CHRONICLES OF CHINESE HISTORY华 夏 历 史 志

192 BCE–180 BCE

Western Han Emperor

Emperor Houshao of Han

刘弘

Liu Hong (d. November 14, 180 BCE), originally named Liu Shan and later Liu Yi, is traditionally designated in imperial historiography as Emperor Houshao of Western Han. Early dynastic accounts record him as a son of Emperor Hui of Han (Liu Ying), though imperial chancellors during his deposition claimed he was not biologically related to Emperor Hui—a claim originating from fierce factional court struggles rather than…

192 BCE–180 BCEWestern Han

PROFILE

Liu Hong (d. November 14, 180 BCE), originally named Liu Shan and later Liu Yi, is traditionally designated in imperial historiography as Emperor Houshao of Western Han. Early dynastic accounts record him as a son of Emperor Hui of Han (Liu Ying), though imperial chancellors during his deposition claimed he was not biologically related to Emperor Hui—a claim originating from fierce factional court struggles rather than verified genealogy. Liu Hong was initially enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangcheng and King of Changshan. On June 15, 184 BCE, upon the deposition of Emperor Qianshao (Liu Gong), Empress Dowager Lu enthroned him. The empress dowager retained total imperial authority, maintaining her own regnal era without introducing an independent calendar. Following her death in 180 BCE, imperial ministers Chen Ping and Zhou Bo exterminated the Lu faction, welcomed Prince of Dai Liu Heng to Chang'an, and executed Liu Hong.

Alternative Names
Liu Shan, Liu Yi; Emperor Houshao of Western Han
Era
Empress Dowager Lu Era, Western Han
Dynasty
Western Han Dynasty
Identity
Western Han Emperor
Date of Birth
Unknown
Place of Birth
Unrecorded
Date of Death
November 14, 180 BCE（the 8th year of Empress Dowager Lu）
Reign Period
June 15, 184 BCE to November 14, 180 BCE
Pre-accession Titles
Marquis of Xiangcheng, King of Changshan
Reign Eras
Continued Empress Dowager Lu regnal calendar without independent era name
Predecessor
Emperor Qianshao of Han (Liu Gong)
Successor
Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng)
Major Events
Enthroned under the regency of Empress Dowager Lu; deposed and executed after the purge of the Lu clan

LIFE TIMELINE

Marquis Enfeoffment ｜ Enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangcheng during the early regency of Empress Dowager Lu.
King of Changshan ｜ Inherited the kingdom of Changshan following King Liu Buyi's death and took the name Liu Yi.
Imperial Ascension ｜ Enthroned as emperor by Empress Dowager Lu after the deposition of Liu Gong and renamed Liu Hong.
Destruction of Lu Clan ｜ Empress Dowager Lu died; Zhou Bo and Chen Ping annihilated the Lu family and plotted royal succession.
Deposition and Execution ｜ Deposed from the imperial throne upon Prince of Dai Liu Heng's entry into Chang'an and executed.

BIOGRAPHY

Biography

Enfeoffment as Marquis and Prince

Liu Hong originally bore the personal name Liu Shan. In standard imperial genealogical records, he was cataloged as a son of Emperor Hui of Han (Liu Ying), though his birth mother remains unrecorded. In 187 BCE, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangcheng. In 186 BCE, upon the demise of King of Changshan Liu Buyi, Liu Shan succeeded to the Changshan fief and assumed the name Liu Yi. The principality was historically designated Hengshan, later revised to Changshan to avoid the taboo name of Emperor Wen (Liu Heng).

Imperial Accession under Empress Dowager Lu

On June 15, 184 BCE, Empress Dowager Lu deposed Emperor Qianshao (Liu Gong) and elevated Liu Yi to the imperial throne, commanding him to take the name Liu Hong. Throughout his four-year reign, Empress Dowager Lu maintained absolute imperial regency, administering executive decrees and retaining the Gao hou regnal dating without establishing a separate imperial reign title for Liu Hong. Standard records note no independent policies enacted under his personal prerogative.

Fall and Execution

Following Empress Dowager Lu's death in 180 BCE, loyalist grandees Chen Ping and Zhou Bo united with royal Liu princes to exterminate the Lu clan. To legitimize transferring the imperial crown to Emperor Gaozu's eldest surviving son Liu Heng (Prince of Dai), the chancellors declared that Liu Hong and his brothers were not authentic sons of Emperor Hui. Liu Hong was removed from Weiyang Palace. Upon Liu Heng's entrance into Chang'an, Liu Hong was executed on November 14, 180 BCE.

Major Activities

Continuance of the Lu Regency Calendar

During his four years on the throne, imperial administration remained entirely in the hands of Empress Dowager Lu. Official historical annals catalog all edicts under the Gao hou calendar, reflecting his position as a figurehead monarch without personal executive jurisdiction.

Political Contest over Lineage and Succession

The deposition of Liu Hong was inextricably linked with the purge of the Lu lineage. Ministerial claims denying his imperial paternity functioned as a calculated constitutional argument to justify enthroning Emperor Wen.

Personal Relations

  • Emperor Hui of Han (Liu Ying): Recorded imperial father in dynastic genealogies; disputed by ministers during the coup.
  • Empress Dowager Lu: Imperial grandmother and de facto sovereign throughout his reign.
  • Emperor Qianshao (Liu Gong): Imperial brother and direct predecessor.
  • Liu Buyi: Predecessor as King of Changshan.
  • Zhou Bo and Chen Ping: Grand Chancellors who orchestrated the destruction of the Lu clan and Liu Hong's deposition.
  • Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng): Uncle and successor to the throne.

Historical Assessment

The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) preserve the political rhetoric surrounding Liu Hong's paternity and deposition, reflecting the partisan requirements of the 180 BCE succession crisis. Dynastic accounts preserve no personal governing record, confining his role to that of a victim of high-stakes court struggles.

LOCAL NETWORK

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Liu Che

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45 BCE–23 CE

Wang Mang

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Liu Heng

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Bibliography

  • Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Basic Annals of Empress Dowager Lu.
  • Ban Gu, Book of Han (Han Shu), Annals of Empress Dowager Lu.