Emperor Hui of Han facts for kids

Anling (安陵), the tomb of Han Huidi, in Xianyang, Shaanxi

Emperor Hui of Han (Chinese: 漢惠帝; pinyin: Hàn Huìdì), born Liu Ying (劉盈), was the second emperor of the Han dynasty. He lived from 210 BC to 188 BC. He was the second son of Emperor Gaozu, who founded the Han dynasty. His mother was Empress Lü, a very powerful woman. Emperor Hui is often remembered as a kind but somewhat gentle ruler. He was greatly influenced by his mother, Empress Lü.

Emperor Hui was known for being kind and generous. He tried to protect his younger half-brother, Liu Ruyi, from his mother's plans. However, he was not successful. After this sad event, he stepped back from governing. He let his mother handle most of the important decisions. He passed away at a young age. His wife was Empress Zhang Yan, who was also his niece. Their marriage was arranged by Empress Dowager Lü. They did not have any children together. After Emperor Hui's death, Empress Dowager Lü chose two boys to be the next emperors. These boys were said to be Emperor Hui's sons from other women. Later, the Lü family lost their power. Emperor Hui's half-brother, Liu Heng, became the next emperor.

Early Life and Becoming Crown Prince

Growing Up

Liu Ying was born during the Qin dynasty. Not much is known about his early childhood. His father, Liu Bang, would later start the Han dynasty. Liu Ying was not his father's oldest son. That was Liu Fei, who became the Prince of Qi. However, Liu Ying was chosen as the rightful heir. This was because his mother, Empress Lü, was Liu Bang's main wife. Liu Fei's mother was not Liu Bang's wife.

During the Chu–Han War

The Chu–Han Contention was a long war. Liu Bang fought against Xiang Yu for control of China. During this five-year war, Liu Ying stayed in his father's hometown. This was in Pei County, which was part of Xiang Yu's territory. His mother and sister were also there.

A Difficult Time for His Family

In 205 BC, Liu Bang seemed close to winning the war. He had captured Xiang Yu's capital city. But then, Xiang Yu fought back and defeated Liu Bang's army. Liu Bang had to escape. He tried to pick up his family on the way. He managed to find his children, including Liu Ying. But his father and wife were captured by Xiang Yu's forces. They were held as hostages. They were not returned until Liu Bang and Xiang Yu made a temporary peace in 203 BC. Young Liu Ying must have worried about his grandfather and mother during this time.

His Father's Victory

Liu Bang finally won the war. In 202 BC, he declared himself the emperor. He became known as Emperor Gao. This marked the start of the Han Dynasty. He made his wife, Lü, the empress. Liu Ying, as the proper heir, became the crown prince. This made Liu Ying the first crown prince in China's imperial history.

As Crown Prince Ying, he was seen as kind and understanding. However, Emperor Gao did not always like these traits. He preferred his younger son, Liu Ruyi. Emperor Gao felt Liu Ruyi was more like him. Liu Ruyi's mother, Consort Qi, was Emperor Gao's favorite. Consort Qi tried to get her son chosen as the heir. But with the help of important officials and the "Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang," Prince Ying kept his position.

The Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang

Kanō Naonobu (17th century): "The Four Sages of Mount Shang"

After starting the Han dynasty, Emperor Gao wanted to find talented people. He even offered rewards for reporting virtuous men. He tried to get four wise men to join his government. These men were known as the Four Whiteheads of Mount Shang. They were Master Dongyuan, Qi Liji, Master Xiahuang, and Mr. Lu Li. They had lived a quiet life on Mount Shang during the troubled Qin dynasty. They were old with white hair and beards.

Emperor Gao knew how respected these four sages were. But they refused to work for him. When the question of who would be the next emperor came up, Empress Lü and Consort Qi each wanted her own son to be chosen. Emperor Gao favored Consort Qi's son. He thought the young prince had more of his own personality.

Empress Lü sought advice from a powerful official named Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang told her that the emperor had long wanted the Four Whiteheads to serve the country. He suggested that if the Crown Prince could get their support, his position would be secure. Empress Lü then convinced the Four Whiteheads to appear at court.

The Four Whiteheads agreed that, according to ancient teachings, the elder son should become ruler. They also noted that Liu Ying was kind and caring. Emperor Gao saw the four elders at his court. He asked who they were. When he learned their identity and their support for Liu Ying, he told Consort Qi: "I cannot make your son the successor. The Crown Prince has gained the support of such capable people. His position is now very strong."

Empress Lü's Growing Power

As crown prince, Liu Ying, along with his mother, handled important matters in the capital. This happened when his father was away on military campaigns. In 196 BC, Emperor Gao was ill. He thought about sending Prince Ying to lead the army against a rebel named Ying Bu. But Empress Lü suggested that the generals might not fully obey a young prince. So, Emperor Gao went himself. Prince Ying was put in charge of the capital area. He was helped by a scholar named Shusun Tong and a strategist named Zhang Liang. He managed these tasks well.

Becoming Emperor

Prince Ying became the Emperor of Han when his father died in 195 BC. Emperor Gao died from injuries he got during the fight against Ying Bu. Empress Lü had insisted that Emperor Gao lead the fight himself.

Emperor Under Empress Lü's Rule

As soon as Prince Ying became Emperor Hui, his mother, Empress Lü, became the true leader. She was now the Empress Dowager. She wanted to get revenge on Consort Qi and her son, Liu Ruyi. She first had Consort Qi arrested and imprisoned. Then, she called Liu Ruyi to the capital. Liu Ruyi's chief of staff, Zhou Chang, tried to stop him from coming. Empress Dowager Lü respected Zhou Chang because he had supported Liu Ying as the rightful heir.

Instead of directly attacking Zhou Chang, Empress Lü called him to the capital first. Then, she summoned Liu Ruyi. Emperor Hui tried to protect his younger brother. He met Liu Ruyi outside the capital and brought him into his own palace. Empress Dowager Lü wanted to harm Liu Ruyi. But she was worried that any attempt might also affect her own son, Emperor Hui. So, she could not carry out her plan for several months.

Empress Dowager Lü found her chance in early 194 BC. One morning, Emperor Hui went hunting. He wanted Liu Ruyi to come with him. But the young prince, who was only 14, did not get out of bed. So, Emperor Hui went hunting alone. Empress Dowager Lü heard this. She immediately sent someone to the palace. This person forced poisoned wine down Liu Ruyi's throat. By the time Emperor Hui returned, his brother was dead.

Emperor Hui became very sad and ill for about a year. He told his mother that he could not manage the empire. From that point on, Emperor Hui stopped making major decisions. He left them to his mother. Empress Dowager Lü gained so much power that Emperor Hui had little real authority.

Achievements as Emperor

Even though he was under his mother's strong influence, Emperor Hui helped strengthen the Han dynasty. He ordered shrines to be built across the land to honor his father. His father, Emperor Gao, had kept many of the Qin dynasty's rules. But Emperor Hui canceled some very harsh Qin laws. For example, he ended the law about the Burning of books and burying of scholars. Emperor Hui's gentle nature was not a match for his mother's strong will. Still, the Han dynasty became very stable. The powerful Lü family was eventually removed from power. Emperor Hui was effectively succeeded by Emperor Wen of Han.

Death

Emperor Hui passed away in the autumn of 188 BC. The cause of his illness is not known. After Empress Lü died and her family was removed from power in 180 BC, officials and surviving members of the Liu family chose Liu Heng as the next emperor. They chose him partly because he did not have a powerful family on his mother's side.

Marriage and Children

Around November 192 BC, Emperor Hui married Empress Zhang. They did not have any children together. However, it is debated whether Emperor Hui had children from other women. Later, officials who overthrew the Lü family claimed that Emperor Hui had no sons. They said that Empress Zhang, at Empress Dowager Lü's urging, took eight boys from other families. She then had the boys' mothers killed and claimed the children as her own.

Many historians today believe that these boys were indeed Emperor Hui's sons from other women. They also believe that Empress Zhang did have their mothers killed. The officials who took over later denied that these children were truly imperial heirs. They feared that if these children lived, they might seek revenge for the removal of the Lü family. Except for Liu Gong (who was removed from power and executed by Empress Dowager Lü), the other children either died young or were executed by the officials. This happened after Liu Heng became Emperor Wen.

Family

Consorts and Issue:

• Empress Xiaohui, of the Zhang clan (孝惠皇后 張氏; 202–163 BC), his niece, personal name Yan (嫣)
• Unknown
  • Liu Gong, Emperor (皇帝 劉恭; 193–184 BC)
  • Liu Qiang, Prince Huai of Huaiyang (淮陽懷王 劉強; d. 183 BC)
  • Liu Buyi, Prince Ai of Hengsha (恆山哀王 劉不疑; d. 186 BC)
  • Liu Hong, Emperor (皇帝 劉弘; 190–180 BC)
  • Liu Chao, Prince of Hengshan (恆山王 劉朝; d. 180 BC)
  • Liu Wu, Prince of Huaiyang (淮陽王 劉武; 192–180 BC)
  • Liu Tai, Prince of Liang (梁王 劉太; d. 180 BC)

Media

• Portrayed by Chan Kwan in the 2004 Hong-Kong TV series The Conqueror's Story.
• Portrayed by Shi Yun Peng in the 2010 Chinese TV series The Myth.
• Portrayed by Luo Jin in the 2010 Chinese TV series Beauty's Rival in Palace.

See also

• Family tree of the Han Dynasty