han4
漢
THE CULTURED EMPEROR WEN
180 – 157 Hàn Tàizōng Xiào Wén-huángdì Liú Héng (漢 太宗 孝 文皇帝 劉 恆), Fifth Emperor of Han, the Cultured Emperor. Born in 203, he was made King of Dai by his father in 196, after the former ruler of that region had rebelled. He made his capital at Jìnyang. The next year his father died and his step-mother, the Empress Dowager Lǚ took over government and began eliminating potential threats - including her step-sons. As a result, he stayed in his kingdom, trying to be inconsbicuous and refusing all ‘promotions’ until 180, when the Empress Dowager died. Her allies were rapidly eliminated in a coup d'état. Wen had nothing to do with this, but the leaders of the coup nevertheless chose him to be Emperor. They did this because he was the oldest surviving son of the First Han Emperor, Gaodi, but also because his mother's family was humble and therefore unlikely to seize power as the Empress Lǚ had. In selecting him they had passed over several sons of older brothers (who had been killed by the Empress Lǚ). These sons had been involved in the coup and quietly resented being passed over - in the next reign this resentment would erupt into the Rebellion of the Seven States.
In the meanwhile, however, Wen proved an excellent Emperor, who relaxed the law, accepted advice and criticism and ruled wisely. In 167 he abolished corporal punishments and taxes on farmers. His reign saw the beginning of a shift from an Empire made up of a number of basically independent kingdoms to one in which the entire Empire was under the Emperor’s direct control; a shift which would accelerate in the reign of his son. In particular, Wén worked to limit the power of the feudatory kingdoms within the Empire by subdividing the larger ones; especially Huainan, which revolted in 174 and Qi, which was split into seven kingdoms in 165 (one for each of the princes who had been passed over when he took the throne). In 177 he faced an invasion from the Xiongnu, but chased them off. A second more serious invasion in 166 nearly reached the Capital city, Cháng'ān, and was defeated only by an army one hundred thousand strong. A third invasion was defeated in 159. Rather than face yet more invasions, he paid the Xiongnu off with a marriage alliance and gifts, which were, in effect, tribute. He was more successful in the south, where his officials convinced the King of Nanyue to accept Han overlordship in the 170s. He died in 157 and was buried in the Bà Mausoleum, just east of Cháng'ān. At his insistence, his tomb was modest and his mourning period restricted to three days. He was posthumously hailed as Tàizōng (太宗), the Great Patriarch, and held up as the paragon of the "Good Emperor" for his benevolent rule (It may be that this is actually a bit the wrong way around - that historians built him up as a pargon of virtue, inventing or exagerrating stories of his benevolence, in order to draw a contrast between the virtuous rulers of the past, and their own rulers).
He married (first) an unnamed woman who was his Queen when he was in Dai and died around 180.
He married (second) Dòu-Tàihuángtàihòu Yǐfáng (竇太皇太后 猗房), a lady of humble origins, who was appointed Empress in 179, after her son had been appointed heir and came to exercise enormous power during the reigns of the her son Emperor Jǐngdì and grandson Wudi. She was a devoted advocate of the now extinct philosophy of Huáng-Lǎo, which, so far as we can tell, favoured a hands-off approach to goverance. She died in 135.
He took as a concubine (first) Shèn-fūrén (慎夫人), who became his favourite as his Empress grew older. He treated her, for a time, with all the honours due to an Empress, stopping only when one of his Ministers admonished him for it.
He took as a concubine (second) Yǐn-jī (尹姬).
1-3) Three sons, who died young before 179 (sons of the Queen of Dai)
4) Hàn Xiào Jǐng-huángdì Liú Qǐ (漢 孝 景皇帝 劉 啟), Sixth Emperor of Han (see below) (son of Dòu)
5) Liáng Xiào-wáng Liú Wǔ (梁 孝王 劉 武), King of Liang (son of Dòu). He was made King of Dai in 178, moved to be King of Huáiyáng and finally to be King of Liang in 168. He fought against the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms in 154, on behalf of his brother Jǐngdì, the Sixth Emperor. He was also a prominent patron of the writers of Fù poems (translated into English, "rhapsodies"). He enjoyed an unusual amount of freedom in his kingdom, due to the influence of his brother, Emperor Jǐngdì and his mother, the Empress Dowager Dòu, and was even permitted to choose the officials of his kingdom himself. He married Lǐ-Tàihòu (李太后), she later had an affair with Yin Ba, Gentleman of the Palace and died during her grandson’s reign over Liang as a result of an affair involving a golden cup. He died in 144 and his kingdom was divided into five kingdoms. He had issue:
a) Liáng Gōng-wáng Liú Mǎi (梁 恭王 劉 買), King of Liang. As a small child his grandmother, the Empress-Dowager, attempted to marry him off, but he objected so forcefully that she backed down. He was Marquis of Chéngshì from 145 until 144 when he was made King of Liang. He married Chén-Tàihòu (陳太后). He died in 136, but had issue:
i) Liáng Ping-wáng Liú Xiāng (梁 平王 劉 襄), King of Liang. He was King of Liang from 136. He married Rèn-hòu (任后), who instigated the affair of the golden cup. His kingdom was reduced in size by the central government around 125. He died in 96, but had issue:
(1) Liáng Zhēn-wáng Liú Wúshāng (梁 貞王 劉 毋傷), King of Liang from 96 until his death in 85. He had issue:
(a) Liáng Jìng-wáng Liú Dìngguó (梁 敬王 劉 定國), King of Liang from 85 until his death in 45. He had issue:
(i) Liáng Yí-wáng Liú Suì (梁 夷王 劉 遂), King of Liang from 45 until his death in 39. He had issue:
1. Liáng Huāng-wáng Liú Jiā (梁 荒王 劉 嘉), King of Liang from 39 until his death in 24. He had issue:
a. Liáng-wáng Liú Lì (梁王 劉 立), King of Liang. He became King in 24 when still a child. He engaged in incest with his aunt, had his slaves murder troublesome officials, and then had the slaves murdered to keep them quiet. In 4 BC he was finally charged for his crimes, but pleaded for mercy and received it. However, he was subsequently accused of involvement in several treasonous plots and demoted to commoner. He committed suicide shortly after, in AD 3.
i. Liáng-wáng Liú Yǒng (梁王 劉 永), made King of Liáng by Gēngshǐdì, Sixteenth Emperor in AD 23, after the successful restoration of the Han Dynasty. He quickly asserted independence and, after Gēngshǐdì fell in AD 25, he claimed the imperial throne himself. Facing an onslaught from the forces of the future Eighteenth Emperor, his capital, Suiyang, fell and he fled to his supporter Su Mao. The people of Suiyang invited him back in 27, only to be beseiged by the Eighteenth Emperor's forces again. While preparing to flee a second time, he was murdered by an underling. He had issue:
1: Liáng-wáng Liú Yū (梁王 劉 紆), He was proclaimed as his father's successor by Su Mao, in 27, essentially as their figurehead. Hounded by the forces of the Eighteenth Emperor, he was repeatedly defeated, fleeing ever further east. In 29, after losing his last stronghold, he was killed by bandits.
ii. Liú Fáng (劉 防), appointed Grand General by his brother in 24, he surrendered to the forces of the Eighteenth Emperor in 27, after his brother's death.
iii. Lǔ-wáng Liú Shaogōng (魯王 劉 少公), appointed "King of Lǔ" and Chief Imperial Censor by his eldest brother in AD 24.
b. Qūxiāng Qǐng-hóu Liú Fèng (曲鄉 頃侯 劉 鳳), Marquis of Qūxiāng. He was Marquis from 14 BC until his death in AD 3. He had issue:
i. Qūxiāng-hóu Liú Yún (曲鄉侯 劉 雲)
2. Qíxiāng Jié-hóu Liú Xián (祁鄉 節侯劉 賢), Marquis of Qíxiāng from 15 BC until his death. He had issue:
a. Qíxiāng-hóu Liú Fù (祁鄉侯 劉 富), Marquis of Qíxiāng.
1. Liú Yuánzǐ (劉 園子). She engaged in an incestual relationship with her nephew, the King of Liang, who murdered several of his officials to cover the affair up. She married Rèn Bǎo (任 寶)
(ii) Shìxiāng-hóu Liú Píng (貰鄉侯 劉 平), Marquis of Shìxiāng from 38 until 34 when he committed suicide during a psychotic episode.
(iii) Lè-hóu Liú Yì (樂侯 劉 義), Marquis of Lè from 38 until 34 when he was demoted to commoner and sentenced to hard labour for ordering a murder.
(iv) Zhōngxiāng-hóu Liú Yánnián (中鄉侯 劉 延年), Marquis of Zhōngxiāng from 38 until his death in AD 8.
(v) Zhèng Qǐng-hóu Liú Pǐjūn (鄭 頃侯 劉 罷軍), Marquis of Zhèng from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Zhèng Jié-hóu Liú Jùn (鄭 節侯 劉 駿), Marquis of Zhèng. He had issue:
a. Zhèng-hóu Liú Liáng (鄭侯 劉 良), Marquis of Zhèng.
(vi) Huáng Jié-hóu Liú Shùn (黃 節侯 劉 順), Marquis of Huáng from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Huáng Lí-hóu Liú Shēn (黃 釐侯 劉 申), Marquis of Huáng. He died childless in 1 BC.
(vii) Pínglè Jié-hóu Liú Qiān (平樂 節侯 劉 遷), Marquis of Pínglè from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Pínglè-hóu Liú Bǎo (平樂侯 劉 寶), Marquis of Pínglè.
(viii) Zīxiāng Lí-hóu Liú Jiù (菑鄉 釐侯 劉 就), Marquis of Zīxiāng from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Zīxiāng-hóu Liú Féngxǐ (菑鄉侯 劉 逢喜), Marquis of Zīxiāng. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
(ix) Dōngxiāng Jié-hóu Liú Fāng (東鄉 節侯 劉 方), Marquis of Dōngxiāng. He was Marquis from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Dōngxiāng-hóu Liú Hù (東鄉侯 劉 護), Marquis of Dōngxiāng. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
(x) Língxiāng-hóu Liú Xīn (陵鄉侯 劉 訢), Marquis of Língxiāng from 38 until he was demoted to commoner in 31 for assault and ursury.
(xi) Lì Yáng-hóu Liú Qīn (溧 陽侯 劉 欽), Marquis of Lì from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Lì-hóu Liú Bì (溧侯 劉 畢), Marquis of Lì. He was demoted to commoner for an unknown reason.
(xii) Líxiāng-hóu Liú Gù (釐鄉侯 劉 固), Marquis of Líxiāng. He was Marquis from 38 until he was demoted to commoner in 17 for criminal activity.
(xiii) Gāochái Jié-hóu Liú Fā (高柴 節侯 劉 發), Marquis of Gāochái. He was Marquis from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Gāochái Lí-hóu Liú Xián (高柴 釐侯 劉 賢), Marquis of Gāochái. He had issue:
a. Gāochái-hóu Liú Yǐn (高柴侯 劉 隱) Marquis of Gāochái. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
(xiv) Líndū Jié-hóu Liú Wèiyāng (臨都 節侯 劉 未央), Marquis of Líndū from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Líndū-hóu Liú Xī (臨都侯 劉 息), Marquis of Líndū. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
(xv) Gāozhì-hóu Liú Shùn (高質侯 劉 舜), Marquis of Líndū from 38 until his death. He had issue:
1. Gāozhì Lí-hóu Liú Shǐ (高質 釐侯 劉 始), Marquis of Gāozhì. He had issue:
a. Gāozhì-hóu Liú Biànwēng (高質 侯 劉 便翁), Marquis of Gāozhì. He was demoted to commoner for an unknown reason.
ii) Zhāngliáng Āi-hóu Liú Rén (張梁 哀侯 劉 仁), Marquis of Zhāngliáng from 127 until his death in 114. He had issue:
(1) Zhāngliáng-hóu Liú Shùn (張梁侯 劉 順), Marquis of Zhāngliáng, from 114 until 90 when he was murdered by a slave. As he was childless, his marquisate was abolished.
b) Jìchuān-wáng Liú Míng (濟川王 劉 明) He was Marquis of Huányì from 145 until 144 when he was made King of Jìchuān. In 138 he killed his Grand Tutor and Palace Tutor and was therefore demoted to a commoner, exiled to Fánglíng and his kingdom abolished.
c) Jìdōng-wáng Liú Pénglí (濟東王 劉 彭離), King of Jìdōng from 144. He used to go out at night with slaves and youths, killing people, stealing things and destroying property. This was discovered in 114 and he was deposed, exiled to Shangyong and his kingdom abolished.
d) Shānyáng-wáng Liú Dìng (山陽王 劉 定), King of Shānyáng from 144. He died childless in 134 and his kingdom was abolished.
e) Jìyīn-wáng Liú Bùshí (濟陰王 劉 不識), King of Jìyīn from 144. He died in 141 without an heir and his kingdom was abolished.
6) Dài Xiào-wáng Liú Cēn (代 孝王 劉 參), King of Dai. He was made King of Tàiyuán in 178 and later promoted to King of Dai (which Taiyuan now became a part of). He died in 161, but had issue:
a) Dài Gōng-wáng Liú Dēng (代 恭王 劉 登), King of Dai from 161 until his death in 133. He had issue:
i) Qīnghé Gāng-wáng Liú Yì (清河 剛王 劉 義), King of Qīnghé. He was King of Dai from 133 until 114, when the Kingdom was abolished and he was made King of Qīnghé instead. He retained this office until he died in 94. He had issue:
(1) Qīnghé Qǐng-wáng Liú Yáng (清河 頃王 劉 陽), King of Qīnghé from 94 until his death in 69. He had issue:
(a) Qīnghé-wáng Liú Nián (清河王 劉 年), King of Qīnghé from 69 until 66, when he was charged with incest, deposed, exiled to Fangling and his kingdom abolished.
(a) Liú Zé (劉 則). She was allegedly engaged in an incestuous relationship with her brother, the King of Qīnghé.
(2) Púlǐng Yáng-hóu Liú Lù (蒲領 煬侯 劉 祿), Marquis of Púlǐng. He was Marquis from 82 until his death. He had issue:
(a) Púlǐng Āi-hóu Liú Tuī (蒲領 哀侯 劉 推), Marquis of Púlǐng. He died childless.
(b) Púlǐng Jié-hóu Liú Bùshí (蒲領 節侯 劉 不識), Marquis of Púlǐng. He was made Marquis in 10 BC, when he must have been very elderly. He had issue:
(i) Púlǐng-hóu Liú Jīng (蒲領侯 劉 京), Marquis of Púlǐng. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
(3) Nánqū Yáng-hóu Liú Qiān (南曲 煬侯 劉 遷), Marquis of Nánqū from 81 until his death in 51. He had issue:
(a) Nánqū Jié-hóu Liú Jiāng (南曲 節侯 劉 江), Marquis of Nánqū from 51 until his death. He had issue:
(i) Nánqū-hóu Liú Zūn (南曲侯 劉 尊), Marquis of Nánqū. He was demoted to commoner; we do not know why.
(4) Xiūshì Yuán-hóu Liú Yín (修市 原侯 劉 寅), Marquis of Xiūshì from 70 until his death in 67. He had issue:
(a) Xiūshì Qǐng-hóu Liú Qiānqiū (修市 頃侯 劉 千秋), Marquis of Xiūshì from 67 until his death. He had issue:
(i) Xiūshì Lí-hóu Liú Yuán (修市 釐侯 劉 元), Marquis of Xiūshì. He had issue:
1. Xiūshì-hóu Liú Yún (修市侯 劉 雲), Marquis of Xiūshì.
(5) Dōngchāng Zào-hóu Liú Chéng (東昌 趮侯 劉 成), Marquis of Dōngchāng from 70 until his death. He had issue:
(a) Dōngchāng Qǐng-hóu Liú Qīn (東昌 頃侯 劉 親), Marquis of Dōngchāng. He had issue:
(i) Dōngchāng Jié-hóu Liú Bà (東昌 節侯 劉 霸), Marquis of Dōngchāng. He had issue:
1. Dōngchāng-hóu Liú Zǔ (東昌侯 劉 祖), Marquis of Dōngchāng.
(6) Xīnxiāng-hóu Liú Bào (新鄉侯 劉 豹), Marquis of Xīnxiāng from 70 until his death in 66. He had issue:
(a) Xīnxiāng Lí-hóu Liú Bùkě (新鄉 釐侯 劉 步可), Marquis of Xīnxiāng from 66 until his death. He had issue:
(i) Xīnxiāng Yáng-hóu Liú Zūn (新鄉 煬侯 劉 尊), Marquis of Xīnxiāng. He had issue:
1. Xīnxiāng-hóu Wáng Tóng (新鄉侯 王 佟), Marquis of Xīnxiāng. He was a supporter of Wang Mang, who assumed the Regency in AD 1, at Tóng's suggestion. In AD 3 he reccommended that Wang Mang's estate be expanded. In AD 9 Wang Mang overthrew the Han Dynasty, declaring himself Emperor; he rewarded Tóng for his support by granting him the Wang surname.
(7) Xiūgù-hóu Fú (修故侯 劉 福), Marquis of Xiūgù from 70 until his execution in 65 for concealing thieves.
(8) Dōngyáng Jié-hóu Liú Hóng (東陽 節侯 劉 弘), Marquis of Dōngyáng from 70 until his death in 60. He had issue:
(a) Dōngyáng Lí-hóu Liú Zòng (東陽 釐侯 劉 縱) Marquis of Dōngyáng from 60 until his death. He had issue:
(i) Dōngyáng Qǐng-hóu Liú Nǎishǐ (東陽 頃侯 劉 迺始), Marquis of Dōngyáng. He had issue:
1. Dōngyáng Āi-hóu Liú Fēngqīn (東陽 哀侯 劉 封親), Marquis of Dōngyáng. He had issue:
a. Dōngyáng-hóu Liú Bózào (東陽侯 劉 伯造), Marquis of Dōngyáng. He was demoted to commoner at an unknown date.
ii) Shè-hóu Liú Wǎn (涉侯 劉 綰), Marquis of Shè. He was made Marquis of Líshí in 126. Later he was reassigned as Marquis of Shè and still later he was convicted of giving dishonest advice to the Emperor, was demoted to commoner, assigned to three years labour, and his Marquisate abolished.
iii) Shào-hóu Liú Shùn (邵侯 劉 順), Marquis of Shào. He was made Marquis in 126. In 100 he was charged with the murder of 16 people. He was demoted to commoner and his Marquisate was abolished, but in exchange for becoming a cavalry commander he was spared the death penalty.
iv) Lìchāng Kānghóu Liú Jiā (利昌 康侯 劉 嘉), Marquis of Lìchāng from 126 until his death in 76. He had issue:
(1) Lìchāng Dàihóu Liú Lè (利昌 戴侯 劉 樂), Marquis of Lìchāng from 76 until his death in 64. He had issue:
(a) Lìchāng Qǐnghóu Liú Wànshì (利昌 頃侯 劉 萬世), Marquis of Lìchāng from 64 until his death. He had issue:
(i) Lìchāng Jiéhóu Liú Guānglù (利昌 節侯 劉 光祿), Marquis of Lìchāng. He had issue:
1. Lìchāng Cìhóu Liú Yīn (利昌 刺侯 劉 殷), Marquis of Lìchāng. He had issue:
a. Lìchāng-hóu Liú Huàn (利昌侯 劉 換), Marquis of Lìchāng. He was demoted to commoner for robbery by the usurper, Wang Mang.
v) Wǔyuán-hóu Liú Pijūn (武原侯 劉 罷軍), Marquis of Wǔyuán. He was made Marquis of Lìn in 126. Later he was moved to Wǔyuán. Still later he was convicted of robbery, demoted to commoner and his Marquisate abolished.
vi) Gāoyú-hóu Liú Xián (高俞侯 劉 賢), Marquis of Gāoyú. He was made Marquis of Línhé in 126. Later it was renamed to Gāoyú. In 112 he was demoted to commoner and his Marquisate abolished for tax evasion.
vii) Duānshì-hóu Liú Zhōng (端氏侯 劉 忠), Marquis of Duānshì. He was made Marquis of Xīchéng in 126. Later it was renamed to Duānshì. At his death his Marquisate was abolished as he was without issue.
viii) Jùchéng-hóu Liú Yǐngkè (鉅乘侯 劉 郢客), Marquis of Jùchéng. He was made Marquis of Tǔjūn in 126. Later it was renamed to Jùchéng. His Marquisate was abolished at some point, either for tax evasion or adultery.
ix) Kāoláng-hóu Liú Qiān (皋琅侯 劉 遷), Marquis of Kāoláng from 126 until his death. As he was without issue his Marquisate was abolished.
x) Xiàqiū-hóu Liú Yù (夏丘侯 劉 遇), Marquis of Xiàqiū. He was made Marquis of Qiānzhāng in 126. Later it was renamed to Xiàqiū. In 112 he was demoted to commoner and his Marquisate abolished for tax evasion.
7) Liáng Huái-wáng Liú Yī (梁 懷王 劉 揖), King of Liang from 178. He enjoyed literature and was therefore the favourite son of his father. He died in 168 after falling off his horse.
1) Chén-zhánggōngzhǔ Liú Piáo (陳長公主 劉 嫖), also known as Dòu-tàizhǔ (竇太主) and Guǎntáo-gōngzhǔ (館陶公主) (daughter of Dòu). In 151 she engineered the downfall of the Sixth Emperor Jǐngdì's eldest son and originial Heir Apparent on charges of witchcraft in order to have her own son-in-law, Wudi (the future Seventh Emperor) appointed Heir instead. She married Tángyì-hóu Chén Wǔ (堂邑侯 陳 午), Marquis of Tángyì from 177 until his death in 129. After his death she had relations with Dǒng Yǎn (董 偃), a gifted man of common extraction, who was engaged in criminal activities. She died in 116, but had issue:
a) Tángyì-hóu Chén Jìxū (堂邑侯 陳 季須), Marquis of Tángyì from 129 until 116 when he was sentenced to death for failing to adhere to proper mourning protocol at the death of his mother, and committed suicide.
b) Longlǜ-hóu Chén Jiǎo (隆慮侯 陳 蟜), Marquis of Longlǜ from 145 until 116 when he was sentenced to death for committing adultery and thereby failing to adhere to proper mourning protocol at the death of his mother, and committed suicide.
a) Chén-huánghòu Ājiāo (陳皇后 阿嬌), Empress of China. She married her cousin, Wǔ-dì, Seventh Emperor of Han (see below).