Emperor Ān had in 120 named his…

Emperor Ān had in 120 named his only son, Prince Bǎo, crown prince.

Empress Dowager Deng dies in 121, and An, at the age of 27, finally has the reins of the imperial administration.

He posthumously honores his father Prince Qing as Emperor Xiaode and his mother Consort Zuǒ as Empress Xiaode; his paternal grandmother Consort Song as Empress Jingyin; and his stepmother Consort Gěng with the unique title of "Grand Consort of Gānlíng" (Gānlíng being Prince Qing's tomb) -- a title inferior to his mother's, even though Consort Gěng was his father's wife.

He, however, was close to her and her brother Gěng Bǎo, and he quickly makes his stepuncle a powerful official in his administration.

Initially, Ān continued to follow the Empress Dowager's policies, including leaving members of her clan in important advisorial positions.

However, his own close circle of associates, including Jiang, Li, Wang, and Empress Yan, are ready to act.

Late in 121, he strips members of the Deng clan of their posts and fiefs, and many of them commit suicide, probably under duress.

Later, he relents and allows some of the survivors to return, but by that time the Deng clan has been decimated.

In 121, there are again Qiang and Xianbei rebellions, which will continue to plague the emperor for the rest of his reign.