Liu Xiu vs Murong Chui

Liu Xiu led a small force of 3,000 men to relieve the siege of Kunyang against a much larger Xin army. His tactical brilliance and a timely sandstorm led to a decisive victory, breaking the back of Wang Mang's forces and paving the way for the restoration of Han.

Liu Xiu declared himself emperor in Luoyang, restoring the Han dynasty after the fall of Wang Mang's Xin dynasty. He took the reign name Guangwu and began the Eastern Han period, reunifying China under Han rule.

Emperor Guangwu moved the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang, marking the beginning of the Eastern Han dynasty. This shift was strategic, as Luoyang was more defensible and centrally located for controlling the empire.

Emperor Guangwu defeated the Red Eyebrows rebel army, one of the major peasant forces that had risen after Wang Mang's fall. The victory eliminated a key rival and consolidated his control over the central plains.

Emperor Guangwu reduced taxes and forced labor requirements to alleviate the suffering of peasants after decades of war. This policy helped restore agricultural production and stabilize the economy, earning him popular support.

Emperor Guangwu completed the reunification of China by defeating the last independent warlord, Gongsun Shu, in Sichuan. This ended the civil wars that followed Wang Mang's usurpation and restored Han authority over all of China.

Murong Chui declared himself Prince of Yan, founding the Later Yan dynasty after breaking away from the Former Qin. He established his capital at Zhongshan (modern Dingzhou, Hebei) and began consolidating power in northern China.

Murong Chui led a campaign against the Northern Wei dynasty. His forces were defeated at Canhe Slope by the Wei army under Tuoba Gui, a major setback that weakened Later Yan and led to its decline.

Murong Chui died of illness while on campaign against Northern Wei. His death left the Later Yan dynasty in a weakened state, and it soon collapsed under pressure from the Northern Wei.