Liu Hong

Han Houshaodi ( 漢後少帝 )
Family name :	Liú ( 劉 )
First name :	Hóng ( 弘 ) formerly Shān ( 山 ), then Yì ( 義 )
Posthumous title : (complete)	Houshao ( 後少 )
Reign:	184-180 BC Chr.

Emperor Houshao von Han ( Chinese 漢後少帝 ) or Liu Hong (* as Liu Shan ; † 180 BC ) was the fourth emperor of the Han dynasty in China . Because he just a puppet emperor was, he is in lists of the Han emperor left out often. His father was Emperor Hui , and his adoptive mother was Empress Zhang Yan . The identity of his birth mother is controversial; she was killed at the instigation of Empress Mother Lü Zhi and Empress Zhang Yan.

Details of Emperor Houshao's life and personality are largely unknown. Only a few important events of his time have survived, and not even the year of his birth is known. His father Emperor Hui died in 188 BC. BC, and his brother Liu Gong succeeded him to the throne as Emperor Qianshao. Liu Hong was named Marquis of Xiangcheng in 187. After the death of his brother Liu Buyi ( 劉不疑 ), Prince of Hengshan, he inherited his title and his name was changed to Yi . It was probably thought improper that the nickname was included in the title. The reason for the later name change to Hong is not known.

Emperor's grandmother Lü Zhi fell ill in the autumn of 180 and died. However, Emperor Houshao was still firmly in the power of the Lü family. The last will of the emperor's grandmother also stipulated that the emperor should marry her great-niece Lü and make her empress. The officials at the imperial court soon conspired against the Lü family and destroyed them in a surprise attack under the leadership of Chen Ping ( 陳平 ) and Zhou Bo ( 周勃 ). Subsequently, at a conference, the officials agreed that none of Emperor Hui's biological sons were actually one. Because they feared that one of these children would later seek revenge for the Lü family, they decided to appoint a new emperor. After some deliberation, they agreed on Emperor Houshao's uncle Liu Heng , the prince of Dai. The chosen successor soon arrived in the capital Chang'an , where he was declared emperor. Emperor Houshao was quickly deposed. At first his cousin Liu Xingju ( 劉興居 ) almost banished him from the palace and then left him to stay in the palace supply ministry. It took some time for the imperial guard to obey the will of the officials. Emperor Houshao was executed that same year. Historians only hint at that his wife Lü was also executed.

predecessor	Office	successor
Qianshao	Emperor of China 184–180 BC Chr.	Whom

personal data
SURNAME	Liu Hong
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Houshao, Emperor of Han
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Emperor of the Han Dynasty (184 BC – 180 BC)
DATE OF BIRTH	before 188 BC Chr.
PLACE OF BIRTH	China
DATE OF DEATH	180 BC Chr.
Place of death	China