1
孝和皇帝諱肇，肅宗第四子也。 母梁貴人，為竇皇后所譖，憂卒，竇后養帝以為己子。 建初七年，立為皇太子。
Emperor He, whose personal name was Zhao, was the fourth son of Emperor Zhang (posthumously known as the "Filial" sovereign). His mother was Lady Liang the Honored Lady. Empress Dou maligned her until she died of grief, and the empress then raised the boy as if he were her own child. In 82 CE (Jianchu 7), he was named crown prince.
2
章和二年二月壬辰，即皇帝位，年十歲。 尊皇后曰皇太后，太后臨朝。
On 9 March 88 CE (Zhanghe 2, day renchen of the second month), he ascended the throne at the age of ten. The empress was elevated to empress dowager, who then ruled the court as regent.
3
三月丁酉，改淮陽為陳國，楚郡為彭城國，西平幷汝南郡，六安復為廬江郡。 遺詔徙西平王羨為陳王，六安王恭為彭城王。 癸卯，葬孝章皇帝于敬陵。
On 5 April 88 CE (day dingyou of the third month), Huaiyang became the principality of Chen, the old Chu commandery became Pengcheng, Xiping was folded into Runan, and Luan was reorganized once more as Lujiang commandery. The late emperor's will moved King Xian of Xiping to Chen and King Gong of Luan to Pengcheng. On 11 April 88 CE (guimao), Emperor Zhang was laid to rest at the Jing mausoleum.
4
庚戌，皇太后詔曰：『先帝以明聖，奉承祖宗至德要道，天下清靜，庶事咸寧。 今皇帝以幼年，煢煢在疚，朕且佐助聽政。 外有大國賢王並為蕃屏，內有公卿大夫統理本朝，恭己受成，夫何憂哉！ 然守文之際，必有內輔以參聽斷。 侍中憲，朕之元兄，行能兼備，忠孝尤篤，先帝所器，親受遺詔，當以舊典輔斯職焉。 憲固執謙讓，節不可奪。 今供養兩宮，宿衛左右，厥事已重，亦不可復勞以政事。 故太尉鄧彪，元功之族，三讓彌高，海內歸仁，為群賢首，先帝褒表，欲以崇化。 今彪聰明康強，可謂老成黃耇矣。 其以彪為太傅，賜爵關內侯，錄尚書事，百官總己以聽，朕庶幾得專心內位。 於戲！ 群公其勉率百僚，各修厥職，愛養元元，綏以中和，稱朕意焉。』
On 17 April 88 CE (gengxu), the empress dowager proclaimed: "The late sovereign, enlightened and sage, carried forward the ancestors' supreme virtue and guiding principles, so the empire knew quiet and every matter knew rest." The emperor is still a child, alone in mourning; I shall for now aid him and hear affairs of state." Abroad, great kingdoms and worthy princes stand as our bulwarks; at home, the high ministers order the dynasty. If we hold ourselves in reverent restraint and accept what is already settled, what cause is there for alarm?" Even so, while we preserve the established pattern, we still need inner counsellors to share in deliberation and judgment." Palace Attendant Dou Xian is my eldest brother: his talent and character are complete, his loyalty and filial devotion profound. The late emperor valued him and entrusted him with the will; by established precedent he should fill this supporting role." Dou Xian has stubbornly declined the honor, and his resolve cannot be shaken." He already bears the heavy duty of attending the two palaces and guarding the throne; he cannot be loaded further with routine government." The former Grand Commandant Deng Biao springs from a family of the founding merit; thrice he yielded office and his fame only rose. The realm looked to his humanity as to the foremost of the worthy. The late emperor singled him out in order to exalt moral example." Deng Biao remains clear-minded and vigorous—the very model of a seasoned elder statesman." Appoint him Grand Tutor, grant him the title of marquis within the passes, and charge him with the Masters of Writing. Let every official answer to him; thus I may hope to devote myself to domestic concerns." Alas!" Let you gentlemen urge the bureaucracy onward: each man to his duty, cherishing the common people and settling them in even-tempered harmony—that will match my wishes."
5
辛酉，有司上奏：『孝章皇帝崇弘鴻業，德化普洽，垂意黎民，留念稼穡。 文加殊俗，武暢方表，界惟人面，無思不服。 巍巍蕩蕩，莫與比隆。 《周頌》曰：「於穆清廟，肅雝顯相。 」請上尊廟曰肅宗，共進《武德》之舞。 』制曰：『可。 』癸亥，陳王羨、彭城王恭、樂成王黨、下邳王衍、梁王暢始就國。
On 24 April 88 CE (xinyou), officials memorialized: "Emperor Zhang magnified the great work of state; his moral influence reached everywhere; he turned his care to the people and never forgot the plough and the harvest." His civil sway reached distant peoples; his military power swept the frontiers. Within the known world every face was human, and none withheld allegiance." So towering and boundless was his reign that none could rival its height." The Zhou hymns run: "How august the bright ancestral temple—how grave and harmonious its shining ministers." " They asked that his temple name be elevated to Suzong and that the "Martial Virtue" dance be performed at his sacrifices." " The edict replied: "Granted." On 26 April 88 CE (guihai), Kings Xian of Chen, Gong of Pengcheng, Dang of Lecheng, Yan of Xiapi, and Chang of Liang departed for their fiefs.
6
夏四月丙子，謁高廟。 丁丑，謁世祖廟。
In the fourth month of summer, on 8 May 88 CE (bingzi), he paid homage at the temple of Emperor Gaozu. On the following day (dingchou), he visited the temple of Emperor Guangwu (Shizu).
7
戊寅，詔曰：『昔孝武皇帝致誅胡、越，故權收鹽鐵之利，以奉師旅之費。 自中興以來，匈奴未賓，永平末年，復修征伐。 先帝即位，務休力役，然猶深思遠慮，安不忘危，探觀舊典，復收鹽鐵，欲以防備不虞，寧安邊境。 而吏多不良，動失其便，以違上意。 先帝恨之，故遺戒郡國罷鹽鐵之禁，縱民煮鑄，入稅縣官如故事。 其申勑刺史、二千石，奉順聖旨，勉弘德化，布告天下，使明知朕意。』
On 9 May 88 CE (wuyin) an edict ran: "Long ago Emperor Wu campaigned against the northern tribes and the Yue; for a time he monopolized salt and iron revenues to pay for the armies." After the restoration the Xiongnu had not truly submitted, and in the closing years of Yongping the court again took up the sword." The late Emperor Zhang sought to ease the people's burdens, yet he never forgot danger in times of peace. Reviewing precedent, he restored the salt-and-iron monopoly to hedge against surprise and to steady the frontier." Too many local officials proved incompetent; their handling constantly missed the mark and frustrated the throne's purpose." He bitterly regretted that, and in his final instructions he told every commandery and kingdom to lift the salt-and-iron restrictions, let the people produce for themselves, and pay tax to the government as of old." Let the regional inspectors and commandery governors be charged anew to heed this sacred command, promote humane government, and publish it abroad so that everyone understands my meaning."
8
五月，京師旱。 詔長樂少府桓郁侍講禁中。 冬十月乙亥，以侍中竇憲為車騎將軍，伐北匈奴。 安息國遣使獻師子、扶拔。
In the fifth month drought struck the capital. The court ordered Huan Yu, Superintendent of the Changle palace, to give lectures inside the palace. In the tenth month of winter, on 17 November 88 CE (yihai), Dou Xian was named General of Chariots and Cavalry and sent against the Northern Xiongnu. Parthia sent tribute-bearers with a lion and exotic beasts (fuba).
9
永元元年春三月甲辰，初令郎官詔除者得占丞、尉，以比秩為真。
On 14 April 89 CE (Yongyuan 1, third month, jiachen), for the first time Gentlemen appointed by imperial rescript were allowed to take assistant and sheriff posts at equivalent rank as regular appointments.
10
夏六月，車騎將軍竇憲出雞鹿塞，度遼將軍鄧鴻出稒陽塞，南單于出滿夷谷，與北匈奴戰於稽落山，大破之，追至私渠比鞮海。 竇憲遂登燕然山，刻石勒功而還。 北單于遣弟右溫禺鞮王奉奏貢獻。
That summer Dou Xian marched through Jimu Pass, Deng Hong Who Crosses the Liao through Guyang, and the Southern Chanyu through Manyi Valley. They crushed the Northern Xiongnu at Mount Jiluo and chased them to Lake Siqu Bidihi. Dou Xian climbed Mount Yanran, had the victory carved in stone—the famous "Yanran inscription"—and withdrew. The Northern Chanyu sent his brother, the Prince of the Right Wenyuqi, with a petition and gifts of submission.
11
秋七月乙未，會稽山崩。
In the seventh month of autumn, on 21 August 89 CE (yiwei), a landslide struck Mount Kuaiji.
12
閏月丙子，詔曰：『匈奴背叛，為害久遠。 賴祖宗之靈，師克有捷，醜虜破碎，遂掃厥庭，役不再籍，萬里清蕩，非朕小子眇身所能克堪。 有司其案舊典，告類薦功，以章休烈。』
On 20 September 89 CE (intercalary seventh month, bingzi) an edict declared: "The Xiongnu have long rebelled and done harm." Thanks to the spirits of our forebears the host prevailed: the foe shattered, their stronghold swept clean, without a second levy of troops, peace restored across a thousand miles—no achievement my slight person could have sustained alone." Let the officials consult precedent, report the victory to Heaven, and offer thanks for the triumph, that this glorious deed may be known."
13
九月庚申，以車騎將軍竇憲為大將軍，以中郎將劉尚為車騎將軍。
On 3 October 89 CE (ninth month, gengshen), Dou Xian was promoted to Grand General and Liu Shang, a general of the household, succeeded him as General of Chariots and Cavalry.
14
冬十月，令郡國刑輸作軍營，其徙出塞者，刑雖未竟，皆免歸田里。 庚子，阜陵王延薨。 是歲，郡國九大水。
In the tenth month of winter the court ordered convicts sent to frontier camps—and even those exiled beyond the passes whose terms were unfinished—to be freed and sent home to farm. On 13 November 89 CE (gengzi), King Yan of Fuling died. That year nine commanderies and kingdoms were hit by severe flooding.
15
二年春正月丁丑，大赦天下。
On 31 January 90 CE (Yongyuan 2, first month, dingchou), the empire received a general amnesty.
16
二月壬午，日有食之。 己亥，復置西河、上郡屬國都尉官。
A solar eclipse occurred on 5 February 90 CE (renwu). On 22 February 90 CE (jihai), the dependent-state commandant offices for Xihe and Shang were restored.
17
夏五月庚戌，分太山為濟北國，分樂成、涿郡、勃海為河間國。 丙辰，封皇弟壽為濟北王，開為河間王，淑為城陽王，紹封故淮陽王昞子側為常山王。 賜公卿以下至佐史錢、布各有差。 己未，遣副校尉閻磐討北匈奴，取伊吾盧地。 丁卯，紹封故齊王晃子無忌為齊王，北海王睦子威為北海王。
On 2 June 90 CE (fifth month, gengxu), territory was carved from Taishan commandery to form the principality of Jibei, and from Lecheng, Zhuo, and Bohai to form Hejian. On 8 June 90 CE (bingchen), the emperor's brothers Shou, Kai, and Shu became princes of Jibei, Hejian, and Chengyang respectively, and Ce, son of the late King Bing of Huaiyang, was reinvested as prince of Changshan. Cash and cloth were distributed on a graded scale from the highest ministers down to clerical aides. On 11 June 90 CE (jiwei), Deputy Colonel Yan Pan was dispatched against the Northern Xiongnu and seized the Yiwu region. On 19 June 90 CE (dingmao), Wuji, son of the late Prince Huang of Qi, was restored to Qi, and Wei, son of Prince Mu of Beihai, succeeded his father in Beihai.
18
車師前後王並遣子入侍。 月氏國遣兵攻西域長史班超，超擊降之。 六月辛卯，中山王焉薨。 秋七月乙卯，大將軍竇憲出屯涼州。 九月，北匈奴遣使稱臣。
The rulers of both divisions of Jushi sent hostages—their sons—to the Han court. The Yuezhi sent an army against Ban Chao, Chief Clerk of the Western Regions; he defeated them and forced their submission. On 22 July 90 CE (sixth month, xinmao), King Yan of Zhongshan died. In autumn, on 15 August 90 CE (seventh month, yimao), Grand General Dou Xian marched to garrison Liangzhou. In the ninth month the Northern Chanyu sent envoys offering submission as a vassal.
19
冬十月，遣行中郎將班固報命南單于。 遣左谷蠡王師子出雞鹿塞，擊北匈奴於河雲北，大破之。
In the tenth month of winter Ban Gu, acting general of the household, was sent to convey the imperial response to the Southern Chanyu. The Southern Chanyu's Left Guili King, Shizi, was sent through Jimu Pass and routed the Northern Xiongnu north of the Heyun River.
20
三年春正月甲子，皇帝加元服，賜諸侯王、公、將軍、特進、中二千石、列侯、宗室子孫在京師奉朝請者黃金，將、大夫、郎吏、從官帛。 賜民爵及粟帛各有差，大酺五日。 郡國中都官繫囚死罪贖縑，至司寇及亡命，各有差。 庚辰，賜京師民酺，布兩戶共一匹。
On 16 February 91 CE (Yongyuan 3, first month, jiazi), the emperor came of age. Gold went to princes, dukes, generals, officials of specially advanced and full two-thousand-dan rank, marquises, and imperial kinsmen on court duty in the capital; silk to generals, senior officials, Gentlemen, clerks, and attendants. Commoners received ranked noble titles, grain, and cloth on a sliding scale, and the capital enjoyed five days of public feasting. Across commanderies, kingdoms, and capital prisons, convicts could buy remission with silk on a sliding scale from capital cases through penal servitude (Sikou) to fugitives under warrant. On 26 February 91 CE (gengchen) the people of the capital were given a feast-day and one bolt of cloth for every two households.
21
二月，大將軍竇憲遣左校尉耿夔出居延塞，圍北單于於金微山，大破之，獲其母閼氏。
In the second month Grand General Dou Xian ordered Colonel Geng Kui through Juyan Pass to trap the Northern Chanyu at Mount Jinwei. The Han army shattered the Xiongnu host and took the chanyu's queen mother captive.
22
夏六月辛卯，尊皇太後母比陽公主為長公主。 辛丑，阜陵王種薨。
On 22 July 91 CE (sixth month, xinmao), the empress dowager's mother, the Princess of Biyang, was elevated to senior princess. On 1 August 91 CE (xinchou), King Zhong of Fuling died.
23
冬十月癸未，行幸長安。 詔曰：『北狄破滅，名王仍降，西域諸國，納質內附，豈非祖宗迪哲重光之鴻烈歟？ 寤寐嘆息，想望舊京。 其賜行所過二千石長吏已下及三老、官屬錢帛，各有差； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人三斛。』
In the tenth month of winter, on 6 November 91 CE (guiwei), the emperor journeyed to Chang'an. The edict continued: the northern tribes are shattered, their great chiefs keep surrendering, and the Western Regions send hostages and pledge allegiance—surely this is the splendid achievement of wise forebears and renewed glory. Night and day I sigh, yearning for the ancient capital. Let cash and silk be granted along my route to local magistrates of two-thousand-dan rank and below, to the village elders, and to their staffs—each according to station; and to widowers, widows, orphans, the childless, the gravely ill, and the destitute, three hu of grain apiece.
24
十一月癸卯，祠高廟，遂有事十一陵。 詔曰：『高祖功臣，蕭、曹為首，有傳世不絕之義。 曹相國後容城侯無嗣。 朕望長陵東門，見二臣之壠，循其遠節，每有感焉。 忠義獲寵，古今所同。 可遣使者以中牢祠，大鴻臚求近親宜為嗣者，須景風紹封，以章厥功。』
On 25 November 91 CE (eleventh month, guimao), he offered sacrifice at Gaozu's temple and then at the eleven imperial tombs in turn. The edict went on: among Gaozu's founding ministers, Xiao He and Cao Shen stood first, and their houses were meant to pass down without fail. Yet Cao Shen's descendant, the Marquis of Rongcheng, has left no successor. When I look from the east gate of Gaozu's tomb toward the barrows of those two ministers, their steadfast virtue moves me every time. Loyal service has always earned the throne's favor—past and present agree on that. Send envoys with a medium sacrifice, and let the Grand Herald find close kin fit to inherit; when the summer "Jingfeng" season comes, renew the fief and so honor their achievement.
25
十二月，復置西域都護、騎都尉、戊己校尉官。 庚辰，至自長安，減刑徒從駕者刑五月。
In the twelfth month the court restored the Protector-General of the Western Regions, the Colonel of Cavalry, and the Wuji (Gengji) colonels. On 10 December 91 CE (gengchen), returning from Chang'an, he shortened by five months the terms of convicts who had served on the imperial retinue.
26
四年春正月，北匈奴右谷蠡王於除鞬自立為單于，款塞乞降。 遣大將軍左校尉耿夔授璽綬。 三月癸丑，司徒袁安薨。 閏月丁丑，太常丁鴻為司徒。 夏四月丙辰，大將軍竇憲還至京師。
In the first month of spring, 92 CE (Yongyuan 4), the Northern Xiongnu's Right Guili King, Yuchujian, declared himself chanyu and came to the frontier seeking submission. Colonel Geng Kui of the Grand General's staff was dispatched to invest him with the chanyu's seal and cord. On 29 April 92 CE (third month, guichou), Minister of Education Yuan An died. On 18 May 92 CE (intercalary third month, dingchou), Ding Hong, Grand Master of Ceremonies, was appointed Minister of Education. On 21 June 92 CE (fourth month, bingchen), Grand General Dou Xian returned to the capital.
27
六月戊戌朔，日有食之。 丙辰，郡國十三地震。 竇憲潛圖弒逆。 庚申，幸北宮。 詔收捕憲黨射聲校尉郭璜，璜子侍中舉，衛尉鄧疊，疊弟步兵校尉磊。 皆下獄死。 使謁者僕射收憲大將軍印綬，遣憲及弟篤、景就國，到皆自殺。
A solar eclipse marked the new moon of the sixth month, 23 July 92 CE (wuxu). On 10 August 92 CE (bingchen), earthquakes struck thirteen commanderies and kingdoms. Dou Xian was discovered plotting to murder the emperor and usurp the throne. On 14 August 92 CE (gengshen), the emperor took up residence in the Northern Palace. By edict the court seized Dou Xian's allies: Colonel Guo Huang of the Archers Who Shoot by Sound, his son Palace Attendant Guo Ju, Commandant of the Guards Deng Die, and Deng Die's brother Colonel Deng Lei. All were imprisoned and put to death. The Supervisor of Messengers stripped Dou Xian of his Grand General's insignia and banished him with his brothers Dou Du and Dou Jing to their fiefs; all three killed themselves on arrival.
28
是夏、旱、蝗。 秋七月己丑，太尉宋由坐黨憲自殺。
That summer brought drought and locust swarms. On 27 August 92 CE (seventh month, jichou), Grand Commandant Song You killed himself after being implicated as Dou Xian's partisan.
29
八月辛亥，司空任隗薨。 癸丑，大司農尹睦為太尉，錄尚書事。 丁巳，賜公卿以下至佐史錢、穀各有差。 冬十月己亥，宗正劉方為司空。
On 5 September 92 CE, eighth month, day xinhai, Minister of Works Ren Kui died. On 7 September 92 CE, Yin Mu rose from Grand Minister of Agriculture to Grand Commandant with authority over the Masters of Writing. On 11 September 92 CE, officials from the highest ministers down to clerical aides received graded gifts of cash and grain. On 28 October 92 CE, Liu Fang, Director of the Imperial Clan, was appointed Minister of Works.
30
十二月壬辰，詔：『今年郡國秋稼為旱、蝗所傷，其什四以上勿收田租、芻稾； 有不滿者，以實除之。 』武陵零陵澧中蠻叛。 燒當羌寇金城。
On 26 November 92 CE, day renchen of the twelfth month, an edict ordered that wherever drought and locusts had destroyed forty percent or more of the autumn harvest, field tax and fodder levies were waived. Where losses fell short of that threshold, remissions were to match the real damage. The Man tribes of Wuling, Lingling, and the Li valley rose in revolt. The Shaodang Qiang plundered Jincheng commandery.
31
五年春正月乙亥，宗祀五帝於明堂，遂登靈臺，望雲物。 大赦天下。 戊子，千乘王伉薨。 辛卯，封皇帝萬歲為廣宗王。
On 11 February 93 CE, Yongyuan 5, he sacrificed to the Five Thearchs in the Bright Hall, then climbed the Spirit Terrace to read the omens in sky and weather. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. On 24 February 93 CE, King Kang of Qiansheng died. On 27 February 93 CE, the emperor's son Liu Wansui was made prince of Guangzong.
32
二月戊戌，詔有司省減內外廄及涼州諸苑馬。 自京師離宮果園上林廣成囿悉以假貧民，恣得采捕，不收其稅。
On 7 March 93 CE, the court ordered cuts to the imperial stud and to horse herds kept in Liangzhou's hunting parks. Detached palaces near the capital, their orchards, Shanglin Park, and the Guangcheng preserve were thrown open to the poor for gathering and fishing without tax.
33
丁未，詔曰：『去年秋麥入少，恐民食不足。 其上尤貧不能自給者戶口人數。 往者郡國上貧民，以衣履釜鬵為貲，而豪右得其饒利。 詔書實覈，欲有以益之，而長吏不能躬親，反更徵召會聚，令失農作，愁擾百姓。 若復有犯者，二千石先坐。』
On 16 March 93 CE an edict noted that last autumn's wheat harvest had been thin and the people might lack food. Commanderies were to report the number of households and persons among the destitute who could not feed themselves. Formerly, when counties listed the needy, corrupt clerks counted clothes and cooking pots as wealth, letting local magnates pocket the real gains. The edict demanded honest registers so aid could reach the poor, yet magistrates often failed to go in person and instead rounded people up for pointless assemblies, ruining the farming season and harassing the populace. Any repeat of such abuse would be punished first against the responsible two-thousand-dan governor.
34
甲寅，太傅鄧彪薨。 戊午，隴西地震。
On 23 March 93 CE, Grand Tutor Deng Biao died. On 27 March 93 CE an earthquake struck Longxi commandery.
35
三月戊子，詔曰：『選舉良才，為政之本。 科別行能，必由鄉曲。 而郡國舉吏，不加簡擇，故先帝明勑在所，令試之以職，乃得充選。 又德行尤異，不須經職者，別署狀上。 而宣布以來，出入九年，二千石曾不承奉，恣心從好，司隸、刺史訖無糾察。 今新蒙赦令，且復申勑，後有犯者，顯明其罰。 在位不以選舉為憂，督察不以發覺為負，非獨州郡也。 是以庶官多非其人。 下民被姦邪之傷，由法不行故也。 』庚寅，遣使者分行貧民，舉實流冗，開倉賑稟三十餘郡。
On 24 April 93 CE an edict declared that choosing able men for office lies at the heart of good government. Assessing character and competence must begin in the villages and hamlets where candidates are known. Yet commanderies often nominated men without scrutiny, so the late emperor had ordered them to prove fitness in actual posts before confirmation. Men of truly outstanding virtue who skipped probation were to be reported on separate memorials. Nine years after that decree, governors still ignored it, indulging private favor, while the Metropolitan Superintendent and regional inspectors failed to investigate. With a fresh amnesty now proclaimed, the court repeated its instructions: further violations would meet clear and public penalties. Those in high place showed no concern for honest nomination, and overseers treated failure to catch abuse as no fault of theirs—and the rot was not confined to the provinces. Hence many offices were filled with the wrong men. The common people suffered from knavery because the law was not enforced. On 26 April 93 CE, envoys fanned out to register the poor and vagrants truthfully and opened granaries for relief in over thirty commanderies.
36
夏四月壬子，封阜陵王种兄魴為阜陵王。 六月丁酉，郡國三雨雹。 秋九月辛酉，廣宗王萬歲薨，無子，國除。
On 29 May 93 CE, Fang, elder brother of the late King Zhong of Fuling, was invested as the new prince of Fuling. On 14 July 93 CE hailstorms struck three commanderies. On 5 October 93 CE Prince Wansui of Guangzong died without an heir, and his fief was abolished.
37
匈奴單于於除鞬叛，遣中朗將任尚討滅之。 壬午，令郡縣勸民蓄蔬食以助五谷。 其官有陂池，令得采取，勿收假稅二歲。 冬十月辛未，太尉尹睦薨。 十一月乙丑，太僕張酺為太尉。
When Chanyu Yuchujian of the Xiongnu rebelled, Ren Shang, a general of the household, was sent to crush him. On 16 October 93 CE, counties were told to encourage households to lay in vegetables and greens to supplement the staple grains. Where government-held ponds and marshes supplied food, the people might gather freely and pay no lease tax for two years. On 4 November 93 CE, Grand Commandant Yin Mu died. On 28 November 93 CE, Zhang Fu rose from Grand Coachman to Grand Commandant.
38
是歲，武陵郡兵破叛蠻，降之。 護羌校尉貫友討燒當羌，羌乃遁去。 南單于安國叛，骨都侯喜斬之。
That year troops of Wuling commandery defeated the rebel Man and forced their submission. Colonel Guan You, charged with the Qiang frontier, attacked the Shaodang band, who then withdrew. When the Southern Chanyu Anguo rebelled, the Gutu marquis Xi killed him.
39
六年春正月，永昌徼外夷遣使譯獻犀牛、大象。 己卯，司徒丁鴻薨。 二月乙未，遣謁者分行稟貸三河、兗、冀、青州貧民。 許侯馬光自殺。 丁未，司空劉方為司徒，太常張奮為司空。
In the first month of spring, 94 CE, peoples beyond Yongchang's frontier sent interpreters with tribute of rhinoceros and elephants. On 26 January 94 CE, Minister of Education Ding Hong died. On 11 February 94 CE, imperial messengers toured Sanhe, Yan, Ji, and Qing to lend grain from state granaries to the poor. Ma Guang, Marquis of Xu, took his own life. On 21 February 94 CE, Liu Fang moved from Minister of Works to Minister of Education, and Zhang Fen from Grand Master of Ceremonies to Minister of Works.
40
三月庚寅，詔流民所過郡國皆實稟之，其有販賣者勿出租稅，又欲就賤還歸者，復一歲田租、更賦。 丙寅，詔曰：『朕以眇末，承奉鴻烈。 陰陽不和，水旱違度，濟、河之域，凶饉流亡，而未獲忠言至謀，所以匡救之策。 寤寐永歎，用思孔疚。 惟官人不得於上，黎民不安于下，有司不念寬和，而競為苛刻，覆案不急，以妨民事，甚非所以上當天心，下濟元元也。 思得忠良之士，以輔朕之不逮。 其令三公、中二千石、二千石、內郡守相舉賢良方正、能直言極諫之士各一人。 昭巖穴，披幽隱，遣詣公車，朕將悉聽焉。 』帝乃親臨策問，選補郎吏。
On 19 March 94 CE, an edict required every commandery through which vagrants passed to feed them from granaries, exempted hawkers from market tax, and waived one year's land tax and poll substitute for those returning to cheap home districts. On 14 April 94 CE an edict began: I am young and slight, yet I bear the weight of the great enterprise. Yin and yang are out of joint; floods and droughts break the seasonal pattern; along the Ji and the Yellow River people starve and flee, yet I have heard no candid counsel—no strategy to set things right. I sigh awake and asleep; the ache of it is deep. Officials misfit for their posts vex the throne; the people know no peace below. Bureaus chase harshness instead of mercy, reopen trivial suits, and block the people's business—hardly the way to answer Heaven or rescue the common folk. I long for loyal, able men to remedy my shortcomings. Let the Three Dukes, full and regular two-thousand-dan officials, and inner commandery governors each nominate one man noted for integrity and fearless remonstrance. Search the recluses in cliff and grove, bring hidden talent to light, and send nominees to the Public Carriage office—I will hear every one. The emperor then presided in person over the examination, after which successful candidates were appointed Gentlemen.
41
夏四月，蜀郡徼外羌率種人遣使內附。 五月，城陽王淑薨，無子，國除。 六月己酉，初令伏閉盡日。
In the fourth month of summer, Qiang beyond Shu commandery's frontier led their clans to submit and sent envoys to court. In the fifth month Prince Shu of Chengyang died without an heir, and his principality was abolished. On 30 June 94 CE, for the first time the summer "closed" days of the calendar were ordered to run the full length of the day.
42
秋七月，京師旱。 詔中都官徒各除半刑，讁其未竟，五月已下皆免遣。 丁巳，幸洛陽寺，錄囚徒，舉冤獄。 收洛陽令下獄抵罪，司隸校尉、河南尹皆左降。 未及還宮而澍雨。
In the seventh month of autumn drought gripped the capital. An edict halved the terms of convicts in capital prisons, commuted unfinished sentences, and freed all those with five months or less remaining. On 7 August 94 CE he visited the Luoyang jail, reviewed cases, and redressed wrongful convictions. The magistrate of Luoyang was jailed for his crimes, while the Metropolitan Superintendent and the governor of Henan were demoted. Before he reached the palace again, a soaking rain began to fall.
43
西域都護班超大破焉耆、尉犁，斬其王。 自是西域降服，納質者五十餘國。
Ban Chao, Protector-General of the Western Regions, crushed Yanqi and Yuli and executed their kings. After that more than fifty Western Regions states submitted and sent hostages.
44
南單于安國從弟子逢侯率叛胡亡出塞。 九月癸丑，以光祿勳鄧鴻行車騎將軍事，與越騎校尉馮柱、行度遼將軍朱徽、使匈奴中郎將杜崇討之。 冬十一月，護烏桓校尉任尚率烏桓、鮮卑，大破逢侯，馮柱遣兵追擊，復破之。
Feng Hou, a nephew of the Southern Chanyu Anguo, led rebel tribesmen out through the frontier. On 22 October 94 CE, Deng Hong, Household Counselor, was given acting command of the chariots and cavalry, with Feng Zhu, Zhu Hui acting as General Who Crosses the Liao, and Du Chong, envoy to the Xiongnu, to campaign against Feng Hou. In the eleventh month of winter Colonel Ren Shang, charged with the Wuhuan, led Wuhuan and Xianbi allies in a crushing defeat of Feng Hou; Feng Zhu sent reinforcements in pursuit and broke him a second time.
45
詔以勃海郡屬冀州。 武陵漊中蠻叛，郡兵討平之。
By edict Bohai commandery was transferred to Ji province. The Man of Louzhong in Wuling rose in revolt; county troops suppressed them.
46
七年春正月，行車騎將軍鄧鴻、度遼將軍朱徽、中郎將杜崇皆下獄死。
In the first month of spring, 95 CE, Deng Hong, acting general of chariots and cavalry, Zhu Hui, General Who Crosses the Liao, and Du Chong, general of the household, were imprisoned and died.
47
夏四月辛亥朔，日有食之。 帝引見公卿問得失，令將、大夫、御史、謁者、博士、議郎、郎官會廷中，各言封事。 詔曰：『元首不明，化流無良，政失於民，讁見於天。 深惟庶事，五教在寬，是以舊典因孝廉之舉，以求其人。 有司詳選郎官寬博有謀、才任典城者三十人。 』既而悉以所選郎出補長、相。
A solar eclipse occurred at the new moon of the fourth month, 18 May 95 CE. The emperor summoned the high ministers to discuss policy, and ordered generals, senior officials, imperial clerks, messengers, academicians, advisory gentlemen, and palace gentlemen to gather in the courtyard and submit sealed memorials. The edict continued: when the sovereign lacks clarity, bad customs spread, government fails the people, and Heaven shows its rebuke. I have weighed every duty: the five teachings depend on leniency, and the statutes therefore use the filial-and-incorrupt nominations to find fit men. Let the bureaus carefully choose thirty Gentlemen who are learned, broad-minded, and fit to govern a county or a marquisate. Those thirty were then all posted as county magistrates or chancellors of marquisates.
48
五月辛卯，改千乘國為樂安國。 六月丙寅，沛王定薨。 秋七月乙巳，易陽地裂。 九月癸卯，京師地震。
On 1 June 95 CE, the principality of Qiansheng was renamed Le'an. On 30 June 95 CE, King Ding of Pei died. On 18 August 95 CE the earth gaped open at Yiyang. On 15 October 95 CE an earthquake struck the capital region.
49
八年春二月己丑，立貴人陰氏為皇后。 賜天下男子爵，人二級，三老、孝悌、力田三級，民無名數及流民欲占者一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃，貧不能自存者粟，人五斛。
On 5 March 96 CE, Lady Yin the Honored Lady was elevated to empress. Every male in the realm received two steps of honorary rank; the three elders, exemplars of filial piety and fraternal duty, and outstanding farmers received three; unregistered persons and vagrants who took residence received one; widowers, widows, orphans, the childless, the gravely ill, and the destitute received five hu of grain each.
50
南匈奴右溫禺犢王叛，為寇。 秋七月，行度遼將軍龐奮、越騎校尉馮柱追討之，斬右溫禺犢王。 車師後王叛，擊其前王。
The Southern Xiongnu Prince of the Right Wenyu rebelled and raided the frontier. In the seventh month of autumn Pang Fen, acting General Who Crosses the Liao, and Feng Zhu, colonel of agile cavalry, ran him down and beheaded the Prince of the Right Wenyu. The king of Rear Jushi rebelled and attacked the king of Front Jushi.
51
八月辛酉，飲酎。 詔郡國中都官繫囚減死一等，詣敦煌戍。 其犯大逆，募下蠶室； 其女子宮。 自死罪已下，至司寇及亡命者入贖，各有差。
On 13 September 96 CE the court performed the autumn zhoul offering at the ancestral temple. An edict commuted capital cases among convicts in central-government jails by one degree and sent them to frontier service at Dunhuang. Those guilty of great treason were castrated in the silkworm chamber; women convicted with them suffered confinement in the palace workshops. Lesser crimes down through penal servitude and fugitives could commute punishment with graded ransom payments.
52
九月，京師蝗。 吏民言事者，多歸責有司。 詔曰：『蝗蟲之異，殆不虛生，萬方有罪，在予一人，而言事者專咎自下，非助我者也。 朕寤寐恫矜，思弭憂釁。 昔楚嚴無灾而懼，成王出郊而反風。 將何以匡朕不逮，以塞灾變？ 百僚師尹，勉修厥職，刺史、二千石詳刑辟，理冤虐，恤鰥寡，矜孤弱，思惟致灾興蝗之咎。 』庚子，復置廣陽郡。
Locusts swarmed the capital in the ninth month. Officials and commoners who memorialized mostly blamed the bureaucracy. The edict went on: locusts do not appear without cause. If the realm has fault, it lies with me alone; memorials that heap blame only on subordinates do not help me. I lie awake grieving, seeking how to end this calamity. King Zhuang of Chu feared Heaven though no disaster had struck; King Cheng of Zhou left the city and the ill wind turned aside. What will you do to remedy my failings and avert these omens? Let every minister and prefect strive in his duty; let regional inspectors and governors review penal cases, right wrongful cruelty, pity the widowed and orphaned, and ponder what fault has brought Heaven to send locusts. On 14 September 96 CE, day gengzi, Guangyang commandery was restored.
53
九年春正月，永昌徼外蠻夷及撣國重譯奉貢。
In the first month of spring, 97 CE, tribes beyond Yongchang and the kingdom of Shan, through relay interpreters, sent tribute to court.
54
三月庚辰，隴西地震。 癸巳，濟南王康薨。 西域長史王林擊車師後王，斬之。 夏四月丁卯，封樂成王黨子巡為樂成王。
On 26 April 97 CE, Longxi commandery was shaken by an earthquake. On 9 May 97 CE, King Kang of Jinan died. Wang Lin, Chief Clerk of the Western Regions, attacked the king of Rear Jushi and executed him. On 25 May 97 CE, Xun, son of Prince Dang of Lecheng, succeeded him as prince of Lecheng.
55
六月，蝗、旱。 戊辰，詔：『今年秋稼為蝗蟲所傷，皆勿收租、更、芻稾； 若有所損失，以實除之，餘當收租者亦半入。 其山林饒利，陂池漁采，以贍元元，勿收假稅。』
In the sixth month locusts and drought struck. On 26 June 97 CE an edict waived field rent, the substitute levy, and fodder tax on all crops damaged by locusts. Where damage was partial, remissions matched actual loss; where tax was still due, only half was collected. Gathering and fishing in rich woodlands and government ponds was left tax-free to help feed the people.
56
秋七月，蝗蟲飛過京師。 八月，鮮卑寇肥如，遼東太守祭參下獄死。 閏月辛巳，皇太后竇氏崩。 丙申，葬章德皇后。
In the seventh month of autumn a swarm of locusts passed over the capital. In the eighth month the Xianbi attacked Feiru; Zai Shen, governor of Liaodong, was jailed and died there. On 5 October 97 CE, intercalary eighth month, day xinsi, Empress Dowager Dou died. On 10 October 97 CE she was buried with the posthumous title Empress Zhangde.
57
燒當羌寇隴西，殺長吏，遣行征西將軍劉尚、越騎校尉趙世等討破之。
The Shaodang Qiang raided Longxi and killed local officials; Liu Shang, acting general for the western campaign, Zhao Shi, colonel of agile cavalry, and others defeated them.
58
九月庚申，司徒劉方策免，自殺。 甲子，追尊皇妣梁貴人為皇太后。 冬十月乙酉，改葬恭懷梁皇后于西陵。 十一月癸卯，光祿勳河南呂蓋為司徒。
On 22 October 97 CE, Minister of Education Liu Fang was stripped of office by edict and took his own life. On 26 October 97 CE the emperor's birth mother, Lady Liang the Honored Lady, was posthumously titled empress dowager. On 16 November 97 CE Empress Liang, posthumously called Gonghuai, was reinterred at the Western mausoleum park. On 4 December 97 CE Lü Gai of Henan, Household Counselor, was appointed Minister of Education.
59
十二月丙寅，司空張奮罷。 壬申，太僕韓稜為司空。 己丑，復置若廬獄官。
On 31 December 97 CE Minister of Works Zhang Fen was dismissed. On 6 January 98 CE Han Ling rose from Grand Coachman to Minister of Works. On 23 January 98 CE the Ruolu prison warden's post was restored.
60
十年春三月壬戌，詔曰：『堤防溝渠，所以順助地理，通利壅塞。 今廢慢懈弛，不以為負。 刺史、二千石其隨宜疏導。 勿因緣妄發，以為煩擾，將顯行其罰。』
On 30 March 98 CE an edict declared that dikes and irrigation works exist to work with the land and keep water moving. Yet they have been neglected and slackened, and no one treats dereliction as a fault. Let regional inspectors and governors clear and channel them as local conditions require. They must not launch pointless corvées that harass the people; offenders will be punished openly.
61
夏五月，京師大水。 秋七月己巳，司空韓稜薨。 八月丙子，太常太山巢堪為司空。 九月庚戌，復置廩犧官。
In the fifth month of summer the capital was hit by serious flooding. On 22 August 98 CE, Minister of Works Han Ling died. On 28 August 98 CE Chao Kan of Taishan, Grand Master of Ceremonies, became Minister of Works. On 1 October 98 CE the granary and sacrificial-victim offices were restored.
62
冬十月，五州雨水。 十二月，燒當羌豪迷唐等率種人詣闕貢獻。 戊寅，梁王暢薨。
In the tenth month of winter five provinces suffered heavy rain and flooding. In the twelfth month the Shaodang Qiang leader Mitang and his followers came to the capital with tribute. On 19 January 99 CE, King Chang of Liang died.
63
十一年春二月，遣使循行郡國，稟貸被灾害不能自存者，令得漁采山林池澤，不收假稅。
In the second month of spring, 99 CE, inspectors toured the empire, lending grain to disaster victims and allowing them to use public woods and waters without lease tax.
64
丙午，詔郡國中都官徒及篤癃老小女徒各除半刑，其未竟三月者，皆免歸田里。 夏四月丙寅，大赦天下。 己巳，復置右校尉官。
On 11 March 99 CE an edict halved the terms of capital convicts who were aged, infirm, juvenile, or female, and freed anyone with three months or less left to serve. On 20 April 99 CE a general amnesty was proclaimed. On 23 April 99 CE the office of Colonel of the Right was restored.
65
秋七月辛卯，詔曰：『吏民逾僭，厚死傷生，是以舊令節之制度。 頃者貴戚近親，百僚師尹，莫肯率從，有司不舉，怠放日甚。 又商賈小民，或忘法禁，奇巧靡貨，流積公行。 其在位犯者，當先舉正。 市道小民，但且申明憲綱，勿因科令，加虐羸弱。』
On 6 August 99 CE an edict complained that officials and commoners broke sumptuary law, lavishing wealth on the dead at the living's expense, which older statutes had tried to curb. Lately even imperial in-laws and high ministers refused to obey, while censors looked the other way and laxity grew worse by the day. Traders and humble folk ignored the bans on luxury goods, which flooded the market openly. Officials who violated these rules were to be prosecuted first. Ordinary townspeople were to be warned under the law, not crushed by harsh enforcement against the frail.
66
十二年春二月，旄牛徼外白狼、貗薄夷率種人內屬。
In the second month of spring, 100 CE, the White Wolf and Hubo tribes beyond Maoniu led their people to submit to Han.
67
詔貸被灾諸郡民種糧。 賜下貧、鰥、寡、孤、獨、不能自存者，及郡國流民，聽入陂池漁采，以助蔬食。
An edict lent seed grain to farmers in disaster-struck commanderies. The destitute, widowed, orphaned, and vagrants were allowed to fish and forage in public ponds to supplement their diet.
68
三月丙申，詔曰：『比年不登，百姓虛匱。 京師去冬無宿雪，今春無澍雨，黎民流離，困於道路。 朕痛心疾首，靡知所濟。 「瞻仰昊天，何辜今人？ 」三公，朕之腹心，而未獲承天安民之策。 數詔有司，務擇良吏。 今猶不改，競為苛暴，侵愁小民，以求虛名，委任下吏，假勢行邪。 是以令下而蕊生，禁至而詐起。 巧法析律，飾文增辭，貨行於言，罪成乎手，朕甚病焉。 公卿不思助明好惡，將何以救其咎罰？ 咎罰既至，復令灾及小民。 若上下同心，庶或有廖。 其賜天下男子爵，人二級，三老、孝悌、力田三級，民無名數及流民欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人三斛。 』壬子，賜博士員弟子在太學者布，人三匹。
On 21 April 100 CE an edict began: harvests have failed in recent years and the people are drained. Last winter brought no lasting snow to the capital; this spring no soaking rain; the people wander homeless and choke the highways. My heart aches and my temples throb; I see no way through. As the ode asks, I look up to vast Heaven: what sin have these people committed? The Three Dukes are my closest counselors, yet I still have no plan to answer Heaven and give the people peace. Again and again I have ordered the bureaus to appoint honest magistrates. Nothing has changed: men still compete in cruelty, harry the poor for empty reputation, and leave junior clerks to abuse delegated power. So each new decree breeds fresh abuse, and every tightening of the ban brings new fraud. They twist the code, dress up writs, take bribes in speech, and seal guilt with a stroke—I am sick of it. If you ministers will not help me distinguish right from wrong, how can you escape blame when punishment falls? When retribution comes, it is always the common people who suffer the disaster. Only if court and countryside pull together is there any hope of relief. Let every male in the realm receive two steps of honorary rank; the three elders and models of filial piety and farming, three steps; unregistered persons and vagrants who settle, one step; widowers, widows, orphans, the childless, the gravely ill, and the destitute shall have three hu of grain each. On 6 May 100 CE, students enrolled under the academicians at the Imperial Academy received three bolts of cloth each.
69
夏四月，日南象林蠻夷反，郡兵討破之。 閏月，賑貸敦煌、張掖、五原民下貧者糓。 戊辰，秭歸山崩。 六月，舞陽大水，賜被水灾尤貧者穀，人三斛。
In the fourth month of summer the tribes of Xianglin in Rinan commandery rebelled; local troops defeated them. In the intercalary month the court lent grain to the poorest households in Dunhuang, Zhangye, and Wuyuan. On 22 June 100 CE a landslide struck Mount Zigui. In the sixth month Wuyang was inundated; the neediest flood victims received three hu of grain each.
70
秋七月辛亥朔，日有食之。 九月戊午，太尉張酺免。 丙寅，大司農張禹為太尉。 冬十一月，西域蒙奇、兜勒二國遣使內附，賜其王金印紫綬。 是歲，燒當羌復叛。
A solar eclipse marked the new moon of the seventh month, 16 August 100 CE. On 22 October 100 CE Grand Commandant Zhang Fu was dismissed. On 28 October 100 CE Zhang Yu moved from Grand Minister of Agriculture to Grand Commandant. In the eleventh month of winter the Western Regions states Mengqi and Doule sent envoys to submit; their kings received gold seals on purple cords. That year the Shaodang Qiang rose again in revolt.
71
十三年春正月丁丑，帝幸東觀，覽書林，閱篇籍，博選術蓺之士以充其官。
On 12 February 101 CE the emperor visited the Eastern Institute, browsed the library, and recruited skilled scholars to staff it.
72
二月，任城王尚薨。 丙午，賑貸張掖、居延、朔方、日南貧民及孤、寡、羸弱不能自存者。 秋八月，詔象林民失農桑業者，賑貸種糧，稟賜下貧穀食。
In the second month King Shang of Rencheng died. On 19 March 101 CE the court lent relief grain to the poor of Zhangye, Juyan, Shuofang, and Rinan, including orphans, widows, and the feeble. In the eighth month of autumn an edict lent seed to Xianglin farmers who had lost their crops and gave grain to the destitute there.
73
己亥，北宮盛饌門閣火。 護羌校尉周鮪擊燒當羌，破之，荊州雨水。
On 13 September 101 CE fire broke out in the gatehouse of the Lavish Viands gate at the Northern Palace. Colonel Zhou Wei defeated the Shaodang Qiang, while Jing province suffered heavy rains and flooding.
74
九月壬子，詔曰：『荊州比歲不節，今茲淫水為害，餘雖頗登，而多不均浹，深惟四民農食之本，慘然懷矜。 其今天下半入今年田租、芻稾； 有宜以實除者，如故事。 貧民假種食，皆勿收責。』
On 26 September 101 CE an edict noted that Jing province's weather had been erratic for years and this year's floods had done harm; other regions had fared unevenly, and the ruler grieved for the people's livelihood. Let the empire pay only half this year's land tax and fodder levy; where damage warrants it, remit by the usual rules according to actual loss. Do not call in seed or food loans made to the poor.
75
冬十一月，安息國遣使獻師子及條枝大爵。 丙辰，詔曰：『幽、幷、涼州戶口率少，邊役眾劇，束脩良吏，進仕路狹。 撫接夷狄，以人為本。 其令緣邊郡口十萬以上，歲舉孝廉一人； 不滿十萬，二歲舉一人； 五萬以下，三歲舉一人。 』鮮卑寇右北平，遂入漁陽，漁陽太守擊破之。 戊辰，司徒呂蓋罷。
In the eleventh month of winter Parthia sent envoys with a lion and great ostriches from the west. On 21 November 101 CE an edict noted that You, Bing, and Liang provinces were thinly populated yet bore heavy frontier duty, so able men had few routes to office. Pacifying the border tribes depends on having the right men in place. Frontier commanderies of more than one hundred thousand persons may nominate one filial-and-incorrupt candidate each year; those below that figure, one every two years; those under fifty thousand, one every three years. The Xianbi raided Youbeiping and pushed into Yuyang, where the governor drove them off. On 3 December 101 CE Minister of Education Lü Gai was dismissed.
76
夏四月，遣使者督荊州兵討巫蠻，破降之。
In the fourth month of summer, 102 CE, imperial envoys directed Jing troops against the Wu Man, broke them, and accepted their surrender.
77
庚辰，賑貸張掖、居延、敦煌、五原、漢陽、會稽流民下貧穀，各有差。 五月丁未，初置象林將兵長史官。 六月辛卯，廢皇后陰氏，后父特進綱自殺。
On 15 May 102 CE the court distributed graded grain relief to vagrants and the destitute in Zhangye, Juyan, Dunhuang, Wuyuan, Hanyang, and Kuaiji. On 11 June 102 CE the court created the post of chief clerk with military authority at Xianglin. On 25 June 102 CE Empress Yin was deposed; her father Yin Gang, holder of the Specially Advanced rank, killed himself.
78
秋七月甲寅，詔復象林縣更賦、田租、芻稾二歲。 壬子，常山王側薨。 是秋，三州雨水。
On 6 August 102 CE an edict remitted for two years the poll substitute, land tax, and fodder levy for Xianglin county. On 4 September 102 CE, King Ce of Changshan died. That autumn three provinces were inundated by rain.
79
冬十月甲申，詔：『兗、豫、荊州今年水雨淫過，多傷農功。 其令被害什四以上皆半入田租、芻稾； 其不滿者，以實除之。 』辛卯，立貴人鄧氏為皇后。 丁酉，司空巢堪罷。
On 8 November 102 CE an edict noted excessive rain in Yan, Yu, and Jing that had ruined the harvest. Where crops lost forty percent or more, land tax and fodder levy were halved; lesser damage was remitted in proportion to actual loss. On 15 November 102 CE Lady Deng the Honored Lady was made empress. On 21 November 102 CE Minister of Works Chao Kan was dismissed.
80
十一月癸卯，大司農徐防為司空。 是歲，初復郡國上計補郎官。
On 5 December 102 CE Xu Fang rose from Grand Minister of Agriculture to Minister of Works. That year, 103 CE, the court for the first time again appointed Gentlemen from candidates presented in the commanderies' annual accounting to the capital.
81
十五年春閏月乙未，詔流民欲還歸本而無糧食者，過所實稟之，疾病加致醫藥； 其不欲還歸者，勿強。 二月，詔稟貸潁川、汝南、陳留、江夏、梁國、敦煌貧民。
On 24 March 103 CE, in the intercalary second month, an edict ordered waystations to feed vagrants returning home without supplies and to give medicine to the sick among them; those who did not wish to go home were not to be compelled. In the second month the court ordered grain loans for the poor in Yingchuan, Runan, Chenliu, Jiangxia, Liang, and Dunhuang.
82
夏四月甲子晦，日有食之。 五月戊寅，南陽大風。 六月，詔令百姓鰥、寡漁采陂池，勿收假稅二歲。 秋七月丙寅，濟南王錯薨。
A solar eclipse fell on the last day of the fourth month, 21 May 103 CE. On 3 June 103 CE a violent windstorm struck Nanyang. In the sixth month an edict allowed widowers and widows to fish and forage in public waters without lease tax for two years. On 31 July 103 CE, King Cuo of Jinan died.
83
復置涿郡故安鐵官。
The state ironworks at Gu'an in Zhuo commandery was restored.
84
九月壬午，南巡狩，清河王慶、濟北王壽、河間王開並從。 賜所過二千石長吏以下、三老、官屬及民百年者錢、布，各有差。 是秋，四州雨水。
On 27 September 103 CE the emperor set out on a southern tour; Princes Qing of Qinghe, Shou of Jibei, and Kai of Hejian accompanied him. Along his route he gave graded gifts of cash and cloth to local officials, elders, staffs, and any commoner who had reached a hundred years. That autumn four provinces were flooded by rain.
85
冬十月戊申，幸章陵，祠舊宅。 癸丑，祠園廟，會宗室於舊廬，勞賜作樂。 戊午，進幸雲夢，臨漢水而還。 十一月甲申，車駕還宮，賜從臣及留者公卿以下錢、布，各有差。
On 2 November 103 CE he visited Zhangling and offered sacrifice at the old Liu family home. On 7 November he sacrificed at the tombs, feasted the imperial kin at the ancestral dwelling, gave gifts, and had music played. On 12 November he proceeded to Yunmeng, viewed the Han River, and turned back. On 20 November the court returned to the palace; followers and officials who had stayed behind received graded gifts of cash and cloth.
86
十二月庚子，琅邪王宇薨。 有司奏，以為夏至則微陰起，靡草死，可以決小事。 是歲，初令郡國以日北至案薄刑。
On 15 December 103 CE, King Yu of Langye died. Officials memorialized that at the summer solstice, when yin first stirs and soft herbs wither, minor legal cases might be settled. That year the court for the first time ordered commanderies to review light sentences on the winter solstice.
87
十六年春正月己卯，詔貧民有田業而以匱乏不能自農者，貸種糧。 二月己未，詔兗、豫、徐、冀四州比年雨多傷稼，禁沽酒。 夏四月，遣三府掾分行四州，貧民無以耕者，為雇犁牛直。
On 3 February 104 CE an edict lent seed grain to poor farmers who owned land but lacked means to work it. On 23 February 104 CE, because repeated rains had ruined crops in Yan, Yu, Xu, and Ji, the court banned the sale of wine. In the fourth month of summer the Three Offices sent clerks to the four provinces to pay plow-ox rental for farmers too poor to cultivate.
88
五月壬午，趙王商薨。
On 15 May 104 CE, King Shang of Zhao died.
89
秋七月，旱。 戊午，詔曰：『今秋稼方穗而旱，雲雨不霑，疑吏行慘刻，不宣恩澤，妄拘無罪，幽閉良善所致。 其一切囚徒於法疑者勿決，以奉秋令。 方察煩苛之吏，顯明其罰。 』辛酉，司徒魯恭免。 庚午，光祿勳張酺為司徒。 辛巳，詔令天下皆半入今年田租、芻稾； 其被灾害者，以實除之。 貧民受貸種糧及田租、芻稾，皆勿收責。
The seventh month of autumn brought drought. On 29 July 104 CE an edict blamed drought on cruel officials who spread no mercy, jailed the innocent, and wronged the good. All doubtful cases were to be left undecided in observance of the autumn rule of leniency. Harsh and vexatious officials were to be investigated and punished openly. On 1 August 104 CE Minister of Education Lu Gong was dismissed. On 10 August 104 CE Zhang Fu, Household Counselor, became Minister of Education. On 21 August 104 CE the empire was ordered to pay only half the year's land tax and fodder levy; disaster areas were to receive remissions matching actual loss. The poor were not to be asked to repay seed loans or remitted taxes.
90
十二月，復置遼東西部都尉官。
In the twelfth month the western commandant office for Liaodong was restored.
91
元興元年春正月戊午，引三署郎召見禁中，選除七十五人，補謁者、長、相。 高句驪寇郡界。 夏四月庚午，大赦天下，改元元興。 宗室以罪絕者，悉復屬籍。
On 22 February 105 CE the emperor interviewed Gentlemen of the three bureaus in the palace, selected seventy-five, and appointed them as messengers, magistrates, or chancellors. Koguryŏ raided the frontier commanderies. On 3 May 105 CE a general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name changed to Yuanxing. Imperial kinsmen who had been struck from the rolls for crimes were restored to clan status.
92
五月癸酉，雍地裂。 秋九月，遼東太守耿夔擊貊人，破之。
On 7 June 105 CE the earth opened in the Yong capital region. In the ninth month of autumn Geng Kui, governor of Liaodong, defeated the Mo tribesmen.
93
冬十二月辛未，帝崩於章德前殿，年二十七。 立皇子隆為皇太子。 賜天下男子爵，人二級，三老、孝悌、力田人三級，民無名數及流民欲占者人一級； 鰥、寡、孤、獨、篤癃、貧不能自存者粟，人三斛。
On 13 February 106 CE the emperor died in the Zhangde Front Hall at the age of twenty-seven. The emperor's son Liu Long was named crown prince. Every male received two steps of honorary rank; the three elders and models of filial piety and farming received three; unregistered persons and vagrants who settled received one; widowers, widows, orphans, the childless, the gravely ill, and the destitute received three hu of grain each.
94
自竇憲誅後，帝躬親萬機。 每有灾異，輒延問公卿，極言得失。 前後符瑞八十一所，自稱德薄，皆抑而不宣。 舊南海獻龍眼、荔支，十里一置，五里一候，奔騰阻險，死者繼路。 時臨武長汝南唐羌，縣接南海，乃上書陳狀。 帝下詔曰：『遠國珍羞，本以薦奉宗廟，茍有傷害，豈愛民之本。 其勑太官勿復受獻。 』由是遂省焉。
After Dou Xian's execution the emperor took personal charge of government. Whenever omens appeared he called in the high ministers and urged them to speak freely on policy. Eighty-one auspicious signs were reported during his reign, but he deemed his virtue slight and ordered none of them publicized. Formerly the south sent longan and lychee north under a relay system that killed horses and drivers on the dangerous roads. Tang Qiang of Runan, magistrate of Linwu on the Nanhai border, then memorialized describing the harm. The emperor replied: exotic delicacies from afar were meant for the ancestral shrines; if they harm the people, that cannot be what loving the people means. He ordered the Grand Provisioner to accept no more such tribute. The practice was thereafter discontinued.
95
論曰：自中興以後，逮於永元，雖頗有弛張，而俱存不擾，是以齊民歲增，闢土世廣。 偏師出塞，則漠北地空； 都護西指，則通譯四萬。 豈其道遠三代，術長前世？ 將服叛去來，自有數也？
The historian remarks: from Guangwu's restoration through the Yongyuan years, policy tightened and loosened, yet the state avoided needless meddling; the population grew each year and frontier land steadily widened. A single column beyond the wall could empty the northern desert of Xiongnu power; when the Protector-General turned west, translation and tribute reached forty thousand li. Was Han policy truly wiser than the Three Dynasties', its methods better than earlier ages? Or did submission and rebellion simply follow their own pattern, as fate would have it?
96
孝殤皇帝諱隆，和帝少子也。 元興元年十二月辛未夜，即皇帝位，時誕育百餘日。 尊皇后曰皇太后，太后臨朝。
Emperor Shang, whose personal name was Long, was the younger son of Emperor He. On the night of 13 February 106 CE he ascended the throne while still only a little over three months old. The empress became empress dowager and ruled as regent.
97
北匈奴遣使稱臣，詣敦煌奉獻。
The Northern Xiongnu sent envoys offering submission and tribute at Dunhuang.
98
延平元年春正月辛卯，太尉張禹為太傅，司徒徐防為太尉，參錄尚書事，百官總己以聽。 封皇兄勝為平原王。 癸卯，光祿勳梁鮪為司徒。
On 18 February 106 CE Zhang Yu moved from Grand Commandant to Grand Tutor; Xu Fang from Minister of Education to Grand Commandant with shared authority over the Masters of Writing; all officials answered to them. The emperor's elder brother Liu Sheng was made prince of Pingyuan. On the guimao day Liang Wei, Household Counselor, was appointed Minister of Education.
99
三月甲申，葬孝和皇帝於慎陵，尊廟曰穆宗。 丙戌，清河王慶、濟北王壽、河間王開、常山王章始就國。
On 1 April 106 CE Emperor He was buried at the Shen mausoleum with the temple name Muzong. On 3 April 106 CE Princes Qing of Qinghe, Shou of Jibei, Kai of Hejian, and Zhang of Changshan departed for their fiefs.
100
五月辛卯，皇太后詔曰：『皇帝幼沖，承統鴻業，朕且權佐助聽政，兢兢寅畏，不知所濟。 深惟至治之本，道化在前，刑罰在後。 將稽中和，廣施慶惠，與吏民更始。 其大赦天下。 自建武以來諸犯禁錮，詔書雖解，有司持重，多不奉行，其皆復為平民。 』壬辰，河東垣山崩。
On 8 June 106 CE the empress dowager proclaimed: the emperor is an infant bearing the great mandate; I shall assist in governing for the time being, in fear and trembling, unsure how to proceed. I reflect that perfect order rests on moral instruction first and punishments only after. I shall seek even-tempered rule, spread blessing widely, and give officials and people a new start. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm. All persons proscribed since Guangwu's reign, though earlier edicts had freed them yet bureaus had often not complied, are now fully restored as commoners. On 9 June 106 CE a mountain collapsed at Yuan in Hedong.
101
六月丁未，太常尹勤為司空。 郡國三十七雨水。 己未，詔曰：『自夏以來，陰雨過節，煗氣不效，將有厥咎。 寤寐憂惶，未知所由。 昔夏后惡衣服，菲飲食，孔子曰「吾無閒然」。 今新遭大憂，且歲節未和，徹膳損服，庶有補焉。 其減太官、導官、尚方、內署諸服御珍膳靡麗難成之物。』
On 23 July 106 CE Yin Qin, Grand Master of Ceremonies, was appointed Minister of Works. Thirty-seven commanderies and kingdoms suffered flooding. On 4 August 106 CE an edict noted that since summer unseasonable rains had continued and warmth had failed—surely an omen of fault. I lie awake in anxiety, not knowing the cause. The founder of Xia wore coarse clothes and ate plain food, and Confucius said he could find no fault in him. We have just entered deep mourning and the seasons are still awry; let me cut palace fare and wardrobe in hope of amendment. Reduce the Grand Provisioner, the viands office, the Imperial Workshop, and inner bureaus in costly clothing and extravagant foods that tax the people to produce.
102
丁卯，詔司徒、大司農、長樂少府曰：『朕以無德，佐助統政，夙夜經營，懼失厥衷。 思惟治道，由近及遠，先內後外。 自建武之初以至于今，八十餘年，宮人歲增，房御彌廣。 又宗室坐事沒入者，猶托名公族，甚可愍焉。 今悉免遣，及掖庭宮人，皆為庶民，以抒幽隔鬱滯之情。 諸官府、郡國、王侯家奴婢姓劉及疲癃羸老，皆上其名，務令實悉。』
On 12 August 106 CE the empress dowager ordered the Minister of Education, Grand Minister of Agriculture, and Superintendent of Changle: I lack virtue yet help govern; night and day I labor, fearing to miss the right course. Good order begins at court and spreads outward; the inner must be set right before the outer. For more than eighty years since Jianwu the number of palace women has grown each year and the imperial household ever larger. Imperial clansmen enslaved for crimes still bear the label of the Liu house—most pitiable. Release them all, and the women of the harem as well, to commoner status, to ease long pent-up grief in seclusion. Every office, commandery, and princely household must register Liu-surname bondsmen and the aged and infirm, with full and accurate lists.
103
秋七月庚寅，勑司隸校尉、部刺史曰：『夫天降災戾，應政而至。 間者郡國或有水灾，妨害秋稼。 朝廷惟咎，憂惶悼懼。 而郡國欲獲豐穰虛飾之譽，遂覆蔽灾害，多張墾田，不揣流亡，競增戶口，掩匿盜賊，令姦惡無懲，署用非次，選舉乖宜，貪苛慘毒，延及平民。 刺史垂頭塞耳，阿私下比，「不畏於天，不愧於人」。 假貸之恩，不可數恃，自今以後，將糾其罰。 二千石長吏其各實覈所傷害，為除田租，芻稾。』
On 4 September 106 CE the Metropolitan Superintendent and regional inspectors were told: Heaven sends calamities in response to how the realm is governed. Lately some commanderies have flooded and ruined the autumn harvest. The court blames itself and grieves in fear. Yet counties seek false credit for bumper crops: they hide flood damage, inflate reclaimed acreage, ignore refugees while padding household rolls, conceal banditry so villains go unpunished, make irregular appointments, botch nominations, and let greedy cruelty reach the common people. Inspectors hang their heads and plug their ears, curry favor below, and show neither fear of Heaven nor shame before men. You cannot count forever on imperial leniency; from now on I will punish such abuses. Let every governor verify real damage and remit land tax and fodder accordingly.
104
八月辛亥，帝崩。 癸丑，殯於崇德前殿。 年二歲。
On 21 September 106 CE the emperor died. On 23 September his coffin rested in the Chongde Front Hall. He was two sui old.
105
贊曰：『孝和沈烈，率由前則。 王赫自中，賜命彊慝。 抑沒祥符，登顯時德。 殤世何早，平原弗克。』
The summation praises Emperor He as grave and resolute, following the models of his forebears. Royal majesty rose from within; he gave command to subdue the powerful and the wicked. He hid away auspicious omens while displaying the true virtue of the age. Alas that the Shang emperor's reign was cut so short, and Pingyuan could not save him.