On this page
Overview Names Identity Roles Life and dates Family Works and attributed material References in the histories
Overview The translated histories identify Emperor Wu as a ruler. This record brings together 8 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
武帝
Wudi
Title
Son of Heaven
天子
Tianzi
Title
the emperor
上
shang
Identity
Historicity Historical
Identification Title only
Sex Male Life and dates Attested activity Source Date: Text: 元光五年Western Year: BC 130
Source Date: Text: 元狩二年Western Year: BC 121
Source Date: Text: 元鼎四年Western Year: BC 113
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 59 House of the Five Clans · 8 passages
吳已破，二歲，徙為江都王，治吳故國，以軍功賜天子旌旗。
After Wu was crushed, two years passed before Fei was transferred to become King of Jiangdu, governing the former territory of Wu. In recognition of his military valor, he was awarded the imperial banners.
自以為國近淮南，恐一日發，為所并，即陰作兵器，而時佩其父所賜將軍印，載天子旗以出。
Believing his kingdom lay dangerously close to Huainan, he feared that should the revolt erupt, he might be swallowed up. He therefore had weapons forged in secret, and whenever he ventured out he wore the general's seal his father had received and displayed the imperial banners.
天子不忍，使大臣即訊王。
The Son of Heaven could not bear to act so harshly and instead sent senior ministers to interrogate the king in person.
數犯上法，漢公卿數請誅端，天子為兄弟之故不忍，而端所為滋甚。
He transgressed the imperial statutes time and again. The ministers and nobles of the Han court repeatedly petitioned for his execution, but the Son of Heaven, for the bond of brotherhood, could not bring himself to act. Meanwhile, Duan's outrages only grew worse.
趙王亦非之，曰：「中山王徒日淫，不佐天子拊循百姓，何以稱為藩臣！」
The King of Zhao countered: "The King of Zhongshan does nothing but wallow in excess day after day. He does not assist the Son of Heaven in nurturing and guiding the people. How can he claim to be a worthy vassal?"
天子遣大行騫驗王后及問王勃，請逮勃所與姦諸證左，王又匿之。
The Son of Heaven dispatched the Grand Herald, Qian, to investigate the queen and interrogate King Bo. He requested the arrest of all accomplices and witnesses to Bo's illicit activities, but the king concealed them.
月餘，天子為最親，乃詔有司曰：「常山憲王蚤夭，后妾不和，適孽誣爭，陷于不義以滅國，朕甚閔焉。
A little more than a month later, mindful that Changshan had been ruled by his closest kin, the Son of Heaven issued an edict to his ministers: "King Xian of Changshan died before his time. His queen and consorts were at odds, and legitimate and illegitimate sons slandered one another and quarreled until they fell into disgrace and the kingdom was extinguished. We are deeply grieved by this.
諸侯自除御史、廷尉正、博士，擬於天子。
The feudal lords appointed their own censors, chief justices, and erudites, rivaling the Son of Heaven in their establishments.