Biography

Fleeing to Yuyang

In his early years, Wu Han came from a poor family and served as a village chief in his home county (Wan County, Nanyang Commandery, Jingzhou). After a guest committed a crime, he lost his household registration and fled with Peng Chong (彭寵) to Yuyang (漁陽, roughly modern Beijing). At that time, Peng Chong served in the army of Wang Yi, a subordinate of Wang Mang in Luoyang. Hearing that his younger brother had joined the Han forces and fearing punishment, Peng Chong escaped with Wu Han to Yuyang, where their father had once been a governor. There, they made a living trading horses, traveling between Yan and Ji, forging ties with local heroes.

In the first year of (23 CE), an envoy of Emperor Gengshi, Han Hong, learned that Peng Chong and Wu Han were fellow townsmen and had received recommendations about Wu Han. Consequently, he appointed Peng Chong as Deputy General and acting Governor of Yuyang, and Wu Han as Magistrate of Anle.

Wu was strong in military tactics but not in overall strategies, and he often became the implementer of Emperor Guangwu's own excellent strategies. Wu was, to his credit, known for his hard work and lack of corruption. He also was a major advocate against pardons – a fact later cited by the great Shu Han statesman Zhuge Liang in refusing to grant pardons.

Joining Liu Xiu

In the first year of Gengshi (23 CE), Emperor Gengshi dispatched acting Grand Marshal Liu Xiu to pacify Hebei. Meanwhile, Wang Lang falsely claimed to be a descendant of the Liu family and raised an army in Handan. Hearing that Liu Xiu was a respected elder, Wu Han persuaded Peng Chong to align with Liu Xiu. Peng Chong agreed, though his subordinates favored Wang Lang. At that moment, a scholar brought news exposing Wang Lang's fabricated identity and the counties』 allegiance to Liu Xiu. Wu Han forged a proclamation from Liu Xiu denouncing Wang Lang as a pretender, convincing Peng Chong and his officials of its authenticity.

At the same time, the Governor of Shanggu, , also sought to join Liu Xiu and sent to ally with Peng Chong. Peng Chong mobilized 3,000 infantry and cavalry, appointing Wu Han as acting Chief Secretary alongside his fellow townsman and to march south, killing Wang Lang's general Zhao Hong.

After returned, he joined forces with Shanggu Commandery's general , , and Geng Yan to unite Shanggu's forces with Yuyang's. Leading Yuyang and Shanggu's elite cavalry and infantry south, they defeated Wang Lang's army, beheading 30,000 enemies and pacifying 22 counties, including Zhuo, Zhongshan, Julu, Qinghe, and Hejian. In the second year of Gengshi (24 CE), their forces merged with Liu Xiu's at Guang』a, where Liu Xiu appointed Wu Han as Deputy General. After conquering Wang Lang's Handan, Wu Han was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jianze.

Wu Han was a man of simple character and few words, unable to express himself eloquently. Deng Yu and other generals recognized this but frequently recommended him. Upon being summoned, he earned Liu Xiu's favor and often remained close to him.

Securing Hebei

At that time, rebel groups like Tongma, Datong, Gaohu, Chonglian, Tiejing, Daqiang, Youlai, Shangjiang, Qingdu, Wuxiao, Wufan, Wulou, Fuping, and Huosuo—numbering millions—plundered the region. Liu Xiu sought to summon troops from Youzhou to suppress them. Consulting Deng Yu late at night about a suitable commander, Deng Yu praised Wu Han's bravery and strategic acumen, unmatched among the generals. On Deng Yu's recommendation, Liu Xiu appointed Wu Han as . Together with the newly appointed Great General Geng Yan, Wu Han was sent north with credentials to mobilize elite cavalry from ten commanderies.

The Youzhou Governor under Emperor Gengshi, secretly prepared his forces and ordered the commanderies to defy Wu Han's summons. Wu Han swiftly rode to Wuzhong with twenty cavalrymen, catching Miao Zeng off guard during a welcoming sortie. He ordered his cavalry to behead Miao Zeng, seizing his troops and prompting cities to surrender in awe. Wu Han then mustered regional forces, marched south to rendezvous with Liu Xiu at Qingyang, and submitted the troop roster. Initially, the generals doubted he would share his forces, but after he handed over the roster, they requested troops from him. Liu Xiu sarcastically rebuked them, leaving them ashamed.

Dissatisfied with Emperor Gengshi's , Liu Xiu seized an opportunity while Xie was away fighting rebels. He ordered Wu Han and to assault Ye city. Wu Han sent a rhetorician to persuade the Wei Commandery Governor Chen Kang, left in charge, to surrender. Chen Kang arrested Xie Gong's wife, children, and Great General Liu Qing. Returning defeated from Longlü, Xie Gong, unaware of Chen Kang's defection, entered the city with a few hundred cavalry, only to be captured and personally executed by Wu Han.

In the first year of Jianwu (25 CE), Liu Xiu marched north against the rebel forces. Wu Han often led 5,000 elite cavalry as the vanguard, repeatedly breaching cities first. During a battle north of Shunshui, Liu Xiu pursued the enemy recklessly after a victory but suffered a defeat, his fate briefly unknown. As the generals wavered, Wu Han rallied them, saying, 「Everyone fight on! Emperor Xiao's nephew is in Nanyang—why fear losing a leader?」 The army's panic subsided after days. After the rebels fled to Yuyang, Liu Xiu sent Wu Han with Geng Yan, , Ma Wu, , , , , Geng Chun, , , Zhai Zun, , and —twelve generals—to pursue them. At Lu East and Pinggu, they crushed the enemy, chasing them relentlessly between Wuzhong and Tuyin in Youbeiping, returning from Junmi. The remaining rebels scattered into Liaoxi and Liaodong, where they were nearly wiped out by the Wuhuan and Mo peoples.

When Hebei was pacified, Wu Han and the generals presented maps and charts, proclaiming Liu Xiu emperor. On the day Ji Si of the sixth month (July 22), Guangwu ascended the throne. Intending to appoint General Pingdi Sun Xian as Grand Marshal based on prophecy, he faced dissent. A decree called for nominations, and the ministers recommended only Wu Han and Jing Dan. Guangwu, citing Wu Han's role in strategy and his elimination of and Xie Gong, chose him as Grand Marshal, appointing as General of Agile Cavalry. On the day Ren Wu of the seventh month (August 28), Wu Han was officially named Grand Marshal and re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyang.

Liu was impressed by Wu's prowess on the battlefield, and he made Wu one of his key generals. After Liu declared himself emperor in 25, he made Wu the commander of the armed forces (大, da sima) – one of the three most important officials in the imperial government. It is because Emperor Guangwu greatly elevated Wu, who was Peng's deputy, while ignoring Peng in his promotions, that partly led to Peng's eventual revolt against Emperor Guangwu in 26.

Subduing Guandong

Thereafter, Liu Xiu ordered Wu Han, alongside Great General of Jianyi , Court Prosecutor , Right General , Gold-holding General , Agile Cavalry General , General of Yanghua , General of Accumulated Archers , and Deputy Generals Feng Yi, Zhai Zun, and —eleven generals—to besiege in Luoyang for months. On the day Xin Mao of the ninth month (November 5), Zhu Wei, persuaded by Cen Peng, surrendered the city.

In the first month of the second year of Jianwu (26 CE), Wu Han led Grand Minister Wang Liang, Great General of Jianyi , Great General , Gold-holding General , Yanghua General , Deputy General , Cavalry Commandant , Ma Wu, and to decisively defeat the Tanxiang bandits east of Ye at the Zhang River, with over 100,000 surrendering. On the day Geng Chen of the first month (February 22), Guangwu dispatched envoys with sealed edicts to enfeoff meritorious vassals. Wu Han was named Marquis of Guangping, granted the domains of Guangping, Chizhang, Quzhou, and Guangnian—four counties. Scholar Ding Gong argued that Deng Yu (Marquis of Liang) and Wu Han (Marquis of Guangping) holding four counties each defied the principle of strong trunk and weak branches, clashing with legal norms. Guangwu retorted, 「I』ve never heard of a vassal ruined by too much land.」

Wu Han then led generals to attack the Yexi mountain bandit Li Boqing and others, reaching Xiuwu in Henei, crushing all their garrisons. Guangwu personally visited to commend them. Ordered to advance on Nanyang, Wu Han captured Wan, Nieyang, Li, Rang, and Xinye, then marched south, defeating Qin Feng at Huangyou River. However, Wu Han's lax discipline allowed his troops to plunder excessively. Deng Feng, General of Breaking Barbarians, returning home and enraged by Wu Han's ravaging of Xinye, rebelled, defeated the Han army, seized its supplies, and entrenched at Yuyang, allying with Dong Xin and others. The rebellion was quelled only by the next summer.

Later, Wu Han and Deputy General Feng Yi crushed the Wulou bandits of Changcheng, including Zhang Wen, then triumphed over Tongma and Wufan at Xin』an.

In the third year of Jianwu (27 CE), on the day Jia Chen of the intercalary first month, Wu Han followed Liu Xiu to Yiyang to subdue the Red Eyebrows』 remnants. On the day Bing Wu of the same month, they surrendered, offering the seal and ribbon of Emperor Gao. In the second month, Wu Han led Great General of Jianwei Geng Yan and Great General of Tiger Teeth to defeat and subdue the Qingdu army west of Zhi.

In the fourth month, he commanded General of Agile Cavalry , General of Strong Crossbows , and five other generals to besiege at Guangle. Liu Yong's general rallied over 100,000 men to relieve Guangle. Wu Han led light cavalry to intercept but was defeated, injuring his knee and retreating. Zhou Jian entered the city. The generals urged Wu Han, 「The enemy is vast, and you』re injured in bed—our troops will panic.」 Rising despite his wounds, Wu Han feasted his men, boosting morale. The next day, Zhou Jian and Su Mao attacked Wu Han's camp. Wu Han deployed elite units—Huangtou, Wu He, and others—with over 3,000 Wuhuan cavalry. Zhou Jian's forces collapsed and fled back to the city. Wu Han pursued, stormed the gates, and routed them; Su Mao and Zhou Jian escaped. After the victory, Wu Han left Du Mao and Chen Jun to hold Guangle, leading his troops to assist in besieging Liu Yong at Suiyang. By the seventh month, with Suiyang's food exhausted, Liu Yong, Su Mao, and Zhou Jian fled to Qian, where Qingwu killed Liu Yong en route. Both cities surrendered.

In the fourth year of Jianwu (28 CE), Wu Han, with and former General , defeated the Wuxiao bandits at Linping, pursued them to Jishan in Dong Commandery, and crushed them. He then attacked Changzhi in Qinghe and Wuli bandits in Pingyuan, pacifying both. At that time, five clans in Ge County expelled their magistrate, seizing the city in rebellion. The generals vied to attack, but Wu Han refused, declaring, 「The rebellion in Ge stems from the magistrate's fault. Anyone advancing rashly will be executed.」 He sent a proclamation to the commandery, ordering the magistrate jailed and apologizing to the city. The five clans rejoiced and surrendered. The generals marveled, 「Taking a city without fighting—beyond ordinary men.」 As Tai Mountain's heroes allied with Zhang Bu, Wu Han recommended General of Strong Crossbows Chen Jun as Tai Mountain Governor, defeating Zhang Bu's forces and pacifying the region. In the second month of the fifth year of Jianwu (29 CE), Wu Han, with Great General of Jianwei Geng Yan and General of Han Loyalty , defeated and subdued the Fuping and Huosuo bandits in Pingyuan.

In the third month, General Pingdi Pang Meng rebelled, killed Chu Commandery Governor Sun Meng, and joined Dong Xian in the east. In the sixth month, Qin Feng surrendered to Zhu Hu, but Wu Han accused Zhu Hu of defying orders by accepting it. Liu Xiu executed only Qin Feng, sparing Zhu Hu. Pang Meng, Su Mao, and Jiao Qiang besieged Taocheng. Liu Xiu fought them personally while Wu Han, stationed in Dong Commandery, was summoned, breaking the enemy. That night, Pang Meng, Su Mao, and Jiao Qiang abandoned their baggage and fled. Dong Xian gave Liu Yu tens of thousands of troops to garrison Changlü, while he held Xinyang with elite forces. Wu Han defeated him, forcing a retreat to Changlü. Advancing to besiege, Wu Han terrified Dong Xian, who summoned Wuxiao remnants to Jianyan. Liu Xiu held firm, refusing battle. The Wuxiao ran out of food and scattered. Liu Xiu then besieged Dong Xian, breaking them after three days. In the eighth month, Wu Han pursued them. Jiao Qiang surrendered with his men, Su Mao fled to Zhang Bu, and Dong Xian and Pang Meng escaped to Zeng Mountain, later entering Tan city with subordinates』 aid. Soon, Wu Han captured Tan; Liu Yu's soldier Gao Hu beheaded Liu Yu to surrender, pacifying Liang. Wu Han then besieged Dong Xian and Pang Meng at Qu. In the spring of the sixth year of Jianwu (30 CE), with the city's grain exhausted, Dong Xian and Pang Meng slipped out, attacking Gan』yu but were repelled by Langya Governor Chen Jun, fleeing into the marshes. In the second month, Wu Han took Qu. Dong Xian, seeing his family captured, intended surrender but was killed by Wu Han's lieutenant Han Zhan at Fangyu. Shandong was fully subdued, and Wu Han returned to the capital.

Ordered to Conquer Shu

In the fifth month, Wei Xiao rebelled, and Wu Han was tasked with guarding Chang』an. That year, Lu Fang rebelled; Wu Han and General of Agile Cavalry Du Mao attacked him repeatedly but failed.

In the eighth year of Jianwu (32 CE), Guangwu personally campaigned against Wei Xiao. Wu Han and Great General of Zhengnan Cen Peng besieged Wei Xiao at Xicheng. Ignoring Guangwu's advice to disband excess troops, Wu Han pressed the attack, but food shortages led to desertions. In the eleventh month, Cen Peng dammed a valley to flood Xicheng. Before the water rose a zhang, Wei Xiao's generals Xing Xun and Zhou Zong arrived with Shu's Gongsun Shu's reinforcements. Cen Peng covered the rear as Wu Han and others withdrew. In the sixth month of the ninth year of Jianwu (33 CE), Wu Han led Great General of Hengye , Great General of Jianyi Zhu You, General of Subduing Barbarians Wang Ba, and General of Breaking Treachery Hou Jin—four generals with over 50,000 men—to attack 's generals Jia Lan and Min Kan at Gaoliu. The Xiongnu sent cavalry to aid Lu Fang; Wu Han's wagons bogged down in rain, and the battle faltered, forcing a retreat to Luoyang. In the first month of the tenth year of Jianwu (34 CE), Wu Han, with Wang Ba, Wang Chang, Zhu You, and Hou Jin, led 60,000 troops back to Gaoliu against Jia Lan. The Xiongnu's Left Southern General sent thousands of cavalry to assist; Wang Ba and others defeated them at Pingcheng. Returning via Yanmen, Wu Han and Du Mao attacked Lu Fang's general Yin You at Gu and Fanzhi but failed.

In the twelfth month of the eleventh year of Jianwu (35 CE), Wu Han led Great General of Zhengnan with a naval force to conquer Shu's Gongsun Shu. Cen Peng breached Jingmen, advancing deep into Jiangguan. Wu Han stayed at Yiling, equipping oared ships and leading 30,000 Nanyang troops and conscripts up the river. When Cen Peng was assassinated, Wu Han took full command.

In the first month of the twelfth year of Jianwu (36 CE), Wu Han fought Wei Dang and Gongsun Yong at Yufu Ford, routing them, besieging Wuyang, and annihilating Gongsun Shu's son-in-law Shi Xing's 5,000 reinforcements, killing Shi Xing. Entering Jianwei, Wu Han took Guangdu, sent light cavalry to burn Chengdu's city bridge, and subdued all minor cities east of Wuyang. In the ninth month, ignoring Guangwu's orders to hold Guangdu and avoid recklessness, Wu Han advanced with 20,000 men to Chengdu, camping north of the river ten li from the city, while deputy General of Wuxi Liu Shang camped south of the river with over 10,000, twenty li apart. Guangwu, alarmed, sent a reprimanding edict, but before it arrived, Wu Han was defeated and besieged by Xie Feng and Yuan Ji. Rallying his men, Wu Han held camp for three days, broke out, and killed Gongsun Shu's Grand Minister Xie Feng and Gold-holding General Yuan Ji. Retreating to Guangdu, he left Liu Shang to hold the enemy, submitting a self-critical memorial. Later, fighting between Chengdu and Guangdu, he won eight battles. Gongsun Shu consulted Yan Cen, who urged scattering wealth to rally 5,000+ death-sworn troops. feigned a challenge at the market bridge, while Gongsun Shu ambushed Wu Han's rear. Wu Han fell into the water, escaping by clinging to his horse's tail. In the eleventh month, with supplies dwindling, Wu Han planned a river retreat but was dissuaded by . On the day Wu Yin (December 24), General of Aiding Might Zang Gong's forces reached Xianmen. Yan Cen fought Zang Gong from dawn to dusk, winning three clashes, but his starving troops faltered. Wu Han struck, sending Protectors Gao Wu and Tang Han with tens of thousands of elite troops against Gongsun Shu. Gao Wu stabbed Shu in the chest; Shu fell from his horse, handed his troops to Yan Cen, and died that night. The next morning, Yan Cen surrendered. On the day Xin Si (December 27), Chengdu fell. Zhang Kan entered first, inspected the treasury without taking a thing, and comforted the people. Wu Han's troops then entered, massacred, looted, burned Gongsun Shu's palaces, and exterminated Gongsun Shu and Yan Cen's clans. Enraged, Liu Xiu issued a decree condemning Wu Han.

Later years

In the first month of the thirteenth year of Jianwu (37 CE), Wu Han led troops down the river to Wan. A decree allowed him to visit his family tomb, granting him 20,000 hu of grain. In the fourth month, he returned to the capital, where Guangwu feasted the troops and rewarded their merits.

In the fifteenth year of Jianwu (39 CE), Wu Han, with General of Raising Might Ma Cheng and General of Capturing Barbarians Ma Wu, marched north against the Xiongnu, relocating over 60,000 people from Yanmen, Dai Commandery, and Shanggu to east of Juyong and Changshan Passes. After pacifying Shu, Wu Han had petitioned to enfeoff the princes, but Guangwu refused. He persisted until the third month, when Guangwu consulted the court and agreed.

In the second month of the eighteenth year of Jianwu (42 CE), Shu Commandery General Shi Xin rebelled in Chengdu, proclaiming himself Grand Marshal. He attacked Governor Zhang Mu, who fled over the walls to Guangdu. Shi Xin issued proclamations to the counties; Yang Wei of Dangqu and Xu Rong of Qutu raised thousands in support. Guangwu, noting Shi Xin's past as Cen Peng's protector and military expertise, sent Wu Han with Liu Shang and Grand Palace Grandee Zang Gong, leading over 10,000 men, to suppress him. Wu Han entered Wudu, mustered troops from Guanghan, Ba, and Shu Commanderies, and besieged Chengdu for over a hundred days. In the seventh month, the city fell, and Shi Xin was executed. Wu Han rafted down the river, subdued Ba Commandery, and intimidated Yang Wei and Xu Rong into disbanding. He executed over 200 rebel leaders and relocated hundreds of their allies to Nan Commandery and Changsha before returning.

In the twentieth year of Jianwu (44 CE), Wu Han fell gravely ill. Guangwu visited him, asking his final words. Wu Han replied, 「I'm too foolish to know much, but I beg Your Majesty to be cautious with pardons.」 On the day Xin Hai of the fifth month (June 18), he died. A decree mourned him, granting the posthumous title Marquis of Loyalty, with his funeral modeled after Great General Huo Guang's.

Commentaries

A major fault of Wu was, as noted, he was cruel to civilians, and his soldiers were lacking in discipline with regard to pillaging civilians. In 26, for example, as Wu Han led his forces through Nanyang Commandery (roughly modern Nanyang, Henan), his soldiers often pillaged from the people. At that time, one of Emperor Guangwu's other generals, Deng Feng (鄧奉), who was from Nanyang Commandery, happened to be on vacation in the commandery. He was so incensed by Wu's cruelty that he led the people in revolt. A more salient example of Wu's cruelty, however, came in 36, when the Han forces, commanded by Wu, captured Chengdu, the capital of Gongsun Shu's separatist state Chengjia, to finally reunify the empire. Chengdu surrendered after Gongsun died from battle wounds during the siege of Chengdu. Two days later, Wu suddenly ordered that the Gongsun and Yan (the clan of Gongsun's general Yan Cen (延岑)) clans be slaughtered to the last child, and that his soldiers pillage the city of Chengdu and burn Gongsun's palace. A large number of civilians were raped or killed during the pillage. Other than an edict rebuking Wu and his deputy Liu Shang, Emperor Guangwu allowed Wu's actions to go unpunished.

Historical records and later scholars have offered varied perspectives on Wu Han's career and actions:

• Liu Xiu: 「Wu Gong is barely satisfactory, yet he looms like an enemy state.」

• Fan Ye in 《Hou Han Shu》: 「From the Jianwu era, Wu Han consistently held the highest office, cherished from start to finish, likely due to his simplicity and strength. Confucius said, 『Resolute, steadfast, and plainspoken—this is close to benevolence.』 Could this not describe Han? Once, Chen Ping's cunning bred suspicion, while Zhou Bo's plain loyalty earned trust. When righteousness fails to unite, the clever are doubted for their excess, and the simple trusted for their lack.」

• Zhu Xi: 「Famed ancient generals who achieved renown were all cautious and meticulous, thus succeeding. Like Wu Han and Zhu Ran, always vigilant as if facing the enemy. One must emulate this to prevail.」

Family

Brothers

• Wu Wei (吳尉): Wu Han's elder brother, died in battle during campaigns; his son Wu Tong (吳彤) was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anyang.

• Wu Xi (吳翕): Wu Han's younger brother, enfeoffed as Marquis Baoqin due to Wu Han's great merits.

• Wu Yan (吳演): Wu Han's fourth brother, a Great General; his son Wu Dan's (吳丹) line ended without heirs.

Children

• Wu Cheng (吳成): Courtesy name Qiyang, inherited Wu Han's title after his death. Posthumously named Marquis Aiping upon his death; in the twenty-eighth year of Jianwu (52 CE), his marquisate was split into three. His son Wu Dan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yanyang, continuing Wu Han's line, but died without heirs, ending his ___domain. Wu Dan's brother Wu Xu (吳盱) was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhuyang, later transferred to Marquis of Pingchun in the eighth year of Jianchu (83 CE), continuing Wu Han's line after Wu Dan's death. After Wu Xu's death, Wu Sheng (吳胜) inherited the title.

• Wu Guo (吳國): Wu Cheng's brother, enfeoffed as Marquis of Xincai in the twenty-eighth year of Jianwu, descendants』 details unclear.

Nephews

• Wu Tong (吳彤): Son of Wu Wei, inherited the title Marquis of Anyang.

• Wu Anguo (吳安國): Son of Wu Xi, enfeoffed as a marquis, relocated to Jiangdong.

• Wu Dan (吳丹): Son of Wu Yan, line ended without heirs.

Grandchildren

Wu Cheng's heirs: Eldest son Wu Dan, second son Wu Xu, third son Wu Xuan (吳宣), fourth son Wu Xin (吳昕).

Great-Grandchildren

• Wu Sheng (吳勝): Also known as Wu Rusheng (吳如勝), son of Wu Xu, second Marquis of Pingchun; compiled the Wu family genealogy, fathered two sons: eldest Wu Yunzuo (吳允佐), second Wu Yuncheng (吳允承).

Great-Great-Grandchildren

• Wu Yuncheng: In the second year of Yongxing, Wu Commandery Governor Mi Bao built the Wu Taibo Temple, petitioning the court to find Wu descendants to oversee its rites. Wu Sheng presented the family's 《世系》. Emperor Huan of Han, impressed, ordered officials like Grand Commandant Huang Qiong to enfeoff Wu Sheng's second son Wu Yuncheng as Marquis of Ritual Service, relocating him to Wu Commandery to manage the temple. Upon his death, he was posthumously titled Marquis Wenxiao; his son Wu Tang (alias Wu Tuo, courtesy name Wenzhi) inherited the title and duties. Wu Tang, upon death, was titled Marquis Liang; his son Wu Xiongqing (courtesy name Yingzhi) succeeded, and the family thrived into the Wei and Jin eras.

Legacy

For his accomplishments, Wu was created the Marquis of Guangping by Emperor Guangwu. When Wu died in 44, Emperor Guangwu ordered that he be buried with the same honors given to the great Western Han statesman Huo Guang.

Influence

Legends

• Folklore links the Twenty-Eight Generals of the Cloud Terrace to the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, with Wu Han corresponding to Kang Jin Long (Dragon of the Neck).

• The traditional play 《吳漢殺妻》 portrays Wu Han as Wang Mang's son-in-law, urged by his mother to kill his wife to follow Liu Xiu, only for his wife to overhear and commit suicide. This contradicts history, debunked by Deng Tuo.

Film and Television

• In Singing All Along, Cai Heng portrays Wu Han.

生平

亡命漁陽

早年家貧，出仕本縣（荊州南陽郡宛縣）亭長，因賓客犯法而脫戶籍，與彭寵共逃漁陽。當時，彭寵在洛陽王莽屬下的王邑軍中，聽說弟弟加入漢軍，恐怕被問罪，所以就和吳漢逃到父親以前當過太守的漁陽，以販馬自業，往來于燕、薊間，所至交結當地豪傑。

更始元年（23年），更始帝使者謁者韓鴻聽說彭寵、吳漢都為鄉閭故人又聽到別人對吳漢的推薦，于是任命彭寵為偏將軍、行漁陽太守事，吳漢為安樂令。

歸附劉秀

更始元年（公元23年），更始帝派行大司馬劉秀安撫河北，同時王郎詐稱劉氏子孫而起兵邯鄲，吳漢聽說劉秀是長者，于是勸說彭寵歸附劉秀，彭寵深以為然，但眾官署都想歸附王郎。此時正好有儒生傳來王郎偽造身份與郡縣歸附劉秀的消息，于是吳漢捏造劉秀檄文，稱王郎為偽，使得漁陽太守彭寵和屬官相信此事。

當時上谷太守耿況也想歸附劉秀並派遣寇恂來與彭寵聯合，于是彭寵發三千步騎，以吳漢為行長史與同郡蓋延、王梁，南攻薊，殺王郎大將趙閎。

寇恂還後，與上谷郡將景丹、寇恂、耿弇率上谷軍與漁陽軍會合，率領漁陽、上谷突騎與步兵南下，共擊王郎軍，斬首三萬級，平定涿郡、中山、巨鹿、清河、河間共二十二縣。更始二年（公元24年），部隊在廣阿與劉秀軍合流，劉秀任命吳漢任偏將軍。隨劉秀攻克王郎的邯鄲後，被封為建策侯。

吳漢為人質厚少文，不能以言辭達意，鄧禹和諸位將領多知這一點，于是多次推薦。等到召見後，就受到了劉秀的親近，常在劉秀門下。

無終奪軍

當時銅馬、大彤、高湖、重連、鐵脛、大槍、尤來、上江、青犢、五校、五幡、五樓、富平、獲索等部達數百萬人，四處劫掠，劉秀想要徵調幽州兵征討，于是連夜召見鄧禹，詢問合適的人選，鄧禹就稱吳漢勇猛知謀，為眾將所不及。在鄧禹推薦下，劉秀任命吳漢為大將軍，與同拜大將軍的耿弇持節北上徵調十郡突騎。

更始帝的幽州牧苗曾暗中治軍，下令眾郡不許聽吳漢調遣。吳漢便率二十騎兵趕往無終，在苗曾出城迎接時趁其不備指揮騎兵將之斬殺，奪其軍隊，使得各城邑望風歸附。于是徵調各地兵馬，南下在清陽與劉秀會和，上交軍隊花名冊。衆將起先以為其不會將分兵與人，待到吳漢上交花名冊之後，衆將又多來請求部隊，結果遭到了劉秀的諷刺，眾將感到十分慚愧。

佐定河北

劉秀對更始尚書令謝躬感到不滿，于是趁其外出擊賊時，令吳漢與岑彭襲擊鄴城。吳漢派出辯士勸說留守的魏郡太守陳康投降，陳康于是派兵抓逮捕了謝躬的妻子兒女和其大將軍劉慶。謝躬從隆慮作戰失敗歸來時，並不知陳康已經歸降，于是僅率幾百騎兵入城，結果被吳漢所擒拿，並被其親手擊殺。

建武元年（公元25年），劉秀北上攻打眾賊兵，吳漢常常率領突騎五千為先鋒，多次先登陷城。一次劉秀與賊寇在順水北作戰，劉秀乘勝輕率追擊，不料反被擊敗，一時生死未卜，諸將都無所適從，吳漢于是鼓舞道：「各位努力，蕭王劉秀的兄長的兒子在南陽，何必擔心沒有主公呢？」軍中恐懼持續了幾天才平定下來。賊寇逃進漁陽後，劉秀派遣吳漢率耿弇、陳俊、馬武、景丹、蓋延、朱祜、邳彤、耿純、劉植、岑彭、祭遵、堅鐔、王霸等十二將軍追擊賊寇于潞東，到了平谷，大破敵軍，於是窮追敵軍至右北平無終、土垠之間，到俊靡而囘，其餘賊軍散入遼西、遼東，被烏桓、貊人攻擊將滅。

等到河北平定時，吳漢與諸將奉著圖書，奉上帝號。六月己巳（7月22日），光武即位，想要根據讖語拜平狄將軍孫鹹為大司馬，眾人都不高興，于是下詔令眾人推舉，群臣推舉的人選只有吳漢與景丹，光武帝以為吳漢有建策之功，又誅殺了苗曾、謝躬，功勞大，于是選定吳漢為大司馬，景丹為驃騎大將軍。七月壬午（8月28日），吳漢被拜為大司馬，改封為舞陽侯。

掃蕩關東

此後，劉秀令吳漢與建義大將軍朱祐，廷尉岑彭，右將軍萬脩，執金吾賈復，驍騎將軍劉植，楊化將軍堅鐔，積射將軍侯進，偏將軍馮異、祭遵、王霸等十一將軍圍朱鮪於洛陽，時間達數月之久。九月辛卯（11月5日），朱鮪接受岑彭勸降，舉城歸附。

建武二年（公元26年）正月，吳漢率大司空王梁、建義大將軍朱祐、大將軍杜茂、執金吾賈復、揚化將軍堅鐔、偏將軍王霸、騎都尉劉隆、馬武、陰識一同在鄴東漳水上大破檀鄉賊，投降者達十餘萬人。正月庚辰（2月22日）分封諸位功臣為侯，光武帝派使者以璽書定封吳漢為廣平侯，食廣平、斥漳、曲周、廣年四縣。博士丁恭認為梁侯鄧禹與廣平侯吳漢封地達四縣，違背強幹弱枝之理，不和法制，光武帝以「未嘗聞功臣地多而滅亡者」回復。

吳漢又率諸將攻擊鄴西山賊黎伯卿等人，一直到了河內脩武，全數攻破各處屯兵。光武帝親自幸臨慰勞。吳漢奉命進兵南陽，攻破宛、涅陽、酈、穰、新野各城，引兵南下，與秦豐戰于黃郵水上，大破敵軍。吳漢御眾不嚴，漢兵所過之處多有暴行，當時破虜將軍鄧奉受命歸鄉，見到吳漢掠奪家鄉新野，怒而反叛，擊破漢軍，獲取其輜重，屯聚淯陽，與董䜣等人聯合。直到第二年夏天，漢軍才得以擊破叛軍。

此後，吳漢又與偏將軍馮異擊破昌城五樓賊張文等，接著又在新安攻打銅馬、五幡，都取得了勝利。

建武三年（公元27年），閏正月甲辰，吳漢跟隨劉秀前往宜陽討伐赤眉殘部。同月丙午，赤眉殘部奉上高皇帝璽綬，向劉秀投降。二月，吳漢率領建威大將軍耿弇、虎牙大將軍蓋延，在軹西擊敗並降伏青犢軍。

四月，率領驃騎大將軍杜茂、強弩將軍陳俊等七位將領，在廣樂圍攻蘇茂。劉永將領周建招聚十多萬人，趕來救援廣樂。吳漢率輕騎迎擊敵軍，作戰失利，吳漢落馬膝蓋受傷回營，周建于是帶兵入城。眾將向吳漢陳說道：「大敵當前，而您受傷臥床，眾軍將恐慌不已。」于是，吳漢帶傷而起，犒勞士兵，鼓舞士氣，軍心大振。第二天，周建、蘇茂出兵圍攻吳漢，吳漢令黃頭吳河等四部精兵與烏桓突騎三千餘人進兵。周建部隊潰敗，逃回城中，吳漢率軍長驅追擊，爭門併入，大破敵軍，蘇茂、周建逃走。破城後，吳漢留杜茂、陳俊等守廣樂，自己率領部隊協助蓋延圍劉永於睢陽。七月，睢陽城中食盡，劉永與蘇茂、周建逃往酂，路上被慶吾所殺，二城全部投降。

建武四年（公元28年），吳漢又率陳俊及前將軍王梁，於臨平擊破五校賊，追擊至東郡箕山，大破敵軍。之後向北攻擊清河長直及平原五里賊，全部平定。當時，鬲縣五姓共同逐出守長，據城反叛，眾將爭相意圖討伐他們，吳漢不肯聽從，並下令：「使鬲反者，皆守長罪也。敢輕冒進兵者斬。」于是派人傳檄于郡中，令人將守長下獄，派人向城中致歉。五姓大喜，一同歸降。眾將于是欽服：「不戰而下城，非常人所能及。」當時泰山豪傑多與張步聯合，吳漢於是推薦強駑大將軍陳俊為泰山太守，擊破張步的軍隊，平定泰山。建武五年（公元29年）二月，吳漢率建威大將軍耿弇、漢忠將軍王常等在平原擊破並降伏了富平、獲索賊。

三月，平狄將軍龐萌反叛，殺楚郡太守孫萌而往東歸附董憲。六月，秦豐投降朱祜，吳漢彈劾朱祜不聽詔命，接受秦豐降。劉秀僅誅殺秦豐，而不怪罪朱祜。龐萌、蘇茂圍困桃城，劉秀親往作戰，吳漢此時在東郡，受到徵召前來支援，大破敵軍。龐萌、蘇茂、佼彊在晚上棄輜重逃跑。董憲于是給劉紆數萬兵馬駐紮在昌慮，而自己率領銳卒在新陽據守，結果被吳漢擊敗，只得逃回昌慮。吳漢進守，董憲十分恐懼，召集五校軍殘部駐紮在建陽，劉秀堅守不戰，五校軍糧盡而散，于是劉秀趁機圍攻董憲，戰鬥三日，大破敵軍。八月，吳漢受命追擊，佼彊率領部眾投降，蘇茂投奔張步，董憲及龐萌逃入繒山後被手下迎入郯城。不久，吳漢攻克郯，劉紆手下士兵高扈斬劉紆之首歸降，梁地全部被平定。吳漢接著圍困董憲、龐萌於朐。建武六年（公元30年）春，城中糧盡，董憲、龐萌暗中逃出，但遭到瑯邪太守陳俊的攻擊而逃亡澤中。二月，吳漢攻克朐，董憲因妻子兒女被擒而意圖投降，但卻在方與被吳漢的校尉韓湛所斬殺。山東自此徹底平定，吳漢率部回京。

受命征蜀

五月，隗嚻反叛，吳漢受命鎮守長安。同年，盧芳反叛，之後吳漢與驃騎大將軍杜茂多次進攻盧芳，都未能取勝。

建武八年（公元32年），光武帝親征隗嚻，吳漢與征南大將軍岑彭將隗嚻圍困在西城。吳漢不聽光武帝勸告，不肯遣散部隊，執意進攻，結果糧食緊缺，部眾逃亡。十一月，岑彭壅谷水灌西城，水還沒淹沒城池一丈高，隗嚻將領行巡、周宗就已帶著蜀地公孫述的援軍前來，于是岑彭殿後，吳漢等將領全軍撤回。建武九年（公元33年）六月，率橫野大將軍王常、建義大將軍朱佑、討虜將軍王霸、破奸將軍侯進四將軍，擊盧芳將領賈覽、閔堪於高柳，匈奴派騎兵援助盧芳，吳漢車隊遇見雨天，戰鬥不利，退還洛陽。建武十年（公元34年）正月，吳漢再次與王霸、王常、朱佑、侯進等率六萬大軍前往高柳，進攻賈覽，匈奴左南將軍將數千騎前往支援賈覽，被王霸等在平城擊敗。之後還軍鴈門，與驃騎大將軍杜茂一起進攻盧芳將領尹由於崞、繁畤，但未能取勝。

建武十一年（公元35年）十二月，吳漢統領征南大將軍岑彭，率舟師進討蜀地公孫述。岑彭攻破荊門，長驅進入江關，吳漢留守夷陵，裝露橈船，率領南陽兵和刑募士三萬人溯江而上。正逢岑彭為刺客所殺，吳漢因而統括全軍。

建武十二年（公元36年）正月，和魏黨、公孫永於魚涪津作戰，大破敵軍，圍困武陽，並全殲公孫述的子婿史興的五千援軍並將其斬殺。吳漢進入犍為地界，攻克廣都，派遣輕騎燒毀成都市橋，武陽以東的各個小城都投降漢軍。九月，吳漢不聽光武帝不要輕敵、堅守廣都的詔令，乘勝率領兩萬人進逼成都，紮營江北，離城十餘里，讓副將武威將軍劉尚率萬餘人在江南紮營，相離二十餘里。光武帝聽說後，連忙下詔責備吳漢，詔書未至，已被謝豐、袁吉擊敗圍困。吳漢召集將士，鼓舞士氣，閉門三日，突圍而出。斬殺公孫述的大司徒謝豐、執金吾袁吉。吳漢退回廣都，留下劉尚拒敵，上表自責。之後吳漢在成都、廣都間與敵軍作戰，八戰八勝。公孫述問計于延岑，延岑提議廣散財物，于是召集死士五千餘人，和延岑在市橋偽建旗幟，向吳漢挑戰，而自己率兵襲擊吳漢軍隊之後。吳漢落水，用手抓住馬尾巴才得以逃出。十一月，漢軍糧草所剩不多，吳漢想準備船隻退兵，但被張堪勸止。戊寅（12月24日），輔威將軍臧宮軍隊趕到咸門，延岑與臧宮作戰從早到晚，連贏三合但士兵無法吃飯，吳漢趁其疲憊突擊，派遣護軍高午、唐邯率領數萬銳卒攻擊公孫述軍。公孫述被高午刺中胸口落馬，于是將兵馬轉交延岑，當夜傷重去世。次日早晨，延岑投降。辛巳（12月27日），成都被攻陷，張堪先入城中，撿閱庫藏，秋毫無私，慰撫吏民，隨即吳漢部隊進入屠成都，放兵大掠，焚毀公孫述的宮室，並夷滅公孫述和延岑宗族。劉秀得知後發怒，下詔譴責吳漢。

安度晚年

建武十三年（公元37年）正月，吳漢率兵沿江而下，抵達宛，詔令吳漢過家上塚，並賜谷二萬斛。四月，吳漢返回京師，光武帝大饗將士、班勞策勳。

建武十五年（公元39年），吳漢率揚武將軍馬成、捕虜將軍馬武北擊匈奴，遷雁門、代郡、上谷等地六萬餘人于居庸、常山關以東。之前，吳漢平蜀後，上書請求分封皇子，光武帝未答應，之後連連上書，直到三月，光武帝召集群臣商議此事，才下詔同意。

建武十八年（公元42年）二月，蜀郡守將史歆在成都謀反，自稱大司馬，攻擊太守張穆，張穆逾城逃往廣都，史歆于是向各郡縣發檄文，宕渠人楊偉、朐䏰人徐容等各自起兵各數千人響應。光武帝認為史歆過去曾擔任岑彭的護軍，通曉兵事，于是派遣吳漢率劉尚及太中大夫臧宮帶領萬餘人征討。吳漢入武都，徵發廣漢、巴、蜀三郡兵圍成都，過了百餘日。七月，成都城破，誅殺史歆等人。吳漢于是乘竹筏沿江攻克巴郡，楊偉、徐容等感到恐懼，解散部眾，吳漢誅殺渠帥二百餘人，遷徙黨與數百家於南郡、長沙後歸還。

建武二十年（公元44年），吳漢病重，光武帝親臨探視，問他有什麼話要說。吳漢答︰「臣愚無所知，唯願陛下慎無赦而已。」五月辛亥（6月18日），吳漢病死，下詔悼念，賜謚曰忠侯，「送葬如大將軍霍光故事」。

評價

• 劉秀：「吳公差強人意，隱若一敵國矣。」

• 范曄《後漢書》：「吳漢自建武世，常居上公之位，終始倚愛之親，諒由質簡而強力也。子曰『剛毅木訥近仁』，斯豈漢之方乎！昔陳平智有餘以見疑，周勃資樸忠而見信。夫仁義不足以相懷，則智者以有餘為疑，而樸者以不足取信矣。」

• 朱熹：「古之名將能立功名者，皆是謹重周密，乃能有成。如吳漢、朱然終日欽欽，常如對陳。須學這樣底，方可。」

家族

兄弟

• 吳尉：吳漢兄，從征時戰死，子吳彤被封為安陽侯。

• 吳翕：吳漢弟，因吳漢功勞巨大，受封褒親侯。

子侄

• 吳彤：吳漢之兄吳尉之子，封安陽侯。

• 吳成：吳漢之子，吳漢死後嗣廣平侯爵，後被奴所殺。

• 吳國：吳成之弟，建武二十八（52年）年受封為新蔡侯。

後裔

• 吳旦：吳成之子，建武二十八年（52年）受封為灈陽侯，奉吳漢嗣，死後無子，國除。

• 吳盱：吳旦之弟，建武二十八年（52年）受封為築陽侯，建初八年（83年）徙封平春侯，吳旦死後奉吳漢嗣。

• 吳勝：吳盱之子，吳盱死後，嗣平春侯。

相關

傳說

• 民間傳說中，認為雲台二十八將上應二十八宿，而吳漢則對應亢金龍。

• 傳統戲劇《吳漢殺妻》記載吳漢為王莽駙馬，其母勸其殺妻跟隨劉秀，其妻碰巧聽見後自殺而死。但這不合史實，鄧拓曾証其偽。

影視

• 《秀麗江山之長歌行》中，蔡珩飾演吳漢。

注釋

延伸閱讀