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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…
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The Red Eyebrows Rise [Eastern Han]
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In Haiqu County of Langya Commandery (modern-day Rizhao, Shandong), a low-ranking bailiff named Lü Yu refused to beat impoverished villagers who could not pay their taxes. For this act of compassion, the county magistrate accused him of colluding with “troublemakers” and executed him. His death ignited public outrage.
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The Rise of the Lulin Heroes [Eastern Han]
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In 9 CE, Wang Mang, a former minister of the Han dynasty, usurped the throne and declared the establishment of the “Xin” dynasty. Obsessed with antiquity, he sought to restore the institutions of the ancient Zhou dynasty, believing that older systems were inherently superior to those of the Qin and Han. Rather than advancing…
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Beyond the Frontier: Wang Zhaojun [Western Han]
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A New Emperor, A Fractured Steppe When Emperor Zhao of Han died childless in 74 BCE, the court faced a succession crisis. Regent Huo Guang first installed Liu He, King of Changyi, but deposed him after just 27 days – accused of committing 1,127 improper acts, from debauchery to neglect of ritual.