Wu Han (1st century BCE — 18 June 44 CE), courtesy name Ziyan, was a Chinese military general and politician during the Eastern Han dynasty who made great contributions to Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu)'s reestablishment of the Han dynasty and who is commonly regarded as Emperor Guangwu's best general, but who was also known for cruelty against civilians. He was also one of the 28 generals of Yuntai.
Wu Han assisted Emperor Guangwu of Han in summoning troops from Youzhou, defeating various rebel forces such as the Tanxiang bandits and the Yexi mountain thieves. He successively eliminated separatist warlords including , Liu Yong, , and Gongsun Shu, ultimately contributing to the unification of the empire.
Biography
Fleeing to Yuyang
In his early years, Wu Han came from a poor family and served as a village chief in his home county. After a guest committed a crime, he lost his household registration and fled with Peng Chong () to Yuyang (漁陽, roughly modern Beijing). At that time, Peng Chong served in the army of Wang Yi, a subordinate of Wang Mang in Luoyang. Hearing that his younger brother had joined the Han forces and fearing punishment, Peng Chong escaped with Wu Han to Yuyang, where their father had once been a governor. There, they made a living trading horses, traveling between Yan and Ji, forging ties with local heroes.
In the first year of (23 CE), an envoy of Emperor Gengshi, Han Hong, learned that Peng Chong and Wu Han were fellow townsmen and had received recommendations about Wu Han. Consequently, he appointed Peng Chong as Deputy General and acting Governor of Yuyang, and Wu Han as Magistrate of Anle.《後漢書·王劉張李彭盧列傳第二》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 12): When Hong arrived in Ji, he found Peng and Han to be old acquaintances from their hometown. Delighted by their reunion, he immediately appointed Peng as Deputy General and acting Governor of Yuyang, and Han as Magistrate of Anle.
Wu was strong in military tactics but not in overall strategies, and he often became the implementer of Emperor Guangwu's own excellent strategies. Wu was, to his credit, known for his hard work and lack of corruption. He also was a major advocate against pardonsa fact later cited by the great Shu Han statesman Zhuge Liang in refusing to grant pardons.
Joining Liu Xiu
In the first year of Gengshi (23 CE), Emperor Gengshi dispatched acting Grand Marshal Liu Xiu to pacify Hebei. Meanwhile, Wang Lang falsely claimed to be a descendant of the Liu family and raised an army in Handan. Hearing that Liu Xiu was a respected elder, Wu Han persuaded Peng Chong to align with Liu Xiu. Peng Chong agreed, though his subordinates favored Wang Lang. At that moment, a scholar brought news exposing Wang Lang’s fabricated identity and the counties’ allegiance to Liu Xiu. Wu Han forged a proclamation from Liu Xiu denouncing Wang Lang as a pretender, convincing Peng Chong and his officials of its authenticity.
At the same time, the Governor of Shanggu, , also sought to join Liu Xiu and sent to ally with Peng Chong. Peng Chong mobilized 3,000 infantry and cavalry, appointing Wu Han as acting Chief Secretary alongside his fellow townsman 《後漢書·吳蓋陳臧列傳第八》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 18): When Wang Lang rose, Yan conspired with Wu Han to join Guangwu. and 《後漢書·朱景王杜馬劉傅堅馬列傳第十二》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 22): Serving as a county official, Governor Peng Chong appointed Liang as acting magistrate of Hunu. Together with Gai Yan and Wu Han, he led troops south to join Emperor Guangwu at Guang’a, where he was named Deputy General. to march south, killing Wang Lang’s general Zhao Hong.
After returned, he joined forces with Shanggu Commandery’s general ,《後漢書·朱景王杜馬劉傅堅馬列傳第十二》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 22): When Wang Lang rose, Dan conspired with Kuang to resist him. Kuang sent Dan, his son Yan, and Kou Xun with troops south to join Emperor Guangwu. ,《後漢書·鄧寇列傳第六》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 16): Kuang agreed and sent Xun to Yuyang to conspire with Peng Chong. On his return, Xun attacked Handan’s envoy at Changping, killed him, seized his troops, and joined Kuang’s son Yan and others south to meet Guangwu at Guang’a. and Geng Yan《後漢書·耿弇列傳第九》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 19): Hearing en route that Guangwu was at Lunu, Yan rode north to meet him. Guangwu kept him as a subordinate official. to unite Shanggu’s forces with Yuyang’s. Leading Yuyang and Shanggu’s elite cavalry and infantry south, they defeated Wang Lang’s army, beheading 30,000 enemies and pacifying 22 counties, including Zhuo, Zhongshan, Julu, Qinghe, and Hejian. In the second year of Gengshi (24 CE), their forces merged with Liu Xiu’s at Guang’a, where Liu Xiu appointed Wu Han as Deputy General. After conquering Wang Lang’s Handan, Wu Han was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jianze.
Wu Han was a man of simple character and few words, unable to express himself eloquently. Deng Yu and other generals recognized this but frequently recommended him. Upon being summoned, he earned Liu Xiu’s favor and often remained close to him.
Securing Hebei At that time, rebel groups like Tongma, Datong, Gaohu, Chonglian, Tiejing, Daqiang, Youlai, Shangjiang, Qingdu, Wuxiao, Wufan, Wulou, Fuping, and Huosuo—numbering millions—plundered the region. Liu Xiu sought to summon troops from Youzhou to suppress them. Consulting Deng Yu late at night about a suitable commander, Deng Yu praised Wu Han’s bravery and strategic acumen, unmatched among the generals. On Deng Yu’s recommendation, Liu Xiu appointed Wu Han as . Together with the newly appointed Great General Geng Yan, Wu Han was sent north with credentials to mobilize elite cavalry from ten commanderies.
The Youzhou Governor under Emperor Gengshi, secretly prepared his forces and ordered the commanderies to defy Wu Han’s summons. Wu Han swiftly rode to Wuzhong with twenty cavalrymen, catching Miao Zeng off guard during a welcoming sortie. He ordered his cavalry to behead Miao Zeng, seizing his troops and prompting cities to surrender in awe. Wu Han then mustered regional forces, marched south to rendezvous with Liu Xiu at Qingyang, and submitted the troop roster. Initially, the generals doubted he would share his forces, but after he handed over the roster, they requested troops from him. Liu Xiu sarcastically rebuked them, leaving them ashamed.
Dissatisfied with Emperor Gengshi’s , Liu Xiu seized an opportunity while Xie was away fighting rebels. He ordered Wu Han and to assault Ye city. Wu Han sent a rhetorician to persuade the Wei Commandery Governor Chen Kang, left in charge, to surrender. Chen Kang arrested Xie Gong’s wife, children, and Great General Liu Qing. Returning defeated from Longlü, Xie Gong, unaware of Chen Kang’s defection, entered the city with a few hundred cavalry, only to be captured and personally executed by Wu Han.
In the first year of Jianwu (25 CE), Liu Xiu marched north against the rebel forces. Wu Han often led 5,000 elite cavalry as the vanguard, repeatedly breaching cities first. During a battle north of Shunshui, Liu Xiu pursued the enemy recklessly after a victory but suffered a defeat, his fate briefly unknown. As the generals wavered, Wu Han rallied them, saying, “Everyone fight on! Emperor Xiao’s nephew is in Nanyang—why fear losing a leader?” The army’s panic subsided after days.《後漢書·光武帝紀第一上》(History of Eastern Han, first part of vol. I): Guangwu went missing in the army; some said he was dead, leaving the generals directionless. Wu Han said, “Press on! The king’s nephew is in Nanyang—why fear having no lord?” Fear gripped the troops for days before calming. After the rebels fled to Yuyang, Liu Xiu sent Wu Han with Geng Yan, , Ma Wu, , , , , Geng Chun, , , Zhai Zun, , and —twelve generals—to pursue them. At Lu East and Pinggu, they crushed the enemy,《後漢書·光武帝紀第一上》(History of Eastern Han, first part of the vol. 1): The rebels entered Yuyang; Wu Han led Geng Yan, Chen Jun, Ma Wu, and twelve generals in pursuit, fighting at Lu East and Pinggu, annihilating them. chasing them relentlessly between Wuzhong and Tuyin in Youbeiping, returning from Junmi.《後漢書·耿弇列傳第九》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 19): Guangwu returned to Ji, sending Yan with Wu Han, Jing Dan, Gai Yan, Zhu You, Pi Tong, Geng Chun, Liu Zhi, Cen Peng, Ji Zun, Jian Tan, Wang Ba, Chen Jun, and Ma Wu—thirteen generals—to pursue the rebels to Lu East and Pinggu. They fought again, beheading over 13,000, chasing them between Wuzhong and Tuyin in Right Beiping, returning from Junmi. The remaining rebels scattered into Liaoxi and Liaodong, where they were nearly wiped out by the Wuhuan and Mo peoples.
When Hebei was pacified, Wu Han and the generals presented maps and charts, proclaiming Liu Xiu emperor. On the jisi day of the sixth month (July 22), Guangwu ascended the throne. Intending to appoint General Pingdi Sun Xian as Grand Marshal based on prophecy, he faced dissent. A decree called for nominations, and the ministers recommended only Wu Han and Jing Dan. Guangwu, citing Wu Han’s role in strategy and his elimination of and Xie Gong, chose him as Grand Marshal, appointing as General of Agile Cavalry.《後漢書·朱景王杜馬劉傅堅馬列傳第十二》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 22): Upon ascending, Guangwu, per prophecy, intended Sun Xian as Grand Marshal, but the court objected. A decree sought nominations; only Wu Han and Dan were proposed. The emperor said, “General Jing is a great leader from the north, a worthy choice. Yet General Wu has strategic merits and killed Miao in Youzhou and Xie the Secretariat Director—his deeds are greater. Traditionally, the Agile Cavalry General doubles as Grand Marshal.” Thus, Wu Han became Grand Marshal, and Dan Agile Cavalry General. On the day Ren Wu of the seventh month (August 28), Wu Han was officially named Grand Marshal and re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyang.The title Marquis of Wuyang was also held by Fan Kuai, a famed general who served under Emperor Gaozu of Han, founder of the Western Han.
Liu was impressed by Wu's prowess on the battlefield, and he made Wu one of his key generals. After Liu declared himself emperor in 25, he made Wu the commander of the armed forces (大司马, da sima) – one of the three most important officials in the imperial government. It is because Emperor Guangwu greatly elevated Wu, who was Peng's deputy, while ignoring Peng in his promotions, that partly led to Peng's eventual revolt against Emperor Guangwu in 26.
Subduing Guandong Thereafter, Liu Xiu ordered Wu Han, alongside Great General of Jianyi , Court Prosecutor , Right General , Gold-holding General , Agile Cavalry General , General of Yanghua , General of Accumulated Archers , and Deputy Generals Feng Yi, Zhai Zun, and —eleven generals—to besiege in Luoyang for months.《後漢書·馮岑賈列傳第七》(History of Eastern Han, vol. 17): With Grand Marshal Wu Han, Grand Minister Wang Liang, Great General of Jianyi Zhu You, Right General Wan Xiu, Gold-holding General Jia Fu, Agile Cavalry General Liu Zhi, Yanghua General Jian Tan, Accumulated Archers General Hou Jin, and Deputy Generals Feng Yi, Ji Zun, and Wang Ba, they surrounded Luoyang for months. Zhu Wei held firm, refusing to yield. On the day Xin Mao of the ninth month (November 5), Zhu Wei, persuaded by Cen Peng, surrendered the city.