The Turbulent Transition of Power After Empress Lü’s Death

When Empress Lü Zhi died in 180 BCE, the political landscape of the Western Han Dynasty stood at a crossroads. As she had anticipated during her lifetime, members of the Liu imperial family quickly moved to eliminate the powerful Lü clan that had dominated court politics for years. This dramatic power struggle would ultimately lead to the unexpected ascension of Emperor Wen, one of China’s most celebrated rulers.

The first to challenge Lü dominance was Liu Xiang, King of Qi. Unlike his cautious father Liu Fei, Liu Xiang had spent nine years preparing for this moment. He strategically positioned his brothers Liu Zhang and Liu Xingju as palace guards to gather intelligence from the heart of government. These Liu princes demonstrated remarkable courage by serving close to Empress Lü during her reign of terror against Liu family members.

The Courageous Stand of Liu Zhang

Liu Zhang emerged as the most formidable of the younger Liu generation. His bold confrontation with Empress Lü at a palace banquet became legendary. When appointed to supervise drinking rituals, Liu Zhang insisted on enforcing military discipline – a request the empress granted without realizing its implications.

During the feast, Liu Zhang performed a sword dance and recited a metaphorical poem about farming: “Plow deep and sow thick, plant seedlings sparse; if not our kind, weed them out.” This thinly veiled protest against Lü oppression stunned the court. When a Lü relative left without permission, Liu Zhang beheaded him on the spot, citing military law. Though only twenty, this act made him a symbol of Liu resistance while also revealing his impulsive nature that would later prove problematic.

The Collapse of Lü Power

After Empress Lü’s death, the Lü clan’s grip on power quickly unraveled. Liu Zhang, married to Lü Lu’s daughter, learned of the Lü plan to control the imperial armies. He alerted Liu Xiang, who raised troops from Qi. The Lü leaders, inexperienced in warfare, sent veteran general Guan Ying to suppress the rebellion, but he instead negotiated with the Qi forces.

Meanwhile, senior officials Chen Ping and Zhou Bo orchestrated a coup. Through deception and the help of Lü Lu’s friend Li Ji (whose father they held hostage), they convinced Lü Lu to surrender his military command. The bumbling Lü leaders proved no match for the veteran statesmen. When Lü Chan attempted to seize the emperor, Liu Zhang intercepted and killed him after a dramatic chase during a sudden windstorm.

The Systematic Elimination of the Lü Clan

With the Lü leadership decapitated, the old guard moved swiftly. Within a month of Empress Lü’s death:
– The entire Lü clan was exterminated
– Lü Chan was killed and Lü Lu executed after fleeing
– Lü Xu (Empress Lü’s sister) was beaten to death
– Puppet emperor Liu Hong was deposed
– All Lü-appointed kings were removed

This thorough purge erased fifteen years of Lü political influence in a remarkably short time.

The Succession Crisis and Liu Heng’s Rise

With the Lü threat gone, tensions emerged between the Liu imperial family and veteran ministers over succession. The ambitious Liu Xiang brothers, instrumental in the anti-Lü campaign, expected the throne. However, Chen Ping and Zhou Bo feared their strong personalities, preferring someone more pliable.

Their choice fell upon Liu Heng, King of Dai, for several reasons:
– As one of Emperor Gao’s few surviving sons, he had legitimate claim
– His mother Lady Bo was known for her humility and lack of political ambition
– His long tenure in remote Dai suggested he would be grateful and compliant
– His cautious personality contrasted with the assertive Liu Xiang faction

The ministers cleverly justified rejecting Liu Xiang by citing his mother’s supposedly problematic family connections, invoking memories of Lü’s nepotism.

Liu Heng’s Calculated Acceptance

When approached, Liu Heng reacted with characteristic caution:
1. Initially feigned reluctance, consulting divination
2. Sent his uncle Bo Zhao to verify the ministers’ intentions
3. Advanced slowly toward Chang’an, stopping at his father’s tomb
4. Tested the waters through subordinate Song Chang before entering the capital
5. Repeatedly declined the throne in ritual refusals before “reluctantly” accepting

This performance, while following proper protocol, also revealed Liu Heng’s political acumen. His handling of Zhou Bo’s presumptuous behavior during the transfer of imperial seals showed he would not be a puppet ruler.

Consolidating Power

As emperor, Liu Heng moved carefully to secure his position:
– Appointed loyalists from Dai to key military posts
– Maintained veteran ministers in visible but increasingly ceremonial roles
– Skillfully played factions against each other
– Established his son Liu Qi as crown prince to ensure succession

The suspicious deaths of potential rivals – including Liu Xiang, Liu Zhang, and eventually his own brother Liu Chang – consolidated his authority while maintaining a benevolent image. His handling of the NanYue situation through diplomacy rather than military force demonstrated his preference for soft power.

The Legacy of Emperor Wen

Liu Heng’s reign (180-157 BCE) became known for:
– Reducing taxes and corvée labor
– Reforming harsh legal punishments
– Promoting agricultural production
– Personal frugality that set an example for the bureaucracy
– Cultural patronage that nurtured scholars like Jia Yi

However, his governance also contained contradictions:
– Monetary reforms created new economic problems
– Tolerance of corruption among favorites like Deng Tong
– Susceptibility to mystical charlatans like Xin Yuanping
– Failure to adequately address the growing power of regional kings

The tragic case of Jia Yi, the brilliant young reformer whose advice went largely unheeded, symbolized both the promise and limitations of Emperor Wen’s reign. Jia’s warnings about the dangers of powerful regional kings would prove prophetic in the coming decades.

Ultimately, Emperor Wen’s reign stabilized the Han Dynasty after the turbulent early years, setting the stage for the prosperous era that followed. His “rule by non-action” approach allowed society to recover from years of conflict, though it left unresolved structural issues that would challenge his successors. The dramatic events surrounding the fall of the Lü clan and Liu Heng’s rise demonstrated how the Han system could weather crises through a combination of institutional resilience and individual leadership.