Strife between consort clans and eunuchs began when Empress Dowager Dou (Emperor He's adoptive mother) made her own family members important government officials.

In 92, Emperor He was able to fix the situation by removing the empress dowager's brothers with the aid of the eunuch Zheng Zhong and his half-brother Liu Qing the Prince of Qinghe.

Although Emperor He's reign arguably began Han's long decline, notable scientific progress was made during this period, including the invention of paper by the eunuch Cai Lun in 105.

As a result, Dou Xian so dominated the government that all dissenting officials faced the threat of demotion or even death.

Emperor He, fearful of being murdered, planned along with Zheng and Liu Qing to destroy the Dous' power.

They received some help—in the form of historical accounts that would inspire them as to what to do—from another brother of the emperor, Liu Kang (劉伉), the Prince of Qiancheng.

In the summer, Emperor He made a sudden move, issuing an edict ordering the imperial guards to go on alert and to close the gates of the capital Luoyang.

The coup d'etat against the Dous would mark the beginning of a precedent for eunuchs to be involved in important matters of the state, which would continue with all subsequent Han emperors.

This, in turn, would spark a chain of events that would lead to the eventual fall of the Han dynasty and the subsequent rise of the Three Kingdoms period in 220.

This officially started the trend of palace eunuchs being involved in important matters of state within the government, which would contribute in part to the eventual end of the Han Dynasty in 220.

In the aftermath of the coup d'état, innumerable officials accused of being the Dous' associates were arrested or removed from their posts.

However, he was also undistinguished as an emperor, as he appeared to lack the abilities of his father and grandfather in actively doing what was good for the people.

However, he rejected a suggestion that Empress Dowager Dou be posthumously demoted, and he buried her with full imperial honours with his father Emperor Zhang.

After Guan's death, his successor Shi Chong (史充), indeed, would suffer major losses against Mitang.

In 100, however, Mitang, suspicious of Han officials' intentions in ordering him to move a long distance—under the rationale that his people were then living on poor soil and the new location provided better opportunities—rebelled again.

Consort Deng was described to have tried to alleviate this situation by acting humbling before Empress Yin, but this further drew her wrath.

Once, when Emperor He was ill, Empress Yin made the remark that if she became empress dowager, the Dengs would be slaughtered—and upon hearing that remark, Consort Deng considered committing suicide, and one of her ladies in waiting saved her by falsely telling her that the emperor had recovered.

(Emperor He was described to have had a number of sons who died in young age; it is unclear whether Empresses Yin or Deng ever gave birth, but it appears that they did not.)

Late in Emperor He's reign, he had two sons—whose mothers were not mentioned in history—Liu Sheng (劉勝) and Liu Long (劉隆).

Under the superstition of the time, it was thought that they might survive better if they grew up outside the palace in light of their other brothers' early deaths, so both were given to foster parents.

At that time, Liu Sheng, the older son, was still young (but actual age is not recorded in history) and believed to be constantly ill.

Both were welcomed back to the palace, and Empress Deng created Liu Long crown prince, believing that he would be healthier.