Battle of Kunyang
Kunyang, Ye County, Henan, China
What happened
Lulin rebel forces including Liu Xiu fought the much larger army of Wang Mang's Xin dynasty, led by Wang Yi and Wang Xun. Rebellions had spread against Emperor Wang Mang's Xin dynasty. When a huge Xin army besieged the rebels in Kunyang, Liu Xiu slipped out at night with 13 riders to find help and returned with about 10,000 men. His attack overcame Wang Xun, the defenders broke out, and a sudden storm and flood helped scatter the Xin army.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the decisive battle that led to the fall of the Xin dynasty. Liu Xiu later restored the Han dynasty as Emperor Guangwu.
What came next
In 25 CE Liu Xiu declared himself emperor, with his capital at Luoyang, beginning the Eastern Han dynasty. By 36 CE he had reunified China.
Did you know?
Liu Xiu left the besieged town at night with only 13 horsemen to raise the army that won the battle.
Timeline
- Summer 23The Xin army besieges Kunyang.
- 7 July 23Liu Xiu attacks and the Xin army collapses.
- 25Liu Xiu becomes Emperor Guangwu of Han.
- 36Guangwu reunifies China.
- 57Emperor Guangwu dies in Luoyang.