A native of modern-day Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, he was part of the powerful Dou clan which dominated court politics during his tenure.
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In the following year, the older of these two sisters became Empress Zhangde, the wife of Emperor Zhang of Han, and lasted briefly as empress dowager and regent during the early reign of Emperor He of Han.
The regents of the young emperor, Empress Dowager Dou and her brother Dou Xian, favoured a more militaristic policy to the Northern Xiongnu problem.
Li Xian | Xian H-6 | Gerrit Dou | Emperor Xian of Han | Liu Xian | Xiao Xian | Xian Y-7 | Xian Xinghai | Xian'an District | Xian | The Injustice to Dou E | Li Xián | Jia Xian | Gong Xian | Dou Xian |
Dou Xian brought the main body of his troops in triumphal progress north to the Khangai Mountains, west of present day Kharkhorin.