28 generals of the Cloud Terrace
In A.D. 60, Emperor Ming of the Later Han Dynasty honored 28 men who had served his father (Emperor Guang Wu) well by painting their portraits on South Palace's tower (named Yuntai (云台), meaning "cloud tower") in Luoyang. These 28 men were known as the 28 Generals of Yuntai.
One criterion which Emperor Ming used for his selection was that the men honored must not be relatives of the imperial family. Thus, Ma Yuan (whose daughter was Emperor Ming's empress) and Lai Xi (来歙, one of Emperor's Guangwu's uncles-in-law) were not selected, despite their great contributions.
Unusual in Chinese history, the 28 Generals of Yuntai either had natural deaths, or died while in active service to Emperor Guangwu. Emperor Guangwu himself was lauded for his trust of these men who helped him forge his empire.
Order
- Deng Yu (鄧禹)
- Wu Han (吳漢)
- Jia Fu (賈復)
- Geng Yan (耿弇)
- Kou Xun (寇恂)
- Cen Peng (岑彭)
- Feng Yi (馮異)
- Zhu Hu (朱祜)
- Zhai Zun (祭遵)
- Jing Dan (景丹)
- Ge Yan (蓋延)
- Yao Qi (銚期)
- Geng Chun (耿純)
- Zang Gong (臧宮)
- Ma Wu (馬武)
- Liu Long (劉隆)
- Ma Cheng (馬成)
- Wang Liang (王梁)
- Chen Jun (陳俊)
- Du Mao (杜茂)
- Fu Jun (傅俊)
- Jian Tan (堅鐔)
- Wang Ba (王覇)
- Ren Guang (任光)
- Li Zhong (李忠)
- Wan Xiu (萬脩)
- Pi Tong (邳彤)
- Liu Zhi (劉植)
Other honorees
Other than the 28 men listed above, Emperor Ming also hanged the portaits of 4 other men in Yuntai. They are:
- Wang Chang (王常)
- Li Tong (李通); Li was also Emperor Ming's uncle-in-law as his wife is Emperor Ming's aunt (and Emperor Guang Wu's sister) Liu Boji.
- Dou Rong (窦融)
- Zhuo Mao (卓茂)
References
- Zizhi Tongjian by Sima Guang, vols. 38-44 (original available here), and Modern Chinese Edition, edited by Bo Yang (Taipei, 1982–1989).
See Also
- Lingyan Pavilion, where Tang emperors from Taizong onwards honored officials in a similar manner.