Qin and Han · Ruler

Emperor Wu 武帝

Wudi

Attested BC 141 - BC 87

Passages: 16
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Emperor Wu was a ruler.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Epithet	sage emperor	聖帝

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 121 其後一歲所
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 194, 204
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 146

Career and standing

emperor 人主
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 149

Places and affiliations

Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 146, 204
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝時
At Jianzhang Palace 建章宮 · Relation Visited
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 193-194

Works and attributed material

Edict · Author · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) · Paraphrased
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 150, 196
可
Edict · Author · Direct quotation · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 198, 200
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 159

Events and relationships

Asked ministers about creature
Inquiry · Questioner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 195
Bestowed food
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝時 · Court · Host · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 152
Conversed with
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝時 · Court · Host · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 151
Granted feast and fields
Bestowal · Grantor · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 198, 200
Lavished money
BC 121 其後一歲所 · Bestowal · Grantor · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 205
Read memorial
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝時 · Administrative · Reader · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) · Duration two months
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 149

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Viewed strange creature
Inspection · Inspector · At Jianzhang Palace 建章宮
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 194

Assessments and attributes

Assessment incomparable-if-without-antics · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 159
Item silk bolts 縑帛 · Relation Bestowed · With Dongfang Shuo (東方朔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 154

Source notes

Value historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 146

References in the histories

Search passages

History

16 passages

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 126Biographies of Jesters · 16 passages

武帝時，齊人有東方生名朔，以好古傳書，愛經術，多所博觀外家之語。 In the time of Emperor Wu, there was a man from Qi surnamed Dongfang, whose given name was Shuo. He was devoted to the ancient traditions, loved the study of the Classics, and had read widely in the writings of other schools.

人主從上方讀之，止，輒乙其處，讀之二月乃盡。 The emperor read it through from beginning to end, marking his place with a notch each time he paused. It took him two full months to finish.

數召至前談語，人主未嘗不說也。 He was frequently called before the emperor for conversation, and the emperor never failed to be delighted.

時詔賜之食於前。 From time to time, the emperor ordered food to be served to him right there at court.

數賜縑帛，檐揭而去。 Whenever the emperor bestowed bolts of silk upon him, he would sling them over his shoulder and stride away.

所賜錢財盡索之於女子。 Every bit of wealth the emperor bestowed on him was lavished upon women.

人主左右諸郎半呼之「狂人」。 Half the gentlemen at court took to calling him 'the Madman.'

人主聞之，曰：「令朔在事無為是行者，若等安能及之哉！」 When the emperor heard this, he said: "If Shuo held his office without indulging in such antics, how could the likes of you ever hope to match him!"

然悉力盡忠以事聖帝，曠日持久，積數十年，官不過侍郎，位不過執戟，意者尚有遺行邪？ And yet, for all your exhausting loyalty in the emperor's service, over the course of decades your office has never risen above Attendant Gentleman and your rank has never surpassed Halberd-Bearer. Could it be that there is something wanting in your conduct?

聖帝在上，德流天下，諸侯賓服，威振四夷，連四海之外以為席，安於覆盂，天下平均，合為一家，動發舉事，猶如運之掌中。 A sage emperor reigns above, and his virtue flows to every corner of the realm. The feudal lords submit in deference, his authority makes the barbarians of the four directions tremble. The lands beyond the four seas lie before him like a spread mat, as steady as an overturned bowl. All under heaven is unified and at peace, joined as one great family, and every enterprise the emperor undertakes is as effortless as turning an object in the palm of his hand.

以聞，武帝往臨視之。 When word reached the throne, Emperor Wu went in person to inspect it.

朔曰：「臣知之，願賜美酒粱飯大飱臣，臣乃言。」 Shuo said: "Your servant knows what it is. But first, I beg that Your Majesty reward me with fine wine and a feast of the best millet — and only then will I speak."

詔曰：「可。」 The emperor said: "Granted."

已又曰：「某所有公田魚池蒲葦數頃，陛下以賜臣，臣朔乃言。」 After the feast, Shuo added: "At a certain place there are public fields with fishponds and beds of rushes and reeds — several qing in area. If Your Majesty bestows them upon me, then I shall tell you what the creature is."

詔曰：「可。」 The emperor replied: "Granted."

乃復賜東方生錢財甚多。 The emperor once again lavished Dongfang Shuo with generous gifts of money and treasure.