The individual in question is Han Chengdi, the 12th emperor of the Western Han Dynasty.
Power and Corruption
As the leader of the country, ancient emperors often fell prey to the ultimate power they held. Many kings exploited their authority to satisfy their desires, such as the tyrannical King Zhou or Qin Shi Huang. These emperors often collected a plethora of things, especially beautiful women.
In Jia Yi’s “Overcoming Qin,” the author vividly describes Qin Shi Huang’s passion for beauty, as he collected all the beautiful women from the six feudal states to his capital, Xianyang, to indulge his pleasure.
Similarly, during the Han Dynasty, Han Chengdi is a quintessential example of decadence due to beauty. He devoted most of his time to his concubines, constantly seeking pleasure, to the extent that he suffered a stroke and died in the arms of his lover.
Han Chengdi’s Luxurious Life
Han Chengdi was the son of Han Yuandi and ascended the throne at the young age of 19. Due to his youth, he was not yet capable of ruling independently, and power primarily rested in the hands of the Queen Dowager of the Wang family.
With no governance responsibilities, Han Chengdi devoted his entire time to a luxurious and decadent lifestyle.
During a visit to Princess Yang’a residence, he encountered and fell deeply in love with Zhao Feiyan and her sister, Zhao Hede. Immediately, he brought them into the palace, bestowed them with titles of concubines, and showered them with his favor. Subsequently, Han Chengdi even deposed Empress Xu to install Zhao Feiyan as the new empress.
The Schemes of the Zhao Sisters
To secure the emperor’s favor, the Zhao sisters concocted a perfume from aromatics, which they placed on their navels. This perfume was believed to make their bodies emit a pleasant fragrance and soften their skin. Some historians speculate that the perfume contained musk, which may have affected their fertility, rendering them unable to bear children.
Despite knowing that beauty fades, the sisters relentlessly sought to maintain their favored status by constantly plotting to bear children. They not only seduced the emperor but also conspired against other concubines who became pregnant, aiming to prevent the emperor from having heirs and diverting his affection to others.
The Tragic Death of Han Chengdi
Obsessed with sexual pleasure, Han Chengdi’s health deteriorated, especially in his sexual performance. To prolong the emperor’s pleasure, the Zhao sisters frequently provided him with aphrodisiacs. Zhao Hede even sought out robust young men outside the palace in the hopes of bearing children, but to no avail.
In the second year of the “Suihua” era, Han Chengdi suddenly passed away from a stroke at Weiyang Palace while with Zhao Hede. He died at the age of 44. Following the emperor’s death, Zhao Hede, fearing punishment from the Queen Dowager, committed suicide in the palace.
Consequences and Ridicule from Posterity
Han Chengdi was engrossed in decadent pleasures, neglecting the fate of his country and its people. His irresponsibility led to the gradual weakening of the Western Han Dynasty, resulting in the manipulation of power by the queen’s family, particularly Wang Mang, and ultimately leading to Wang Mang’s usurpation of the throne.
The death of Han Chengdi in the arms of a woman became a subject of ridicule for millennia. He stands not only as a symbol of decadence but also as a cautionary tale of the consequences when a ruler abuses power solely for personal gratification.
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