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Xiwangmu’s visit to the Han emperor Wu. Photo by Ding Guanpeng and Wang Fanyue –

Top 10 Sensational Facts About Emperor Wu of Han

The fifth Emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD), Emperor Wu named Liu Che was crowned as prince at the age of seven and succeeded to the throne when he was 16 years old.

He was a great emperor with bold strategies that demonstrated innovation and exploitation. Through his wise reign, China began to be known all over the world as a strong, rich, and highly civilized country.

In his late years, he became a lavish spender and recklessly held worship to pray for immortality. To satisfy his passion for entertainment, he increased taxes on the common people, which made many peasants homeless.

In 88 BC, Emperor Wu entrusted his youngest son – Liu Folding to Minister Huo Guang. At the same time, he put Lady Gouyi, mother of Liu Foling, to death to prevent her from assuming Empress Lv’s role. In 87 BC, Emperor Wu died and was buried in Mao Tomb. When he died, his son Liu Foling took over.

1. Liu Che was his father’s tenth son

Qing Dynasty woodcut portrait of Emperor Wu of Han. Photo unattributed –

He was born Liu Che on 30 June 156 BC in Chang’an, (now Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China) to Liu Qi and his consort Wang Zhi. He was also known as Han Wudi, Xiao Wu Huangdi.  His father was Emperor Jing Of Han while his mother was Empress Wang Zhi.

Liu Che was his father’s tenth son and thus initially considered unlikely to inherit the throne. However, he became his father’s favorite son and was made the Prince of Jiaodong in 153 BC. He was later made crown prince in 149 BC.

His siblings were Liu Sheng, Prince Of Zhongshan, Princess Longlü, Princess Nangong, and Princess Pingyang. His grandfather was Emperor Wen of Han upon whose death Liu Qi ascended the throne as Emperor Jing of Han.

Emperor Jing died in 141 BC and Crown Prince Liu Che ascended the throne as Emperor Wu. He was just 15 years old at that time.

2. The Han dynasty was run according to a Taoist Wu Wei ideology

Wu Zhu (五銖) – Emperor Wu of Han (140-87 BC) – Coinsandrings 04.jpg
Bronze Wu Zhu (=5 Zhus) with a bar above the hole, Emperor Wu Di (140-87 BC), Empire of China – Hartill #8.8. Western Han dynasty. Two large Chinese characters Wu Zhu, rim only above the hole, outside rim / Blank, inside and outside rims. Photo by The government of the Han Dynasty –

Up to that time, the Han dynasty was run according to a Taoist Wu Wei ideology which emphasized economic freedom and decentralization of government. Even though these policies helped to bring economic stability, they also resulted in the loss of political control by the government.

Young Emperor Wu was not satisfied with the ongoing policies and strived to bring about economic and political reforms. He consulted Confucian scholars and launched a series of reforms that came to be known as the Jianyuan Reforms.

3. Emperor Wu Han was unable to fully implement his proposed policies as they were opposed by his mother and grandmother

042 S-114 W. Han Wu Zhu, Han Wudi, 140-87, 25.5mm. Gary Lee Todd Collection, Ancient Chinese Coins. Complete indexed photo collection at www.WorldHistoryPics.com. Photo by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. –

However, since the emperor was still young, he was unable to fully implement his proposed policies as they were opposed by his mother and grandmother in whose hands the real political power to manage the government existed.

In 135 BC, his grandmother Grand Empress Dowager Dou died, and Emperor Wu could finally implement his ambitious plans. Almost immediately, he began a military campaign of territorial expansion and sent out troops in all directions.

4. He launched attacks on the nomadic Xiongnu people

Shaw Memory Building At The WuHan Polytechnic. The picture was taken at the WuHan Polytechnic. Photo by Cuddlebear –

Starting from 133 BC, he launched attacks on the nomadic Xiongnu people, whom he considered to be China’s principal threat on the northern frontier. The conflicts, known as the Han-Xiongnu War, continued for several years, throughout which his armies spread out in all directions and expanded the territories under his rule.

5. He was successful in bringing southern China and northern and central Vietnam into Chinese control.

Wu Han (pianist, 2013, cropped). Wu Han, in 2013. Photo by ralph and jenny –

Over the years he was successful in bringing southern China and northern and central Vietnam into Chinese control. He had lost control over the regions of northern and central Korea in 128 BC which he went on to successfully re-conquer later on. Emperor Wu was not someone to take defeat lightly.

Emperor Wu was an autocratic ruler, known for his ruthlessness and cruelty. He was also obstinate and vain. He developed a fascination for horses from the Fergana valley region which was very far away from the Chinese mainland.

6. The first expedition he sent to the land was a failure

Shaw Memory Building At The WuHan University of Technology. The picture was taken at the WuHan University of Technology. Photo by Cuddlebear –

The first expedition (104 BC) he sent to the land was a failure, but he persevered and sent a second expedition that returned with horses in 101 BC.

He was very religious and worshiped the divinity Tai Yi (Dong Huang Tai Yi), a deity to whom he was introduced by his shaman advisers. He was also highly superstitious and was fascinated with the idea of achieving immortality.

In his quest for more power and in his desire to vastly expand the territories under his realm, Emperor Wu overspent from the state’s reserves.

7. The final years of his rule were marked by great financial difficulties

David Finckel (cello) and Wu Han (piano) performing at Brock Recital Hall, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama in 2013. Photo by ralph and jenny –

The final years of his rule were marked by great financial difficulties brought about by excessive expenditures on war and his lavish lifestyle.

The Han-Xiongnu War, a series of battles fought between the Chinese Han Empire and the Xiongnu confederated state from 133 BC to 89 AD, was the biggest war that took place during Emperor Wu’s reign. The war culminated in the total victory of the Han Empire over the Xiongnu state in 89 AD.

8. Emperor Wu’s first marriage was to an older cousin, Chen Jiao

Zhang Bao 2016 Temple of Marquis Wu (Wuzhang Plains). Zhang Bao (張苞). Photo by Morio –

Emperor Wu’s first marriage was to an older cousin, Chen Jiao, who later became known as Empress Chen of Wu. This marriage was a political alliance and did not result in the birth of any children. The empress was deposed in 130 BC for committing witchcraft.

His second marriage was to Wei Zifu which lasted for 49 years. She was the mother of Emperor Wu’s heir apparent, Crown Prince Liu Ju. In addition to his two wives, he had several concubines who bore him numerous children.

His spouses and ex’s names were Consort Li Ji, Consort Wang, Consort Xing, Consort Yin, Consort Zhao, Empress Chen Jiao, Empress Wei Zifu, and Lady Li.

His children were Emperor Zhao Of Han, Liu Bo, Liu Dan, Liu Hong, Liu Ju, Liu Xu, Prince Ai Of Changyi, Prince Huai Of Qi, Prince La Of Yan, Prince Li Of Guangling, Princess Shiyi, Princess Wei The Eldest, Princess Yangshi, Princess Zhuyi.

9. His eldest wife was falsely accused of practicing witchcraft by some political conspirators

Han Armor Replica, Han Tomb of Liu Wu, King of Chu (10084707105). Xuzhou Han Tomb with the terracotta army, Jiangsu Province. Complete indexed photo collection at WorldHistoryPics.com.
A photograph of a Han Dynasty period tomb in the city of Xuzhou, Jiangsu, the People’s Republic of China. Photo by Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China –

Wei Zifu and the crown prince were falsely accused of practicing witchcraft by some political conspirators following which the prince led an uprising in which thousands of people were killed. After the failed uprising, both the mother and son committed suicide.

Emperor Wu was grief-stricken by the deaths of his wife and son and repented for his losses during his last years.

10. Emperor Wu of Han died when he was 68 years of age

Yang Yi 2016 Temple of Marquis Wu (Wuzhang Plains). Yang Yi (楊儀). Photo by Morio –

He became seriously ill by 88 BC and declared his youngest son, Liu Fuling, to be the crown prince.

The emperor died on 29 March 87 BC at the age of 68 years of age. He was assigned the posthumous name of “Wudi” which is used for historical and religious purposes.