High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) of ancient China was the second imperial dynasty of China, following the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC). It was divided into the periods of Western Han (206 BC – 9 AD) and Eastern Han (25–220 AD), briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty (9–23 AD) of Wang Mang. The capital of Western Han was Chang`an, and the capital of Eastern Han was Luoyang. The emperor headed the government, promulgating all written laws, serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and presiding as the chief executive official. He appointed all government officials who earned a salary of 600 bushels of grain or more (though these salaries were largely paid in coin cash) with the help of advisors who reviewed each nominee. The empress dowager could either be the emperor`s actual or symbolic mother, and was in practice more powerful than the emperor, as she could override his decisions. The emperor`s executive powers could also be practiced by any official upon whom he bestowed the Staff of Authority. These powers included the right to execute criminals without the imperial court`s permission.