The Fragile Succession of a Child Emperor

The early years of Emperor Zhao’s reign (86-74 BCE) represented one of the most precarious transitions in Han Dynasty history. Ascending the throne at just eight years old following Emperor Wu’s death, the boy emperor inherited an empire exhausted by decades of military campaigns against the Xiongnu and internal economic strain. The late Wu period had seen catastrophic population decline – records suggest nearly half the household registries vanished due to war, taxation, and displacement.

This vulnerability immediately attracted ambitious relatives. Prince Liu Dan of Yan, the eldest surviving son of Emperor Wu, challenged the succession by claiming the young emperor was illegitimate. His conspiracy with Prince Liu Ze of Qi involved forging imperial edicts and manufacturing armor, but their plot unraveled when the vigilant Governor of Qing Province, Jun Buyi, intercepted their communications. The court’s leniency toward Liu Dan (only his co-conspirators were executed) demonstrated the delicate balance regent Huo Guang sought between authority and family harmony.

The Regency Power Structure

Three key figures emerged as pillars of the regency council:

1. Huo Guang – The primary regent and master political operator
2. Jin Midi – A former Xiongnu prince turned loyal Han minister
3. Shangguan Jie – Military commander and future antagonist

The dynamics shifted dramatically after Jin Midi’s death in 86 BCE. As Wang Fuzhi later analyzed, Jin’s moral authority had restrained factional ambitions. His refusal of imperial honors until his deathbed set a standard of humility that temporarily checked Huo Guang’s and Shangguan Jie’s ambitions. With this moral compass gone, the stage was set for conflict.

Economic Crisis and the Salt and Iron Debate

By 81 BCE, the empire faced systemic economic challenges from Emperor Wu’s expansionist policies. The famous Salt and Iron Conference convened scholars and officials to debate state monopolies established under Wu. Reformists argued:

– The salt, iron, and alcohol monopolies created widespread hardship
– Government price controls through the “Equal Supply System” distorted markets
– Military expenditures should be reduced to ease peasant burdens

Sang Hongyang, architect of Wu’s economic policies, defended the monopolies as necessary for frontier defense. The conference’s compromise – abolishing only the alcohol monopoly while retaining others – reflected Huo Guang’s pragmatic approach. The discussions were later compiled into the Discourses on Salt and Iron, a foundational text on Chinese political economy.

The Hero’s Return: Su Wu’s Endurance

One of the era’s most celebrated events was diplomat Su Wu’s return in 81 BCE after 19 years of Xiongnu captivity. His refusal to surrender despite being abandoned in the Siberian wilderness (subsisting on wild rodents and grass) became legendary. The poignant encounter with his former friend Li Ling, who had defected to the Xiongnu, highlighted contrasting responses to adversity. Su’s unbroken loyalty earned him high honors, though the once-robust ambassador returned with hair turned completely white.

The Failed Coup of 80 BCE

The regency’s internal tensions erupted when Shangguan Jie’s faction attempted to eliminate Huo Guang through an elaborate conspiracy involving:

– Princess Eyi – The emperor’s sister, angered by Huo blocking honors for her lover
– Sang Hongyang – Resentful over economic policy reversals
– Prince Liu Dan – Still scheming to claim the throne

Their plot involved forged accusations of Huo Guang planning military parades with imperial pomp. The 14-year-old emperor’s brilliant rebuttal – noting the recent timing made the charges impossible – demonstrated remarkable political acumen. When the conspiracy was exposed through an agricultural official’s tip, the retribution was brutal:

– Shangguan Jie and Sang Hongyang’s clans were exterminated
– Princess Eyi committed suicide
– Prince Liu Dan was allowed to take his own life

Frontier Management and the Loulan Assassination

Huo Guang pursued an assertive western strategy. In 77 BCE, cavalry officer Fu Jiezi conducted a daring covert operation in Loulan (modern Xinjiang):

1. Lured King Angui with promises of gold and silk
2. Assassinated him during a drunken banquet
3. Installed a pro-Han ruler, renaming the kingdom Shanshan

While effective short-term, historian Sima Guang later criticized this as dishonorable statecraft that damaged Han credibility. Concurrently, the Xiongnu Confederation fragmented after succession disputes, beginning their long decline.

Legacy of the Zhao Restoration

Emperor Zhao’s brief reign (ending with his mysterious death at 20) stabilized the Han Dynasty through:

– Economic Recovery: Reduced taxes and corvée labor
– Political Prudence: Huo Guang’s selective reforms balanced competing interests
– Institutional Stability: Maintaining Wu’s bureaucratic framework while softening its harsh edges

The era’s lessons about power – from Jin Midi’s humility to Shangguan Jie’s overreach – became enduring case studies in Chinese political thought. Subsequent rulers like Emperor Xuan would build on this foundation to create the “Zhongxing” (Middle Prosperity) period of Han revival.