Emperor Zhang of Han

Also known as Liu Da

Liu Da, Emperor Zhang of Han, was the fifth son of Emperor Ming; his mother was the Honoured Lady Jia, but he was raised by Empress Ma and named heir in 60. He succeeded his father in 75 and reigned under the era names Jianchu, Yuanhe and Zhanghe. In 79 he summoned scholars to the White Tiger Hall to debate differences among the classics, and Ban Gu compiled the results as the Comprehensive Discussions in the White Tiger Hall (Baihu tongyi). He supported Ban Chao's campaigns in the Western Regions and forbade harsh tortures, though in the Yuanhe years he restored the state monopoly on salt and iron. He died in the second month of 88 with the temple name Suzong and the posthumous title Xiaozhang, and his last edict lifted the salt and iron ban. Historians pair his reign with his father's as an age of good order, and the draft cursive script zhangcao is said, without certainty, to be named after his fondness for it.