The Precarious Succession Crisis
In 74 BCE, the Han Dynasty faced a pivotal moment when Emperor Zhao died at just 23 years old without a male heir. This unexpected death created a dangerous power vacuum in one of China’s most powerful empires. The court was thrown into turmoil as Grand General Huo Guang and other ministers scrambled to find a suitable successor from the imperial Liu family.
The only surviving son of Emperor Wu was Liu Xu, the King of Guangling. However, Huo Guang harbored deep reservations about this candidate due to Liu Xu’s reputation for erratic behavior that had displeased the late Emperor Wu. The situation mirrored ancient Zhou dynasty precedents where unsuitable elder heirs were passed over in favor of more capable younger ones.
The Ill-Fated Choice of Liu He
Huo Guang ultimately selected Liu He, grandson of Emperor Wu through his son Liu Bo, the late King of Changyi. This decision would prove disastrous. Even before his summons to the capital, Liu He had established a notorious reputation in his fiefdom for reckless behavior and poor judgment.
His advisors, including the principled Gong Sui, had repeatedly warned about his excesses. During the national mourning period for Emperor Wu, Liu He shamelessly continued his hunting expeditions, once covering 200 li (about 66 miles) in less than half a day. His tutor Wang Ji admonished him with references to ancient sage kings, but Liu He merely rewarded the advice while continuing his dissolute lifestyle.
A Reign of Scandal and Mismanagement
Liu He’s 27-day reign became legendary for its incompetence and impropriety. Upon arriving in the capital, he immediately began:
– Appointing his Changyi cronies to key positions
– Engaging in inappropriate revelries during the mourning period
– Mishandling the imperial seal with shocking casualness
– Commandeering palace vehicles for personal entertainment
– Engaging in sexual misconduct with palace women
His advisor Gong Sui made desperate final attempts at reform, interpreting ominous dreams as heavenly warnings. When Liu He dreamed of headless dogs in human hats, Gong Sui warned this symbolized corrupt ministers who should be dismissed. Another dream of bears in the palace was interpreted as a sign the dynasty would fall if Liu He didn’t change.
The Dramatic Downfall
Huo Guang, realizing his grave mistake in selecting Liu He, convened an emergency council. Citing the ancient precedent of Prime Minister Yi Yin deposing the Shang king Tai Jia, he gained support from terrified officials. In a carefully staged intervention:
1. Liu He was isolated from his Changyi supporters
2. The empress dowager presided over a formal indictment
3. Officials detailed 1,127 documented transgressions
4. Liu He was deposed on grounds of incompetence and immorality
The former emperor’s poignant farewell—”How foolish I was to fail the Han house”—marked the end of China’s shortest imperial reign. He was exiled back to Changyi with a reduced title and stipend, while his enablers faced execution.
The Rise of a Phoenix: Emperor Xuan’s Ascension
The crisis paved way for one of Han’s most remarkable success stories. Huo Guang’s faction selected Liu Bingyi (later Emperor Xuan), a great-grandson of Emperor Wu who had survived the witchcraft persecutions that killed his family. His unlikely path included:
– Infancy in prison under the protection of sympathetic jailers
– Childhood with his grandmother’s family
– Education sponsored by sympathetic officials
– Marriage to commoner Xu Pingjun arranged by a palace eunuch
This “commoner emperor” brought unique perspectives to governance, having experienced both palace privilege and street-level hardships. His reign (74-49 BCE) would become known as the “Zhongxing” or revival of the Han Dynasty.
The Cultural and Political Aftermath
The Liu He episode profoundly impacted Han politics and statecraft:
1. Power of Regents: Confirmed the extraordinary authority ministers could wield during succession crises
2. Imperial Accountability: Established that emperors could be removed for misconduct
3. Confucian Ideals: Reinforced the expectation that rulers should embody virtue and learning
4. Huo Family Dominance: Temporarily strengthened the Huo clan’s grip on power
The historian Ban Gu later noted this period demonstrated how “the Mandate of Heaven could be transferred through human judgment.” The careful selection of Emperor Xuan over more direct heirs showed pedigree alone didn’t guarantee fitness to rule.
Lessons for Modern Leadership
This historical episode offers timeless insights:
1. Succession Planning: The dangers of inadequate preparation for leadership transitions
2. Character Over Pedigree: The risks of promoting individuals based solely on lineage rather than merit
3. Checks on Power: The importance of mechanisms to remove incompetent leaders
4. Mentorship Value: How quality advisors (like Gong Sui) can attempt to steer wayward leaders
The 27-day reign stands as a cautionary tale about the perils of poor leadership selection—a lesson as relevant today as in ancient China’s corridors of power.