Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, was a ruler of extraordinary ambition and vision. Under his reign, the Han Dynasty’s territory nearly doubled, and the prestige of the Chinese state reached distant lands. Yet in his later years, relentless wars and massive construction projects drained the treasury, stirred public resentment, and fueled widespread banditry. The infamous “witchcraft calamity” — a palace purge sparked by accusations of sorcery and plots against the emperor — resulted in the deaths of Empress Wei and the crown prince, implicating tens of thousands.

As if the empire’s troubles weren’t enough, his trusted general Li Guangli defected to the Xiongnu, handing a major victory — and a personal betrayal — into enemy hands. These successive blows plunged Emperor Wu into profound remorse.

…

Read the full article on Nspirement