1. Wu Zetian, Emperor of the Wu Zhou Dynasty
Wu Zetian (624 – 16 December 705) was the only female emperor in Chinese history, and one of the oldest and longest-lived emperors to the throne. Wu Zetian's original name was 珝, and later changed her name to Cao, she emerged in the political struggle in the last years of the Tang Dynasty, and finally established herself as the emperor in the first year of Tianzhu, changed the Tang Dynasty to Zhou, and established the Wu Zhou Dynasty. During her reign, although she was politically harsh, she also attached great importance to the selection of talents and the promotion of cultural prosperity, which had a profound impact on later generations.
2. Southern Yan dedicated Emperor Murong De
Murong De (336 – October 18, 405), the founding emperor of Southern Yan during the Wuhu and Sixteen Kingdoms period, was officially proclaimed emperor in his later years. Murong De is the youngest son of Murong Hao, the former emperor of Yan civilization, and in his early years, he accompanied his brother Murong Chui to fight in the south and the north, and made great achievements. In his later years, he led the crowd to move from Yecheng to Huatai, proclaimed himself King of Yan, and finally officially proclaimed himself emperor in the fourth year of Long'an, and changed the Yuan to Jianping. Murong De ascended the throne at the age of 70, demonstrating his extraordinary political wisdom and leadership skills.
3. Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty
Liu Bei (161 – June 10, 223), also known as Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty, was the founding emperor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He was born in Zhuo County, Youzhou in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and after hardships in his early years, he finally rose gradually after the Battle of Chibi. In the first year of Zhang Wu, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor in Chengdu and established the Shu Han regime. Although Liu Bei did not reign for a long time, his name of benevolence and perseverance won widespread praise from later generations.
4. Later Tang Mingzong Li Siyuan
Later Tang Mingzong Li Siyuan (867-933) was the second emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He was originally the adopted son of Li Keyong, the king of Jin, and was known for his bravery and good fighting. After the establishment of the Later Tang Dynasty, Li Siyuan made great achievements in the battle of the Later Tang Dynasty to destroy the Later Liang. In the fourth year of Tongguang, he suppressed the Yedu mutiny and established himself as the emperor and changed the Yuan Tiancheng. During his reign, Li Siyuan made great efforts to govern the country and pay attention to the people's livelihood, so that the Later Tang Dynasty reached its heyday. However, he died of illness in his later years at the age of sixty-seven.
5. Later Yan became Emperor Murong Chui
Later Yan Chengwu Emperor Murong Chui (November 4, 326 – June 2, 396) was the founding monarch of Later Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was originally a general of Qianyan, but later went into exile due to political struggles. In the twentieth year of the founding of the Yuan Dynasty, Murong raised an army against Qin, called King Yan, and became emperor the following year. During his reign, he fought in the north and south, expanding his territory, making Houyan an important force in the north at that time. However, Murong Chui died of illness in his later years at the age of seventy-one.
6. Liu Yu, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty
Liu Yu (April 16, 363 – June 26, 422) was an outstanding politician, reformer, and military strategist from the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the founding emperor of the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty. He came from a humble background, but gradually rose to prominence with his extraordinary intelligence and perseverance. In the first year of Yongchu, Liu Yu became independent on behalf of Jin and established the Liu Song Dynasty. During his reign, he implemented a series of reforms to promote economic development and social progress. However, in his later years, he died of illness in the Jiankang Palace at the age of 59 when he planned to go on an expedition to the Northern Wei Dynasty.
7. Former Shu Gaozu Wang Jian
Wang Jian (847-918) was the founding emperor of Former Shu during the Five Dynasties period. He was born in an ordinary family in the Zhongwu Army, but gradually rose to prominence because of his meritorious service in rescuing Tang Xizong. During the reign of Wang Jian, he made great efforts to govern the country, paid attention to agricultural production and water conservancy construction, and implemented the policy of resting with the people, so that the central Shu region was greatly governed. He died at the age of seventy-two after a reign of twelve years.
8. Later Qin Emperor Wu Zhao Emperor Yao Chang
Yao Chang, whose name is Jingmao, was born in 329 in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and died in 393, and was the twenty-fourth son of Yao Yizhong, the leader of the Qiang tribe, and the younger brother of Yao Xiang. Born in Chiting, Nan'an (present-day Hongya, Liangjiaying Village, Xiliangjiaying, Longxi, Gansu), the Qiang military commander eventually became the founding emperor of Later Qin, reigning from 384 to 393.
Yao Chang's life is full of legends. As an important figure of the Qiang people, he participated in many wars and showed outstanding military talent in them. His leadership skills and strategic vision have made him stand out in troubled times. In 384 AD, Yao Chang was officially proclaimed emperor and established the Later Qin regime, starting his career as emperor.
During his reign, Yao Chang devoted himself to the construction and development of the country. He paid attention to agricultural production and lightened the burden of the people, so that the economy of Later Qin gradually prospered. At the same time, he also strengthened the construction of the army and improved the combat effectiveness of the soldiers, so that the Later Qin Dynasty made remarkable achievements in military affairs. These measures of Yao Chang laid a solid foundation for the stability and development of the Later Qin.
However, Yao Chang's later years were plagued by illness. In October of the eighth year of the founding of the first year (393), he returned to Chang'an due to serious illness. At the last moment of his life, he summoned the imperial lieutenant Yao Min, the servant Yin Wei, Yao Huang, the general Yao Damu and the monk Shang Di Bozhi and others, and was ordered to assist the prince Yao Xing. In December of the same year, Yao Chang died at the age of 64.
After Yao Chang's death, Yao Xingxian kept his mourning secret, and did not announce his death until the following year. In order to express his condolences and respect for Yao Chang, Yao Xing was called Emperor Wuzhao and the temple was called Taizu. Yao Chang's life was full of legends, and his military talents and political wisdom made important contributions to the development of Later Qin.
9. Liu Bang, the ancestor of Han Gao
Liu Bang, also known as Ji, was born in 256 BC (or 247 BC) and died on June 1, 195 BC. He was a native of Zhongyangli, Fengyi, Pei County (present-day Feng County, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province), the founding emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and an outstanding statesman, strategist, and military commander in Chinese history.
Liu Bang's life can be said to be a legend from the end to the brilliant. He came from a poor background, but with his wisdom and courage, he gradually rose to prominence in the troubled times. He is good at making friends with heroes and heroes, and knows how to use talents, which allows him to gather a strong army. In 202 BC, Liu Bang won the battle between Chu and Han, unified the world, and established the Western Han Dynasty.
During Liu Bang's reign, he did a lot of work to stabilize the situation in the Han Dynasty. He paid attention to economic development and lightened the burden of the people, so that the economy of the Han Dynasty quickly recovered and developed. At the same time, he also strengthened the centralization of power and consolidated the rule of the state. Liu Bang also attaches great importance to cultural education, he promotes Confucian culture, advocates the state of etiquette, so that Chinese culture has been well inherited and developed.
Liu Bang's life is full of legends. He went from an ordinary commoner to an emperor who unified the world. His wisdom and courage allowed him to stand out in troubled times. His political wisdom and strategic vision also made important contributions to the establishment and development of the Han Dynasty.
10. Wang Mang, Emperor of the New Dynasty
Wang Mang, whose name is Jujun, was born in 45 BC and died on October 6, 23 AD. A native of Yuancheng County, Wei County (present-day Daming County, Hebei Province), he was a political reformer in the Western Han Dynasty and emperor of the New Dynasty.
Wang Mang's life is full of controversy and legend. As a relative and powerful minister of the Western Han Dynasty, he gradually grasped the real power of the country. In December 8 A.D., he built a new country on behalf of the Han Dynasty, established the Yuan Dynasty "the first founding of the country", and announced the implementation of a new policy, known as "Wang Mang's reform" in history. Wang Mang's reforms included land reform, currency reform, commercial reform and other aspects, aiming to solve social contradictions and economic problems in the late Western Han Dynasty. However, the overly radical and idealistic nature of the reforms, coupled with the problems in their implementation, led to chaos in the world.
At the end of Wang Mang's reign, the society was in turmoil and the people were struggling to make a living. In the fourth year of Emperor Xinmang (23 AD), Wang Mang was killed in the chaos, and the new dynasty also perished. Wang Mang reigned for a total of 16 years and died at the age of 69. Although his New Deal failed, his thoughts and actions as the first visionary social reformer in Chinese history had a profound impact on later generations.
Later generations have mixed evaluations of Wang Mang. Some people think that he was an idealistic and aspiring reformer, but for various reasons he ultimately failed, while others think that he was an ambitious and ruthless ruler whose reform measures brought disaster to society. But in any case, Wang Mang is an important figure in Chinese history that cannot be ignored.