Han emperor from 180 to 157 BC, a son of 刘邦, who cut taxes, ended mutilating punishments and kept his court frugal. His reign and his son's are remembered as 文景之治, a model of good rule.
Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng, was known for his frugality and benevolent rule.
Tips
history
As King of Dai, a northern frontier fief, he kept a low profile under Empress Lü. When the ministers who had wiped out her clan chose him as emperor in 180 BC, he first sent his uncle 薄昭 to the capital to make sure it was no trap.
culture
Confucian tradition counts him as one of the 二十四孝 (Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars) for personally tasting his sick mother's medicine - story 亲尝汤药 (qīncháng tāngyào).
