Chimei

Circa 17, due to Wang Mang's incompetence in ruling -- particularly in his implementation of his land reform policy -- and a major Yellow River flood affecting the modern Shandong and northern Jiangsu regions, the people who could no longer subsist on farming were forced into rebellion to try to survive. The rebellions were numerous and fractured. Two key major examples are discussed below. Chimei - Mother Lü. The case of Mother Lü (呂母, personal name unknown) was a highlyl unusual one. Her son was a ...

See also:

Chimei, Chimei - The rise of what would become Chimei, Chimei - Mother Lü, Chimei - Fan Chong, Chimei - The joining of the forces, Chimei - The confrontation with Xin forces under Wang Kuang and Lian Dan, Chimei - Temporary submission to Emperor Gengshi, Chimei - Campaign against Chang'an, Chimei - Loss of popular support, Chimei - Flight back east and collapse, Chimei - Aftermaths

Read more here: » Chimei: Encyclopedia II - Chimei - The rise of what would become Chimei

Wang Mang (王莽, pinyin: Wáng Măng) (45 BC–October 6, 23), courtesy name Jujun (巨君), was a Han Dynasty official who seized the throne from the Liu family and founded Xin (or Hsin) Dynasty (新朝, meaning "new dynasty"), ruling AD 8–23. The Han dynasty was restored after his overthrow, and historians have traditionally viewed Wang as a "usurper," while some others have portrayed him as a visionary and selfless social reformer. Though a learned Confucian scholar who sought to implement the harmonious society he ...

Including:

• Wang Mang - Early life and career
• Wang Mang - First tenure as the commander of the armed forces
• Wang Mang - Retirement during Emperor Ai's reign
• Wang Mang - Regency and buildup of personality cult
• Wang Mang - As acting emperor
• Wang Mang - Early reign: mistakes
• Wang Mang - Economic policies
• Wang Mang - Deterioration of the relationship with Xiongnu and other vassals
• Wang Mang - Paralysis and corruption of the government
• Wang Mang - Middle reign: agrarian rebellions
• Wang Mang - Late reign: hopelessness
• Wang Mang - Reasons for Wang Mang's failure
• Wang Mang - Personal information

Read more here: » Wang Mang: Encyclopedia - Wang Mang

Deng first met Liu Xiu when both were visiting and studying in the Xin Dynasty capital of Chang'an, perhaps in 12. He befriended Liu as both were from Nanyang Commandery (roughly modern Nanyang, Henan). Later, both went back home, and Liu Xiu would eventually be involved in his brother Liu Yan's rebellion against Xin in 22. Deng apparently was not involved in any revolutionary activities against Xin at this point. After Xin fell to Emperor Gengshi's rebel armies in 23, Liu Xiu was commissioned by Emperor Gengshi to pacify the territor ...

See also:

Deng Yu, Deng Yu - Initial following of Liu Xiu, Deng Yu - Campaign in the west, Deng Yu - Role in Emperor Guangwu's administration

Read more here: » Deng Yu: Encyclopedia II - Deng Yu - Initial following of Liu Xiu

The Chimei generals were as inept at ruling as they were capable in the battlefield, however. Initially, the people of the Guanzhong (關中, modern central Shaanxi) region submitted and offered tributes -- and were surprised when the Chimei soldiers continuously robbed them on the way to Chang'an. The locals soon resumed maintaining and defending their outposts. In 26, Liu Gong, seeing the dangers of the situation for his brother the emperor, decided to make one attempt to either put the situation under control or disengage his broth ...

See also:

Liu Penzi, Liu Penzi - Family background, Liu Penzi - Being made emperor, Liu Penzi - As emperor, Liu Penzi - After surrender, Liu Penzi - Era name

Read more here: » Liu Penzi: Encyclopedia II - Liu Penzi - As emperor

Late in Wang Mang's reign as the emperor of Xin Dynasty, there were agrarian revolts virtually everywhere in the empire, due to Wang's incompetent rule and the natural disasters of the time. The two largest branches were the Lülin (綠林) (concentrated in modern southern Henan and northern Hubei) and Chimei (赤眉) (concentrated in modern southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu). In 22, the most ambitious of the rebels would emerge. Liu Yan (劉縯), a descendant of a distant branch of the Han imperial clan, who lived in his ancestr ...

See also:

Emperor Gengshi of Han, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Start of reign and destruction of Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Attempted consolidation of power, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Defeat by Chimei, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Gengshi of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Gengshi of Han - Start of reign and destruction of Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty

In 17, the Jing Province (荊州, modern Hubei, Hunan, and southern Henan) was suffering a famine that was greatly exacerbated by the corruption and incompetence of Xin officials. The victims of the famine were reduced to consuming wild plants, and even those were in short supply, causing the suffering people to attack each other. Two men named Wang Kuang (王匡) and Wang Feng (王鳳), both from Xinshi (新市, in modern Jingmen, Hubei) became arbiters in some of these disputes, and they became the leaders of the enfamined people. They wer ...

See also:

Lülin, Lülin - Start of the rebellion, Lülin - Temporary breakup after plague, Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition, Lülin - Reestablishment of the Han Dynasty Under Emperor Gengshi, Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang, Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death, Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an, Lülin - The destruction of Emperor Gengshi's regime

Read more here: » Lülin: Encyclopedia II - Lülin - Start of the rebellion

Early in his reign, now-Emperor Wang Mang was self-confident and believed that he now had the power to implement his ideals of restoring the legendary golden age of the early Zhou Dynasty. To those ends, he modified the governmental structure in many ways to conform with Zhou standards. He also continued the regime of modifying geographical names to fit with ancient names (or more euphemistic names, as he saw fit) -- so much so that even imperial edicts discussing the locations by their new names were forced to include notes on the old names ...

See also:

Wang Mang, Wang Mang - Early life and career, Wang Mang - First tenure as the commander of the armed forces, Wang Mang - Retirement during Emperor Ai's reign, Wang Mang - Regency and buildup of personality cult, Wang Mang - As acting emperor, Wang Mang - Early reign: mistakes, Wang Mang - Economic policies, Wang Mang - Deterioration of the relationship with Xiongnu and other vassals, Wang Mang - Paralysis and corruption of the government, Wang Mang - Middle reign: agrarian rebellions, Wang Mang - Late reign: hopelessness, Wang Mang - Reasons for Wang Mang's failure, Wang Mang - Personal information

Read more here: » Wang Mang: Encyclopedia II - Wang Mang - Early reign: mistakes

Emperor Guangwu of Han - The ascension of Emperor Gengshi. Main article: Emperor Gengshi of Han By this point, many other rebel leaders had become jealous of Liu Yan's capabilities, and while a good number of their men admired Liu Yan and wanted him to become the emperor of a newly declared Han Dynasty, they had other ideas. They found another local rebel leader, Liu Xuan, a third cousin of Liu Yan, who was claiming the title of General Gengshi (更始將軍) at the time and who was considered a wea ...

See also:

Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Family background, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Participation in his brother's rebellion, Emperor Guangwu of Han - As official under Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The ascension of Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Liu Yan's death and Liu Xiu's bare survival, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Role in reorganization of Emperor Gengshi's regime and dispatch to northern China, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Independence from Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Campaign to unify the empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Victory over the Chimei, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Gradual victories over other regional powers, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Reign over unified empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Marital and succession issues, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Late reign, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Era names, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Guangwu of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Guangwu of Han - As official under Emperor Gengshi

They were, however, soon spurred on by someone who was. Liu Yan (劉縯), a descendant of a distant branch of the Han imperial clan, who lived in his ancestral territory of Chongling (舂陵, in modern Xiangfan, Hubei), had long been disgusted by Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han throne, and had long aspired to start a rebellion. He had a brother, Emperor Guangwu of Han (劉秀) who, by contrast, was a careful and deliberate man, who was content to be a farmer. Around this time, there were prophecies being spread about that the Lius would re ...

See also:

Lülin, Lülin - Start of the rebellion, Lülin - Temporary breakup after plague, Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition, Lülin - Reestablishment of the Han Dynasty Under Emperor Gengshi, Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang, Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death, Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an, Lülin - The destruction of Emperor Gengshi's regime

Read more here: » Lülin: Encyclopedia II - Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition

Liu Xiu was the sixth generation descendant of Emperor Jing of the Former (or Western) Han. He was the son of Liu Qin (劉欽), magistrate (i.e., head official) of Nandun county (南頓令). Liu Qin was the son of Liu Hui (劉回), vice governor in charge of military affairs for Julu commandery (鉅鹿都尉). Liu Hui was the son of Liu Wai (劉外), governor of Yulin commandery (鬱林太守). Liu Wai was the son of Liu Mai (劉買), known posthumously as Marquess Jie of Chongling (舂陵節侯). Liu Mai was the son of Liu Fa (劉發), know ...

See also:

Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Family background, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Participation in his brother's rebellion, Emperor Guangwu of Han - As official under Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The ascension of Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Liu Yan's death and Liu Xiu's bare survival, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Role in reorganization of Emperor Gengshi's regime and dispatch to northern China, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Independence from Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Campaign to unify the empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Victory over the Chimei, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Gradual victories over other regional powers, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Reign over unified empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Marital and succession issues, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Late reign, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Era names, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Guangwu of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Guangwu of Han - Family background

As Liu began to increase his influence in the east, he was pondering whom to entrust with an army to head west to try to take over territories while Emperor Gengshi's forces battled the Chimei. In 24, he commissioned Deng with a relatively small force of 20,000. Deng was quickly able to capture the Hedong (河東, modern southern Shanxi) region for Liu. After Liu declared himself emperor in 25, he gave Deng the title of prime minister and created him the Marquess of Zhan -- the same title as Xiao He, his ancestor Emperor Gao's famed prime minister -- implicitly comparing Deng to Xiao. Deng, at age 23, ...

See also:

Deng Yu, Deng Yu - Initial following of Liu Xiu, Deng Yu - Campaign in the west, Deng Yu - Role in Emperor Guangwu's administration

Read more here: » Deng Yu: Encyclopedia II - Deng Yu - Campaign in the west

Emperor Guangwu of Han - Victory over the Chimei. Main article: Chimei Soon after Emperor Guangwu's ascension, his former liege Emperor Gengshi's regime was destroyed by the Chimei, who supported their own pretender to the Han throne, Emperor Liu Penzi. The Chimei leaders, while militarily powerful, were however, even less capable at ruling than Emperor Gengshi, and they soon alienated the people of the Guanzhong (關中, modern central Shaanxi) region, which they had taken over when they overthrew ...

See also:

Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Family background, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Participation in his brother's rebellion, Emperor Guangwu of Han - As official under Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The ascension of Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Liu Yan's death and Liu Xiu's bare survival, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Role in reorganization of Emperor Gengshi's regime and dispatch to northern China, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Independence from Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Campaign to unify the empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Victory over the Chimei, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Gradual victories over other regional powers, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Reign over unified empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Marital and succession issues, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Late reign, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Era names, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Guangwu of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Guangwu of Han - Campaign to unify the empire

Wang Mang decided that he had to crush this rebellion once and for all. He sent his cousin Wang Yi (王邑) and his prime minister Wang Xun (王尋) with what he considered to be overwhelming force, some 430,000 men, intending to crush the newly constituted Han regime. The Han forces were at this point in two groups -- one led by Wang Feng, Wang Chang, and Liu Xiu, which, in response to the arrival of the Xin forces, withdrew to the small town of Kunyang (昆陽, in modern Pingdingshan, Henan) and one led by Liu Yan, which was sieging Wanche ...

See also:

Lülin, Lülin - Start of the rebellion, Lülin - Temporary breakup after plague, Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition, Lülin - Reestablishment of the Han Dynasty Under Emperor Gengshi, Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang, Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death, Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an, Lülin - The destruction of Emperor Gengshi's regime

Read more here: » Lülin: Encyclopedia II - Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang

Around the same time, Liu Yan was able to finally capture Wancheng. Emperor Gengshi entered the city and made it his temporary capital. However, at this time, infighting would begin. The very first major incident of infighting in Emperor Gengshi's regime would happen in this time, though. Emperor Gengshi, along with the officials who were formerly leaders of the Xinshi and Pinglin Forces, was fearful of Liu Yan's capabilities and keenly aware that many of Liu Yan's followers were angry that he was not made emperor. One, Liu Ji (劉稷 ...

See also:

Lülin, Lülin - Start of the rebellion, Lülin - Temporary breakup after plague, Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition, Lülin - Reestablishment of the Han Dynasty Under Emperor Gengshi, Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang, Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death, Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an, Lülin - The destruction of Emperor Gengshi's regime

Read more here: » Lülin: Encyclopedia II - Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death

After Wang Mang's death, Emperor Gengshi moved his capital from Wancheng to Luoyang. He then issued edicts to the entire empire, promising to allow Xin local officials who submitted to him to keep their posts. For a brief period, nearly the entire empire showed at least nominal submission -- even including the powerful Chimei general Fan Chong (樊崇), who, indeed, went to stay in Luoyang under promises of titles and honors. However, this policy was applied inconsistently, and local governors soon became apprehensive about giving up their p ...

See also:

Emperor Gengshi of Han, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Start of reign and destruction of Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Attempted consolidation of power, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Defeat by Chimei, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Gengshi of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Gengshi of Han - Attempted consolidation of power

In winter 24, an ominous issue would arise for Emperor Gengshi; Chimei troops, then stationed at Puyang (濮陽, modern Puyang, Henan), were highly fatigued at the time and wanted to go home. Their leaders felt that if they did so, Chimei forces would scatter and be unable to be gathered again, and they felt that a clear target needs to be created. They decided to announce that they were attacking Emperor Gengshi's capital Chang'an, and they, divided into two armies, began to head west. Liu Xiu, while he had fairly strong troops, chose to st ...

See also:

Emperor Gengshi of Han, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Start of reign and destruction of Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Attempted consolidation of power, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Defeat by Chimei, Emperor Gengshi of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Gengshi of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Gengshi of Han - Defeat by Chimei

Liu Penzi was a descendant of the Western Han prince Liu Zhang, Prince Jing of Chengyang, from whose principality many Chimei men came. The people of the principality had long worshipped Prince Zhang as a god. Penzi's grandfather Liu Xian (劉憲) was created the Marquess of Shi by Emepror Yuan, and Penzi's father Liu Meng (劉萌) inherited the march after Marquess Xian's death. When Wang Mang usurped the Han throne and established ...

See also:

Liu Penzi, Liu Penzi - Family background, Liu Penzi - Being made emperor, Liu Penzi - As emperor, Liu Penzi - After surrender, Liu Penzi - Era name

Read more here: » Liu Penzi: Encyclopedia II - Liu Penzi - Family background

Emperor Gengshi then commissioned two armies, one led by Wang Kuang, targeting Luoyang, and the other led by Shentu Jian (申屠建) and Li Song (李松), targeting Chang'an directly. All the populace on the way gathered, welcomed, and joined the Han forces. Shentu and Li quickly reached the outskirts of Chang'an. In response, the young men within Chang'an also rose up and stormed Weiyang Palace, the main imperial palace. Wang died in the battle at the palace. After Wang Mang's death, Emperor Gengshi moved his capital from Wancheng to ...

See also:

Lülin, Lülin - Start of the rebellion, Lülin - Temporary breakup after plague, Lülin - Reunion and the start of political ambition, Lülin - Reestablishment of the Han Dynasty Under Emperor Gengshi, Lülin - The Battle of Kunyang, Lülin - Initial infighting and Liu Yan's death, Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an, Lülin - The destruction of Emperor Gengshi's regime

Read more here: » Lülin: Encyclopedia II - Lülin - The destruction of Wang Mang and subsequent movement to Chang'an

In 22, with virtually the entire empire rebelling against Wang Mang's incompetent rule, Liu Yan prepared his rebellion. He planned, along with his brothers, and Li Tong (李通) and his cousin Li Yi (李軼), to kidnap the governor for Nanyang Commandery (roughly modern Nanyang, Henan) and call for the people of the commandery to join him. When the young men of their home territory of Chongling heard about the rebellion, they were all scared to join -- until they saw that Liu Xiu was part of the rebellion as well, figuring that if even a caref ...

See also:

Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Family background, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Participation in his brother's rebellion, Emperor Guangwu of Han - As official under Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The ascension of Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - The Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Liu Yan's death and Liu Xiu's bare survival, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Role in reorganization of Emperor Gengshi's regime and dispatch to northern China, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Independence from Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Campaign to unify the empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Victory over the Chimei, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Gradual victories over other regional powers, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Reign over unified empire, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Marital and succession issues, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Late reign, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Era names, Emperor Guangwu of Han - Personal information

Read more here: » Emperor Guangwu of Han: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Guangwu of Han - Participation in his brother's rebellion

In 22, Wang Mang finally saw that (as many of his officials had tried to tell him earlier) that the agrarian rebellions were posing a much greater threat to his rule than Xiongnu. He commissioned two of his key officials, Wang Kuang (王匡, not to be confused with the Lülin leader of the same name) and Lian Dan to attack agrarian rebellions, with the Chimei being their first target. Wang and Lian had some initial successes, but Wang insisted on having them keep fighting without resting, and th ...

See also:

Wang Mang, Wang Mang - Early life and career, Wang Mang - First tenure as the commander of the armed forces, Wang Mang - Retirement during Emperor Ai's reign, Wang Mang - Regency and buildup of personality cult, Wang Mang - As acting emperor, Wang Mang - Early reign: mistakes, Wang Mang - Economic policies, Wang Mang - Deterioration of the relationship with Xiongnu and other vassals, Wang Mang - Paralysis and corruption of the government, Wang Mang - Middle reign: agrarian rebellions, Wang Mang - Late reign: hopelessness, Wang Mang - Reasons for Wang Mang's failure, Wang Mang - Personal information

Read more here: » Wang Mang: Encyclopedia II - Wang Mang - Late reign: hopelessness