As the second unified feudal dynasty in China's history, the Western Han Dynasty has seen the emergence of many Ming emperors and holy lords in the more than two hundred years of its rule. Among them, Liu Che, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, was even more known as the "Qin Emperor Han Wu" together with the first feudal emperor in China's history, Qin Shi Huang, which shows that the historical status is not ordinary. So, how did Liu Che get such a status?
As the seventh emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Che made outstanding contributions to strengthening centralized power, reforming the monetary system, and opening up trade in the western region after he succeeded to the throne. The reason why he was able to implement his new policies well was not only because of his own shrewd mind, but also because of the assistance of the competent officers around him. In particular, these four play a crucial role.
Speaking of the great achievements of Emperor Wu of Han, we have to mention these four wise generals during his reign. They were Dong Zhongshu, who respected Confucianism alone, Zhang Qian, who traded in the Western Regions, Wei Qing, who fought against Shan Yu, and Huo Quyi, who pacified the Xiongnu. These four made different contributions to the Western Han Dynasty in their respective fields, thus laying a good foundation for Liu Che's status.
Dong Zhongshu was a famous philosopher of the Western Han Dynasty. It provided strong theoretical support for the feudal rule of the Western Han Dynasty. Dong Zhongshu combined Confucian theoretical thought with the social needs of the time and absorbed many excellent schools of thought. Thus a new theory with Confucianism as the core was created, which was fully in line with the governing strategy of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and was therefore deeply appreciated by him.
Dong Zhongshu was born in a scholarly family. Since childhood, he has been influenced by the hundred schools of thought. As an adult, Dong Zhongshu was even more fond of Confucianism, and he began to lecture after the age of thirty. Under his teachings, many of his protégés became leaders in their fields. It has sent a large number of talents to the development of society. His academic theories are also highly sought after.
Dong Zhongshu's important Confucian theories such as the induction of heaven and man, the three principles and five constants, and so on, were extremely consistent with the principles and policies of the feudal ruling class at that time. And these Confucian theories of his were also promoted by the rulers of subsequent dynasties. It can be seen how important Dong Zhongshu provided an important ideological and theoretical basis for the rule of Emperor Wu of Han. Thus pushing up the historical status of Emperor Wu of Han.
If it is said that the greatest contributor to laying the theoretical foundation for the governance of the Western Han Dynasty was Dong Zhongshu. Then the hero of the Western Han Dynasty in foreign exchanges should be Zhang Qian. Zhang Qianziwen was a well-known explorer, traveler, and diplomat in China during the Western Han Dynasty, and also a pioneer of the Silk Road, which is well known to everyone.
The experience of Zhang Qian's trip to the Western Regions was very bumpy. He traveled westward to find the Ōtsuki clan to form an alliance against the Hun tribes. However, he was captured by the Xiongnu in the middle of the way, during which the Xiongnu were able to persuade Zhang Qian to serve him. However, Zhang Qian held the Han Festival without losing it, and did not forget the mission entrusted by Emperor Wu of Han. After going through hardships and obstacles, he finally fled back to the Western Han Dynasty.
Although Zhang Qian's trip to the Western Regions did not achieve its original purpose, his travels allowed the influence of the Western Han Dynasty to reach the area west of Lingnan. Moreover, the western Han Dynasty's exchanges with Central Asia, West Asia and even southern Europe were also established and strengthened. The famous historian Sima Qian even called Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions "chiseling the void."
The second subsequent mission to the Western Regions Zhang Qian carried a large number of rare and exotic treasures of the Western Han Dynasty. This action not only promoted national prestige, increased trade with Central Asian countries, expanded the influence of the Western Han Dynasty and enhanced the understanding between countries. Zhang Qian's undaunted travel to the Western Regions increased the external prestige of the Western Han Dynasty ruled by Emperor Wu of Han and increased the international influence of Emperor Wu of Han.
During the Western Han Dynasty, border conflicts were constant, and the Xiongnu regime established by the northern nomads was even more eyeing the Central Plains Dynasty. During the Western Han Dynasty, Wei Qing could be described as a fierce general who resisted the Xiongnu, and led the Northern Expedition many times. After several engagements with the Xiongnu, the main force of Shan Yu was annihilated, which seriously injured the Xiongnu. Thus providing a stable external environment for the development of the Western Han Dynasty.
Wei Qing's life was hard when he was young, which shaped his tenacious character. Later, Wei Qing entered the dynasty as an official, and Emperor Wu of Han was even more appreciative of his character and trusted him. He often accompanied the emperor around and heard about the government with him. Wei Qing did not live up to the trust and appreciation of Emperor Wu of Han, and repaid emperor Wu of Han with one victorious foreign war after another.
Wei Qing's foreign conquest can be described as a remarkable achievement. He recaptured the Hetao region, made a surprise attack on Gao Que, and defeated the main force of the Xiongnu Shan Yu in the Battle of Mobei with a weak victory. The Western Han army was famous under the command of Wei Qing. He provided a powerful external environment for the development of the Han Dynasty, and also improved the military status of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in history.
Speaking of the well-known warriors of the Western Han Dynasty, in addition to Wei Qing, we have to mention another national hero, Huo Qiyi. The reason why Zhang Qian was able to successfully rise the Silk Road in the Hexi Corridor area was that Huo's disease definitely played a crucial role. Similarly, the reason why Wei Qing was able to defeat the Xiongnu with a weak victory over the strong, Huo Quyi also played a big role in it.
Huo's illness cannot be described as a representative of young fame. At the age of nineteen, he was appointed by Emperor Wu of Han as a general of the Hussars and went on a campaign to the Hexi region. In the Battle of Hexi, he captured Shan Yu shan huan and the chief Tu wang, and surrendered 2,500 people below xiangguo and du wei. It has established a good external environment for the stable development of the Hexi region, so that the Silk Road can develop smoothly.
In the Battle of Mobei, Huo Fuyi led an army of 50,000 people deep into the enemy's interior to seek to annihilate the main force of the Xiongnu. He pursued the Huns with his men, forcing them to retreat to the vicinity of Lake Baikal at the farthest. Huo's fighting style is brave and fierce, and he is a pioneer everywhere.
It was also the conquest of successive years, and Huo huo, who had been in a difficult environment for a long time, worked day and night. This eventually led to his untimely death, after which Emperor Wu of Han was forced to stop fighting the Xiongnu. It can be seen that he plays an important role in foreign wars. Huo's disease also created a very good external environment for the rapid development of the Western Han Dynasty, and also enhanced the historical influence of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it can be said that good generals are like clouds, and sages are like rain. So many people of insight can be reused, which shows how charismatic Liu Che of the Han Wudi Emperor is. At the same time, it also shows from another aspect that Liu Che, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, was a Ming Jun with a unique vision and good use of people.
Of course, the reason why Emperor Wu of Han was able to be called "Emperor Han wu of Qin" together with Qin Shi Huang was inseparable from these ministers under him. In particular, the above four played a crucial role in the feudal rule of Han Wu in their respective fields.