Who was Wang Mang?

Wang Mang was a Chinese politician and usurper who briefly founded the Xin dynasty, ruling from 9 to 23 CE. He is best known for his attempts to reform the Han dynasty's policies, including land redistribution and currency reform, which were met with resistance and ultimately led to his downfall. His reign was marked by social unrest and natural disasters, contributing to the collapse of his regime and the restoration of the Han dynasty. Wang Mang's legacy is often viewed as a cautionary tale about the challenges of radical reform.