Emperor Ling of Han 漢靈帝, born as Liu Hong 劉宏, was the Emperor of the Han dynasty who succeeded Emperor Huan 桓 in 168. During his reign, Emperor Ling placed all his trust in his eunuchs, particularly Zhang Rang, who headed his own Eunuch Faction. He also experienced the Yellow Turban Rebellion. He ruled China from 168 until his death in 189, to which he was succeeded by his son, Liu Bian, the "Little Emperor".
Biography[]
Emperor Ling was born to the Liu royal family. He was not the son of Emperor Huan, but a distant relative of his. Emperor Ling was the 2nd great-grandson of Emperor Zhang.[n 1] The Marquis of Jiedu District; Liu Chang 劉萇 was his father by Lady Dong 董夫人. Emperor Ling inherited Liu Chang's peerage.[1]
Emperor Ling was notorious for the selling of offices. At ten million cash, one could buy an Excellency post while at five million cash, one could buy a Minister post.[2]
In 184, the Yellow Turbans under Zhang Jue initiated a wide-spread revolt against the Han. In response, Emperor Ling soon commissioned his brother-in-law, He Jin, as General-in-Chief to deal with the rebellion, and sent out Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and Lu Zhi as well.[3] Many others took advantage of the Yellow Turbans to start their own revolts as well. The forces of the Han eventually triumphed over Zhang Jue and after the leader's death, Emperor Ling changed the era name to Zhongping, which meant "Achieved Peace". He also issued a general amnesty at the time too.[4]
Family[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The Prince of Hejian; Liu Kai 劉開 was his great-grandfather and the Marquis of Jiedu District; Liu Shu 劉淑 was his grandfather.
Fact vs. Fiction[]
Historically…
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References[]
- ↑ 孝靈皇帝諱宏，肅宗玄孫也。曾祖河閒孝王開，祖淑，父萇。世封解瀆亭侯，帝襲侯爵。母董夫人。桓帝崩，無子，皇太后與父城門校尉竇武定策禁中，使守光祿大夫劉儵持節，將左右羽林至河閒奉迎。Fan Ye. "Annals of Emperor Ling" in the History of the Later Han.
- ↑ 初開西邸賣官，自關內侯、虎賁、羽林，入錢各有差。私令左右賣公卿，公千萬，卿五百萬。Fan Ye. "Annals of Emperor Ling" in the History of the Later Han.
- ↑ 中平元年春二月，鉅鹿人張角自稱「黃天」，其部師有三十六萬，皆著黃巾，同日反叛。安平、甘陵人各執其王以應之。三月戊申，以河南尹何進為大將軍，將兵屯都亭。置八關都尉官。壬子，大赦天下黨人，還諸徙者，唯張角不赦。詔公卿出馬、弩，舉列將子孫及吏民有明戰陣之略者，詣公車。遣北中郎將盧植討張角，左中郎將皇甫嵩、右中郎將朱雋討潁川黃巾。Fan Ye. "Annals of Emperor Ling" in the History of the Later Han.
- ↑ 十二月己巳，大赦天下，改元中平。Fan Ye. "Annals of Emperor Ling" in the History of the Later Han.