Emperor Guangwu, while still under Emperor Gengshi, had married his childhood sweetheart Yin Lihua.

Later, in 24, while he was on his expedition north of the Yellow River, he had entered into a political marriage with Guo Shengtong, the niece of a regional warlord, Liu Yang, the Prince of Zhending.

In 25, Guo had borne him a son, Liu Jiang.

The following year, Emperor Guangwu had been prepared to create an empress, and he favored his first love, Yin.

However, as Yin had not yet had a son by that point, she declined the empress position and endorsed Guo.

Emperor Guangwu therefore created Guo empress and her son Prince Jiang crown prince.

By 41, however, Empress Guo had long lost the emperor's favor.

She continuously complaind about that fact, and this angers Emperor Guangwu.

In 41, he deposes her and creates Yin empress instead.

Rather than imprisoning Guo (as is often the fate of deposed empresses), however, he creates her son Liu Fu the Prince of Zhongshan and creates her the Princess Dowager of Zhongshan.

He makes her brother Guo Kuang an important official and, perhaps as a form of alimony, rewards him with great wealth.

In 41, Emperor Guangwu sends his faithful general Ma Yuan against the Trưng sisters, who have declared an independent kingdom in the region of present northern Vietnam.