Lulin

Quick Facts: Who was Lulin?

Subject:

Lulin

Known for:

Major peasant rebellion against the Xin dynasty, leading to temporary Han restoration.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lülin (Chinese: 绿林; pinyin: Lǜ Lín; lit. 'green forest') was one of two major peasant rebellions against Wang Mang's short-lived Xin dynasty in the modern southern Henan and northern Hubei regions. The name Lulin comes from the Lulin Mountains (in modern Yichang, Hubei), where the rebels had their stronghold for a while. Rebels from these two regions banded together to pool their strengths, and their collective strength eventually led to the downfall of the Xin dynasty and a temporary reinstatement of the Han dynasty with Liu Xuan (Gengshi Emperor) as the emperor. Many Lülin leaders became important members of the Gengshi Emperor's government, but infighting and incompetence in governance (both of the emperor and his officials) led to the fall of the regime after only two years, paving the way for the eventual rise of Liu Xiu (Emperor Guangwu) of the Eastern Han dynasty.

Career & Major Achievements

In 17 AD, the Jing Province (荊州, modern Hubei, Hunan, and southern Henan) was suffering a famine that was greatly exacerbated by the corruption and incompetence of Xin officials. The victims of the famine were reduced to consuming wild plants, and even those were in short supply, causing the suffering people to attack each other. Two men named Wang Kuang (王匡) and Wang Feng (王鳳), both from Xinshi (新市, in modern Jingmen, Hubei) became arbiters in some of these disputes, and they became the leaders of the enfamined people. They gathered local peasants in the Lulin Hills and formed the Lulin Army, which attacked landlords' estates to pillage food, and seized weapons from local troops. They were later joined by many others, including Ma Wu (馬武), Wang Chang (王常), and Cheng Dan (成丹).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Within a few months, 7,000 to 8,000 men gathered together under their commands. They had their base at Lulin Mountain, and their modus operandi was to attack and pillage villages far from the cities for food. This carried on for several years, during which they grew to tens of thousands in size. Wang sent messengers issuing pardons in hopes of causing these rebels to disband. Once the messengers returned to the Xin capital Chang'an, some honestly reported that the rebels gathered because the harsh laws made it impossible for them to make a living and therefore they were forced to rebel.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lulin

True or False: “The Lulin rebels initially focused on attacking major administrative cities for resources.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Initially, the rebels' modus operandi was to attack and pillage villages located far from established cities.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• LulzSec — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A notorious grey hat hacking collective known for high-profile, attention-grabbing cyber operations.
• Lumière brothers — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering French filmmakers, inventors, and manufacturers of early cinema.
• Luna (South Korean singer) — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: South Korean singer, dancer, and musical actress known for her work in f(x) and solo career.
• Lunda Empire — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A powerful confederation of states in modern DRC, Angola, and Zambia.
• Lunigiana revolt — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The 1894 Lunigiana revolt in Tuscany, supporting the Sicilian Leagues uprising.
• Luo Guanzhong — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Master novelist of the Ming Dynasty, credited with Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lulin