The tombs are all surrounded by mountains and waters. Why did Liu Xiu's tomb "push the mountain by the river"?

Because Liu Xiu thought he was the emperor, but he didn't do anything beneficial to the people. He didn't want to build the mausoleum in a so-called scenic spot that could benefit future generations, and he didn't want to build a big building. In addition, Liu Xiu was an emperor who cared about the people and advocated frugality. He wants to build his tomb as simple as the tomb of Emperor Wendi, not too extravagant.

Because of poverty since childhood, Liu Xiu has developed the habit of thrift. However, he made great plans, overthrew Wang Mang's rule through hardships and established the Eastern Han regime. After Liu Xiu proclaimed himself emperor, he immediately embarked on the great cause of reform, hoping to let the people recuperate and live a good life. With his efforts, soon, the Eastern Han Dynasty created a great situation called "Guangxu Zhongxing".

According to unofficial history's records, Liu Xiu originally wanted to build a mausoleum on Beimang Mountain on the south bank of the Yellow River, but he was worried that Liu Yuxin Village, which had always opposed him, would bury him on the Yellow River beach, so he didn't build a mausoleum. Until Liu Xiu was seriously ill, he hesitated and told the prince to bury him in the Yellow River. The prince couldn't help feeling sad and decided to finally listen to his father's wishes and bury him in the water. The coffin fell into the river and didn't want the riverbed to rise, so it became the original tomb of Liu Xiu.

However, according to historical research, Liu Xiu built a mausoleum between Beimang Mountain and the Yellow River a long time ago. However, Liu Xiu is modest by nature. He thinks that he is "useless to the people, and everything in the future should be frugal according to Emperor Xiaowen's system". The mausoleum only needs smooth drainage, and even his funerary objects only need earthenware. So Liu Xiu's mausoleum was built simply and solemnly, and no one ever robbed the tomb.