Liu Fuling, also known as Emperor Zhao of Han, was the eighth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (including the period when Empress Lu controlled the throne as Empress Dowager, during which there were two Emperor Shaos). He was the youngest son of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, and his mother was Lady Gouyi.

Liu Fuling's tragic life began before he even inherited the throne.

Born in 94 BC, he was only three years old when the Witchcraft and Sorcery Calamity broke out, resulting in the death of Crown Prince Liu Ju.

Before this, Liu Fuling had no connection with the throne succession as his three older brothers, Liu Dan (King of Yan), Liu Xu (King of Guangling), and Liu Bo (King of Changyi), were all ahead of him in line.

However, Liu Dan's aggressive bid for the throne angered Emperor Wu, who excluded him from succession. Liu Xu was also disqualified due to his improper behavior and arrogance. Liu Bo had been a possible candidate for the throne as Emperor Wu was fond of him, but his uncle Li Guangli and Prime Minister Liu Quying plotted to install him, which resulted in Liu Quying's execution and Li Guangli's surrender to the Xiongnu, stripping Liu Bo of his eligibility to inherit the throne.

Thus, the only remaining heir was the young Liu Fuling. As he grew up, Emperor Wu came to believe that he resembled himself, firming his resolve to let him inherit the throne.

But when Liu Fuling was six years old, Emperor Wu, citing historical precedents of power struggles between queens and emperors, ordered the execution of his mother, Lady Gouyi, on the pretext of "a weak emperor with a strong mother". This left Liu Fuling orphaned at a tender age, doomed to a lonely life.

And when he turned seven, his father, Emperor Wu, passed away, making Liu Fuling the new emperor. Being too young to wield political power, his life was thus doomed to tragedy.

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