Emperor Xian of Han

Emperor Xian of Han, born Liu Xie on April 2, 181, was the last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty, reigning from September 28, 189, until his abdication on December 11, 220. His ascension to the throne at the tender age of eight came after the warlord Dong Zhuo deposed his half-brother, Emperor Shao, effectively making Liu Xie a puppet ruler under Dong Zhuo's control.

In 190, a coalition of regional warlords sought to liberate Emperor Xian from Dong Zhuo's grasp, leading to the destruction of the imperial capital, Luoyang, and the relocation of the court to Chang'an. Following Dong Zhuo's assassination in 192, Liu Xie found himself under the influence of Li Jue and Guo Si, who continued to hold him hostage despite the nominal recognition of his legitimacy by various warlords.

In 195, during a conflict between his captors, Emperor Xian managed to escape to the ruins of Luoyang. His fortunes changed when the warlord Cao Cao intervened, taking him under his protection and relocating him to Xu, where a new imperial capital was established. Although Emperor Xian was recognized as emperor, Cao Cao wielded actual power, using Liu Xie as a figurehead to legitimize his military campaigns.

The tide turned for Cao Cao during the winter of 208-209 when he suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, which set the stage for the emergence of the Three Kingdoms. Ultimately, in late 220, Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi, forced Emperor Xian to abdicate, marking the end of the Han dynasty and the rise of the state of Cao Wei. Despite his dethronement, Liu Xie was granted the title Duke of Shanyang and lived comfortably until his death on April 21, 234.