entity Updated 2026-08-22 Tags: Person, Western-Han, Court-Favorite, Wealth, Physiognomy

邓通 / Deng Tong

邓通 / Deng Tong enters the wiki through Qinji 135 番外篇2 as a minor figure whom 刘恒 / Emperor Wen of Han favors after he resembles a helpful young man from the emperor’s dream. The episode uses him to test whether imperial favor can override a fate-reading prediction.

In the source, 许负 says Deng Tong’s face shows wealth and honor but that he will ultimately starve in poverty. Emperor Wen responds by giving him a copper mountain and minting privileges, trying to make poverty impossible through direct patronage.

The prediction is fulfilled after 汉景帝 / Emperor Jing of Han succeeds Emperor Wen, dislikes Deng Tong, and confiscates his wealth under the charge of private minting. The episode says Deng Tong becomes destitute and dies hungry, making him a case where favor-generated wealth proves non-durable after a patron’s death.

Connections