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Overview Names Identity Roles Life and dates Works and attributed material Events and relationships References in the histories
Overview The translated histories identify Emperor Wu of Han as a ruler. This record brings together 12 passages from 1 chapter across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.
Names Type English Chinese Pinyin
Personal
Emperor Wu of Han
漢武帝
Temple name
Emperor Wu of Han
漢武帝
Title
Son of Heaven
天子
Identity
Historicity Historical
Identification Named
Sex Male Life and dates Attested activity Source Date: Text: 元鼎五年秋Western Year: BC 112
Source Date: Text: 元鼎六年冬Western Year: BC 111
Source Date: Text: 元鼎四年Western Year: BC 113
Source Date: Text: 建元四年Western Year: BC 137
Works and attributed material References in the histories Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.
Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 113 Treatise on the Nanyue · 12 passages
今閩越興兵侵臣，臣不敢興兵，唯天子詔之。」
Now Minyue has raised an army to invade my territory. I dare not take up arms on my own, and respectfully await the Son of Heaven's command."
於是天子多南越義，守職約，為興師，遣兩將軍往討閩越。
The Son of Heaven commended Nanyue's righteous adherence to its obligations. He mobilized an army and dispatched two generals to march against Minyue.
天子使莊助往諭意南越王，胡頓首曰：「天子乃為臣興兵討閩越，死無以報德！」
The Son of Heaven sent Zhuang Zhu to convey his intentions to the King of Nanyue. Hu prostrated himself and declared: "The Son of Heaven raised an army on my behalf to punish Minyue. Even in death, I could never repay such a kindness!"
胡方日夜裝入見天子。」
I am making preparations day and night to travel to court and present myself before the Son of Heaven."
且先王昔言，事天子期無失禮，要之不可以說好語入見。
Moreover, the former king once warned that in serving the Son of Heaven, the key is never to fail in courtesy—but under no circumstances should one be sweet-talked into appearing at court in person.
於是天子許之，賜其丞相呂嘉銀印，及內史、中尉、太傅印，餘得自置。
The Son of Heaven approved the request. He bestowed silver seals upon the chancellor, Lu Jia, as well as seals for the positions of Inner Historian, Colonel of the Guard, and Grand Tutor. The remaining officials could be appointed by Nanyue at its own discretion.
天子聞嘉不聽王，王、王太后弱孤不能制，使者怯無決。
When the Son of Heaven learned that Lu Jia defied the king, that the king and the Queen Dowager were too weak and isolated to control him, and that the envoys were timid and indecisive.
辭不可，天子罷參也。
He firmly declined the assignment, and the Son of Heaven relieved him of it.
於是天子遣千秋與王太后弟樛樂將二千人往，入越境。
The Son of Heaven then dispatched Han Qianqiu along with the Queen Dowager's younger brother, Jiu Le, at the head of two thousand soldiers to enter Yue territory.
太後，中國人也，又與使者亂，專欲內屬，盡持先王寶器入獻天子以自媚，多從人，行至長安，虜賣以為僮仆。
The Queen Dowager is a woman from the Central Plains who has carried on a sordid affair with the envoy. She is bent on submitting our kingdom to the Han, carrying off all the treasures of the former kings to present to the Son of Heaven and ingratiate herself. She plans to take many of our people along to Chang'an, where they will be seized and sold into servitude.
於是天子曰：「韓千秋雖無成功，亦軍鋒之冠。」
The Son of Heaven declared: "Although Han Qianqiu did not succeed, he was the vanguard of our military valor."
乃下赦曰：「天子微，諸侯力政，譏臣不討賊。
The emperor then issued an edict: "When the Son of Heaven's authority wanes, the feudal lords seize power by force, and ministers are condemned for failing to punish rebels.