In Chapter 6 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yuan Shao organizes an alliance of 18 warlords to jointly attack Dong Zhuo. The coalition’s forces vastly outnumbered Dong Zhuo’s garrison in Luoyang, and generals like Sun Jian posed a significant threat. Consequently, Dong Zhuo chose to burn down the current capital, Luoyang, and relocate westward to the old capital of the Western Han dynasty—Chang’an.
Incensed, Dong Zhuo turned to Li Ru, who said, “Lü Bu’s recent defeat has demoralized the men. I suggest you recall them to Luoyang and move the Emperor to Chang’an. This would be in keeping with the children’s song that has been going around lately:
There once was a Han in the west,
And now there is one in the east.
If only the deer will flee to Chang’an,
The world will again be at peace.I take it that the words ‘a Han in the west’ refer to the founder of our dynasty, the Supreme Ancestor, who inaugurated the first of twelve consecutive reigns in Chang’an, the western capital. The words ‘a Han in the east,’ however, refer to the founder of the Later Han, who inaugurated another twelve glorious reigns in Luoyang, the eastern capital. Now the spheres of Heaven which hold men’s fortunes have circled back to their starting positions. Thus, Your Excellency, if you transfer the court to Chang’an, all will be well.”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 6
During the Han dynasty, the primary capitals were Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an, Shaanxi) and Luoyang (modern-day Luoyang, Henan). While the Western Han established its capital at Chang’an, the Eastern Han chose Luoyang.
Many people are puzzled by why the Han dynasty had two capitals. If the rulers of the Eastern Han considered themselves successors to the emperors of the Western Han, and given Chang’an’s importance during the Eastern Han period, why did Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu) abandon Chang’an and establish his capital at Luoyang? Let’s explore the reasons behind this decision.
Initial challenges and security concerns
When Liu Xiu first ascended the throne, the Red Eyebrow Army still occupied Guanzhong, the region surrounding Chang’an. Although General Feng Yi later seized control of Chang’an, the empire was far from unified. Various warlords and local militias declared themselves emperors, often engaging in battles within Guanzhong, posing serious challenges to Liu Xiu’s authority.
Three major factions threatened Chang’an:
- Gongsun Shu in the southwest,
- Wei Xiao in modern-day Gansu,
- Lu Fang in Inner Mongolia and northern Shaanxi.
Historical records mention that Emperor Guangwu “visited the ruins of Chang’an and found the imperial temples desolate,” leading him to decide on relocating the capital to Luoyang. However, this was only part of the reason; the critical factor was the strategic situation at the time.
Consolidation and debates over relocation
After more than a decade of warfare, Liu Xiu managed to eliminate these warlord factions and reunify the country. At this point, there were discussions about moving the capital back to Chang’an. One notable advocate was Du Du, who submitted a memorial to the court, arguing from geographical, political, and economic perspectives that Chang’an should be restored as the capital due to its strategic significance.
However, opponents argued against relocating the capital, citing that the palaces and temples in Luoyang were already established, making it impractical to move. This debate over the capital’s location persisted throughout the Eastern Han dynasty. Additionally, the Xiongnu and Qiang tribes in the northwest posed constant threats, frequently raiding the Guanzhong region.
Cultural and personal Influences
Another significant factor influencing the decision was personal and cultural ties. Liu Xiu himself hailed from Nanyang, Henan, and many of his key generals were fellow natives or close associates. The 28 founding generals were predominantly from Henan. These individuals preferred to remain close to their homeland, opposing any move to Chang’an.
These combined factors diminished Chang’an’s prospects as the primary capital of the Eastern Han dynasty. By the later stages of the Eastern Han, rebellions by the Qiang tribe in Gansu affected the stability of Guanzhong, disrupting commerce and industry in Chang’an, leading to its decline.
The final blow: Dong Zhuo’s destruction
The ultimate devastation came during the late Eastern Han period when Dong Zhuo’s forces ravaged Chang’an. Following intense fighting, the city was left in ruins, with widespread death and destruction. Survivors fled, leaving behind a desolate wasteland. This event marked the final blow to Chang’an’s status as a thriving capital.
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