Emperor Wu of Han: The Art of Ruling

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, ascended the throne at the age of 17 and ruled for 54 years. He accomplished what generations of Han emperors before him had failed to achieve: defeating the Xiongnu in the north, conquering the Baiyue in the south, bringing Korea to heel in the east, and extending the Silk Road westward. He expanded the empire’s borders, centralized power, elevated Confucianism above other schools of thought, and established state monopolies on salt and iron. With a keen eye and a willingness to appoint people regardless of convention, he boldly entrusted civil and military talents such as Zhang Fuya, Dong Zhongshu, Sang Hongyang, Su Wu, Zhang Qian, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and Li Guang with important responsibilities, allowing each to serve the country in their own capacity. Thus, in the prime of his life, Emperor Wu brought the Han dynasty to unprecedented heights of power. He became one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history, celebrated alongside Qin Shi Huang as “Qin Shi Huang and Han Wudi.” This book offers an in-depth look at how Emperor Wu wielded power and chose his officials, combining a broad historical perspective with vivid and fascinating details. Both informative and engaging, it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.