Emperor Ming of Han

Emperor Ming of Han (15June 28 – 5September 75 AD), courtesy name Zili (子麗; Zǐlì), born Liu Yang and also known as Liu Zhuang and as Han Mingdi, was the second emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.

He was the fourth son and second crown prince of Emperor Guangwu. It was during Emperor Ming's reign that Buddhism began to spread into China.

Emperor Ming was a hard-working, competent administrator of the empire who showed integrity and demanded integrity from his officials. He also extended Chinese control over the Tarim Basin and eradicated the Xiongnu influence there, through the conquests of his general Ban Chao.

The reigns of Emperor Ming and his son Emperor Zhang were typically considered the golden age of the Eastern Han Empire and known as the Rule of Ming and Zhang.