漢武帝

Liu Che was born as the tenth son of Emperor Jing of Han. His mother Lady Wang was a concubine who would skillfully maneuver to have her son named crown prince and eventually emperor.

Young Liu Che was given the title Prince of Jiaodong. His intelligence and ability attracted attention at court, where his mother worked to build support for his eventual succession.

After court intrigues led to the downfall of the original crown prince, Liu Che was named heir apparent. His mother's political skills and his father's recognition of his abilities secured his position.

Liu Che became Emperor Wu ('Martial Emperor') at age 15 upon his father's death. His long reign of 54 years would transform the Han dynasty into one of history's greatest empires.

Emperor Wu adopted Confucianism as the state ideology based on scholar Dong Zhongshu's recommendations. He established the Imperial Academy to train officials in Confucian classics, shaping Chinese culture for millennia.

Emperor Wu reformed the selection of officials through examinations and recommendations based on merit. This system evolved into the imperial examination system that dominated Chinese governance for 2,000 years.

Emperor Wu launched his first major campaign against the Xiongnu nomadic confederation that had threatened China for generations. This began decades of warfare that would secure China's northern borders.

Emperor Wu dramatically expanded the Imperial University (Taixue), which trained thousands of students in Confucian classics. Graduates filled government positions, creating a scholar-official class.

General Huo Qubing won decisive victories against the Xiongnu, capturing the Hexi Corridor and opening the way to Central Asia. These campaigns established Han dominance over the northern steppes.

Emperor Wu established state monopolies on salt, iron, and alcohol to fund his military campaigns. These economic reforms generated enormous revenue but also sparked debates about government's role in the economy.

Explorer Zhang Qian completed his second mission to Central Asia, establishing diplomatic and trade relations along what would become the Silk Road. This opened China to unprecedented cultural and commercial exchange.

Emperor Wu's armies conquered the kingdoms of Minyue and Nanyue, extending Han control over southern China and northern Vietnam. The empire reached its greatest territorial extent.

Han forces established the Protectorate of the Western Regions, bringing the Tarim Basin under Chinese influence. This secured the Silk Road trade routes and spread Chinese civilization westward.

A devastating witchcraft scandal led to the deaths of Crown Prince Liu Ju and thousands of others. The aging emperor's suspicions, manipulated by rivals, nearly destroyed the imperial family.

Emperor Wu issued the famous 'Edict of Self-Reproach,' acknowledging the suffering his endless wars had caused the people. He ordered a halt to military expansion and focus on internal recovery.

Emperor Wu died after 54 years on the throne, the longest reign of any Han emperor. He was buried in the Maoling mausoleum. Despite his costly wars, he transformed Han China into a dominant civilization.