Emperor Guangwu of Han facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Guangwu of Han 漢光武帝
Emperor Guangwu, as depicted by the Tang artist Yan Liben (600 AD–673 AD)
Emperor of the Han dynasty
Reign	5 August AD 25 – 29 March AD 57
Predecessor	Gengshi Emperor (Gengshi regime)
Successor	Emperor Ming
Born	15 January 5 BC Jiyang County, Chenliu Commandery, Han Empire
Died	29 March AD 57 (aged 62) Luoyang, Han Empire
Consorts	Empress Guanglie Guo Shengtong
Issue	Liu Jiang (劉疆), King of Donghai Liu Fu (劉輔), King of Pei Liu Ying (劉英), King of Chu Liu Zhuang (劉莊), Emperor Ming Liu Kang (劉康), King of Jinan Liu Cang (劉蒼), King of Dongping Liu Heng (劉衡), King of Linhuai Liu Yan (劉延), King of Fuling Liu Jing (劉荊), King of Guangling Liu Yan (劉焉), King of Zhongshan Liu Jing (劉京), King of Langya Princess Wuyang Princess Nieyang Princess Guantao Princess Yuyang Princess Liyi
Full name Family name: Liu (劉) Given name: Xiu (秀) Courtesy name: Wenshu (文叔) Era dates Jianwu (建武): AD 25–56 Jianwu Zhongyuan (建武中元): AD 56–58 Posthumous name Emperor Guangwu (光武皇帝) Temple name Shizu (世祖)
Dynasty	Eastern Han
Father	Liu Qin
Mother	Fan Xiandou
Occupation	Monarch

Emperor Guangwu of Han (Chinese: 漢光武帝; born Liu Xiu (劉秀), with the courtesy name Wenshu (文叔)) was an important Chinese ruler. He was born on January 15, 5 BC, and died on March 29, AD 57. He became an emperor of the Han dynasty in AD 25. He brought the Han dynasty back to power, starting what is known as the Eastern Han (Later Han) dynasty.

At first, he only ruled over parts of China. But by the time he died in AD 57, he had united all of China proper. He did this by defeating many local leaders and armies. During his reign, he made some important changes. He tried to fix problems that had caused the earlier Han dynasty to fall. His actions helped the Han Dynasty last for another 200 years.

Liu Xiu was a descendant of the Han imperial family. After Wang Mang took over the throne and started his own short-lived Xin dynasty, China fell into civil war. Liu Xiu was one of several people from the old Han family who claimed to be the rightful emperor. He gathered his own army and declared himself emperor. He then defeated his rivals, including a large peasant army called the Chimei. By AD 36, he had successfully reunited China.

He chose Luoyang as his new capital. This city was about 335 kilometers (208 miles) east of the old capital, Chang'an (modern Xi'an). Emperor Guangwu was known for being a brilliant strategist. He often gave his generals instructions from far away, and his plans usually worked. Unlike many other founding emperors, he did not kill his generals or officials after he secured his rule. He was also known for being both decisive and merciful.

Who Was Emperor Guangwu?

Liu Xiu was a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Jing from the Western Han dynasty. His father, Liu Qin, was a local official. Liu Qin died when Liu Xiu was young, so Liu Xiu and his brothers were raised by their uncle.

Liu Xiu had an older brother named Liu Yan. Liu Yan was very ambitious. After Wang Mang took over the Han throne in AD 8, Liu Yan often thought about starting a rebellion to bring back the Han Dynasty. Liu Xiu, however, was more cautious. He was happy being a farmer. But his brother-in-law, Deng Chen, kept telling him to aim higher. Deng Chen believed a prophecy that said a man named Liu Xiu would become emperor.

Joining the Rebellion

In AD 22, many people across the empire were rebelling against Wang Mang's rule. Liu Yan decided it was time to start his rebellion. He planned to kidnap a local governor and call for people to join him. When people in his hometown heard about the rebellion, they were scared to join. But when they saw that Liu Xiu was part of it, they felt more confident. They thought if even careful Liu Xiu was involved, the plan must be good.

However, their plan leaked out. Liu Yan and his allies had to change their strategy. They joined forces with two rebel groups called the Xinshi Force and Pinglin Force. They had some early military successes. Liu Yan then attacked Wancheng, a major city, but suffered a big loss. Liu Yan, Liu Xiu, and their sister survived, but their other brother and sister died in the battle.

Liu Yan managed to convince more rebel groups to join him. In AD 23, they won a major victory against Wang Mang's forces.

Working for the Gengshi Emperor

A New Emperor Is Chosen

Wall murals depicting women (left) and children (right), perhaps court attendants, dressed in Hanfu silk robes and holding domestic wares, from the Dahuting Tomb (Chinese: 打虎亭汉墓, Pinyin: Dahuting Han mu), built during the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD), located in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China

By this time, many rebel leaders were jealous of Liu Yan's skills. Even though many of their soldiers wanted Liu Yan to be the new emperor, the other leaders had different ideas. They chose another rebel leader, Liu Xuan, to be emperor. Liu Xuan was a distant cousin of Liu Yan and was seen as someone easy to control.

Liu Yan first disagreed, suggesting Liu Xuan should just be a "Prince of Han." But the other leaders refused. In early AD 23, Liu Xuan was declared emperor, known as the Gengshi Emperor. Liu Yan became prime minister, and Liu Xiu was given the title of "general."

The Battle of Kunyang

Liu Xiu played a key role in a major battle that helped bring down Wang Mang. Wang Mang sent a huge army of about 430,000 soldiers to crush the new Han regime. The Han forces were split into two groups. One group, including Liu Xiu, retreated to a small town called Kunyang. The other group, led by Liu Yan, was still fighting at Wancheng.

The rebels in Kunyang first wanted to run away. But Liu Xiu argued that they should defend Kunyang. He said he would gather more troops from nearby areas and attack Wang Mang's army from the outside. After some hesitation, the rebels agreed.

Liu Xiu gathered his forces and returned to Kunyang. He began to attack Wang Mang's army from outside the city. Wang Mang's generals, Wang Yi and Wang Xun, were annoyed. They led 10,000 men to attack Liu Xiu, telling the rest of their army to stay put. But when they fought, Wang Mang's other units were slow to help. Liu Xiu killed Wang Xun in battle.

After this, the Han forces inside Kunyang burst out and attacked the rest of Wang Mang's army. The much larger Xin forces completely fell apart. Most of their soldiers ran away. This battle was a huge blow to Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty.

Liu Yan's Death and Liu Xiu's Survival

Soon after, a big problem arose within the Gengshi Emperor's government. The Gengshi Emperor was afraid of Liu Yan's power and knew that many of Liu Yan's followers wanted him to be emperor. One of Liu Yan's supporters openly criticized the Gengshi Emperor. The emperor arrested him and wanted to execute him. Liu Yan tried to help.

However, the Gengshi Emperor, encouraged by others who were against Liu Yan, used this chance to execute Liu Yan as well.

Liu Xiu was fighting on the front lines when he heard about his brother's death. He quickly returned to the capital to ask for forgiveness. When his brother's followers greeted him, he didn't show his sadness. Instead, he blamed himself and didn't mention his victories. He didn't even dare to mourn his brother. The Gengshi Emperor felt ashamed and spared Liu Xiu, giving him a new title.

Around this time, Liu Xiu married his childhood sweetheart, Yin Lihua. It is said that when he was young, he wished to marry Yin Lihua and become a high official. He eventually achieved both.

Liu Xiu's Role in Northern China

Eastern Han bronze chariot and cavalry figurines excavated from a tomb

Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty soon fell, and the Gengshi Emperor became the recognized ruler of the restored Han Dynasty. He planned to set his capital in Luoyang and made Liu Xiu the governor of that region. Liu Xiu was tasked with repairing the palaces and government buildings. Among all the new Han officials, Liu Xiu quickly showed his talent for organizing things.

However, the Gengshi Emperor's rule was not strong in all parts of the empire. The region north of the Yellow River was especially difficult to control. The emperor decided to send a general to calm the area. Liu Xiu's cousin, who was now prime minister, suggested Liu Xiu for the job. Despite some opposition, the Gengshi Emperor agreed. In the autumn of AD 23, Liu Xiu was sent north.

The people north of the Yellow River were very happy to see Liu Xiu. Many important people joined him, including Deng Yu and Feng Yi. Deng Yu saw that the Gengshi Emperor was not a good ruler. He convinced Liu Xiu to think about becoming independent later on.

Challenges in the North

An Eastern Han (25 AD-220 AD) mural showing a procession of chariots and cavalry, from the Dahuting Tomb of Zhengzhou, Henan province, China

Liu Xiu soon faced a big problem. In winter AD 23, a fortune teller named Wang Lang claimed to be a son of a former Han emperor. He spread these rumors, and people in the north quickly believed him. Many areas pledged loyalty to Wang Lang as emperor.

In spring AD 24, Liu Xiu had to retreat north. He faced more rebellions and was almost killed. He found two areas that were still loyal to the Gengshi Emperor. Their governors and powerful local families joined him. He also made a political marriage with Guo Shengtong, whose uncle, Liu Yang, commanded 100,000 troops. This alliance greatly increased Liu Xiu's strength. He won several major battles against Wang Lang's generals.

Meanwhile, some of Liu Xiu's followers convinced their fathers, who were governors of other northern areas, to support Liu Xiu. These combined forces gave Liu Xiu enough power to attack Wang Lang's capital. They trapped and killed Wang Lang.

After Wang Lang's death, the Gengshi Emperor wanted Liu Xiu to return to the capital. But Liu Xiu's followers convinced him that the Gengshi Emperor's rule was weak. Liu Xiu declined, saying the northern region still needed to be settled.

Becoming Independent

In the autumn of AD 24, Liu Xiu, still pretending to be an official under the Gengshi Emperor, successfully brought many rebel groups under his control. He also started replacing officials loyal to the Gengshi Emperor with his own loyal people. He made his power strong north of the Yellow River.

Liu Xiu believed that the powerful Chimei rebel group would soon destroy the Gengshi Emperor's government. So, he waited, not getting involved in that conflict. He prepared his forces and supplies. In early AD 25, his general Deng Yu took control of the modern Shanxi region, further expanding Liu Xiu's territory.

By this point, Liu Xiu controlled a very large and impressive area. His followers urged him to claim the title of emperor. In the summer of AD 25, he finally did. He declared himself emperor and the rightful successor to the Han throne, becoming Emperor Guangwu.

Uniting the Empire

Defeating the Chimei Rebels

Situation of warlords and peasant forces at the beginning of Eastern Han dynasty

An Eastern Han (25 AD-220 AD) Chinese ceramic figurine of a soldier

Soon after Emperor Guangwu became emperor, the Gengshi Emperor's government was destroyed by the Chimei rebels. The Chimei supported their own person as emperor. However, the Chimei leaders were not good at ruling. They soon made the people in the Guanzhong region (modern central Shaanxi) unhappy.

The Chimei rebels took supplies from the region, but when supplies ran out, they had to move east to return home. Emperor Guangwu had expected this. He set up his forces to attack and tire out the Chimei. He then blocked their path. With their way blocked and their troops exhausted, the Chimei leaders surrendered. Emperor Guangwu spared them, including their chosen emperor.

Winning Over Other Leaders

The Chimei were the biggest challenge, but Emperor Guangwu still had to deal with many other regional leaders to unite the empire. Some of these leaders also claimed to be emperors or princes.

Emperor Guangwu usually preferred peaceful solutions. He often tried to persuade these leaders to join him, promising them titles and honors. Two leaders, Wei Xiao and Dou Rong, joined him in AD 29. They even helped his forces against another powerful leader, Gongsun Shu.

In AD 29, Liu Yong, another claimant to the Han throne, was defeated and killed. Also that year, Peng Chong, who controlled the Beijing region, was assassinated, and his regime collapsed. Zhang Bu, another leader, surrendered and was rewarded. By AD 30, all of eastern China was under Emperor Guangwu's control.

Wei Xiao, who had joined Emperor Guangwu, later started to think about becoming independent again. He tried to get Dou Rong to join him, but Dou Rong refused and instead helped Emperor Guangwu. Emperor Guangwu began a campaign against Wei Xiao in AD 30. Wei Xiao eventually died in AD 33, and his son surrendered in AD 34.

Emperor Guangwu then focused on Gongsun Shu, who had declared himself emperor of Chengjia in modern Sichuan. Gongsun Shu was wealthy but did not try to expand his empire. Emperor Guangwu tried to get Gongsun Shu to surrender peacefully, but he refused.

So, Emperor Guangwu sent his generals to attack Chengjia. Gongsun Shu tried to stop them by assassinating their generals, which worked for a while. But the Eastern Han forces regrouped. In AD 36, they surrounded Gongsun Shu in his capital. Gongsun Shu was badly wounded in battle, and his capital surrendered. There was a lot of fighting and many lives were lost during these campaigns.

After Chengjia fell, Dou Rong gave his lands to Emperor Guangwu in AD 36. Another leader, Lu Fang, who claimed to be a Han descendant, rebelled but eventually fled to the Xiongnu in AD 42. By then, the entire empire was under Emperor Guangwu's rule.

Emperor of a United Empire

Portrait of Emperor Guangwu from Sancai Tuhui

After uniting the empire, Emperor Guangwu rewarded his generals and officials. He gave them large land grants but usually did not give them official government positions. This helped him keep good relationships with them and prevent conflicts. He listened to their advice but rarely put them in positions of power. This was a unique way to manage his victorious generals.

Emperor Guangwu's reign was known for being careful with money, efficient, and having fair laws. For example, he refused to bring back the very strict laws of the earlier Han Dynasty. He also ordered that servants in the inner palace should be eunuchs.

He also had to deal with some conflicts with non-Chinese peoples. In AD 40, two Vietnamese sisters, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, led a rebellion. Trưng Trắc became a queen and ruled an independent kingdom for several years. In AD 41, Emperor Guangwu sent his general Ma Yuan to fight them. In AD 43, Ma Yuan defeated the Trưng sisters.

Emperor Guangwu also faced small battles with the Xiongnu people to the north. However, there were no major wars with them during his reign. Because of raids by the Xiongnu and other groups, many northern areas became empty as people moved south for safety.

In AD 46, some kingdoms in Xiyu (modern Xinjiang) asked Emperor Guangwu to help them against a powerful kingdom. They wanted him to reestablish a Han government office there. But Emperor Guangwu refused. He said his empire was not strong enough to protect those distant kingdoms. So, the Xiyu kingdoms turned to the Xiongnu for help instead.

Family and Succession

As mentioned, Emperor Guangwu married his childhood sweetheart, Yin Lihua. Later, while on his northern expedition, he also married Guo Shengtong. This was a political marriage to gain the support of Guo's powerful uncle. In AD 25, Guo had a son, Liu Jiang.

In AD 26, Emperor Guangwu wanted to make Yin Lihua empress. But Yin Lihua had not yet had a son, and she suggested Guo instead. So, Emperor Guangwu made Guo empress and her son, Prince Jiang, the crown prince.

However, by AD 41, Empress Guo had lost the emperor's favor. She complained a lot, which angered Emperor Guangwu. In AD 41, he removed her as empress and made Yin Lihua the new empress. Instead of punishing Guo, he made her son a prince and gave her the title of Princess Dowager. He also rewarded her brother with great wealth.

Emperor Guangwu initially kept Guo's son, Jiang, as crown prince. But Prince Jiang knew his position was uncertain and repeatedly offered to step down. In AD 43, Emperor Guangwu agreed. He made Liu Yang, the oldest son of Empress Yin, the new crown prince. He also changed Prince Yang's name to Zhuang.

Later Years

In AD 47, a chance came up with the Xiongnu. They had a dispute over who should be their leader. In AD 48, one of the claimants, Bi, declared himself leader and submitted to Emperor Guangwu. The other claimant also submitted. This division meant the Xiongnu stopped fighting against the Han.

In AD 49, a sad event happened during Emperor Guangwu's rule. He had sent his general Ma Yuan on an expedition. While Ma Yuan was away, some of his political enemies made false accusations against him. Emperor Guangwu believed these accusations and started an investigation. Ma Yuan died of illness during the campaign. With Ma Yuan dead, Emperor Guangwu took away his titles and criticized him after his death. (Ma Yuan's good name was not restored until his daughter later became empress to Emperor Guangwu's son, Emperor Ming.)

Emperor Guangwu died in AD 57. His son, Crown Prince Zhuang, became the next emperor, known as Emperor Ming.

Era Names

• Jianwu (建武): AD 25–56
• Jianwuzhongyuan (建武中元): AD 56–58

Family

Consorts and Issue:

• Empress Guanglie, of the Yin clan (光烈皇后 陰氏; 5–64), personal name Lihua (麗華)
  • Liu Zhuang, Emperor Xiaoming (孝明皇帝 劉莊; 28–75), fourth son
  • Liu Cang, Prince Xian of Dongping (東平憲王 劉蒼; d. 83), sixth son
  • Princess Nieyang (涅陽公主), personal name Zhongli (中禮), second daughter
    • Married Dou Gu of Fufeng, Marquis Xianqin (扶風 竇固; d. 88)
  • Liu Jing, Prince Si of Guangling (廣陵思王 劉荊; d. 67), eighth son
  • Liu Heng, Duke Huai of Linhuai (臨淮懷公 劉衡; d. 41), ninth son
  • Liu Jing, Prince Xiao of Langya (琅邪孝王 劉京; d. 81), 11th son
• Empress, of the Guo clan (皇后 郭氏; d. 52), fifth cousin, personal name Shengtong (聖通)
  • Liu Qiang, Prince Gong of Donghai (東海恭王 劉強; 25–58), first son
  • Liu Fu, Prince Xian of Pei (沛獻王 劉輔; d. 84), second son
  • Liu Kang, Prince An of Jinan (濟南安王 劉康; d. 97), fifth son
  • Princess Guantao (館陶公主; d. 73), personal name Hongfu (紅夫), third daughter
    • Married Han Guang (韓光; d. 73), and had issue (one son)
  • Liu Yan, Prince Zhi of Fuling (阜陵質王 劉延; d. 89), seventh son
  • Liu Yan, Prince Jian of Zhongshan (中山簡王 劉焉; 39–90), tenth son
• Meiren, of the Xu clan (美人 許氏; d. 86)
  • Liu Ying, Prince Chu (楚王 劉英; d. 71), third son
• Unknown
  • Princess Wuyang (舞陽公主), personal name Yiwang (義王), first daughter
    • Married Liang Song of Anding, Marquis Ling (安定 梁松), and had issue (one son)
  • Princess Yuyang (淯陽公主), personal name Liliu (禮劉), fourth daughter
    • Married Guo Huang, Marquis Yang'an (郭璜; d. 92) in 52
  • Princess Liyi (酈邑公主; d. 59), personal name Shou (綬), fifth daughter
    • Married Yin Feng (陰豐; d. 59)

Popular Culture

• Appeared in the 2009 SBS TV series Ja Myung Go.
• Portrayed by Yuan Hong in Singing All Along.

See also

In Spanish: Liu Xiu para niños