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Text: Yanyan
Edited by Yeon-yeon
preface
Since ancient times, the transfer of power has often been fraught with intrigue and struggle. The Zhulu Rebellion, this bloody palace coup, shook the entire Han Dynasty.
However, what is surprising is that Liu Heng, the Emperor of Han Wen, who made no achievements in this turmoil, successfully inherited the throne.
So, why was Liu Heng able to stand out and become the new emperor in this chaos that would determine the future of the Han Dynasty? Is it destiny, or is there an unknown secret behind it?
The end of troubled times: the death of Empress Lu and the power vacuum
In the autumn of 180 B.C., a shocking news spread from Chang'an throughout the Han Empire: Empress Lü, who had been in charge of the government for many years, died.
The death of this female politician, who is known for her iron-fisted methods, instantly stirred up a huge wave. Although her rule has maintained superficial stability, it has in fact accumulated deep contradictions, like a volcano about to erupt.
During the reign of Empress Lü, he rewarded the Lü clan and suppressed the Liu clan, accumulating a large number of political contradictions. Her death made these contradictions explode in an instant.
The ministers of the DPRK and the Liu clan are about to move, and a life-and-death power struggle is about to begin. The forces of each side are like beasts ready to attack, waiting for only one moment to pounce on each other and tear them apart.
At this critical moment, the group of heroes headed by Zhou Bo and Chen Ping quickly took action. They knew very well that if the Lü forces were not eradicated as soon as possible, not only would their position be in jeopardy, but the ruling foundation of the entire Han Dynasty would also be shaken.
These scheming politicians began to plot in secret, preparing to turn the situation around and reshape the political landscape of the Han Dynasty in one fell swoop. At the same time, Liu Xiang, who was far away in Qi State, also heard the news. As Liu Bang's eldest grandson, he considered himself the rightful heir to the throne.
Liu Xiang resolutely raised troops and marched to Chang'an under the banner of "killing the Lu clan and setting things right". His actions undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to this power struggle, and also laid the groundwork for the subsequent development of the situation.
In this way, just three months after Empress Lü's death, a thrilling coup d'état broke out. This coup d'état not only decided the fate of the Han Dynasty, but also changed the trajectory of many people's lives, including the unknown acting king Liu Heng.
The thrilling battle of Xulu
In Chang'an City, the situation is changing rapidly. Zhou Bo and Chen Ping used their wits to first coax Lü Lu to hand over the military power of the Northern Army, and then united with Liu Xiang's younger brother Liu Zhang to kill Xiangguo Lü Chan in front of the palace gate.
For a time, there was a river of blood in Chang'an City, and none of the Lu clansmen were spared. The cruelty of this coup d'état even exceeded the means used by Empress Lu to eradicate dissidents, and the entire Chang'an City was shrouded in an atmosphere of terror.
The brutality of this coup d'état is staggering. "No young man is beheaded", even the young Emperor Hou Shao was not spared. On the grounds that he was "not the biological son of Emperor Hui of Han", the heroes executed the nominal emperor and the other heirs of Emperor Hui of Han, completely cutting off the possibility of the resurgence of the Lu family's power.
This method of extermination, although it ensured the success of the coup, also reflected the insecurity of the heroes to a certain extent.
However, when the smoke cleared, an even bigger problem was placed in front of the heroes: since the Lu clan had been destroyed, who would inherit the ruling power of the empire? The answer to this question will determine the future direction of the entire Han Dynasty. Heroes face a difficult choice, and they need to find a balance between their own interests and the stability of their countries.
In this bloody coup d'état, Liu Heng, who was far away in Daiguo, seemed to be completely out of the way. He did not participate in the Xulu operation, nor did he express his support for either side.
This approach of "wise self-preservation" may have seemed a sign of cowardice at the time, but it inadvertently won him an unexpected opportunity.
Acting King Liu Heng's counterattack
Among the many candidates for the heir to the throne, Liu Xiang, the king of Qi, is undoubtedly the most vocal. As Liu Bang's eldest grandson, he not only has an orthodox bloodline, but also made great contributions in this Xulu operation.
It stands to reason that the throne belongs to him. Liu Xiang's supporters believe that his succession is not only in accordance with the rules of etiquette, but also can calm the disputes between various forces and achieve a smooth transition of power.
However, the heroes hesitated. Liu Xiang's strength and the powerful Qi State power behind him made them feel uneasy. What's more, Liu Xiang's uncle Sijun was described as a "tiger with an official hat", which made the heroes who had just escaped the shadow of the Lu clan feel uneasy.
They are worried that if Liu Xiang is allowed to ascend the throne, history may repeat itself, and the country they have worked so hard to build will be controlled by the forces of their relatives.
At this moment, a seemingly inconspicuous candidate surfaced - Liu Bang's fourth son, acting king Liu Heng. This choice seemed unbelievable at the time. No one would have thought that this obscure little prince would become the new monarch of the Han Dynasty.
Who is Liu Heng? Before that, he was almost a little transparent through and through. His mother Bo Ji was not favored, and even Empress Lu did not take her seriously. Liu Heng himself had no sense of existence when Liu Bang was alive, and was sealed to the Daiguo with a harsh environment and close to the Xiongnu.
What's more, in this Xulu operation, Liu Heng can be said to have made no achievements. His presence is so low that many people even forget that Liu Bang has such a son.
But it is these seemingly disadvantages that have become advantages in the eyes of the heroes. Liu Heng does not have a strong political foundation, nor does he have an aggressive momentum, and he seems to be an easily controllable puppet.
For the heroes who had just narrowly won a power struggle, this was exactly the ideal emperor they wanted. They believed that an emperor without roots would inevitably rely on their support to ensure that they would continue to maintain influence in the new regime.
From the country to the Ninety-Five
When he learned that he had been elected as the new emperor, Liu Heng's reaction was unexpected. Instead of being ecstatic, he was so frightened that he almost ran away with a bucket. This reaction can't help but make people sigh: Is he really just a cowardly and incompetent person?
However, if we taste it carefully, we may be able to see Liu Heng's caution and wisdom from it. In that era of frequent changes of power, becoming emperor was not a good thing, but could be a shortcut to death.
However, Liu Heng's next actions showed that he was far more shrewd than he seemed on the surface. He first asked his uncle Bo Zhao to go to Chang'an to investigate the truth, and only after confirming his safety did he set off cautiously.
On the way to Chang'an, he arranged for his henchman Song Chang to lead people 50 miles ahead, ready to deal with possible dangers at any time. This cautious attitude is not so much timid as a sober understanding of the situation.
This series of cautious moves shows Liu Heng's meticulous mind and keen grasp of the situation. He is well aware that in this turbulent time of power change, any negligence can be fatal.
Liu Heng's cautious attitude also laid the foundation for his future rule. He is good at observing the situation, does not take a position lightly, and always takes action when it is safe to do so.
In 180 BC, Liu Heng ascended the throne and became emperor with the support of his ministers, and he was Emperor Wen of Han. However, for the new emperor, the real challenge has only just begun.
He faced a complex political situation: the heroes were looking forward to a well-controlled puppet emperor, the princes were eyeing each other, and the common people were longing for a ruler who would bring stability and prosperity.
How to balance the interests of all parties in this situation, while gradually establishing his authority, became the primary challenge facing Emperor Wen.
The path to power of Emperor Wen of Han
Emperor Wen of Han, who had just ascended to the throne, was faced with a challenging situation. The ministers of the court and the central government were all founding fathers, and the local princes and kings were powerful, but he himself had a shallow foundation. How to consolidate power under such circumstances became the primary problem facing Emperor Wen.
Emperor Wen adopted a series of ingenious strategies. He first praised the heroes and ostensibly obeyed their will. At the same time, he did not express his political opinions easily, but let Chen Ping and Zhou Bo sing the leading roles in the court.
However, the opportunity soon came. In 178 BC, Chen Ping died of illness, and Emperor Wen seized this opportunity to begin his own power layout.
He first appointed Taiwei Zhou Bo as the prime minister of Zuo, which seemed to be reused, but in fact he was transferred out of the military power. Then, he gradually installed his henchmen in important positions in charge of the central army.
Locally, Emperor Wen was not idle. He re-rewarded a group of princes surnamed Liu, which seemed to be encircling the clan, but in fact it was dividing the power of the princes. At the same time, he also skillfully used the name of "respecting the old ministers" to send some of the founding princes who served in Chang'an back to the fiefdom for "retirement".
When Zhou Bo was imprisoned for being "restless" in the fiefdom, Emperor Wen's fangs were finally revealed. Although he finally released Zhou Bo in the form of a fine, this move undoubtedly sounded the alarm for other heroes.
At the same time, Emperor Wen also faced severe external challenges. The Xiongnu in the north were menacing, and once hit the Ganquan Palace near Chang'an. Emperor Wen immediately made a decision, ordered the whole country to mobilize, and personally commanded the fight against the Xiongnu. However, at this critical juncture, the king of Jibei chose to rebel.
Emperor Wen's response once again demonstrated his political wisdom. He decisively ended the confrontation with the Xiongnu and turned to quell the civil strife. This series of actions not only consolidated his rule, but also laid the foundation for the later "rule of Wenjing".
During his reign, Emperor Wen inherited some of the policies of Empress Lü, such as adopting a strategy of simultaneous peace and war against the Xiongnu, while vigorously developing agriculture and commerce, encouraging fertility, and reducing the burden on the people.
He advocated the rule of law, and even his uncle Bo Zhao was sentenced to death for murder, demonstrating the principle of equality before the law.
epilogue
The rise of Emperor Liu Heng of the Han Dynasty is one of the most dramatic chapters in Chinese history.
From an unknown small prince to a Ming monarch who created the "rule of Wenjing", the success of Emperor Wen is not only a personal struggle, but also the product of the perfect combination of historical opportunities and personal talents.
His story teaches us that in troubled times, sometimes seemingly disadvantaged can be the key to victory. #长文创作激励计划#
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