Impeachment!

You think that impeachment is something new? Or that “politics” is just some modern misuse of the process? Let me introduce you to Liu He, the Emperor of China during the Han Dynasty who was impeached as Emperor… after just twenty-seven days of rule…

Emperor Liu He, posthumously known as Prince Xiao of Changyi, was a short-lived emperor of the Western Han dynasty of China. His reign was one of the shortest in Chinese imperial history, lasting only 27 days in 74 BCE. The “impeachment” (or more accurately, dethronement) of Liu He was a complex event rooted in political maneuvering was completed on August 14, 74bce.

Liu He was named heir apparent to his uncle, Emperor Zhao of Han. When Emperor Zhao died without a son, Liu He ascended the throne. However, his reign was short-lived due to accusations of misconduct and other irregularities.

Shortly after Liu He became emperor, a series of 1,127 charges were brought against him. These charges covered a wide range of misconducts, including:
1. Ignoring ritual proprieties and traditional ceremonies.
2. Engaging in frivolous activities and indulging in music and dance.
3. Mismanagement of state affairs.
4. Neglecting his imperial duties.
5. Bestowing favors and granting titles recklessly.

It’s worth noting that, in ancient Chinese imperial courts, any deviation from Confucian norms and rituals was considered serious misconduct, as these rituals were believed to be foundational to the harmonious functioning of the state.

In total, Liu He faced over 1,127 counts of misconduct. However, there’s a debate among historians as to the veracity of these charges. Some believe they might have been exaggerated or even fabricated to facilitate his removal. The charges included sexual debauchery and covered literally the twenty-seven days of his rule.

Given the weight of the accusations and the political environment of the Han court, Liu He was swiftly dethroned. However, rather than being executed—a common fate for deposed monarchs—he was allowed to live. He was demoted to the rank of a commoner and was exiled. Later, he was reinstated as the Prince of Changyi, a title without real power. He spent the rest of his life in relative obscurity, far from the central politics of the Han dynasty.

Historically, Liu He’s brief reign and subsequent dethronement were overshadowed by the reigns of other Han emperors. However, his story is a vivid testament to the intricate politics of the Han court and the precarious nature of imperial power in ancient China.