Prelude to the Han

Question 1

Prelude to the Han

Answer 1

• From 403 bce onward seven kingdoms other than Zhou constituted the ruling authorities in different parts of China, each of which was led by its own king or duke.
• in 221 bce, the kingdom of Qin succeeded in eliminating the power of its six rivals and established a single rule that was acknowledged in their territories

Question 2

The imperial succession

Answer 2

• succession of emperors was hereditary, but it was complicated to a considerable extent by a system of imperial consorts and the implication of their families in politics
• Throughout the Xi Han and Dong Han periods, the succession and other important political considerations were affected by the members of the imperial consorts’ families.
• On the death of the first emperor, Gaozu (195 bce), the palace came under the domination of his widow. Outliving her son, who had succeeded as emperor under the title of Huidi (reigned 195–188), the empress dowager Gaohou arranged for two infants to succeed consecutively.
• Liu Heng, better known as Wendi, reigned from 180 to 157.
• He was credited with the ideal behaviour of a reigning monarch according to later Confucian doctrine; i.e., he was supposedly ready to yield place to others, hearken to the advice and remonstrances of his statesmen, and eschew personal extravagance.