Emperor Zhang was named Liu Wei (AD 56-88). Ming Di's fifth son. Ming Di succeeded to the throne after his death. /kloc-died of illness in 0/3 and was buried in Jingling (now southeast of Luoyang City, Henan Province).
Liu Wei, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was born in the second year of Jianwu in the Eastern Han Dynasty (57 years) to Jia Guiren. Because Ming Di Ma Huanghou had no children, Jia Guiren was Ma Huanghou's half-sister, and Liu Wei was adopted by Ma Huanghou when he was a child, so he made Ma Shi his home. Ming Di Yongping three years (60 years), 4-year-old Liu Dan was made a prince. In the autumn of the 18th year of Yongping (75), Ming Di died of illness, and Liu Wei became emperor at the age of 19. In the second year, the year number was changed to "Jian Chu".
First, the power dispute of sealing the marquis consorts
During the reign of Zhang Han, the issue of consorts was a very prominent political event. Regarding the status of consorts and the struggle between consorts, Emperor Zhang was strict and lenient, loose and tight, and vacillating. Correspondingly, the status of consorts has ups and downs, full of ups and downs. In the gap between Emperor Zhang's wandering, consorts took the opportunity to develop and eventually became a climate, laying a curse for the dictatorship of consorts in the middle of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
During the Guangwu and Ming Di periods in the Eastern Han Dynasty, in view of the lessons of Wang Mang's usurpation of the throne in the Western Han Dynasty, consorts were not allowed to be appointed as politicians. Matthew's brothers Mario, Ma Fang and Ma Guang were all officials of the Ming Dynasty, but Mario was only a warrior, while Ma Fang and Ma Guang were just assistant ministers of the Yellow Gate and never got promoted. After Zhang acceded to the throne, he was promoted to be a general of Wei, and Ma Fang was a corps commander, riding a general for Yuefu. Brother Ma was promoted at the same time, getting carried away and cocky. And some bureaucrats and diners who are good at observing words and deeds are also rushing to curry favor with them, and they are deeply involved for a time. Although SiKongWuLun and others tried to persuade him, Emperor Zhang just turned a deaf ear.
Then, Emperor Zhang wanted to pay homage to his uncle Ma's people, but Ma Xiu was afraid that it would hinder the formation of the law and cause criticism, and resolutely prohibited it. In the second year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (77), some bureaucratic scholars attached to horses wrote to ask Zhang Di to seal the Ma brothers. Emperor Zhang wanted to do it according to this proposal, but Matthew insisted on it and issued an Oracle: "Anyone who writes an envelope is trying to flatter me and seek benefits. Every consort is extremely expensive, and few of them fail. Therefore, the first emperor was careful not to let his uncle be a cardinal. Besides, the Ma brothers are incompetent, how can I bear the purpose and virtue of my ancestors and repeat the defeat of Xijing? Hereby announce the world. " After Matthew's imperial edict came out, ministers dared not say anything more. It's just that Emperor Zhang didn't give up after reading the imperial edict, and then asked the Queen Mother, "After the Han Dynasty, my uncle's title was customized, just like other scholars' titles. The original intention of the empress dowager is to be humble and submissive. Why don't you let me show my kindness to Uncle Gunn? Moreover, uncles are getting older and sickly. If I call a spade a spade, I will have endless resentment. I hope that the queen mother will review it and should be conferred in time. It is urgent! " Matthew gently advised Johnny, saying, "I've thought it over and over again, and I really shouldn't seal it. Once upon a time, Dou Taihou wanted to seal the queen's younger brother, but he was opposed by Prime Minister Zhou Yafu, saying that the high-impedance had an appointment, and people without military service could not seal the title. How can today's reactive power country be compared with the Yin family and Guo family of Zuo Han Zhongxing? Those who are rich and have overlapping positions will never last long. I've made up my mind not to mention the matter of sealing again. Besides, you just took the throne, the weather is abnormal, disasters occur frequently, and food prices soar. We should consider how to calm people's hearts and tide over the difficulties. Why don't you do your business, you have to seal the consorts first? " In a word, Emperor Zhang had to bow down and be taught, so he had to quit.
In the third year (78), Matthew died. That year, Zhang named the great-granddaughter of the late Stuart as the queen, and the power of consorts developed rapidly. In the harem of Emperor Zhang, concubines also launched a subtle struggle for favor. It turns out that Queen Dou was favored by Emperor Zhang, but she didn't give birth. However, in the harem, the Song nobles gave birth to a man named Liu Qing, who was appointed as the Crown Prince. In addition, Gui Liang, the niece of former servant Song Liang, has a son named Liu Zhao. For Queen Dou, Song Guiren and Chu Jun Qing were both thorn in the side and wanted to get rid of them. So he bribed the maid in the palace and testified falsely accusing the Song nobles of making drugs and cursing the emperor. On the other hand, Dou Taihou tried to take it for himself. The emperor was fascinated by Dou's beauty and believed her words. He deposed Song Guiren and made him the Crown Prince.
Outside the palace, consorts groups also began to compete for actual political and economic interests. Due to Matthew's death, the Ma brothers lost their domestic help in the DPRK, and the diners who had gathered under Ma Men gradually dispersed. Soon, Dou took the opportunity to falsely accuse the Ma brothers of being arrogant and extravagant. Zhang listened to the rumors and removed the three brothers from their official positions, making them move to the city. With the decline of Mahara Nobis, the status of Dou Fei's family rose sharply. Dou Xian, the elder brother of Queen Dou, was appointed as an assistant and commander of the samurai regiment, and Dou Du, his younger brother, was appointed as assistant minister of Huangmen. When the Dou Shi brothers went to the Palace Province, they accumulated awards and made friends. In this regard, Wu Lun once wrote to Zhang Di, strictly restraining the Dou family to prevent problems before they happen. It's a pity that Johnny ignored. This not only did not restrain the power of the Doushi family, but virtually encouraged them to be more rampant, pillaging and even bullying the kings and princesses of the Liu family, as well as the Yin Empress and Ma Huanghou of the previous dynasties.
The vicious expansion of the power of Dou finally attracted the attention of Emperor Zhang, because Dou Xian took the garden of Princess Qinshui at a very low price. One day, Emperor Zhang ordered Dou Xian to go on a cruise and pass by Princess Qinshui's garden. Emperor Zhang deliberately asked, "Whose garden is the princess today?" Dou Xian knew that things were exposed, and he faltered and didn't dare to face it. Emperor Zhang knew that the rumor was true. When he returned to the palace, he called Dou Xian and denounced him: "What crime did you commit by taking possession of the princess's garden without permission? You are so arrogant, what's the difference between you and Zhao Gao of the Qin Dynasty? As expensive as a princess, you have plundered it, not to mention ordinary people. I want to abandon you, just like a chicken and a rotten mouse. What a pity! " Dou Xian hurriedly Voldemort confessing. At this point, Dou Shi's power has converged.
In order to rebuild Guangwudi's policy of restraining consorts in peace, Zhang Feng ordered Luoyang to specially transfer selfless and upright qi zhou to Beijing. As soon as Zhou Zhu took office, he ordered his subordinate officials to report the list of Beijing strongmen and severely banned them, stating that no matter who broke the law, they would all be in hell to pay. One evening, Dou Du, assistant minister of Huangmen, came home from the palace and passed by the rape pavilion. Jan Josephszoon van Goyen, director of the exhibition hall, stopped Dou Du's chariots and horses and insisted on checking them again before passing by. Dou Du's servants usually bully others. They don't care about a small pavilion and push Jan Josephszoon van Goyen away. Jan Josephszoon van Goyen drew his sword and shouted, "I have orders from Luoyang that no matter whether the relatives of the emperor or the people of the country pass this pavilion at night, I will investigate them clearly and let them go. Who are you, dare to run wild here! " Dou's servant is still arguing with him. At this moment, Dou Du, who had been sitting in the car, shouted, "I'm Dou Du, assistant minister of Huangmen. I'm going home on vacation from my apartment. Can I pass this pavilion? " The director of the exhibition hall listened to Dou Du's name and was allowed to pass. The next day, Dou Du entered the palace, illegally playing the rampage of Zhouyi and abusing his nobles. The queen cried in front of Emperor Zhang again. Emperor Zhang knew that what he said was not all true, but out of affection for the queen, he ordered Zhou Yi to be arrested and tried. During the trial, we argued and denounced Dou's evil deeds according to law. Ting Wei can't give priority to it, so he has to report it according to the facts. Emperor Zhang ordered the release of qi zhou and temporarily relieved him of his official position in Luoyang. However, Emperor Zhang knew Zhou Zhu's loyalty and integrity, and soon appointed him as an imperial envoy. Zhang was wary of the influence of consorts, but he couldn't make up his mind to deal with it severely, and finally failed to weaken the influence of consorts.
Second, manage the western regions and maintain the Silk Road.
During the reign of Emperor Han Ming, Ban Chao was ordered to go to the Western Regions, and all the departments in the Western Regions were taken under his command, where the central government set up the Capital Protection Department. However, there are still wars in the region and the situation is not calm. At the beginning of Zhang's accession to the throne, border customs became chaotic again. Yanqi, Qiuci and Che joined forces with the northern Xiongnu to attack the central military and political headquarters, and the situation was quite tense. Emperor Zhang called his ministers to discuss countermeasures, and everyone wanted to postpone it, but Stuart urged immediate reinforcements. Zhang adopted Bao Xian's suggestion and sent troops to the west to save the border crisis.
However, Emperor Zhang hesitated whether to continue to operate the Western Regions, and ministers also argued endlessly. Due to the practical difficulties of manpower and material resources, Zhang finally gave up the Western Regions and ordered the Han Dynasty personnel stranded in the Western Regions to return to China.
At this time, Ban Chao lived in Shule, and also received a letter of withdrawal. He packed his luggage, got his horses ready and prepared to return to his long-lost motherland. After living in the western regions for many years, he was reluctant to go, and the people in the western regions also loved and respected him. Hearing that Ban Chao was going back to China, Shule people were dismayed, because Ban Chao had a way to deal with the Huns. With Ban Chao gone, there will be no peace in the world. A Shule captain pulled out a long knife and cried all over his face. He sighed to Tianchang: "The envoys of the Han Dynasty left me, and our country will be destroyed by the Huns. Instead of dying the next day, it is better to follow Special Envoy Han today and send him back! " Say, kill yourself with a knife. Although Ban Chao was inseparable, the king's life had to be diverted to the east. Soon arrived in Khotan, Khotan people stopped to meet Ban Chao. When they heard that he would return to the East, they all burst into tears. People nearby knelt on Ban Chao's lap and wouldn't let him leave. Ban Chao had no choice but to stay. At the same time, he also wrote to the emperor Zhang, asking him to stay in the Western Regions. Zhang agreed to Ban Chao's request.
Ban Chao united the people of all ethnic groups in the western regions and effectively curbed the invasion of the northern Xiongnu. All the countries in the western regions except Qiuci are willing to submit to the Han Dynasty. In the sixth year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (83), Ban Chao wrote to Emperor Zhang in Shule, requesting to send troops for support and surrender to Qiuci, thus realizing the strategic intention of "breaking the right arm of Xiongnu". Zhang Di supported Ban Chao's plan and enrolled officials to go. Just then, Xu Gan, a native of Ping Ling, volunteered to write a letter to North Korea, wishing to make contributions to other countries. Emperor Zhang was overjoyed and called him a pseudo Sima. He led an expeditionary force of more than 1000 people to the west to rescue Ban Chao. Among the western countries, Wusun is the most powerful. Ban Chao asked Emperor Zhang to send messengers to express condolences to Wusun. Emperor Zhang agreed to Ban Chao's request and sent messengers to Wusun. King Wusun was very happy. In the eighth year of Yu Jianchu (85), he sent envoys to pay a return visit to the Han Dynasty to show his friendship. In the Western Regions, the Han Dynasty received such great national support that Emperor Zhang felt very satisfied. So Ban Chao was promoted to be a general, and he was granted the right to represent the Eastern Han government in the western regions. Due to the close ties with the central government of the Han Dynasty, especially due to the attachment of Wu Sun, Ban Chao's prestige in the western regions increased greatly. All the countries in the western regions are willing to be controlled by Ban Chao, thus paving the way for the later empire and the Eastern Han government to get through the close ties with the western regions again.
Third, the government lenient punishment and rectification of Confucian classics.
Historically, it was said that Emperor Zhang was loyal to the monarch, benevolence and righteousness, and loyal to his own family, and the punishment by law was indeed lenient. For example, according to the system of the Eastern Han Dynasty, officials were imprisoned for three generations, that is, three generations were not allowed to be officials. Zhang abolished this system. However, the rewards given by Emperor Zhang to officials and nobles often exceeded the prescribed limits, causing financial difficulties for the country and shifting these burdens to the people. It can be seen that Johnny's generosity is not entirely based on principles.
Sometimes, some of Zhang Di's decrees and punishments are not based on facts, but on the study of predicting disasters. In the first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (76), there was a drought in Yanzhou, Henan, Xu and other States, and the hungry people were everywhere. On the one hand, Emperor Zhang mobilized the national treasury to provide emergency relief to the hungry people, on the other hand, he called ministers to discuss solutions. According to the popular view at that time, successive years of drought and famine were due to the imbalance of yin and yang and related to political affairs. Situ Baoyu lamented the shortcomings of the times: "A few years ago, he ruled the British prison of the King of Chu and arrested hundreds of people. Not all these people are guilty, and I'm afraid half of those involved in jail are wronged. People sentenced to prison are far away from home, separated from their flesh and blood, and their souls cannot rest in peace when they die. This has led to the imbalance between yin and yang and floods and droughts. Now it is better to pardon these criminals, lift their imprisonment and let them go home and reunite with their loved ones. This may bring harmony, dew in the sky, alleviate drought and alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people. " Chen Chong, Minister of State, also said: "Governing the country is like tuning the tune. If the string is adjusted too tightly, it will break, and if the punishment is too severe, it will cause people's dissatisfaction. I suggest that your majesty further reduce the punishment. " Zhang listened to their advice, granted amnesty to the whole world and reduced his punishment.
Because he believed in prophetic superstition, Emperor Zhang personally presided over the rectification of Confucian classics. In the eighth year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (79), Emperor Zhang accepted Yang Zhong's suggestion and personally convened a meeting of generals, doctors, Langgong and Confucian scholars in Baihuguan to discuss the similarities and differences of the Five Classics. Finally, Emperor Zhang made his own decision and decided right and wrong. The discussion record of this meeting was later compiled into a book by Ban Gu and named "Biography of the White Tiger". The "seriousness" advertised by the White Tiger Pass Conference and White Tiger Pass, on the one hand, is to study seriously with divination, and its purpose is to legalize divination superstition with political power, so that it has the same lofty academic status as Confucian classics, on the other hand, it is to study seriously with official will, so as to better serve feudal rulers. So "White Tiger Tong" became a book to compile Confucianism.
In the second year of Zhanghe (88), Emperor Zhang died at the age of 3 1 and reigned at 13. Buried in Jingling, the temple was named "Zhang Zong".