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The Race for the Throne: The Rise of Emperor Guangwu [Eastern Han]
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The Gengshi Emperor’s Downfall Begins In early 24 CE, Liu Xuan, the Gengshi Emperor, moved his capital from Luoyang to Chang’an, likely seeking greater security (sidenote: Dong Zhuo did the same in the end of the Easter Han). At first, he governed with surprising competence: he forbade looting, restored order, rewarded loyalists, reinstated Han…
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The Copper Horse Emperor: How Liu Xiu Forged an Empire in Chaos [Eastern Han]
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A Foothold in Xindu After their grueling flight through Hebei, Liu Xiu and his exhausted band were warmly welcomed into Xindu by Governor Ren Guang and Pi Tong of Hucheng. There, they convened to plan the campaign against the false emperor Wang Lang. Pi Tong urged bold action: “If the Grand Marshal raises his…
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The Fall of the Golden Throne [Eastern Han]
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The Last Stand of a Doomed Regime By late 23 CE, Wang Mang’s Xin dynasty was on the brink of collapse. The Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuan had dispatched Grand Duke Wang Kuang to attack Luoyang, while Generals Shen Tu Jian and Li Song marched on Wuguan Pass (in modern Danfeng, Shaanxi). Panic-stricken, Wang Mang…
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The Battle of Kunyang [Eastern Han]
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A Fragile Victory and a Fateful Decision After proclaiming Liu Xuan as the Gengshi Emperor, the Han restoration forces split their efforts: Liu Yan was sent to besiege Wan County once more, while Wang Feng, Wang Chang, and Liu Xiu marched on Kunyang (modern Ye County, Henan). Kunyang, lightly defended, fell quickly, followed by…
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The Rise of Liu Brothers [Eastern Han]
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The Liu Brothers of Chongling In Chongling County, Nanyang (modern Henan), lived Liu Qin – a distant descendant of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang. He was the eighth-generation grandson of the Han founder, and his three sons – Liu Yan (eldest), Liu Zhong (second), and Liu Xiu (youngest) – were ninth-generation heirs of…