He Miao (simplified: 何苗, traditional: 何苗, pinyin: Hé Miáo) was the half-brother of Empress He and held the title General of Agile Cavalry (輕車將軍) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was killed in 189 CE during the aftermath of He Jin’s assassination by the eunuchs.
Biography
He Miao was born in Wan County, Nanyang Commandery, as the son of He Zhen and the Lady of Wuyang (舞陽君). He was the half-brother of Empress He (same father, different mother) and the half-brother of He Jin (different father). Despite the different parentage, He Miao benefited from his sister’s rise to empress and received high military office.
During the power struggle between He Jin and the eunuch faction, He Miao sided with the eunuchs, having been bribed by them. He opposed He Jin’s plan to eliminate the Ten Attendants, advocating for accommodation instead.
After He Jin was assassinated by the eunuchs in September 189 CE, Yuan Shao launched a massive assault on the palace to eliminate the eunuchs. In the ensuing chaos, He Miao was also killed by Yuan Shao’s forces, along with thousands of eunuchs.