Emperor Liu Heng of Han: The Founder of the Rule of Wen and Jing and the Original Meaning of "Emperor Xiaowen"

1. Brief Introduction

In the Hanshu (Book of Han), the title "Emperor Xiaowen" refers not only to Liu Heng, the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, but also embodies the political ethics of the Han dynasty, which established its legitimacy through "filial piety" (xiao) and governed the state through "ritual" (li). Emperor Wenchu of Han, Liu Heng (203 BC – 157 BC), was the fourth son of Liu Bang, the founding emperor (Gaozu), and the son of Lady Bo. He reigned for twenty-three years (180 BC – 157 BC), ending the regency of powerful ministers during the era of Emperor Hui and inaugurating the famous "Rule of Wen and Jing" in Chinese history. The Biography of Emperor Wen in the Hanshu immediately points out his "benevolence and thickness" as a key trait, arguing that his governance laid the solid economic and demographic foundation for later Emperor Wu's military expeditions.

2. Core Knowledge Points

The Deeper Meaning of the Temple Name "Xiaowen"

Liu Heng was posthumously honored with the title "Xiaowen" due to the Han dynasty's system of inheritance from Gaozu. Here, "Xiao" (filial piety) does not merely refer to family ethics; rather, it signifies "following the will of the previous emperor." During the period of Queen Dowager Lü's dominance, Liu Heng remained humble and enduring. After taking the throne, he abolished harsh policies, thus fulfilling Gaozu’s will to "allow the people rest and recuperation." The Hanshu emphasizes that he "personally practiced frugality and deeply examined folk customs"; this "following" and "compassion" constitutes the political connotation of "filial piety."

Specific Practices of the Policy of Restoration and Recuperation

* Lightening Corvée and Reducing Taxes: During Emperor Wen's reign, the land tax was halved, reducing the standard rate from one-twelfth to one-thirtieth, which greatly alleviated the burden on farmers.
* Abolishing Corporeal Punishment: Following the advice of Chunyu Yi, he reformed the cruel system of physical torture, reflecting the infiltration of Confucian benevolent governance into the legal system.
* Leading by Example: Liu Heng himself lived an extremely simple life. He intended to build a terrace but stopped the project because the estimated cost exceeded 100,000 coins, a decision that was highly impactful against the backdrop of prevailing extravagance at the time.

Historical Positioning

Emperor Wen of Han was the founder of the "Rule of Wen and Jing." He resolved the centralization crisis following the political chaos under Queen Dowager Lü, established the core status of Confucian ethics in governance, and enabled Western Han society to quickly move from "post-Qin devastation" to "abundance of rice and food."

3. Connections to the Content of the Hanshu

In the Hanshu compiled by Ban Gu, records concerning Liu Heng are primarily found in the Biography of Emperor Wen and the Summary Praise of Emperor Wen.

The Biography of Emperor Wen**: This chapter details the political purges following Emperor Wen’s accession to the throne and the policy of heqin (marriage diplomacy) with the Xiongnu. The text frequently cites content from Liu Heng’s imperial edicts, such as the Edict Seeking Hidden Worthies and the Edict Seeking Advice*, showcasing his political style of broadly opening channels for speech and humbly accepting remonstrance. By contrasting Gaozu’s and Emperor Hui’s eras of strict laws and severe punishments, Ban Gu highlights the reform significance of Emperor Wen's "mitigating punishments and simplifying laws."
The Summary Praise of Emperor Wen***: This is Ban Gu’s evaluation of Emperor Wen, describing him as "benevolent, thus pacifying distant lands" and noting that "Since the rise of the Han, Emperor Wen was the most virtuous ruler." This section places Emperor Wen within the broader historical context of the Western Han, emphasizing his role as a bridge between past and future—he inherited Gaozu’s strategy of recuperation and paved the way for Emperor Jing’s further stabilization and Emperor Wu’s unification endeavors.
Contextual Framework: In the narrative structure of the Hanshu, the Biography of Emperor Wen follows the Biography of Emperor Hui and the Biography of Empress Dowager Lü, and precedes the Biography of Emperor Jing. This arrangement implies the historical evolution logic from "interference by maternal relatives" to "stabilization of imperial power," and then from "restoration and recuperation" to "strengthening the state and arming the army." When reading the Hanshu*, one must understand "Emperor Xiaowen" in conjunction with the surrounding chapters to clearly see the critical turning point where the Western Han transitioned from weak to strong.

4. Conclusion

As "Emperor Xiaowen," Liu Heng’s historical significance transcends the level of personal virtue; he has become the typical representative of the "benevolent ruler" in ancient Chinese political ideals. Through the records in the Hanshu, we can see how he used softness to overcome hardness and reshaped the social order of early Han through simple governance and benefiting the people, leaving behind valuable wisdom for governance in Chinese civilization.