刘秀

A distant member of the Han royal house who had grown up farming, he joined the risings against 王莽, won a famous victory over a far larger army at 昆阳 in 23, and took the throne in 25 as 光武帝, Emperor Guangwu. The scholar 刘歆 had taken the same name years before, which is why a prophecy that 'Liu Xiu will be emperor' was once thought to mean him.

Several sayings come from his words to his generals: 有志者事竟成 'where there's a will there's a way', 疾风知劲草 'a strong wind shows which grass is tough', and 得陇望蜀 'to win Long and covet Shu', never being satisfied.