• Home
  • Emperors
  • Inventions
  • Dynasties
  • Provinces
  • Food and Tea
  • Best Chinese History Books
  • About >>
    • About
    • Contact

Learn Chinese History

Where the Middle Kingdom comes alive

Home » Emperors » Emperors Hedi and Shangdi: Eastern Han Dynasty

Emperors Hedi and Shangdi: Eastern Han Dynasty

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I MAY GET A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHSE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Article by Heather

emperors hedi shangdi han

Quick Facts about Emperor Hedi

  • Emperor Hedi was born in 79 CE.
  • His name at birth was Liu Zhao.
  • He was a son of the Eastern Han dynasty emperor, Zhangdi.
  • His mother was Emperor Zhangdi’s concubine, Liang.
  • After his father’s death in 88 CE, Liu Zhao became the fourth emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.
  • Hedi means “Harmonious Emperor”.

China under Emperor Hedi

Being only nine years of age when he took the throne, Emperor Hedi was too young to rule over his empire. His grandmother, the dowager-empress, Dou, and her brother, Dou Xian, controlled the empire.

Take the Free Quiz to Find Out When You'll Be a Millionaire

Multiple natural disasters occurred during Hedi’s reign, including plagues of locusts, droughts and the ever-occurring floods. To assure the goodwill of the people, government grain stores were opened and given to the needy. The people were allowed to hunt and fish on the emperor’s lands to provide food for their families. Taxes, which had resumed in previous reigns to ensure that government treasuries were full, were lessened.

As Emperor Hedi grew older, he disliked the power and control that his grandmother and her family had over him and his court. Placing his trust in the court eunuchs, he used them to remove (most likely kill) the Dou family from his court.

As had begun with his father, Emperor Zhangdi’s court, the eunuchs found a way to assure they would not be forgotten. For their role in attempting to rid the court of the Dou family, Emperor Hedi gave land and hereditary titles to the eunuchs. These hereditary titles allowed the eunuchs to pass the title onto adopted sons. Thus, the eunuchs could now guarantee a family line and their place in China’s history.

Inventions during Emperor Hedi’s reign

  • Paper made from hemp was invented around 100 CE.
  • The first census was taken to determine the number of households and individuals living in China. The census showed a little more than 12 million households (families) and a little more than 57.5 million individuals.

Emperor Hedi’s Family and His Death

Emperor Hedi’s wives were Empresses Yin and Deng. He divorced Empress Yin. He had at least three children, but none were sons by his empresses.

Upon his death in 106 CE, one of his sons, Shangdi, succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.

Emperor Shangdi

Quick facts about Emperor Shangdi

  • Emperor Shangdi was born in 105 CE.
  • His name at birth was Liu Long.
  • He was a son of the Eastern Han dynasty emperor, Hedi.
  • His mother was one of Emperor Hedi’s concubines.
  • After his father’s death in 106 CE, Liu Long became the fifth emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.
  • Shangdi means “Die-young Emperor.”

Emperor Shangdi’s Life and Death

Emperor Shangdi was only three-months old when his grandmother, the dowager-empress Deng, chose him as heir to her son, Emperor Hedi. It was a short-lived reign, as Shangdi died seven months later.

Shangdi had no wives or concubines. Upon his death in 106 CE, a cousin, Andi, succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.

You might also like:

  • History of Chinese Emperors – Names, Dynasties and ReignsHistory of Chinese Emperors – Names, Dynasties…
  • Liang Dynasty Emperors Jian Wendi, Yu Zhang Wang, Yuandi & JingdiLiang Dynasty Emperors Jian Wendi, Yu Zhang Wang,…
  • Qi Dynasty Emperors Gaodi, Wudi, Mingdi, Dong Hunhou, HediQi Dynasty Emperors Gaodi, Wudi, Mingdi, Dong Hunhou, Hedi
  • Chen Dynasty EmperorsChen Dynasty Emperors

Welcome!

LearnChineseHistory.com is a collection of articles on Chinese history and culture. When readers choose to purchase items through my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps me pay for my web hosting. Thank you for your support!

Favorite Articles

  • History of the Chinese Compass
  • About Empress Wu Zetian
  • Emperor Wudi - Han Dynasty
  • Qin Dynasty History and Achievements
  • Chinese Province Meanings

Menu

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Categories

  • Dynasties
  • Emperors
  • Food and Tea
  • Inventions
  • Provinces

Don’t Miss These…

  • • History of Chinese Fireworks
  • • Later Jin Dynasty: History & Facts
  • • Qin Dynasty Emperor Qin Shihuangdi
  • • Guangdong Pronvince: Facts, Culture & History
  • • Did the Ancient Chinese Invent the Abacus

Affiliate Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps pay for my web hosting and supports my work. All attempts are made to present the most correct information, but it may not be appropriate for your specific circumstance and information may become outdated.

Paid Endorsement Disclosure

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I will never endorse any product or service that I do not fully support.

Amazon Disclosure

AMAZON DISCLOSURE: LearnChineseHistory.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, amazon.ca, amazon.fr, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full Disclosure and Privacy Policy

©2012-2023 All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express written permission from this site's owner is strictly prohibited.