Editing Later Zhao (section)

=== Reign of Shi Hu ===
[[File:Saturnism.jpg|thumb|A bronze [[The Buddha|Buddha]] statue created under the Later Zhao in 338. It is the earliest known Buddha sculpture produced in China.]]
In 333, Shi Le died and was succeeded by Shi Hong. Almost immediately, Shi Hu launched a coup and took over the government, facing very little resistance from most of the Zhao gentry and military. Shi Le's family and allies were swiftly eliminated by Shi Hu, and in 334, he took the throne by forcing Shi Hong to abdicate before also having him executed. When he first ascended, Shi Hu took the title of Regnant Heavenly King and later elevated it to Heavenly King in 337. He also moved the capital from Xiangguo to his base in [[Ye (Hebei)|Ye]] in 335.

Records describe Shi Hu as a violent tyrant who spent his time indulging in women and alcohol. He took on several grand building projects in Ye and greatly expanded his harem at the expense of the common people, who were forced into construction work and often had their women taken away from them. On the other hand, he showed leniency towards his ministers, rarely punishing them to maintain their loyalty. The empire remained largely intact throughout his reign, with rebellions being swiftly dealt with. Shi Hu reaffirmed Buddhism by continuining to show reverence to Fotu Cheng and promoting religious freedom, thus allowing it to flourish in northern China. He also continued Shi Le's policy of relocating people to live around the capital, such as the [[Di (Five Barbarians)|Di]] and [[Qiang (historical people)|Qiang]] people from [[Guanzhong]].

Shi Hu had ambitions to expand the state and heavily conscripted his subjects, but his campaigns yielded very minimal success. In 338, he carried out a joint campaign with the Murong-led [[Former Yan]] to conquer the Duan-Liaoxi. After the campaign, he turned on Yan but was defeated in the [[Battle of Jicheng (338)|Battle of Jicheng]]. In 339, provoked by Eastern Jin movements along the border, he sent his generals to launch an early attack, capturing a few cities before withdrawing. In 346, he invaded the [[Former Liang]] but was repelled, although he captured their territory south of the [[Yellow River]].

His reign was also troubled by a succession crisis that would lead to the empire's downfall. On two occasions, his crown princes attempted to kill him and usurp the throne, which led to him executing them in brutal fashion. In 349, shortly before his death, Shi Hu chose his 10-year-old son, [[Shi Shi (emperor)|Shi Shi]] to be the new Crown Prince and took the title of Emperor. In addition to the displeasure of his other sons, many of the military generals were also not pleased with his decision as he bestowed power to a regent and the soon-to-be [[empress dowager]].