousin. Nothing is known about his mother. He was likely created a marquess in 120, when five brothers of his oldest brother, Liu Deng , Prince Jie of Jibei, were created marquesses.<br />
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<a name='Brief reign' id='Brief reign'></a><h2>Brief reign</h2><br />
Empress Dowager Yan's decision was supported by other powerful people trusted by Emperor An -- his stepuncle Geng Bao , the eunuchs Jiang Jing and Fan Feng , and his wet nurse Wang Sheng . Soon, however, Empress Yan and her brother Yan Xian wanted to have full control of power, and they falsely accused Fan, Wang, and Gen of crimes. Fan was executed, while Wang and Gen, along with their families, were exiled. The Yan brothers became the most powerful officials in the capital Luoyang and ruled autocratically.<br />
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Late in the year, however, the young emperor grew gravely ill, and eunuchs loyal to Prince Bao, led by Sun Cheng , formed a conspiracy to overthrow the Yans. As soon as the emperor died, the eunuchs overthrew the Yans in a coup d'état and made Prince Bao emperor . The Yans were slaughtered, except for Empress Dowager Yan, who was however rendered powerless.<br />
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Emperor Shun, recognizing that the former Marquess of Beixiang was young and not complicit in Empress Yan's plot, did not posthumously dishonor him or carry out reprisals against his family, but nor did he recognize his predecessor as a legitimate emperor. Later in the year, he had the former emperor buried with the honors of an imperial prince -- in other words, higher than of his previous title of marquess but lower than that of an emperor. No official posthumous name was recorded for this young emperor.<br />
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<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Yanguang'' 125 <br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Shou , Prince Hui of Jibei, son of Emperor Zhang of Hanveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-82697460654590336752008-09-04T08:15:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:15:09.143-07:00Emperor An of Han<strong>Emperor Ān of Hàn</strong>, <strong>漢安帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn ān dì</strong>, . <strong>Han An-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese and the sixth emperor of the Eastern Hàn period ruling from 106 to 125. He was the grandson of .<br />
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When her infant stepson succeeded to the throne in 106, kept the eventual Emperor Ān, Prince Hu, then 12, in the capital as the successor to the throne as insurance against the infant emperor's death. Prince Hu ascended to the throne when Emperor Shang died in August or September 106; however, Empress Dowager Deng still remained as the regent until her death in 121. Thereafter, Emperor Ān removed many of her relatives from government, and many of them committed suicide, probably under duress. <br />
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Emperor Ān did little to revive the withering dynasty. He began to indulge himself in women and heavy drinking and paid little attention to affairs of state, instead leaving matters to corrupt eunuchs. In this way, he effectively became the first emperor in Hàn history to encourage corruption. He also trusted his wife Empress Yan Ji and her family deeply, despite their obvious corruption. At the same time, droughts ravaged the country while peasants rose up in arms. In 125, Emperor Ān died while travelling to Nanyang. He was only 32.<br />
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<a name='Family background and ascension to the throne' id='Family background and ascension to the throne'></a><h2>Family background and ascension to the throne</h2><br />
Then-Prince Hu was born in 94, to Prince Liu Qing of Qinghe and his concubine, . Prince Qing was the older brother of , and had once been crown prince under their father until the machinations of Emperor Zhang's wife led to his removal and his mother Consort Song's death. During Emperor He's reign, however, he was a trusted advisor to the emperor, and he had a major role in Emperor He's coup d'état against Empress Dou's domineering brother Dou Xian in 92.<br />
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Consort Zuǒ and her older sister Dà É were both confiscated and made court servant girls when they were young girls, because their uncle Zuǒ Shèng had been accused of and executed for making defamatory remarks against the emperor or imperial administration. As they grew older, they became known for beauty and talent and became ladies in waiting in Emperor He's palace; Xiǎo É was particularly known for her knowledge in history and poetry. When Emperor He was going to reward his brothers with some of the ladies in waiting, Prince Qing had already heard about her and therefore specifically requested her and her sister, a request that Emperor He granted. Both Consorts Zuǒ died sometime before Emperor He's death in 106 and were buried in the capital . After Consort Zuǒ's death, Prince Hu was raised by Prince Qing's wife, Consort Gěng .<br />
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When Emperor He died in 106, his infant son ascended the throne. Emperor He's brothers, most of whom had remained in the palace Luòyáng, including Prince Qing, were ordered to report to their principalities. However, as an insurance just in case something happened to the infant emperor, Emperor He's wife kept Prince Qing's son Prince Hu, then 12, and Consort Gěng in the capital. When Emperor Shang died later in 106, the officials largely wanted to make Emperor Shang's brother, Prince Shèng of Pingyuan, emperor, but Empress Deng, who had initially denied Prince Shèng the throne because she believed him to be frequently ill, was concerned that he would bear a grudge against her, and therefore insisted on making Prince Hu the emperor, and he ascended the throne as Emperor Ān.<br />
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<a name='Early reign: regency by Empress Dowager Deng' id='Early reign: regency by Empress Dowager Deng'></a><h2>Early reign: regency by Empress Dowager Deng</h2><br />
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After Emperor Ān ascended the throne, however, the real power remained in Empress Dowager Deng's hands, and Emperor Ān's parents Prince Qing and Consort Gěng appeared to have no influence on the administration.<br />
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Empress Dowager Deng was generally a capable ruler, and while there were natural disasters and wars with Qiang and South , she generally coped with those emergencies well. She also carried out many criminal law reforms. During her regency, Emperor Ān appeared to have minimal input into the affairs of state. Meanwhile, he became heavily personally influenced by the eunuchs Jiāng Jīng and Lǐ Rùn , and even more so by his wet nurse Wáng Shèng . He also was heavily influenced by his favorite, , whom he created empress in 115 -- even though she had poisoned to death one of his other consorts, , who had given birth to his only son in 115. While these individuals lacked real power as long as Empress Dowager Deng lived, they were long planning to take power as soon as she would no longer be on the scene. Empress Dowager Deng was somewhat aware of these plans and was offended; she was also disappointed that Emperor Ān, who was considered a precocious and intelligent child, had neglected his studies and become only interested in drinking and women. It is suspected that at some point, she even considered replacing the emperor with his cousin Liú Yì , the Prince of Pingyuan, but then decided against it.<br />
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In 120, Emperor Ān named his only son, Prince Bǎo, crown prince.<br />
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<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
Empress Dowager Deng died in 121, and Emperor An, at the age of 27, finally had the reins of the imperial administration. He posthumously honored his father Prince Qing as Emperor Xiaode and his mother Consort Zuǒ as Empress Xiaode; his paternal grandmother Consort Song as Empress Jingyin; and his stepmother Consort Gěng with the unique title of "Grand Consort of Gānlíng" -- a title inferior to his mother's, even though Consort Gěng was his father's wife. He, however, was close to her and her brother Gěng Bǎo , and he quickly made his stepuncle a powerful official in his administration.<br />
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Initially, Emperor Ān continued to follow Empress Dowager Deng's policies, including leaving members of her clan in important advisorial positions. However, his own close circle of associates, including Jiang, Li, Wang, and Empress Yan, were ready to act. Late in 121, he stripped members of the Deng clan of their posts and fiefs, and many of them committed suicide, probably under duress. Later, he relented and allowed some of the survivors to return, but by that time the Deng clan had been decimated.<br />
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In the place of the Dengs, the Song clan of Emperor Ān's grandmother became honored, but wielding much more actual power were the clan of the empress, the Yáns -- particularly Empress Yán's brothers Yán Xiǎn , Yán Jǐng , and Yán Yào . Also powerful were the eunuchs Jiang and Li, who were created marquesses. They, along with several other eunuchs, as well as Wang and her daughter Bó Róng , became extremely corrupt in their ways, without any punishment from Emperor Ān, who ignored all criticism of these individuals. Emperor Ān often listened to their suggestions, while ignoring the advice of his key officials. One of the most outspoken ones, Yáng Zhèn , the commander of the armed forces, was eventually removed from his post in 124 and committed suicide in protest.<br />
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In 121, there were again Qiang and Xianbei rebellions, which would continue to plague Emperor Ān for the rest of his reign. The only border where there were Hàn accomplishments during Emperor Ān's reign was on the northwestern front -- the Xiyu -- where Ban Chao's son Bān Yǒng was able to reestablish Hàn suzerainty over a number of kingdoms.<br />
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In 124, Wang Sheng, Jiang Jing, and another eunuch Fán Fēng falsely accused Crown Prince Bǎo's wet nurse Wáng Nán and chef Bǐng Jí , and Wáng and Bǐng were executed. Crown Prince Bǎo was greatly saddened. Jiang and Fán, fearful of reprisals later, entered into a conspiracy with Empress Yán to falsely accuse Crown Prince Bǎo and his servants of crimes. Emperor Ān believed them, and demoted Crown Prince Bǎo to be the Prince of Jiyin.<br />
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In 125, Emperor Ān was on a trip to Wancheng when he suddenly felt ill and decided to return to Luòyáng. Before he could, however, he died. Empress Yán did not want to allow his son Prince Bǎo to be emperor; instead, she made Liú Yi , the Marquess of Beixiang, a grandson of and Emperor Ān's cousin, emperor. The young emperor, however, died later that year, and a number of eunuchs loyal to Prince Bǎo, led by Sun Cheng, carried out a coup d'état and made Prince Bǎo emperor . The Yáns were slaughtered, except for Empress Dowager Yán.<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
* ''Yongchu'' 107-113<br />
* ''Yuanchu'' 114-120<br />
* ''Yongning'' 120-121<br />
* ''Jianguang'' 121-122<br />
* ''Yanguang'' 122-125<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Qing , Prince Xiao of Qinghe, second son of Emperor Zhang of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Zuo Xiao'e <br />
* Wife<br />
** Empress Yan Ji <br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** , mother of Emperor Shun <br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Bao , the Crown Prince , later the Prince of Jiyin , later Emperor Shun of Han<br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-28643012149061288622008-09-04T08:14:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:14:58.844-07:00Emperor Shun of Han<strong>Emperor Shun of Han</strong>, <strong>漢順帝;</strong>, <strong>漢顺帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn shùn dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Shun-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty and the seventh emperor of the Eastern Han period. He reigned from 125 AD to 144 AD.<br />
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Emperor Shun was the only son of Emperor An of Han and after Emperor An died in 125, the was childless but yearning to hold on to power, forced Prince Bao to give up the throne in favour of Liu Yi, the Marquess of Beixiang. Liu Yi died after reigning less than 7 months and eunuchs loyal to Prince Bao, led by Sun Cheng, carrying out a successful coup d'etat against the Empress Dowager, Prince Bao was finally declared emperor at age 10.<br />
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The people had great expectations for Emperor Shun, whose reign followed his incompetent and violent father. However, while Emperor Shun's personality was mild, he was just as incompetent as his father in general, and corruption continued without abatement among eunuchs and officials. He also overly entrusted government to his wife Empress Liang Na's father Liang Shang -- a mild-mannered man with integrity but little ability -- and then Liang Shang's son Liang Ji -- a corrupt and an autocratic man. In general, Emperor Shun's reign was still somewhat of an improvement over his father's, but this minor improvement was unable to stem Eastern Han Dynasty's continued degradation.<br />
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Emperor Shun died at the age of 30 after reigning for 19 years. He was succeeded by his son .<br />
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<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Then-Prince Bao was born to and his concubine in 115, apparently shortly after Emperor An had created his favorite empress. Empress Yan herself was sonless, and in jealousy, she poisoned Consort Li to death, an act that went unpunished. Empress Yan would continue to hold a grudge against Prince Bao, despite his youth.<br />
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In 120, Emperor An created Prince Bao crown prince, as he continued to be Emperor An's only son.<br />
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<a name='Removal as crown prince and enthronement' id='Removal as crown prince and enthronement'></a><h2>Removal as crown prince and enthronement</h2><br />
In 124, some of the people trusted by Emperor An -- eunuchs Jiang Jing and Fan Feng and his wet nurse Wang Sheng , for reasons no longer known, falsely accused Crown Prince Bao's wet nurse Wang Nan and chef Bing Ji of unspecified crimes. Emperor An executed Wang and Bing and exiled their families. The nine-year-old crown prince was greatly saddened. Jiang and Fan, fearful of reprisals later, entered into a conspiracy with Empress Yan to falsely accuse Crown Prince Bao and his servants of crimes. Emperor An believed them, and demoted Crown Prince Bao to be the Prince of Jiyin.<br />
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In 125, Emperor An died suddenly while on a trip to Wancheng . Empress Yan, although Prince Bao was Emperor An's only son and therefore logical heir, resolved to make someone younger to be the emperor so that she could better control him. She therefore made Liu Yi , the Marquess of Beixiang, emperor. The 10-year-old Prince Bao was excluded not only from succession but even from the official mourning for his father. Empress Dowager Yan and her brothers dominated the political scene.<br />
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Later that year, the young emperor was gravely ill. The eunuch Sun Cheng, loyal to Prince Bao, entered into a conspiracy with Prince Bao's head of household Changxing Qu and other eunuchs to restore Prince Bao. After the young emperor died, Sun and 18 of his fellow eunuchs made a surprise attack on the palace, killing Jiang and forcing Jiang's colleague Li Run to join them. They then welcomed Prince Bao to the palace and declared him emperor. For several days, the eunuchs' forces battled with the empress dowager's forces, finally defeating the empress dowager and her brothers. The Yan clan was slaughtered, while Empress Dowager Yan was confined to her palace until her death in 126.<br />
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<a name='Early reign' id='Early reign'></a><h2>Early reign</h2><br />
At the start of Emperor Shun's reign, the people were hopeful that he would reform the political situation from the pervasive corruption under the Yans. The teenage emperor proved to be a kind but weak ruler, however, and while he trusted certain honest officials, he also trusted many corrupt eunuchs, who quickly grabbed power. In 126, Sun tried to encourage the young emperor to carry out extensive reforms, but was instead removed from the capital for his audacity, although Sun was recalled to the capital in 128, but continued to lack actual influence to affectuate reforms. Another major influence on Emperor Shun was his wet nurse Song E , who was described as a kind woman who, however, also lacked abilities, and as she was effectively in the stead of an empress dowager, she was influential but not much of an actual help for Emperor Shun.<br />
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Early in Emperor Shun's reign, Ban Chao's son Ban Yong was able to effectively restore Han suzerainty over Xiyu kingdoms, but in 127, Ban Yong was falsely accused of being late in a military action and removed from his office. After Ban Yong's removal, the situation in Xiyu gradually deteriorated.<br />
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Other than these, however, the time of Emperor Shun was generally one during which the empire rested from previous periods of political turmoil. Although the emperor lacked capability, and corruption continued to run unchecked, his personal kindness allowed the people a measurement of peace.<br />
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In 131, Emperor Shun was going to create an empress, and not wanting to play favorites, he considered drawing lots before gods to determine who should be the empress. After his officials discouraged him from this action, he finally selected one of his consorts, , as the one he considered most virtuous and most rational, and he created her empress in 132. She was 16 and he was 19. Her father Liang Shang became an honored official and was gradually promoted to increasingly important posts.<br />
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<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
In 135, two major political changes occurred -- eunuch-marquesses began to be allowed to pass their marches to their adopted sons, and Liang Shang became the commander of the armed forces and effectively the most powerful individual in the imperial government. Neither of these developments appeared at the time to be major, but had great implications; the former demonstrated that the power of the eunuchs was becoming systemic, and the latter led to the start of the Liangs controlling the imperial government for several administrations.<br />
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Liang Shang was, much like his son-in-law, a kind man who lacked real political abilities, even though he himself appeared to be honest and clean. For example, in 138, when there was a conspiracy by some eunuchs to undermine him that Emperor Shun discovered, he advocated leniency, and while Emperor Shun did not completely agree with him, Liang's intercession clearly saved many lives. However, both he and Emperor Shun trusted his son Liang Ji who, unlike his father, was corrupt and violent.<br />
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In 136 to 138, there were a number of native rebellions in various parts of southern China. While these were generally put down with relative ease , these would foreshadow the much more serious rebellions that would come in the next few decades. Further, in 139, the Qiang again rebelled, and this time the rebellion would not be put down easily and would plague Emperor Shun for the rest of his reign. Indeed, in 141, the Qiang forces annihilated a Han force led by Ma Xian and set fire to the tomb-gardens of a number of Western han emperors in the Chang'an region. Further, eventually, the agrarian rebellions started again in Jing and Yang Provinces and would not be pacified for the rest of Emperor Shun's reign.<br />
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Also in 141, Liang Shang died. Inexplicably, Emperor Shun gave his post to his son Liang Ji and gave Liang Ji's post to his younger brother Liang Buyi . Liang Ji proceeded to seize power at every opportunity, and even though Liang Buyi tried to encourage his brother to be moderate in behavior, his pleas fell on deaf ears.<br />
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In 144, apparently already ill, Emperor Shun created his only son Liu Bing , born of his concubine Consort Yu in 143, crown prince. Later that year, Emperor Shun died, and Crown Prince Bing succeeded him as . Empress Dowager Liang served as regent, and while she personally appeared capable, her trust in her brother Liang Ji would lead to a major decline of Eastern Han.<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
* ''Yongjian'' 126-132<br />
* ''Yangjia'' 132-135<br />
* ''Yonghe'' 136-141<br />
* ''Hanan'' 142-144<br />
* ''Jiankang'' 144<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor An of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** <br />
* Wife<br />
** Empress Liang Na <br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Yu, mother of Emperor Chong and Princess Sheng<br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Bing , the Crown Prince , later Emperor Chong of Han<br />
** Liu Sheng , the Princess Wuyang <br />
** Liu Chengnan , the Princess Guanjun <br />
** Liu Guang , the Princess Ruyang <br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-63727956205376559502008-09-04T08:13:00.002-07:002008-09-04T08:14:04.912-07:00Emperor Chong of Han<strong>Emperor Chong of Han</strong>, <strong>漢冲帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn chōng dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Ch'ung-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty and the eighth emperor of the Eastern Han period.<br />
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Emperor Chong was the only son of . He ascended the throne at the age of one and reigned less than six months. During his reign, and her brother Liang Ji presided over all government affairs. While the empress dowager herself appeared to be open-minded and honest, she overly trusted her corrupt brother, and this led to corruptions and as a result the peasants suffered greatly.<br />
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Emperor Chong died in 145. He was less than three years old.<br />
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<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Then-Prince Bing was born to and his concubine Consort Yu in 143. He was Emperor Shun's only son.<br />
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In 144, Emperor Shun, apparently already ill, created Prince Bing crown prince. Less than four months later, Emperor Shun died, and Crown Prince Bing, at the age of one, ascended the throne as Emperor Chong.<br />
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<a name='Brief reign' id='Brief reign'></a><h2>Brief reign</h2><br />
As Emperor Chong was only a toddler, Emperor Shun's wife served as regent. She apparently was fairly diligent and open-minded in her duties, but her major fault was in trusting her corrupt and violent brother Liang Ji , who was the most powerful official in the administration. When the young and capable official Huangfu Gui submitted a report that, in circumspect language, suggested that Liang Ji and his brother Liang Buyi be humble and live more thriftly, Liang removed Huangfu from his post and tried several times to falsely accuse him of capital crimes.<br />
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During Emperor Chong's reign, agrarian revolts, which were already a problem late in Emperor Shun's reign, became more serious -- and even the tomb of Emperor Shun was dug up by bandits.<br />
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Early in 145, Emperor Chong died. Empress Dowager Liang was initially going to keep Emperor Chong's death a secret until she would decide on who the successor would be, but she listened to the key official Li Gu and decided to properly and publicly announce Emperor Chong's death immediately. She summoned Emperor Chong's third cousins Liu Suan , the Prince of Qinghe, and Liu Zuan , the son of Liu Hong , Prince Xiao of Bohai, to the capital, and considered the two of them. Liu Suan was apparently an adult and was described as solemn and proper, and the officials largely favored him. However, Liang Ji wanted a younger emperor so that he could remain in absolute control longer, and he persuaded Empress Dowager Liang to make the seven-year-old Prince Zuan as emperor .<br />
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Emperor Chong, having died in young childhood, was buried in his father's tomb complex in order to save costs.<br />
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Long after Emperor Chong's death, in 175, bestowed on Emperor Chong's mother Consort Yu a more elevated imperial consort title than her original title in recognition of her status as an emperor's mother.<br />
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<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Yongxi'' 145<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Shun of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Yu<br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-74842088021770595742008-09-04T08:13:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:13:48.315-07:00Emperor Zhi of Han<strong>Emperor Zhi of Han</strong> was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was a great-great-grandson of . His reign was dominated by Liang Ji, the brother of , who eventually poisoned the young emperor.<br />
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Emperor Zhi ascended the throne when he was seven when his third cousin, two-year-old died, and although he was still a child, Emperor Zhi was remarkably intelligent and he knew and was offended by the immense power Liang Ji had over the government -- leading to him once commenting that Liang Ji was "an arrogant general." This act of defiance angered Liang Ji, who proceeded to poison the emperor. Emperor Zhi was only eight when he died.<br />
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<a name='Family background and ascension to the throne' id='Family background and ascension to the throne'></a><h2>Family background and ascension to the throne</h2><br />
Liu Zuan, the future Emperor Zhi was born to Liu Hong , the Prince of Le'an, and his wife Consort Chen, in 138. Prince Hong was a great-grandson of . Other than these facts, virtually nothing else is known about Prince Hong or his wife.<br />
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In 145, when the two-year-old died, he had no close male relative to inherit his throne. His stepmother therefore summoned two of his third cousins -- Liu Suan , the Prince of Qinghe, and Liu Zuan, then seven-years-old, to the capital, to examine them as potential heir to the throne. Liu Suan was apparently an adult and was described as solemn and proper, and the officials largely favored him. However, Empress Dowager Liang's autocratic and violent brother Liang Ji wanted a younger emperor so that he could remain in absolute control longer, and he persuaded Empress Dowager Liang to make the seven-year-old Zuan as emperor. To avoid having a person without an official title becoming emperor directly, he was first created the Marquess of Jianping, and then the same day he ascended the throne as Emperor Zhi.<br />
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<a name='Brief reign' id='Brief reign'></a><h2>Brief reign</h2><br />
Empress Dowager Liang served as Emperor Zhi's regent, and while she overly trusted her brother Liang Ji, who was violent and corrupt, she herself was diligent and interested in governing the country well -- in particular, entrusting much of the important matters to the honest official Li Gu . For example, the agrarian rebellions that started during Emperors Shun and Chong's reigns were largely quelled in 145, after she selected the right generals to lead the armies. She also encouraged the young scholars from over the empire to come to the capital Luoyang to study at the national university.<br />
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Emperor Zhi, as young as he was, was keenly aware of how much Liang Ji was abusing power , and on one occasion, at an imperial gathering, he blinked at Liang Ji and referred to him as "an arrogant general." Liang Ji became angry and concerned. In the summer of 146, he poisoned a bowl of pastry soup and had it given to the emperor. After the young emperor consumed the soup, he quickly suffered great pain, and he summoned Li immediately and also requested water, believing that water would save him. However, Liang immediately ordered that the emperor not be given any water, and , the young emperor immediately died. Li advocated a full investigation, but Liang was able to have the investigation efforts suppressed.<br />
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After Emperor Zhi's death, Liang Ji, under pressure by the key officials, was forced to summon a meeting of the officials to decide whom to enthrone as the new emperor. The officials were again largely in favor of Prince Suan, but Liang Ji was still concerned about how he would be difficult to control. Rather, he persuaded Empress Dowager Liang to make the 14-year-old Liu Zhi , the Marquess of Liwu, a great-grandson of Emperor Zhang, to whom Liang Ji's younger sister was betrothed, emperor .<br />
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Long after Emperor Zhi's death, in 175, bestowed on Emperor Zhi's mother Consort Chen the honorific title of Princess Xiao of Bohai, in recognition of her status as mother of an emperor.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Benchu'' 146<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Hong , Prince Xiao of Bohai, son of Liu Chong Prince Yi of Le'an, son of Liu Kang Prince Zhen of Qiancheng, son of Emperor Zhang of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Chenveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-55167552852265877732008-09-04T08:12:00.006-07:002008-09-04T08:13:02.542-07:00Emperor Huan of Han<strong>Emperor Huan of Han</strong>, <strong>漢桓帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn húan dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Huan-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was a great-grandson of .<br />
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After Emperor Zhi was poisoned to death by the powerful official Liang Ji in 146, Liang Ji persuaded his sister, the regent to make the 14-year-old Liu Zhi, the Marquess of Liwu, who was betrothed to their sister , emperor. As the years went by, Emperor Huan, offended by Liang Ji's autocratic and violent nature, became determined to eliminate the Liang family with the help of eunuchs. Emperor Huan succeeded in removing Liang Ji in 159 but this only caused to increase the influence of the eunuchs over all aspect of government. Corruption during this period had reached a boiling point and in 166 university students rose up in protest against the government and called on Emperor Huan to eliminate all corrupt officials. Instead of listening, Emperor Huan ordered the arrest of all students involved. In all, Emperor Huan has largely been viewed as an emperor who might have had some intelligence but lacked wisdom in governing his empire, and his reign contributed greatly to the downfall of the Eastern Han Dynasty.<br />
<br />
''Hou Hanshu'' recounted that one reached the Chinese capital Luoyang in 166 and was greeted by Emperor Huan.<br />
<br />
Emperor Huan died in 168 after reigning for 22 years. He was 36.<br />
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<a name='Family background and ascension' id='Family background and ascension'></a><h2>Family background and ascension</h2><br />
Liu Zhi was born in 132, to Liu Yi , the Marquess of Liwu, and his concubine .<br />
<br />
Liu Yi was the son of Liu Kai the Prince of Hejian , and he had initially been made the Prince of Pingyuan as the heir of his cousin Liu Sheng by , the regent for , who was impressed with his abilities. That led to rumors that Empress Deng was looking to replace Emperor An, Prince Yi's cousin, with Prince Yi. After Empress Dowager Deng died in 121, Emperor An, bearing a grudge against Prince Yi, demoted him to the rank of Marquess of Duxiang and exiled him to his father's principality. During the reign of , Prince Kai requested that he be allowed to give Liwu County, part of his principality, to his son, and Emperor Shun permitted it, so Marquess Yi became the Marquess of Liwu.<br />
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By 146, Liu Zhi had inherited his father's title, and was betrothed to , the younger sister of the regent and her violent and corrupt brother, Grand Marshall Liang Ji. That year, Liang Ji, bearing grudge against the eight-year-old for calling him an "arrogant general," murdered the young emperor by poison. The officials largely favored Emperor Zhi's first cousin Liu Suan the Prince of Qinghe, who was described as a solemn and proper man. However, Liang Ji was hesitant to yield authority to an able emperor, and, because Marquess Zhi was betrothed to his sister and relatively young, he felt that he could control him, and so insisted on making him emperor. Marquess Zhi took the throne later that year as Emperor Huan.<br />
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<a name='Early reign: under Liang Ji's shadow' id='Early reign: under Liang Ji's shadow'></a><h2>Early reign: under Liang Ji's shadow</h2><br />
After Emperor Huan's ascension at age 14, Empress Dowager Liang continued to serve as regent. However, her brother Liang Ji became more and more in effective control, even over the empress dowager. Emperor Huan posthumously honored his grandfather and father as emperors, but because the empress dowager was regent, did not honor his mother Yan Ming as an empress dowager; rather, she was given the title of an imperial consort. In 147, he married Empress Dowager Liang and Liang Ji's sister Liang Nüying and created her empress. It appeared that while the Liangs were in control, Emperor Huan was not a complete puppet -- but instead, in a bad sign of things to come, trusted eunuchs in his decision-making.<br />
<br />
In 147 as well, Liang Ji, in conjunction with the eunuchs Tang Heng and Zuo Guan , but with Emperor Huan's clear approval, falsely accused the honest officials Li Gu and Du Qiao of conspiring to overthrow Emperor Huan and replace him with Prince Suan. Li and Du were executed, while Prince Suan was demoted to marquess status and committed suicide.<br />
<br />
In 150, Empress Dowager Liang announced that she was retiring and returning imperial authority to Emperor Huan. Later that year, she died. Emperor Huan then honored his mother as an empress dowager. However, Liang Ji remained powerful -- and perhaps even more powerful than before, without his sister curbing his power. He became ever more violent and corrupt, stamping out all dissent with threats of death. He even threw his humble and peace-loving brother Liang Buyi out of government.<br />
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In 152, Empress Dowager Yan died. Because Emperor Huan had inherited the throne through a collateral line, he was not permitted by customs to be the mourner, but instead his brother Liu Shi the Prince of Pingyuan served as chief mourner.<br />
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In 153, the first major public confrontation between an official and a powerful eunuch occurred -- foreshadowing many to come. Zhu Mu , the governor of Ji Province had found out that the father of the powerful eunuch Zhao Zhong had been improperly buried in a jade vest -- an honor that was reserved to imperial princes, and he ordered an investigation. Zhao's father was exhumed, and the jade vest was stripped away -- an act that angered Zhao and Emperor Huan. Zhu was not only removed from his post but was sentenced to hard labor.<br />
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<a name='Coup d'etat against Liang Ji' id='Coup d'etat against Liang Ji'></a><h2>Coup d'etat against Liang Ji</h2><br />
As the years went by, Emperor Huan became increasingly disgruntled at Liang Ji's control of the government, and was also angered by Empress Liang's behavior. Because of her position as Empress Dowager Liang and Liang Ji's sister, Empress Liang was wasteful in her luxurious living, far exceeding any past empress, and was exceedingly jealous. She did not have a son, and because she did not want any other imperial consorts to have sons, if one became pregnant, Empress Liang would find some way to murder her. Emperor Huan did not dare to react to her due to Liang Ji's power, but rarely had sexual relations with her. In 159, angry and depressed that she had lost her husband's favor, Empress Liang died.<br />
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That would start a chain of events that would lead to Liang Ji's downfall later that year. Liang, in order to continue to control Emperor Huan, had adopted his wife's beautiful cousin , , as his own daughter, changing her family name to Liang. He and Sun gave Liang Mengnü to Emperor Huan as an imperial consort, and, after Empress Liang's death, they hoped that she would be eventually created empress. To completely control her, Liang Ji planned to have her mother, Lady Xuan , killed, and in fact sent assassins against her, but the assassination was foiled by the powerful eunuch Yuan She , a neighbor of Lady Xuan.<br />
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Lady Xuan reported the assassination attempt to Emperor Huan, who was greatly angered. He entered into a conspiracy with eunuchs Tang Heng, Zuo Guan, Dan Chao , Xu Huang , and Ju Yuan to overthrow Liang -- sealing the oath by biting open Dan's arm and swearing by his blood. Liang Ji had some suspicions about what Emperor Huan and the eunuchs were up to, and he investigated. The five eunuchs quickly reacted. They had Emperor Huan openly announce that he was taking back power from Liang Ji and mobilized the imperial guards to defend the palace against a counterattack by Liang, and then surrounding Liang's house and forcing him to surrender. Liang and Sun were unable to respond and committed suicide. The entire Liang and Sun clans were arrested and slaughtered. A large number of officials were executed or deposed for close association with Liang -- so many that the government was almost unable to function for some time. Liang and Sun's properties were confiscated by the imperial treasury, which allowed the taxes to be reduced by 50% for one year. The people greatly celebrated Liang Ji's death. What they did not know at that point was that this would not be an improvement of the political situation.<br />
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<a name='Late reign: empowerment of the eunuchs' id='Late reign: empowerment of the eunuchs'></a><h2>Late reign: empowerment of the eunuchs</h2><br />
After Liang Ji's death, Emperor Huan created Liang Mengnü empress, but disliked her family name, and therefore ordered her to take the family name Bo . Later, he found out that her original family name was actually Deng, and therefore had her family name restored.<br />
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The people had great expectations for Emperor Huan's administration after the death of Liang Ji. However, having been able to overthrow Liang Ji with the five eunuchs' help, Emperor Huan greatly rewarded them, creating them and several other eunuchs who participated in the coup d'état marquesses and further gave them governmental posts that conferred tremendous power. Further, the five eunuch-marquesses openly engaged in massive corruption and became extremely wealthy, with Emperor Huan's approval. A song written about four remaining eunuch-marquesses, after Dan's death, described them in this way:<br />
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:''Zuo can reverse heaven's decision. Ju sits by himself without match. Xu is a lying wolf. Tang's power is as prevalent as the falling rain.''<br />
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Emperor Huan himself was also corrupt and unwilling to accept any criticism. In 159, when the honest county magistrate Li Yun submitted a petition urging him to curb the power of the eunuchs, Emperor Huan was deeply offended that he included the phrase, "Is the emperor turning blind?" and, despite intercessions by a number of officials and even some fairly-minded eunuchs, had Li and his friend Du Zhong both executed.<br />
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In 161, apparently in reaction to spending due to renewed Qiang rebellions and new agrarian revolts, Emperor Huan issued an edict offering minor offices for sale -- including imperial guard officer positions. While Emperor Huan actually appeared to have a knack for finding good generals to suppress the rebellions or to persuade the rebels to surrender, the rampant corruption would cause new rebellions as soon as the old ones are quelled.<br />
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In 165, perhaps finally fed up with the eunuchs' excess, Emperor Huan demoted the only remaining of the five -- Ju. Several other corrupt eunuchs were also demoted or deposed. However, soon thereafter, the eunuchs' powers were restored again. For the rest of Emperor Huan's reign, there would be a cycle of rise and fall of power of the eunuchs after conflicts with officials, but inexorably the eunuchs would return, becoming more powerful than before.<br />
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Later that year, apparently tired of Empress Deng and sick of her disputes with a favorite consort of his, Consort Guo, Emperor Huan deposed and imprisoned her. She died in anger, and several of her family members were executed. He wanted to create another consort, Tian Sheng empress, but officials opposed on the basis that she was of lowly birth, and recommended that he create , the daughter of Dou Wu , a Confucian scholar and a descendant of Dou Rong , who had contributed much to the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty, empress. Even though he did not favor Consort Dou, Emperor Huan gave in to pressure and created her empress.<br />
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In 166, a major public confrontation between university students and eunuchs evolved into a major incident. The governor of the capital province , Li Ying, had arrested and executed a fortuneteller named Zhang Cheng , who had had his son kill a man, having predicted that a general pardon was coming. Li was arrested, and 200 some university students signed a petition requesting his release -- which further angered Emperor Huan, who had the students arrested. Only after about a year and Dou Wu's intercession were Li and the university students released, but all of them had their citizenship rights stripped. This incident was later known as the first .<br />
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In 168, Emperor Huan died without a son. Empress Dou, jealous of how he favored Consort Tian, had her immediately put to death. She conducted a survey among the members of the imperial clan, and decided on the 11-year-old Liu Hong , the Marquess of Jieduting, who then ascended the throne as Emperor Ling.<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Jianhe'' 147-149<br />
*''Heping'' 150<br />
*''Yuanjia'' 151-153<br />
*''Yongxing'' 153-154<br />
*''Yongshou'' 155-158<br />
*''Yanxi'' 158-167<br />
*''Yongkang'' 167<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Yi , the Marquess of Liwu, son of Liu Kai Prince Xiao of Hejian, son of Emperor Zhang of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** , Marquess Yi's concubine<br />
* Wives<br />
** Empress Liang Nüying , sister of Empress Liang Na and Liang Ji<br />
** Empress Deng Mengnü <br />
** Empress Dou Miao <br />
* Major concubines<br />
** Consort Guo<br />
** Consort Tian Sheng <br />
** Consort Feng<br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Hua , the Princess Yang'an <br />
** Liu Jian , the Princess Yingyin <br />
** Liu Xiu , the Princess Yanzhai <br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-49890615702677948652008-09-04T08:12:00.005-07:002008-09-04T08:12:47.410-07:00Emperor Ling of Han<strong>Emperor Ling of Han</strong>, <strong>漢靈帝;</strong>, <strong>汉灵帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn líng dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Ling-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was a great-great-grandson of . The Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out during Emperor ling's reign.<br />
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Emperor Ling's reign saw yet another repetition of government domination by corrupt eunuchs. This time Zhang Rang and his accomplices succeeded in completely dominating the political scene after prevailing over 's father Dou Wu and his ally, the Confucian scholar Chen Fan in 168. Emperor Ling, even after he grew to adulthood, was not interested in governmental affairs, instead indulged himself in women and a decadent lifestyle. At the same time corrupt officials levied heavy taxes on the peasants causing public outcries and rebellions. He further exacerbated the situation by selling political offices for money.<br />
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Emperor Ling died after reigning for 21 years in 189. He was 34. As soon after his death the power fell into the hands of Dong Zhuo, who despised him, Emperor Ling was one of the rare examples of history in which an emperor whose throne was inherited by a son who received a highly derogatory posthumous name.<br />
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Emperor Ling's reign left the Eastern Han Dynasty weak and ready to crumble. After his death, the empire broke apart, and for several decades warlords battled, until eventually his son was forced to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi, ushering in the era of the Three Kingdoms period. <br />
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<a name='Family background and ascension to the throne' id='Family background and ascension to the throne'></a><h2>Family background and ascension to the throne</h2><br />
Liu Hong was a hereditary marquess -- the Marquess of Jieduting. His was a third generation creation, as his father Liu Chang and grandfather Liu Shu were both Marquesses of Jieduting as well. His great-grandfather was Liu Kai , the Prince of Hejian, and a son of . His mother was Marquess Chang's wife.<br />
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When Emperor Huan died in 168 without a son to be heir, his wife Empress Dou Miao became empress dowager and regent, and she examined the rolls of the imperial clan to consider the next emperor. For reasons unknown, her assistant Liu Shu recommended Marquess Hong, and after consulting with her father Dou Wu and the Confucian scholar official Chen Fan, Empress Dowager Dou made him emperor, at age 12. Empress Dowager Dou continued to serve as regent. Emperor Ling posthumously honored his father and grandfather as emperors, and his grandmother as an empress. His mother, because of Empress Dowager Dou's presence, was not honored as an empress or empress dowager, but as an imperial consort.<br />
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<a name='Early reign' id='Early reign'></a><h2>Early reign</h2><br />
The empress dowager's father Dou Wu and Chen became the most important officials in the imperial government, and they sought to purge the government of eunuch influences. Later in 168, they even proposed to exterminate all of the powerful eunuchs, a proposal that Empress Dowager Dou rejected. However, word of the plot was leaked, and the eunuchs, after kidnapping the empress dowager and taking the young emperor into custody arrested and executed Chen. Dou Wu resisted, but was eventually defeated, and he committed suicide. The Dou clan was slaughtered. The powerful eunuchs, led by Cao Jie and Wang Fu , became the most powerful individuals in the imperial government.<br />
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After the destruction of the Dou clan, in 169, Emperor Ling honored his mother Consort Dong as an empress dowager, but continued to also honor Empress Dowager Dou as an empress dowager. Members of the Dong clan began to enter government, but did not have substantial influence. Later that year, the eunuchs persuaded Emperor Ling that the "partisans" were planning a plot against him, and a large number of partisans were arrested and killed; the others had their civil liberties stripped completely, in what later was known as the second .<br />
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In 172, Empress Dowager Dou died. Despite suggestions by eunuchs to have her only buried as an imperial consort and not be honored as Emperor Huan's wife, Emperor Ling had her buried with honors due an empress dowager, with Emperor Huan. In the aftermaths of her death, a vandal wrote on the palace door:<br />
<br />
:''All that is under the heaven is in upheaval. Cao and Wang murdered the empress dowager. The key officials only know how to be officials and had nothing faithful to say.''<br />
<br />
The eunuchs were angered, and more than 1,000 people were arrested in the investigation to try to discover who the vandal was, but nothing eventually came of the investigation. In that year, the eunuchs also falsely accused Emperor Huan's brother Liu Li , the Prince of Bohai, of treason, and Prince Li was forced to commit suicide. His entire household, including wife, concubines, children, assistants, and principality officials, were all executed. The eunuchs continued to be corrupt, and the people received heavier and heavier tax burdens. As Emperor Ling grew in age, he not only took no remedial actions, but continued to tolerate the eunuchs' corruption, for the large part. A major defeat by the Xianbei in 177 further drained the imperial treasury.<br />
<br />
In 178, Emperor Ling's wife , whom he created empress in 171 but did not favor, fell victim to the eunuchs. Her aunt Lady Song was Prince Li's wife, and so the eunuchs were concerned that if she became powerful, she would avenge her aunt. They, in alliance with the imperial consorts who wanted to replace Empress Song, falsely accused her of using witchcraft to curse the emperor. Emperor Ling believed them and deposed Empress Song. She was imprisoned and died in despair. Her father Song Feng and her brothers were all executed.<br />
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<a name='Middle reign' id='Middle reign'></a><h2>Middle reign</h2><br />
In 178, Emperor Ling carried out a plan that greatly damaged the authority of the imperial government and harmed the people even more -- he sold offices of all kinds for money. The people who purchased these offices would then become extremely corrupt while in office -- and in fact, that was what Emperor Ling contemplated, for he allowed people who did not have the money to start to set up installment payment plans after they were placed in office.<br />
<br />
In 180, Emperor Ling created as the new empress and made her brother He Jin a key official in his government. She received the empress position because she had given birth to Emperor Ling's son .<br />
<br />
During these years, Emperor Ling became interested in heavy spending to build imperial gardens, and to finance them he ordered the commanderies and principalities to offer tributes to him personally. This in turn created pressures for officials to be corrupt. However, he also did listen to good advice at times, but did not follow them consistently. For the more honest of his officials, it became a frustrating exercise to try to persuade Emperor Ling on points that were beneficial to the people -- because he was in fact persuadable but not usually so.<br />
<br />
<a name='The Yellow Turban Rebellion' id='The Yellow Turban Rebellion'></a><h2>The Yellow Turban Rebellion</h2><br />
<br />
<br />
Sometime before 183, a major Taoist movement had emerged from Ji Province -- the Taiping Sect , led by Zhang Jiao , who claimed he had magical powers to heal the sick. By 183, his teachings and followers had spread to eight provinces -- Qing , Xu , You , Ji, Jing , Yang , Yan , and Yu . Several key imperial officials became concerned about Zhang's hold over his followers, and suggested that the Taiping Sect be disbanded. Emperor Ling did not listen to them.<br />
<br />
Zhang in fact planned a rebellion. He commissioned 36 military commanders and set up a shadow government, and he wrote a declaration:<br />
<br />
:''The blue heaven is dead. The yellow heaven will come into being. The year will be ''Jiazi''. The world would be blessed.''<br />
<br />
Zhang had his supporters write ''Jiazi'' in large characters with white talc everywhere they could -- including on the doors of many imperial offices in the capital Luoyang and other cities. One of Zhang's commanders, Ma Yuanyi entered into a plan with two powerful eunuchs, and they planned to start a rebellion to overthrow the Han Dynasty from inside.<br />
<br />
Early in 184, this plot was discovered, and Ma was immediately arrested and executed. Emperor Ling ordered that Taiping Sect members be arrested and executed, and Zhang immediately declared a rebellion. Every member of the rebellion wore a yellow turban as the symbol -- and therefore the rebellion became known for it. Within a month, Zhang controlled large areas of territory. Under suggestion by the eunuch Lü Qiang , who was sympathetic to the partisans, Emperor Ling pardoned the partisans to ward off the possibility they would join the Yellow Turbans. <br />
<br />
Emperor Ling sent out a number of military commanders against the Yellow Turbans, and in these campaigns several of them distinguished themselves -- including Huangfu Song , Cao Cao , Fu Xie , Zhu Jun , , and Dong Zhuo . A key military development with great implications later was that the Yellow Turbans were largely combatted with battle-tested Liang Province troops, who had been accustomed to fight the Qiang rebellions. In late 184, Zhang Jiao was killed, and while the rest of the Yellow Turbans were not defeated immediately, in the following year they gradually dissipated. Because of the Liang forces' contributions to the campaign, they began to be feared and began to look down on troops from all other provinces. During and in the aftermaths of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, many people from other provinces, in order to ward off pillaging by Yellow Turbans or governmental forces, also organized into military organizations, and a good number resisted government forces, and even after the Yellow Turbans were defeated, the central government's control of the provinces was no longer what it used to be.<br />
<br />
<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
Even after what happened, however, Emperor Ling did not change his wasteful and corrupt ways. He continued to levy heavy taxes and continued to sell offices. As a result, the agrarian and other military rebellions multiplied.<br />
<br />
In 188, under the suggestions of Liu Yan , Emperor Ling greatly increased the political and military power of the provincincial governors and selected key officials to serve as provincial governors.<br />
<br />
In 189, as Emperor Ling grew ill, a succession issue came into being. Emperor Ling had two surviving sons -- Liu Bian, the son of Empress He, and , the son of Consort Wang. Because Emperor Ling had, earlier in his life, frequently lost sons in childhood, he later believed that his sons needed to be raised outside the palace by foster parents. Therefore, when Prince Bian was born, he was entrusted to the magician Shi Zimiao and known by the circumspect title "Marquess Shi." Later, when Prince Xie was born, he was raised personally by Emperor Ling's mother Empress Dowager Dong and known by the circumspect title "Marquess Dong." Prince Bian was born of the empress and was older, but Emperor Ling viewed his behavior as being insufficiently solemn and therefore considered creating Prince Xie crown prince, but hesitated and could not decide.<br />
<br />
When Emperor Ling died later that year, a powerful eunuch that he trusted, Jian Shuo, wanted to first kill Empress He's brother He Jin and then make Prince Xie emperor, and therefore set up a trap at a meeting he was to have with He. He found out, and preemptorily declared Prince Bian emperor .<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Jianning'' 168-172<br />
*''Xiping'' 172-178<br />
*''Guanghe'' 178-184<br />
*''Zhongping'' 184-189</td></TR><br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Chang , the Marquess of Jieduting, son of Liu Shu the Marquess of Jieduting, son of Liu Kai Prince Xiao of Hejian, son of Emperor Zhang of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** <br />
* Wives<br />
** <br />
** , mother of the Prince of Hongnong<br />
* Major concubines<br />
** Consort Wang, mother of Emperor Xian <br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Bian , later emperor <br />
** Liu Xie , initially the Prince of Bohai , later the Prince of Chenliu , later Emperor Xian of Han<br />
** The Princess Wannianveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-1481782790352666352008-09-04T08:12:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:12:25.960-07:00Prince of HongnongThe <strong>Prince of Hongnong</strong> , was briefly an during the Han dynasty. He is also known as "Emperor Shao" , a name which he shares with several other emperors with brief reigns. He came to power in 189 and was deposed and then poisoned by Dong Zhuo in 190.<br />
<br />
<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Liu Bian, the future Prince of Hongnong, was born in 176, to and his then-concubine, . According to traditional historians, prior to him, Emperor Ling had other sons, but they all died young. Therefore, based on the superstitutions of the time, Emperor Ling believed that his sons needed to be raised outside the palace by foster parents. Prince Bian was therefore entrusted to the magician Shi Zimiao and known by the circumspect title "Marquess Shi" . <br />
<br />
Due to her having given birth to Emperor Ling's oldest surviving son, Prince Bian's mother Consort He was created empress in 180. Despite this, perhaps partly again due to superstitution and partly because Emperor Ling viewed his behavior as being insufficiently solemn, Prince Bian was never created crown prince, and at times Emperor Ling seriously considered creating the younger Prince Xie crown prince.<br />
<br />
When Emperor Ling died in 189, a powerful eunuch that he trusted, Jian Shuo, wanted to first kill Empress He's brother He Jin and then make Prince Xie emperor, and so he set up a trap at a meeting he was to have with He. He Jin discovered the plot, and preemptorily declared Prince Bian emperor. Empress He became empress dowager, and she and her brother He Jin became the key figures at court, although a number of the eunuchs remained very powerful.<br />
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<a name='Brief reign' id='Brief reign'></a><h2>Brief reign</h2><br />
A confrontation quickly brewed. In the summer of 189, He Jin, plotting with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, as well as a number of other young officials, planned to act against Jian. Jian tried to persuade his fellow powerful eunuchs, including Zhao Zhong and Song Dian , to go along with his plan to arrest and kill He Jin. However, Zhao and Song were persuaded by another eunuch, Guo Sheng -- a friend of the Hes -- to turn down Jian's suggestions. He Jin then arrested Jian and executed him, taking over the forces under his control.<br />
<br />
The Hes then had a confrontation with yet another power center. Emperor Ling's mother, , and her nephew Dong Chong were displeased at the Hes' power grab, and Grand Empress Dowager Dong often argued with Empress Dowager He, once threatening to have Dong Chong decapitate He Jin. He Jin took preemptive action and had Empress Dowager He issue an edict exiling her mother-in-law back to Hejian , where her husband's fief was and Dong Chong arrested. Dong Chong committed suicide, and Grand Empress Dowager Dong died soon thereafter -- with most historical accounts concluding that she died from fear, but some suggested that she committed suicide. This event caused the Hes to be very unpopular among the people.<br />
<br />
In autumn 189, Yuan Shao suggested to He Jin that the eunuchs be slaughtered -- a proposal that Empress He immediately rejected, as the plan would have required that Empress He interact with normal men on a regular basis, a requirement that she found offensive and inmodest. Empress Dowager He's mother Lady Xian and brother He Miao also opposed the plan, reasoning that they owed much to the eunuchs. He Jin was therefore hesitant to carry out his plan, and he and Yuan Shao hatched an alternative plan that would later prove disastrous -- instructing generals outside the hospital to declare rebellions and demanding that the eunuchs be slaughtered, in order to force Empress He to do so. One of the generals that He Jin so instructed was Dong Zhuo, then in command of the battle-tested Liang Province forces -- not remembering that Dong Zhuo had previous records for disobeying direct orders and undue harshness.<br />
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As Dong approached the capital with his forces, Empress Dowager He was forced to order the powerful eunuchs to leave the palace and return to their marches. However, after the eunuchs' leader, Zhang Rang pleaded with his daughter-in-law , Empress Dowager He relented and summoned them back to the palace. The eunuchs then found out that He Jin in fact planned to exterminate them, and they tricked He Jin into falling into an ambush and getting killed. He Jin's associates, led by Yuan Shao, then surrounded the palace, and the eunuchs took Empress Dowager He, the young emperor, and Prince Xie hostage, although Empress Dowager He soon escaped. Meanwhile, Yuan Shao had the other eunuchs mass-executed, and also killed He Miao for not having cooperated with He Jin.<br />
<br />
Two days later, the several eunuchs holding the emperor and Prince Xie hostage, knowing that they were in desperate straits, took the emperor and the prince and fled north toward the river. With government officials and Min Gong on their heels, the eunuchs, led by Zhang Rang, released the emperor and Prince Xie and committed suicide by jumping into the Yellow River. As Min and Lu were escorting the emperor and the prince back to the capital Luoyang, they were intercepted by Dong Zhuo's forces. As Dong came up to meet them, the young emperor was so shocked that he spoke incoherently and could not answer Dong Zhuo's questions. The younger Prince Xie, however, had no such difficulty in describing the events. Dong became impressed by the younger prince, and, because he shared the same name with the late Grand Empress Dowager Dong, began to consider deposing the emperor and replacing him with Prince Xie.<br />
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Dong quickly took over the capital by using his forces to intimidate others. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, then in command of the palace guards, saw that they could no longer control their forces, which had been so intimidated by the stronger Liang Province forces that they were not following orders, fled the capital. Dong then ordered the young emperor deposed , and Empress Dowager He was forced to agree. Prince Xie was declared emperor . The Prince of Hongnong's mother Empress Dowager He was soon poisoned to death by Dong.<br />
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<a name='Death' id='Death'></a><h2>Death</h2><br />
For months, it appeared that Dong, now in complete control of the central government, was going to leave the former emperor alone. That would not last, however. In early 190, after a coalition of provincial officials and exiles, led by Yuan Shao, rebelled against his authority, Dong became weary of keeping the Prince Bian alive. Less than a month after the rebellion started, Dong ordered his subordinate Li Ru to force the prince to drink poison wine, although Li did permit the prince to say farewell to his wife Consort Tang and his concubines before doing so. He was buried in the tomb originally intended for the late eunuch Zhao Zhong and given the posthumous name Prince Huai.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Zhaoning'' 189<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Ling of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** <br />
* Wife<br />
** Consort Tang, later given honorific title of Princess of Hongnongveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-15711908301008516322008-09-04T08:12:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:12:15.269-07:00Emperor Xian of Han<strong>Emperor Xian of Han</strong> was the last of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was forced to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi and was given the title of Duke of Shanyang .<br />
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Emperor Xian was the son of and was the brother of Emperor Liu Bian . He was placed on the throne in 189 after Dong Zhuo removed his brother from the throne. This act was seen as a sign to all the other lords that Dǒng was in full control of the empire. However, after Dong Zhuo was assassinated in 192, Emperor Xian became first a puppet and then was stranded in Luoyang with the warlords formally acknowledging him but giving him no aid. Eventually, Emperor Xian came under the control of Cao Cao in 196, and Cao used Emperor Xiàn as a titular ruler effectively, issuing edicts beneficial to him in Emperor Xian's name, greatly helping him in his quest to reunify the empire, which appeared inevitable until Cao's defeat by Sun Quan at the Battle of Red Cliffs, leading to Sun and Liu Bei's entrenchment in their territories. In 220, the Han dynasty was finally overthrown by Cao Cao's son Cao Pi, ending more than 400 years of Han dynastic rule and ushering in the era of the Three Kingdoms.<br />
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Although Emperor Xian was demoted to a rank of nobility , he lived in comfort and enjoyed preferential treatments. Emperor Xian died in 234, 14 years after the fall of his dynasty. He was 53.<br />
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<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
The future Emperor Xian was born in 181, to and his concubine Consort Wang. During her pregnancy, Consort Wang, fearful of Emperor Ling's powerful empress , had taken drugs that were intended to induce an abortion, but was not successful in her attempt. Soon after she gave birth to Prince Xie, the jealous Empress He poisoned her by putting poison in her rice porridge. Emperor Ling was enraged and wanted to depose her, but the eunuchs pleaded on her behalf, and she was not deposed. Prince Xie was raised personally by Emperor Ling's mother Empress Dowager Dong and known by the circumspect title "Marquess Dong." Prince Bian was born of the empress and was older, but Emperor Ling viewed his behavior as being insufficiently solemn and therefore considered creating Prince Xie crown prince, but hesitated and could not decide.<br />
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When Emperor Ling died in 189, a powerful eunuch that he trusted, Jian Shuo, wanted to first kill Empress He's brother He Jin and then make Prince Xie emperor, and therefore set up a trap at a meeting he was to have with He. He found out, and preemptorily declared Prince Bian emperor. Later that year, the young emperor created Prince Xie the Prince of Bohai, and later changed his title to the Prince of Chenliu.<br />
Emperor Xian was the 15th generation of Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty.<br />
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''See'' -- <br />
<br />
<a name='Ascension to the throne and collapse of the Han regime' id='Ascension to the throne and collapse of the Han regime'></a><h2>Ascension to the throne and collapse of the Han regime</h2><br />
:''For more details about the collapse of the Han regime -- which happened largely during Emperor Xian's reign but for which he had little, if any, responsibility -- see End of Han Dynasty.''<br />
<br />
<h3> Rise of Dong Zhuo </h3><br />
After Prince Bian became emperor, He Jin became the most powerful official at court, and he and his advisor Yuan Shao quickly entered into a conspiracy to exterminate the powerful eunuchs. They were, however, rebuffed by Empress Dowager He, and they hatched the plan to secretly order a number of generals to advance on the capital Luoyang to force Empress Dowager He to agree to their demands. One of these generals was the generally disobedient Dong Zhuo, who saw this as an opportunity to control the central government.<br />
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He Jin's plan was discovered by the eunuchs, who lay a trap for him and killed him. Yuan then led his forces into the palace and killed the majority of the eunuchs. The remaining eunuchs initially took the young emperor and Prince Xie hostage, but eventually were forced to commit suicide when the battle turned against them. When Dong then arrived on scene, he, impressed with his own power and unimpressed with the nervous young emperor, forced the young emperor to yield the throne to Prince Xie , who then ascended the throne as Emperor Xian. Dong Zhuo then murdered Empress Dowager He and the young former emperor, and became firmly in control of the political scene.<br />
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<h3> Forced relocation west and the death of Dong Zhuo </h3><br />
In the spring of 190, a number of local officials, loosely led by Yuan Shao, quickly rose up against Dong. Even though they still feared Dong's military power and did not directly advance on Luoyang, Dong was also fearful of their collective strength, and therefore determined to move the capital west -- to the old Western Han capital Chang'an, closer to his power base in Liang Province . On April 9 190, he forced Emperor Xian to relocate to Chang'an and set fire to Luoyang, leaving it largely in ruins.<br />
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After the revolting coalition collapsed, a number of officials, led by Wang Yun and Dong's adopted son Lü Bu, assassinated Dong in May 22 192. For a while, it appeared that the Han regime might return to normal, as Wang quickly established relatively friendly relations with the local officials resisting Dong but by this time acting more as local warlords. However, due to Wang's failure to pacify Dong's former subordinates, they rose in revolt and killed Wang. Any possibility of return to normality was shattered.<br />
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<h3> Return to Luoyang's ruins </h3><br />
Dong's former subordinates, led by Li Jue and Guo Si, held Emperor Xian and the imperial officials. However, Li and Guo did not have serious ambitions, and their incompetence in governance furthered the breakdown of the empire into warlord realms. In 195, Li and Guo had a major fallout, and Li took Emperor Xian hostage while Guo took the imperial officials hostage as they battled. Later in the year, after peace talks between Li and Guo, they agreed to allow Emperor Xian to return to Luoyang -- but as soon as Emperor Xian departed Chang'an, they regretted this and chased him with their troops. While they were never able to capture him, Emperor Xian's court was rendered poor and unable to fend for itself, and once it returned to Luoyang, it lacked even the basic essentials of life. Many imperial officials starved to death. At this time, Yuan Shao's strategist Ju Shou suggested that he welcome Emperor Xian to his province so that he could effectively be in control of the imperial government, but the other strategists Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong opposed -- under the faulty logic that if he did, he would have to yield to Emperor Xian on key decisions. Yuan listened to Guo and Chunyu and never again considered welcoming Emperor Xian. The implementation of Ju's strategy would have to wait for a man more capable than Yuan.<br />
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<h3> Tight control by Cao Cao </h3><br />
What Yuan Shao would not do, Cao Cao did. Cao was at this time a relatively minor warlord, as the governor of the small Yan Province , with his headquarters at Xu . He saw the strategical advantage in having the emperor under his control and protection, and in 196 he marched west to Luoyang and, after securing an agreement with Emperor Xian's generals Dong Cheng and Yang Feng, convincing them of his loyalty, he entered Luoyang and technically shared power with Dong and Yang, but was in fact in command. Unlike the situation with Dong Zhuo, though, Cao knew how to assuage the other generals and nobles, and while he gave them little power, he made sure that they remained honoured, so minimal opposition against him developed at the imperial court. He then moved the capital to Xu to affirm his control over the imperial government, and while Yang opposed him, he defeated Yang and was able to move the capital.<br />
<br />
Cao then began to issue imperial edicts in Emperor Xian's name -- including a harshly-worded edict condemning Yuan Shao for taking over nearby provinces -- even though it still bestowed Yuan with the highly honorific post of commander of the armed forces as well as a march. Yuan and the other warlords finally saw Cao's advantage of having control of the emperor, but it was too late. Cao would not, for the rest of his life, let Emperor Xiàn out of his grip. Cao and Emperor Xian had a superficially cordial relationship, but this did not prevent two major confrontations involving Cao and other figures of the imperial court.<br />
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In or before 199, as Cao was facing a major military confrontation against Yuan, Dong Cheng claimed to have received a secret edict issued by Emperor Xian , and he entered into a conspiracy with Liu Bei, Zhong Ji , and Wang Fu to assassinate Cao. Late in 199, Liu started a rebellion and waited for Dong to act in the capital, but in 200, Dong's conspiracy was discovered, and he, along with Zhong and Wang, were killed. Liu was later defeated by Cao and forced to flee to Yuan's camp. Dong's daughter, an imperial consort, was pregnant, and Emperor Xian personally tried to intercede for her, but Cao had her executed anyway. This would precipitate the next major incident.<br />
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Emperor Xian's wife, Empress Fu Shou, angry and fearful about how Consort Dong died, wrote her father Fu Wan a letter accusing Cao of cruelty, and implicitly asking Fu to start a new conspiracy against Cao. Fu Wan was fearful of Cao and never acted on the letter, in 214, her letter was discovered. Cao was extremely angry and forced Emperor Xiàn to have Empress Fu deposed. Emperor Xiàn was hesitant, and Cao sent his forces into the palace to force the issue. Empress Fu hid inside the walls, but was finally discovered and dragged out. As she was led away, she cried out to Emperor Xian for him to save her life, but his only response was that he could not even know what would happen to him. She was killed, along with her two sons and family. Emperor Xian was not, but his status as a puppet was by now fully exposed. Cao soon forced Emperor Xian to create his daughter , then an imperial consort, empress.<br />
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<a name='Abdication and death' id='Abdication and death'></a><h2>Abdication and death</h2><br />
In March 15 220, Cao Cao died. Cao Cao's heir, Cao Pi, soon forced Emperor Xian to abdicate the throne in favor of himself, ending the Han Dynasty. Cao Pi established a new dynasty known as Cao Wei , and he named Emperor Xian the Duke of Shanyang. The former emperor died in 234 and was buried with honors due an emperor, using Han ceremonies, and then-emperor of Wei Cao Rui was one of the mourners. His grandson Liu Kang inherited his dukedom, which lasted for 81 more years and two more dukes until the line was exterminated by invading barbarians during the .<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Yonghan'' 189<br />
*''Chuping'' 190-193<br />
*''Xingping'' 194-195<br />
*''Jianan'' 196-220<br />
*''Yankang'' 220<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Ling of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Wang<br />
* Wives<br />
** Empress Fu Shou <br />
** Empress Cao Jie , daughter of Cao Cao<br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Dong , daughter of Dong Cheng<br />
** Consort Cao Xian , daughter of Cao Cao and older sister of Empress Cao<br />
** Consort Cao Hua , daughter of Cao Cao and younger sister of Empress Cao<br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Feng , the Prince of Nanyang <br />
** LIu Xi , the Prince of Jiying <br />
** Liu Yi , the Prince of Shanyang <br />
** Liu Miao , the Prince of Jibei <br />
** Liu Dun , the Prince of Donghai <br />
** two sons by Empress Fu, may be same as two of the above princes <br />
** two daughters who became Cao Pi's concubinesveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-26396370338050942432008-09-04T08:11:00.005-07:002008-09-04T08:11:44.506-07:00Emperor Yuan of Han<strong>Emperor Yuan of Han</strong> was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He reigned from 48 BC to 33 BC. Emperor Yuan was remembered for the promotion of Confucianism as the official creed of Chinese government. He appointed Confucius adherents to important government posts. He was, in many ways, a kind and gentle man who cared for the people.<br />
<br />
However, at the same time that he was solidifying Confucianism's position as the official ideology, the empire's condition slowly deteriorated due to his indecisiveness and inability to stop factional infighting between officials in his administration, and his trusting of certain corrupt officials.<br />
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<a name='Family background ' id='Family background '></a><h2>Family background </h2><br />
When Emperor Yuan was born as Liu Shi in 75 BC, his parents and were commoners without titles. Bingyi was the great-grandson of , and his grandfather Liu Ju was Emperor Wu's crown prince, until Emperor Wu's paranoia forced him into a failed rebellion in 91 BC while Bingyi was still just an infant, in the aftermaths of which Prince Ju committed suicide and virtually his entire family was wiped out. Bingyi was spared because of his young age, but became a commoner and survived on the largess of others. One of whom was chief eunuch Zhang He, who had been an advisor for Prince Ju before his rebellion, and who was punished by being castrated.<br />
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Circa 76 BC, Zhang wanted to marry his granddaughter to Bingyi, but his brother Zhang Anshi , then an important official, opposed, fearing that it would bring trouble. Zhang, instead, invited one of his subordinate eunuchs , Xu Guanghan , to dinner, and persuaded him to marry his daughter Xu Pingjun to Liu Bingyi. When Xu's wife heard this, she became extremely angry and refused, but because Zhang was Xu's superior, Xu did not dare to renege on the promise, and Bingyi and Pingjun were married, in a ceremony entirely paid by Zhang . Zhang also paid the bride price. After marriage, Bingyi heavily depended on his wife's family for support.<br />
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<a name='Childhood and career as crown prince' id='Childhood and career as crown prince'></a><h2>Childhood and career as crown prince</h2><br />
Shi was only less than a year old when something highly unusual would happen to his father. Shi's great-granduncle, had died that year, and the regent Huo Guang, having been dissatisfied with his initial selection of Prince He of Changyi, deposed Prince He and offered the throne to the commoner Bingyi instead. Bingyi accepted, and took the throne as Emperor Xuan. Shi's mother Xu Pingjun was created empress.<br />
<br />
This action would cost Empress Xu her life, however, and cost Prince Shi his mother. Huo Guang's wife, Xian , would not be denied her wish of making her daughter an empress. In 71 BC, Empress Xu was pregnant when Lady Xian came up with a plot. She bribed Empress Xu's female physician Chunyu Yan , under guise of giving Empress Xu medicine after she gave birth, to poison her. Chunyu did so, and Empress Xu died shortly after she gave birth. Her doctors were initially arrested to investigate whether they cared for the empress properly. Lady Xian, alarmed, informed Huo Guang what had actually happened, and Huo, not having the heart to turn in his wife, instead signed Chunyu's release.<br />
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In 70 BC, Emperor Xuan created Huo Chengjun empress. Accustomed to luxury living, her palace expenditures far exceeded the late Empress Xu. Her becoming empress would threaten Prince Shi's life, as in 67 BC, Emperor Xuan created the eight-year-old Prince Shi crown prince and created Empress Xu's father and Prince Shi's grandfather Xu Guanghan the Marquess of Ping'en -- an action that Huo Guang had opposed. Huo's wife Lady Xian was shocked and displeased, because if her daughter were to have a son later, that son could only be a prince and not the future emperor. She instructed her daughter to murder the crown prince. Allegedly, Empress Huo did make multiple attempts to do so, but failed each time. Around this time, the emperor also heard rumors that the Huos had murdered Empress Xu, which led him to begin stripping the Huos of actual power, while giving them impressive titles.<br />
<br />
In 66 BC, after there had been increasing public rumors that the Huos had murdered Empress Xu, Lady Xian finally revealed to her son and grandnephews that she had, indeed, murdered Empress Xu. In fear of what the emperor might do if he had actual proof, Lady Xian, her son, her grandnephews, and her sons-in-law formed a conspiracy to depose the emperor. The conspiracy was discovered, and the entire Huo clan was executed by Emperor Xuan. For the time being, Empress Huo was deposed but not executed, but 12 years later she was exiled; in response, she committed suicide.<br />
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What Empress Huo tried to do influenced Emperor Xuan in his choice of his next wife. At that time, he favored Consorts Hua, Zhang, and Wei, each of whom bore him children. He almost settled on Consort Zhang as his new empress. However, he became hesitant, remembering how Empress Huo had tried to murder the crown prince. He therefore resolved to create an empress who was childless and kind. He decided on the gentle , and created her empress in 64 BC. Emperor Xuan put Prince Shi in her care, and she cared for him well.<br />
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Empress Wang would have a role in Crown Prince Shi's eventual choice of a wife. In the middle of the 50s BC, Consort Sima, the favorite consort of Prince Shi died from an illness. Prince Shi was grief-stricken and became ill and depressed himself. Emperor Xuan was concerned, so he had Empress Wang select the most beautiful of the young ladies in waiting and had them sent to Prince Shi. was one of the ladies in waiting chosen. She bore him his first-born son Liu Ao circa 51 BC. Prince Ao became Emperor Xuan's favorite grandson and often accompanied him.<br />
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During his years as crown prince, Prince Shi did not have a major role in government, given the forceful nature of his father's personality. He was taught the by a succession of Confucian scholars, during his pre-teen and teenage years. Prince Shi became and mild-mannered strict adherent to Confucian principles, unlike his father's effective use of both and Confucian principles in his governance. This would bring his father's ire on him. In 53 BC, once, when Emepror Xuan and Prince Shi were having dinner, he suggested that Emperor Xuan employ more Confucian officials in key positions. Emperor Xuan became extremely angry and commented that Confucian scholars were impractical and could not be given responsibilities, and further commented that Emperor Yuan would bring the downfall of the Liu imperial clan -- words that would turn out to be fairly prophetic. This would also bring his father to consider changing the succession plans, as he was also disappointed by Prince Shi's general lack of resolve. He considered creating Prince Shi's younger brother Liu Qin, the Prince of Huaiyang, crown prince instead, but could not bring himself to do so -- remembering how Prince Shi's mother Empress Xu was his first love and had been murdered by poisoning, and also how he depended on his father-in-law in his youth. Prince Shi's position therefore was not seriously threatened.<br />
<br />
In 49 BC, Emperor Xuan fell deathly ill. Before his death, he commissioned his cousin-once-removed Shi Gao , Prince Shi's teacher Xiao Wangzhi , and Xiao's assistant Zhou Kan to serve as regents. After he died, Prince Shi ascended the throne as Emperor Yuan.<br />
<br />
<a name='Reign as emperor' id='Reign as emperor'></a><h2>Reign as emperor</h2><br />
As emperor, Emperor Yuan immediately started a regimen of reducing governmental spending, with the objective of reducing the burdens of the people in mind. He also started a program for social assistance to provide stipends for the poor and new entrpreneurs. He also, contrary to his father's governing philosophy, heavily relied on Confucian scholars and put them into important governmental positions.<br />
<br />
In 48 BC, Emperor Yuan created Consort Wang Zhengjun, the mother of his first born son Prince Ao, empress. In 47 BC, he created crown prince.<br />
<br />
In 46 BC, alarmed at the high human and monetary cost of occupying Hainan and suppressing the frequent native rebellions, Emperor Yuan decreed that the two commanderies on the island be abandoned. Similarly, in 40 BC, alarmed at the high cost of maintaining imperial temples, he reduced the number of standing temples.<br />
<br />
<h3> Factionalism </h3><br />
Quickly, in Emperor Yuan's administration, a factional schism developed -- a phenomenon that would plague his entire reign and cause officials to be concentrated on infighting rather than effective governance. One faction included mainly Confucian scholars -- his teachers Xiao and Zhou, aligned with an imperial clan member who was also a Confucian scholar, Liu Gengsheng , and imperial assistant Jin Chang . The other faction was his cousin-twice-removed Shi, imperial secretary Hong Gong and chief eunuch Shi Xian . The Confucian faction derived their power from the fact that Emperor Yuan trusted and respected their advice. The "court faction" derived their power from their physical closeness to the emperor and their key roles in processing reports and edicts for Emperor Yuan. Policy-wise, the Confucian faction advocated returning to the ancient policies of the early Zhou Dynasty, while the court faction advocated keeping the traditions of the Han Dynasty. In 47 BC, Hong and Shi used procedural traps to cause Zhou and Liu to be demoted to commoners and Xiao to be retired. Later that year, the court faction would further press Xiao into committing suicide -- by tricking Emperor Yuan into believing that it would be appropriate to have Xiao investigated for inducing his son to make a petition for him -- something considered inappropriate. Hong and Shi knew that with Xiao's temper, he would rather commit suicide than face an investigation, and that was what Xiao did. For now, the court faction had prevailed. In actions characteristic of his personality, Emperor Yuan rebuked Hong and Shi harshly for misleading him, and buried Xiao with great honor, but did not punish Hong and Shi. For now, the court faction had prevailed.<br />
<br />
In 46 BC, Emperor Yuan summoned Zhou back to his administration and gave him a mid-level office, along with Zhou's student Zhang Meng . Despite the relatively low positions that Zhou and Zhang had, their advice was highly valued by Emperor Yuan. In 44 BC, he would also promote the highly-regarded Confucian scholar Gong Yu , who tried not to engage himself in factional politics, to the position of vice prime minister, and heeded many of his suggestions to further reduce governmental spending and to encourage the study of Confucianism.<br />
<br />
In 43 BC, there were a number of unusual astronomical and meteorological signs that were considered signs of divine disapproval. Shi Xian and his allies, the Xu and Shi clans, alleged that this was sign of divine disapproval of Zhou and Zhang's policies. Zhou and Zhang were demoted to local posts. In 42 BC, he promoted another Confucian scholar, Kuang Heng , to be his key advisor, and Kuang, aware of the fate of the other Confucian scholars, entered into an alliance with Shi Xian as well to ensure his own safety and power.<br />
<br />
In 40 BC, more unusual signs occurred, and Emperor Yuan asked the court faction to explain how they could continue to occur if, as they alleged, they were signs of divine disapproval of Zhou and Zhang. They could not, and so Emperor Yuan summoned Zhou and Zhang back to the capital to serve as advisors. However, this would not last long, as Zhou soon died of a stroke, and Shi Xian found an opportunity to falsely accuse Zhang of crimes and forced him to commit suicide.<br />
<br />
Another Confucian scholar would try his luck at shaking the influence of Shi Xian, however, in 37 BC. That man was Jing Fang , who, in addition to studying Confucianism, was also an accomplished fortuneteller. Jing, who had become a trusted advisor of Emperor Yuan after Emperor Yuan greatly favored his proposed system for examining and promoting regional officials, accused Shi and Shi's assistant Wulu Chongzong to be corrupt and evil. Initially, Emperor Yuan believed him, but took no actions against Shi and Wulu. Shi and Wulu soon found out and fought back by accusing Jing of conspiring with Emperor Yuan's brother Liu Qin, the Prince of Huaiyang, and Prince Qin's uncle, and Jing was executed.<br />
<br />
<h3> Victory over western Xiongnu and complete hegemony over central Asia </h3><br />
Around the same time, however, despite Emperor Yuan's general tendency for pacificism, a military confrontation with one branch of Xiongnu, which had by that time fractured into competing courts ruled by ''Chanyus'' Huhanye in the east and Zhizhi in the west. During Emperor Xuan's reign, Chanyu Huhanye had officially submitted to Han as a subject and received Han assistance. Chanyu Zhizhi, then the stronger of the two, tried to maintain a détente with Han by sending his son Juyulishou , but was not so willing to submit, and soon found himself outpowered by the Han-assisted Huhanye. In 49 BC, the last year of Emperor Xuan's reign, Chanyu Zhizhi headed northwest and conquered several Xiyu kingdoms, settling his capital at the old capital of one of those kingdoms, Jiankun . From there, he often attacked the Han ally Wusun, rendering Wusun heavily wounded from those attacks.<br />
<br />
In 44 BC, Chanyu Zhizhi sent an ambassador to offer tributes to Han, but at the same time demanded that Han deliver his son Juyilishou back to him. Emperor Yuan commissioned a guard commander, Gu Ji , to escort Juyilishou. Initially, under suggestion by Gong and other key officials, who reasoned that Zhizhi had no real intention to submit and was far away, Emperor Yuan instructed Gu to escort Juyilishou only to the Han borders, and let him make the rest of the trek on his own. Gu reasoned that by escorting Juyilishou all the way to Jiankun, he might be able to persuade Zhizhi to submit, and that he was willing to risk his own life to do so. Emperor Yuan agreed, and Gu made the escort to Jiankun. Chanyu Zhizhi was not impressed, and had Gu executed. He then realized that he made a key mistake, and he entered into an alliance with Kangju to conquer Wusun, a traditional enemy of Kangju. They repeatedly dealt Wusun heavy losses for several years.<br />
<br />
In 36 BC, two Han commanders -- Gan Yanshou and his lieutenant Chen Tang would take initiative and destroy Zhizhi as a threat, however. Zhizhi, after winning many victories over Wusun and other Xiyu kingdoms, had become exceedingly arrogant, and treated his ally, the king of Kangju, as a subject, and he even executed the daughter of the king of Kangju, who had been given to him as a wife as part of the alliance. He also forced the other kingdoms in the region, even including the powerful Dayuan, to pay him tribute.<br />
<br />
Chen felt that Chanyu Zhizhi would eventually become a major threat and devised a plan to destroy him. Reasoning that Zhizhi was a powerful warrior but lacked the affection of the kingdoms that were subject to him, and also that his new capital had only recently been built and lacked strong defenses. His plan was to gain requisition of the colonization forces that Han had in Xiyu and Wusun forces to advance to Zhizhi's capital in order capture it. Gan agreed with his plan and wanted to request approval, but Chen feared that civilian officials would disapprove of the plan. Therefore, when Gan fell sick on one occasion, Chen forged imperial edicts and requisitioned the colonization forces as well as the forces of the kingdoms that submitted to Han authority. Once Gan recovered, he tried to reverse Chen's actions, but Chen warned him that it was too late to do so. They then sent out headed out on two routes -- one half taking a route through Dayuan and the other through Wusun. The forces rejoined when they entered Kangju. They then set a trap for Zhizhi, by pretending that they were running low on supplies -- to ward off the possibility that Zhizhi would flee. Zhizhi, taking the bait, stayed in his capital. The coalition forces soon arrived at his capital and sieged it, and Chanyu Zhizhi died in the battle.<br />
<br />
Both happy and fearful , Chanyu Huhanye made a second official visit to the Han capital of Chang'an in 33 BC, and formally asked to become a "son-in-law of Han". In response, Emperor Yuan gave him five ladies in waiting as a reward, and one of them was the beautiful Wang Zhaojun. Impressed that Emperor Yuan gave him the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen, Huhanye offered to have his forces serve as the northern defense forces for Han -- a proposal that Emperor Yuan rejected as ill-advised -- but the relationship between Han and Xiongnu thereafter grew stronger and stronger.<br />
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<a name='Succession issues' id='Succession issues'></a><h2>Succession issues</h2><br />
Emperor Yuan was a relatively non-womanizing emperor, but he did have two favorite concubines in addition to Empress Wang -- Consort Fu and Consort Feng Yuan , each of whom bore him one son. Empress Wang's apparently tried to maintain a cordial relationship with both, and she was largely successful, at least as far as Consort Feng was concerned. However, a struggle between Empress Wang and Consort Fu for their sons' heir status would erupt.<br />
<br />
As Crown Prince Ao grew older, Emperor Yuan became increasingly unhappy with his fitness as imperial heir and impressed with Consort Fu's son, . Several incidents led to this situation. One happened in 35 BC, when Emperor Yuan's youngest brother Prince Liu Jing of Zhongshan died, Emperor Yuan became angry when he felt that the teenage Crown Prince Ao was insufficiently grieving -- particularly because Princes Ao and Jing were of similar age and grew up together as playmates -- and showing insufficient respect to Prince Jing. Prince Ao's head of household Shi Dan , a relative of Emperor Yuan's grandmother and a senior official respected by Emperor Yuan, managed to convince Emperor Yuan that Crown Prince Ao was trying to stop Emperor Yuan himself from overgrieving, but the seed of dissatisfaction was sown.<br />
<br />
As the princes further grew, several things further led to an endearment between Emperor Yuan and Prince Kang. They shared affection and skills in music -- particularly in the playing of drums. Prince Kang also showed high intelligence and diligence, while Crown Prince Ao was known for drinking and womanizing. When Emperor Yuan grew ill circa 35 BC -- an illness that he would not recover from -- Consort Fu and Prince Kang were often summoned to his sickbed to attend to him, while Empress Wang and Crown Prince Ao rarely were. In his illness, apparently encouraged by Consort Fu, Emperor Yuan reconsidered whether he should make Prince Kang his heir instead. Only the intercession of Shi Dan -- who risked his life by stepping onto the carpet of the imperial bed chamber, an act that only the empress was allowed to do, at the pain of death -- led Emperor Yuan to cease those thoughts. When Emperor Yuan died in 33 BC, Crown Prince Ao ascended the throne .<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Chuyuan'' 48 BC-44 BC<br />
*''Yongguang'' 43 BC-39 BC<br />
*''Jianzhao'' 38 BC-34 BC<br />
*''Jingning'' 33 BC<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Xuan of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Empress Xu Pingjun<br />
* Wife<br />
** , mother of Emperor Cheng of Han and aunt of Wang Mang<br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Fu , mother of Prince Kang and grandmother of Emperor Ai of Han<br />
** Consort Feng Yuan , mother of Prince Xing and grandmother of Emperor Ping of Han<br />
* Children<br />
** Crown Prince Liu Ao , later Emperor Cheng of Han<br />
** Liu Kang , Prince of Jiyang , later Prince of Shanyang , later Prince Gong of Dingtao <br />
** Liu Xing , Prince of Xindu , later Prince Xiao of Zhongshanveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-23836467861176383752008-09-04T08:11:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:11:32.310-07:00Emperor Cheng of Han<strong>Emperor Cheng of Han</strong> was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty ruling from 33 BC until 7 BC.<br />
Under Emperor Cheng, the Han dynasty continued its slide into disintegration while the Wang clan continued its slow grip on power and on governmental affairs as promoted by the previous emperor. Corruptions and greedy officials continue to plagued the government and as a result rebellions broke out throughout the country. <br />
Emperor Cheng died after a reign of 26 years and was succeeded by his nephew.<br />
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<a name='Birth and career as Crown Prince' id='Birth and career as Crown Prince'></a><h2>Birth and career as Crown Prince</h2><br />
Emperor Cheng was born circa 51 BC to then-Crown Prince Liu Shi and one of his consorts, Consort Wang . He was Emperor Yuan's first born son.<br />
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In 47 BC, Emperor Yuan created Prince Ao, Empress Wang's son, Crown Prince.<br />
<br />
Emperor Yuan was a relatively non-womanizing emperor, but he did have two favorite concubines in addition to Empress Wang -- Consort Fu and Consort Feng Yuan, each of whom bore him one son. Empress Wang's apparently tried to maintain a cordial relationship with both, and she was largely successful, at least as far as Consort Feng was concerned. However, a struggle between Empress Wang and Consort Fu for their sons' heir status would erupt.<br />
<br />
As Crown Prince Ao grew older, Emperor Yuan became increasingly unhappy with his fitness as imperial heir and impressed with Consort Fu's son, . Several incidents led to this situation. One happened in 35 BC, when Emperor Yuan's youngest brother Prince Liu Jing of Zhongshan died, Emperor Yuan became angry when he felt that the teenage Crown Prince Ao was insufficiently grieving -- particularly because Princes Ao and Jing were of similar age and grew up together as playmates -- and showing insufficient respect to Prince Jing. Prince Ao's head of household Shi Dan , a relative of Emperor Yuan's grandmother and a senior official respected by Emperor Yuan, managed to convince Emperor Yuan that Crown Prince Ao was trying to stop Emperor Yuan himself from overgrieving, but the seed of dissatisfaction was sown.<br />
<br />
As the princes further grew, several things further led to an endearment between Emperor Yuan and Prince Kang. They shared affection and skills in music -- particularly in the playing of drums. Prince Kang also showed high intelligence and diligence, while Crown Prince Ao was known for drinking and womanizing. When Emperor Yuan grew ill circa 35 BC -- an illness that he would not recover from -- Consort Fu and Prince Kang were often summoned to his sickbed to attend to him, while Empress Wang and Crown Prince Ao rarely were. In his illness, apparently encouraged by Consort Fu, Emperor Yuan reconsidered whether he should make Prince Kang his heir instead. Only the intercession of Shi Dan led Emperor Yuan to cease those thoughts. When Emperor Yuan died in 33 BC, Crown Prince Ao ascended the throne .<br />
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<a name='The aggrandization of power by the Wang clan' id='The aggrandization of power by the Wang clan'></a><h2>The aggrandization of power by the Wang clan</h2><br />
After the death of Emperor Yuan and the accession of Emperor Cheng, Empress Wang became empress dowager. Prince Kang, as was customary with imperial princes, was sent to govern his principality -- now at Dingtao . Despite the near-coup by Consort Fu and Prince Kang, however, Empress Wang and Emperor Cheng did not bear grudges, and, against the advice of officials who were concerned that Prince Kang would become the subject of conspiracies, Emperor Cheng often summoned Prince Kang to the capital Chang'an for extended visits.<br />
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Emperor Cheng was very trusting of his uncles and put them in important roles in government. In addition to his oldest uncle Wang Feng , who had inherited his father's title as the Marquess of Yangping, six of Empress Dowager Wang's brothers were created marquesses, in violation of the rule laid by , the founder of the dynasty, who had decreed that only those who had contributed to the empire in substantial ways could be made marquesses. Several , in addition to Empress Dowager Wang's cousin Wang Yin , served successively as the supreme commander of the armed forces and were in effective control of the administration. After Wang Gen, Empress Dowager Wang's nephew Wang Mang served in the same role.<br />
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* Wang Feng, 33 BC-22 BC<br />
* Wang Yin, 22 BC-15 BC<br />
* Wang Shang, 15 BC-12 BC<br />
* Wang Gen, 12 BC-8 BC<br />
* Wang Mang, 8 BC-7 BC<br />
<br />
The Wangs, while not corrupt in general and apparently genuinely trying to help the emperor, were largely concerned with aggrandizing their power and not with the best interests of the empire when selecting officials for various posts, and this led to a continued deterioration in the administration of Emperor Cheng, who at times considered modifying this power structure but always failed to do so. For example, in 24 BC, under the suggestion of an official Wang Zhang , Emperor Cheng considered replacing Wang Feng with highly-regarded official Feng Yewang , the brother of his father's concubine Consort Feng. When Wang Feng realized this, Empress Dowager Wang became saddened, and in response Emperor Cheng executed Wang Zhang and relieved Feng Yewang of his post without any allegation of wrongdoing.<br />
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<a name='Emperor Cheng's "women troubles" and lack of an heir' id='Emperor Cheng's "women troubles" and lack of an heir'></a><h2>Emperor Cheng's "women troubles" and lack of an heir</h2><br />
Emperor Cheng was a womanizer with many favorites. His first favorite was , from the clan of his murdered grandmother, the first wife of Emperor Xuan, and he also favored Consort Ban. Neither Empress Xu nor Consort Ban bore him a child, however, and concerned with having a grandson to be heir, Empress Dowager Wang openly encouraged Emperor Cheng to take on more and more concubines, but that did not result in the birth of an heir. Circa 19 BC, however, when Emperor Cheng was visiting Princess Yanga , he became enamored with her dancing girl and her sister and made them his concubines, and they became favored over Empress Xu and Consort Ban. In 18 BC, the Zhao sisters falsely accused Empress Xu and Consort Ban of witchcraft; Empress Xu was deposed, and while Consort Ban was able to successfully plead her case, she did not wish to return to the same environment and instead became a lady in waiting for Empress Dowager Wang. Then Emperor Cheng wanted to create Zhao Feiyan his empress, but Empress Dowager Wang complained about her low birth and prior occupation as a dance girl; she finally capitulated to her son's wishes in 16 BC, but she was never pleased with the Zhao sisters. Neither the Zhaos nor another later favorite of Emperor Cheng's, Consort Li, bore him a son either, however.<br />
<br />
In 9 BC, still heirless, Emperor Cheng appeared to come to the resolution of making either his younger brother or his nephew his heir. Emperor Cheng became convinced that Prince Xin was more capable, and at the same time, Prince Xin's grandmother Consort Fu was endearing herself to the Zhaos and Wang Gen with lavish gifts, and so the Zhaos and Wang Gen both praised Prince Xin as well. Emperor Cheng made Prince Xin crown prince in 8 BC.<br />
<br />
Emperor Cheng died suddenly in 7 BC, apparently from a stroke . Immediately there were many rumors that he had in fact had concubines who bore him sons, but that those sons and their mothers were murdered by Consort Zhao Hede and possibly Emperor Cheng himself. Grieving her husband and apparently fearful of reprisals, Consort Zhao Hede killed herself. Crown Prince Xin ascended the throne as .<br />
<br />
A report by officials commissioned by Empress Dowager Wang concluded in 6 BC that Emperor Cheng did have two sons -- one born to Consort Cao in 12 BC and one born to Consort Xu in 11 BC. However, both of the sons were murdered in their infancy by orders of Consort Zhao Hede, with at least tacit agreement from Emperor Cheng, who was enamored with her; Consort Cao was forced to commit suicide after her son was murdered. In response, apparently at the urging of Empress Dowager Wang, Emperor Ai stripped the Zhaos' relatives of their marquess titles and exiled them; only Empress Zhao Feiyan was spared, although she was forced to commit suicide after Emperor Ai's death.<br />
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<a name='Impact on Chinese history' id='Impact on Chinese history'></a><h2>Impact on Chinese history</h2><br />
Emperor Cheng has often been used as an example of someone who had been so thoroughly controlled by his mother's family that it led to the eventual usurpation for Wang Mang. This view may be an oversimplification -- certainly Emperor Cheng himself was quite capable of asserting his own opinions and carry out his own actions, independent of his uncles' wishes, when he wanted. However, he created a precedent for empresses' families to become in effective control of government, and many Eastern Han emperors would fall into the same trap.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Jianshi'' 32 BC-28 BC<br />
*''Heping'' 28 BC-25 BC<br />
*''Yangshuo'' 24 BC-21 BC<br />
*''Hongjia'' 20 BC-17 BC<br />
*''Yongshi'' 16 BC-13 BC<br />
*''Yuanyan'' 12 BC-9 BC<br />
*''Suihe'' 8 BC-7 BC<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Yuan of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** , aunt of Wang Mang<br />
* Wives<br />
** <br />
** Empress Zhao Feiyan <br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Ban, poet, scholar and aunt of historian Ban Biao and grandaunt to his children -- historian Ban Gu, general Ban Chao, and female historian Ban Zhao<br />
** Consort Zhao Hede <br />
** Consort Li Ping, formerly Consort Ban's handmaiden <br />
** Consort Cao, alleged mother of one of his murdered sons, forced to commit suicide when her son was murdered<br />
** Consort Xu, alleged mother of one of his murdered sons and likely relative of Empress Xu<br />
* Children</TD><br />
** 2 sons by consorts, allegedly murdered 11 BC by Consort Zhao Hede and possibly Emperor Cheng himself; however, decades later there were pretenders who claimed to be Emperor Cheng's sons<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-1619005554932274652008-09-04T08:11:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:11:17.521-07:00Emperor Ai of Han<strong>Emperor Ai of Han</strong> was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He ascended the throne when he was 20, having been made heir by his uncle , who was childless, and he reigned from 7 BC to 1 BC.<br />
<br />
The people and the officials were initially excited about his ascension, as he was viewed by them to be intelligent, articulate, and capable. However, under Emperor Ai, corruption became even more prevalent and heavy taxes were levied on the people. Furthermore, Emperor Ai was highly controlled by his grandmother Consort Fu , who improperly demanded the title of Grand Empress Dowager -- even though she had never been an empress previously and therefore did not properly have that title, and this led to the unprecedented and unrepeated situation of four women possessing empress dowager titles at the same time -- Empress Wang , Empress Zhao Feiyan , Consort Fu, and Consort Ding .<br />
<br />
Consort Fu's control of the political scene extended until her death in 2 BC, and due to her jealousy of Consort Feng Yuan, another consort of Emperor Yuan's and the grandmother of the future , was falsely accused of witchcraft, and Consort Feng was forced to commit suicide. During Emperor Ai's reign, he also stripped the Wang clan , which had been powerful during Emperor Cheng's reign, of much of their power, and substituted members of the Fu and Ding clans in their stead . In an unpopular act, Emperor Ai had his prime minister Wang Jia put to death for criticizing him, an act that made him appear tyrannical. Emperor Ai's shortcomings quickly led to the demoralization of the people towards the government and the acquisition of power by Wang Mang, in a backlash, after Ai died in 1 BC. <br />
<br />
Emperor Ai was also famous for being a or emperor of China. Traditional historians characterized the relationship between Emperor Ai and Dong Xian as one between homosexual lovers and referred to their relationship as "the passion of the cut sleeve" after a story that one afternoon after falling asleep for a nap on the same bed, Emperor Ai cut off his sleeve rather than disturb the sleeping Dong Xian when he had to get out of bed. Dong was given progressively higher and higher posts as part of the relationship, eventually becoming the supreme commander of the armed forces at the time of Emperor Ai's death. After Emperor Ai's death, Dong was forced by Wang to commit suicide.<br />
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<a name='Family background and early life as the Prince of Dingtao' id='Family background and early life as the Prince of Dingtao'></a><h2>Family background and early life as the Prince of Dingtao</h2><br />
Emperor Ai was born to , the brother to then-reigning Emperor Cheng and son to Emperor Yuan, and his wife Consort Ding, in 27 BC, presumably at Prince Kang's principality . From birth, he was raised by his paternal grandmother, the domineering Consort Fu, and not by his mother. Prince Kang died in 23 BC, and the four-year old Prince Xin became the Prince of Dingtao.<br />
<br />
In 9 BC, the then-18-year-old Prince Xin impressed his uncle Emperor Cheng when on an official visit to the capital Chang'an, when he brought three key officials of his principality -- his teacher, his prime minister, and the commander of his capital's defense forces -- to accompany him and cited the proper legal regulations that, in his opinion, required and allowed him to bring them with him . He also showed clear understanding of the Confucian classic ''Shi Jing'', further impressing Emperor Cheng. At that time, the sonless Emperor Cheng was beginning to consider making either his younger brother or his nephew Prince Xin his heir. Emperor Cheng became convinced that Prince Xin was more capable, and at the same time, Prince Xin's grandmother Consort Fu was endearing herself to Emperor Cheng's wife Empress Zhao Feiyan, her sister and Emperor Cheng's favorite Consort Zhao Hede, and Emperor Cheng's uncle Wang Gen with lavish gifts, and so the Zhaos and Wang Gen both praised Prince Xin as well. Emperor Cheng therefore seriously considered making Prince Xin his heir.<br />
<br />
In 8 BC, Emperor Cheng summoned several key officials to discuss with him who would be the more proper heir. The majority, perhaps seeing that Emperor Cheng was leaning toward Prince Xin, recommended him, citing the general rule of succession that when one lacked an heir, he should adopt a brother's child to be his own son and heir; one official recommended Prince Xing under the rationale that he was closer in bloodline with the emperor. Emperor Cheng, whose mind was fairly made up, created Prince Xin crown prince. In an act praised one as showing humility, Prince Xin declined the honor of living at the crown prince's palace, stating that he was only at the capital to serve Emperor Cheng until Emperor Cheng would produce an heir and that he should stay at the Dingtao mission in the capital.<br />
<br />
<a name='As crown prince' id='As crown prince'></a><h2>As crown prince</h2><br />
Whether Emperor Cheng was formally ''adopting'' Prince Xin would quickly become a major controversy. Emperor Cheng viewed the fact that he created Prince Xin as crown prince as formal adoption, and he believed that Prince Xin was now his son, no longer Prince Kang's. When he created a cousin to be the new prince of Dingtao to serve as Prince Kang's heir in winter 8 BC, Prince Xin, grateful that his father would continued to be worshipped as an ancestor, submitted a formal note of thanksgiving -- at which Emperor Cheng was highly offended, believing that Prince Xin should not be grateful any more for whatever is done for his birth father.<br />
<br />
Emperor Cheng's desire to have Prince Xin act as only his son extended to the arena of Prince Xin's relationship with his grandmother Consort Fu and his mother Consort Ding. Emperor Cheng decreed that Consort Fu and Consort Ding be required to remain in Dingtao and not be allowed to come to Chang'an to visit Prince Xin. Some time later, Emperor Cheng's mother , not wanting to continue these harsh regulations, decreed that Princess Dowager Fu be allowed to see Prince Xin, under the rationale that she, having raised him, was merely in the role of a wet nurse. Consort Ding, however, would continue not be allowed to see Prince Xin.<br />
<br />
Emperor Cheng died suddenly in 7 BC, apparently from a stroke . Crown Prince Xin ascended the throne as Emperor Ai. Empress Dowager Wang, as his step-grandmother became grand empress dowager, and Empress Zhao became empress dowager. He created , the daughter of his grandmother Princess Dowager Fu's cousin Fu Yan , empress.<br />
<br />
<a name='As emperor' id='As emperor'></a><h2>As emperor</h2><br />
<h3> Early reign -- optimism </h3><br />
Emperor Ai, aged 20 at his ascension, quickly ended Emperor Cheng's practice of delegating imperial authorities to his uncles and cousins of the Wang clan and appeared diligent in his rule. He also reduced spending greatly. Both the officials and the people thought that after the reigns of the indecisive Emperor Yuan and the impulsive and lavish spending Emperor Cheng, there would finally be a capable emperor.<br />
<br />
In 7 BC, under Emepror Ai's auspices, a major proposal to reduce involuntary servitude was made by several officials -- princes would be limited to 200 servants, marquesses and princesses to 100 servants, and other nobility and commoners to 30 servants, and that servants would be set free after a service of three years. However, after the proposal was leaked, many servant owners pushed to have the proposal tabled, and Emperor Ai only issued a limited version of the proposal -- freeing servants over age 50.<br />
<br />
<h3> Optimism shattered </h3><br />
The issue of the roles of Princess Dowager Fu and Consort Ding , however, would quickly again erupt into a major controversy. Initially, Grand Empress Dowager Wang decreed that Princess Dowager Fu and Consort Ding see him periodically, every 10 days. However, Princess Dowager Fu quickly began to visit her grandson everyday, and she insisted that two things be done: that she receive an empress dowager title, and that her relatives be granted titles, like the Wangs. Grand Empress Dowager Wang, sympathetic of the bind that Emepror Ai was in, first granted Prince Kang the unusual title of "Emperor Gong of Dingtao" and then, under the rationale of that title, granted Princess Dowager Fu the title "Empress Dowager Gong of Dingtao" and Consort Ding the title "Empress Gong of Dingtao" . Several members of the Fu and Ding clans were created marquesses. Grand Empress Dowager Wang also ordered her nephew Wang Mang, the commander of the armed forces, to resign and transfer power to the Fus and the Dings. Emperor Ai declined and begged Wang Mang to stay in his administration.<br />
<br />
Several months later, however, Wang Mang would come into direct confrontation with now-Empress Dowager Fu. At a major imperial banquet, the official in charge of seating placed Empress Dowager Fu's seat next to Grand Empress Dowager Wang's. When Wang Mang saw this, he rebuked the official and ordered that Empress Dowager Fu's seat be moved to the side, which drew great ire from Empress Dowager Fu, who refused to attend the banquet. To sooth her anger, Wang Mang resigned, and Emperor Ai approved his resignation. After Wang Mang's resignation, the Wangs gradually and inexorably began to lose their power. At Empress Dowager Fu's behest, the Fus and the Dings were installed in their place.<br />
<br />
Empress Dowager Fu was not satisfied with what she saw was her inferior title . Several key officials who opposed her move were reduced to commoner status without any other fault -- including the prime minister Kong Guang and the prime inspector Shi Dan -- two of the top three officials of the administration. The third one, Empress Dowager Fu's cousin Fu Xi , who also opposed Empress Dowager Fu's actions notwithstanding his relationship with her, was removed from his position and sent back to his .<br />
<br />
In 6 BC, Empress Dowager Fu would further display her power and at the same time cause the people to be even more disappointed in Emperor Ai. Emperor Ai's cousin Liu Jizi , the Prince of Zhongshan , had a congenital heart disorder, and his grandmother Feng Yuan, the princess dowager, cared for his treatment and often worshipped gods to pray for his healing. Emperor Ai, up on hearing his cousin's illness, sent imperial physicians along with his attendant Zhang You to go to Zhongshan to treat Prince Jizi. Zhang, however, was himself afflicted with a psychiatric condition , and when he got to Zhongshan, he suddenly, in a rage, left there and returned to Chang'an. Once he did and was ordered to explain his conduct, he made up a false reason -- that he had discovered that Princess Dowager Feng was using witchcraft to curse Emperor Ai and Empress Dowager Fu. Empress Dowager Fu and Princess Dowager Feng were romantic rivals when they were both consorts to Emperor Yuan, and Empress Dowager Fu decided to use this opportunity to strike at Princess Dowager Feng. She sent a eunuch, Shi Li , to serve as investigator, and Shi tortured a good number of Princess Dowager Feng's relations , some to death, but still could not build a solid case against Princess Dowager Feng. Shi Li decided to show Princess Dowager Feng who was actually behind the investigation, by referring to an incident in which then-Consort Feng defended Emperor Yuan against a bear which had broken loose. Princess Dowager Feng, realizing that Empress Dowager Fu was behind the investigation, went back to her palace and committed suicide. In total, 17 members of the Feng clan died as a result of the investigations. This was immediately viewed as a political case, and officials and the people all became disappointed in Emperor Ai.<br />
<br />
In 5 BC, Empress Dowager Fu would finally get what she wanted. Emperor Ai removed the qualification "of Dingtao" from his father's posthumous title , and then gave his grandmother a variation of the grand empress dowager title and his mother a variation of the empress dowager title , and there were therefore now four official empresses dowager in the capital, each with a full budget. That year, the new Empress Dowager Ding died.<br />
<br />
During these years, other than the palatial infighting, what plagued Emperor Ai's administration was the general situation where good proposals would be made to Emperor Ai, and then he would approve of them personally but not take any actual actions on them. Further, he was harsh in his punishments of officials who disagreed with him -- including, but not limited to, the issue of his grandmother and mother's titles. He would often backtrack in these punishments as well after some time, which also made him appear indecisive. He would also quickly promote officials that he saw as capable and honest and then, as soon as that capability or honesty offended him in some way, demote them. His temper might have been related to the fact that he was also constantly ill, although the nature of the illness is not known.<br />
<br />
<h3> The rise of Dong Xian </h3><br />
Circa 4 BC, Emperor Ai would enter into a relationship that would further made him incapable of making decisions other than out of impulse. he began to favor the minor official Dong Xian, and historians largely believed that they had a homosexual relationship , and he bestowed many honors on Dong quickly. Dong and his wife moved into the palace, and Dong's sister became an imperial consort. Dong's father was made an acting marquess . Emperor Ai also ordered that a luxurious residence, as luxurious as an imperial palace, be built for Dong. All who opposed these honors for Dong were severely punished.<br />
<br />
In 3 BC, against opposition by his prime minister Wang Jia , Emperor Ai created Dong the Marquess of Gao'an, even though he had no achievements to speak of. In 2 BC, Wang would put himself in danger by submitting a report to Emperor Ai, in which he urged that the honors bestowed on Dong be curbed, so that Dong would not suffer the same fate of 's favorite Deng Tong , who starved to death after his assets were confiscated by Emperor Wen's son and 's favorite Han Yan , who was executed by after being accused of improperly assuming imperial style). Later that year, when Wang opposed the enlargement of Dong's march, Emperor Ai had him accused falsely of crimes and forced him to commit suicide, an act that, to the people, showed that Emperor Ai had no further regard for what was right. Later that year, Dong would made the commander of the armed forces -- at age 22 -- and effectively the most powerful official in the administration. Several members of the Dong clan became important officials as well, displacing the Fus and the Dings -- after Grand Empress Dowager Fu died in 2 BC as well.<br />
<br />
<a name='Death' id='Death'></a><h2>Death</h2><br />
Emperor Ai died in 1 BC. It is not clear what the exact cause of death was, but he appeared to succumb to illnesses from which he had always suffered. After his death, Grand Empress Dowager would act quickly to seize his seal and to seize power back from Dong Xian, reinstating Wang Mang as the regent. Emperor Ai would be succeeded by his cousin Prince Jizi, as , but the damage he inflicted on the imperial rule had been done, paving the way for Wang Mang to seize the throne nine years later. Emperor Ai's abuse of power, first influenced by his grandmother and then by his love for Dong, caused the people and the officials to yearn for the return of the Wangs, allowing them to be caught up in Wang Mang's personality cult and easily succumb to his charm.<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Jianping'' 6 BC-3 BC<br />
*''Yuanshou'' 2 BC-1 BC<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Prince Kang of Dingtao, half-brother of and son of Emperor Yuan of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Ding<br />
* Wife<br />
** Empress Fu, forced by Wang Mang to commit suicide 1 BC<br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Dong, Dong Xian's sister<br />
* Children<br />
** noneveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-88165023832893320472008-09-04T08:10:00.002-07:002008-09-04T08:11:07.135-07:00Emperor Ping of Han<strong>Emperor Ping of Han</strong> was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty from 1 BC to 5 AD. After Emperor Ai died childless, the throne was passed to his cousin Emperor Ping - then a child of 9 years old. Wang Mang was appointed regent by the Grand Empress Dowager Wang. Dissatisfied with his father's dictatorial regency, in 3, Wang's son Wang Yu conspired with Emperor Ping's maternal uncles of the Wei clan against Wang, but after they were discovered, Wang had not only Wang Yu and the Weis put to death, but also used this opportunity to accuse many actual or potential political enemies as being part of the conspiracy and to execute or exile them. From here onwards, the Han Dynasty existed only in name. Furthermore, Wang Mang also designated his daughter as the empress consort to Emperor Ping to codify his legitimacy to power. Emperor Ping was allegedly poisoned by Wang Mang after reigning less than 6 years, because Wang was concerned that he would avenge his uncles, and his successor, the toddler , would be chosen by none other than Wang Mang himself.<br />
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<a name='Family background and life as imperial prince' id='Family background and life as imperial prince'></a><h2>Family background and life as imperial prince</h2><br />
Then-Liu Jizi was born in 9 BC. His father was the youngest son of and the younger brother of . His mother was one of Prince Xing's consorts, Consort Wei . Prince Jizi had three sisters but no brother. He was born with a heart ailment, which, when affliciting him, causes him to have circulation problems, manifesting itself outwardly as having his lips and appendages turn blue. He was raised by his paternal grandmother Consort Feng Yuan, a concubine of Emperor Yuan, who then had the title princess dowager in Prince Xing's principality.<br />
<br />
Around the time of Prince Jizi's birth, Prince Xing was considered a potential imperial heir, because Emperor Cheng had no heirs, but eventually Emperor Cheng chose his nephew , because Emperor Cheng considered Prince Xin to be more capable than Prince Xing, and also wanted to adopt Prince Xin and make him his own son. When Emperor Cheng died in 7 BC, Prince Xin took the throne as Emperor Ai.<br />
<br />
Also in 7 BC, when Prince Jizi was just 2, Prince Xing died, and Prince Jizi inherited his principality as the Prince of Zhongshan . He continued to be periodically afflicted with his heart disorder. As a result, his grandmother Princess Dowager Feng hired many physicians and often prayed to the gods. In 6 BC, Emperor Ai, hearing about his cousin's illness, sent imperial physicians along with his attendant Zhang You to go to Zhongshan to treat Prince Jizi. This, however, would have dire consequences of Princess Dowager Feng.<br />
<br />
The imperial attendant Zhang was himself afflicted with a psychiatric condition , and when he got to Zhongshan, he suddenly, in a rage, left there and returned to the capital Chang'an. Once he did and was ordered to explain his conduct, he made up a false reason -- that he had discovered that Princess Dowager Feng was using witchcraft to curse Emperor Ai and his grandmother, . Empress Dowager Fu and Princess Dowager Feng were romantic rivals when they were both consorts to Emperor Yuan, and Empress Dowager Fu decided to use this opportunity to strike at Princess Dowager Feng. She sent a eunuch, Shi Li , to serve as investigator, and Shi tortured a good number of Princess Dowager Feng's relations , some to death, but still could not build a solid case against Princess Dowager Feng. Shi Li decided to show Princess Dowager Feng who was actually behind the investigation, by referring to an incident in which then-Consort Feng defended Emperor Yuan against a bear which had broken loose. Princess Dowager Feng, realizing that Empress Dowager Fu was behind the investigation, went back to her palace and committed suicide. In total, 17 members of the Feng clan died as a result of the investigations. Prince Jizi, then still a toddler, was spared. <br />
<br />
In 1 BC, Emperor Ai died without an heir. His stepgrandmother, , quickly seized power back from Emperor Ai's male favorite Dong Xian, and recalled her nephew Wang Mang as regent. Wang Mang quickly carried out a wave of retaliation against Dong Xian and Emperor Ai's Fu and Ding relations, purging them from government, and at the same time purging many actual or potential political enemies, while at the same time pretending to Grand Empress Dowager Wang to be faithful to Han. Prince Jizi, as the only surviving male descendant of Emperor Yuan , was considered the logical successor, and he was welcomed to Chang'an to succeed his cousin.<br />
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<a name='Early reign and Wang Mang's aggrandization of power' id='Early reign and Wang Mang's aggrandization of power'></a><h2>Early reign and Wang Mang's aggrandization of power</h2><br />
Almost immediately after Emperor Ping took the throne, Wang Mang began to carry out a regime to return governmental structure to ancient days of the Zhou Dynasty and the even more ancient Xia Dynasty and Shang Dynasty. He also aggressively pursued a program to build up a personality cult about himself, wanting to have himself recognized as a holy regent on the scale of the Duke of Zhou. In 1, for example, after having his political allies convincing Grand Empress Dowager Wang of his great faithfulness and great achievements, he was created the Duke of Anhan , even though there had not been a single duke created in Han history up to that point. Further, to appease both the disaffected nobility and the people, Wang Mang insitituted a program to restore marquess titles to descendants of past imperial princes and marquesses, started a pension system for retired officials, and reduced taxes. He also bribed vassal states into making offerings of rare animals, viewed as signs of heavenly blessing, to Han. With all people praising Wang Mang, he managed to persuade Grand Empress Dowager Wang, then already 69 years old, to have him make the important state decisions, rather than have her do so, and Wang Mang immediately became the most powerful figure in the empire.<br />
<br />
To prevent Emperor Ping's Wei relations from becoming powerful potential rivals at court, Wang Mang limited the titles of Emperor Ping's uncles to acting marquesses and his mother Consort Wei to "Princess Xiao of Zhongshan" , and only created Emperor Ping's three sisters ladies . He also ordered that the Weis, including Consort Wei, and Emperor Ping's sisters not to be allowed to go to Chang'an to see him, but were to remain in Zhongshan.<br />
<br />
In 2, to reduce the burden of the people in naming taboo, Emperor Ping's name was changed to Kan , since Ji and Zi were commonly used characters.<br />
<br />
Also in 2, Wang Mang decided to have his married to Emperor Ping to further affirm his position. Initially, he started a selection process of eligible noble young ladies . However, then, in an act of false modesty intended to create the opposite result, he petitioned Grand Empress Dowager Wang that his daughter not be considered -- and then started a petition drive by the people to have his daughter be selected as empress. The petitioners stormed the outside of the palace, and Grand Empress Dowager Wang, overwhelmed by the display of affection for Wang Mang, ordered that Wang Mang's daughter be made empress.<br />
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<a name='The Lü Kuan Incident and Wang Mang's seizure of absolute power' id='The Lü Kuan Incident and Wang Mang's seizure of absolute power'></a><h2>The Lü Kuan Incident and Wang Mang's seizure of absolute power</h2><br />
Wang Mang's son Wang Yu disagreed with his father's dictatorial regime and program to build up his personality cult, afraid that in the future the Wangs would receive a backlash when Emperor Ping was grown. He therefore formed friendships with Emperor Ping's Wei uncles, and told Consort Wei to offer assurances to Wang Mang that she would not act as Emperor Ai's mother and grandmother did, trying to become an empress dowager. Wang Mang still refused to let her visit the capital.<br />
<br />
In 3, Wang Yu formed a conspiracy with his teacher Wu Zhang , his brother-in-law Lü Kuan , and the Weis, to try to see what they can do to break Wang Mang's dictatorial hold. They decideed that they would create what appear to be supernatural incidents to make Wang Mang concerned, and then have Wu try to persuade Wang Mang to transfer power to the Weis. Wang Yu told Lü to toss a bottle of blood onto Wang Mang's mansion door to create that effect -- but Lü was discovered by Wang Mang's guards. Wang Mang then arrested Wang Yu, who then committed suicide, and his wife Lü Yan was executed. Wang Mang then executed the entire Wei clan, except for Consort Wei. Wu was cut in half and then drawn and quartered. <br />
<br />
Wang Mang then took this opportunity to further wipe out potential enemies -- by torturing Wang Yu and Lü's coconspirators and then arrest anyone that they mentioned, and then have them either executed or forced them to commit suicide. The victims of this purge included Emperor Yuan's sister Princess Jingwu , Wang Mang's own uncle Wang Li , and his own cousin Wang Ren . He told Grand Empress Dowager Wang, however, falsely, that they had died of illnesses. Many other officials who were not willing to follow Wang Mang were also victimized in this purge. After this, Wang Mang's hold on power became absolute.<br />
<br />
In 4, Emperor Ping officially married Wang Mang's daughter and created her empress.<br />
<br />
In 5, Wang Mang revived an ancient ceremony intended for those who have made great contributions to the state, and had himself given the nine bestowments. <br />
<br />
<a name='Death' id='Death'></a><h2>Death</h2><br />
Circa 5, Emperor Ping, having grown older, appeared to have grown out of his earlier heart condition, and it became fairly plain that he resented Wang Mang for slaughtering his uncles and not allowing his mother to visit him in Chang'an. Wang Mang therefore resolved to murder the emperor. In winter 5, Wang Mang submitted pepper wine to the 13-year-old emperor, but had the wine spiked with poison. As the emperor was suffering the effects of the poison, Wang Mang wrote a secret petition to the gods, in which he offered to substitute his life for Emperor Ping's, and then have the petition locked away. After a few days of suffering, Emperor Ping died. The throne would lie vacant for the next few years, as although Emperor Ping's cousin-once-removed, the infant , would be selected as emperor, he would never actually take the throne. Wang Mang would serve as acting emperor and usurp the Han throne officially in 8.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
*''Yuanshi'' 1-5<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** , Prince of Zhongshan, son of and Consort Feng Yuan<br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Wei<br />
* Wives<br />
** , daughter of Wang Mang <br />
*Children<br />
** Noneveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-4768699895571055232008-09-04T08:10:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:10:43.997-07:00Ruzi Ying<strong>Emperor Ruzi of Han</strong> , commonly known as "<strong>Ying the Kid</strong>" and with the personal name of <strong>Liu Ying</strong> , was last of the Chinese Western Han Dynasty from AD 6 to AD 9. After died without heirs, Wang Mang chose the youngest of the available successors in order to maintain his power in the government. He was soon deposed by Wang Mang who declared the Xin Dynasty in place of the Han. During Xin Dynasty, he was under effective house arrest -- so much so that he did not even know common animals once he was grown. Before and after Xin Dynasty was overthrown in 23, there were many ambitious people claiming to be restoring Han. In 25, a rebellion against the temporary rose involving the former Emperor Ruzi, and when the rebellion was defeated, he was killed. He is often viewed as a tragic innocent child who was the victim of circumstances. <br />
<br />
<a name='Choice as the titular ruler' id='Choice as the titular ruler'></a><h2>Choice as the titular ruler</h2><br />
In 5, Wang Mang, then already nearly unlimited in power as the imperial regent and fearful that the 13-year-old , once further grown, would retaliate against him for having slaughtered his uncles in 3, murdered Emperor Ping by poison. Because the young emperor had not had any children by his wife or any of his concubines, there was no heir. Further, by that point, Emperor Ping's grandfather, had no surviving male issue -- of his three sons, had no issue, and the other two, Prince Kang of Dingtao and Prince Xing of Zhongshan have already had their own sons succeed to the imperial throne and die without issue. The progeny of Emperor Ping's great-grandfather were therefore examined as possible successors.<br />
<br />
There were 53 great-grandsons of Emperor Xuan then still living by this stage, but they were all adults, and Wang Mang disliked that fact -- he wanted a child whom he could control. Therefore, he declared that it was inappropriate for members of the same generation to succeed each other . He then examined the 23 great-great-grandsons of Emperor Xuan -- all of whom were infants or toddlers.<br />
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While the examination process was proceeding, the mayor of South Chang'an submitted a rock with a mysterious red writing on it -- "Wang Mang, the Duke of Anhan, should be emperor." Wang had his political allies force his aunt, , to issue an edict granting him the title of "Acting Emperor" , with the commission to rule as emperor until a great-great-grandson of Emperor Xuan could be selected and raised.<br />
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In the spring of 6, Acting Emperor Wang selected Ying -- then just one-year-old -- as the designated successor to Emperor Ping, claiming that soothsayers told him that Ying was the candidate most favored by the gods. He gave Ying the epithet ''Ruzi'' -- the same epithet that King Cheng of Zhou had when he was in his minority and under the regency of Ji Dan, the Duke of Zhou -- to claim that he was as faithful as the Duke of Zhou. However, Emperor Ruzi did not ascend the throne, but was given the title of crown prince. Empress Wang was given the title empress dowager.<br />
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<a name='Brief "reign"' id='Brief "reign"'></a><h2>Brief "reign"</h2><br />
Several members of the imperial Liu clan were naturally suspicious of Acting Emperor Wang's intentions. They started or assisted in several failed rebellions against Wang:<br />
<br />
* In 6, Liu Chong , the Marquess of Anzhong, made an attack against Wancheng . His attack failed, but historians did not specify what happened to him, other than that as punishment, Wang had his house filled with filthy water.<br />
* In 7, Zhai Yi , the governor of the Commandery of Dong and Liu Xin , the Marquess of Yanxiang (and the father of Liu Kuang , the Prince of Dongping started the largest of these rebellions -- and they were joined by agrarian rebellion leaders Zhao Peng and Huo Hong from the area immediately west of the capital Chang'an. They declared Liu emperor. Wang responded by sending messengers all around the nation to pledge that he will in fact return the throne to Emperor Ruzi once he was grown. Wang's armies defeated Zhai and Liu's armies in winter 7, and Zhai was captured and executed by drawing and quartering. Liu fled and was never captured. Zhao and Huo were also eventually defeated and executed.<br />
* In 9 , Liu Kuai , the Marquess of Xuxiang, attacked the Dukedom of Fuchong, of his brother Liu Ying , the former Prince of Jiaodong. He was defeated and died while fleeing from the battle.<br />
<br />
After Zhai and Liu Xin was defeated, Wang became even more convinced that the empire was entirely under his control, and decided to finally seize the throne and start a new dynasty. In winter 8, after receiving a false prophecy written by the hoodlum Ai Zhang which pretended to be a divine decree from stating that the throne should be given to Wang, and that Grand Empress Dowager Wang should follow this divine will, Wang issued a decree accepting the position of emperor, establishing Xin Dynasty.<br />
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<a name='Life during Xin Dynasty' id='Life during Xin Dynasty'></a><h2>Life during Xin Dynasty</h2><br />
In the spring of 9, Wang Mang, the emperor, created the former Emperor Ruzi the Duke of Ding'an . The dukedom allegedly included 10,000 households, in which Han emperors were to be enshrined in temples, and Han calendars and uniforms would be allowed. However, Wang did not actually follow through on these promises. Indeed, he never allowed the Duke of Ding'an to rule his dukedom, but effectively put the child duke under house arrest under heavy guard. Not even his wet nurses were allowed to stay with him. After he was grown, he did not even know of such common animals as cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, and pigs. Wang gave his granddaughter, the daughter of his son Wang Yu , to the Duke of Ding'an in marriage. Other than these, not much is known about the Duke of Ding'an's life during Xin Dynasty.<br />
<br />
<a name='Death' id='Death'></a><h2>Death</h2><br />
After Xin Dynasty was overthrown in 23 and Wang Mang killed, the imperial descendant Liu Xuan became emperor . However, due to Emperor Gengshi's incompetence, there were many conspiracies and rebellions throughout the entire empire, seeking to displace him.<br />
<br />
Two farfetched co-conspirators started one of these rebellions in 25 -- Fang Wang , the former strategist for the local warlord Wei Xiao , and a man named Gong Lin -- and their group of several thousand men, after kidnapping the former Duke of Ding'an, occupied Linjing . Emperor Gengshi sent his prime minister Li Song to attack them, and wiped out this rebel force, killing Liu Ying.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*''Jushe'' February AD 6- October AD 8<br />
*''Chushi'' November AD 8-January AD 9<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Liu Xian , one-time Marquess of Guangqi, son of Liu Xun the first Marquess of Guangqi, son of Liu Xiao the Prince of Chu, son of Emperor Xuan of Han<br />
* Wife<br />
** granddaughter of Wang Mang <br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
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<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-85795286694459428932008-09-04T08:09:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:09:43.871-07:00Gengshi of Han<strong>Emperor Gengshi of Han</strong>, <strong>漢更始帝</strong>, . <strong>gèng shĭ dì</strong>, . <strong>Keng-Shih-ti</strong>, , also known as the <strong>Prince of Huaiyang</strong> , courtesy name <strong>Shenggong</strong> , was an of the restored Han Dynasty following the fall of Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty. He is not to be confused with , who founded the succeeding Eastern Han Dynasty. He was viewed as a weak and incompetent ruler, who briefly ruled over an empire willing to let him rule over them, but was unable <br />
to keep that empire together. He was eventually deposed by the Chimei and strangled a few months after his defeat. The Han forces were at this point in two groups -- one led by Wang Feng , Wang Chang , and Liu Xiu, which, in response to the arrival of the Xin forces, withdrew to the small town of Kunyang and one led by Liu Yan, which was still sieging Wancheng. The rebels in Kunyang initially wanted to scatter, but Liu Xiu opposed it; rather, he advocated that they guard Kunyang securely, while he would gather all other available troops in surrounding areas and attack the Xin forces from the outside. After initially rejecting Liu Xiu's idea, the Kunyang rebels eventually agreed.<br />
<br />
Liu Xiu carried out his action, and when he returned to Kunyang, he began harassing the sieging Xin forces from the outside. Wang Yi and Wang Xun, annoyed, led 10,000 men to attack Liu Xiu and ordered the rest of their troops not to move from their siege locations. Once they engaged in battle, however, after minor losses, the other units were hesitant to assist them, and Liu Xiu killed Wang Xun in battle. Once that happened, the Han forces inside Kunyang burst out of the city and attacked the other Xin units, and the much larger Xin forces suffered a total collapse . The soldiers largely deserted and went home, unable to be gathered again. Wang Yi had to withdraw with only several thousand men back to Luoyang. This was a major blow to Xin, psychologically; after this point on, there would be no hope for it.<br />
<br />
<a name='Infightings and move towar Chang'an' id='Infightings and move towar Chang'an'></a><h2>Infightings and move towar Chang'an</h2><br />
The very first major incident of infighting in Emperor Gengshi's regime would happen in this time, though. Emperor Gengshi was fearful of Liu Yan's capabilities and keenly aware that many of Liu Yan's followers were angry that he was not made emperor. One, Liu Ji , was particularly critical of Emperor Gengshi. Emperor Gengshi arrested Liu Ji and wanted to execute him, but Liu Yan tried to intercede. Emperor Gengshi took this opportunity to execute Liu Yan as well . However, ashamed of what he had done, he spared Liu Yan's brother Liu Xiu, and in fact created Liu Xiu the Marquess of Wuxin.<br />
<br />
Emperor Gengshi then commissioned two armies, one led by Wang Kuang, targeting Luoyang, and the other led by Shentu Jian and Li Song , targeting Chang'an directly. All the populace on the way gathered, welcomed, and joined the Han forces. Shentu and Li quickly reached the outskirts of Chang'an. In response, the young men within Chang'an also rose up and stormed Weiyang Palace, the main imperial palace. died in the battle at the palace , as did his daughter Princess Huanghuang . After Wang died, the crowd fought over the right to have the credit for having killed Wang, and tens of soldiers died in the ensuing fight. Wang's body was cut into pieces, and his head was delivered to the provisional Han capital Wancheng, to be hung on the city wall .<br />
<br />
<a name='Attempted consolidation of power' id='Attempted consolidation of power'></a><h2>Attempted consolidation of power</h2><br />
After Wang Mang's death, Emperor Gengshi moved his capital from Wancheng to Luoyang. He then issued edicts to the entire empire, promising to allow Xin local officials who submitted to him to keep their posts. For a brief period, nearly the entire empire showed at least nominal submission -- even including the powerful Chimei general Fan Chong , who, indeed, went to stay in Luoyang under promises of titles and honors. However, this policy was applied inconsistently, and local governors soon became apprehensive about giving up their power. Fan, in particular, left the capital and returned to his troops. In response, Emperor Gengshi sent various generals out to try to calm the local governors and populace; these included Liu Xiu, who was sent to pacify the region north of the Yellow River. Further, around these times, the people began to see that the powerful officials around Emperor Gengshi were in fact uneducated men lacking ability to govern; this further made them lose confidence in his governance.<br />
<br />
Emperor Gengshi's governance would in fact immediately be challenged by a major pretender in winter 23. A fortuneteller in Handan named Wang Lang claimed to be actually named Liu Ziyu and a son of . He claimed that his mother was a singer in Emperor Cheng's service, and that Empress Zhao Feiyan had tried to kill him after his birth, but that a substitute child was killed indeed. After he spread these rumors around the people, the people of Handan began to believe that he was a genuine son of Emperor Cheng, and the commanderies north of the Yellow River quickly pledged allegiance to him as emperor. Liu Xiu was forced to withdraw to the northern city of Jicheng . After some difficulties, however, Liu Xiu was able to unify the northern commanderies still loyal to Emperor Gengshi and siege Handan in 24, killing Wang Lang. Emperor Gengshi put Liu Xiu in charge of the region north of the Yellow Rivera and created him the Prince of Xiao, but Liu Xiu, still aware that he was not truly trusted and secretly angry about his brother's death, secretly planned to peel away from Emperor Gengshi's rule. He began to strip other Emperor Gengshi-commissioned generals of their powers and troops, and concentrated the troops under his own command.<br />
<br />
Also in 24, Emperor Gengshi moved his capital again, back to the Western Han capital of Chang'an. The people of Chang'an had previously been offended by Emperor Gengshi's officials, who did not appreciate their rising up against Wang Mang but in fact considered them traitors. Once Emperor Gengshi was back in the capital, he issued a general pardon, which calmed the situation for a while. At this time, Chang'an was still largely intact, except for Weiyang Palace, destroyed by fire. However, 's timidity quickly caused problems. When the imperial officials were gathered for an official meeting, Emperor Gengshi, who had never seen such solemn occasions, panicked. Later, when generals submitted reports to him, he asked questions such as, "How much did you pillage today?" This type of behavior further reduced the confidence of the people in him.<br />
<br />
Emperor Gengshi entrusted his government to Zhao Meng , whose daughter he took as an imperial consort. He himself engaged in frequent drinking and was often unable to receive officials or make important decisions. Zhao greatly abused his power, and once, when an honest official revealed Zhao's crimes to Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Gengshi had him executed. The other powerful officials also abused their power greatly, often commissioning duplicating local officials throughout the empire, causing great confusion and anger.<br />
<br />
In autumn 24, Emperor Gengshi sent his generals Li Bao and Li Zhong to try to capture modern Sichuan, then held by local warlord Gongsun Shu , but his generals were defeated by Gongsun.<br />
<br />
<a name='Defeat by Chimei' id='Defeat by Chimei'></a><h2>Defeat by Chimei</h2><br />
In winter 24, an ominous issue would arise for Emperor Gengshi; Chimei troops, then stationed at Puyang, were highly fatigued at the time and wanted to go home. Their leaders felt that if they did so, Chimei forces would scatter and be unable to be gathered again, and they felt that a clear target needs to be created. They decided to announce that they were attacking Emperor Gengshi's capital Chang'an, and they, divided into two armies, began to head west. Liu Xiu, while he had fairly strong troops, chose to stand by and wait for Chimei to destroy Emperor Gengshi; he used the Henei region as his base of operations for its strategic location and the richness of its soil. The Chimei armies rejoined in Hongnong , defeating every single army that Emperor Gengshi sent to stop it.<br />
<br />
In 25, Emperor Gengshi's forces would cause the death of the former Western Han emperor-designate, . Two far fetched co-conspirators -- Fang Wang , the former strategist for the local warlord Wei Xiao , and a man named Gong Lin -- and their group of several thousand men, after kidnapping the former Duke of Ding'an, occupied Linjing . Emperor Gengshi sent his prime minister Li Song to attack them, and wiped out this rebel force, killing Liu Ying.<br />
<br />
In summer 25, Liu Xiu finally made a formal break with Emperor Gengshi, after his generals and Emperor Gengshi's generals fought over control of the Henei and Luoyang regions. He declared himself emperor , and soon his general Deng Yu also captured the modern Shanxi, further reducing Emperor Gengshi's strength.<br />
<br />
Feeling trapped, a number of Emperor Gengshi's generals conspired to kidnap him and flee back to their home region of Nanyang . They were discovered, and many were executed, but one, Zhang Ang occupied most of Chang'an, forcing Emperor Gengshi to flee, just as Chimei forces were approaching.<br />
<br />
Chimei, at this time, decided that they also needed their own emperor. They found three descendants of , Prince of Chengyang, who was very popular with the people of his principality and who was worshiped as a god after his death. After drawing lots, the youngest, the 15-year-old Liu Penzi was chosen and declared emperor. However, the young "emperor" was not given any power, but was effectively a puppet who still served as a cattle keeper within the army.<br />
<br />
Generals still loyal to Emperor Gengshi were eventually able to evict Zhang from the capital, but by that time the situation was desperate. Zhang and his allies surrendered to Chimei and, working with them, attacked Chang'an, which fell quickly, and Emperor Gengshi fled, only followed by several loyal followers, including Liu Zhi the Prince of Dingtao and Liu Gong the Marquess of Shi -- who, incidentally, was Liu Penzi's older brother. They were eventually taken in by one of Emperor Gengshi's generals, Yan Ben , who, however, was in actuality holding them as bargaining chips. When Liu Xiu heard about the fall of Chang'an, he created Emperor Gengshi the Prince of Huaiyang, in absentia, and decreed that anyone who harmed the Prince of Huaiyang would be severely punished and that anyone who protected and delivered him to Eastern Han would be rewarded. When news of Chang'an's fall arrived in Luoyang, Luoyang surrendered to Liu Xiu, who entered the city and made it his capital.<br />
<br />
In winter 25, after being held by Yan a few months, Emperor Gengshi saw his situation as futile, and requested Liu Gong to negotiate surrender terms. A promise was made that he would be made the Prince of Changsha. Emperor Penzi's general Xie Lu arrived at Yan's camp and escorted Emperor Gengshi back to Chang'an to offer his seal to Emperor Penzi. Chimei generals, notwithstanding the earlier promise, wanted to execute him. It was only Liu Gong's final intercession that allowed Emperor Gengshi to be spared at this point, and he was created the Prince of Changsha. He, however, was forced to stay in Xie's headquarters, and Liu Gong protected him on a number of occasions.<br />
<br />
Chimei generals were even less able to govern the capital than Emperor Gengshi, however, as they were unable to control their soldiers from pillaging from the people. The people began to yearn the return of Emperor Gengshi. Zhang Ang and his allies, afraid of what might happen if Emperor Gengshi returned to power, persuaded Xie to strangle Emperor Gengshi. Liu Gong hid his body in a secure location, and years later, after Eastern Han had securely captured the Chang'an region, Liu Xiu had Emperor Gengshi's body buried with princely honors at Baling , near the tomb of .<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
*<br />
**Liu in <br />
*<br />
**Xuan <br />
*<br />
**''Gengshi'' 23-25<br />
*Father<br />
** Liu Zizhang , grandson of Liu Xiongqu the Marquess of Chonglin, the grandson of Liu Fa Prince Ding of Changsha, the son of Emperor Jing of Han<br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Zhao, the daughter of Zhao Meng <br />
** Consort Han<br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Qiu , later created the Marquess of Xiangyi by Liu Xiu<br />
** Liu Xin , later created the Marquess of Gushu by Liu Xiu<br />
** Liu Li , later created the Marquess of Shouguang by Liu Xiuveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-35383554888908051332008-09-04T08:09:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:09:25.667-07:00Emperor Guangwu of Han<strong>Emperor Guangwu</strong> , born <strong>Liu Xiu</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty, restorer of the dynasty in AD 25 and thus founder of the Later Han or Eastern Han . He ruled over parts of China at first, and through suppression and conquest of regional warlords, the whole of China was consolidated by the time of his death in 57.<br />
<br />
Liu Xiu was one of the many descendants of the Han imperial family. Following the usurpation of the Han throne by Wang Mang and the ensuing civil war during the disintegration of Wang's short-lived Xin Dynasty, he emerged as one of several descendants of the fallen dynasty claiming the imperial throne. After assembling forces and proclaiming himself emperor in the face of competitors, he was able to defeat his rivals, destroy the peasant army of the Chimei , known for their disorganization and marauding, and finally reunify the whole of China in AD 36. <br />
<br />
He established his capital in Luoyang, 335 kilometers east of the former capital Chang'an, ushering in the Later/Eastern Han Dynasty. He implemented some reforms aimed at correcting some of the structural imbalances responsible for the downfall of the Former/Western Han. His reforms gave a new 200-year lease on life to the Han Dynasty.<br />
<br />
Emperor Guangwu's campaigns featured many able generals, but curiously, he lacked major strategists. That may very well be because he himself appeared to be a brilliant strategist; he often instructed his generals as to strategy from afar, and his predictions generally would be accurate. This was often emulated by later emperors who fancied themselves great strategists but who actually lacked Emperor Guangwu's brilliance -- usually to great disastrous results.<br />
<br />
Also fairly unique among emperors in Chinese history was Emperor Guangwu's combination of decisiveness and mercy. He often sought out peaceful means rather than bellicose means of putting areas under his control. He was, in particular, one of the rare examples of a founding emperor of a dynasty who did not kill, out of jealousy or paranoia, any of the generals or officials who contributed to his victories after his rule was secure.<br />
<br />
<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Liu Xiu was the sixth generation descendant of of the Former Han. He was the son of Liu Qin , magistrate of Nandun . Liu Qin was the son of Liu Hui , vice governor in charge of military affairs for Julu commandery . Liu Hui was the son of Liu Wai , governor of Yulin commandery . Liu Wai was the son of Liu Mai , known posthumously as Marquess Jie of Chongling . Liu Mai was the son of Liu Fa , known posthumously as Prince Ding of Changsha . The prince of Changsha was a brother of , a famous emperor of the Former Han, and he was the son of Emperor Jing. <br />
<br />
Liu Qin was married to the daughter of one Fan Chong , and he and his wife had three sons -- Liu Yan , Liu Zhong , and Liu Xiu. Liu Qin died early, and the brothers were raised by their uncle Liu Liang . Liu Yan was ambitious, and ever since Wang Mang usurped the Han throne in 8 and established Xin Dynasty, Liu Yan was constantly considering starting a rebellion to restore the Han Dynasty. Liu Xiu, in contrast, was a careful man who was content to be a farmer. However, his brother-in-law Deng Chen , the husband of his sister Liu Yuan , who believed in a prophecy that a man named Liu Xiu would be emperor, constantly encouraged him to be more ambitious.<br />
<br />
<a name='Participation in his brother's rebellion' id='Participation in his brother's rebellion'></a><h2>Participation in his brother's rebellion</h2><br />
In 22, with virtually the entire empire rebelling against Wang Mang's incompetent rule, Liu Yan prepared his rebellion. He planned, along with his brothers, and Li Tong and his cousin Li Yi , to kidnap the governor for Nanyang Commandery and call for the people of the commandery to join him. When the young men of their home territory of Chongling heard about the rebellion, they were all scared to join -- until they saw that Liu Xiu was part of the rebellion as well, figuring that if even a careful man like Liu Xiu was part of the rebellion, the rebellion was carefully planned.<br />
<br />
However, the news of the plan leaked out, and Li Tong and Li Yi barely escaped with their lives . Liu Yan changed his plan and persuaded two branches of the Lülin -- the Xinshi Force and Pinglin Force to join forces with him, and they had some military success. Encouraged, Liu Yan made a frontal assault against Wancheng , the capital of Nanyang Commandery -- and suffered a major loss. Liu Yan and Liu Xiu, along with their sister Liu Boji , survived, but their brother Liu Zhong and sister Liu Yuan died in the battle. Liu Yan's allies, seeing his defeat, considered leaving him, but Liu Yan was able to persuade them, along with another branch of the Lülin, the Xiajiang Force , to join him. In 23, they had a major victory against Xin forces, killing Zhen Fu , the governor of Nanyang Commandery.<br />
<br />
<a name='As official under Emperor Gengshi' id='As official under Emperor Gengshi'></a><h2>As official under Emperor Gengshi</h2><br />
<h3> The ascension of Emperor Gengshi </h3><br />
''Main article: Emperor Gengshi of Han''<br />
<br />
By this point, many other rebel leaders had become jealous of Liu Yan's capabilities, and while a good number of their men admired Liu Yan and wanted him to become the emperor of a newly declared Han Dynasty, they had other ideas. They found another local rebel leader, Liu Xuan, a third cousin of Liu Yan, who was claiming the title of General Gengshi at the time and who was considered a weak personality, and requested that he be made emperor. Liu Yan initially opposed this move and instead suggested that Liu Xuan carry the title "Prince of Han" first . The other rebel leaders refused, and in early 23, Liu Xuan was proclaimed emperor. Liu Yan became prime minister. Liu Xiu, along with many other rebel leaders, carried the title "general".<br />
<br />
<h3> The Battle of Kunyang </h3><br />
<br />
Liu Xiu would be instrumental in the key victory that sealed Wang Mang's fate. Wang, aware that Emperor Gengshi was becoming a major threat, sent his cousin Wang Yi and his prime minister Wang Xun with what he considered to be overwhelming force, some 430,000 men, intending to crush the newly constituted Han regime. The Han forces were at this point in two groups -- one led by Wang Feng , Wang Chang , and Liu Xiu, which, in response to the arrival of the Xin forces, withdrew to the small town of Kunyang and one led by Liu Yan, which was still sieging Wancheng. The rebels in Kunyang initially wanted to scatter, but Liu Xiu opposed it; rather, he advocated that they guard Kunyang securely, while he would gather all other available troops in surrounding areas and attack the Xin forces from the outside. After initially rejecting Liu Xiu's idea, the Kunyang rebels eventually agreed.<br />
<br />
Liu Xiu carried out his action, and when he returned to Kunyang, he began harassing the sieging Xin forces from the outside. Wang Yi and Wang Xun, annoyed, led 10,000 men to attack Liu Xiu and ordered the rest of their troops not to move from their siege locations. Once they engaged in battle, however, after minor losses, the other units were hesitant to assist them, and Liu Xiu killed Wang Xun in battle. Once that happened, the Han forces inside Kunyang burst out of the city and attacked the other Xin units, and the much larger Xin forces suffered a total collapse. The soldiers largely deserted and went home, unable to be gathered again. Wang Yi had to withdraw with only several thousand men back to Luoyang. This was a major blow to Xin, psychologically; after this point on, there would be no hope for it.<br />
<br />
<h3> Liu Yan's death and Liu Xiu's bare survival </h3><br />
The very first major incident of infighting in Emperor Gengshi's regime would happen in this time, though. Emperor Gengshi was fearful of Liu Yan's capabilities and keenly aware that many of Liu Yan's followers were angry that he was not made emperor. One, Liu Ji , was particularly critical of Emperor Gengshi. Emperor Gengshi arrested Liu Ji and wanted to execute him, but Liu Yan tried to intercede. Emperor Gengshi, encouraged by Li Yi and Zhu Wei , took this opportunity to execute Liu Yan as well.<br />
<br />
At this time, Liu Xiu was fighting on the frontlines. When he heard about his brother's death, he quickly left his army and went back to the temporary capital Wancheng to beg forgiveness. When Liu Yan's followers greeted him, he only thanked them but did not speak of his feelings, but rather blamed himself and did not mention of his achievements at Kunyang. He did not dare to mourn his brother. Emperor Gengshi, ashamed of what he had done, spared Liu Xiu and created him the Marquess of Wuxin.<br />
<br />
Around this time, Liu Xiu married his childhood sweetheart, the famed beauty . <br />
<br />
<h3> Role in reorganization of Emperor Gengshi's regime and dispatch to northern China </h3><br />
;First times under the new Emperor<br />
Soon, Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty and its capital Chang'an fell to Emperor Gengshi's forces, and Emperor Gengshi was acknowledged by virtually the entire empire as the emperor of the restored Han Dynasty. Emperor Gengshi initially planned to set his capital at Luoyang, and he made Liu Xiu governor of the capital region. Liu Xiu was commissioned to repair the palaces and governmental offices at Luoyang. Of all of the major Han restoration officials, Liu Xiu alone quickly showed his talent for organization, and his agency quickly resembled a past Han governmental agency at its best.<br />
<br />
Emperor Gengshi's regime was only able to obtain nominal submission from many regions of the empire, and one of the trouble region was the region north of the Yellow River. He considered dispatching a general to try to pacify the region, and his cousin Liu Ci , who had succeeded Liu Yan as prime minister, endorsed Liu Xiu for that task. Liu Yan's political enemies, including Li and Zhu, opposed, but after Liu Ci repeatedly endorsed Liu Xiu, Emperor Gengshi relented and, in autumn 23, he sent Liu Xiu to the region north of the Yellow River.<br />
<br />
Liu Xiu was initially met with great gladness by the people north of the Yellow River. It was around this time that his later prime minister, Deng Yu , joined him; other later important figures who joined him around this time included Feng Yi and Geng Chun . Deng, seeing that Emperor Gengshi lacked abilities to rule, persuaded Liu Xiu to keep his sights broad and consider eventual independence.<br />
<br />
;Norther expedition<br />
Liu Xiu would soon have a major problem on his hand, however, in winter 23, as he faced a pretender for the Han throne. A fortuneteller in Handan named Wang Lang claimed to be actually named Liu Ziyu and a son of . He claimed that his mother was a singer in Emperor Cheng's service, and that Empress Zhao Feiyan had tried to kill him after his birth, but that a substitute child was killed indeed. After he spread these rumors around the people, the people of Handan began to believe that he was a genuine son of Emperor Cheng, and the commanderies north of the Yellow River quickly pledged allegiance to him as emperor. In spring 24, Liu Xiu was forced to withdraw to the northern city of Jicheng . Soon, though, he faced rebellions right near him, and several times was nearly killed by rebels who pledged allegiance to Wang. He reached two commanderies in modern central Hebei that were still loyal to Emperor Gengshi -- Xindu and Herong . He mobilized their forces and won some major battles against Wang's generals.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, a follower of Liu Xiu, Geng Yan , the son of the governor of Shanggu Commandery , had fled back to his father's commandery, and persuaded both his father Geng Kuang and the governor of the neighboring Yuyang Commandery , Peng Chong , to support Liu Xiu. Geng Yan and Peng's deputy, Wu Han , led the two commanderies' cavalry and infantry forces south to join Liu Xiu. The combined forces gave Liu Xiu enough strength to make a direct assault against Handan, trapping and killing Wang Lang.<br />
<br />
After Wang's death, Emperor Gengshi created Liu Xiu the Prince of Xiao and summoned him back to the capital . Liu Xiu, persuaded by Geng Yan that he should be ready to set out his own course, because the people were badly shaken by Emperor Gengshi and his officials' misrule, declined and claimed that the region still needed to be pacified.<br />
<br />
<a name='Independence from Emperor Gengshi' id='Independence from Emperor Gengshi'></a><h2>Independence from Emperor Gengshi</h2><br />
In autumn 24, Liu Xiu, still ostensibly an official under Emperor Gengshi, successfully pacified some of the larger agrarian rebel groups and merged them into his own forces. He also started replacing officials loyal to Emperor Gengshi with those loyal to himself. He consolidated his power north of the Yellow River and, as he predicted that the powerful Chimei would destroy Emperor Gengshi's government for him, he waited by for that to happen, not intervening on either side as that conflict was developing. He put Kou Xun in charge of the Henei region and made it the base for food and manpower supplies, while commissioning Deng with an expedition force to the modern Shaanxi region, waiting for the confrontation between Emperor Gengshi and Chimei. In early 25, Deng, on his way west, seized the modern Shanxi region and put it under Liu Xiu's control, before crossing the Yellow River into modern Shaanxi.<br />
<br />
At this point, territories that Liu Xiu controlled were already impressive, compared to any other regional power in the empire broken apart by civil war -- but he still carried just the title Prince of Xiao and still ostensibly was controlling those territories as Emperor Gengshi's deputy, even as he was already engaging militarily against some generals loyal to Emperor Gengshi. In summer 25, after repeated urging by his followers, he finally claimed the title of emperor and the right to succeed to the Han throne -- as Emperor Guangwu.<br />
<br />
<a name='Campaign to unify the empire' id='Campaign to unify the empire'></a><h2>Campaign to unify the empire</h2><br />
<h3> Victory over the Chimei </h3><br />
''Main article: Chimei''<br />
<br />
Soon after Emperor Guangwu's ascension, his former liege Emperor Gengshi's regime was destroyed by the Chimei, who supported their own pretender to the Han throne, Emperor Liu Penzi. The Chimei leaders, while militarily powerful, were however, even less capable at ruling than Emperor Gengshi, and they soon alienated the people of the Guanzhong region, which they had taken over when they overthrew Emperor Gengshi. They pillaged the Guanzhong region for supplies, but as eventually the supplies ran out, they were forced to withdraw east in an attempt to return home . Emperor Guangwu, anticipating this, set up his forces to harass and tire the Chimei out, and then block them off at Yiyang . With their path blocked and their troops exhausted, the Chimei leaders surrendered. Emperor Guangwu spared them, including their puppet pretender Emperor Penzi.<br />
<br />
<h3> Gradual victories over other regional powers </h3><br />
Chimei was the largest of the enemy force that Emepror Guangwu had to deal with in his campaign to reunify the empire under the rule of his Eastern Han Dynasty, but there were a number of regional powers that he had to deal with. These included:<br />
<br />
* Liu Yong , also claiming to be the proper emperor of Han, based on his lineage -- as the son of Liu Li , the Prince of Liang under the reigns of , , and who had been forced by Wang Mang to commit suicide; he controlled the modern eastern Henan and northern Jiangsu region.<br />
* Peng Chong, who had been by this point aggravated by Emperor Guangwu's official Zhu Fu into rebellion ; he claimed the title of the Prince of Yan and controlled the modern Beijing region.<br />
* Zhang Bu , nominally the Prince of Qi under Liu Yong, but who independently controlled the modern Shandong region.<br />
* Wei Xiao , nominally the commander of the Xizhou region paying allegiance to Emperor Guangwu, but who independently controlled the modern eastern Gansu region, east of the Yellow River.<br />
* Dou Rong , nominally the governor of Liang Province paying allegiance to Emperor Guangwu, but who independently controlled the modern western Gansu and northern Qinghai region, west of the Yellow River.<br />
* Lu Fang , who also claimed the name Liu Wenbo and claimed to be a descendant of and the proper Han emperor. He, supported by Xiongnu's ''Chanyu'' Yu , controlled the modern central and western Inner Mongolia region.<br />
* Gongsun Shu , who claimed the title emperor of his independent empire Chengjia , who controlled modern Sichuan and Chongqing. <br />
<br />
Of these powers, Gongsun Shu's Chengjia was wealthy and powerful, but Gongsun was content to maintain his regional empire and not carry out any military expeditions outside his empire. Instead, he sat by as Emperor Guangwu carried out his unification campaign. Emperor Guangwu, hesitant to carry out annihilation campaigns, largely preferred first trying to persuade the regional warlords to submit to him. Wei and Dou did in 29, and as they were assisting Eastern Han forces to the north of Chengjia, Gongsun was further discouraged from trying to expand his empire.<br />
<br />
Also in 29, Liu Yong's son and heir Liu Yu was defeated by Eastern Han forces and killed. Also in 29, Peng's slaves assassinated him, leading to a collapse of his regime. Zhang, seeing the fuility of resistance, surrendered and was created a marquess. By 30, all of eastern China was under Emperor Guangwu's rule.<br />
<br />
Wei, seeing that Eastern Han was gradually unifying the empire, inexplicably began considering independence. He tried to persuade Dou to enter into an alliance with him to resist Eastern Han; Dou refused. When Eastern Han started considering conquering Chengjia, Wei, apprehensive of the implications of Chengjia's fall, tried to persuade Emperor Guangwu not to carry out a campaign against Chengjia, and later refused to lead his forces south against Chengjia.<br />
<br />
Emperor Guangwu, who in any case preferred peaceful resolution, repeatedly wrote both Wei and Gongsun with humble terms, trying to get them to submit to him, promising them titles and honors. Wei continued to nominally submit but act as an independent power, while Gongsun refused outright -- but continued to be indecisive and took no actions while Eastern Han's rule was being confirmed throughout the land.<br />
<br />
Realizing that neither Wei nor Gongsun would voluntarily submit, Emperor Guangwu started a campaign against Wei in summer 30 -- assisted by Wei's friend , who had served as Wei's liaison officer to Emperor Guangwu and had tried in vain to persuade him not to take the course of independence. In response, Wei formally submitted to Gongsun and accepted a princely title -- Prince of Shuoning -- from him, and also tried to persuade Dou to join him. Dou refused, and attacked Wei in coordination with Emperor Guangwu's forces. After some initial successes, Wei's small independent regime eventually collapsed under overwhelming force and was reduced severely. In 33, Wei died and was succeeded by his son Wei Chun . In winter 34, Shuoning's capital Luomen fell, and Wei Chun surrendered.<br />
<br />
Emperor Guangwu then turned his attention to Chengjia. He commissioned his generals Wu Han, Cen Peng , Lai She , and Gai Yan to go on a two-pronged attack on Chengjia -- Wu and Cen leading an army and a navy up the Yangtze river from modern Hubei, while Lai and Gai led an army south from modern Shaanxi. Instead of fighting the Eastern Han expedition on the battlefield, Gongsun tried to repel them by assassinating their generals -- and he was initially successful, assassinating Cen and Lai and temporarily causing the Eastern Han forces to halt. However, Eastern Han forces regrouped, and in 36 they had Gongsun surrounded in his capital Chengdu . However, initial attempts to siege the city was unsuccessful, and Wu, then in command of the expeditory force, considered withdrawing. Persuaded by his lieutenant Zhang Kan that Gongsun was in desperate straits, however, Wu tricked Gongsun into believing that the Eastern Han forces were collapsing from fatigue, drawing him out of the city and engaging in battle. Gongsun was mortally wounded in battle, and Chengdu surrendered in winter 36.<br />
<br />
After Chengjia's fall, Dou turned over the lands under his control to Emperor Guangwu in 36, and was made prime controller. Lu, after initially submitting to Emperor Guangwu and made the Prince of Dai , eventually rebelled again, but, unable to succeed, eventually fled to Xiongnu in 42. The empire was entirely under Emperor Guangwu's rule.<br />
<br />
<a name='Reign over unified empire' id='Reign over unified empire'></a><h2>Reign over unified empire</h2><br />
Although Emperor Guangwu had already created many of his generals and officials marquesses, in 37, after the conquest of the empire was largely complete, he readjusted their marches in accordance with their accomplishments. He also considered what would be the best way to preserve the relationships between him and his generals and to protect their title and position. He therefore resolved to give the generals large marches but not give them official positions in his government. He rewarded them with great wealth and often listened to their advice, but rarely put them in positions of authority. He thereby reduced friction between him and his generals, thus allowing for their relationships to be preserved. (In this, he was matched perhaps only by Emperor Taizu of Song .<br />
<br />
As the emperor of the unified empire, Emperor Guangwu's reign was marked by thriftiness, efficiency, and laxity of laws. For example, in 38, his official Liang Tong submitted a petition to restore the criminal laws of late Western Han Dynasty -- which were far more severe. After discussion with other officials, Emperor Guangwu tabled Liang's suggestion.<br />
<br />
Emperor Guangwu, however, had to deal with two campaigns against non-Chinese peoples. In 40, a woman named and her sister Trưng Nhị rebelled. Trưng Trắc claimed the title of queen, and she ruled over an independent kingdom for several years. In 41, Emperor Guangwu sent against the Trưng sisters. In 43, he defeated the Trưng sisters and killed them. <br />
<br />
Emperor Guangwu also had to deal with periodic minor battles against the Xiongnu to the north. However, throughout his reign, there were no major wars with Xiongnu. Nevertheless, because of raids by Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei, the northern commanderies became largely unpopulated, as the people suffered great casualties and also fled to more southerly lands.<br />
<br />
With these engagements, Emperor Guangwu declined yet another foreign engagement. In 46, many Xiyu kingdoms were suffering under the hegemony of one of the kingdoms, Shache . They petitioned Emperor Guangwu to again reestablish the Western Han post of the governor of Xiyu. Emperor Guangwu declined, stating that his empire was so lacking in strength at the time that he could not expend efforts to protect Xiyu kingdoms. In response, the Xiyu kingdoms submitted to Xiongnu.<br />
<br />
<a name='Marital and succession issues' id='Marital and succession issues'></a><h2>Marital and succession issues</h2><br />
As alluded above, while still under Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu married his childhood sweetheart Yin Lihua. Later, in 24, while he was on his expedition north of the Yellow River, he entered into a political marriage with , the niece of a regional warlord, Liu Yang the Prince of Zhending. In 25, Guo bore him a son, Liu Jiang .<br />
<br />
In 26, Emperor Guangwu was prepared to create an empress, and he favored his first love, Yin. However, Yin had not yet had a son by that point, and she declined the empress position and endorsed Guo. Emperor Guangwu therefore created Guo empress and her son Prince Jiang crown prince.<br />
<br />
By 41, however, Empress Guo had long lost the emperor's favor. She continuously complained about that fact, and this angered Emperor Guangwu. In 41, he deposed her and created Yin empress instead. Rather than imprisoning Guo , however, he created her son Liu Fu the Prince of Zhongshan and created her the Princess Dowager of Zhongshan. He made her brother Guo Kuang an important official and, perhaps as a form of alimony, rewarded him with great wealth.<br />
<br />
Not having the heart to depose mother and son, Emperor Guangwu initially left Guo's son, Crown Prince Jiang, as crown prince. Crown Prince Jiang, however, realizing that his position was precarious, repeatedly offered to step down. In 43, Emperor Guangwu agreed and created , the oldest son of Empress Yin, crown prince instead. Former Crown Prince Jiang was created the Prince of Donghai. He also changed Prince Yang's name to Zhuang .<br />
<br />
<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
In 47, an opportunity arose with regard to Xiongnu. Xiongnu had a succession dispute, pitting the current chanyu, Punu against his cousin Bi , the son of a former chanyu. In 48, Bi also claimed the title of chanyu, and submitted to Emperor Guangwu's authority. Punu also submitted, in response, and the divided Xiongnu stopped waging war against Han.<br />
<br />
In 49, a rare blot on Emperor Guangwu's rule occurred. He had once again commissioned Ma Yuan to go on an expedition -- against the indigenous people of the Wulin Commandery , who had rebelled. While Ma was on the expedition, however, a number of Ma's political enemies made false accusations against Ma. Emperor Guangwu, believing these accusations, began investigating Ma, who happened to die of illness while on the campaign. With Ma dead and unable to defend himself, Emperor Guangwu stripped Ma of his marquess title and denounced him posthumously. <br />
<br />
In 57, Emperor Guangwu died. He was succeeded by Crown Prince Zhuang, who ascended the throne as Emperor Ming.<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
*Jianwu : 25-56<br />
*Jianwuzhongyuan : 56-58<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
*Father<br />
**Liu Qin , County Magistrate for Nandun, son of Liu Hui Vice Governor in charge of military affairs for Julu commandery, son of Liu Wai Governor of Yulin commandery, son of Liu Mai Marquess Jie of Chongling, son of Liu Fa Prince Ding of Changsha, son of Emperor Jing of Han<br />
*Mother<br />
**Lady Fan , daughter of Fan Chong <br />
*Wives<br />
**Empress Guo Shengtong , mother of Princes Jiang, Fu, Kang, Yán, and Yǎn<br />
**Empress Yin Lihua , mother of Emperor Ming, Princes Cang, Jing and Jing , and Duke Heng<br />
*Concubines<br />
**Consort Xu, mother of Prince Ying<br />
*Children:<br />
**Liu Jiang , created Crown Prince 26, deposed 43, later Prince Gong of Donghai <br />
**Liu Yang , Duke of Donghai , later Prince of Donghai , later changed name to Liu Zhuang and created Crown Prince , later Emperor Ming of Han<br />
**Liu Fu , Duke of Youyi , later Prince of Zhongshan , later Prince Xian of Pei <br />
**Liu Kang , initially Duke of Zinan , later Prince An of Zinan <br />
**Liu Yán , initially Duke of Huaiyang , later Prince of Huaiyang , later demoted to Prince of Fulin , later demoted to Marquess of Fulin , later Prince Zhi of Fulin <br />
**Liu Yǎn , Duke of Zuoyi , later Prince of Zuoyi , later Prince Jian of Zhongshan <br />
**Liu Ying , initially Duke of Chu , later Prince of Chu <br />
**Liu Cang , Duke of Dongping , later Prince Xian of Dongping <br />
**Liu Jing , born 37, initially Duke of Shanyang , later Prince of Shanyang , later Prince Si of Guanglin <br />
**Liu Heng , Duke Huai of Linhuai <br />
**Liu Jing , Duke of Langye , later Prince Xiao of Langye <br />
**Liu Yiwang , the Princess Wuyang <br />
**Liu Zhongli , the Princess Nieyang <br />
**Liu Hongfu , the Princess Guantau <br />
**Liu Liliu , the Princess Yuyang <br />
**Liu Shou , the Princess Liyiveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-88590522539697122162008-09-04T08:08:00.006-07:002008-09-04T08:09:15.349-07:00Emperor Ming of Han<strong>Emperor Ming of Han</strong>, , was second of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty. <br />
<br />
He was the second son of . It was during Emperor Ming's reign that Buddhism began to spread into China. One night, he is said to have dreamed of a golden man or golden men. The next day he told his ministers, and the minister Zhong Hu explained to him that he probably dreamed of in India. The emperor then sent a delegation of 18 headed by Cai Yin, Qin Jing and Wang Zun to seek Buddhism. They returned from Afghanistan with an image of Gautama Buddha, 42 sutras and two eminent monks. The next year, the emperor ordered the construction of White Horse Temple three ''li'' west of the capital Luoyang, to remember the horse that carried back the sutras. It was China's first Buddhist temple. Emperor Ming's brother Liu Ying, the Prince of Chu, became the first well-known Buddhist.<br />
<br />
Emperor Ming was a hard-working, able administrator of the empire who showed integrity and demanded integrity from his officials. However, a major downside to his personality was his overeagerness to punish. When his brothers Liu Ying the Prince of Chu and Liu Yan the Prince of Huaiyang were accused of plotting against him, he pursued the matters so harshly that several tens of thousands of people were executed as part of the plot, even though the vast majority of those people were in all likelihood innocent. Later in his reign, this tendency was moderated by the influences of his wife, .<br />
<br />
Emperor Ming also established the control of the Chinese Empire on the Tarim Basin and eradicated the Xiongnu influence there, through the conquests of his general Ban Chao.<br />
<br />
The reigns of Emperor Ming and his son were typically considered the golden age of the Eastern Han Emperor and known as the Rule of Ming and Zhang.<br />
<br />
<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Then-Liu Yang was born in 28 to and his first love, . Emperor Guangwu, then still an official under , had married Yin in 23 and, after he became emperor in 25, had wanted to create her empress, but she declined because she had no sons at that point. Instead, she endorsed , who had already had a son , and Emperor Guangwu created Consort Guo empress and Prince Jiang crown prince in 26. However, Prince Yang's birth in 28 was still considered a major event.<br />
<br />
<a name='As Duke/Prince of Donghai and crown prince' id='As Duke/Prince of Donghai and crown prince'></a><h2>As Duke/Prince of Donghai and crown prince</h2><br />
In 39, Emperor Guangwu created all of his sons, other than Crown Prince Jiang, dukes, and Prince Yang was created the Duke of Donghai. He quickly became known for his intelligence even in his young age, and he often made quick judgments of situations that turned out to be correct. Emperor Guangwu became very impressed with him.<br />
<br />
By 41, Empress Guo, having lost favor, was constantly complaining about that fact, which angered Emperor Guangwu. In 41, he deposed her and created Duke Yang's mother Consort Yin empress instead. All of the imperial dukes were promoted to princes to accommodate Emperor Guangwu's new title for Empress Guo -- Princess Dowager of Zhongshan , and Duke Yang was created the Prince of Donghai.<br />
<br />
After Empress Guo was deposed, her son, Crown Prince Jiang, became apprehensive about remaining crown prince, and repeatedly requested to be replaced. Emperor Guangwu was initially hesitant to depose both mother and son, but in 43, he resolved to swap Princes Jiang's and Yang's positions. He created Prince Jiang the Prince of Donghai, and created Prince Yang crown prince. At this time, he also changed Prince Yang's name to Zhuang, perhaps because Yang is such a commonly used character that the law of naming taboo would cause the people too much trouble.<br />
<br />
In 51, the woman who would eventually become his empress -- , the youngest daughter of famed general -- would become a consort of his. She was 12, and he was 23. She would become a favorite of his, but never bore a son. Her niece , Consort Jia, also a consort of Crown Prince Zhuang, did give birth to a child -- Liu Da . At Crown Prince Zhuang's direction, Consort Ma adopted Consort Jia's son as her own.<br />
<br />
As crown prince, Crown Prince Zhuang was often requested by Emperor Guangwu to render opinions in important matters. In 51, he was involved in making a major correct decision in Han's relationship with Xiongnu. By that point, Xiongnu had a civil war and divided into two -- with North Xiongnu ruled by Chanyu Punu and South Xiongnu ruled by Chanyu Bi . Han had become allied with South Xiongnu, and in response, Chanyu Punu, also wanting peace with Han, requested a ''heqin'' marriage. Prince Zhuang suggested that Emperor Guangwu refuse the proposal, reasoning that North Xiongnu had only made the proposal to alienate South Xiongnu from Han. Emperor Guangwu agreed.<br />
<br />
In 57, Emperor Guangwu died, and Crown Prince Zhuang succeeded to the throne as Emperor Ming.<br />
<br />
<a name='Early reign' id='Early reign'></a><h2>Early reign</h2><br />
Emperor Ming quickly established himself as a diligent and capable administrator of the empire. He did many things to try to stamp out corrupt officials, often putting them to death if they were discovered.<br />
<br />
One thing traditional historians praised him for was his fair treatment of his brothers by the deposed Empress Guo, treating them as if they were also born of his mother Empress Dowager Yin. In 58, when his older brother, Prince Jiang of Donghai died, he ordered that the princes and major officials to attend Prince Jiang's funeral -- a highly unusual honor -- at Lucheng , the capital of Donghai.<br />
<br />
In 59, at the suggestion of his brother Liu Cang the Prince of Dongping, Emperor Ming instituted a number of Confucian rituals, in which the emperor personally honored the officials who had helped him, to show humility.<br />
<br />
In 60, he created his favorite Consort Ma empress, and created her adopted son Prince Da crown prince.<br />
<br />
The same year, to honour the generals and officials who had assisted his father Emperor Guangwu in reestablishing the Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming, perhaps echoing what had done, had the portraits of 28 of them drawn on a palace tower. Later, four more portraits were added. However, Ma Yuan, because he was the father of the empress, did not receive this honor.<br />
<br />
During the early part of his reign, North Xiongnu continued to be a constant threat to both Han and her ally South Xiongnu. Emperor Ming engaged in a variety of military and economic tactics to try to maintain peace with North Xiongnu and was largely successful. In 65, he established a permanent border defense force, known as the Duliao Army , in charge of protecting the northern boundaries and South Xiongnu, and also to prevent the people of South Xiongnu from defecting to North Xiongnu.<br />
<br />
In 66, in what would eventually evolve into the first imperial university in Chinese history, Emperor Ming built a Confucian school at the capital Luoyang, for the children of high officials and marquesses. South Xiongnu nobles' children also attended.<br />
<br />
<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
<h3> The Chu and Huaiyang-related mass executions </h3><br />
Emperor Ming was, early in his reign, known for his generosity and affection for his brothers. This, however, apparently caused some of them to engage in behavior that were considered taboo at the time and, ironically, caused them to be severely punished by Emperor Ming, leading also to two major mass executions that blotted Emperor Ming's reign.<br />
<br />
The first of these incidents happened in 66-67 and was relatively bloodless. The ambitious Prince Jing of Guanglin wanted to be emperor, and he plotted with people under him to rebel. When he was informed, he confessed, and Emperor Ming initially spared him and permitted him to remain the Prince of Guanglin but stripped his political powers. However, later Prince Jing hired warlocks to curse Emperor Ming. After he was discovered, Emperor Ming initially took no action, but in 67 forced Prince Jing to commit suicide.<br />
<br />
The next incident would not be so bloodless. In 70, Prince of Chu -- incidentally, the only son of Emperor Guangwu not born of either of his empresses but of Consort Xu -- hired warlocks to create golden turtles and jade cranes, and carved characters calling for unusual blessings on them -- a major taboo at the time. Further, he was discovered to have written revolutionary writings. Emperor Ming did not put him to death, but deposed him from his principality, exiled him, and made him a commoner . In 71, Prince Ying committed suicide in exile. However, the investigation did not end. By Emperor Ming's orders, Prince Ying's associates were harshly tortured and interrogated, and anyone that they named as a coconspirator was arrested and further tortured and interrogated. The interrogators themselves used this opportunity to falsely accuse many others of conspiracy. Tens of thousands of people died, either of torture or execution, during the investigation. Only after Empress Ma's intercession and persuasive petitions by one of the interrogators, Han Lang , did the interrogations taper off.<br />
<br />
A similar incident happened in 73, when Prince Yan of Huaiyang was informed to have hired warlocks to curse Emperor Ming. Several of Prince Yan's associates were executed, and there were also many others who were executed or exiled after Chu-style interrogations were carried out. Prince Yan himself was not executed, but was demoted from his commandery-level principality to be the Prince of Fulin, with only two counties in his principality.<br />
<br />
<h3> Campaigns against North Xiongnu and reassertion of suzerainty over Xiyu </h3><br />
In 73, annoyed at North Xiongnu's constant incursions against Han, Emperor Ming commissioned his generals Geng Bing and Dou Gu to lead a major expedition against North Xiongnu. They only had minor successes, but it demonstrated to North Xiongnu that Han was now in a position to strike back.<br />
<br />
Dou, as part of his campaign, sent his assistant Ban Chao to visit the Xiyu kingdom of Shanshan (on the eastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Initially, the king of Shanshan was very pleased and welcomed the Han ambassadors as honored guests, but eventually the welcome faded. Ban realized that it must have been that North Xiongnu ambassadors had also arrived. He found out where the North Xiongnu ambassadors were, and, in a night raid, massacred the Xiongnu ambassadors. The king of Shanshan was shocked but somewhat pleased, and submitted to Han suzerainty once again.<br />
<br />
Emperor Ming promoted Ban and commissioned him to next visit Yutian , then the strongest kingdom in southern Xiyu, which had a strong alliance with North Xiongnu. Guangde , the King of Yutian, was trusting of his chief warlock, who demanded Ban's horse. Ban agreed to give him the horse, and then, when the warlock arrived to pick up the horse, immediately executed him, and sent his head back to Guangde. Guangde was impressed and submitted to Han's suzertainty. With Yutian having submitted, the Xiyu kingdoms largely all submitted as well.<br />
<br />
In 74, Dou and Geng led a major military expedition against a major remaining ally of North Xiongnu, Cheshi . Cheshi submitted, and at Dou's suggestion, the office of the Protector General of Xiyu was reinstituted. A North Xiongnu expedition in 75 to recapture Cheshi was repelled by Geng Gong , one of the deputiies protector general.<br />
<br />
<h3> Death </h3><br />
In 75, Emperor Ming died. His will ordered that no temple be built for him, and that he only be worshipped as part of the worship of his mother Empress Dowager Yin. His son Crown Prince Da succeeded to the throne as .<br />
<br />
<a name='Era name' id='Era name'></a><h2>Era name</h2><br />
* ''Yongping'' 58-75<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Guangwu of Han <br />
* Mother<br />
** Empress Yin Lihua<br />
* Wife<br />
** <br />
* Concubines<br />
** Consort Jia, mother of Emperor Zhang<br />
** Consort Yin, mother of Prince Chang<br />
** Consort Yan, a sister of the court official Yan Zhang <br />
** Consort Yan, another sister of Yan Zhang<br />
* Children<br />
** Crown Prince , , later Emperor Zhang of Han<br />
** Liu Jian , Prince Ai of Qiancheng <br />
** Liu Xian , Prince of Guangping (created 60, later Prince of Xiping , later Prince Jing of Chen <br />
** Liu Gong , Prince of Lingshou , later Prince of Julu , later Prince of Jianglin , later Prince Jing of Pengcheng <br />
** Liu Dang , Prince of Chongxi , later Prince Jing of Lecheng <br />
** Liu Yan , Prince Hui of Xiapei <br />
** Liu Chang , Prince of Runan , later Prince Jie of Liang <br />
** Liu Bing , Prince of Changshan (created 72, later Prince Qing of Huaiyang <br />
** Liu Zhang , Prince Dao of Jiyin <br />
** Liu Ji , the Princess Huojia <br />
** Liu Nu , the Princess Pingyang <br />
** Liu Ying , the Princess Longlü <br />
** Liu Ci , the Princess Pingzhi <br />
** Liu Zhi , the Princess Qinshui <br />
** Liu Xiaoji , the Princess Pinggao <br />
** Liu Zhong , the Princess Junyi <br />
** Liu Hui , the Princess Wu'an <br />
** Liu Chen , the Princess Luyang <br />
** Liu Xiaoying , the Princess Leping <br />
** Liu Xiaomin , the Princess Cheng'an <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-28512890786269341872008-09-04T08:08:00.005-07:002008-09-04T08:08:48.185-07:00Emperor Zhang of HanEmperor Zhang of Hanveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-48331571567447850102008-09-04T08:08:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:08:36.432-07:00Emperor He of Han<strong>Emperor He of Han</strong>, <strong>漢和帝</strong>, . <strong>hàn hé dì</strong>, . <strong>Han Ho-ti</strong>, was an of the Chinese Han Dynasty who ruled from 88 to 105. He was the 4th emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.<br />
<br />
Emperor He was the son of . He ascended the throne at the age of nine and reigned for 17 years. It was during Emperor He's reign that the Eastern Han began its decline. Strife between consort clans and eunuchs began when the made her own family members important government officials. Her family was corrupt and intolerant of dissension. In 92, Emperor He was able to remedy the situation by removing the empress dowager's brothers with the aid of the eunuch Zheng Zhong and his brother Liu Qing the Prince of Qinghe. This in turn created a precedent for eunuchs to be involved in important affairs of state. These trend would continue to escalate for the next century contributing to the fall of the Han dynasty. Further, while Qiang revolts, spurred by corrupt and/or oppressive Han officials, started during his father Emperor Zhang's reign, they began to create major problems for the Han during Emperor He's reign and would last until the reign of .<br />
<br />
Emperor He himself appeared to be a largely kind and gentle man who, however, lacked his father's and grandfather 's acumen for governance and for judgment of character. Although Emperor He's reign arguably began Han's long decline, notable scientific progresses were made during this period including the invention of paper by the eunuch Cai Lun in 105.<br />
<br />
One additional trend that started with Emperor He was the lack of imperial heirs -- Emperor He continuously lost sons while in childhood, and at his death he had only two live male children, neither of whom survived him long. Whereas many dynasties had succession issues involving the emperors' many sons, the Eastern Han Dynasty had the succession issues involving the lack of direct line male heirs, which further added to the instability.<br />
<br />
<a name='Family background' id='Family background'></a><h2>Family background</h2><br />
Then-Prince Zhao was born to and his concubine Consort Liang in 79. Because Emperor Zhang's favorite, , had no sons of her own, she adopted Prince Zhao as her own son; in doing so, she might have been inspired by her mother-in-law, , who had adopted Emperor Zhang, born of 's concubine Consort Jia. By the time Prince Zhao was born, his older brother Liu Qing , born of another concubine, Consort Song, had already been created crown prince. However, Empress Dou deeply wanted to make her adopted son crown prince as well as to eliminate Consort Song and her younger sister, also an imperial consort, as competition for Emperor Zhang's affection.<br />
<br />
In 82, an opportunity came for Empress Dou. Consort Song, the mother of Crown Prince Qing, had become ill, and in her illness, she craved raw cuscuta, and she requested that her family bring them. Empress Dou seized the cuscuta and falsely accused Consort Song of using it for witchcraft. Emperor Zhang was enraged and expelled Crown Prince Qing from the palace. He had the Consorts Song arrested and interrogated by the eunuch Cai Lun. Consorts Song saw that they were in deep straits, and they committed suicide by poison. Crown Prince Qing was deposed and created the Prince of Qinghe instead; he was replaced by Prince Zhao as crown prince. Prince Zhao, however, was friendly to his brother, and they often spent time together.<br />
<br />
The Song sisters would not be Empress Dou's only victims. After Prince Zhao was made crown prince, his birth mother's clan, the Liangs, did not dare to openly celebrate, but were secretly happy. When the Dou clan heard of this, they were displeased and fearful, and they felt that they had to destroy the Liangs. Empress Dou began to give false reports about Prince Zhao's birth mother Consort Liang and her sister, also an imperial consort, and they lost Emperor Zhang's favor. In 83, the Dous further submitted false anonymous accusations against the Consorts Liang's father Liang Song , causing him to die in prison. Consorts Liang died of sadness and fear.<br />
<br />
In 86, Emperor Zhang died, and Crown Prince Zhao succeeded to the throne at age seven.<br />
<br />
<a name='Early reign under the shadow of the Dous' id='Early reign under the shadow of the Dous'></a><h2>Early reign under the shadow of the Dous</h2><br />
The boy Emperor He had no real powers, of course; the powers were in the hands of Empress Dowager Dou, and she entrusted her brothers Dou Xian, Dou Du , Dou Jing , and Dou Gui with power. Of her brothers, Dou Gui alone was humble and unassuming, but the other three, particularly Dou Xian, were arrogant, using their connection to the empress dowager to intimidate other officials into submission.<br />
<br />
Late in 88, however, a crime that Dou Xian committed threatened to cause even Empress Dowager Dou to want him executed. Liu Chang , the Marquess of Duxiang, was favored by Empress Dowager Dou for his intelligence, and Dou Xian became fearful that Liu will divide his power. He therefore had Liu assassinated and blamed Liu's brother Liu Gang , the Marquess of Li. Several judges who were unafraid of Dou Xian, however, carried out a thorough investigation, and Dou Xian's involvement was discovered. Empress Dowager Dou was enraged, and she put Dou Xian under arrest, and Dou Xian offered to lead an army against the North Xiongnu to atone for his crimes.<br />
<br />
Empress Dowager Dou agreed, and Dou Xian led an army and crushed the North Xiongnu in 89. After this great military victory, he became even more arrogant, however -- and Empress Dowager Dou permitted him to be. He had another major victory over the North Xiongnu in 91, essentially wiping North Xiongnu out as a political entity. As a result, Dou Xian so dominated the government that all dissenting officials faced the threat of demotion or even death.<br />
<br />
<a name='The coup d'etat against the Dous' id='The coup d'etat against the Dous'></a><h2>The coup d'etat against the Dous</h2><br />
In 92, however, the Dous would suddenly fall as the result of a coup d'etat. The details are unclear now, but it appeared that Emperor He, perhaps encouraged by his brother Prince Qing and the eunuch Zheng Zhong .<br />
<br />
Based on the traditional historical accounts, some of the Dous' relatives had considered murdering the emperor. Emperor He, fearful of being murdered, planned along with Zheng and Liu Qing to destroy the Dous' power. They received some help -- in the form of historical accounts that would inspire them as to what to do -- from another brother of the emperor, Liu Kang , the Prince of Qiancheng.<br />
<br />
In the summer, Emperor He made a sudden move, issuing an edict ordering the imperial guards to go on alert and to close the gates of the capital Luoyang. The Dous' relatives who were accused of plotting to murder the emperor were executed. An imperial messenger was sent to seize Dou Xian's seal as the commander of the armed forces. All of the empress dowager's brothers were sent back to their but under close guard -- the emperor wanted to execute them but did not want to do so publicly, so once they returned to their marches, he ordered all of them, except for the more humble Dou Gui, to commit suicide.<br />
<br />
<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
After the coup d'état against the Dous, Emperor He appeared actually take power, and Empress Dowager Dou lost all power, although he continued to honor her as his mother, apparently having some inkling but not knowing for sure that she was not his birth mother. Prince Qing became a trusted advisor of his, as did Zheng -- which started an escalating trend of eunuchs being involved with government matters, lasting for the rest of the Eastern Han Dynasty; in fact, in 102, Zheng was created marquess, in an unprecedented action. In the aftermaths of the coup d'état, innumerable officials accused of being the Dous' associates were arrested or removed from their posts. The chief among them were the historian Ban Gu, who was a chief assistant of Dou Xian and who had apparently been complicit in Dou's autocracy, as well as the commander of the armed forces Song You , although Ban Gu's brother Ban Chao was not affected and continued to enjoy imperial support in his Xiyu campaigns. In 97, Ban Chao would send his assistant Gan Ying on a mission to the Roman Empire -- but Gan would turn back after reaching an unnamed shore, which might have been the shore of the Persian Gulf or the Mediterranean Sea -- without reaching Rome. In 102, after Ban Chao's retirement, however, mismanagement would lead to the Xiyu kingdoms to rebel against Han authority, and the suzerainty over Xiyu was lost.<br />
<br />
The reign of Emperor He was generally one free of major corruption, and the young emperor was himself humble and unassuming. He also appeared to genuinely care for the people. However, he was also undistinguished as an emperor, as he appeared to lack the abilities of his father and grandfather in actively doing what is good for the people.<br />
<br />
In 97, Empress Dowager Dou died. It was only at this time that officials revealed to Emperor He that he was born of Consort Liang. He sought out her brothers and honored them with powerful posts -- and from this point on, the Liang clan would become one of the most powerful in the Eastern Han aristocracy. He also posthumously rewarded her with an empress title. However, he rejected a suggestion that Empress Dowager Dou be posthumously demoted, and he buried her with full imperial honors with his father Emperor Zhang. <br />
<br />
<h3> Issues with the Qiang </h3><br />
A persistent issue for the Eastern Han Dynasty -- Qiang rebellions -- also became a major problem during Emperor He's reign. In 92, when the official in charge of Qiang affairs, Deng Xun died, the Qiang had been pacified apparently by Deng's good governing tactics, but after Deng's death, the new official Nie Shang apparently inadvertently offended the Qiang chief Mitang , and Mitang rebelled. In 93, the new official in charge of Qiang affairs, Guan You , was able to defeat Mitang by alienating the other tribes from Mitang's own, but Mitang was not captured and remained a threat. After Guan's death, his successor Shi Chong , indeed, would suffer major losses against Mitang. Mitang, however, would eventually surrender in 98 after running out of allies, and Emperor He in fact received Mitang in an official audience that year. In 100, however, Mitang, suspicious of Han officials' intentions in ordering him to move a long distance -- under the rationale that his people were then living on poor soil and the new location provided better opportunities -- rebelled again. However, for the rest of his years, Mitang would basically be a nuisance and not a major threat.<br />
<br />
<h3> Marital issues </h3><br />
In 96, Emperor He created one of his favorites, -- who came from the noble lineage of a brother of Emperor Guangwu's wife, Empress Yin Lihua -- empress. She was described as beautiful but short and clumsy, and also jealous. In particular, she became jealous of another of Emperor He's favorites, , who also came from a noble lineage, as the granddaughter of Emperor Guangwu's prime minister Deng Yu . Consort Deng was described to have tried to alleviate this situation by acting humbling before Empress Yin, but this further drew her wrath. Once, when Emperor He was ill, Empress Yin made the remark that if she became empress dowager, the Dengs would be slaughtered -- and upon hearing that remark, Consort Deng considered committing suicide, and one of her ladies in waiting saved her by falsely telling her that the emperor had recovered. However, the emperor did soon recover, so Consort Deng and her family escaped a terrible fate.<br />
<br />
In 102, Empress Yin and her grandmother, Deng Zhu , were accused of using witchcraft to curse imperial consorts . Lady Deng and her sons, as well as Empress Yin's brother Yin Fu , died under interrogation and torture. Empress Yin was deposed, and her father Yin Gang committed suicide. The rest of her family was exiled. She herself died in sorrow, probably in 102 as well.<br />
<br />
After Empress Yin was deposed, Consort Deng was created empress. While she was empress, she constantly rejected Emperor He's offers to promote her brothers, so they did not have much power during Emperor He's reign.<br />
<br />
<h3> Death and succession problems </h3><br />
Empress Deng and all of the imperial consorts were sonless for a long time. Late in Emperor He's reign, he had two sons -- whose mothers were not mentioned in history -- Liu Sheng and Liu Long . Under the superstition of the time, it was thought that they might survive better if they grew up outside the palace in light of their other brothers' early deaths, so both were given to foster parents.<br />
<br />
In 106, Emperor He died. At that time, Liu Sheng, the older son, was still young and believed to be constantly ill. The younger, Liu Long, was only 100 days old. Both were welcomed back to the palace, and Empress Deng created Liu Long crown prince, believing that he would be healthier, and then that night he was proclaimed emperor, as . Emperor Shang would only live to age one, however, and died later in 106. After Emperor Shang's death, Empress Dowager Deng was apprehensive that Liu Sheng might resent her for not making him emperor first, refused to make him emperor, but made Prince Qing's son Liu Hu emperor, as .<br />
<br />
<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
* ''Yongyuan'' 89-105<br />
* ''Yuanxing'' 105<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Zhang of Han <br />
* Mother<br />
** Consort Liang<br />
* Wives<br />
** <br />
** Empress Deng Sui <br />
* Children<br />
** Liu Sheng , Prince Huai of Pingyuan <br />
** Crown Prince Liu Long , , later Emperor Shang of Han<br />
** Liu Bao , the Princess Xiuwu <br />
** Liu Cheng , the Princess Gongyi <br />
** Liu Li , the Princess Linying <br />
** Liu Xing , the Princess Wenxi <br />
<br />veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-52905187896989893362008-09-04T08:08:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:08:18.975-07:00Emperor Gaozu of Han<strong>Emperor Gao</strong> , commonly known inside China by his Temple Name, <strong>Gaozu</strong> , personal name <strong>Liu Bang</strong> , was the first of the Chinese Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BC until 195 BC, and one of only a few dynasty founders who emerged from the peasant class . Before becoming an emperor, he was also called Duke of Pei after his birthplace. He was also created as the Prince of Hàn by following the collapse of Qín Dynasty, and was called so before becoming emperor.<br />
<br />
<a name='Early life' id='Early life'></a><h2>Early life</h2><br />
Liú Bāng was born into a peasant family in Pei . He relied on his brother's family for food. There is a story that tells of him bringing many friends home to eat with the family one day. Though there was more than enough food to feed everyone, his sister-in-law went to the kitchen to scrape the pots, thus causing all his friends to leave, as they thought that the family was too poor to feed them. His sister-in-law's contempt for his roguish ways was what made Liú Bāng think about actually studying and serving his country.<br />
<br />
After he grew up, Liú Bāng served as a patrol officer in his county. Once he was responsible for transporting a group of prisoners to Mount Li in present Shaanxi province. During the trip many prisoners fled. Fearful that he would be punished for the prisoners' flight, Liú Bāng released the remaining prisoners. The prisoners, running for their lives, met up with a cobra snake and went back the way they came, running into Liú Bāng. Hearing their story, he went and killed the cobra himself. Legend says that the cobra was a representation from the gods indicating that he was the natural born leader. The cobra was supposedly larger than a full grown tree. The cobras breath was poisonous killing many prisoners. Liu Bang was brave enough to kill the snake at dawn. From then on, the prisoners respected him and made him their leader, hence Liú Bāng became the leader of a band of brigands. On one of his raids, he met a county magistrate who became impressed with his leadership skills and gave his daughter to him in marriage.<br />
<br />
<a name='Chu-Han Contention' id='Chu-Han Contention'></a><h2>Chu-Han Contention</h2><br />
Now considering the whole former Qín Empire under his domination, Xiang Yu realigned the territories of not only the remaining parts of Qín but also the rebel states, dividing the territories into 19 principalities. Xiang Yu did not honor the promise by , who would soon himself be assassinated by Xiang's orders. Instead, he gave Guanzhong to the princes of three Qins. Liú Bāng was only awarded the .<br />
<br />
In Hanzhong, Liú Bāng focused his efforts on developing agriculture methods and training an army, through which he reinforced his resource accumulation and military power. Before long, Liú broke out of his principality, deposed the kings of three Qins and occupied Guanzhong, where he launched a war now known as the Chu-Han War, against Xiang Yu. He quoted in his biography,"Establishment of the great," that "Those who earn their status by war are the most honorable of all."<br />
<br />
Although Xiang Yu was far superior in military ability to Liú Bāng, he was at a political disadvantage. Xiang Yu kept defeating Liú in the battlefield, but each of his victories drove more people to support Liú. When Xiang Yu was finally defeated in the Battle of Gaixia, he could not recover and committed suicide.<br />
<br />
The war lasted five years and ended with Liú Bāng's victory. Having defeated Xiang Yu, Liú proclaimed himself emperor and established the Hàn Dynasty in 202 BC and made Cháng'ān his capital city. Liú became historically known as Emperor Gāo of Hàn.<br />
<br />
<a name='Reign as the Emperor' id='Reign as the Emperor'></a><h2>Reign as the Emperor</h2><br />
After Liu Bāng came into power, he re-centralised China based on Qín's model. He gradually replaced the original vassals, granting their lands to his relatives. Since the economy had been devastated by the war following the demise of the Qín Dynasty, he reduced taxes and corvée, developed agriculture and restricted spending. However, in response to what he saw as the decadence of Qín merchants, he restricted commerce by levying heavy taxes and legal restrictions on merchants. He also made peace with the Xiongnu. Under Gāozǔ's reign, thought gradually replaced thought; Confucian scholars were welcomed into his government, while the harsh Legalist laws were lessened. Emperor Gāozǔ's efforts laid a solid foundation for the over four-hundred-year reign of the Hàn Dynasty. <br />
<br />
Liú Bāng also devoted to subduing the unruly . He soon annexed most of the kingdoms and established principalities, with his sons and relatives as princes. By doing so he consolidated his new-born empire.<br />
<br />
<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
*Father:<br />
** Liu Zhijia<br />
*Mother:<br />
** Wang Hanshi <br />
*Wife:<br />
** , mother of Emperor Hui and Princess Luyuan<br />
*Major Concubines:<br />
** Consort Cao, mother of Prince Fei -- initially Emperor Gao's mistress<br />
** Consort Qi, mother of Prince Ruyi<br />
** Consort Zhang<br />
** Consort Wei<br />
** , mother of Emperor Wen<br />
** Consort Zhao, mother of Prince Chang<br />
*Children<br />
** Liu Fei , Prince Daohui of Qi <br />
** Liu Ying , Crown Prince , later <br />
** Liu Jian , Prince Ling of Yan <br />
** Liu Ruyi , <br />
** Liu Heng , Prince of Dai , later <br />
** Liu Hui , , later <br />
** Liu You, Prince of Huaiyang , later , starved to death by Empress Dowager Lü 180 BC)<br />
** Liu Chang , <br />
** Princess Luyuan <br />
* Grandchildren<br />
** , Prince Ai of Qi , son to Liu Fei , Prince Daohui of Qi by Consort Si<br />
** , Prince Jing of Chengyang , son to Liu Fei , Prince Daohui of Qi<br />
** Liu Xingju , Marquess of Dongmou , son to Liu Fei , Prince Daohui of Qi<br />
** , Crown Prince , later Emperor Jing of Han, son to Liu Heng , Prince of Daiveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-51259473474654705622008-09-04T08:07:00.004-07:002008-09-04T08:08:02.599-07:00Emperor Hui of Han<strong>Emperor Hui of Han</strong> was the second of the Han Dynasty in China. He was the second son of the first Han emperor, and Empress Dowager Lü. He is generally remembered as a weak character dominated by his mother, Empress Dowager Lü, who was personally kind and generous but unable to escape the impact of her viciousness. He tried to protect , his younger half-brother, from being murdered by Empress Dowager Lü, but failed. After that he indulged himself in drinking and women and died at a relatively young age. Empress Dowager Lü installed two of his sons, Liu Gong and Liu Hong , the sons of Emperor's concubine after he died without a designated heir. Emperor Hui's wife was Empress Zhang Yan, a niece of his by his sister Princess Luyuan; their marriage was the result of insistence by Empress Dowager Lü and was a childless one.<br />
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<a name='Early life and years as crown prince' id='Early life and years as crown prince'></a><h2>Early life and years as crown prince</h2><br />
How Liu Ying's childhood was like is not completely clear. What is known is that he was not his father Liu Bang's oldest son -- that would be Liu Fei, who would later be created the Prince of Qi. However, Liu Ying was considered to be the proper heir because his mother, the later Empress Lü, was Liu Bang's wife, while Liu Fei's mother was either a concubine or a mistress.<br />
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What is also known is that during Chu Han Contention, when Liu Bang fought a five-year war with Xiang Yu for supremacy over the Chinese world, his mother, his sister, and he did not initially follow his father to the Principality of Han ; rather, they stayed in his father's home territory, perhaps in his home town of Pei deep in Xiang's Principality of Western Chu, presumably with his grandfather Liu Zhijia.<br />
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In 205 BC, Liu Bang appeared to be near total victory, having captured Xiang's capital of ]. How his family received this news was unclear, but a few months later, when Xiang responded and crushed Liu's forces, Liu fled and, in his flight, attempted to pass through his home town to take his family with him. He was able to find his children and carry them along with him, but his father and wife were captured by Xiang's forces and kept as hostages -- and would not be returned to him until Liu and Xiang temporarily made peace in 203 BC. The then-very young Liu Ying must have then spent these days not knowing what the eventual fate of his grandfather and mother would be.<br />
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After Liu Bang's victory and self-declaration as the emperor , thus establishing the Han Dynasty, in 202 BC, he created his wife empress and Liu Ying, as his proper heir, crown prince. As crown prince, Prince Ying was considered to be kind and tolerant, characteristics that Emperor Gao did not like. Rather, he favored his young son , whom he considered to be more like him and whose mother, Consort Qi, was his favorite concubine. With the support of the officials, however, Prince Ying's status as heir survived despite Consort Qi's machinations.<br />
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As crown prince, Prince Ying, along with his mother, would be the ones who would rule on important matters at the capital in his father's absence during various campaigns, and he appeared to carry out these tasks out competently but without distinction. When Ying Bu rebelled in 196 BC, Emperor Gao was ill and considered sending Prince Ying as the commander of the forces against Ying Bu rather than campaigning himself, but at the suggestion of Empress Lü , went on the campaign himself. Prince Ying was instead put in charge of home territories around the capital Chang'an, assisted by Confucian scholar Shusun Tong and strategist Zhang Liang . He again appeared to carry out the tasks competently but without distinction.<br />
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Prince Ying succeeded to the throne of Han when his father died in 195 BC from complications of an arrow wound suffered during the campaign against Ying Bu.<br />
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<a name='Reign as emperor' id='Reign as emperor'></a><h2>Reign as emperor</h2><br />
Immediately upon Prince Ying's ascension to the throne as Emperor Hui, Empress Lü, now empress dowager, became the effective lead figure in his administration. She wanted to carry out a plot of revenge against Consort Qi and her son Ruyi. She first arrested Consort Qi and put her in prison garbs . She then summoned Liu Ruyi to the capital -- an attempt that was initially resisted by Ruyi's chief of staff Zhou Chang , whom she respected because he was one of the officials who insisted on Liu Ying being the rightful heir. Instead of directly moving against Zhou and Liu Ruyi, though, Lü circumvented Zhou by first summoning ''him'' to the capital, and then summoning Liu Ruyi.<br />
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Emperor Hui tried to save Liu Ruyi's life. Before Liu Ruyi could get to the capital, Emperor Hui intercepted his young brother at Bashang and received Liu Ruyi into his palace, and they dined together and slept together. Empress Dowager Lü wanted to kill Liu Ruyi, but was afraid that any attempt might also harm her own son, and therefore could not carry out her plot for several months.<br />
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Empress Dowager Lü got her chance in winter 195 BC. One morning, Emperor Hui was out hunting and wanted to take Liu Ruyi with him. The young prince was then only 12 years old and refused to get up from bed, and Emperor Hui left for the hunt on his own. Empress Dowager Lü heard this and immediately sent an assassin into the emperor's palace to force poisoned wine down the prince's throat. By the time that Emperor Hui returned, his brother was dead. She then tortured Consort Qi inhumanely, and Consort Qi would die from the torture. When Emperor Hui saw Consort Qi in her tortured state, he cried out loud and became ill for about a year, complaining to his mother that he felt that he could no longer govern the empire, given that he, as the emperor, could not even protect the concubine and son so loved by his father. From that point on, Emperor Hui indulged himself with wine and women and no longer made key governing decisions, leaving them to his mother.<br />
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Emperor Hui, however, continued to try to protect his siblings. In winter of 194 BC, when Liu Fei, Prince of Qi -- his older brother -- made an official visit to the capital, they both attended a feast put on by Empress Dowager Lü. Emperor Hui, honoring the prince as an older brother, asked him to sit in a seat at the table even more honored than his own. The empress dowager was greatly offended and instructed her servants to pour a cup of poisoned wine for Liu Fei and then toasted him. As Liu Fei was about to drink the poisoned wine, however, Emperor Hui, realizing what was happening, grabbed the cup as if to drink it himself. Empress Dowager Lü jumped up and slapped at the cup, spilling it. Liu Fei was able to get out of the situation by offering an entire commandery from his principality to Princess Luyuan as her realm. Empress Dowager Lü, who greatly loved her daughter as well, became pleased and let Liu Fei return to his principality.<br />
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Emperor Hui died in the autumn of 188 BC of an unspecified illness.<br />
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<a name='Marriage and children' id='Marriage and children'></a><h2>Marriage and children</h2><br />
In winter 192 BC, Emperor Hui married Empress Zhang, a marriage that would not yield any children. However, whether Emperor Hui actually had children during or before his reign is a controversial question. The officials, including Chen Ping and Zhou Bo , who would later overthrow the Lü clan after the deaths of both Emperor Hui and Empress Dowager Lü, claimed that Emperor Hui had no sons -- but that Empress Zhang, at Empress Dowager Lü's instigation, stolen eight boys from other people, put their mothers to death, and made the children her own. Modern historians have splits of opinion on the issue, but largely believe that the boys were actually Emperor Hui's sons by concubines and that Empress Zhang did indeed put their mothers to death and make them her own children. Under this theory, the officials denied the imperial ancestry of these children in fear of the fact that they were also therefore descendants of Empress Dowager Lü and her clan, and therefore might avenge the slaughter of the Lü clan -- a reason that they themselves admitted. Except for Liu Gong , the other children either died young by natural causes or were executed by the officials after they made Liu Heng, the Prince of Dai the emperor.<br />
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One can perhaps analogize these princes to the English "Princes in the Tower" -- innocent children who were the victim of dynastic infighting and their own bloodlines.<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Gaozu of Han <br />
* Mother<br />
** <br />
* Wife<br />
** Empress Zhang Yan<br />
* Children<br />
** Crown Prince Liu Gong , later , executed by Empress Dowager Lü in 184 BC<br />
** Liu Shan , later renamed Liu Yi , later re-renamed Liu Hong , initially created Marquess of Xiangcheng and later created the Prince of Hengshan , later Emperor Houshao, executed by the officials in 180 BC in the aftermaths of the Lü Clan Disturbance<br />
** Liu Chao , initially created the Marquess of Zhi and later created the Prince of Hengshan, executed by the officials in 180 BC<br />
** Liu Wu , initially created the Marquess of Huguan and later created the Prince of Huaiyang, executed by the officials in 180 BC<br />
** Liu Jiang , the Prince of Huaiyang, died in 183 BC of unspecifed natural causes<br />
** Liu Buyi , the Prince of Hengshan, died in 186 BC of unspecified natural causes<br />
** Liu Tai , initially created the Marquess of Changping and later created the Prince of Jichuan, executed by the officials in 180 BCveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-47479244063297918342008-09-04T08:07:00.003-07:002008-09-04T08:07:47.076-07:00Liu Hong<strong>Liu Hong</strong> may refer to:<br />
<br />
*Liu Hong <br />
<br />
*Emperor Houshao of Hanveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-12896368114608304652008-09-04T08:07:00.001-07:002008-09-04T08:07:27.567-07:00Liu Gong<strong>Liu Gong</strong> , also referred to as <strong>Emperor Qianshao of Han</strong> , was the third emperor of the Han Dynasty in China. He was a son, likely the oldest son, of , likely by a concubine -- although there is some on the subject -- and adopted by Emperor Hui's wife, Empress Zhang Yan. At the instigation of his grandmother, Empress Dowager Lü, Empress Zhang had Emperor Qianshao's mother put to death.<br />
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Very little about Emperor Qianshao's life and personality is known. There are only a few major important events in his life that are documented . In 188 BC, his father Emperor Hui died, and he, who had been previously created Crown Prince, succeeded to the throne. However, his grandmother, now Grand Empress Dowager Lü, publicly presided over all government affairs.<br />
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Sometime in or before 184 BC, Emperor Qianshao discovered that he was not in fact now-Empress Dowager Zhang's son and that his mother had been put to death. He made the mistake of remarking that when he grew up, Empress Dowager Zhang would pay for this. Grand Empress Dowager Lü, once she heard of this, had him secretly imprisoned within the palace and publicly announced that he was severely ill and unable to receive anyone. After some time, she told the officials that he continued to be ill and incapable of governing, and that he had also suffered a psychosis. She proposed that he be deposed and replaced. The officials complied with her wishes, and he was deposed and put to death. He was succeeded by his brother , whose name was then changed to Liu Hong.<br />
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Emperor Qianshao, considered to be a mere puppet of Grand Empress Dowager Lü, is often omitted from the official list of emperors of the Han Dynasty.veathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2636478540480917902.post-8999834068125810782008-09-04T08:06:00.005-07:002008-09-04T08:06:51.519-07:00Emperor Wen of Han<strong>Emperor Wen of Han</strong> was an of the Han Dynasty in China. His given name is Heng.<br />
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Liu Heng was a son of and , later empress dowager. When suppressed the rebellion of Dai, he created Liu Heng Prince of Dai.<br />
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After Empress Dowager Lü's death, the officials eliminated the powerful , and deliberately chose the Prince of Dai as the emperor, since his mother, Consort Bo, had no powerful relatives, and her family was known for its humility and thoughtfulness. His reign brought a much needed political stability that laid the groundwork for prosperity under his grandson . According to historians, Emperor Wen trusted and consulted with ministers on state affairs; under the influence of his Taoist wife, , the emperor also sought to avoid wasteful expenditures.<br />
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Historians noted that the tax rates were at a ratio of "1 out of 30" and "1 out of 60", corresponding to 3.33% and 1.67%, respectively. Warehouses were so full of grain, that some of it was left to decay.<br />
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In a move of lasting importance in 165 BC, Emperor Wen introduced recruitment to the . Previously, potential officials never sat for any sort of academic examinations. Their names were sent by local officials to the central government based on reputations and abilities, which were sometimes judged subjectively.<br />
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<a name='Era names' id='Era names'></a><h2>Era names</h2><br />
These "era names" are not true "era names", but are retrospective, in the sense that the era-name system, as instituted by Emperor Wen's grandson Emperor Wu, had not yet come into effect. Emperor Wen, in accordance to prior imperial calendering systems, would have simply referred to the number of years in his reign. But he reset the calendar once at the persuasion of the sorcerer Xinyuan Ping , thus historians need to refer to the eras before and after the resetting separately.<br />
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*''Qianyuan'' 179 BC-164 BC<br />
*''Houyuan'' 163 BC-157 BC<br />
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<a name='Early life and career as Prince of Dai' id='Early life and career as Prince of Dai'></a><h2>Early life and career as Prince of Dai</h2><br />
In 196 BC, after Emperor Gao defeated the Chen Xi rebellion in the Dai region, he created Liu Heng, his son by Consort Bo, the Prince of Dai. The capital of the principality was at Jinyang . Dai was a region on the boundaries with Xiongnu, and Emperor Gao probably created the principality with the mind to use it as a base to defend against Xiongnu raids. For the first year of the principality's existence, Chen, whose army was defeated but who eluded capture, remained a threat, until Zhou Bo killed him in battle in autumn 195 BC. It is not known whether at this time Prince Heng, who was then seven years old, was already in Dai, but it appeared likely, because his brother Liu Ruyi was the only prince at the time explicitly to have been recorded to be remaining at the capital Chang'an rather than being sent to his principality.<br />
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In 181 BC, after Prince Heng's brother, Prince Liu Hui of Zhao, committed suicide over his marital problems, , who was then in effective control of the imperial government, offered the more prosperous Principality of Zhao to Prince Heng, but Prince Heng, judging correctly that she was intending on making her nephew Lü Lu prince, politely declined and indicated that he preferred remaining on the border. The grand empress dowager then created Lü Lu Prince of Zhao.<br />
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During these years, the Principality of Dai did in fact become a key position in the defense against Xiongnu, and Prince Heng became well-acquainted with Xiongnu customs and military strategies, although the extent of his own participation in military actions was unknown.<br />
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<a name='Ascension to the throne' id='Ascension to the throne'></a><h2>Ascension to the throne</h2><br />
In 180 BC, after Grand Empress Dowager Lü died and the officials made a coup d'etat against her clan and slaughtered her clan , after some deliberation, the officials offered the imperial throne to Prince Heng, rather than Prince of Qi, the oldest grandson of Emperor Gao. The key to their decision was that Prince Xiang's maternal clan was domineering and might repeat the behaviors of the Lü clan, while the clan of Prince Heng's maternal clan, the Bos, were considered to be kind and humble. After some hesitation, Prince Heng, then 23-years-old, accepted the throne as Emperor Wen. His nephew, , viewed as a mere puppet of Grand Empress Dowager Lü and suspected of not being actually a son of Emperor Wen's older brother , was deposed and executed.<br />
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<a name='Early reign' id='Early reign'></a><h2>Early reign</h2><br />
Emperor Wen quickly showed an aptitude to govern the empire with diligence, and appeared to be genuinely concerned for the people's welfare. Heavily influenced by his wife Empress Dou, who was an adherent to Taoism, Emperor Wen governed the country with the general policies of non-intereference with the people and relaxed laws. His personal life was marked by thriftiness and general willingness to forgive. He was initially very deferential to Zhou Bo, Chen Ping , and Guan Ying , who were instrumental in his accession, and they served as successive prime ministers.<br />
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Examples of Emperor Wen's policies that showed kindness and concern for the people include:<br />
* In 179 BC, he abolished the law that permitted the arrest and imprisonment of parents, wives, and siblings of criminals, with the exception for the crime of treason.<br />
* In 179 BC, he created a governmental assistance program for those in need. Loans or tax exemptions were offered to widowers, widows, orphans, and seniors without children. He also ordered that monthly stipends of rice, wine, and meat be given to seniors over 80 years in age, and that additional stipends of cloth and cotton be given to seniors over 90 years in age.<br />
* In 179 BC, he made peace with Nanyue, whose king Zhao Tuo Empress Dowager Lü had offended by an economic embargo and which therefore engaged in raids against the Principality of Changsha and the Commandery of Nan . Emperor Wen accomplished this by writing humble yet assertive letters to Zhao offering peace with dignity and by caring for Zhao's relatives remaining in his native town of Zhending .<br />
* In 178 BC, after a solar eclipse , he requested that officials give him honest criticism and recommend capable individuals for governmental positions. He also tried to decrease mandatory taxes and hard labor.<br />
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In 179 BC, after some hesitation , he created his oldest son the Crown Prince and Prince Qi's mother, Consort Dou, Empress.<br />
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In addition to Empress Dou, Emperor Wen also favored Consort Shen . Despite her favored state, however, she only wore simple dresses rather than elaborate designs, as a means of savings.<br />
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Emperor Wen, during the early part of his reign, was often impressed with suggestions tendered by a young official, Jia Yi, but opposed by senior officials, he did not promote Jia to particularlly high positions; rather, Jia was put into a rotation as a teacher for various princes. Jia proposed dividing the larger principalities ruled by branch lines of the imperial family, a proposal that Emperor Wen agreed with but hesitated to actually carry out, and he did not actually implement Jia's proposal, which later might have prevented the Rebellion of the Seven States.<br />
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<a name='Middle reign' id='Middle reign'></a><h2>Middle reign</h2><br />
An incident otherwise uncharacteristic of Emperor Wen occurred in 176 BC. Zhou Bo, who had been instrumental in Emperor Wen's becoming emperor and who had by that point retired to his of Jiang , was falsely accused of treason. Instead of doing initial investigations first, Emperor Wen had Zhou arrested and incarcerated. It was only with the intercession of his mother Empress Dowager Bo and his daughter Princess Changping that Zhou was released, and the charges against him dismissed.<br />
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In 175 BC, over the objections of Jia Yi, Emperor Wen issued an edict permitting any person to money out of copper and tin. The main beneficiaries of this policy were those with access to copper, including the court official Deng Tong , to whom Emperor Wen had given a major copper mine in Yandao , and Liu Pi, the Prince of Wu, whose principality had a major copper mine at Yuzhang .<br />
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In 174 BC, a major incident occurred involving Liu Chang, the Prince of Huainan, who was then Emperor Wen's only surviving brother. Emperor Wen had great affection for him and did not punish him for using styles and ceremonies that only emperors were supposed to use. Also, contrary to imperial laws, Prince Chang issued edicts within his own principality and also commissioned his own prime minister. He also carried out executions and created titles for people -- two powers that were also reserved to the emperor. Emperor Wen constantly excused him for his indiscretions -- which included assassinating Shen Yiji , the Marquess of Piyang -- but eventually became unhappy. He asked his uncle Bo Zhao to write a letter to Prince Chang to try to change his ways. Instead, Prince Chang was offended and planned a rebellion. When the conspiracy was discovered, Emperor Wen stripped Prince Chang of his title and exiled him to Yandao -- with the intent to teach him a lesson and then summoning him back. However, on the way, Prince Chang died -- probably by suicide. In 172 BC, Emperor Wen, missing Prince Chang dearly and still lamenting his death, created his sons Liu An, Liu Bo , Liu Ci , and Liu Liang marquesses, again over Jia Yi's objection.<br />
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Also in 174 BC, when Xiongnu's new chanyu Laoshang came to power, Emperor Wen continued the heqin policy by giving him a prince's daughter in marriage.<br />
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In 170 BC, Emperor Wen's uncle Bo Zhao, who had been instrumental in his administration, killed an imperial messenger. Emperor Wen forced him to commit suicide. This incident drew criticism from later historians, who believed that he should have curbed Bo's powers in earlier and saved his life in that manner.<br />
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In 169 BC, Chao Cuo , then a low level official, offered Emperor Wen a number of suggestions at dealing with Xiongnu. Emperor Wen was impressed, and made him a member of Crown Prince Qi's household. At Chao's suggestion, in 168 BC, Emperor Wen instituted the policy that if people contributed food for use by the northern defense force against Xiongnu, they could receive titles or have their crimes pardoned.<br />
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In 167 BC, Emperor Wen banned the corporal punishments of facial tattoo and cutting off the nose or a foot, and replaced them with whipping. These punishments would not be instituted against as a matter of formal legal sentencing for the rest of Chinese history. <br />
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<a name='Late reign' id='Late reign'></a><h2>Late reign</h2><br />
Later in his reign, Emperor Wen became superstitious and started search for supernatural events. In 165 BC, at the instigation of the sorcerer Xinyuan Ping , he built a temple north of Wei River dedicated to five gods. He then promoted Xinyuan and awarded him with much treasure. At Xinyuan's suggestion, Emperor Wen planned a thorough revision of the governmental system and the building of many temples. In 164 BC, Xinyuan Ping had an associate place a jade cup outside the imperial palace with mysterious writings on them, and also predicted a regression in the path of the sun. In response, Emperor Wen joyously proclaimed an empire-wide festival and also restarted the calendering for his reign. However, in winter 164 BC, Xinyuan was exposed to be a fraud, and he and his clan were executed. That ended Emperor Wen's period of supernatural fascination.<br />
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In 158 BC, when Xiongnu made a major incursion into the Commanderies of Shang and Yunzhong , Emperor Wen made a visit to the camps of armies preparing to defend the capital Chang'an against a potential Xiongnu attack. It was on this occasion when he became impressed with Zhou Bo's son Zhou Yafu as a military commander -- compared to the other generals, who, upon the emperor's arrival, dropped all things and did what they could to make the emperor feel welcome, Zhou remained on military alert and required the imperial guards to submit to proper military order before he would allow the imperial train to enter. Later, he would leave instructions for Crown Prince Qi that if military emergencies arose, he should make Zhou his commander of armed forces -- instructions that were heeded during the Rebellion of the Seven States.<br />
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Emperor Wen died in summer 157 BC. He was succeeded by Crown Prince Qi. Emperor Wen, in his will, reduced the usual mourning period to three days, contrary to the previous lengthy periods of mourning in which weddings, sacrifices, drinking, and the consumption of meat were disallowed, thus greatly reducing the burden on the people. He also ordered that his concubines be allowed to return home. <br />
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<a name='Impact on history' id='Impact on history'></a><h2>Impact on history</h2><br />
Emperor Wen was considered one of the most benevolent rulers in Chinese history. His reign was marked by thriftiness and attempts to reduce burdens on the people. His reign and that of his son Emperor Jing were often collectively known together as the ''Rule of Wen and Jing'', renowned for general stability and relaxed laws.<br />
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<a name='Bisexuality?' id='Bisexuality?'></a><h2>Bisexuality?</h2><br />
As noted above, Emperor Wen greatly favored Deng Tong, for no particular apparent reason, and he gave Deng much honor and wealth despite Deng's apparent lack of ability. This, coupled with later references by officials trying to persuade against giving his male lover Dong Xian too much authority -- during which those officials analogized Dong's position to Deng's -- has led to speculation that Emperor Wen had a homosexual relationship with Deng. It is quite possible, but also hardly proven based on available evidence. In 162 BC, Emperor Wen permitted the prime minister Shentu Jia to discipline Deng for his arrogance and threaten him with death, before pardoning Deng. In Emperor Wen's request to Shentu asking Shentu to be lenient with Deng, he called Deng his "jester." This would appear to be contrary to an indication of a romantic relationship.<br />
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<a name='Personal information' id='Personal information'></a><h2>Personal information</h2><br />
* Father<br />
** Emperor Gaozu of Han<br />
* Mother<br />
** <br />
* Wife<br />
** Empress Dou, mother of Emperor Jing, Prince Wu and Princess Piao<br />
* Major Concubines<br />
** Consort Shen<br />
** Consort Ji<br />
* Children<br />
** , Crown Prince , later Emperor Jing of Han<br />
** Liu Wu , Prince of Dai , then of Huaiyang , then of , known as <br />
** Liu Can , Prince of Dai , known as <br />
** Liu Yi , , of a fall from a horse, known as <br />
** Princess Changping<br />
** Liu Piao, the Princess Guantaoveathouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579103855047890883noreply@blogger.com0