However, Lv Hou died and the Zhu-Lu War broke out. With the support of Chen Ping, Zhou Bo and others, Liu Heng became the emperor, namely Wendi of China. During the reign of Emperor Wendi and his son Emperor Jing of Han Dynasty, they pursued the policy of recuperation and light taxation. During this period, the national strength of the Western Han Dynasty was strong, which was called "the rule of cultural scenery" in history, and it was also the first prosperous time of the Western Han Dynasty.
Before Liu Heng, the Western Han Dynasty experienced a turbulent period. Although the politics of the dynasty was stable, the economy was seriously damaged. Emperor Wen of Han adopted the ruling thought of inaction in politics, that is, the rule of Huang Lao and the rule of inaction. Economically, the policy of light tax and saving taxes and recuperation played a key role in restoring agricultural production and stabilizing feudal ruling order. In order to attract farmers to return to agriculture, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty tried many ways to stimulate farmers' enthusiasm for production by reducing corvee and rent.
The officials and ministers of Wendi practiced frugality and worked hard to create a prosperous situation of "cultural landscape rule"
After the death of Emperor Wendi, Emperor Wudi Liu Qi succeeded to the throne. He and his father, Emperor Wendi, have similar personalities, and treat Huang Lao in the same way, doing nothing. The implementation of the frivolous and generous policy of sharing interest with the people, combined with being close to the people and being kind, has reduced the burden on the people.
Under the governance of Emperor Wendi and Emperor Jingdi, the Western Han Dynasty changed and the economy developed and prospered. "There is a millet in Taicang that doesn't eat and has money in it."
The rule of Wenjing was also the first prosperous time in the Western Han Dynasty. Influenced by the ruling ideology and other conditions, the Wenjing period did not organize troops to take the initiative to attack the Xiongnu invasion, but adopted a policy of being close to the people. Therefore, in diplomacy, the Western Han Dynasty did not make any achievements in expanding its territory, but it was also to avoid increasing the burden on the people.
But it was the foundation laid by these two emperors that enabled Emperor Wudi to change his foreign policy during his reign and gain the prestige of the Western Han Dynasty.