Emperor Cheng of Han / 汉成帝

Overview

Emperor Cheng of Han / 汉成帝 enters this wiki branch through Hanji 654 as the Western Han ruler who summons 扬雄 after Yang Xiong’s literary reputation becomes visible.

Current Profile

The source’s use of Emperor Cheng is narrow. It says Yang Xiong receives a summons in the Chengdi period and serves as a palace gentleman, but despite passing through several reigns his career does not rise much.

Emperor Cheng therefore functions as part of Yang Xiong’s official-life background. The episode’s main point is not Chengdi’s rule, but the contrast between literary notice and limited promotion.

Key Characteristics

• Western Han emperor in the source’s Yang Xiong career frame.
• Summons Yang Xiong after his literary ability becomes visible.
• Marks the beginning of Yang Xiong’s court-service layer in this episode.
• Serves as background for the contrast between cultural talent and limited official advancement.

Evidence

• Summons: Hanji 654 says Emperor Cheng summons Yang Xiong.
• Court service: Hanji 654 says Yang Xiong serves as a palace gentleman in the Chengdi period.
• Career contrast: Hanji 654 says Yang Xiong does not receive major promotion across several reigns.

Qualifications

This page does not synthesize Emperor Cheng’s reign, consort politics, or wider Western Han decline. It exists to support the Yang Xiong source branch and should be expanded only when additional sources make Chengdi himself central.

What Changed

• Created this narrow Emperor Cheng page from Hanji 654.

Relationships

• 扬雄 - writer summoned during Chengdi’s reign.
• 西汉 - dynasty over which Chengdi ruled.