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Hello and welcome to the history of China.

Episode 33, Reclamation.

Before launching in today, I've got to say that I've just received my new microphone, a blue yeti if you're curious, was based on popular ascent and I couldn't be

happier with the upgrade. It's all thanks to the enthusiasm of you listeners that I put these

episodes out week after week and especially thanks to those of you who have

donated to the show that I'm now able to record on such high-grade equipment.

I really cannot thank you all enough, and I hope that you can hear the difference.

Last episode, the Han Dynasty, having researched to overthrow the usurper Wong-Mong by riding

the tide of popular agrarian revolt, nearly tore itself to pieces

right off the bat, when they couldn't decide just exactly which member of the Leo Clan

ought to be the emperor.

But in the end it was Leo Schio, who had emerged victorious from the grisly civil war, having vanquished

his rivals to power, and reunified the core provinces of the empire under his rule as Emperor Guangwu.

He had followed that up by making peace with the Shong-New and reconquering a rebellious Vietnam,

but knew that the reinvigorated Eastern Han would need more time to regain its strength

before it could once again lay claim to the more far-flung regions to the west.

This episode, we pick up with his son and heir, ground prince Leo Huang, as he ascends to the throne as Ming of Han in 57 CE, following the death of his 52-year-old father.

Ming, whose Reginal name translates best as the Understanding,

was 29 or 30 years old at the time of his enthronement at Loyang.

His accession to the throne had been somewhat surprising because he had

after all had an elder brother. You may remember from the end of last episode though

...