Emperor Zhao of Han facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emperor Zhao of Han |
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Depiction of Emperor Zhao by Yan Liben, Tang dynasty
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| Emperor of the Han dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 30 March 87 BC – 5 June 74 BC | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Emperor Wu | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Liu He | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | Liu Fuling (劉弗陵) 94 BC Chang'an, Han dynasty |
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| Died | 5 June 74 BC (aged 20) Chang'an, Han dynasty |
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| Burial | Ping Mausoleum (平陵) | ||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Empress Xiaozhao | ||||||||||||||||
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| House | Liu | ||||||||||||||||
| Dynasty | Han (Western Han) | ||||||||||||||||
| Father | Emperor Wu | ||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Lady Zhao | ||||||||||||||||
Emperor Zhao of Han (Chinese: 漢昭帝), born Liu Fuling (劉弗陵), was the eighth emperor of the Han dynasty. He ruled from 87 to 74 BC. Emperor Zhao was the youngest son of Emperor Wu. He became emperor when he was only eight years old. Huo Guang was chosen to help him rule as a regent.
Emperor Wu's long reign had made the Han Dynasty very big. However, many wars had used up a lot of the empire's money. Emperor Zhao, guided by Huo Guang, worked to fix this. He lowered taxes and spent less government money. This helped the people become more prosperous. The Han Dynasty then had a time of peace. Emperor Zhao ruled for 13 years and died at age 20. His successor was Liu He, Prince of Changyi.
Contents
Becoming Emperor: A Young Ruler's Start
Liu Fuling was born in 94 BC. His mother was Zhao Jieyu, a favorite concubine of Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu was 62 years old when Fuling was born. He was very happy to have a new child at his age. There were rumors that Emperor Wu wanted Fuling to be the next emperor. This led to problems with the older Crown Prince Liu Ju.
After Crown Prince Ju's death, Emperor Wu needed a new heir. His older sons were not considered suitable. So, Emperor Wu chose his youngest son, Prince Fuling. Fuling was only six years old at the time. Emperor Wu also picked Huo Guang to be Fuling's main helper and advisor. He wanted Huo Guang to guide the young emperor.
Emperor Wu died on March 29, 87 BC. Just two days before, he had made Prince Fuling the crown prince. Fuling then became Emperor Zhao at the age of eight.
Early Reign: New Leaders and a Royal Wedding
When Emperor Zhao first became emperor, Huo Guang, Jin Midi, and Shangguan Jie were his main advisors. Huo Guang made most of the important decisions. Emperor Zhao's older sister, Princess Eyi, also helped care for him in the palace.
Prince Dan, Emperor Zhao's older brother, was not happy about Fuling becoming emperor. He secretly planned a rebellion in 86 BC. The plan was to say that Emperor Zhao was not Emperor Wu's son. Then, Prince Dan would start a rebellion. But the plan was found out. Prince Dan was not punished, but others involved were.
Later that year, Jin Midi, one of the advisors, died. Huo Guang and Shangguan Jie then became even more important. Shangguan Jie wanted more power than Huo Guang. Huo Guang had even married his daughter to Shangguan Jie's son, Shangguan An. Shangguan An and his wife had a daughter. In 84 BC, Shangguan Jie wanted his five-year-old granddaughter to marry Emperor Zhao. Huo Guang thought she was too young at first.
Shangguan Jie found a way to get his plan approved. Shangguan An was friends with Princess Eyi's lover, Ding Wairen. Ding Wairen convinced Princess Eyi that the marriage would help the Shangguan family. Princess Eyi agreed, and the young Lady Shangguan became an imperial consort in 84 BC. In 83 BC, she was made empress. She was known as Empress Shangguan.
Middle Reign: Power Struggles and Economic Changes
In 82 BC, a man appeared at the palace. He claimed to be the former Crown Prince Ju. But he was an imposter named Cheng Fangsui and was executed.
Around this time, Huo Guang started to change some of Emperor Wu's old policies. These policies had been put in place to raise money for wars. In 81 BC, the government monopolies on wine and iron were stopped. This meant merchants could now sell these goods and make a profit. This helped the people recover from the heavy taxes and burdens of the past.
In 80 BC, the conflict between Huo Guang and Shangguan Jie became very serious. The Shangguan family wanted Ding Wairen to become an important official. But Huo Guang refused. This made Princess Eyi also upset with Huo Guang. The Shangguans, Princess Eyi, Prince Dan, and another official named Sang Hongyang formed a plan against Huo Guang.
Prince Dan sent a message to Emperor Zhao. He accused Huo Guang of using too much imperial power. The conspirators planned to arrest and execute Huo Guang if Emperor Zhao ordered an investigation. But the 14-year-old Emperor Zhao did not take action. The next day, he called Huo Guang to the palace. Emperor Zhao said that Prince Dan, being far away, could not have known about the recent events. So, the report must have been fake. This showed how wise the young emperor was.
Later that year, the conspirators tried again. Princess Eyi invited Huo Guang to a feast, planning to kill him there. Then, they wanted to make Prince Dan emperor. But a servant of Princess Eyi revealed the plot. The conspirators were arrested and executed with their families. Princess Eyi and Prince Dan took their own lives. Empress Shangguan was spared because she was very young and Huo Guang's granddaughter.
Later Reign: Peace and a New Emperor
After the conspiracy, Huo Guang became very powerful. He removed anyone he thought was involved in the plot. However, his relationship with Emperor Zhao remained good.
In 74 BC, Emperor Zhao died without having any sons. This created a problem for who would rule next. For a short time, Prince He of Changyi became emperor. But he was not suitable. The throne was then given to Emperor Zhao's grandnephew, Liu Bingyi. Liu Bingyi was the grandson of the former Crown Prince Ju. He became Emperor Xuan.
Era Names
- Shiyuan (始元) 86 BC – 80 BC
- Yuanfeng (元鳳) 80 BC – 75 BC
- Yuanping (元平) 74 BC
Family
- Empress Xiaozhao, from the Shangguan family (孝昭皇后 上官氏; 89–37 BC)
- Feipin, from the Yang family (妃嫔阳氏)
