1
顯宗孝明皇帝諱莊，光武第四子也。 母陰皇后。 帝生而豐下，十歲能通《春秋》，光武奇之。 建武十五年封東海公，十七年進爵為王，十九年立為皇太子。 師事博士桓榮，學通《尚書》。
Emperor Ming—temple name Xianzong, posthumous epithet Xiaoming—was Liu Zhuang, the fourth son of Emperor Guangwu. His mother was Empress Yin. He was born with a prominent chin—an auspicious sign—and at the age of ten had mastered the Spring and Autumn Annals; Guangwu regarded him with wonder. In Jianwu 15 he received the title Duke of Donghai; in Jianwu 17 he was raised to king; in Jianwu 19 he was named crown prince. He studied under the academician Huan Rong as a formal pupil and gained a thorough command of the Book of Documents.
2
中元二年二月戊戌，即皇帝位，年三十。 尊皇后曰皇太后。 三月丁卯，葬光武皇帝於原陵。 有司奏上尊廟曰世祖。
On wuxu in the second month of Zhongyuan 2 (57 CE) he ascended the throne at the age of thirty. The empress was elevated to empress dowager. In the third month, on dingmao, Emperor Guangwu was interred at the Yuanling mausoleum. Officials presented a memorial, and his dynastic temple name was fixed as Shizu.
3
夏四月丙辰，詔曰：『予未小子，奉承聖業，夙夜震畏，不敢荒寧。 先帝受命中興，德侔帝王，協和萬邦，假於上下，懷柔百神，惠於鰥、寡。 朕承大運，繼體守文，不知稼穡之艱難，懼有廢失。 聖恩遺戒，顧重天下，以元元為首。 公卿百僚，將何以輔朕不逮？ 其賜天下男子爵，人二級； 三老、孝悌、力田人三級； 爵過公乘，得移與子若同產、同產子； 及流人無名數欲自占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃粟，人十斛。 其弛刑及郡國徒，在中元元年四月己卯赦前所犯而後捕繫者，悉免其刑。 又邊人遭亂為內郡人妻，在己卯赦前，一切遣還邊，恣其所樂。 中二千石下至黃綬，貶秩贖論者，悉皆復秩還贖。 方今上無天子，下無方伯，若涉淵水而無舟楫。 夫萬乘至重而壯者慮輕，實賴有德左右小子。 高密侯禹，元功之首； 東平王蒼，寬博有謀； 並可以受六尺之托，臨大節而不撓。 其以禹為太傅，蒼為驃騎將軍。 大尉憙告謚南郊，司徒訢奉安梓宮，司空魴將校復土。 其封憙為節鄉侯，訢為安鄉侯，魴為楊邑侯。』
In the fourth month of summer, on bingchen, the court issued an edict: "I am young and untried, yet I inherit this sacred charge; I tremble day and night and dare not grow complacent. The late emperor received Heaven's mandate and restored the dynasty; his virtue rivalled the ancient kings; he harmonized the realm, won the trust of Heaven and earth, honored the gods, and cared for the widowed, the orphaned, and the alone. I have inherited this great fortune and now uphold the civil order; I have not known the toil of the fields, and I fear I may fail in my duty. His parting counsel weighed the whole realm and put the common people first. How, then, will you ministers and officials help me where I am lacking?" Let every man in the realm receive two steps in noble rank; award three steps to each village elder, each recognized paragon of filial piety and brotherly love, and each outstanding farmer; anyone whose rank already exceeds gongcheng may pass the excess to a son, a full brother, or a brother's son; and grant one step to vagrants without household registration who come forward to settle their status; distribute ten hu of grain to each widower, widow, orphan, person living alone, and person gravely disabled. Commute or pardon all convicts and corvée laborers in the provinces whose crimes predated the jimao amnesty of Zhongyuan 1 but who were arrested only later. Border women who during the disorders had married into inner provinces and whose unions predated that same jimao amnesty shall all be free to return to their home regions if they wish. Officials from the rank of two thousand piculs down to those bearing the yellow seal who lost rank or paid fines to commute sentences shall have their former rank restored and their payments refunded. "Today, with no sovereign above and no strong regional power below, the state is like a man fording deep water without raft or oar. The throne is a burden almost too heavy to bear, yet the able-bodied often treat it lightly; I must rely on men of virtue to steady this young ruler." Deng Yu, Marquis of Gaomi, stands first among those who won the founding; Liu Cang, king of Dongping, is generous in spirit and wise in counsel; either is fit to be entrusted with a child heir and to hold firm when crisis tries the realm. Appoint Yu grand tutor and Cang general-in-chief of agile cavalry. The grand commandant Xi shall proclaim the posthumous name at the southern suburb; the minister of education Xin shall oversee placement of the inner coffin; the minister of works Fang shall command the burial squad that replaces the earth. Enfeoff Xi as Marquis of Jiexiang, Xin as Marquis of Anxiang, and Fang as Marquis of Yangyi."
4
秋九月，燒當羌寇隴西，敗郡兵於允街。 赦隴西囚徒，減罪一等，勿收今年租調。 又所發天水三千人，亦復是歲更賦。 遣謁者張鴻討叛羌於允吾，鴻軍大敗，戰歿。 冬十一月，遣中郎將竇固監捕虜將軍馬武等二將軍討燒當羌。
In autumn, the ninth month, the Shao Dang Qiang struck Longxi and routed local forces at Yunjie. Prisoners in Longxi were pardoned one degree, and the year's rent and irregular levies were waived. The three thousand conscripts raised from Tianshui were likewise excused from the rotating labor levy for that year. Court envoy Zhang Hong was ordered against rebel Qiang at Yunwu; his force was shattered and he fell in battle. In winter, the eleventh month, Dou Gu of the gentlemen of the household was placed in command of Ma Wu, general who captures barbarians, and two other generals to crush the Shao Dang Qiang.
5
十二月甲寅，詔曰：『方春戒節，人以耕桑。 其勑有司務順時氣，使無煩擾。 天下亡命殊死以下，聽得贖論：死罪入縑二十匹，右趾至髡鉗城旦舂十匹，完城旦舂至司寇作三匹。 其未發覺，詔書到先自告者，半入贖。 今選舉不實，邪佞未去，權門請托，殘吏放手，百姓愁怨，情無告訴。 有司明奏罪名，幷正舉者。 又郡縣每因徵發，輕為奸利，詭責羸弱，先急下貧。 其務在均平，無令枉刻。』
On jiayin in the twelfth month an edict ran: "With spring comes the season of restraint; the people should turn to tillage and silkworms. Let officials honor the seasons in their orders and give the people no needless harassment. Fugitives facing death or lesser capital charges may redeem themselves: twenty bolts of silk for the death sentence; ten for mutilation down to shaved-head hard labor; three for lesser corvée sentences. Those who surrender before discovery, once the edict reaches them, pay only half the standard ransom. Recommendations are dishonest, sycophants remain in office, great houses peddle influence, harsh subordinates prey on the weak, and ordinary folk nurse grievances with no redress. Let officials report offenses plainly and hold recommenders accountable as well. When counties and commanderies call up labor or taxes, they often line their pockets, shifting costs onto the feeble and squeezing the destitute hardest. Their duty is equity; let there be no arbitrary cruelty."
6
永平元年春正月，帝率公卿已下朝於原陵，如元會儀。
Yongping 1, first month of spring: the emperor led the high ministers to Yuanling for a court observance modeled on the New Year audience.
7
夏五月，太傅鄧禹薨。 戊寅，東海王彊薨，遣司空馮魴持節視喪事，賜升龍旄頭、鑾輅，龍旂。 六月乙卯，葬東海恭王。
In summer, the fifth month, Grand Tutor Deng Yu died. On wuyin the king of Donghai, Liu Qiang, died; Minister of Works Feng Fang went with imperial credentials to supervise the rites and received for the obsequies the highest emblems—plumed hearse escort, bell-carriage, and dragon standards. On yimao in the sixth month the late King Gong of Donghai was laid to rest.
8
秋七月，捕虜將軍馬武等與燒當羌戰，大破之。 募士卒戍隴右，賜錢人三萬。 八月戊子，徙山陽王荊為廣陵王，遣就國。
In autumn, the seventh month, Ma Wu and allied generals smashed the Shao Dang Qiang. Recruits were sent to hold the Longxi frontier, each paid thirty thousand cash. On wuzi in the eighth month Prince Liu Jing of Shanyang was transferred to Guangling and ordered to his fief.
9
是歲，遼東太守祭肜使鮮卑擊赤山烏桓，大破之，斬其渠帥。 越巂姑復夷叛，州郡討平之。
The same year Liaodong governor Ji Yong used Xianbei allies against the Chishan Wuhuan, routed them, and executed their leader. The Gufu tribe at Yuexi rose; provincial forces put down the revolt.
10
二年春正月辛未，宗祀光武皇帝於明堂，帝及公卿列侯始服冠冕、衣裳、玉佩、絇屨以行事。 禮畢，登靈臺。 使尚書令持節詔驃騎將軍、三公曰：『今令月吉日，宗祀光武皇帝於明堂，以配五帝。 禮備法物，樂和八音，詠祉福，舞功德，班時令，勑群后。 事畢，升靈臺，望元氣，吹時律，觀物變。 群僚藩輔，宗室子孫，眾郡奉計，百蠻貢職，烏桓、濊貊咸來助祭，單于侍子、骨都侯亦皆陪位。 斯固聖祖功德之所致也。 朕以闇陋，奉承大業，親執珪璧，恭祀天地。 仰惟先帝受命中興，撥亂反正，以寧天下，封泰山，建明堂，立辟雍，起靈臺，恢弘大道，被之八極； 而胤子無成、康之質，群臣無呂、旦之謀，盥洗進爵，踧踖惟慙。 素性頑鄙，臨事益懼，故「君子坦蕩蕩，小人長戚戚」。 其令天下自殊死已下，謀反大逆，皆赦除之。 百僚師尹，其勉脩厥職，順行時令，敬若昊天，以綏兆人。』
Yongping 2, xinwei in the first month of spring: Guangwu was worshipped at the Bright Hall; emperor and nobles wore full court regalia—caps, gowns, jade pendants, and formal shoes—for the first time at such a rite. When the service ended, they climbed the Spirit Terrace. The overseer of the masters of writing, bearing credentials, instructed the general-in-chief of agile cavalry and the three dukes: "On this auspicious day of an ordered month we have sacrificed to Emperor Guangwu in the Bright Hall, pairing him with the Five Thearchs. Every ritual instrument was in place; the eight kinds of instruments sounded in harmony; hymns praised Heaven's grace, dances celebrated virtue, the seasons were proclaimed, and the feudatories were charged to obey. Afterward they mounted the Spirit Terrace to read the clouds, sound the seasonal pitch-pipes, and scan portents in nature. The full bureaucracy, imperial kin, tribute-bearing commanderies, and frontier peoples—including Wuhuan and Hui Mo—joined the rites; even the Xiongnu heir kept at court and the bone-cap nobles stood in the secondary ranks. All of this flows from the merit of our sage forebear. Dark and unworthy as I am, I have inherited this charge; I held the jade tokens myself and bowed before Heaven and earth. I recall how the late emperor received the mandate, turned rebellion into order, and gave the realm peace—how he offered the Feng sacrifice on Mount Tai, built the Bright Hall, founded the Hong gate school, raised the Spirit Terrace, and extended the Way to the ends of the earth; yet I am no young Cheng or Kang, and my ministers are no Duke of Zhou or Duke of Shao; when I rinse my hands and raise the cup, shame knots my heart. By nature I am blunt and rustic, and responsibility only deepens my fear—so the Classic says the gentleman stays open-hearted while the small man frets without end. Therefore let every sentence short of the most gruesome death, even for rebellion and lese-majesty, be remitted throughout the realm. Ministers and regional shepherds: perfect your offices, heed the seasons, reverence High Heaven, and so give rest to the people."
11
三月，臨辟雍，初行大射禮。
In the third month he visited the Hong Academy and held the great archery ceremony for the first time.
12
秋九月，沛王輔、楚王英、濟南王康、淮陽王延、東海王政來朝。
In autumn, the ninth month, the kings Fu of Pei, Ying of Chu, Kang of Jinan, Yan of Huaiyang, and Zheng of Donghai arrived for audience.
13
冬十月壬子，幸辟雍，初行養老禮。 詔曰：『光武皇帝建三朝之禮，而未及臨饗。 眇眇小子，屬當聖業。 間暮春吉辰，初行大射； 令月元日，復踐辟雍。 尊事三老，兄事五更，安車輭輪，供綏執授。 侯王設醬，公卿饌珍，朕親袒割，執爵而酳。 祝哽在前，祝噎在後。 升歌《鹿鳴》，下管《新宮》，八佾具修，萬舞於庭。 朕固薄德，何以克當？ 《易》陳負乘，《詩》刺彼己，永念慙疚，無忘厥心。 三老李躬，年耆學明。 五更桓榮，授朕《尚書》。 《詩》曰：「無德不報，無言不酬。 」其賜榮爵關內侯，食邑五千戶。 三老、五更皆以二千石祿養終厥身。 其賜天下三老酒人一石，肉四十斤。 有司其存耆耋，恤幼孤，惠鰥寡，稱朕意焉。』
On renzi in the tenth month of winter he visited the Hong Academy and first celebrated the old-age banquet rite. An edict declared: "Emperor Guangwu ordained the triple-court ritual but never lived to preside at the feast himself. I, least of men, have been charged with that same sacred work. On a chosen day in late spring I first held the great archery; then on the new moon of an ordered month I entered the Hong Academy again. I received the three elders as fathers and the five "more-aged" as elder brothers, sent cushioned carriages for them, and myself adjusted their sashes and lent an arm. Princes set out condiments, ministers spread rare dishes, I carved the roast with bared shoulder, and poured the cleansing libation with my own hands. Attendants watched lest the elders choke on the food before them or swallow amiss behind. Musicians sang "Deer Call" from the gallery and played "New Palace" below; the eight files of dancers moved in the full wan dance in the court. My virtue is thin—how dare I think myself worthy of such honor?" The Book of Changes warns against riding when one should walk; the Odes mock those who overreach themselves; I carry that reproach in my heart and cannot forget it. Third Elder Li Gong is venerable in years and eminent in scholarship. Fifth More-Aged Huan Rong taught me the Book of Documents. The Odes say, "No kindness lacks its reward, no word lacks its reply. " Grant Huan Rong rank as marquis within the passes with income from five thousand households. The three elders and five more-aged shall each draw a two-thousand-picul stipend for life. Let every village elder in the realm receive a stone of wine and forty pounds of meat. Let officials care for the very old, succor orphans, and comfort the widowed, that they may reflect my will."
14
中山王焉始就國。
The king of Zhongshan, Liu Yan, went to his fief for the first time.
15
甲子，西巡狩，幸長安，祠高廟，遂有事於十一陵。 歷覽館邑，會郡縣吏，勞賜作樂。
On jiazi he began a western progress, visited Chang'an, offered sacrifice at Gaozu's temple, and worshipped at all eleven Western Han tombs. He inspected the towns along the route, called in local officials, feasted them, and had music played.
16
十一月甲申，遣使者以中牢祠蕭何、霍光。 帝謁陵園，過式其墓。 進幸河東，所過賜二千石、令長已下至於掾史，各有差。 癸卯，車駕還宮。 十二月，護羌校尉竇林下獄死。
In the eleventh month, on jiashen, envoys sacrificed with an ox-and-sheep offering at the shrines of Xiao He and Huo Guang. Touring the mausoleum precincts, he halted his carriage before their tombs in the prescribed show of respect. He went on into Hedong, bestowing gifts on every official from two-thousand-picul rank down to clerks, each according to grade. On guimao the court returned to the capital. In the twelfth month Dou Lin, colonel director of the Qiang, was imprisoned and died there.
17
是歲，始迎氣於五郊。 少府陰就子豐殺其妻酈邑公主，就坐自殺。
That year the court first welcomed the qi of each season at the five suburban stations. Yin Feng, son of privy treasurer Yin Jiu, murdered his wife, Princess Liyi; his father then took his own life.
18
三年春正月癸巳，詔曰：『朕奉郊祀，登靈臺，見史官，正儀度。 夫春者，歲之始也。 始得其正，則三時有成。 比者水旱不節，邊人食寡，政失於上，人受其咎，有司其勉順時氣，勸督農桑，去其螟蜮，以及蝥賊； 詳刑慎罰，明察單辭，夙夜匪懈，以稱朕意。』
Yongping 3, guisi in the first month of spring: an edict said, "After the suburban rites I climbed the Spirit Terrace, consulted the court astronomers, and aligned the calendar and instruments. Spring opens the year. If the start is true, the other three seasons will prosper. Lately floods and droughts have broken their seasons; frontier folk go hungry; bad government above brings suffering below—let officials harmonize their orders with the seasons, push plowing and silkworms, clear away insect pests and vermin from the fields; review sentences with care, weigh uncorroborated testimony, toil early and late, and so match my purpose."
19
二月甲寅，太尉趙憙、司徒李訢免。 丙辰，左馮翊郭丹為司徒。 己未，南陽太守虞延為太尉。 甲子，立貴人馬氏為皇后，皇子炟為皇太子。 賜天下男子爵，人二級； 三老、孝悌、力田人三級； 流人無名數欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人五斛。
On jiayin in the second month Grand Commandant Zhao Xi and Minister of Education Li Xin were removed from office. On bingchen Guo Dan, governor of Zuo Fengyi, was appointed minister of education. On jiwei Yu Yan, governor of Nanyang, was made grand commandant. On jiazi Lady Ma was raised to empress and Prince Da named crown prince. Every man in the realm received two steps in noble rank; three steps each for village elders, recognized paragons of filial piety and brotherly love, and outstanding farmers; one step for any unregistered vagrant who wished to take up legal residence; five hu of grain for each widower, widow, orphan, person alone, the gravely disabled, and the destitute who could not live by their own means.
20
夏四月辛酉，封皇子建為千乘王，羨為廣平王。 六月丁卯，有星孛於天船北。
On xinyou in the fourth month of summer Prince Jian became King of Qiansheng and Prince Xian King of Guangping. On dingmao in the sixth month a comet appeared north of the Celestial Boat asterism.
21
秋八月戊辰，改大樂為大予樂。 壬申晦，日有蝕之。 詔曰：『朕奉承祖業，無有善政。 日月薄蝕，彗孛見天，水旱不節，稼穡不成，人無宿儲，下生愁墊。 雖夙夜勤思，而智能不逮。 昔楚莊無災，以致戒懼； 魯哀禍大，天不降譴。 今之動變，儻尚可救。 有司勉思厥職，以匡無德。 古者卿士獻詩，百工箴諫。 其言事者，靡有所諱。』
On wuchen in the eighth month of autumn the court renamed the imperial music bureau from "Great Music" to "Great Grant Music." At month's end, on renshen, the sun was eclipsed. An edict read: "I inherit the work of my ancestors, yet my rule has brought little good. Heaven shows eclipses of sun and moon; comets streak the sky; rains and droughts ignore the seasons; the harvests fail; households have no reserves; the people groan under hardship. Though I think on it night and day, my wit is not equal to the task. King Zhuang of Chu needed no disaster to teach him fear; Duke Ai of Lu knew catastrophe, yet Heaven withheld its rebuke. These portents we see today may yet be answered if we mend our ways. Let every office search its conscience and help redeem my want of virtue. In antiquity high ministers brought poems to court and artisans spoke blunt truth. Whoever memorializes on policy shall not fear to speak the whole truth."
22
冬十月，蒸祭光武廟，初奏《文始》、《五行》、《武德》之舞。 甲子，車駕從皇太后幸章陵，觀舊廬。 十二月戊辰，至自章陵。 是歲，起北宮及諸官府。 京師及郡國七大水。
In the tenth month of winter the winter offering was made at Guangwu's temple, and for the first time the court danced the suites 《Wen Shi》, 《Wu Xing》, and 《Wu De》. On jiazi the emperor accompanied the empress dowager to Zhangling to visit her childhood home. On wuchen in the twelfth month he returned from Zhangling. That year work began on the Northern Palace and the new ministry compounds. Seven great floods struck the capital and the provinces.
23
四年春二月辛亥，詔曰：『朕親耕藉田，以祈農事。 京師冬無宿雪，春不燠沐，煩勞群司，積精禱求。 而比再得時雨，宿麥潤澤。 其賜公卿半奉。 有司勉遵時政，務平刑罰。』
Yongping 4, xinhai in the second month of spring: an edict said, "I have turned the furrow in the sacred field myself to pray for the crops. Through the winter the capital saw no lasting snow; spring brought no steady warm rains; I have wearied the bureaucracy with repeated intercessory rites. Yet Heaven has twice sent seasonable rain, and the winter wheat has drunk deep. Let the dukes and ministers receive half their normal stipends as a token of thanks. Let officials align their work with the seasons and keep justice even-handed."
24
秋九月戊寅，千乘王建薨。
On wuyin in the ninth month of autumn King Jian of Qiansheng died.
25
冬十月乙卯，司徒郭丹、司空馮魴免。 丙辰，河南尹范遷為司徒，太僕伏恭為司空。 十二月，陵鄉侯梁松下獄死。
On yimao in the tenth month of winter Minister of Education Guo Dan and Minister of Works Feng Fang were dismissed. On bingchen Fan Qian of Henan became minister of education and Grand Coachman Fu Gong minister of works. In the twelfth month Liang Song, Marquis of Lingxiang, was imprisoned and died there.
26
五年春二月庚戌，驃騎將軍東平王蒼罷歸藩； 琅邪王京就國。
Yongping 5, gengxu in the second month of spring: Liu Cang, king of Dongping, was relieved as general-in-chief of agile cavalry and sent back to his kingdom; the king of Langye, Liu Jing, departed for his fief.
27
冬十月，行幸鄴。 與趙王栩會鄴。 常山三老言於帝曰：『上生於元氏，願蒙優復。 』詔曰：『豐、沛、濟陽，受命所由，加恩報德，適其宜也。 今永平之政，百姓怨結，而吏人求復，令人愧笑。 重逆此縣之拳拳，其復元氏縣田租更賦六歲，勞賜縣掾史，及門闌走卒。 』至自鄴。
In the tenth month of winter he traveled to Ye. There he joined the king of Zhao, Liu Xu. A Changshan village elder told the emperor, "Your Majesty was born in Yuanshi; we ask a special favor for that place." The court replied: "Feng, Pei, and Jiyang are where the dynasty first received Heaven's mandate; it is right to heap favors on them. Yet under my Yongping rule the people nurse grievance, while local clerks still ask for tax holidays—an embarrassment that invites ridicule. Still, out of respect for Yuanshi's loyalty, remit land tax and irregular levies there for six years, and reward its clerks and gate guards." He then returned from Ye.
28
十一月，北匈奴寇五原； 十二月； 寇雲中，南單于擊卻之。 是歲，發遣邊人在內郡者，賜裝錢人二萬。
In the eleventh month the Northern Xiongnu struck Wuyuan; in the twelfth month they raided Yunzhong until the Southern Shanyu counterattacked and threw them back. That year frontier folk who had been moved inland were sent home with twenty thousand cash each for expenses.
29
六年春正月，沛王輔、楚王英、東平王蒼、淮陽王延、浪邪王京、東海王政、趙王盱、北海王興、齊王石來朝。
Yongping 6, first month of spring: the kings Fu of Pei, Ying of Chu, Cang of Dongping, Yan of Huaiyang, Jing of Langye, Zheng of Donghai, Xu of Zhao, Xing of Beihai, and Shi of Qi all attended court.
30
二月，王雒山出寶鼎，廬江太守獻之。 夏四月甲子，詔曰：『昔禹收九牧之金，鑄鼎以象物，使人知神姦，不逢惡氣。 遭德則興，遷於商、周； 周德既衰，鼎乃淪亡。 祥瑞之降，以應有德。 方今政化多僻，何以致茲？ 《易》曰鼎象三公，豈公卿奉職得其理邪？ 太常其以礿祭之日，陳鼎於廟，以備器用。 賜三公帛五十匹，九卿、二千石半之。 先帝詔書，禁人上事言聖，而間者章奏頗多浮詞，自今若有過稱虛譽，尚書皆宜抑而不省，示不為諂子蚩也。』
In the second month a ritual tripod surfaced on Mount Wangluo; the governor of Lujiang sent it to the throne. On jiazi in the fourth month of summer an edict said: "Yu once took bronze from the nine provinces and cast tripods to represent all creatures, so men could tell spirit from fraud and avoid malignant influences. Under true virtue they flourished and passed to Shang and Zhou; when Zhou's power waned, they sank into oblivion. Good omens appear only to answer virtuous rule. Today policy is skewed in many ways—what have we done to deserve such a sign?" The 《Book of Changes》 likens the tripod to the three dukes—are my highest ministers failing in their charge?" Let the minister of rituals set the tripod in the ancestral temple on the day of the spring offering, among the full set of vessels. Award the three dukes fifty bolts of silk each and the nine ministers and two-thousand-picul officials half as much. My father's edict barred memorials from calling anyone "sage," yet petitions lately brim with hollow praise; henceforth the masters of writing shall file away all such sycophancy unread, to show that the court will not humor toadies."
31
冬十月，行幸魯，祠東海恭王陵； 會沛王輔、楚王英、濟南王康、東平王蒼、淮陽王延、琅邪王京、東海王政。 十二月，還，幸陽城，遣使者祠中嶽。 壬午，車駕還宮。 東平王蒼、琅邪王京從駕來朝皇太后。
In the tenth month of winter he journeyed to Lu and offered sacrifice at the tomb of the late King Gong of Donghai; there he was joined by the kings Fu of Pei, Ying of Chu, Kang of Jinan, Cang of Dongping, Yan of Huaiyang, Jing of Langye, and Zheng of Donghai. In the twelfth month, on the return journey, he stopped at Yangcheng and dispatched envoys to worship the sacred peak of the center. On renwu the court was back in the capital. Liu Cang of Dongping and Liu Jing of Langye had accompanied the tour and now attended the empress dowager.
32
七年春正月癸卯，皇太后陰氏崩。 二月庚申，葬光烈皇后。
Yongping 7, guimao in the first month of spring: Empress Dowager Yin died. On gengshen in the second month she was buried with the posthumous title Empress Guanglie.
33
秋八月戊辰，北海王興薨。 是歲，北匈奴遣使乞和親。
On wuchen in the eighth month of autumn King Xing of Beihai died. That year the Northern Xiongnu asked for peace and a marriage alliance.
34
遣越騎司馬鄭眾報使北匈奴。 初置度遼將軍，屯五原曼柏。 秋，郡國十四雨水。 冬十月，北宮成。
Zheng Zhong, chief commandant of the swift riders, was sent as ambassador to the Northern Xiongnu. The court first created the post of general who crosses the Liao, with headquarters at Manbai in Wuyuan. That autumn fourteen provinces reported flood damage from rain. In the tenth month of winter the Northern Palace was finished.
35
丙子，臨辟雍，養三老、五更。 禮畢，詔三公募郡國中都官死罪繫囚，減罪一等，勿笞，詣度遼將軍營，屯朔方、五原之邊縣； 妻子自隨，便占著邊縣； 父母同產欲相代者，恣聽之。 其大逆無道殊死者，一切募下蠶室。 亡命者令贖罪各有差。 凡徙者，賜弓弩衣粮。
On bingzi he went to the Hong Academy for the old-age rites honoring the three elders and five more-aged. After the rites he told the three dukes to collect from the provinces condemned prisoners facing death, commute their sentences one degree, spare them the rod, and march them to the general who crosses the Liao for garrison duty on the Shuofang and Wuyuan frontier; wives and children might follow and settle on the frontier; if parents or full brothers wished to take one another's place in exile, the court would allow it. Those guilty of lese-majesty and special capital crimes were to be castrated instead of executed. Fugitives might buy off their sentences on a fixed scale. Every man sent to the border received bow, crossbow, clothing, and rations.
36
壬寅晦，日有食之，既。 詔曰：『朕以無德，奉承大業，而下貽人怨，上動三光。 日食之變，其災尤大，《春秋》圖讖所為至譴。 永思厥咎，在予一人。 群司勉修職事，極言無諱。 』於是在位者皆上封事，各言得失。 帝覽章，深自引咎，乃以所上班示百官。 詔曰：『群僚所言，皆朕之過。 人冤不能理，吏黠不能禁； 而輕用人力，繕修宮宇，出入無節，喜怒過差。 昔應門失守，《關雎》刺世； 飛蓬隨風，微子所嘆。 永覽前戒，竦然兢懼。 徒恐薄德，久而致怠耳。』
At month's end on renyin the sun was totally eclipsed. An edict said: "Without merit I hold the throne, yet my faults stir resentment below and disturb sun, moon, and stars above. A total eclipse is the gravest of omens—the sort the 《Spring and Autumn Annals》 and apocryphal charts count as Heaven's sternest warning. The blame rests on me alone. Let every minister perfect his duty and speak without reserve." At once the whole bureaucracy filed sealed memorials on what was right and wrong in government. The emperor read each paper, shouldered the fault himself, and circulated the bundle to the full court. He then issued an edict: "Every charge these men have laid is mine. I have left injustices unredressed and let clever clerks run wild; I have wasted labor on palace work, come and gone without measure, and let pleasure and anger overshoot decency. The 《Odes》 warn that when the outer gate stands unguarded, the age is rotten; and thistledown blown on the wind is what the Viscount of Wei lamented. I study those old lessons and tremble. I fear only that thin virtue, if prolonged, will slide into slackness."
37
北匈奴寇西河諸郡。
The Northern Xiongnu raided the commanderies west of the Yellow River.
38
九年春三月辛丑，詔郡國死罪囚減罪，與妻子詣五原、朔方占著，所在死者皆賜妻父若男同產一人復終身； 其妻無父兄獨有母者，賜其母錢六萬，又復其口筭。
Yongping 9, xinchou in the third month of spring: death-row convicts in the provinces were to be commuted and resettled with their families in Wuyuan or Shuofang; if any died en route, their father-in-law or one adult clansman of the husband was excused taxes for life; if a wife had no father or brothers and only a mother survived, that mother received sixty thousand cash and exemption from the poll tax.
39
夏四月甲辰，詔郡國以公田賜貧人各有差。 令司隸校尉、部刺史歲上墨綬長吏視事三歲已上理狀尤異者各一人，與計偕上。 及尤不政理者，亦以聞。
On jiachen in the fourth month of summer each province was told to assign public land to the needy according to need. The metropolitan commandant and the regional inspectors were to nominate yearly one magistrate of three years' standing whose record was outstanding, to travel with the tribute accounts; and to report as well any magistrate conspicuously incompetent.
40
是歲，大有年。 為四姓小侯開立學校，置《五經》師。
That year the harvests were abundant. The court founded schools for the four-surname lesser marquises and appointed instructors in each of the Five Classics.
41
十年春二月，廣陵王荊有罪，自殺，國除。
Yongping 10, second month of spring: Liu Jing, king of Guangling, was found guilty and took his own life; his kingdom was struck from the rolls.
42
夏四月戊子，詔曰：『昔歲五谷登衍，今茲蠶麥善收，其大赦天下。 方盛夏長養之時，蕩滌宿惡，以報農功。 百姓勉務桑稼，以備災害。 吏敬厥職，無令愆墮。
On wuzi in the fourth month of summer an edict declared: "Last year the five grains piled high in the granaries; this year silkworms and wheat have again prospered; I therefore grant a general amnesty. Midsummer is the season of growth; sweep away old guilt in return for the farmers' labor. Let every household work silkworms and fields against famine and flood. Let officials honor their posts and not grow slack.
43
閏月甲午，南巡狩，幸南陽，祠章陵。 日北至，又祠舊宅。 禮畢，召校官弟子作雅樂，奏《鹿鳴》，帝自御塤篪和之，以娛嘉賓。 還，幸南頓，勞饗三老、官屬。
In the intercalary month, on jiawu, he began a southern progress, visited Nanyang, and offered sacrifice at Zhangling. At the summer solstice he worshipped again at the old family compound. When the rites ended he called the academy students to play classical music, including the piece "Lu Ming" from the Odes, while he himself played clay ocarina and bamboo chi in accompaniment for his guests. On the way back he stopped at Nandun, feasted the three elders and local staff, and distributed gifts.
44
冬十一月，徵淮陽王延會平輿，徵沛王輔會睢陽。 十二月甲午，車駕還宮。
In the eleventh month of winter Prince Yan of Huaiyang was ordered to Pingyu and Prince Fu of Pei to Suiyang for imperial conferences. On jiawu in the twelfth month the court returned to the capital.
45
十一年春正月，沛王輔、楚王英、濟南王康、東平王蒼、淮陽王延、中山王焉、琅邪王京、東海王政來朝。 秋七月，司隸校尉郭霸下獄死。
Yongping 11, first month of spring: the kings Fu of Pei, Ying of Chu, Kang of Jinan, Cang of Dongping, Yan of Huaiyang, Yan of Zhongshan, Jing of Langye, and Zheng of Donghai came to audience. In the seventh month of autumn Metropolitan Commandant Guo Ba was jailed and died there.
46
是歲，漅湖出黃金，廬江太守以獻。 時，麒麟、白雉、醴泉、嘉禾所在出焉。
That year gold surfaced in Chao Lake; the governor of Lujiang sent it to court. Qilin, white pheasants, sweet springs, and exceptional grain were reported from several regions.
47
十二年春正月，益州徼外夷哀牢王相率內屬，於是置永昌郡，罷益州西部都尉。 夏四月，遣將作謁者王吳修汴渠，自滎陽至於千乘海口。
Yongping 12, first month of spring: the Ailao tribes beyond the Yizhou frontier pledged allegiance en masse; the court created Yongchang commandery and abolished the western colonel of Yizhou. In the fourth month of summer Wang Wu of the works directorate was ordered to restore the Bian canal from Xingyang to the sea mouth near Qiansheng.
48
五月丙辰，賜天下男子爵，人二級，三老、孝悌、力田人三級，流民無名數欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧無家屬不能自存者粟，人三斛。 詔曰：『昔曾、閔奉親，竭歡致養； 仲尼葬子，有棺無椁。 喪貴致哀，禮存寧儉。 今百姓送終之制，競為奢靡。 生者無擔石之儲，而財力盡於墳土。 伏臘無糟糠，而牲牢兼於一奠。 糜破積世之業，以供終朝之費，子孫饑寒，絕命於此，豈祖考之意哉！ 又車服制度，恣極耳目。 田荒不耕，遊食者眾。 有司其申明科禁，宜於今者，宣下郡國。』
On bingchen in the fifth month every man received two noble steps, three for elders and moral exemplars, one for vagrants who registered; three hu of grain for each widower, widow, orphan, solitary person, the gravely disabled, and the destitute with no kin. An edict read: "Zengzi and Min Ziqian once served their parents with full devotion; Confucius buried his son with only an inner coffin and no outer shell. Mourning values true sorrow; rites favor restraint over display. Today commoners vie to bankrupt themselves on funerals. Families who cannot fill a peck-measure at home pour every coin into burial mounds. They cannot afford meat for the seasonal festivals yet heap sacrificial beasts on one tomb service. They squander ancestral savings on a morning's display while children starve—surely the dead never wished for this." Carriages and dress likewise run to every extravagance eye and ear can crave. Fields go untilled while idlers multiply. Let officials publish the sumptuary laws that fit the times and send them to every commandery."
49
秋七月乙亥，司空伏恭罷。 乙未，大司農牟融為司空。 冬十月，司隸校尉王康下獄死。
On yihai in the seventh month of autumn Minister of Works Fu Gong was removed. On yiwei Grand Minister of Agriculture Mou Rong was appointed minister of works. In the tenth month of winter Metropolitan Commandant Wang Kang died in prison.
50
是歲，天下安平，人無徭役，歲比登稔，百姓殷富，粟斛三十，牛羊被野。
That year the realm was at peace, corvée was light, harvests ran in succession, grain sold for thirty cash a hu, and cattle and sheep blanketed the pastures.
51
十三年春二月，帝耕於藉田。 禮畢，賜觀者食。 三月，河南尹薛昭下獄死。
Yongping 13, second month of spring: the emperor turned the sacred furrow. After the rite he fed the crowd that had watched. In the third month Xue Zhao, governor of Henan, was imprisoned and died.
52
夏四月，汴渠成。 辛巳，行幸滎陽，巡行河渠。 乙酉，詔曰：『自汴渠決敗，六十餘歲，加頃年以來，雨水不時，汴流東侵，日月益甚，水門故處，皆在河中，漭瀁廣溢，莫測圻岸，蕩蕩極望，不知綱紀。 今兗、豫之人，多被水患，乃雲縣官不先人急，好興它役。 又或以為河流入汴，幽、冀蒙利，故曰左堤強則右堤傷，左右俱強則下方傷，宜任水勢所之，使人隨高而處，公家息壅塞之費，百姓無陷溺之患。 議者不同，南北異論，朕不知所從，久而不決。 今既築堤理渠，絕水立門，河、汴分流，復其舊迹，陶丘之北，漸就壤墳，故薦嘉玉絜牲，以禮河神。 東過洛汭，嘆禹之績。 今五土之宜，反其正色，濱渠下田，賦與貧人，無令豪右得固其利，庶繼世宗《瓠子》之作。 』因遂度河。 登太行，進幸上黨。 壬寅，車駕還宮。
In the fourth month of summer the Bian canal works were finished. On xinsi he traveled to Xingyang to review the river dikes and canal. On yiyou an edict said: "More than sixty years have passed since the Bian canal broke; lately unseasonable rains have pushed its course eastward until the old sluices lie midstream in a sheet of flood with no visible bank—utter chaos. The people of Yan and Yu are drowning in it and complain that the state ignores their plight while starting other works. Some argue that diverting the river into the Bian helps You and Ji, that strengthening one levee weakens another, and that both banks should not be forced lest lowlands suffer; they say we should let the flood spread and move people to high ground, sparing the treasury endless dredging while commoners escape the deluge. Counselors disagree—north against south—and I have hesitated too long. Now embankments and sluices divide the Yellow River from the Bian and restore the old courses; north of Taoqiu the silt is turning to good soil; I therefore offer jade and clean beasts to the spirit of the river. East of the Luo ford I pause to honor Yu's labors. Let the five soils regain their proper hues; assign the reclaimed bottomlands beside the canal to the needy, not to great houses, in the spirit of Emperor Wu's Huzi project." He then crossed the Yellow River. He climbed the Taihang range and continued into Shangdang. On renyin the court returned to the palace.
53
冬十月壬辰晦，日有食之。 三公免冠自劾。 制曰：『冠履勿劾。 災異屢見，咎在朕躬，憂懼遑遑，未知其方。 將有司陳事，多所隱諱，使君上壅蔽，下有不暢乎？ 昔衛有忠臣，靈公得守其位。 今何以和穆陰陽，消伏災譴？ 刺史、太守詳刑理冤，存恤鰥孤，勉思職焉。』
At month's end on renchen in the tenth month of winter the sun was eclipsed. The three dukes laid aside their caps and offered resignations. The emperor replied: "Keep your caps; no resignations." Portents pile up; the fault is mine; I am anxious and do not know the remedy. Are my ministers hiding the truth so that I am blinded and the people cannot be heard?" Wei once had honest ministers, and Duke Ling kept his throne because of them. How shall we harmonize yin and yang and lift this curse?" Let every inspector and governor review prisons, right injustice, care for the widowed and orphaned, and weigh his charge carefully."
54
十四年春三月甲戌，司徒虞延免，自殺。 夏四月丁巳，鉅鹿太守南陽邢穆為司徒。 前楚王英自殺。 夏五月，封故廣陵王荊子元壽為廣陵侯。
Yongping 14, jiaxu in the third month of spring: Minister of Education Yu Yan was dismissed and took his own life. On dingsi in the fourth month Xing Mu of Nanyang, governor of Julu, became minister of education. Liu Ying, the former king of Chu, committed suicide. In the fifth month of summer Yuan Shou, son of the late Prince Jing of Guangling, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guangling.
55
初作壽陵。
Construction began on the emperor's own tomb, Shouling.
56
十五年春二月庚子，東巡狩。 辛丑，幸偃師，詔亡命自殊死以下贖：死罪縑四十匹，右趾至髡鉗城旦舂十匹，完城旦至司寇五匹； 犯罪未發覺，詔書到日自告者，半入贖。 徵沛王輔會睢陽。 進幸彭城。 癸亥，帝耕於下邳。
Yongping 15, gengzi in the second month of spring: he set out on an eastern progress. On xinchou he stopped at Yanshi and offered ransom scales for fugitives down to capital crimes: forty bolts of silk for death, ten for mutilation sentences, five for lesser hard labor; those who surrendered when the edict arrived paid half. Prince Fu of Pei was ordered to Suiyang. He continued to Pengcheng. On guihai he plowed the sacred field at Xiapi.
57
三月，徵琅邪王京會良成，徵東平王蒼會陽都，又徵廣陵侯及其三弟會魯。 祠東海恭王陵。 還，幸孔子宅，祠仲尼及七十二弟子。 親御講堂，命皇太子、諸王說經。 又幸東平。 辛卯，進幸大梁，至定陶，祠定陶恭王陵。 夏四月庚子，車駕還宮。
In the third month Princes Jing of Langye and Cang of Dongping were summoned to Liangcheng and Yangdu, and the Marquis of Guangling with his three brothers to Lu. He sacrificed at the tomb of King Gong of Donghai. On the return journey he visited Confucius's home, offering sacrifice to the Master and his seventy-two disciples. He entered the lecture hall and had the crown prince and the kings discourse on the classics. He visited Dongping again. On xinmao he reached Daliang and Dingtao and worshipped at the tomb of King Gong of Dingtao. On gengzi in the fourth month of summer the court returned to the capital.
58
改信都為樂成國，臨淮為下邳國。 封皇子恭為鉅鹿王、黨為樂成王、衍為下邳王、暢為汝南王、丙為常山王、長為濟陰王。 賜天下男子爵，人三級； 郎、從官視事二十歲已上帛百匹，十歲已上二十匹，十歲已下十匹，官府吏五匹，書佐、小史三匹。 令天下大酺五日。 乙巳，大赦天下，其謀反大逆及諸不應宥者，皆赦除之。
Xindu commandery became the kingdom of Lecheng and Linhuai became the kingdom of Xiapi. Princes Gong, Dang, Yan, Chang, Bing, and Chang received Julu, Lecheng, Xiapi, Runan, Changshan, and Jiyin. Every man in the realm received three steps of noble rank; palace gentlemen and attendants of twenty years' service received a hundred bolts of silk, ten-year men twenty, under ten ten bolts; bureau clerks five; scribes three. The court ordered five days of public feasting across the realm. On yisi came a sweeping amnesty that even covered many capital crimes previously excluded.
59
冬，車騎校獵上林苑。 十二月，遣奉車都尉竇固、駙馬都尉耿秉屯涼州。
In winter the imperial hunt was held in Shanglin Park. In the twelfth month Dou Gu, bearer of the coach, and Geng Bing, consort-escort commandant, were posted to Liangzhou.
60
十六年春二月，遣太僕祭肜出高闕，奉車都尉竇固出酒泉，駙馬都尉耿秉出居延，騎都尉來苗出平城，伐北匈奴。 竇固破呼衍王於天山，留兵屯伊吾廬城。 耿秉、來苗、祭肜並無功而還。
Yongping 16, second month of spring: Ji Yong marched from Gaoyu, Dou Gu from Jiuquan, Geng Bing from Juyan, and Lai Miao from Pingcheng against the Northern Xiongnu. Dou Gu broke the Huyan king at Tianshan and garrisoned Yiwu. Geng Bing, Lai Miao, and Ji Yong achieved nothing and withdrew.
61
夏五月，淮陽王延謀反，發覺。 癸丑，司徒邢穆、駙馬都尉韓光坐事下獄死，所連及誅死者甚眾。 戊午晦，日有食之。 六月丙寅，大司農西河王敏為司徒。
In the fifth month of summer Prince Yan of Huaiyang plotted revolt; the plot was uncovered. On guichou Minister Xing Mu and Han Guang, consort-escort commandant, were jailed for their part in the affair and died; a host of others were executed for complicity. At month's end on wuwu the sun was eclipsed. On bingyin in the sixth month Wang Min of Xihe, grand minister of agriculture, became minister of education.
62
秋七月，淮陽王延徙封阜陵王。
In the seventh month of autumn Prince Yan of Huaiyang was demoted to king of Fuling.
63
九月丁卯，詔令郡國中都官死罪繫囚減死罪一等，勿笞，詣軍營，屯朔方、敦煌； 妻子自隨，父母同產欲求從者，恣聽之； 女子嫁為人妻，勿與俱。 謀反大逆無道不用此書。
On dingmao in the ninth month death-row convicts in the provinces were commuted one degree, spared the rod, and sent to garrison Shuofang and Dunhuang; wives and children might follow; parents or full brothers who wished to join them were free to do so; married daughters were not to accompany them. The order did not apply to treason and lese-majesty.
64
是歲，北匈奴寇雲中，雲中太守廉范擊破之。
That year the Northern Xiongnu struck Yunzhong; Governor Lian Fan repulsed them.
65
十七年春正月，甘露降於甘陵。 北海王睦薨。 二月乙巳，司徒王敏薨。 三月癸丑，汝南太守鮑昱為司徒。
Yongping 17, first month of spring: sweet dew was reported at Ganling. Liu Mu, king of Beihai, died. On yisi in the second month Minister of Education Wang Min died. On guichou in the third month Bao Yu, governor of Runan, was appointed minister of education.
66
是歲，甘露仍降，樹枝內附，芝草生殿前，神雀五色翔集京師。 西南夷哀牢、儋耳、僬僥、槃木、白狼、動黏諸種，前後慕義貢獻； 西域諸國遣子入侍。 夏五月戊子，公卿百官以帝威德懷遠，祥物顯應，乃並集朝堂，奉觴上壽。 制曰：『天生神物，以應王者； 遠人慕化，實由有德。 朕以虛薄，何以享斯？ 唯高祖、光武聖德所被，不敢有辭。 其敬舉觴，太常擇吉日策告宗廟。 其賜天下男子爵，人二級，三老、孝悌、力田人三級，流人無名數欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人三斛； 郎、從官視事十歲以上者，帛十匹。 中二千石、二千石下至黃綬，貶秩奉贖，在去年以來皆還贖。』
That year sweet dew fell again and again, boughs bent inward in token of submission, lingzhi sprouted before the palace, and five-colored "divine sparrows" flocked to the capital. Southwestern peoples—the Ailao, Dan'er, Jiaojiao, Panmu, Bailang, Dongnian, and other tribes—sent tribute one after another in token of devotion; and the Western Regions sent royal hostages to the Han court. On wuzi in the fifth month of summer the high ministers, citing the emperor's power to win the far barbarians and Heaven's clear answer in omens, thronged the hall, raised their cups, and wished him long life. He replied: "Heaven sends prodigies to signal a true king; distant peoples come to civilization only when the throne is virtuous. I am shallow and unworthy—how dare I claim such honors?" I accept only because the sage virtue of Gaozu and Guangwu draws these signs; I cannot refuse that legacy. Let the cups be raised in due form, and let the minister of rituals choose a lucky day to memorialize the ancestors in the imperial shrines. Grant two noble steps to every man, three to elders and moral exemplars, one to vagrants who take up registered residence; three hu of grain to each widower, widow, orphan, solitary soul, the gravely disabled, and the destitute; ten bolts of silk to every palace gentleman or attendant with ten years of service; refund all fines and salary-forfeitures paid since last year by officials from two thousand piculs down to yellow-seal rank."
67
秋八月丙寅，令武威、張掖、酒泉、敦煌及張掖屬國，繫囚右趾已下任兵者，皆一切勿治其罪，詣軍營。
On bingyin in the eighth month of autumn convicts in Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and the Zhangye dependent state who had been sentenced to military labor short of death were pardoned of further prosecution and marched to the camps.
68
冬十一月，遣奉車都尉竇固、駙馬都尉耿秉、騎都尉劉張出敦煌昆侖塞，擊破白山虜於蒲類海上，遂入車師。 初置西域都護、戊己校尉。 是歲，改天水為漢陽郡。
In the eleventh month of winter Dou Gu, Geng Bing, and Liu Zhang marched from Dunhuang through Kunlun Pass, destroyed the White Mountain tribes on Lake Pulei, and pushed into Cheshi. The court first appointed a protector-general of the Western Regions and Wu-Ji colonels to hold the frontier. Tianshui commandery was renamed Hanyang.
69
十八年春三月丁亥，詔曰：『其令天下亡命，自殊死已下贖：死罪縑三十匹，右趾至髡鉗城旦舂十匹，完城旦至司寇五匹； 吏人犯罪未發覺，詔書到自告者，半入贖。』
Yongping 18, dinghai in the third month of spring: fugitives facing death or lesser capital crimes might buy release for thirty bolts of silk down to five for minor hard labor; officials and commoners who surrendered when the edict arrived paid half the listed sums."
70
夏四月己未，詔曰：『自春已來，時雨不降，宿麥傷旱，秋種未下，政失厥中，憂懼而已。 其賜天下男子爵，人二級，及流民無名數欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人三斛。 理冤獄，錄輕繫。 二千石分禱五嶽四瀆。 郡界有名山大川能興雲致雨者，長吏各絜齋禱請，冀蒙嘉澍。』
On jiwei in the fourth month of summer an edict said: "Since spring the seasonal rains have failed; winter wheat is withering; autumn seed cannot go into the ground; policy has lost the middle way, and I am anxious. Let every man receive two steps of rank and every unregistered wanderer who settles one step; grant three hu of grain to each widower, widow, orphan, solitary person, the gravely disabled, and the destitute. Review unjust jailings and free those held on light charges. Let each two-thousand-picul official pray at his region's great mountains and rivers. Where a county holds peaks and streams famed for rain, let the magistrate fast and pray for a blessed downpour."
71
六月己未，有星孛於太微。
On jiwei in the sixth month a comet appeared in the Supreme Tenuity asterism.
72
焉耆、龜茲攻西域都護陳睦，悉沒其眾。 北匈奴及車師後王圍戊己校尉耿恭。
Yanqi and Kucha attacked Protector-General Chen Mu and annihilated his army. The Northern Xiongnu and the rear king of Cheshi surrounded Colonel Geng Gong.
73
秋八月壬子，帝崩於東宮前殿。 年四十八。 遺詔無起寢廟，藏主於光烈皇后更衣別室。 帝初作壽陵，制令流水而已，石椁廣一丈二尺，長二丈五尺，無得起墳。 萬年之後，埽地而祭，杅水脯糒而已。 過百日，唯四時設奠，置吏卒數人供給灑埽，勿開修道。 敢有所興作者，以擅議宗廟法從事。
On renzi in the eighth month of autumn the emperor died in the front hall of the Eastern Palace. He was forty-eight years old. His final edict forbade a separate imperial temple; his spirit tablet was housed with Empress Guanglie's in her robing side-chamber. When he first planned Shouling he decreed a plain grave with running water only, a stone outer coffin twelve feet wide and twenty-five long, and no piled tumulus. After his death offerings should be only a swept floor, well water, dried meat, and meal cakes. After the hundred days' mourning only the seasonal libations should continue, with a few men to keep the site swept; do not build new approach roads. Anyone who raises new works on the tomb shall be prosecuted under the statute forbidding unauthorized changes to imperial shrines.
74
帝遵奉建武制度，無敢違者。 後宮之家，不得封侯與政。 館陶公主為子求郎，不許，而賜錢千萬。 謂群臣曰：『郎官上應列宿，出宰百里，茍非其人，則民受其殃，是以難之。 』故吏稱其官，民安其業，遠近肅服，戶口滋殖焉。
He held strictly to the Jianwu precedents, and no one dared overstep them. Consort kin were barred from marquisates and from meddling in policy. The Princess of Guantao asked a palace cadetship for her son; he refused but gave her ten million cash instead. He told his ministers: "A gentleman of the Palace matches a star in Heaven; sent out he rules a hundred li. The wrong appointment ruins the people—that is why I hesitate to hand out such posts." Hence officials took pride in their titles, commoners kept to their trades, the realm stood in awe, and the census rolls swelled.
75
論曰：明帝善刑理，法令分明。 日晏坐朝，幽枉必達。 內外無倖曲之私，在上無矜大之色。 斷獄得情，號居前代十二。 故後之言事者，莫不先建武、永平之政。 而鐘離意、宋均之徒，常以察慧為言，夫豈弘人之度未優乎？
The historian remarks: Emperor Ming understood law and government; his regulations were lucid. He held court into the gloaming so that even hidden grievances reached the throne. Court and countryside knew no crooked favoritism, and he wore no haughty air. His judgments caught the truth; later ages ranked him far above earlier emperors in that art. Later reformers always invoked Jianwu and Yongping as their model. Yet critics like Zhongli Yi and Song Jun harped on petty scrutiny—perhaps his large-mindedness still fell short of the ideal?"
76
贊曰：顯宗丕承，業業兢兢。 危心恭德，政察姦勝。 備章朝物，省薄墳陵。 永懷廢典，下身遵道。 登臺觀雲，臨雍拜老。 懋惟帝績，增光文考。
The verse praise runs: "Xianzong inherited the great charge in trembling awe. Mindful and reverent, his rule was strict and broke treason. He perfected court ritual and kept his tomb plain. He revived forgotten rites and humbled himself before the Way. He climbed the Spirit Terrace to read the clouds and entered the Hong gate to honor the old. He built on the imperial legacy and brought fresh glory to his father Wen."