The Emperor of the Xin Dynasty, Wang Mang, had thoughts and actions that transcended his era, earning him the acclaim of being a reformer from the future.
Wang Mang was born in 45 BC into a family of nobility, being the nephew of Empress Wang Zhengjun – the only Empress of Emperor Yuan of Han.
From his role as a maternal relative in the Han court, Wang Mang gradually rose to hold the highest positions, manipulating state affairs and ultimately usurping the Han dynasty.
Wang Mang, the only emperor of the Xin Dynasty known as a time traveler (Image: Sohu).
He also became the only emperor of the Xin Dynasty, interrupting the Han period in Chinese history.
However, what makes people frequently mention this emperor is that he introduced many reforms that were “ahead of their time”, to the extent that he is celebrated as “coming from the future.”
First and foremost, we must mention Wang Mang’s land reform. Upon ascending the throne, Wang Mang prohibited the sale of land and moved towards nationalizing land, distributing it equally among the people.
This policy was a severe blow to the powerful landlord class of the time but brought significant benefits to the vast majority of farmers.
His progressive thinking serves as a reminder to future generations about the importance of pursuing fairness and justice in modern society. This was a notion that was far-fetched and impractical during the feudal era, over 2,000 years ago.
Wang Mang also fought against slavery. He banned the slave trade in all forms and sought to gradually abolish slavery through legal means, aiming to protect human rights.
In terms of technological advancement, Wang Mang also showed particular interest and implemented reforms that were “time-transcending.”
He encouraged technological innovation, and some historical records even suggest that he had contact with prototypes of an aircraft.
Despite Wang Mang’s groundbreaking reforms, they did not secure a lasting dynasty for him. After 16 years, the Xin Dynasty that this emperor established collapsed following a rebellion aimed at restoring the Han dynasty.
Although Wang Mang was “well-versed in astronomy and geography,” he could not save himself and ultimately lost his life at the hands of the rebel forces. Moreover, his reforms were quickly reversed due to their incompatibility with the mindset of the majority at the time.
It can be said that for over 2,000 years, Wang Mang has been one of the most controversial emperors in Chinese history.
Some praise him as a great reformer and a hero born in the wrong time. Others criticize him as a reckless individual whose numerous reform policies were merely to “exhibit his ego” and consolidate his own power.
