After eliminating the powerful Lü clan, Emperor Wen was deliberately chosen as the emperor, since his mother, Consort Bo, had no powerful relatives. His reign brought a much needed political stability that laid the groundwork for prosperity under Emperor Wu. According to historians, Emperor Wen trusted and consulted with Confucian-educated ministers on state affairs; under the influence of his Daoist wife, Empress Dou, the emperor also sought to avoid wasteful expenditures.
Legends noted that the tax rates were at a ratio of "1 out of 30" and "1 out of 60", corresponding to 3.33% and 1.67%, respectively. Warehouses were so full of grain, that some of it was left to decay.
In a move of lasting importance in 165 BC, Emperor Wen introduced recruitment to the civil service through examinations. Previously, potential officials never sat for any sort of academic examinations. Their names were sent by local officials to the central government based on reputations and abilities, which were sometimes judged subjectively.
HanWendi was now moved by Chunyu Tiying's letter and issued an edict: "I have heard that in the ancient past the Sage-Kings Yu and Shun merely had to make criminals wear clothes of a different style or colour, or with a special pattern on them, to indicate that they were being punished.
HanWendi's son and successor Han Jingdi had to further reform the punishments by reducing the 500 strokes used to replace the cutting off of toes on the left foot, to 200 strokes.
Han Jingdi also had to stipulate the length, thickness, weight and shape of the bamboo rod used, and rule that the man wielding the rod could not be changed halfway during the conduct of the punishment.
Emperor Wen of Han (202 BC–157 BC) was an emperor of the Han Dynasty in China.
Liu Heng was a son of Emperor Gao of Han and Consort Bo, later empress dowager.
After Empress Dowager Lü's death, the officials eliminated the powerful Lü clan, and deliberately chose the Prince of Dai as the emperor, since his mother, Consort Bo, had no powerful relatives, and her family was known for its humility and thoughtfulness.
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