Hanyu Family Name Genealogy · Han Surname Volume

Author: Li Xueqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Han Yanshou had three sons, namely Han Jian, Han Weizhong, and Han Ying, all of whom served as Langli (a type of official). Before his execution, Han Yanshou used his own experiences as a warning, urging his sons to avoid the dangers of the official path and not to pursue a career in politics. Han Jian, Han Weizhong, and Han Ying, the three brothers, heeded their father's advice and resigned from their official positions after Han Yanshou's death. By the time of Han Yanshou's grandson, Han Wei, he once again entered the service of the state and rose to the rank of general. Han Wei shared many qualities with his grandfather, being a man who valued benevolence and trustworthiness, capable of gaining the respect of others, and inspiring his subordinates to fight with full dedication. However, he later also met his end due to extravagance and overstepping his bounds, mirroring the fate of his grandfather.
Han Xun, who came slightly later than Han Yanshou, styled himself Changbin and was also recorded in historical records as a native of Jingzhao Duling. However, his family background was not detailed. Han Xun served as the Left Fengyi in the first year of Emperor Cheng of the Western Han (28 BCE) and was transferred to Shaofu in the third year of the same reign. In the fourth year of the Hongji era (17 BCE), he was promoted to Zhijinwu, and in the second year of the Yongshi era (15 BCE), he became the Guanglu Qing. The following year, he was appointed Grand General and died in the fourth year of the Yongshi era (13 BCE). From the positions he held, Han Xun was also an important figure among the Han surnamed family in Jingzhao during the Western Han period, and his status was comparable to that of Han Yanshou. There was likely a familial connection between Han Xun and Han Yanshou, for two reasons: first, both moved to Duling during the mid-Western Han period; second, Han Xun's courtesy name was "Changbin," while Han Yanshou's was "Changgong," suggesting they might have been peers within the Han clan. Han Xun was probably a descendant of Han Wangxin, much like Han Yanshou, and also moved to Jingzhao Duling around the same time.
According to historical records, after Wang Mang usurped the throne and chaos ensued, sons of Han Yanshou such as Han Weizhong and other Han surnamed individuals retreated from public life. During the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms periods, the Han surnamed family in Jingzhao did not see significant development, with few notable figures recorded in history, leaving little mark on the annals. The Han surnamed individuals from Jingzhao during the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms periods who are explicitly mentioned in historical records include Han Hao, a native of Youfeng (northwest of present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi), who served as the Protector of the Qiang in the fourth year of Emperor Shun's Yongjian era (129 CE) and relocated the Qiang people from Tongzhong to the area between the two rivers to prevent uprisings. He was later dismissed from office. Another was Han Kang, styled Boxiu, a native of Jingzhao Baoling (northeast of present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi), who was a recluse during the Eastern Han. He often gathered herbs and sold them, retreating to the mountains of Baoling to avoid worldly affairs. Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han repeatedly sent envoys to invite him to serve, but Han Kang reluctantly agreed only to flee again during the journey.
Other Han surnamed individuals, such as Han Rong, Han Ting, and Han Fu, also served in the capital Chang'an, but they were all from Yingchuan Han family. Some were dismissed from office and returned to their hometowns, while others held positions for short periods, making them unsuitable for inclusion in the Jingzhao Han family and having little impact on its development. The heyday of the Jingzhao Han family came during the Tang Dynasty, marked by Han Xiu's appointment as prime minister during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. Han Xiu, styled Liangshi, was recorded in the New Book of Tang as a native of Jingzhao Chang'an. His father, Han Dazhi, styled Buhe, had three brothers, with Dazhi being the youngest. As mentioned earlier, the three brothers were also descendants of Han Wangxin and branches of the Nanyang Han family. Of course, they also traced their lineage back to the Changli Han family. This branch of the Han family transitioned from Changli to Jingzhao, likely beginning with Han Dazhi and his two older brothers.