The Western Han Dynasty was reformed by Emperor Wuhan in many ways, laying the foundation for the prosperous era, which was continued by Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan. Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty was regarded as a turning point in the decline of the Western Han Dynasty, and after the four emperors of Yuan, Cheng, Wai, and Ping, the Western Han regime declined, and finally Wang Mang successfully replaced the Western Han regime and established a new dynasty.
How to understand the decline of the Western Han Dynasty? Although the prosperous era is no longer there, the demise of the Western Han Dynasty did not experience the flames of the sky, was not trapped by the popular uprising and external troubles, nor was it thrilling tyranny, and there was no scene of crying and collapsing the Great Wall and freezing bones on the road. The decline of the Western Han Dynasty, simply put, was a political struggle within the imperial court, in which a new emperor was replaced by unrelated blood.
Wang Mang successfully usurped the Han dynasty and became independent. Wang Mang's story has attracted attention, not because of the twists and turns of the process, but because his success is full of room for discussion, such as whether Wang Mang is a hero or a hero who creates a situation.
Let's see how the times make heroes. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established the Inner Dynasty, the original intention was to enhance the monarchy's power, but in order to facilitate political discussions, he often used foreign relatives, which became a major threat to the monarch's power in the future. Huo Guang assisted the administration of the Zhaoxuan and Xuan dynasties as the general of the Great Sima, consolidating the situation of the dictatorship of his relatives. The background of the dictatorship of foreign relatives makes it logical for Wang Mang to interfere in politics as a foreign relative.
The rise and fall of the power of their relatives is closely related to the female family members they rely on. Emperor Yuan and Empress Wang Zhengjun lived a long life, and the four emperors were still alive and well. Under her protection, the children of the Wang family have been reused for a long time and held important positions, and Wang Feng, Wang Yin, Wang Shang, Wang Gen and others have successively mastered the government.
At the same time, the monarchs of the late Western Han Dynasty were mediocre, the Yuan Emperor was indecisive, the Cheng Emperor was obsessed with lust, and the Emperor Mourning and the Ping Emperor had already lost power. Wang Mang inherited his uncle's remnants, and the clan was weak to resist, which just gave Wang Mang the opportunity to successfully usurp.
Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has been the sole proprietor of Confucianism, but Confucianism has infiltrated the Five Virtues and has always said that the rise and fall of dynasties are related to the Mandate of Heaven, and that disasters and disasters are God's prediction of the change of dynasties, and that God will appoint new saints to establish new dynasties.
In the late Western Han Dynasty, the social disparity between the rich and the poor became increasingly wide, land annexation was serious, and the common people had to bear heavy taxes and droughts. In their difficult lives, the people looked forward to the emergence of a new saint, which happened to be used by Wang Mang, making it a providence to usurp the Han Dynasty, and the current situation created Wang Mang's success.
Looking at how the hero creates the situation, Wang Mang spent a lot of effort in order to get the throne. Wang Mang is Wang Zhengjun's nephew, elegant and Confucian, humble and polite, deliberately showing both talent and virtue, different from other fun-loving Wang children, so he won Wang Zhengjun's trust. Wang Mang was doubly deferential to his uncle Wang Feng, waited by his side, and was finally entrusted with great power.
Wang Mang was benevolent in order to win the hearts and minds of the people, such as the descendants of the great feudal clans and meritorious heroes as nobles, and the rank of county prince and above received lifelong allowances, which won the support of the courtiers; he also advocated Confucianism, built schools, increased the number of doctoral disciples, and won the support of scholars; and also relieved the poor, donated land, settled the displaced people, reduced or exempted taxes, and won the love of the people. Through a series of means, Wang Mang portrayed himself as a saint who was waiting for the mandate of heaven, and was recognized by the government and the opposition.
During the reign of Emperor Ping of the Han Dynasty, Wang Mang served as an assistant to the government as a great Sima, with a high position and power, and he had the conditions to kill and seize. After the death of Emperor Ping, he selected a two-year-old child, and at the same time made Fu Rui to show the mandate of heaven, and arranged a scene where the minister asked to be called the emperor, and at the same time resigned, only accepting the titles of "Emperor Regent" and "False Emperor". In the end, according to the Book of Heaven in the Copper Cabinet, Taizu Liu Bang instructed Wang Mang that he should be the true Son of Heaven, and Wang Mang had to accept the Zen concession.
The current situation provides favorable conditions for foreign relatives and creates a social environment for new saints to look forward to. However, the situation also needs heroes to grasp and make good use, Wang Mang broke through among the relatives, and successfully shaped himself as a place to return, rather than passively enjoying the situation, Wang Mang finally succeeded, using the situation, usurping the Han Dynasty and establishing a new dynasty.
In the discussion between the current situation and the heroes, another discussion was sparked, whether Wang Mang was a sincere Confucian believer or a deceitful liar. It is difficult for Wang Mang to pretend to be a supporter of Confucianism for many years, and at the same time, it is inevitable for politicians to play political tricks. In other words, sincerity and falsification are often portrayed by politicians, and the question is whether there is a positive balance and whether it brings about a governance effect that is appropriate to the needs of the times.