Summary of the reign
Emperor Yüan's reign (49-33 B.C.) was in general a time of peace,
in which began the deterioration that ultimately led to the downfall
of the dynasty. In foreign affairs the most important event
was the brilliant expedition of Ch'en T'ang into Sogdiana; in internal
affairs Confucianism was adopted as the guiding principle of government,
bringing as a consequence administrative economies and a lightening of
the people's burdens. The actual control of the government was, however,
given to imperial maternal relatives and to a favorite eunuch.
