1
Emperor Ai was a grandson of Emperor Yuan through a concubine, and the son of Prince Gong of Dingtao. His mother was Lady Ding. At the age of three, he succeeded as king, and as he grew up he came to favor literary composition and the study of law. In the fourth year of the Yuanyan era (9 BCE), he came to court accompanied by his entire retinue: his tutor, chancellor, and commandant. At the same time, Emperor Cheng's younger brother, King Xiao of Zhongshan, also came to court but brought only his tutor. The emperor found this strange and asked the King of Dingtao about it. He replied: 'According to the regulations, when feudal lords come to court, they are allowed to bring officials ranked at two thousand bushels from their domains. The tutor, chancellor, and commandant are all two-thousand-bushel officials in my domain, so I brought them all with me.' The emperor had him recite poetry; he was fluent in it and could explain its meaning. Another day he asked the King of Zhongshan: '
2
獨從傅在何法令？」 不能對。 令誦尚書，又廢。 及賜食於前，後飽； 起下，陉係解。 成帝由此以為不能，而賢定陶王，數稱其材。 時王祖母傅太后隨王來朝，私賂遺上所幸趙昭儀及帝舅票騎將軍曲陽侯王根。 昭儀及根見上亡子，亦欲豫自結為長久計，皆更稱定陶王，勸帝以為嗣。 成帝亦自美其材，為加元服而遣之，時年十七矣。 明年，使執金吾任宏守大鴻臚，持節徵定陶王，立為皇太子。 謝曰：「臣幸得繼父守藩為諸侯王，材質不足以假充太子之宮。 陛下聖德寬仁，敬承祖宗，奉順神祇，宜蒙福祐子孫千億之報。 臣願且得留國邸，旦夕奉問起居，俟有聖嗣，歸國守藩。」 書奏，天子報聞。 後月餘，立楚孝王孫景為定陶王，奉恭王祀，所以獎厲太子專為後之誼。 語在外戚傳。
What regulation allows you to bring only your tutor?' He was unable to answer. He then had him recite from the Book of Documents, but he failed once more. When food was set before him, he ate only after he was already full; When he stood up to leave, his belt came untied. From this, Emperor Cheng concluded that the King of Zhongshan was incompetent, but he came to admire the King of Dingtao and often praised his talents. Meanwhile, the king's grandmother, Empress Dowager Fu, had accompanied him to court and secretly bribed both the emperor's favorite, Consort Zhao, and the emperor's uncle, General Wang Gen, Marquis of Quyang. Consort Zhao and Wang Gen, observing that the emperor had no sons, wanted to secure their own long-term interests. They both spoke highly of the King of Dingtao and urged the emperor to name him as heir. Emperor Cheng himself admired the young man's talents, performed the coming-of-age capping ceremony for him, and sent him back home. He was seventeen at the time. The following year, Emperor Cheng sent Colonel Ren Hong, temporarily serving as Grand Herald, to summon the King of Dingtao with imperial credentials and establish him as Crown Prince. He respectfully declined, saying: 'I am fortunate to have succeeded my father in holding my fief as a feudal king. My talents and character are inadequate to serve even temporarily as Crown Prince. Your Majesty's wisdom and benevolence are boundless. You honor your ancestors and obey the gods, and surely you will be blessed with countless descendants. I wish only to remain in my residence for now, serving you faithfully by inquiring daily about your well-being, until you have a worthy heir, and then return to guard my domain.' The memorial was submitted, and the emperor acknowledged it. Over a month later, he installed Jing, grandson of King Xiao of Chu, as King of Dingtao to maintain the sacrifices to King Gong, thereby encouraging the Crown Prince to concentrate solely on securing the succession. The full story is told in the biographies of the imperial relatives.
3
In the third month of the second year of the Suihe era (7 BCE), Emperor Cheng died. In the fourth month, on the day bingwu, the Crown Prince ascended the throne as emperor and performed the ancestral rites at the imperial temple. He elevated the Empress Dowager to Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress to Empress Dowager. He declared a general amnesty throughout the empire. He granted each imperial clansman and prince with heirs a team of horses. Officials and commoners received noble titles. Every hundred households got beef and wine. The village elders, the filial and brotherly, hardworking farmers, widows, widowers, orphans, and the destitute all received gifts of silk. By edict of the Grand Empress Dowager, King Gong of Dingtao was honored with the posthumous title Emperor Gong.
4
In the fifth month, on the day bingxu, he installed Lady Fu as empress. An imperial edict declared: 'As the Spring and Autumn Annals teach, "The mother gains honor through her son." The Empress Dowager of Dingtao shall be honored as Empress Dowager Gong, and Lady Ding as Empress Gong. Each shall have their own attendants, with estates equal to the Changxin Palace and the imperial residence.' He granted posthumous honors: Fu's father became Marquis Chongzu, and Ding's father became Marquis Baode. He enfeoffed his maternal uncle Ding Ming as Marquis of Yang'an, and his maternal uncle's son Man as Marquis of Pingzhou. He granted posthumous titles: Marquis Huai of Pingzhou to Man's father Zhong; Marquis Kongxiang to the Empress's father Yan; and Marquis Xincheng to the Empress Dowager's younger brother, Chamberlain Zhao Qin.
5
六月，詔曰：「鄭聲淫而亂樂，聖王所放，其罷樂府。」
In the sixth month, an imperial edict declared: 'The decadent music of Zheng confuses proper ritual music; the sage kings banished it. We shall abolish the Music Bureau.'
6
Marquis Wang Gen of Quyang had previously, as Grand Commandant, established policies for the state altars. His fief was increased by two thousand households. Grand Coachman Shun, Marquis of Anyang, had longstanding merits in guidance and support. His fief was increased by five hundred households. Chancellor Kong Guang and Grand Minister of Works He Wu, Marquis of Fanxiang, each had their fiefs increased by one thousand households.
7
An imperial edict declared: 'King Liang of Hejian mourned his mother for three years, setting an example for the entire imperial clan. His fief shall be increased by ten thousand households.'
8
又曰：「制節謹度以防奢淫，為政所先，百王不易之道也。 諸侯王、列侯、公主、吏二千石及豪富民多畜奴婢，田宅亡限，與民爭利，百姓失職，重困不足。 其議限列。」 有司條奏：「諸王、列侯得名田國中，列侯在長安及公主名田縣道，關內侯、吏民名田，皆無得過三十頃。 諸侯王奴婢二百人，列侯、公主百人，關內侯、吏民三十人。 年六十以上，十歲以下，不在數中。 賈人皆不得名田、為吏，犯者以律論。 諸名田畜奴婢過品，皆沒入縣官。 齊三服官、諸官織綺繡，難成，害女紅之物，皆止，無作輸。 除任子令及誹謗詆欺法。 掖庭宮人年三十以下，出嫁之。 官奴婢五十以上，免為庶人。 禁郡國無得獻名獸。 益吏三百石以下奉。 察吏殘賊酷虐者，以時退。 有司無得舉赦前往事。 博士弟子父母死，予寧三年。」
Another edict declared: 'Controlling expenditures and maintaining proper standards to prevent extravagance and immorality is the highest priority in governance. This is the eternal principle followed by all wise rulers. Feudal kings, marquises, princesses, high officials, and wealthy families accumulate vast numbers of slaves and servants, owning unlimited fields and estates. They compete with ordinary people for profits, leaving the common folk unemployed and suffering from severe poverty. Let the officials discuss and establish proper limits.' The officials submitted detailed proposals: 'Kings and marquises may own registered fields within their domains. Marquises in Chang'an and princesses may own registered fields in counties and districts. Marquises within the passes, officials, and commoners may own registered fields, but none may exceed thirty qing. Feudal kings may own two hundred slaves and servants; marquises and princesses one hundred; marquises within the passes, officials, and commoners thirty. Those over sixty and under ten years old are not counted in these limits. Merchants are prohibited from owning designated fields or holding official positions. Violators will be prosecuted according to the law. Any designated fields or slaves/servants exceeding the prescribed limits shall be confiscated by the government. The Qi offices for the three ceremonial robes and other offices producing patterned silks and embroidery are to cease operations, as they are difficult to complete and interfere with women's traditional crafts. No more production or delivery. Abolish the system of hereditary official appointments and the laws against slander and defamation. Palace ladies under thirty years old in the imperial residence shall be married off. Government slaves and servants over fifty years old shall be freed and become commoners. Commanderies and principalities are forbidden from presenting exotic animals as tribute. Increase the salaries of officials ranked at three hundred bushels or less. Investigate and promptly remove officials who are cruel, corrupt, or tyrannical. Officials are prohibited from citing amnesties when dealing with past offenses. Students in the Imperial Academy whose parents die shall be granted three years of mourning leave.'
9
In autumn, both Marquis Wang Gen of Quyang and Marquis Wang Kuang of Chengdu were found guilty of offenses. Wang Gen was sent to his fief, while Wang Kuang was stripped of his title and returned as a commoner to his home commandery.
10
詔曰：「朕承宗廟之重，戰戰兢兢，懼失天心。 間者日月亡光，五星失行，郡國比比地動。 乃者河南、穎川郡水出，流殺人民，壞敗廬舍。 朕之不德，民反蒙辜，朕甚懼焉。 已遣光祿大夫循行舉籍，賜死者棺錢，人三千。 其令水所傷縣邑及他郡國災害什四以上，民貲不滿十萬，皆無出今年租賦。」
An imperial edict declared: 'I bear the sacred trust of our ancestral temples, filled with trepidation, fearing lest I lose Heaven's favor. Recently, the sun and moon have been eclipsed, the five planets have wandered from their proper paths, and earthquakes have struck repeatedly throughout the commanderies and principalities. Recently, flooding in Henan and Yingchuan commanderies has drowned people and destroyed homes and shelters. My lack of virtue has caused the people to suffer unjustly; I am deeply alarmed by this. I have dispatched an Imperial Household Grandee to tour the affected areas and register the victims, granting three thousand cash for coffins to each of the dead. Order that counties and towns damaged by flooding, and other commanderies and states where disaster losses reach four-tenths or more, and where people's property is less than one hundred thousand cash, shall all be exempted from this year's rents and taxes.'
11
建平元年春正月，赦天下。 侍中騎都尉新成侯趙欽、成陽侯趙訢皆有罪，免為庶人，徙遼西。
In the first month of spring of the first year of the Jianping era (6 BCE), a general amnesty was declared throughout the empire. Chamberlain Zhao Qin, Marquis of Xincheng, and Zhao Xin, Marquis of Chengyang, were both found guilty. They were stripped of their titles and banished as commoners to Liaoxi.
12
太皇太后詔外家王氏田非冢塋，皆以賦貧民。
By edict of the Grand Empress Dowager, all Wang family lands not used for ancestral tombs shall be distributed to the poor.
13
二月，詔曰：「蓋聞聖王之治，以得賢為首。 其與大司馬、列侯、將軍、中二千石、州牧、守、相舉孝弟惇厚能直言通政事，延于側陋可親民者，各一人。」
In the second month, an imperial edict declared: 'It is said that wise rulers prioritize finding worthy officials above all else. Together with the Grand Commandant, marquises, generals, and officials of all ranks, let them recommend individuals who are filial and brotherly, sincere and upright, able to speak frankly and understand governance, including those from humble backgrounds who can connect with the people - one person each.'
14
三月，賜諸侯王、公主、列侯、丞相、將軍、中二千石、中都官郎吏金錢帛，各有差。
In the third month, gifts of gold, money, and silk were bestowed upon feudal kings, princesses, marquises, chancellors, generals, mid-level officials, and central government attendants, with amounts varying by rank.
15
In winter, Empress Dowager Yuan of King Xiao of Zhongshan and her younger brother, Marquis Feng Can of Yixiang, were found guilty and both committed suicide.
16
二年春三月，罷大司空，復御史大夫。
In the third month of spring of the second year, the office of Grand Minister of Works was abolished and the Censor-in-Chief was restored.
17
In the fourth month of summer, an imperial edict declared: 'The Han dynasty system honors relatives to demonstrate respect for superiors. The title of Emperor Gong of Dingtao should no longer include the name Dingtao. Empress Dowager Gong shall be honored as Imperial Grand Empress Dowager, residing in the Yongxin Palace; Empress Gong shall be honored as Imperial Empress Dowager, residing in the Zhong'an Palace. A temple for Emperor Gong shall be established in the capital. All prisoners throughout the empire shall be granted amnesty.'
18
罷州牧，復刺史。
The office of provincial governor was abolished and the office of inspector was restored.
19
In the sixth month, on the day gengshen, Imperial Empress Dowager Ding died. The emperor declared: 'I have heard that husband and wife are one flesh. The Book of Odes states: "In life they occupy different rooms, in death they share one grave." In ancient times, when Ji Wuzi had completed his funeral preparations, the coffin of his wife from the Du family lay at the western steps. He requested joint burial and was granted permission. The practice of joint burial originated with the Zhou dynasty. 'How elegant and civilized! I shall follow the Zhou tradition.' A dutiful son honors the dead as he would honor the living. The Imperial Empress Dowager should be buried in the grounds of Emperor Gong's tomb.' She was accordingly buried in Dingtao. Fifty thousand laborers were mobilized from the nearby commanderies of Chenliu and Jiyin to excavate and complete the tomb.
20
Attendant-at-edict Xia Heliang and others cited the prophecy of the Red Essence Child, saying that the Han dynasty's ordained fortune was in decline and should receive the Mandate anew, and that the era name and imperial title ought to be changed. An edict stated: "The Han has risen for two hundred years, and the cycle of fate opens a new beginning. Heaven has sent protection to one unworthy such as I; the Han state has again received the token of the Mandate. My virtue is inadequate — how dare I not comply! In founding matters of primal mandate, one must renew oneself together with all under Heaven. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm. Let the second year of Jianping be the first year of Taichu Yuanjiang. The title shall be Emperor Taiping of the Chengsheng Liu. The clepsydra gradations shall take one hundred twenty as the standard."
21
七月，以渭城西北原上永陵亭部為初陵。 勿徙郡國民，使得自安。
In the seventh month, the area around Yongling pavilion on the plain northwest of Weicheng was designated as the preliminary imperial tomb. The people of the commanderies and principalities should not be relocated, allowing them to remain in their homes.
22
In the eighth month, an imperial edict declared: 'Attendant-at-edict Xia Heliang and others proposed changing the reign title and extending the calendar periods, believing this would bring lasting stability to the nation. I erroneously heeded the words of Helang and his associates, hoping to bring blessings to the entire realm, but ultimately received no favorable signs. All these proposals violate the classics and contradict ancient precedents, failing to suit the current era. The imperial order issued on the jiazi day of the sixth month was not a pardon; all such measures are to be rescinded. Helang and his associates defy moral principles and mislead the people; turn them over to the authorities.' All were executed for their crimes.
23
Chancellor Bo, Censor-in-Chief Xuan, and Marquis Yan of Kongxiang were found guilty of offenses. Bo committed suicide. Xuan was sentenced to two degrees less than execution. Yan had one-quarter of his fief reduced. The full story is told in Bo's biography.
24
In the first month of spring of the third year, King Yi of Guangde's younger brother Guanghan was installed as King of Guangping.
25
癸卯，帝太太后所居桂宮正殿火。
On the day guimao, a fire broke out in the main hall of the Gui Palace, residence of the Imperial Grand Empress Dowager.
26
三月己酉，丞相當薨。 有星孛于河鼓。
In the third month, on the day jiyou, Chancellor Shang died. A comet appeared in the constellation of the River Drum.
27
In the sixth month of summer, King Qing of Lu's son, Marquis Min of Wuxiang, was installed as king.
28
冬十一月壬子，復甘泉泰畤、汾陰后土祠，罷南北郊。
In the eleventh month of winter, on the day renzi, the Grand Altar at Ganquan and the shrine to the Queen of Earth at Fenyin were restored, while the northern and southern suburban altars were abolished.
29
King Yun of Dongping, his consort Ye, and the wife of Marquis Gong of Ancheng, Lady Fang, were all found guilty of offenses. Yun committed suicide. Ye and Fang were publicly executed.
30
四年春，大旱。 關東民傳行西王母籌，經歷郡國，西入關至京師。 民又會聚祠西王母，或夜持火上屋，擊鼓號呼相驚恐。
In the spring of the fourth year, a severe drought occurred. People east of the passes circulated divining tallies from the Queen Mother of the West, traveling through various commanderies and states, entering the western pass to reach the capital. The people also gathered in crowds to worship the Queen Mother of the West, or carried torches onto rooftops at night, beating drums and shouting to frighten one another.
31
In the second month, the emperor enfeoffed the Imperial Grand Empress Dowager's younger cousin, Chamberlain Fu Shang, as Marquis of Ruchang, and the son of the Empress Dowager's younger uterine brother, Chamberlain Zheng Ye, as Marquis of Yangxin.
32
In the third month, Chamberlain and Commandant of Equipage Dong Xian, Gentleman of the Interior Xi Fugong, and Governor Sun Chong of Nanyang were all enfeoffed as marquises for reporting on the King of Dongping. The full story is told in Xian's biography.
33
夏五月，賜中二千石至六百石及天下男子爵。
In the fifth month of summer, noble titles were granted to officials ranging from mid-level bureaucrats down to those of six hundred bushels rank, as well as to all men throughout the empire.
34
In the sixth month, the Imperial Grand Empress Dowager was elevated to the title of Grand Empress Dowager.
35
秋八月，恭皇園北門災。
In the eighth month of autumn, a calamity struck the north gate of Emperor Gong's tomb grounds.
36
冬，詔將軍、中二千石舉明兵法有大慮者。
In winter, an imperial edict commanded generals and mid-level officials to recommend individuals skilled in military tactics who possess strategic foresight.
37
元壽元年春正月辛丑朔，日有蝕之。 詔曰：「朕獲保宗廟，不明不敏，宿夜憂勞，未皇寧息。 惟陰陽不調，元元不贍，未睹厥咎。 婁敕公卿，庶幾有望。 至今有司執法，未得其中，或上暴虐，假勢獲名，溫良寬柔，陷於亡滅。 是故殘賊彌長，和睦日衰，百姓愁怨，靡所錯躬。 乃正月朔，日有蝕之，厥咎不遠，在余一人。 公卿大夫其各悉心勉帥百寮，敦任仁人，黜遠殘賊，期於安民。 陳朕之過失，無有所諱。 其與將軍、列侯、中二千石舉賢良方正能直言者各一人。 大赦天下。」
In the first year of the Yuanshou era, on the new moon of the first month, day xinchou, there was a solar eclipse. An edict stated: "I have been able to preserve the ancestral temples, but I am neither enlightened nor quick in understanding. Day and night I labor in anxiety and have had no time for peaceful rest. Yin and yang are not in harmony, the common people lack sustenance, and I have not seen where the fault lies. Time and again I have charged the high ministers, hoping for improvement. Even now, the officials who enforce the law have not found the proper balance. Some exalt the violent and cruel, borrowing power to win a name for themselves, while the gentle, good, lenient, and mild are driven into destruction. For this reason, cruelty and harm spread ever further, harmony declines day by day, and the common people grieve and resent, with nowhere to place themselves in safety. Now, on the new moon of the first month, the sun has been eclipsed. The fault is not far away; it lies in me alone. Let the ministers and grandees each devote his whole heart to encouraging and leading the officials, earnestly appoint humane men, dismiss and keep far away the cruel and harmful, and make the people's security the goal. Set forth my faults and failings; let none be concealed. Together with the generals, ranked marquises, and officials of two thousand bushels, each shall recommend one worthy, upright, and forthright person. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm."
38
丁巳，皇太太后傅氏崩。
On the day dingsi, Grand Empress Dowager Fu died.
39
三月，丞相嘉有罪，下獄死。
In the third month, Chancellor Jia was found guilty of offenses, imprisoned, and died.
40
41
孝元廟殿門銅龜蛇鋪首鳴。
The copper turtle-serpent door knockers on the gate of Emperor Yuan's temple hall rang out.
42
In the first month of spring of the second year, the Xiongnu chanyu and the Wusun great kunmi paid court visits. In the second month, they returned to their homelands, but the chanyu was dissatisfied. The full story is told in the biography of the Xiongnu.
43
夏四月壬辰晦，日有蝕之。
In the fourth month of summer, on the last day (renchen), a solar eclipse occurred.
44
In the fifth month, the offices of the Three Excellencies were reorganized and their responsibilities clarified. Dong Xian, formerly Grand Commandant and General of the Guard, became Grand Commandant; Chancellor Kong Guang became Grand Minister over the Masses; Censor-in-Chief Peng Xuan became Grand Minister of Works and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping. The offices of Superintendent of Trials and Metropolitan Superintendent were reorganized, and a new Minister of Justice position was created, though the arrangements remained unsettled.
45
六月戊午，帝崩于未央宮。 秋九月壬寅，葬義陵。
In the sixth month, on the day wuwu, the emperor died in the Weiyang Palace. In the ninth month of autumn, on the day renyin, he was interred in the Yiling tomb.
46
Appraisal: Emperor Ai, from his time as a feudal king to his tenure as Crown Prince, displayed extensive and nimble literary skills, earning an excellent reputation from his youth. Witnessing how in Emperor Cheng's era, hereditary stipends left the imperial family and power shifted to outsiders, he frequently executed ministers upon ascending the throne, seeking to strengthen imperial authority and emulate Emperors Wu and Xuan. His refined character showed no interest in music or sensual pleasures; he occasionally enjoyed watching archery contests and martial demonstrations. Upon ascending the throne, he suffered from paralysis; in his later years, the condition steadily deteriorated. His reign over the nation was brief; alas!