You may know some emperors in Chinese history, such as Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, etc., all of whom were great monarchs who founded a dynasty or promoted the development of a dynasty. But do you know who their predecessors or descendants are? Do you know their names and stories? Today we will talk about the emperors of the Han Dynasty, starting with Liu Bang and going all the way to Liu Xiu, to see their succession order and historical footprints.
Liu Bang (256 BC – 195 BC), also known as Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, was the founding emperor of the Western Han Dynasty and one of the outstanding statesmen, military strategists and national heroes in Chinese history. He was born in Zhongyangli, Pei County (now Feng County, Jiangsu Province), was originally a small pavilion chief, and later participated in the anti-Qin uprising, became one of the main leaders of the Chu-Han War, and finally defeated Xiang Yu, unified the world, established the Han Dynasty, and opened the first ** period in Chinese history. Liu Bang's political proposition was to "depose the hundred schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone." He admired Confucian ideas and systems, implemented the policy of lightly dismissing the meager endowments and resting with the people, restored social order and economic development, and won the support and love of the people. Liu Bang reigned for seven years, died in 195 BC, at the age of sixty-two, nicknamed Emperor Gao, and was buried in Changling (northwest of present-day Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province).
Liu Ying (210 BC – 188 BC), also known as Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty, was the eldest son of Liu Bang and Empress Lü, and the second emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. He inherited the throne at the age of sixteen, but was actually controlled by his mother, Empress Lü, and had no real power. During his reign, although he also implemented some benevolent policies, reduced taxes, and appointed virtuous ministers such as Xiao He and Cao Shen, he could not prevent Empress Lü's autocracy and atrocities, such as killing Liu Bang's other wives and concubines and children, weakening the power of the princes and kings, and forcing Liu Bang's younger brothers Liu Zhong and Liu Xi to commit suicide. Liu Ying reigned for seven years, died in 188 BC, at the age of 23, and was called Emperor Xiaohui, and was buried in Anling (southwest of present-day Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province).
Liu Gong (209 BC - 184 BC), also known as the former young emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, was the eldest son of Liu Ying and the third emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. He was made crown prince under the control of Empress Lü because his mother Zhang Yan was a relative of Empress Lü, and his character was docile and easily manipulated. After he succeeded to the throne, he had no real power, so he could only obey Empress Lü's arrangements and implement some policies that were beneficial to the Lü family, such as making Empress Lü's brother the king and forcing Liu Bang's other descendants to become ministers. Liu Gong reigned for four years and died in 184 BC at the age of twenty-six, nicknamed Emperor Xiaohui, and was buried in Anling.
Liu Hong (192 BC - 180 BC), also known as the Later Young Emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, was the fourth son of Liu Ying and the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. He was made emperor after Empress Lü's death, because his mother, Liu, was Empress Lü's niece, and he was too young to be easily controlled. After he succeeded to the throne, he had no real power, so he could only obey the arrangements of the great Sima Huo Guang and implement some policies that were beneficial to the Huo family, such as making Huo Guang's relatives the king and giving death to Liu Bang's other descendants. Liu Hong reigned for four years, and was killed by Taiwei Zhou Bo and others in 180 BC, at the age of thirteen, he was called Emperor Xiaohui, and was buried in Anling.
Liu Heng (203 BC – 157 BC), also known as Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, was the fourth son of Liu Bang and the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. He was proclaimed emperor after Zhou Bo and others overthrew Liu Hong, because he was Liu Bang's sister-in-law, and he was supported by the government and the opposition because of his talent and virtue. After he succeeded to the throne, he made great efforts to build water conservancy, practiced frugality, abolished corporal punishment, realized the country's prosperity, the people were well-off, and opened the beginning of the "rule of Wenjing". He was also cautious about the excessive power of the vassal states and the invasion of the Xiongnu, adopted Chao Cuo's suggestion, implemented the policy of cutting the feudal domain, quelled the rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu, and consolidated the centralization of power. Liu Heng reigned for twenty-three years, died in 157 BC, at the age of forty-seven, nicknamed Emperor Xiaowen, and was buried in Wenling (now northwest of Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province).
Liu Qi (188 BC – 141 BC), also known as Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, was the eldest son of Liu Heng and the sixth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. He was made emperor after Liu Heng's death, because he was Liu Heng's eldest son, and he had talent and virtue, and was supported by the government and the opposition. After he succeeded to the throne, he continued to implement the policy of resting with the people and lightly paying for the poor, and the social economy was further restored and developed. He also continued to implement the policy of cutting feudal domains, quelled the rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, and strengthened the centralization of power. He also restored peace with the Xiongnu and maintained peace on the frontier. His reign and Liu Heng's reign are collectively known as the reign of Wenjing, which was the heyday of the Han Dynasty.