Dynasties of ChinaWestern HanWestern Han lineage
Shiyuan and others · Reign 87–74 BCE
He ascended the throne at the age of eight, assisted by Huo Guang, who rested with the people and held a salt and iron conference, continuing Emperor Wu's policy changes in his later years.
Liu Fuling is the youngest son of Emperor Wu, and his mother is Mrs. Zhao Jieyu, whose name is Gouyi. According to legend, he was only born after fourteen months in his mother's womb. Emperor Wu believed that he was the same as the ancient Emperor Yao, so he named the palace gate where he was born "Yao Mu Gate". In 87 BC, he was established as Crown Prince and ascended the throne at the age of eight. He was assisted by General Huo Guang, Chariot and Cavalry General Jin Ridi, Left General Shangguan Jie and Yushi Doctor Sang Hongyang. His eldest sister, Princess Eyi, entered the palace to take care of his daily life.
During his reign, the imperial court exempted and exempted land rents and oral taxes many times, eliminated non-urgent tasks, and convened the Salt and Iron Conference, continuing the policy of rest and recuperation since the Luntai Edict. In 80 BC, Shangguan Jie and Sang Hongyang conspired with King Yan Liu Dan and the eldest princess of E to kill Huo Guang and depose Emperor Zhao. The fourteen-year-old Emperor Zhao saw through the forged memorial of King Yan and insisted on trusting Huo Guang. The conspiracy was immediately exposed. He died of illness in 74 BC at the age of 21, childless.
Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty came to the throne at a young age. During his thirteen years in power, Huo Guang was in charge. He continued to practice light corvee and low taxes, and abolished the liquor monopoly. The society gradually recovered from the decline of Emperor Wu in his later years, laying the foundation for the resurgence of Emperor Xuan. He showed a decisiveness far beyond his years in the Shangguan Jie incident. Unfortunately, he died young and was unable to realize his ambition in person.
PoliticsAscended to the throne at the age of eight
Emperor Wu appointed Liu Fuling as Crown Prince before his death. According to the "Historical Records" supplemented by Chu Shaosun, Emperor Wu was worried that the disaster of Empress Lü would happen again, so he killed his mother, Mrs. Gou Yi, in advance. Emperor Wu died of illness in February, and the eight-year-old Crown Prince came to the throne. Political affairs were decided by General Huo Guang.
PoliticsEmpress Shangguan
Shangguan Jie's son Shangguan'an's daughter and Huo Guang's granddaughter Shangguanshi was made queen at the age of six. As a result, Shangguan and his son's status greatly increased, and they began to compete with Huo Guang for power.
EconomySalt and Iron Conference
In February, the imperial court convened more than 60 virtuous literary people recommended by various counties to debate with Sang Hongyang, the imperial censor, on the pros and cons of policies such as salt and iron official management, liquor monopoly, and equalization of exports. In July, the liquor monopoly will be removed, but the Yantie official business will remain.
Lasting legacyDuring the reign of Emperor Xuan, Huan Kuan compiled the "Salt and Iron Theory" based on the meeting minutes, which has been passed down to this day and is an important document for studying the economic thought of the Han Dynasty.
PeopleSu Wugui Han
The Han and Huns resumed peace, and when the Han envoys learned that Su Wu was still there, they falsely claimed that the emperor had shot a goose foot in Shanglinyuan to sign a letter, forcing the Huns to release him. Su Wu, who had been a Jie for nineteen years, returned to Chang'an. His beard and hair were all white, and he was worshiped as a vassal state.
PoliticsShangguan Jie rebelled
Shangguan Jie and Sang Hongyang colluded with King Yan Liu Dan and the eldest princess of Eyi to forge King Yan's memorial to falsely accuse Huo Guang. Emperor Zhao pointed out that Huo Guang transferred the captain within ten days, and King Yan was far away from home and had no way of knowing about it, so he saw through the false accusation. Soon the conspiracy was exposed, Shangguan Jie and Sang Hongyang were exterminated, and King Yan and the eldest princess committed suicide.
DiplomacyFu Jiezi kills King Loulan
King Loulan assisted the Xiongnu in intercepting and killing Han envoys many times. Fu Jiezi, the supervisor of Ping Le, was ordered to go out as an envoy and assassinated King Loulan at the banquet before returning home. The Han Dynasty established Wei Tuqi, the younger brother of the King of Loulan who was a hostage in Chang'an, as king and renamed Loulan Shanshan.
Lasting legacyThe Loulan ancient city ruins are located in Ruoqiang County, Xinjiang today. They were discovered by Swedish explorer Sven Hedin in 1900.
EconomyReduce or exempt from oral tax
In February, an edict was issued, saying that in recent years, expenditures should be reduced, unimportant officials should be dismissed, and corvee work in other places should be reduced. The number of people cultivating mulberry trees has increased, but the people are still not rich, so they reduced or reduced the tax payment. A minister petitioned to reduce the tax by three-tenths, and it was approved.
PoliticsDied of illness without heirs
In April, Emperor Zhao died of illness in Weiyang Palace. He was only 21 years old and had no heirs. After discussing with the ministers, Huo Guang welcomed Emperor Wu's grandson Prince of Changyi Liu He as emperor in the name of Queen Shangguan. Emperor Zhao was buried in Pingling.
Huo Qubing's half-brother, he served Emperor Wu for more than 20 years. He was cautious when entering and exiting the palace, never made any mistakes, and was assisted by imperial edicts. Emperor Zhao was in charge of the government, defeated the coup attempt by Shangguan Jie and others, and continued to implement the policy of light corvee and low tax.
The Crown Prince of the Xiongnu King Xiutu, who surrendered to the Han Dynasty with King Hunxie in 121 BC, raised horses in the palace. Because of Duan Jin, he was promoted by Emperor Wu and given the surname Jin. He once captured Mang Heluo, who assassinated Emperor Wu, and received the posthumous edict to assist in government. He died of illness the following year and was granted the title of Marquis on his deathbed.
A native of Shanggui in Longxi Province, he won the favor and trust of Emperor Wu for his great strength and skill in riding and shooting, and received the posthumous edict to assist in government. After her granddaughter was established as queen, she failed in the power struggle with Huo Guang and colluded with King Yan to depose Emperor Zhao. However, she failed and was executed by the clan.
A native of the North, the young man gave up his literary career and took up martial arts. He went to Dawan as an envoy as a horse prisoner. On the way, he reprimanded Qiuci and Loulan for colluding with the Huns. In 77 BC, he was ordered to assassinate King Loulan and was granted the title of Marquis of Yiyang.