Volume 70: Fu, Chang, Zheng, Gan, Chen and Duan

傅介子

Fu Jiezi

傅介子，北地人也，以從軍為官。先是，龜茲、樓蘭皆嘗殺漢使者，語在《西域傳》。至元鳳中，介子以駿馬監求使大宛，因詔令青樓蘭、龜茲國。

Fu Jiezi came from Beidi and won office through military service. Earlier both Qiuci and Loulan had murdered Han envoys, as told in the Treatise on the Western Regions. During the Yuanfeng years Fu Jiezi, serving as supervisor of the imperial stud, volunteered for an embassy to Ferghana and received orders to call on Loulan and Qiuci.

介子至樓蘭，責其王教匈奴遮殺漢使：「大兵方至，王苟不教匈奴，匈奴使過至諸國，何為不言？」王謝服，言：「匈奴使屬過，當至烏孫，道過龜茲。」介子至龜茲，復責其王，王亦服罪。介子從大宛還到龜茲，龜茲言：「匈奴使從烏孫還，在此。」介子因率其吏士共誅斬匈奴使者。還奏事，詔拜介子為中郎，遷平樂監。

In Loulan he rebuked the king for letting the Xiongnu ambush and murder Han envoys: A great host is on its way; if you had not colluded with the nomads, you would have reported their couriers passing west—why did you keep silent? The king apologized and explained that Xiongnu envoys had been passing through on the road to Wusun via Qiuci. At Qiuci he repeated his charge, and that king too confessed fault. On his way back from Ferghana he stopped again at Qiuci, where he was told the Xiongnu embassy returning from Wusun was still in town. He then led his escort in cutting down the Xiongnu envoys. When he reported at court he was named a gentleman of the palace and promoted to supervisor of the Pingle lodge.

介子謂大將軍霍光曰：「樓蘭、龜茲數反覆而不誅，無所懲艾。介子過龜茲時，其王近就人，易得也，願往刺之，以威示諸國。」大將軍曰：「龜茲道遠，且驗之於樓蘭。」於是白遣之。

Fu Jiezi told Major General Huo Guang, Loulan and Qiuci keep switching sides unpunished; nothing checks them. When I passed Qiuci the king moved among his people and was within reach; let me assassinate him and overawe the western states. Huo Guang answered, Qiuci lies too far away for now—try the lesson on Loulan first. He approved the mission and sent him off.

介子與士卒俱繼金幣，揚言以賜外國為名。至樓蘭，樓蘭王意不親介子，介子陽引去，至其西界，使譯謂曰：「漢使者持黃金、錦繡行賜諸國，王不來受，我去之西國矣。」即出金幣以示譯。譯還報王，王貪漢物，來見使者。介子與坐飲，陳物示之。飲酒皆醉，介子謂王曰：「天子使我私報王。」王起隨介子入帳中，屏語，壯士二人從後刺之，刃交胸，立死。其貴人左右皆散走。介子告諭以：「王負漢罪，天子遣我業誅王，當更立前太子質在漢者。漢兵方至，毋敢動，動，滅國矣！」遂持王首還詣闕，公卿將軍議者咸嘉其功。上乃下詔曰：「樓蘭王安歸嘗為匈奴間，候遮漢使者，發兵殺略衛司馬安樂、光祿大夫忠、期門郎遂成等三輩，及安息、大宛使，盜取節印、獻物，甚逆天理。平樂監傅介子持節使誅斬樓蘭王安歸首，縣之北闕，以直報怨，不煩師從。其封介子為義陽侯，食邑七百戶。士刺王者皆補侍郎。」

He and his men loaded gold and silks and gave out that they were bearing imperial gifts for the western states. The Loulan king kept him at arm's length, so Jiezi pretended to march off to the western frontier and had his interpreter announce that the Han envoy bore gold and brocade for every kingdom—if the king would not come to take his share, the gifts would go west to others. He produced the treasure for the interpreter to see. The interpreter carried word to the king, who could not resist the bait and rode out to meet the envoy. Jiezi sat him down to wine and spread the gifts before him. When both were drunk Jiezi whispered that the emperor had a confidential message for him alone. The king followed him into the tent for a private word; two braves slipped in behind and drove their blades through his chest so that he dropped dead. His nobles and bodyguards fled in panic. Jiezi proclaimed that the king had forfeited Han favor, that the emperor had sent him to execute him, and that the crown prince then held hostage at Chang'an would be enthroned. A Han army is on the march—stir and your kingdom is erased! He brought the king's head to the capital, where every minister and general praised the deed. The emperor then promulgated an edict: Loulan's King Angui had spied for the Xiongnu, waylaid Han envoys, sent troops who slew and plundered Commandant Anle, Grand Counselor Zhong, Gentleman Suicheng of the palace guard, and others in three separate parties, murdered Parthian and Ferghana embassies, and stole their tallies, seals, and tribute—crimes that outrage Heaven. Supervisor Fu Jiezi, tally in hand, struck off Angui's head and hung it on the north gate of the palace, settling the score without mobilizing an army. He was therefore enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang with seven hundred taxable households. Every soldier who struck the blow was appointed gentleman consultant.

介子薨，子敞有罪不得嗣，國除。元始中，繼功臣世，復封介子曾孫長為義陽侯，王莽敗，乃絕。

When Jiezi died his son Chang was convicted and could not inherit, so the marquisate lapsed. During Yuanshi the court renewed meritorious lines and re-enfeoffed his great-grandson Chang as Marquis of Yiyang until Wang Mang's fall ended the line.

常惠，太原人也。少時家貧，自奮應募，隨移中監蘇武使匈奴，並見拘留十餘年，昭帝時乃還。漢嘉其勤勞，拜為光祿大夫。

Chang Hui came from Taiyuan. Poor in youth, he enlisted and followed Su Wu, supervisor of the Yizhong lodge, on embassy to the Xiongnu; both were held more than ten years until they returned under Emperor Zhao. The court honored his endurance with appointment as grand counselor of the palace.

是時，烏孫公主上書言：「匈奴發騎田車師，車師與匈奴為一，共侵烏孫，唯天子救之！」漢養士馬，議欲擊匈奴。會昭帝崩，宣帝初即位，本始二年，遣惠使烏孫。公主及昆彌皆遣使，因惠言：「匈奴連發大兵擊烏孫，取車延、惡師地，收其人民去，使使脅求公主，欲隔絕漢。昆彌願發國半精兵，自給人馬五萬騎，盡力擊匈奴。唯天子出兵以救公主、昆彌！」於是漢大發十五萬騎，五將軍分道出，語在《匈奴傳》。

The Han princess at Wusun then memorialized: The Xiongnu have sent horsemen to raid Jushi; Jushi has gone over to them and together they strike Wusun—only Your Majesty can rescue us! The Han fed troops and mounts and debated a strike against the Xiongnu. Emperor Zhao died before the campaign opened; in the second year of Benshi, early in Emperor Xuan's reign, the court sent Chang Hui to Wusun. The princess and the kunmi sent envoys with Hui to report that the Xiongnu had repeatedly invaded Wusun, seized the districts of Cheyan and Wushi, carried off the population, and demanded the princess by threat, hoping to sever Wusun from the Han. The kunmi offers to raise half his kingdom's picked warriors—fifty thousand horsemen at his own expense—and throw them fully against the Xiongnu. He begs the emperor to march an army to save the princess and himself. The Han then fielded a hundred fifty thousand cavalry in five columns under five generals, as recorded in the Treatise on the Xiongnu.

以惠為校尉，持節護烏孫兵。昆彌自將翕侯以下五萬餘騎，從西方入至右谷蠡庭，獲單于父行及嫂居次，名王騎將以下三萬九千人，得馬、牛、驢、騾、橐佗五萬餘匹，羊六十餘萬頭，烏孫皆自取鹵獲。惠從吏卒十餘人隨昆彌還，未至烏孫，烏孫人盜惠印綬節。惠還，自以當誅。時，漢五將皆無功，天子以惠奉使克獲，遂封惠為長羅侯。復遣惠持金幣還賜烏孫貴人有功者，惠因奏請龜茲國嘗殺校尉賴丹，未伏誅，請便道擊之，宣帝不許。大將軍霍光風惠以便宜從事。惠與吏士五百人俱至烏孫，還過，發西國兵二萬人，令副使發龜茲東國二萬人，烏孫兵七千人，從三面攻龜茲，兵未合，先遣人責其王以前殺漢使狀。王謝曰：「乃我先王時為貴人姑翼所誤耳，我無罪。」惠曰：「即如此，縛姑翼來，吾置王。」王執姑翼詣惠，惠斬之而還。

Chang Hui was named colonel with tally and staff to supervise the Wusun contingent. The kunmi led more than fifty thousand horsemen from the Shehou rank downward, swung in from the west to the court of the Right Guli-lu, and took the chanyu's kinsmen by marriage, a princess of rank, thirty-nine thousand nobles and officers, fifty thousand odd head of horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, and camels, and six hundred thousand sheep—all of which the Wusun kept as their own spoils. Chang Hui rode back toward Wusun with a dozen escorts, but before they arrived Wusun men stole his seal, ribbons, and staff of office. He expected execution when he reached court. Because the five Han columns had won no success while his embassy had brought real gain, the emperor enfeoffed him as Marquis of Changluo. He was sent back with gold and silk to reward meritorious Wusun nobles; on the way he memorialized that Qiuci had murdered Colonel Lai Dan without paying for it and asked leave to attack by detour, but Emperor Xuan refused. Major General Huo Guang quietly told him to use his own judgment. Chang Hui reached Wusun with five hundred men, then on the return leg raised twenty thousand western auxiliaries, had his deputy raise twenty thousand from states east of Qiuci, and added seven thousand Wusun horse to close on Qiuci from three sides; before the columns met he sent envoys to charge the king with the old murder of Han officers. The king apologized: Under my late father the noble Guyi misled the court; I am innocent. Chang Hui replied, Then bind Guyi and deliver him, and I will spare you. The king handed Guyi over; Chang Hui executed him and withdrew.

後代蘇武為典屬國，明習外國事，勤勞數有功。甘露中，後將軍趙充國薨，天子遂以惠為右將軍，典屬國如故。宣帝崩，惠事元帝，三歲薨，謚曰壯武侯。傳國至曾孫，建武中乃絕。

He succeeded Su Wu as director of dependent states, knew frontier business thoroughly, and won repeated distinction for his labors. During the Ganlu years, when Rear General Zhao Chongguo died, the emperor named Chang Hui right general while he kept the directorship of dependent states. He served Emperor Yuan after Emperor Xuan's death, died three years later, and was posthumously titled Stalwart Martial Marquis. The marquisate lasted to his great-grandson and lapsed in the Jianwu era.

鄭吉，會稽人也，以卒伍從軍，數出西域，由是為郎。吉為人強執，習外國事。自張騫通西域，李廣利征伐之後，初置校尉，屯田渠黎。至宣帝時，吉以侍郎田渠黎，積穀，因發諸國兵攻破車師，遷衛司馬，使護鄯善以西南道。

Zheng Ji of Kuaiji rose from the ranks, campaigned repeatedly in the Western Regions, and was promoted to gentleman. He was stubborn by nature and thoroughly versed in frontier affairs. After Zhang Qian opened the west and Li Guangli's expeditions, the Han first posted a colonel to farm the garrison at Quli. Under Emperor Xuan he served as gentleman consultant on the Quli farms, built up grain stores, raised allied troops to crush Jushi, was promoted guard commandant, and was charged with the road southwest of Shanshan.

神爵中，匈奴乖亂，日逐王先賢撣欲降漢，使人與吉相聞。吉發渠黎、龜茲諸國五萬人迎日逐王，口萬二千人、小王將十二人隨吉至河曲，頗有亡者，吉追斬之，遂將詣京師。漢封日逐王為歸德侯。

During Shenjue the Xiongnu court split; the Rizhi king Xianxianshan meant to defect and sent envoys to Zheng Ji. Zheng Ji raised fifty thousand men from Quli, Qiuci, and neighboring states to escort the Rizhi king; twelve thousand tribesmen and twelve petty kings followed him to the great bend of the Yellow River, but some tried to bolt and he hunted them down and beheaded them before marching the whole party to Chang'an. The Han enfeoffed the Rizhi king as Marquis of Guide.

吉既破車師，降日逐，威震西域，遂並護車師以西北道，故號都護。都護之置自吉始焉。

After he broke Jushi and brought in the Rizhi king his name shook the Tarim basin, and he was given charge of both Jushi and the northwestern trunk road—the office called protector-general. The protector-generalship began with Zheng Ji.

上嘉其功效，乃下詔曰：「都護西域騎都尉鄭吉，拊循外蠻，宣明威信，迎匈奴單于從兄日逐王眾，擊破車師兜訾城，功效茂著。其封吉為安遠侯，食邑千戶。」吉於是中西或則立莫府，治烏壘城，鎮撫諸國，誅伐懷集之。漢之號令班西域矣，始自張騫而成於鄭吉。語在《西域傳》。

The emperor praised his service and issued an edict: Protector-general and cavalry colonel Zheng Ji has pacified the outer tribes, spread Han authority, escorted the Rizhi king—the chanyu's cousin—with his following, and stormed the Jushi stronghold of Douzi; his achievements are outstanding. He is therefore enfeoffed as Marquis of Anyuan with one thousand households. Zheng Ji then set up his headquarters between the center and the west, governed from Wulei, and kept the states in order by force, favor, and conciliation. Han decrees now ran the length of the Western Regions, a work begun by Zhang Qian and brought to fruition by Zheng Ji. The details are given in the Treatise on the Western Regions.

吉薨，謚曰繆侯。子光嗣，薨，無子，國除。元始中，錄功臣不以罪絕者，封吉曾孫永為安遠侯。

When Zheng Ji died he received the posthumous title Marquis Erroneous. His son Guang inherited but died without an heir and the marquisate lapsed. During Yuanshi the court re-listed meritorious houses not extinguished by crime and enfeoffed his great-grandson Yong as Marquis of Anyuan.

甘延壽

Gan Yanshou

先是，宣帝時匈奴乖亂，五單于爭立，呼韓邪單于與郅支單于俱遣子入侍，漢兩受之。後呼韓邪單于身入稱臣朝見，郅支以為呼韓邪破弱降漢，不能自還，即西收右地。會漢發兵送呼韓邪單于，郅於由是遂西破呼偈、堅昆、丁令，兼三國而都之。怨漢擁護呼韓邪而不助己，困辱漢使者漢乃始等。初元四年，遣使奉獻，因求侍子，願為內附。漢議遣衛司馬谷吉送之。御史大夫貢禹、博士匡衡以為《春秋》之義「許夷狄者不一而足」，今郅支單于鄉化未醇，所在絕遠，宜令使者送其子至塞而還。吉上書言：「中國與夷狄有羈縻不絕之義，今既養全其子十年，德澤甚厚，空絕而不送，近從塞還，示棄捐不畜，使無鄉從之心，棄前恩，立後怨，不便。議者見前江乃始無應敵之數，知勇俱困，以致恥辱，即豫為臣憂。臣幸得建強漢之節，承明聖之詔，宣諭厚恩，不宜敢桀。若懷禽獸，加無道於臣，則單于長嬰大罪，必遁逃遠捨，不敢近邊。沒一使以安百姓，國之計，臣之願也。願送至庭。」上以示朝者，禹復爭，以為吉往必為國取悔生事，不可許。右將軍馮奉世以為可遣，上許焉。既至，郅支單于怒，竟殺吉等。自知負漢，又聞呼韓邪益強，遂西奔康居。康居王以女妻郅支，郅支亦以女予康居王。康居甚尊敬郅支，欲倚其威以脅諸國。郅支數借兵擊烏孫，深入至赤谷城，殺略民人，驅畜產，烏孫不敢追，西邊空虛，不居者且千里。郅支單于自以大國，威名尊重，又乘勝驕，不為康居王禮，怒殺康居王女及貴人、人民數百，或支解投都賴水中。發民作城，日作五百人，二歲乃已。又遣使責闔蘇、大宛諸國歲遺，不敢不予。漢遣使三輩至康居求谷吉等死，郅支困辱使者，不肯奉詔，而因都護上書言：「居困厄，願歸計強漢，遣子入侍。」其驕嫚如此。

Earlier, under Emperor Xuan, the Xiongnu split into five rival chanyus; both Hu Hanxie and Zhizhi sent hostages to Chang'an, and the Han court accepted both. When Hu Hanxie came in person to acknowledge Han overlordship, Zhizhi assumed he was too shattered ever to return north and seized the western steppe for himself. While the Han marched an escort for Hu Hanxie, Zhizhi swept west, crushed the Hujie, Jiankun, and Dingling peoples, annexed their lands, and set up his court among them. Furious that the Han backed Hu Hanxie instead of him, he seized and humiliated Han envoys who crossed his path. In 5 BCE he sent tribute and asked for the return of his son who was held hostage, offering to submit as an inner vassal. The court debated sending Guard Commandant Gu Ji to escort the prince home. Imperial Counselor Gong Yu and Academician Kuang Heng cited the Spring and Autumn maxim that concessions to barbarians may be granted in stages: Zhizhi's conversion is still shallow and his camp lies far away, so the envoy should hand over the prince at the frontier and come home. Gu Ji memorialized: The Han owe the steppe peoples the courtesy of an unbroken bridle-and-rein; we have kept Zhizhi's son at court for ten years and shown him great kindness. To stop short at the passes would look like abandonment, kill any wish to submit, throw away old favor, and breed fresh hatred—unwise in every way. Critics recall how Jiang Naishi lacked a plan, wit and courage failed together, and the court suffered disgrace; they therefore fret over your servant in advance. Your servant bears the tallies of a mighty Han and a sage emperor's charge to proclaim our bounty; he cannot lawfully play the bully. If he proves a beast and wrongs your servant, the chanyu will shoulder a grave crime and flee deep into the steppe, never again daring to approach the frontier. To lose one envoy and secure the realm is sound policy and your servant's earnest wish. Your servant asks leave to deliver the prince to his father's yurt. The emperor circulated the memorial; Gong Yu renewed his objection that Gu Ji's journey would bring shame and fresh trouble on the state and must be refused. Right General Feng Fengshi argued for the mission, and the emperor approved. When they arrived Chanyu Zhizhi flew into a rage and murdered Gu Ji and his party. Knowing he had wronged the Han and that Hu Hanxie was growing stronger, he bolted west to Kangju. The king of Kangju married him a daughter, and Zhizhi gave a daughter to the king of Kangju in return. Kangju courted him eagerly, hoping to lean on his prestige to cow the neighboring kingdoms. Zhizhi repeatedly borrowed Kangju troops against Wusun, drove deep to Chigu, slaughtered and plundered, and drove off herds while the Wusun dared not pursue; for nearly a thousand li the western marches lay empty. Zhizhi considered himself master of a great power, grew arrogant on victory, refused courtesy to the king of Kangju, and in fury murdered the king's daughter, notables, and hundreds of commoners, some of whom he had torn limb from limb and thrown into the Talas River. He drafted the people to build a fortress, five hundred laborers a day, for two years before it was done. He also sent envoys to demand annual tribute from Hesu, Ferghana, and other states, and none dared refuse. The Han sent three missions to Kangju demanding justice for Gu Ji's murder; Zhizhi abused every envoy, ignored imperial decrees, yet relayed through the protector-general a memorial pleading hardship, professing wish to submit to the mighty Han, and offering to send a son as hostage. Such was his arrogance.

建昭三年，湯與延壽出西域。湯為人沉勇有大慮，多策謀，喜奇功，每過城邑山川，常登望。既領外國，與延壽謀曰：「夷狄畏服大種，其天性也。西域本屬匈奴，今郅支單于威名遠聞，侵陵烏孫、大宛，常為康居畫計，欲降服之。如得此二國，北擊伊列，西取安息，南排月氏、山離烏弋，數年之間，城郭諸國危矣。且其人剽悍，好戰伐，數取勝，久畜之，必為西域患。郅支單于雖所在絕遠，蠻夷無金城強弩之守，如發屯田吏士，驅從烏孫眾兵，直指其城下，彼亡則無所之，守則不足自保，千載之功可一朝而成也。」延壽亦以為然，欲奏請之，湯曰：「國家與公卿議，大策非凡所見，事必不從。」延壽猶與不聽。會其久病，湯獨矯制發城郭諸國兵、車師戊己校尉屯田使士。延壽聞之，驚起，欲止焉。湯怒，按劍叱延壽曰：「大眾已集會，豎子欲沮眾邪？延壽遂從之，部勒行陳，益置揚威、白虎、合騎之校，漢兵，胡兵合四萬餘人，延壽、湯上疏自劾奏矯制，陳言兵狀。

In 36 BCE Chen Tang and Gan Yanshou marched into the Western Regions. Chen Tang was steady and bold, full of long-range schemes and stratagems, eager for striking success, and whenever his route crossed a town or height he would climb to survey the ground. Once he held frontier command he said to Gan Yanshou, Steppe peoples bow to the strongest power—that is their nature. The west once answered to the Xiongnu; now Zhizhi's fame carries far while he bullies Wusun and Ferghana and plots with Kangju to bring them to heel. If he wins those two he can strike north toward Ili, west toward Parthia, and south against the Yuezhi and the Shanli-Wuyi belt; within a few years every oasis kingdom will be in danger. His warriors are fierce, war-loving, and used to winning; let them grow strong and they will become a scourge to the whole Tarim basin. Zhizhi lies far off, but nomads have no ringed cities or heavy crossbows; call out the farmer-soldiers of the frontier colonies, add Wusun horse, and march straight on his fort. If he runs he has no refuge; if he stays he cannot hold the walls—a deed for the ages can be finished in a single dawn. Gan Yanshou agreed and wanted to memorialize the throne, but Chen Tang said, Court debate never favors bold strokes; they will turn us down. Yanshou still hung back. While Yanshou lay ill for a long time Chen Tang alone forged an edict, calling up the oasis states and the garrison troops of the Wu and Ji colonels at Jushi. Yanshou sprang from his sickbed in alarm and tried to halt the levy. Chen Tang gripped his sword and roared, The host is mustered—will you break the army's heart now? Yanshou yielded, drew up the ranks, added colonels titled Raise Awe, White Tiger, and Combined Cavalry, and put more than forty thousand Han and Hu under arms; both men then memorialized their own forgery of orders and described the disposition of the force.

即日引軍分行，別為六校，其三校從南道逾蔥嶺徑大宛，其三校都護自將，發溫宿國，從北道入赤谷，過烏孫，涉康居界，至闐池西。而康居副王抱闐將數千騎，寇赤谷城東，殺略大昆彌千餘人，驅畜產甚多，從後與漢軍相及，頗寇盜後重。湯縱胡兵擊之，殺四百六十人，得其所略民四百七十人，還付大昆彌，其馬、牛、羊以給軍食。又捕得抱闐貴人伊奴毒。

That day they split into six columns: three crossed the Pamirs on the southern road through Ferghana, while three under the commanding general marched from Wensu, took the northern road through Chigu past Wusun, crossed Kangju, and closed on the western shore of Lake Yanche. Kangju's vice-king Baotian then struck east of Chigu with several thousand horsemen, killed or captured more than a thousand of the great kunmi's subjects, drove off huge herds, and harried the Han baggage train from the rear. Chen Tang sent Hu auxiliaries against them, killed four hundred sixty, recovered four hundred seventy captives for the great kunmi, and used the captured herds to feed the army. They also took the Baotian noble Yinudu prisoner.

入康居東界，令軍不得為寇。間呼其貴人屠墨見之，諭以威信，與飲盟遣去。徑引行，未至單于城可六十里，止營。復捕得康居貴人貝色子男開牟以為導。貝色子即屠墨母之弟，皆怨單于，由是具知郅支情。

Inside Kangju's eastern marches he forbade looting. He secretly summoned the Kangju noble Tumo, won him with promises of Han favor, swore an oath over wine, and sent him back. They marched on until some sixty li short of Zhizhi's fort and pitched camp. They seized the Kangju noble Beisezi's son Kai Mou and pressed him into service as a guide. Beisezi was Tumo's uncle on his mother's side; both hated Zhizhi and revealed everything about his dispositions.

明日引行，未至城三十里，止營。單于遣使問：「漢兵何以來？」應曰：「單于上書言居困厄，願歸計強漢，身入朝見。天子哀閔單于棄大國，屈意康居，故使都護將軍來迎單于妻子，恐左右驚動，故未敢至城下。」使數往來相答報。延壽、湯因讓之：「我為單于遠來，而至今無名王大人見將軍受事者，何單于忽大計，失客主之禮也！兵來道遠，人畜罷極，食度日盡，恐無以自還，願單于與大臣審計策。」

Next day they advanced to within thirty li of the walls and camped again. Zhizhi sent envoys to ask why the Han host had come. They answered that Zhizhi had written he was in distress, wished to submit to the mighty Han, and would come in person to court. The emperor pitied him for leaving his realm and living under Kangju's thumb, so he sent the protector-general and his generals to escort the royal family; they halted short of the walls so as not to alarm the camp. Envoys shuttled back and forth with these replies. Yanshou and Tang then protested: We have marched a vast distance for your sake, yet no noble of rank has come out to greet the commander—how can you ignore the courtesies due between host and guest? Our men and beasts are spent, our rations nearly gone, and we may not get home unless you and your ministers settle on a course at once.

明日，前至郅支城都賴水上，離城三里，止營傅陳。望見單于城上立五采幡幟，數百人披甲乘城，又出百餘騎往來馳城下，步兵百餘人夾門魚鱗陳，講習用兵。城上人更招漢軍曰「斗來！」百餘騎馳赴營，營皆張弩持滿指之，騎引卻。頗遣吏士射城門騎步兵，騎步兵皆入。延壽、湯令軍聞鼓音皆薄城下，四周圍城，各有所守，穿塹，塞門戶，鹵楯為前，戟弩為後，卬射城中樓上人，樓上人下走。土城外有重木城，從木城中射，頗殺傷外人。外人發薪燒木城。夜，數百騎欲出外，迎射殺之。

The next day they reached Zhizhi's fort on the Talas River, halted three li out, and drew up for battle. They saw bright banners on the walls, hundreds of armored men manning the parapet, more than a hundred horsemen wheeling below the gate, and over a hundred foot in scale armor drilling in phalanx before the portal. Defenders on the wall shouted challenges for the Han to come fight. More than a hundred riders charged the Han lines but pulled back when every camp raised loaded crossbows. Han archers shot at the enemy horse and foot by the gate until they withdrew inside. At the drum Yanshou and Tang sent every detachment to the foot of the wall, ringed the fort, dug trenches, blocked the gates, put shieldmen in front and halberdiers and crossbowmen behind, and shot upward at the tower guards until they fled downstairs. Outside the mud wall stood a palisade from whose loopholes the defenders shot and took a heavy toll of the besiegers. The attackers stacked brush and burned the palisade. That night several hundred horsemen tried to break out and were shot down as they emerged.

初，單于聞漢兵至，欲去，疑康居怨己，為漢內應，又聞烏孫諸國兵皆發，自以無所之。郅支已出，復還，曰：「不如堅守。漢兵遠來，不能久攻。」單于乃被甲在樓上，諸閼氏夫人數十皆以弓射外人。外人射中單于鼻，諸夫人頗死。單于下騎，傳戰大內。夜過半，木城穿，中人卻入土城，乘城呼。時，康居兵萬餘騎分為十餘處，四面環城，亦與相應和。夜，數奔營，不利，輒卻。平明，四面火起，吏士喜，大呼乘之，鉦鼓聲動地。康居兵引卻。漢兵四面推鹵楯，並入土城中。單于男女百餘人走入大內。漢兵縱火，吏士爭入，單于被創死。軍候假丞杜勳斬單于首，得漢使節二及谷吉等所繼帛書。諸鹵獲以畀得者。凡斬閼氏、太子、名王以下千五百一十八級，生虜百四十五人，降虜千餘人，賦予城郭諸國所發十五王。

When Zhizhi first heard the Han were coming he meant to flee, but feared Kangju might turn on him as a Han ally and that Wusun and other states had mobilized—he saw no refuge. Zhizhi rode out, then turned back, saying, Better stand siege. The Han have marched too far to keep this up. Zhizhi donned mail and stood on the tower while dozens of his wives shot bows at the attackers. A Han shaft struck Zhizhi in the nose, and several of the women were killed. Zhizhi left his horse and withdrew to fight inside the inner citadel. After midnight the palisade gave way; the defenders fell back into the mud wall and shouted from the parapet. More than ten thousand Kangju horsemen in a dozen detachments ringed the city and tried to coordinate with the defenders. They raided the Han camp several times that night but fell back each time without gain. At dawn fires blazed on every side; the Han troops roared and pressed the assault while gongs and drums shook the ground. The Kangju horse drew off. Han shield walls closed in from every side and broke into the inner rampart. Zhizhi and more than a hundred of his household fled into the inner keep. The Han set fires and stormed the keep; Zhizhi died of his wounds. Du Xun, acting assistant to an army investigator, struck off Zhizhi's head and recovered two Han tallies and the silk letters Gu Ji had carried. Spoils went to the men who captured them. They took 1,518 heads from the royal ladies, the heir, and the nobility, 145 prisoners alive, and more than a thousand surrenders, which they parceled out among the fifteen kings of the oasis states who had joined the expedition.

於是延壽、湯上疏曰：「臣聞天下之大義，當混為一，昔有康、虞，今有強漢。匈奴呼韓邪單于已稱北籓，唯郅支單于叛逆，未伏其辜，大夏之西，以為強漢不能臣也。郅支單于慘毒行於民，大惡通於天。臣延壽、臣湯將義兵，行天誅，賴陛下神靈，陰陽並應，天氣精明，陷陳克敵，斬郅支首及名王以下。宜縣頭槁街蠻夷邸間，以示萬里，明犯強漢者，雖遠必誅。」事下有司。丞相匡衡、御史大夫繁延壽以為：「郅支及名王首更歷諸國，蠻夷莫不聞知。《月令》春：『掩骼埋胔』之時，宜勿縣。」車騎將軍許嘉、右將軍王商以為：「春秋夾谷之會，優施笑君，孔子誅之，方盛夏，首足異門而出。宜縣十日乃埋之。」有詔將軍議是。

Yanshou and Tang then memorialized: The empire's highest principle is unity; antiquity had the sage-kings Yao and Shun, and today there is the mighty Han. Hu Hanxie has already acknowledged himself a northern vassal, but Zhizhi rebelled unpunished and west of the Pamirs imagined the Han could never bring him to heel. Zhizhi's cruelty toward the people was a crime that cried to Heaven. We led a righteous host in Heaven's chastisement; by Your Majesty's power yin and yang favored us, the weather held clear, we broke the enemy line, and struck off Zhizhi's head together with those of his nobles. His head should hang between Gaojie Lane and the barbarian hostel so that for ten thousand li all may read the lesson: whoever offends mighty Han, however far, will be cut down. The memorial was referred to the ministries. Chancellor Kuang Heng and Imperial Counselor Fan Yanshou argued that Zhizhi's head and those of his nobles had passed through many lands and every tribe already knew the tale. The Monthly Ordinances say spring is the season to bury exposed bones; the heads should not be displayed. General of Chariots Xu Jia and Right General Wang Shang cited the Jiagu meeting when Confucius had the buffoon You Shi executed for mocking his lord—even in high summer the corpse was dragged out by head and feet through different gates. Display the heads ten days, then bury them. An edict approved the generals' view.

初，中書令石顯嘗欲以姊妻延壽，延壽不取。及丞相、御史亦惡其矯制，皆不與湯。湯素貪，所鹵獲財物入塞多不法。司隸校尉移書道上，系吏士按驗之。湯上疏言：「臣與吏士共誅郅支單于，幸得禽滅，萬里振旅，宜有使者迎勞道路。今司隸反逆收系按驗，是為郅支報仇也！」上立出吏士，令縣道具酒食以過軍。既至，論功，石顯、匡衡以為：「延壽、湯擅興師矯制，幸得不誅，如復加爵土，則後奉使者爭欲乘危徼幸，生事於蠻夷，為國招難，漸不可開。」元帝內嘉延壽、湯功，而重違衡、顯之議，議久不決。

Palace Secretary Shi Xian had once offered his sister to Gan Yanshou in marriage, and Yanshou refused. The chancellor and imperial counselor likewise resented the forged orders and sided against Chen Tang. Chen Tang was notoriously avaricious, and much of the loot he brought through the passes was irregularly accounted. The metropolitan commandant sent orders along the route to arrest officers and men for questioning. Chen Tang memorialized: We destroyed Zhizhi ten thousand li from home; envoys should greet us on the road with praise, not fetters. To have the metropolitan commandant seize us instead is to avenge Zhizhi! The emperor at once freed the men and ordered every county on their line of march to supply wine and food for the army. When rewards were debated Shi Xian and Kuang Heng argued that Yanshou and Tang had mobilized without orders and forged an edict; they had been spared execution, and to ennoble them now would teach every future envoy to court danger and stir trouble on the frontier—a precedent the state must not set. Emperor Yuan admired their feat yet shrank from overruling Kuang Heng and Shi Xian, and the debate dragged on without decision.

故宗正劉向上疏曰：「郅支單于囚殺使者吏士以百數，事暴揚外國，傷威毀重，群臣皆閔焉。陛下赫然欲誅之，意未嘗有忘。西域都護延壽、副校尉湯承聖指，倚神靈，總百蠻之君，攬城郭之兵，出百死，入絕域，遂蹈康居，屠五重城，搴歙侯之旗，斬郅支之首，縣旌萬里之外，揚威昆山之西，掃谷吉之恥，立昭明之功，萬夷懾伏，莫不懼震。呼韓邪單于見郅支已誅，且喜且懼，鄉風馳義，稽首來賓，願守北籓，累世稱臣。立千載之功，建萬世之安，群臣大勳莫大焉。昔周大夫方叔、吉甫為宣王誅獫狁而百蠻從，其《詩》曰：「嘽□焞□，如霆如雷，顯允方叔，征伐獫狁，蠻荊來威。』《易》曰：『有嘉折首，獲匪其醜。』言美誅首惡之人，而諸不順者皆來從也。今延壽、湯所誅震，雖《易》之折首、《詩》之雷霆不能及也。論大功者不錄小過，舉大美者不疵細瑕。《司馬法》曰『軍賞不逾月』，欲民速得為善之利也。蓋急武功，重用人也。吉甫之歸，周厚賜之，其《詩》曰：『吉甫燕喜，既多受祉，來歸自鎬，我行永久。』千里之鎬猶以為遠，況萬里之外，其勤至矣！延壽、湯既未獲受祉之報，反屈捐命之功，久挫於刀筆之前，非所以勸有功厲戎士也。昔齊桓公前有尊周之功，後有滅項之罪；君子以功覆過而為之諱行事。貳師將軍李廣利捐五萬之師，靡億萬之費，經四年這勞，而廑獲駿馬三十匹，雖斬宛王毋鼓之首，猶不足以復費，其私罪惡甚多。孝武以為萬里征伐，不錄其過，遂封拜兩侯、三卿、二千石百有餘人。今康居國強於大宛，郅支之號重於宛王，殺使者罪甚於留馬，而延壽、湯不煩漢士，不費斗糧，比於貳師，功德百之。且常惠隨欲擊之烏孫，鄭吉迎自來之日逐，猶皆裂土受爵。故言威武勤勞則大於方叔、吉甫，列功覆過則優於齊桓、貳師，近事之功則高於安遠、長羅，而大功未著，小惡數布，臣竊痛之！宜以時解縣通籍，除過勿治，尊寵爵位，以勸有功。」

Liu Xiang, former director of the imperial clan, memorialized: Zhizhi murdered hundreds of Han envoys and soldiers, shaming the dynasty before every foreign court, and the ministers grieved for it. Your Majesty's wrath against him has never slackened. Protector-general Yanshou and Vice Colonel Tang obeyed Your Majesty's command, leaned on Heaven's favor, rallied the chieftains of the west, led the oasis militias, crossed a hundred deaths into the void beyond the maps, stormed Kangju, tore through five lines of walls, tore down the Shehou's standard, struck off Zhizhi's head, and planted the Han banner beyond ten thousand li. West of the Kunlun they restored Han prestige, wiped away Gu Ji's disgrace, and struck such terror into every tribe that all trembled. When Hu Hanxie saw Zhizhi dead he was both glad and afraid; he hurried to court, kowtowed as a guest, and offered to hold the northern marches as a vassal for generations. They won a triumph for the ages and a peace for posterity; no minister's deed has been greater. When Zhou's Fang Shu and Yin Jifu crushed the Xianyun for King Xuan, the Odes sang how their chariots rolled like thunder and Fang Shu's host awed the southern Man into submission. The Book of Changes says, Beheading the ringleader wins praise; the rest are not treated as common criminals. It means strike the chief culprit and every wavering band will submit. The terror Yanshou and Tang have inspired goes beyond the Book of Changes' counsel or the thunder of the Odes. Great deeds forgive small lapses, and great beauty is not marred by a speck. The Sima Methods says military rewards must be paid within the month so the people quickly taste the fruit of virtue. That is how a state stresses martial success and honors its fighting men. When Jifu came home the Zhou king heaped gifts on him, and the Odes record his feast of joy, the many blessings he received, and how long the road from Hao had felt. A thousand li to Hao seemed long—what of a march ten thousand li? Their labor was extreme. Instead of blessings they face clerks' quibbles—hardly the way to reward men who risked their lives or to steel the army's heart. Duke Huan of Qi first honored the Zhou house, then wiped out Xiang— yet gentlemen let his merit bury the fault and pass over the deed in silence. General Li Guangli of the Second Division wasted fifty thousand men and untold treasure over four years of campaigning for thirty horses; even beheading King Wugu of Ferghana did not repay the cost, and his private crimes were many. Emperor Wu held that a ten-thousand-li war excuses much, and ennobled two marquises, three ministers, and more than a hundred grandees at two thousand piculs despite the cost. Kangju is stronger than Ferghana was, Zhizhi's title outranks Wugu's, and murdering envoys is a worse offense than holding horses—yet Yanshou and Tang did it without drafting interior troops or spending a peck of state grain; beside Li Guangli their merit is a hundredfold. Chang Hui's raid on Wusun and Zheng Ji's reception of the Rizhi king, far slighter feats, both won fiefs and titles. In martial toil they surpass Fang Shu and Jifu; in letting merit cover fault they outdo Duke Huan and Li Guangli; among recent deeds they tower above Zheng Ji and Chang Hui—yet their great deed goes unrewarded while petty faults are trumpeted abroad; your servant grieves for it! Dismiss the charges, restore their names, pardon their faults, and raise them in rank to encourage merit.

於是天子下詔曰：「匈奴郅支單于背畔禮義，留殺漢使者、吏士，甚逆道理，朕豈忘之哉！所以優遊而不征者，重協師眾，勞將帥，故隱忍而未有雲也。今延壽、湯睹便宜，乘時利，結城郭諸國，擅興師矯制而征之。賴天地宗廟之靈，誅討郅支單于，斬獲其首，及閼氏、貴人、名王以下千數。雖逾義干法，內不煩一夫之役，不開府庫之臧，因敵之糧以贍軍用，立功萬里之外，威震百蠻，名顯四海。為國除殘，兵革之原息，邊竟得以安。然猶不免死亡之患，罪當在於奉憲，朕甚閔之！其赦延壽、湯罪，勿治。詔公卿議封焉。議者皆以為宜如軍法捕斬單于令。匡衡、石顯以為「郅支本亡逃失國，竊號絕域，非真單于」。元帝取安遠侯鄭吉故事，封千戶，衡、顯復爭。乃封延壽為義成侯。賜湯爵關內侯，食邑各三百戶，加賜黃金百斤。告上帝、宗廟，大赦天下。拜延壽為長水校尉，湯為射聲校尉。

The emperor then decreed: Zhizhi of the Xiongnu broke faith, murdered Han envoys and soldiers—how could We forget? We held back from punishing because a campaign would strain the hosts and weary the generals, and so bore the insult in patience. Yanshou and Tang seized the moment, rallied the oasis states, forged an edict, and marched against him on their own authority. By favor of Heaven, Earth, and the imperial ancestors they struck Zhizhi down, took his head, and slew or captured thousands among his wives, nobles, and chieftains. Though they overstepped law and precedent, they did not levy a single laborer from the interior or open the treasuries—they fed the army from the enemy—and won glory ten thousand li away that awed every tribe and resounded across the realm. They rid the empire of a scourge, stilled the springs of war, and brought quiet to the frontier. Yet they still face the headsman's law for breaking regulations—We pity them deeply. Yanshou and Tang are pardoned and shall not be prosecuted. The court was ordered to debate their rewards. Most officials thought the bounty prescribed for killing a chanyu should apply. Kuang Heng and Shi Xian argued that Zhizhi was a runaway pretender in the wilds, not a true chanyu. Emperor Yuan proposed a thousand households after the precedent of Marquis Zheng Ji; Kuang Heng and Shi Xian objected again. Yanshou was therefore enfeoffed as Marquis of Yicheng. Chen Tang received the rank of marquis within the passes with three hundred households, plus a hundred jin of gold. Victory was reported to Heaven and the ancestors, and a general amnesty was proclaimed. Yanshou was named colonel of the Changshui archers and Chen Tang colonel of the Shedding Sound corps.

延壽遷城門校尉、護軍都尉，薨於官。成帝初即位，丞相衡復奏：「湯以吏二千石奉使，顓命蠻夷中，不正身以先下，而盜所收康居財物，戒官屬曰絕域事不復校。雖在赦前，不宜處位。」湯坐免。

Yanshou rose to colonel of the gates and colonel-protector of the army and died in harness. Early in Emperor Cheng's reign Chancellor Kuang Heng memorialized again that Chen Tang, a grandee at two thousand piculs on embassy among the tribes, had failed to set an example, embezzled Kangju property from the seizures, and told his staff that no one would audit deeds beyond the frontier. Even though the acts preceded the amnesty, he should not keep his post. Chen Tang was dismissed for his offenses.

後湯上書言康居王侍子非王子也。按驗，實王子也。湯下獄當死。太中大夫谷永上疏訟湯曰：「臣聞楚有子玉得臣，文公為之仄席而坐；趙有廉頗、馬服，強秦不敢窺兵井陘；近漢有郅都、魏尚，匈奴不敢南鄉沙幕。由是言之，戰克之將，國之爪牙，不可不重也。蓋『君子聞鼓鼙之聲，則思將率之臣』。竊見關內侯陳湯，前使副西域都護，忿郅支之無道，閔王誅之不加，策慮□億，義勇奮發，卒興師奔逝，橫厲烏孫，逾集都賴，屠三重城，斬郅支首，報十年之逋誅，雪邊吏之宿恥，威震百蠻，武暢西海，漢元以來，征伐方外之將，未嘗有也。今湯坐言事非是，幽囚久系，歷時不決，執憲之吏欲致之大辟。昔白起為秦將，南拔郢都，北坑趙括，以纖介之過，賜死杜郵，秦民憐之，莫不隕涕。今湯親秉鉞，席捲喋血萬里之外，薦功祖廟，告類上帝，介冑之士靡不慕義。以言事為罪，無赫赫之惡。《周書》曰：『記人之功，忘人之過，宜為君者也。』夫犬馬有勞於人，尚加帷蓋之報，況國之功臣者哉！竊恐陛下忽於鼙鼓之聲，不察《周書》之意，而忘帷蓋之施，庸臣遇湯，卒從吏議，使百姓介然有秦民之恨，非所以厲死難之臣也。」書奏，天子出湯，奪爵為士伍。

Later Chen Tang memorialized that the Kangju prince at court was an impostor. Investigation proved him a genuine prince. Chen Tang was jailed and faced execution. Gu Yong, grand counsellor of the palace, pleaded for Chen Tang: When Chu had Dechen, Duke Wen of Jin rose from his mat in respect— when Zhao had Lian Po and Lord Ma, even Qin dared not probe the Jingxing pass; in our own Han, Zhi Du and Wei Shang kept the Xiongnu from turning south toward the desert. Victorious generals are the fangs and claws of the state and must be honored. The classic says, At the sound of war drums the gentleman remembers his field commanders. Marquis Chen Tang, as deputy to the protector-general, burned with rage at Zhizhi's cruelty and grief that the throne had not punished him; he laid immeasurable plans, roused loyal courage, marched across Wusun, closed on the Talas, stormed three rings of walls, and struck off Zhizhi's head—settling a ten-year debt of blood, wiping away the frontier's shame, awing every tribe and carrying Han arms to the western sea. Since Emperor Yuan's reign no frontier general has matched him. Now he languishes in chains for a mistaken memorial while petty judges press for his execution. Bai Qi stormed Ying for Qin and buried Zhao Kuo's army at Changping, yet for a trifle he was forced to kill himself at Duyou while all Qin wept for him. Chen Tang himself bore the axe and shed blood ten thousand li from home, hung his trophies in the ancestral temple, and reported to Heaven—every soldier admires his honor. His offense was words, not some glaring crime. The Zhou Documents says, Remember merit and forget small faults—that is how a ruler acts. Even a dog or horse that serves receives a decent burial—how much more a pillar of the state! I fear Your Majesty may heed petty clerks, forget the Zhou Documents' teaching and the kindness owed a war-horse, let mediocrities decide Chen Tang's fate, and leave the people with the same bitterness they felt for Qin—hardly the way to hearten men who risk death for the throne. The emperor freed him from prison but stripped his rank to commoner status.

後數歲，西域都護段會宗為烏孫兵所圍，驛騎上書，願發城郭敦煌兵以自救。丞相王商、大將軍王鳳及百僚議數日不決。鳳言：「湯多籌策，習外國事，可問。」上召湯見宣室。湯擊郅支時中塞病，兩臂不詘申。湯入見，有詔毋拜，示以會宗奏。湯辭謝，曰：「將相九卿皆賢材通明，小臣罷癃，不足以策大事。」上曰：「國家有急，君其毋讓。」對曰：「臣以為此必無可憂也。」上曰：「何以言之？」湯曰：「夫胡兵五而當漢兵一，何者？兵刃樸鈍，弓弩不利。今聞頗得漢巧，然猶三而當一。又兵法曰『客倍而主人半然後敵』，今圍會宗者人眾不足以勝會宗，唯陛下勿憂！且兵輕行五十里，重行三十里，今會宗欲發城郭敦煌，歷時乃至，所謂報仇之兵，非救急之用也！」上曰：「奈何？其解可必乎？度何時解？」湯知烏孫瓦合，不能久攻，故事不過數日。因對曰：「已解矣！」詘指計其日，曰：「不出五日，當有吉語聞。」居四日，軍書到，言已解。大將軍鳳奏以為從事中郎，莫府事一決於湯。湯明法令，善因事為勢，納說多從。常受人金錢作章奏，卒以此敗。

Some years later Protector-general Duan Huizong was besieged by Wusun; he sent riders to ask for relief from the oasis militias and Dunhuang. Chancellor Wang Shang, Grand General Wang Feng, and the whole court debated for days without agreement. Wang Feng said Chen Tang knew frontier strategy and should be consulted. The emperor summoned him to the Bright Chamber. Campaigning against Zhizhi he had contracted a frontier ailment that left his arms stiff. He was ordered not to bow and was shown Duan Huizong's plea. Chen Tang demurred: The generals, ministers, and nine ministers are wise men; your servant is a broken old soldier unfit to counsel on great matters. The emperor said, The state is in crisis—do not refuse. Chen Tang answered, There is nothing to worry about. The emperor asked how he knew. Chen Tang said, It takes five Hu to match one Han soldier—why? Their blades are soft iron and their bows weak. They have picked up some Han craft, but three of them still equal one of ours. The canon says the attacker needs twice the defender's numbers; the besiegers lack the strength to overcome Duan Huizong—Your Majesty need not fret. Light troops make fifty li a day, heavy baggage thirty; relief from Dunhuang would arrive too late for a rescue—it would be vengeance, not succor. The emperor asked what could be done. Can the siege be lifted for certain? When will it end? Chen Tang knew the Wusun host was a brittle coalition that could not sustain a long siege; the matter would end within days. He answered, It is already over. He counted on his fingers and said, Within five days good news will arrive. Four days later dispatches arrived reporting the siege lifted. Grand General Wang Feng recommended him as attendant in his bureau and left headquarters business to his judgment. He knew the law, shaped policy to circumstance, and his advice was usually taken. He habitually took bribes to draft memorials, and that was his ruin in the end.

初，湯與將作大匠解萬年相善。自元帝時，渭陵不復徙民起邑。成帝起初陵，數年後，樂霸陵曲亭南，更營之。萬年與湯議，以為：「武帝時工楊光以所作數可意，自致將作大匠，及大司農、中丞耿壽昌造杜陵賜爵關內侯，將作大匠乘馬延年以勞苦秩中二千石；今作初陵而營起邑居，成大功，萬年亦當蒙重賞。子公妻家在長安，兒子生長長安，不樂東方，宜求徙，可得賜田宅，俱善。」湯心利之，即上封事言：「初陵，京師之地，最為肥美，可立一縣。天下民不徙諸陵三十餘歲矣，關東富人益眾，多規良田，役使貧民，可徙初陵，以強京師，衰弱諸侯，又使中家以下得均貧富，湯願與妻子家屬徙初陵，為天下先。」於是天子從其計，果起昌陵邑，後徙內郡國民。萬年自詭三年可成，後卒不就，群臣多言其不便者。下有司議，皆曰：「昌陵因卑為高，積土為山，度便房猶在平地上，客土之中不保幽冥之靈，淺外不固，卒徒工庸以巨萬數，至然脂火夜作，取土東山，且與谷同賈。作治數年，天下遍被其勞，國家罷敝，府臧空虛，下至眾庶，熬熬苦之。故陵因天性，據真土，處勢高敞，旁近祖考，前又已有十年功緒，宜還復故陵，勿徙民。」上乃下詔罷昌陵，語在《成紀》。丞相、御史請廢昌陵邑中室，奏未下，人以問湯：「第宅不徹，得毋復發徙？」湯曰：「縣官且順聽群臣言，猶且復發徙之也。」

Chen Tang had long been friendly with Superintendent of Construction Xie Wannian. Since Emperor Yuan's reign the court had stopped transplanting commoners to build new towns around Weiling. Emperor Cheng began his first mausoleum site, but after a few years he preferred the ground south of Queting near Baling and moved the project there. Xie Wannian said to Chen Tang: Under Emperor Wu the builder Yang Guang rose to superintendent of construction because the emperor liked his work; Geng Shouchang of the ministry of finance built Duling and won a marquisate within the passes; Chengma Yannian as superintendent earned two thousand piculs for his labors— if we now build the first tomb and found a settlement, the achievement will be great and Wannian should share a rich reward. Your wife's people are in Chang'an and your boys grew up there—they dread moving east. If you petition to relocate with the project you will win grants of land and houses. Everyone profits. Chen Tang saw the profit and memorialized that the new tomb district lay on the richest soil near the capital and should be organized as a county. For thirty years no mass transplant to imperial tombs has been ordered; the rich east of the pass monopolize good land and exploit the poor. Moving them to the new site would strengthen the capital, clip the great houses, and level wealth among the middling and poor. Your servant asks to move there with his household and lead the empire by example. The emperor accepted the plan, founded the town of Changling, and later moved tens of thousands from the interior commanderies. Xie Wannian had sworn to finish in three years but never delivered, and a host of officials attacked the project as ruinous. Officials reported in unison: Changling piles fill on low ground to fake a hill; the burial chambers still sit on the original flat soil under a heap of imported earth that cannot shelter the imperial shade; the work is shallow and unstable; labor runs into tens of thousands of man-years; crews burn oil lamps through the night; earth hauled from the eastern hills costs as much as grain. Years of building have exhausted the realm, emptied the treasury, and left the common people groaning under the levy. The old site follows natural contours on native soil, lies high and open beside earlier imperial graves, and already has ten years of sound work; the court should return to it and stop moving people. The emperor then canceled Changling, as told in the Annals of Emperor Cheng. While the chancellor and imperial counselor's memorial to raze the houses at Changling still awaited approval, people asked Chen Tang whether failure to demolish the mansions meant another forced migration was coming. Chen Tang said, The court may bow to the ministers' advice for the moment, but it will still order people moved again.

時，成都侯商新為大司馬衛將軍輔政，素不善湯。商聞此語，白湯惑眾，下獄治，按驗諸所犯。湯前為騎都尉王莽上書言：「父早死，獨不封，母明君共養皇太后，尤勞苦，宜封。」竟為新都侯。後皇太后同母弟苟參為水衡都尉，死，子人及為侍中，參妻欲為人及求封，湯受其金五十斤，許為求比上奏。弘農太守張匡坐臧百萬以上，狡猾不道，有詔即訊，恐下獄，使人報湯。湯為訟罪，得逾冬月，許射錢二百萬，皆此類也。事在赦前。後東萊郡黑龍冬出，人以問湯，湯曰：「是所謂玄門開。微行數出，出入不時，故龍以非時出也。」又言當復發徙，傳相語者十餘人。丞相御史奏：「湯惑眾不道，妄稱詐歸異於上，非所宜言，大不敬。」廷尉增壽議，以為：「不道無正法，以所犯劇易為罪，臣下承用失其中，故移獄廷尉，無比者先以聞，所以正刑罰，重人命也。明主哀憫百姓，下制書罷昌陵勿徙吏民，已申布。湯妄以意相謂且復發徙，雖頗驚動，所流行者少，百姓不為變，不可謂惑眾。湯稱詐，虛設不然之事，非所宜言，大不敬也。」制曰：「廷尉增壽當是。湯前有討郅支單于功，其免湯為庶人，徙邊。」又曰：「故將作大匠萬年佞邪不忠，妄為巧詐，多賦斂，煩繇役，興卒暴之作，卒徒蒙辜，死者連屬，毒流眾庶，海內怨望。雖蒙赦令，不宜居京師。」於是湯與萬年俱徙敦煌。久之，敦煌太守奏：「湯前親誅郅支單于，威行外國，不宜近邊塞。」詔徙安定。

Marquis Wang Shang of Chengdu had just become regent as grand marshal and guard general and had long disliked Chen Tang. Wang Shang reported him for inciting the crowd, had him jailed, and investigated every charge. Chen Tang had once, as cavalry colonel, memorialized on behalf of Wang Mang that Mang's late father deserved a posthumous fief and his mother, who had nursed the empress dowager, deserved honor. Wang Mang was eventually enfeoffed as Marquis of Xindu. When the empress dowager's half-brother Gou Can died, his son Renji became a palace attendant; Gou's widow paid Chen Tang fifty jin of gold to memorialize for a marquisate on the same pattern. Grand Administrator Zhang Kuang of Hongnong, charged with embezzling more than a million cash, sent an agent to Chen Tang when an edict ordered his immediate questioning. Chen Tang pled his case so the trial slipped past winter and took two million cash in bribes—his habits were all of this sort. These acts predated the amnesty. When a black dragon appeared in winter in Donglai, people asked Chen Tang; he said the Dark Gate of Heaven had opened. The emperor's incognito outings come at odd hours, so the dragon appears out of season. He also said another migration was coming; more than ten people repeated the rumor. The chancellor and imperial counselor charged him with misleading the people, inventing omens that contradicted the throne, and gross disrespect. The commandant of justice ruled that the vague charge of immoral conduct must be graded by harm done; doubtful cases belong with his office and should be reported before precedent is set, to keep justice fair and spare lives. The wise emperor pitied the people, canceled Changling, and forbade further removals; the edict has been published. Chen Tang guessed aloud that another migration was coming; it caused some stir among a handful of gossips but did not move the populace and is not sedition. He invented false omens and spoke what no subject may say toward the throne—that is grave disrespect. The rescript read: The commandant of justice is right. Because he once destroyed Zhizhi, spare his life, strip him to commoner rank, and exile him to the frontier. It added that former Superintendent Xie Wannian was a flattering traitor who piled taxes and corvée, drove conscripts to sudden death, poisoned the people, and earned the empire's hatred. Even under amnesty he must not remain at the capital. Chen Tang and Xie Wannian were both sent to Dunhuang. After a time the grand administrator of Dunhuang reported that Chen Tang, who had slain Zhizhi with his own hand, was too fearsome a name to keep on the frontier. An edict moved him to Anding.

議郎耿育上書言便宜，因冤訟湯曰；「延壽、湯為聖漢揚鉤深致遠之威，雪國家累年之恥，討絕域不羈之君，系萬里難制之虜，豈有比哉！先帝嘉之，仍下明詔，宣著其功，改年垂歷，傳之無窮。應是，南郡獻白虎，邊陲無警備。會先帝寢疾，然猶垂意不忘，數使尚書責問丞相，趣立其功。獨丞相匡衡排而不予，封延壽、湯數百戶，此功臣戰士所以失望也。孝成皇帝承建業之基，乘征伐之威，兵革不動，國家無事，而大臣傾邪，讒佞在朝，曾不深惟本末之難，以防未然之戒，欲專主威，排妒有功，使湯塊然被冤拘囚，不能自明，卒以無罪，老棄敦煌，正當西域通道，令威名折衝之臣旅踵及身，復為郅支遺虜所笑，誠可悲也！至今奉使外蠻者，未嘗不陳郅支之誅以揚漢國之盛。夫援人之功以懼敵，棄人之身以快讒，豈不痛哉！且安不忘危，盛必慮衰，今國家素無文帝累年節儉富饒之畜，又無武帝薦延梟俊禽敵之臣，獨有一陳湯耳！假使異世不及陛下，尚望國家追錄其功，封表其墓，以勸後進也。湯幸得身當聖世，功曾未久，反聽邪臣鞭逐斥遠，使亡逃分竄，死無處所。遠覽之士，莫不計度，以為湯功累世不可及，而湯過人情所有，湯尚如此，雖復破絕筋骨，暴露形骸，猶復製於脣舌，為嫉妒之臣所繫虜耳。此臣所以為國家尤戚戚也。」書奏，天子還湯，卒於長安。

Consultant Geng Yu offered policy advice and pleaded Chen Tang's injustice in these words: Yanshou and Tang carried the mighty Han's prestige into the deepest west, wiped away years of shame, struck down a lawless chieftain beyond the maps, and bound a foe no nearer garrison could catch—what deed can compare? The late emperor praised them, promulgated an edict that broadcast their deed, changed the era name, and set their fame in the calendar for ages to come. At that Nan commandery offered a white tiger as tribute and the frontier stood unarmed. Even on his sickbed the late emperor did not forget, and repeatedly had the secretariat press the chancellor to settle their reward. Chancellor Kuang Heng alone blocked full honors and gave Yanshou and Chen Tang only a few hundred households—small wonder the veterans felt betrayed. Emperor Cheng inherited a peaceful realm yet let crooked ministers and slanderers crowd the court; they never weighed root or branch, never guarded against trouble before it came, but jealously hoarded imperial favor and struck at the meritorious—so Chen Tang sat in chains unable to clear his name, was cleared of crime yet cast off to old age at Dunhuang on the very road to the west, where the very name that once awed the nomads now draws their laughter. It is a bitter shame. Every envoy to the tribes still cites Zhizhi's execution to magnify Han glory. To lean on a man's victory to overawe the foe and then cast his body aside to please the envious—how can that not wound the heart! In peace we must remember peril, and at the height of power we must look to decline. The realm has never piled up the frugal surpluses of Emperor Wen's long reign, nor does it field the fierce talent Emperor Wu raised to strike the enemy—there is only Chen Tang left! Had he lived in another age and never reached your throne, we would still expect the court to remember his deed, honor his tomb, and so hearten those who follow. Chen Tang was lucky enough to serve a sage reign, yet before his deed had even cooled, corrupt ministers had him whipped into exile, driven to scatter in flight with nowhere to lay his bones. Thoughtful men everywhere have weighed it and judged Chen Tang's feat beyond any age to match, while his faults were only what any man might show; if even he was treated like this, then though you shatter sinews and bare your body to wind and sun, jealous tongues will still hold you prisoner. That is why your servant grieves all the more for the realm." When the memorial reached the throne, the emperor recalled Chen Tang, who ended his days in Chang'an.

死後數年，王莽為安漢公秉政，既內德湯舊恩，又欲諂皇太后，以討郅支功尊元帝廟稱高宗。以湯、延壽前功大賞薄，及候丞杜勳不賞，乃益封延壽孫遷千六百戶，追謚湯曰破胡壯侯，封湯子馮為破胡侯，勳為討狄侯。

Some years after Chen Tang died, Wang Mang took power as Duke Who Pacifies Han; he remembered Tang's old kindness, wished to gratify the Empress Dowager, and cited the Zhizhi campaign to have Emperor Yuan's temple honored as Gaozong. Judging Tang and Gan Yanshou's deed too great for the meager honors they had received, and noting that Assistant for the Marquis Du Xun had gone unrewarded, he added 1,600 households to Yanshou's grandson Qian, posthumously titled Tang as Marquis Zhuang who Broke the Hu, made Tang's son Feng Marquis who Broke the Hu, and Xun Marquis who Punished the Di.

段會宗

Duan Huizong

段會宗字子孫，天水上邽人也。竟寧中，以杜陵令五府舉為西域都護、騎都尉、光祿大夫。西域敬其威信。三歲，更盡還，拜為沛郡太守。以單于當朝，徙為雁門太守。數年，坐法免。西域諸國上書願得會宗，陽朔中復為都護。

Duan Huizong, courtesy name Zisun, came from Shanggui in Tianshui commandery. During Jingning, on nomination from the five offices while he was magistrate of Duling, he was appointed Protector-General of the Western Regions, Commandant of Cavalry, and Imperial Household Grandee. The Western Regions stood in awe of his authority and good faith. When his three-year term was up he came home and was named Grand Administrator of Pei. Because the Chanyu was at court he was shifted to Grand Administrator of Yanmen. A few years later he lost his post for a legal infraction. The Western Regions petitioned to have him back, and in the Yangshuo era he was again made Protector-General.

會宗為人好大節，矜功名，與谷永相友善。谷永閔其老復遠出，予書戒曰：「足下以柔遠之令德，復典都護之重職，甚休甚休！若子之材，可優遊都城而取卿相，何必勒功昆山之仄，總領百蠻，懷柔殊俗？子之所長，愚無以喻。雖然，朋友以言贈行，敢不略意。方今漢德隆盛，遠人賓服，傅、鄭、甘、陳之功沒齒不可復見，願吾子因循舊貫，毋求奇功，終更亟還，亦足以復雁門之踦，萬里之外以身為本。願詳思愚言。」

Huizong was a man of large principle who prized reputation; he and Gu Yong were close friends. Gu Yong pitied his age and the long journey ahead and wrote to caution him: "You bring the virtue that wins over distant peoples and again shoulder the Protector-General's heavy charge—splendid, splendid! A man of your gifts could idle in the capital and rise to minister or chancellor—why carve your name on the Kunlun slopes, command every tribe, and court alien ways? Your strengths are more than my dull wit can praise. Still, friends send words with the traveler—I must speak my mind. Han power stands at its height and the outer tribes submit; the age of Fu, Zheng, Gan, and Chen will not return in our lifetime. Follow the beaten path, chase no strange glory, finish your term and hurry home—that alone will mend the stumble at Yanmen; beyond the ten-thousand-li marches, guard your own life first. Think long on these blunt words."

會宗既出，諸國遣子弟郊迎。小昆彌安日前為會宗所立，德之，欲往謁，諸翕侯止不聽，遂至龜茲謁。城郭甚親附。康居太子保蘇匿率眾萬餘人欲降，會宗奏狀，漢遣衛司馬逢迎。會宗發戊己校尉兵隨司馬受降。司馬畏其眾，欲令降者皆自縛，保蘇匿怨望，舉眾亡去。會宗更盡還，以擅發戊己校尉之兵乏興，有詔贖論。拜為金城太守，以病免。

As soon as Huizong set out, the states sent their princes to meet him beyond the walls. The Lesser Kunmi Angu, whom Huizong had placed on the throne, wished to call on him in gratitude; the Xihou tried to stop him, but he went anyway and paid his respects at Kucha. The oasis states drew close to him with warm loyalty. Kangju's crown prince Baosuni brought over ten thousand followers who wished to submit; Huizong reported it, and the court sent a Guards major to receive them. Huizong called out the Wu and Ji colonels' men to escort the major and take the surrender. The major, fearing their numbers, ordered every man to bind his own hands; Baosuni took offense and led the whole party away. When his term ended and he returned, he was faulted for calling out the Wu and Ji colonels without orders and straining the supply trains; an edict allowed him to commute the sentence with a fine. He was appointed Grand Administrator of Jincheng but resigned on grounds of illness.

歲餘，小昆彌為國民所殺，諸翕侯大亂。征會宗為左曹中郎將、光祿大夫，使安輯烏孫，立小昆彌兄末振將，定其國而還。

A year later the Lesser Kunmi was slain by his own people and the Xihou factions fell into chaos. The court summoned Huizong as General of the Household for the Left and Imperial Household Grandee to pacify Wusun, set Mozhenjiang—the Lesser Kunmi's elder brother—on the throne, quiet the realm, and return.

明年，末振將殺大昆彌，會病死，漢恨誅不加。元延中，復遣會宗發戊己校尉諸國兵，即誅末振將太子番丘。會宗恐大兵入烏孫，驚番丘，亡逃不可得，即留所發兵墊婁地，選精兵三十弩，逕至昆彌所在，召番丘，責以：「末振將骨肉相殺，殺漢公主子孫，未伏誅而死，使者受詔誅番丘。」即手劍擊殺番丘。官屬以下驚恐，馳歸。小昆彌烏犁靡者，末振將兄子也，勒兵數千騎圍會宗，會宗為言來誅之意：「今圍守殺我，如取漢牛一毛耳。宛王郅支頭縣槁街，烏孫所知也。」昆彌以下服，曰：「末振將負漢，誅其子可也，獨不可告我，令飲食之邪？」會宗曰：「豫告昆彌，逃匿之，為大罪。即飲食以付我，傷骨肉恩，故不先告。」昆彌以下號泣罷去。會宗還奏事，公卿議會宗權得便宜，以輕兵深入烏孫，即誅番丘。宣明國威，宜加重賞。天子賜會宗爵關內侯，黃金百斤。

The next year Mozhenjiang murdered the Greater Kunmi, then died of illness before Han could execute him—a bitter frustration for the court. During Yuanyan the court again ordered Huizong to call out the Wu and Ji colonels and allied troops and put Mozhenjiang's heir Fanqiu to death. Huizong feared a large force would stampede Wusun and let Fanqiu slip away, so he parked the main body at Dianlou, took thirty picked crossbowmen straight to the Kunmi's camp, summoned Fanqiu, and charged him: "Mozhenjiang murdered his own kin and the line of the Han princess; he escaped the axe only by dying. The envoy bears an edict to deal with you, Fanqiu." He drew his own sword and cut Fanqiu down on the spot. His staff panicked and fled for their lives. The Lesser Kunmi Wulimi, Mozhenjiang's nephew, ringed Huizong with thousands of horsemen. Huizong told him why he had come: "Surround me and cut me down, and you take no more from Han than a single hair from its ox— Zhizhi's head once hung along Gaojie in Chang'an, and Wusun has not forgotten." The Kunmi and his nobles yielded and said, "Mozhenjiang wronged Han; his son may die for it—but could you not have warned us and let us give the boy a last meal?" Huizong said, "Had I warned you first and you let him slip away in hiding, you would have committed a grave offense. To share a meal with him and then hand him over to me would have cut against the bonds of kin—that is why I gave no warning beforehand." The Kunmi and his court wept aloud, then withdrew. Back at court the high ministers ruled that Huizong had rightly used discretionary power: he took a light column deep into Wusun and killed Fanqiu at once. He had broadcast Han majesty and deserved a rich reward. The emperor ennobled him as marquis within the passes and gave him a hundred jin of gold.

是時，小昆彌季父卑爰□擁眾欲害昆彌，漢復遣會宗使安輯，與都護孫建並力。明年，會宗病死烏孫中，年七十五矣，城郭諸國為發喪立祠焉。

Then the Lesser Kunmi's uncle Be'ai Zhi (character missing in received text) raised troops to strike the Kunmi, and Han again sent Huizong to restore order, working alongside Protector-General Sun Jian. The next year he died of illness in Wusun at the age of seventy-five, and the oasis states mourned him and raised shrines in his honor.

贊曰：自元狩之際，張騫始通西域，至於地節，鄭吉建都護之號，訖王莽世，凡十八人，皆以勇略選，然其有功跡者具此。廉褒以恩信稱，郭舜以廉平著，孫建用威重顯，其餘無稱焉。陳湯儻□，不自收斂，卒用困窮，議者閔之，故備列云。

The historian's judgment: From Zhang Qian's opening of the west in Yuanshou to Zheng Ji's creation of the Protector-General's office in Dijie, eighteen men held the post through Wang Mang's day, each chosen for courage and stratagem; those who left a clear record are gathered in this chapter. Lian Bao won repute for kindness and good faith, Guo Shun for honest even-handed rule, Sun Jian for stern authority; the others left little mark. Chen Tang was rash and unbridled (one character missing in the text), never learned restraint, and ended in want and exile; later writers pitied him, so his whole story is set out here.

Cite this Chapter