1
自古受命帝王及繼體守文之君，非獨內德茂也，蓋亦有外戚之助焉。 夏之興也以涂山，而桀之放也以末喜。 殷之興也以有娀，紂之殺也嬖妲己。 周之興也以姜原及大任，而幽王之禽也淫於褒姒。 故易基乾坤，詩始關雎，書美釐降，春秋譏不親迎。 夫婦之際，人道之大倫也。 禮之用，唯婚姻為兢兢。 夫樂調而四時和，陰陽之變，萬物之統也。 可不慎與？ 人能弘道，無如命何。 甚哉，妃匹之愛，君不能得之於臣，父不能得之於子，況卑下乎！ 既驩合矣，或不能成子姓； 能成子姓矣，或不能要其終：豈非命也哉？ 孔子罕稱命，蓋難言之也。 非通幽明之變，惡能識乎性命哉？
Since antiquity, emperors who received Heaven's mandate and rulers who inherited the throne to uphold its traditions succeeded not through their own virtue alone—they also relied on the support of their consort families. The Xia dynasty rose through the lady of Tushan, yet Jie was overthrown because of Moxi. The Yin dynasty rose through the lady of Yousong, yet Zhou was slain because of his infatuation with Daji. The Zhou dynasty rose through Jiang Yuan and Tai Ren, yet King You was captured because of his indulgence with Bao Si. For this reason, the Book of Changes is grounded in the hexagrams Qian and Kun, the Book of Odes opens with "The Ospreys," the Book of Documents celebrates the bestowal of brides, and the Spring and Autumn Annals censures rulers who fail to welcome their brides in person. The bond between husband and wife stands as the cardinal principle of human relations. Among all the applications of ritual, none demands greater care than marriage. When music is harmonious, the four seasons keep their proper order—such is the transformation of yin and yang and the governance of all things. How can one not be cautious in this regard? A person may broaden the Way, yet against fate there is nothing to be done. How profound is the love between husband and wife! A ruler cannot command such devotion from his ministers, nor a father from his sons—how much less those of humble station! Even after a couple has joyfully united, they may fail to produce heirs; even after producing heirs, the couple may not see their union through to the end—is this not the workings of fate? Confucius seldom spoke of fate, for it is a matter difficult to discuss. Without comprehending the transformations between darkness and light, how can one hope to grasp the nature of life and destiny?
2
太史公曰：秦以前尚略矣，其詳靡得而記焉。 漢興，呂娥姁為高祖正后，男為太子。 及晚節色衰愛弛，而戚夫人有寵，其子如意幾代太子者數矣。 及高祖崩，呂后夷戚氏，誅趙王，而高祖後宮唯獨無寵疏遠者得無恙。
The Grand Historian remarks: The era before the Qin is too remote for detailed knowledge, and its particulars can scarcely be recorded. When the Han dynasty arose, Lü Ehu became Emperor Gaozu's principal consort, and their son was made crown prince. In her later years, as her beauty faded and the emperor's affection waned, Consort Qi won his favor instead, and her son Ruyi nearly replaced the crown prince on several occasions. After Gaozu's death, Empress Lü annihilated the Qi clan and executed the King of Zhao; among all of Gaozu's palace women, only those who had been neglected and kept at a distance escaped harm.
3
呂后長女為宣平侯張敖妻，敖女為孝惠皇后。 呂太后以重親故，欲其生子萬方，終無子，詐取後宮人子為子。 及孝惠帝崩，天下初定未久，繼嗣不明。 於是貴外家，王諸呂以為輔，而以呂祿女為少帝后，欲連固根本牢甚，然無益也。
Empress Lü's eldest daughter married Zhang Ao, the Marquis of Xuanping, and Ao's daughter in turn became the empress of Emperor Xiaohui. Because of their close kinship, Empress Dowager Lü desperately wished for the young empress to bear children by every means possible. When no child came, she took a son born to a palace woman and fraudulently passed him off as the empress's own. When Emperor Xiaohui died, the empire had been at peace for only a short time, and the line of succession remained uncertain. She therefore elevated her maternal relatives, enfeoffing members of the Lü clan as kings to serve as pillars of support, and made Lü Lu's daughter consort to the young emperor, hoping to entrench their family's hold on power. Yet none of this availed her.
4
高后崩，合葬長陵。 祿、產等懼誅，謀作亂。 大臣征之，天誘其統，卒滅呂氏。 唯獨置孝惠皇后居北宮。 迎立代王，是為孝文帝，奉漢宗廟。 此豈非天邪？ 非天命孰能當之？
When Empress Gao died, she was interred alongside Gaozu at the Changling mausoleum. Lü Lu, Lü Chan, and the others, fearing they would be executed, plotted a rebellion. The great ministers rose against them, and Heaven guided the rightful succession, so the Lü clan was at last destroyed. Only Emperor Xiaohui's empress was left to live out her days in the Northern Palace. They welcomed the King of Dai and enthroned him as Emperor Xiaowen, who upheld the sacrifices of the Han ancestral temples. Was this not the work of Heaven? If not by Heaven's mandate, who could have brought this about?
5
薄太后，父吳人，姓薄氏，秦時與故魏王宗家女魏媼通，生薄姬，而薄案死山陰，因葬焉。
Empress Dowager Bo's father was a man of Wu, surnamed Bo. During the Qin dynasty he had an affair with a woman named Wei Ao, who came from the royal clan of the former King of Wei. She bore Bo Ji. Bo An died at Shanyin and was buried there.
6
及諸侯畔秦，魏豹立為魏王，而魏媼內其女於魏宮。 媼之許負所相，相薄姬，云當生天子。 是時項羽方與漢王相距滎陽，天下未有所定。 豹初與漢擊楚，及聞許負言，心獨喜，因背漢而畔，中立，更與楚連和。 漢使曹參等擊虜魏王豹，以其國為郡，而薄姬輸織室。 豹已死，漢王入織室，見薄姬有色，詔內後宮，歲餘不得幸。 始姬少時，與管夫人、趙子兒相愛，約曰：「先貴無相忘。」 已而管夫人、趙子兒先幸漢王。 漢王坐河南宮成皋臺，此兩美人相與笑薄姬初時約。 漢王聞之，問其故，兩人具以實告漢王。 漢王心慘然，憐薄姬，是日召而幸之。 薄姬曰：「昨暮夜妾夢蒼龍據吾腹。」 高帝曰：「此貴徵也，吾為女遂成之。」 一幸生男，是為代王。 其後薄姬希見高祖。
When the feudal lords rebelled against Qin and Wei Bao was established as King of Wei, Wei Ao brought her daughter into the Wei palace. Wei Ao took her to the physiognomist Xu Fu, who examined Bo Ji and declared that she was destined to bear a Son of Heaven. At that time Xiang Yu and the King of Han were locked in a standoff at Xingyang, and the fate of the empire had yet to be decided. Wei Bao had initially allied with Han against Chu, but upon hearing Xu Fu's prophecy he was secretly elated. He broke with Han, declared neutrality, and then formed an alliance with Chu. Han dispatched Cao Can and others to attack and capture King Wei Bao, converted his state into a commandery, and consigned Bo Ji to the palace weaving workshops. After Wei Bao died, the King of Han entered the weaving workshops, noticed Bo Ji's beauty, and ordered her brought into the rear palace. Yet for more than a year she received none of his favor. When Bo Ji was young, she had been close friends with Lady Guan and Zhao Zi'er, and the three made a pact: "Whichever of us rises to honor first must not forget the others." As it happened, Lady Guan and Zhao Zi'er were the first to win the King of Han's favor. One day, as the King of Han sat in the Henan Palace at Chenggao Terrace, the two beauties laughed together over Bo Ji's old pact. The King of Han overheard them, asked what they were talking about, and the two women told him the whole story. The King of Han's heart was moved with pity for Bo Ji, and that very day he summoned her and bestowed his favor upon her. Bo Ji told him, "Last night I dreamt that a great blue-green dragon settled upon my belly." Emperor Gao replied, "That is a sign of great honor—I shall make it come true for you." From that single night of favor she conceived and bore a son, who would become the King of Dai. After that, Bo Ji seldom saw Gaozu again.
7
高祖崩，諸御幸姬戚夫人之屬，呂太后怒，皆幽之，不得出宮。 而薄姬以希見故，得出，從子之代，為代王太后。 太后弟薄昭從如代。
When Gaozu died, Empress Dowager Lü turned her fury on all the favored consorts—Consort Qi and the rest—confining them within the palace with no permission to leave. But because Bo Ji had so rarely been favored, she was permitted to leave the palace and follow her son to the kingdom of Dai, where she became the Queen Dowager. Her younger brother Bo Zhao accompanied her to Dai.
8
代王立十七年，高后崩。 大臣議立後，疾外家呂氏彊，皆稱薄氏仁善，故迎代王，立為孝文皇帝，而太后改號曰皇太后，弟薄昭封為軹侯。
The King of Dai had reigned for seventeen years when Empress Gao died. When the ministers deliberated on the succession, they were wary of the Lü clan's dominance as a consort family, and all praised the Bo clan for its benevolence and goodness. They therefore welcomed the King of Dai and enthroned him as Emperor Xiaowen. The Queen Dowager's title was elevated to Empress Dowager, and her brother Bo Zhao was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhi.
9
薄太后母亦前死，葬櫟陽北。 於是乃追尊薄案為靈文侯，會稽郡置園邑三百家，長丞已下吏奉守冢，寢廟上食祠如法。 而櫟陽北亦置靈文侯夫人園，如靈文侯園儀。 薄太后以為母家魏王後，早失父母，其奉薄太后諸魏有力者，於是召復魏氏，［及尊］賞賜各以親疏受之。 薄氏侯者凡一人。
Empress Dowager Bo's mother had already died earlier and was buried north of Yueyang. Accordingly, Bo An was posthumously honored as Marquis Lingwen. A funerary estate of three hundred households was established in Kuaiji commandery, with officials from the estate director on down to guard the tomb and maintain sacrifices at the resting temple in accordance with ritual. North of Yueyang, a funerary estate was likewise established for the wife of Marquis Lingwen, following the same protocols as his own. Empress Dowager Bo, considering that her maternal family were descendants of the former King of Wei and that she had lost her parents young, summoned those Wei clansmen who had served her faithfully. The Wei clan was restored, and honors and gifts were bestowed in proportion to each person's degree of kinship. In all, one member of the Bo clan was made a marquis.
10
薄太后後文帝二年，以孝景帝前二年崩，葬南陵。 以呂后會葬長陵，故特自起陵，近孝文皇帝霸陵。
Empress Dowager Bo outlived Emperor Wen by two years, dying in the second year before Emperor Jing's reign, and was buried at Nanling. Since Empress Lü had already been interred alongside Gaozu at Changling, a separate tomb was specially constructed for her near Emperor Xiaowen's Baling mausoleum.
11
竇太后，趙之清河觀津人也。 呂太后時，竇姬以良家子入宮侍太后。 太后出宮人以賜諸王，各五人，竇姬與在行中。 竇姬家在清河，欲如趙近家，請其主遣宦者吏：「必置我籍趙之伍中。」 宦者忘之，誤置其籍代伍中。 籍奏，詔可，當行。 竇姬涕泣，怨其宦者，不欲往，相彊，乃肯行。 至代，代王獨幸竇姬，生女嫖，後生兩男。 而代王王后生四男。 先代王未入立為帝而王后卒。 及代王立為帝，而王后所生四男更病死。 孝文帝立數月，公卿請立太子，而竇姬長男最長，立為太子。 立竇姬為皇后，女嫖為長公主。 其明年，立少子武為代王，已而又徙梁，是為梁孝王。
Empress Dowager Dou was a native of Guanjin in Qinghe commandery, in the former state of Zhao. During the reign of Empress Dowager Lü, Dou Ji entered the palace as a daughter of a respectable family to serve the empress dowager. The empress dowager sent palace women as gifts to the various kings, five to each, and Dou Ji was among those selected. Since Dou Ji's home was in Qinghe, she wished to be sent to Zhao, which was nearby, and begged the eunuch in charge: "Please be sure to place my name in the Zhao group." The eunuch forgot her request and mistakenly placed her name in the Dai group instead. The roster was submitted, the imperial edict approved it, and she was obliged to go. Dou Ji wept in anguish and blamed the eunuch, refusing to go, but she was compelled and finally consented to leave. Upon arriving in Dai, the King of Dai favored Dou Ji above all others. She bore him a daughter named Piao, and later two sons. Meanwhile, the King of Dai's queen had borne four sons. Before the King of Dai ascended the imperial throne, the queen died. After the King of Dai became emperor, the queen's four sons all died of illness, one after another. A few months after Emperor Xiaowen took the throne, the ministers petitioned to establish a crown prince. Since Dou Ji's eldest son was the oldest of the surviving princes, he was named heir apparent. Dou Ji was elevated to empress, and her daughter Piao was given the title of Eldest Princess. The following year, her youngest son Wu was made King of Dai, and later transferred to Liang, where he became known as King Xiao of Liang.
12
竇皇后親蚤卒，葬觀津。 於是薄太后乃詔有司，追尊竇后父為安成侯，母曰安成夫人。 令清河置園邑二百家，長丞奉守，比靈文園法。
Empress Dou's parents had died young and were buried at Guanjin. Empress Dowager Bo then issued an edict to the relevant officials, posthumously honoring Empress Dou's father as Marquis of Ancheng and her mother as Lady of Ancheng. She ordered the establishment of a funerary estate of two hundred households in Qinghe, with officials to maintain it, following the same regulations as the Lingwen estate.
13
竇皇后兄竇長君，弟曰竇廣國，字少君。 少君年四五歲時，家貧，為人所略賣，其家不知其處。 傳十餘家，至宜陽，為其主入山作炭，（寒）［暮］臥岸下百餘人，岸崩，盡壓殺臥者，少君獨得脫，不死。 自卜數日當為侯，從其家之長安。 聞竇皇后新立，家在觀津，姓竇氏。 廣國去時雖小，識其縣名及姓，又常與其姊採桑墮，用為符信，上書自陳。 竇皇后言之於文帝，召見，問之，具言其故，果是。 又復問他何以為驗？ 對曰：「姊去我西時，與我決於傳舍中，丐沐沐我，請食飯我，乃去。」 於是竇后持之而泣，泣涕交橫下。 侍御左右皆伏地泣，助皇后悲哀。 乃厚賜田宅金錢，封公昆弟，家於長安。
Empress Dou's elder brother was Dou Changjun, and her younger brother was Dou Guangguo, courtesy name Shaojun. When Shaojun was four or five years old, the family was destitute, and he was kidnapped and sold. His family had no idea where he had been taken. He was resold through more than ten households until he reached Yiyang, where his master sent him into the mountains to make charcoal. One evening, over a hundred laborers were sleeping at the foot of a cliff when it collapsed, crushing everyone beneath it—but Shaojun alone escaped with his life. He cast his own fortune and learned he would become a marquis within days, then followed his master's household to Chang'an. There he heard that the newly installed Empress Dou hailed from Guanjin and bore the surname Dou. Although Guangguo had been very young when he was taken, he still remembered the county name and the family surname. He also recalled picking mulberries with his elder sister and falling from the tree—details he used as tokens of proof when he submitted a memorial identifying himself. Empress Dou brought the matter to Emperor Wen, who summoned the man for an audience and questioned him. He recounted all the particulars, and they proved to be true. The emperor pressed further, asking what other proof he could offer. He answered: "When my sister left me to go west, we said farewell at a relay station. She asked to bathe me and bathed me, asked to feed me and fed me, and only then departed." At this, Empress Dou seized him in her arms and wept, tears streaming down her face. All the attendants around them fell to the ground weeping, moved by the empress's grief. Guangguo was lavishly rewarded with farmland, a residence, and money. He and his brothers were enfeoffed, and their household was established in Chang'an.
14
絳侯、灌將軍等曰：「吾屬不死，命乃且縣此兩人。 兩人所出微，不可不為擇師傅賓客，又復效呂氏大事也。」 於是乃選長者士之有節行者與居。 竇長君、少君由此為退讓君子，不敢以尊貴驕人。
The Marquis of Jiang and General Guan and others remarked: "Our very survival may hinge on these two men. They come from humble origins, so we must select proper tutors and advisors for them, lest they repeat the calamity of the Lü clan." They therefore chose men of age and virtue, scholars of integrity and upright conduct, to live alongside the brothers. Thanks to this guidance, Dou Changjun and Shaojun became modest and self-effacing gentlemen, never daring to lord their noble status over others.
15
竇皇后病，失明。 文帝幸邯鄲慎夫人、尹姬，皆毋子。 孝文帝崩，孝景帝立，乃封廣國為章武侯。 長君前死，封其子彭祖為南皮侯。 吳楚反時，竇太后從昆弟子竇嬰，任俠自喜，將兵，以軍功為魏其侯。 竇氏凡三人為侯。
Empress Dou fell ill and went blind. Emperor Wen favored Lady Shen of Handan and Lady Yin, but neither bore him any children. When Emperor Xiaowen died and Emperor Xiaojing ascended the throne, Guangguo was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhangwu. Changjun had already died, so his son Pengzu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanpi in his stead. During the Rebellion of Wu and Chu, Empress Dowager Dou's nephew Dou Ying—a man who took pride in chivalrous conduct—led troops into battle and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Weiqi for his military achievements. In all, three members of the Dou clan were made marquises.
16
竇太后好黃帝、老子言，帝及太子諸竇不得不讀黃帝、老子，尊其術。
Empress Dowager Dou was devoted to the teachings of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi. The emperor, the crown prince, and all members of the Dou clan were obliged to study the writings of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi and to honor their doctrines.
17
竇太后後孝景帝六歲（建元六年）崩，合葬霸陵。 遺詔盡以東宮金錢財物賜長公主嫖。
Empress Dowager Dou died six years after Emperor Xiaojing, in the sixth year of the Jianyuan era, and was interred alongside the emperor at the Baling mausoleum. In her last testament she directed that all the money, valuables, and possessions of the Eastern Palace be bestowed upon the Eldest Princess Piao.
18
王太后，槐裏人，母曰臧兒。 臧兒者，故燕王臧荼孫也。 臧兒嫁為槐裏王仲妻，生男曰信，與兩女。 而仲死，臧兒更嫁長陵田氏，生男蚡、勝。 臧兒長女嫁為金王孫婦，生一女矣，而臧兒卜筮之，曰兩女皆當貴。 因欲奇兩女，乃奪金氏。 金氏怒，不肯予決，乃內之太子宮。 太子幸愛之，生三女一男。 男方在身時，王美人夢日入其懷。 以告太子，太子曰：「此貴徵也。」 未生而孝文帝崩，孝景帝即位，王夫人生男。
Empress Dowager Wang was a native of Huaili. Her mother was named Zang Er. Zang Er was the granddaughter of Zang Tu, the former King of Yan. Zang Er married Wang Zhong of Huaili, bearing him a son named Xin and two daughters. After Wang Zhong died, Zang Er remarried into the Tian clan of Changling, and bore two more sons, Fen and Sheng. Zang Er's eldest daughter had married Jin Wangsun and already borne a daughter, but Zang Er consulted a diviner, who declared that both her daughters were destined for greatness. Determined to secure an extraordinary future for her two daughters, she took the elder back from the Jin family. The Jin family was furious and refused to surrender her, but Zang Er managed to place her daughter in the crown prince's palace. The crown prince favored and loved her, and she bore him three daughters and one son. While she was still carrying the boy, Lady Wang dreamt that the sun descended into her bosom. She told the crown prince of her dream, and he said, "That is an omen of great nobility." Before the child was born, Emperor Xiaowen died and Emperor Xiaojing ascended the throne. Lady Wang then gave birth to a son.
19
先是臧兒又入其少女兒姁，兒姁生四男。
Before this, Zang Er had also placed her younger daughter Er Xu in the palace, and Er Xu bore four sons.
20
景帝為太子時，薄太后以薄氏女為妃。 及景帝立，立妃曰薄皇后。 皇后毋子，毋寵。 薄太后崩，廢薄皇后。
When Emperor Jing had been crown prince, Empress Dowager Bo selected a girl from the Bo clan as his consort. When Emperor Jing ascended the throne, this consort was made Empress Bo. The empress bore no children and enjoyed no favor. After Empress Dowager Bo died, the emperor deposed Empress Bo.
21
景帝長男榮，其母栗姬。 栗姬，齊人也。 立榮為太子。 長公主嫖有女，欲予為妃。 栗姬妒，而景帝諸美人皆因長公主見景帝，得貴幸，皆過栗姬，栗姬日怨怒，謝長公主，不許。 長公主欲予王夫人，王夫人許之。 長公主怒，而日讒栗姬短於景帝曰：「栗姬與諸貴夫人幸姬會，常使侍者祝唾其背，挾邪媚道。」 景帝以故望之。
Emperor Jing's eldest son was Rong, whose mother was Lady Li. Lady Li was a native of Qi. Rong was named crown prince. The Eldest Princess Piao had a daughter whom she wished to offer as the crown prince's consort. Lady Li was a jealous woman, and since all of Emperor Jing's beauties had been presented to him through the Eldest Princess and had won favor surpassing her own, she grew more resentful by the day. She rebuffed the Eldest Princess and refused the match. The Eldest Princess then wished to betroth her daughter to Lady Wang's son instead, and Lady Wang agreed. Enraged, the Eldest Princess slandered Lady Li daily to Emperor Jing, saying: "Whenever Lady Li meets with the other honored ladies and favored consorts, she has her attendants curse them and spit on their backs—she practices witchcraft and dark seductive arts." For this reason, Emperor Jing came to resent Lady Li.
22
景帝嘗體不安，心不樂，屬諸子為王者於栗姬，曰：「百歲後，善視之。」 栗姬怒，不肯應，言不遜。 景帝恚，心嗛之而未發也。
Once, when Emperor Jing was unwell and in low spirits, he entrusted his sons who had been made kings to Lady Li's care, saying: "After I am gone, look after them well." Lady Li was angry, refused to agree, and spoke insolently. Emperor Jing was furious and nursed a grudge against her, though he did not act on it yet.
23
長公主日譽王夫人男之美，景帝亦賢之，又有曩者所夢日符，計未有所定。 王夫人知帝望栗姬，因怒未解，陰使人趣大臣立栗姬為皇后。 大行奏事畢，曰：「『子以母貴，母以子貴』，今太子母無號，宜立為皇后。」 景帝怒曰：「是而所宜言邪！」 遂案誅大行，而廢太子為臨江王。 栗姬愈恚恨，不得見，以憂死。 卒立王夫人為皇后，其男為太子，封皇后兄信為蓋侯。
The Eldest Princess praised Lady Wang's son daily for his virtues, and Emperor Jing too came to regard him highly. Together with the earlier omen of the sun in the dream, the emperor's mind was not yet settled. Lady Wang, knowing that the emperor had grown hostile toward Lady Li and that his anger had not abated, secretly sent agents to urge the ministers to petition for Lady Li to be made empress. The Chamberlain for Ceremonials, having concluded his business, added: "As the saying goes, 'The son is honored through the mother, and the mother through the son.' The crown prince's mother holds no title—she ought to be made empress." Emperor Jing erupted in anger: "Is this your place to say!" He had the Chamberlain investigated and put to death, then deposed the crown prince and demoted him to King of Linjiang. Lady Li grew ever more bitter and resentful. Denied any audience with the emperor, she died of grief. In the end, Lady Wang was made empress, her son was named crown prince, and the empress's elder brother Xin was enfeoffed as Marquis of Gai.
24
景帝崩，太子襲號為皇帝。 尊皇太后母臧兒為平原君。 封田蚡為武安侯，勝為周陽侯。
When Emperor Jing died, the crown prince succeeded him on the throne. The Empress Dowager's mother Zang Er was honored with the title Lord of Pingyuan. Tian Fen was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wu'an, and Tian Sheng as Marquis of Zhouyang.
25
景帝十三男，一男為帝，十二男皆為王。 而兒姁早卒，其四子皆為王。 王太后長女號日平陽公主，次為南宮公主，次為林慮公主。
Emperor Jing fathered thirteen sons: one became emperor, and the remaining twelve all became kings. Er Xu died young, but all four of her sons became kings. Empress Dowager Wang's eldest daughter was titled Princess Pingyang, the second Princess Nangong, and the third Princess Linlü.
26
蓋侯信好酒。 田蚡、勝貪，巧於文辭。 王仲蚤死，葬槐裏，追尊為共侯，置園邑二百家。 及平原君卒，從田氏葬長陵，置園比共侯園。 而王太后後孝景帝十六歲，以元朔四年崩，合葬陽陵。 王太后家凡三人為侯。
The Marquis of Gai, Xin, was given to drink. Tian Fen and Tian Sheng were covetous men, though clever with words and rhetoric. Wang Zhong had died young and was buried at Huaili. He was posthumously honored as Marquis Gong, with a funerary estate of two hundred households. When the Lord of Pingyuan died, she was buried with the Tian clan at Changling, and an estate comparable to that of Marquis Gong was established for her. Empress Dowager Wang outlived Emperor Jing by sixteen years, dying in the fourth year of Yuanshuo, and was interred alongside him at the Yangling mausoleum. In all, three members of Empress Dowager Wang's family were made marquises.
27
衛皇后字子夫，生微矣。 蓋其家號曰衛氏，出平陽侯邑。 子夫為平陽主謳者。 武帝初即位，數歲無子。 平陽主求諸良家子女十餘人，飾置家。 武帝祓霸上還，因過平陽主。 主見所侍美人。 上弗說。 既飲，謳者進，上望見，獨說衛子夫。 是日，武帝起更衣，子夫侍尚衣軒中，得幸。 上還坐，驩甚。 賜平陽主金千斤。 主因奏子夫奉送入宮。 子夫上車，平陽主拊其背曰：「行矣，彊飯，勉之！ 即貴，無相忘。」 入宮歲餘，竟不復幸。 武帝擇宮人不中用者，斥出歸之。 衛子夫得見，涕泣請出。 上憐之，復幸，遂有身，尊寵日隆。 召其兄衛長君弟青為侍中。 而子夫後大幸，有寵，凡生三女一男。 男名據。
Empress Wei, courtesy name Zifu, was born into the most humble of circumstances. Her family bore the surname Wei and hailed from the domain of the Marquis of Pingyang. Zifu served as a singing girl in the household of Princess Pingyang. In the first years after Emperor Wu took the throne, he remained without an heir. Princess Pingyang sought out more than ten young women from respectable families, dressed them in finery, and kept them in her household. Emperor Wu performed the purification ceremony at Bashang and, on his way back, stopped at Princess Pingyang's residence. The princess presented the beauties she had assembled. The emperor showed no interest. After the wine had been served, the singers stepped forward. The emperor glanced up and, among them all, was taken with Wei Zifu alone. That very day, Emperor Wu rose to change his clothes. Zifu attended him in the robing carriage and received his favor. When the emperor returned to his seat, he was greatly pleased. He bestowed a thousand jin of gold upon Princess Pingyang. The princess accordingly petitioned to present Zifu and send her into the palace. As Zifu climbed into the carriage, Princess Pingyang patted her on the back and said: "Go now—eat well and do your best! If you rise to honor, do not forget me." She entered the palace, but for more than a year the emperor never summoned her again. Emperor Wu was culling the palace women, releasing those who were of no use and sending them home. When Wei Zifu secured an audience, she wept and begged to be released. The emperor took pity on her and favored her once more. She became pregnant, and from then on her standing and favor grew with each passing day. Her elder brother Wei Changjun and her younger brother Wei Qing were summoned to serve as Gentlemen of the Palace. In time Zifu came to enjoy the emperor's deepest favor and highest honor, bearing him three daughters and one son in all. The boy was named Ju.
28
初，上為太子時，娶長公主女為妃。 立為帝，妃立為皇后，姓陳氏，無子。 上之得為嗣，大長公主有力焉，以故陳皇后驕貴。 聞衛子夫大幸，恚，幾死者數矣。 上愈怒。 陳皇后挾婦人媚道，其事頗覺，於是廢陳皇后，而立衛子夫為皇后。
Originally, when the emperor had still been crown prince, he married the daughter of the Eldest Princess as his consort. When he became emperor, this consort was made empress. She bore the surname Chen and had no children. The Grand Eldest Princess had played a decisive role in securing the emperor's succession, and for this reason Empress Chen carried herself with arrogance and pride. When she learned that Wei Zifu had won the emperor's deep favor, her fury was so great that she nearly destroyed herself on several occasions. This only made the emperor angrier. Empress Chen resorted to witchcraft and seductive arts, and once the affair came to light, she was deposed. Wei Zifu was then made empress in her place.
29
陳皇后母大長公主，景帝姊也，數讓武帝姊平陽公主曰：「帝非我不得立，已而棄捐吾女，壹何不自喜而倍本乎！」 平陽公主曰：「用無子故廢耳。」 陳皇后求子，與醫錢凡九千萬，然竟無子。
Empress Chen's mother, the Grand Eldest Princess—Emperor Jing's sister—repeatedly reproached Emperor Wu's sister Princess Pingyang, saying: "The emperor could never have come to the throne without me, and yet he now discards my daughter—how can he be so ungrateful and turn his back on those who made him?" Princess Pingyang replied, "She was deposed simply because she bore no children." Empress Chen had spent a total of ninety million cash on physicians in her quest for a child, yet in the end she never bore one.
30
衛子夫已立為皇后，先是衛長君死，乃以衛青為將軍，擊胡有功，封為長平侯。 青三子在襁褓中，皆封為列侯。 及衛皇后所謂姊衛少兒，少兒生子霍去病，以軍功封冠軍侯，號驃騎將軍。 青號大將軍。 立衛皇后子據為太子。 衛氏枝屬以軍功起家，五人為侯。
After Wei Zifu was made empress—her brother Wei Changjun having already died—Wei Qing was appointed general. He won distinction in campaigns against the Xiongnu and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping. Wei Qing's three sons, still babes in swaddling clothes, were all enfeoffed as marquises. As for Empress Wei's sister Wei Shao'er, she bore a son named Huo Qubing, who for his military exploits was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guanjun and held the title of General of Swift Cavalry. Wei Qing held the title of Grand General. Empress Wei's son Ju was named crown prince. The various branches of the Wei clan rose to prominence through military merit, and five of its members were made marquises.
31
及衛后色衰，趙之王夫人幸，有子，為齊王。
As Empress Wei's beauty faded, Lady Wang of Zhao came to be favored. She bore a son who became King of Qi.
32
王夫人蚤卒。 而中山李夫人有寵，有男一人，為昌邑王。
Lady Wang died young. Then Lady Li of Zhongshan won the emperor's favor and bore a son who became King of Changyi.
33
李夫人蚤卒，其兄李延年以音幸，號協律。 協律者，故倡也。 兄弟皆坐姦，族。 是時其長兄廣利為貳師將軍，伐大宛，不及誅，還，而上既夷李氏，後憐其家，乃封為海西侯。
Lady Li died young. Her brother Li Yannian had won favor through his musical talent and was given the title Coordinator of Tonal Harmonies. This Coordinator of Tonal Harmonies had formerly been an entertainer. The brothers were all convicted of illicit conduct, and the entire clan was put to death. At that time the eldest brother Li Guangli was serving as General Ershi on a campaign against Dayuan and so escaped the purge. When he returned, the emperor, having already destroyed the Li clan, took pity on the family and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Haixi.
34
他姬子二人為燕王、廣陵王。 其母無寵，以憂死。
Two sons by other consorts became the King of Yan and the King of Guangling. Their mothers enjoyed no favor and died of grief.
35
及李夫人卒，則有尹婕妤之屬，更有寵。 然皆以倡見，非王侯有土之士女，不可以配人主也。
After Lady Li died, consorts such as the Pure Consort Lady Yin took her place in the emperor's favor. Yet they had all come to attention as entertainers, not as daughters of territorial kings or marquises—women unfit to be matched with a sovereign.
36
褚先生曰：臣為郎時，問習漢家故事者鐘離生。 曰：王太后在民閒時所生（子）［一］女者，父為金王孫。 王孫已死，景帝崩後，武帝已立，王太后獨在。 而韓王孫名嫣素得幸武帝，承閒白言太后有女在長陵也。 武帝曰：「何不蚤言！」 乃使使往先視之，在其家。 武帝乃自往迎取之。 蹕道，先驅旄騎出橫城門，乘輿馳至長陵。 當小市西入里，里門閉，暴開門，乘輿直入此里，通至金氏門外止，使武騎圍其宅，為其亡走，身自往取不得也。 即使左右群臣入呼求之。 家人驚恐，女亡匿內中床下。 扶持出門，令拜謁。 武帝下車泣曰：「嚄！ 大姊，何藏之深也！」 詔副車載之，迴車馳還，而直入長樂宮。 行詔門著引籍，通到謁太后。 太后曰：「帝倦矣，何從來？」 帝曰：「今者至長陵得臣姊，與俱來。」 顧曰：「謁太后！」 太后曰：「女某邪？」 曰：「是也。」 太后為下泣，女亦伏地泣。 武帝奉酒前為壽，奉錢千萬，奴婢三百人，公田百頃，甲第，以賜姊。 太后謝曰：「為帝費焉。」 於是召平陽主、南宮主、林慮主三人俱來謁見姊，因號曰修成君。 有子男一人，女一人。 男號為修成子仲，女為諸侯王王后。 此二子非劉氏，以故太后憐之。 修成子仲驕恣，陵折吏民，皆患苦之。
Master Chu remarks: When I served as a court gentleman, I once questioned Zhongli Sheng, a man well versed in the precedents of the Han court. He told me: "When Empress Dowager Wang was still a commoner, she bore a daughter whose father was Jin Wangsun." Jin Wangsun had long since died. After Emperor Jing passed away and Emperor Wu ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Wang remained alone. Han Yan, a man long favored by Emperor Wu, seized an opportune moment to inform the emperor that the empress dowager had a daughter living at Changling. Emperor Wu exclaimed, "Why did you not tell me sooner!" He dispatched envoys to go ahead and find her, and she was discovered at the family home. Emperor Wu then went in person to fetch her. The road was cleared, a vanguard of plumed cavalry rode out through the Hengcheng Gate, and the imperial carriage raced to Changling. At the small market they turned west into the ward. Finding the ward gate shut, they forced it open. The imperial carriage drove straight through and halted before the Jin family's door. Armed cavalry were ordered to surround the house lest the girl flee, for the emperor meant to bring her back himself and would not be denied. He then sent his attendants and ministers inside to call for her. The household was thrown into a panic, and the girl fled and hid under a bed in the inner rooms. They coaxed her out and led her through the door, then instructed her to kneel and pay her respects. Emperor Wu stepped down from his carriage, tears in his eyes, and cried: "Ah! Elder sister, why were you hidden away so deeply!" He ordered the attendant carriage to carry her, wheeled around, and galloped back, heading straight for the Changle Palace. He ordered the gate officials to register her name and allow her passage to an audience with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said, "The emperor must be tired—where has he come from?" The emperor said, "Today I went to Changling and found my elder sister. I have brought her back with me." He turned to the girl and said, "Pay your respects to the Empress Dowager!" The Empress Dowager asked, "Are you the one?" The girl replied, "I am." The Empress Dowager began to weep, and the girl also fell prostrate and wept. Emperor Wu came forward with wine to toast her long life, then bestowed upon his sister ten million cash, three hundred servants, a hundred qing of public farmland, and a grand mansion. The Empress Dowager politely demurred, saying, "You have put the emperor to too much expense." He then summoned Princess Pingyang, Princess Nangong, and Princess Linlü, all three, to come and meet their elder sister, and bestowed upon her the title Lord of Xiucheng. She had one son and one daughter. The son was styled Xiuchengzi Zhong, and the daughter married into the household of a feudal king as his queen. Since these two children were not of the Liu clan, the Empress Dowager took special pity on them. Xiuchengzi Zhong was arrogant and lawless, riding roughshod over officials and commoners alike, who all suffered bitterly at his hands.
37
衛子夫立為皇后，后弟衛青字仲卿，以大將軍封為長平侯。 四子，長子伉為侯世子，侯世子常侍中，貴幸。 其三弟皆封為侯，各千三百戶，一曰陰安侯，二曰發干侯，三曰宜春侯，貴震天下。 天下歌之曰：「生男無喜，生女無怒，獨不見衛子夫霸天下！」
After Wei Zifu was made empress, her younger brother Wei Qing, courtesy name Zhongqing, served as Grand General and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping. He had four sons. The eldest, Kang, became heir to the marquisate and frequently served in attendance at court, enjoying great honor and favor. His three younger brothers were all enfeoffed as marquises, each with thirteen hundred households—the first as Marquis of Yin'an, the second as Marquis of Fagan, the third as Marquis of Yichun. Their combined eminence shook the realm. People throughout the empire sang: "Do not rejoice at the birth of a son, do not despair at the birth of a daughter—have you not seen how Wei Zifu now commands the realm!"
38
是時平陽主寡居，當用列侯尚主。 主與左右議長安中列侯可為夫者，皆言大將軍可。 主笑曰：「此出吾家，常使令騎從我出入耳，柰何用為夫乎？」 左右侍御者曰：「今大將軍姊為皇后，三子為侯，富貴振動天下，主何以易之乎？」 於是主乃許之。 言之皇后，令白之武帝，乃詔衛將軍尚平陽公主焉。
At this time Princess Pingyang was living as a widow, and by custom a marquis should be found to wed the princess. The princess discussed with her attendants which of the marquises in Chang'an might make a suitable husband. They all said the Grand General would be ideal. The princess laughed and said, "That man came from my own household—he used to ride alongside as my escort whenever I went out. How could I take him for a husband?" Her attendants replied, "Today the Grand General's sister is empress, his three sons are marquises, and his wealth and honor shake the realm—Your Highness, where would you find a better match?" At that, the princess consented. She informed the empress, who in turn told Emperor Wu, and the emperor issued an edict directing General Wei to marry Princess Pingyang.
39
褚先生曰：丈夫龍變。 傳曰：「蛇化為龍，不變其文； 家化為國，不變其姓。」 丈夫當時富貴，百惡滅除，光耀榮華，貧賤之時何足累之哉！
Master Chu remarks: A man may undergo the transformation of a dragon. As the saying goes: "When a snake transforms into a dragon, its markings do not change; when a family grows into a state, its surname remains the same." When a man achieves wealth and honor, all past wrongs are forgotten, and he shines in glory—why should the poverty of his former days weigh upon him?
40
武帝時，幸夫人尹婕妤。 邢夫人號娙娥，眾人謂之「娙何」。 娙何秩比中二千石，容華秩比二千石，婕妤秩比列侯。 常從婕妤遷為皇后。
During Emperor Wu's reign, he favored Lady Yin, who held the rank of Pure Consort. Lady Xing bore the palace title of Jing'e, though people commonly called her "Jing He." The rank of Jing He was equivalent to that of a Middle Two Thousand Piculs official; a Ronghua ranked equivalent to Two Thousand Piculs; and a Pure Consort ranked equivalent to a marquis. It was customary for the empress to be promoted from among the Pure Consorts.
41
尹夫人與邢夫人同時并幸，有詔不得相見。 尹夫人自請武帝，願望見邢夫人，帝許之。 即令他夫人飾，從御者數十人，為邢夫人來前。 尹夫人前見之，曰：「此非邢夫人身也。」 帝曰：「何以言之？」 對曰：「視其身貌形狀，不足以當人主矣。」 於是帝乃詔使邢夫人衣故衣，獨身來前。 尹夫人望見之，曰：「此真是也。」 於是乃低頭俛而泣，自痛其不如也。 諺曰：「美女入室，惡女之仇。」
Lady Yin and Lady Xing were both favored at the same time, and an edict was issued forbidding them to meet. Lady Yin personally petitioned Emperor Wu, expressing her wish to see Lady Xing, and the emperor granted her request. But he first had another lady dressed up and attended by several dozen servants, then brought her forward as if she were Lady Xing. Lady Yin came forward, looked at her, and said, "This is not Lady Xing." The emperor asked, "How can you tell?" She replied, "Judging by her figure, features, and bearing, she is not beautiful enough to captivate a sovereign." The emperor then ordered Lady Xing to come forward alone, wearing her everyday clothes. When Lady Yin caught sight of her, she exclaimed, "This is truly she." She bowed her head and wept, pained by the realization that she was the lesser beauty. As the proverb says: "When a beautiful woman enters the house, she becomes the enemy of the plain."
42
褚先生曰：浴不必江海，要之去垢； 馬不必騏驥，要之善走； 士不必賢世，要之知道； 女不必貴種，要之貞好。 傳曰：「女無美惡，入室見妒； 士無賢不肖，入朝見嫉。」 美女者，惡女之仇。 豈不然哉！
Master Chu remarks: One need not bathe in the great rivers or the sea—what matters is washing away the dirt. A horse need not be a legendary steed—what matters is that it runs swiftly. A scholar need not be the wisest of his generation—what matters is that he knows the Way. A woman need not be of noble birth—what matters is that she be virtuous and good. As the tradition says: "Whether a woman is beautiful or plain, when she enters the household she will be envied; whether a scholar is worthy or not, when he enters court he will be resented." A beautiful woman is the natural enemy of a plain one. Is this not the truth?
43
鉤弋夫人姓趙氏，河閒人也。 得幸武帝，生子一人，昭帝是也。 武帝年七十，乃生昭帝。 昭帝立時，年五歲耳。
Lady Gouyi bore the surname Zhao and was a native of Hejian. She won Emperor Wu's favor and bore him a single son—the future Emperor Zhao. Emperor Wu was seventy years old when Emperor Zhao was born. When Emperor Zhao ascended the throne, he was a mere five years old.
44
衛太子廢後，未復立太子。 而燕王旦上書，願歸國入宿衛。 武帝怒，立斬其使者於北闕。
After the Wei crown prince was deposed, no new heir was designated. The King of Yan, Dan, submitted a memorial volunteering to return from his kingdom and serve in the palace guard. Emperor Wu was enraged and had his envoy executed at once at the Northern Gate.
45
上居甘泉宮，召畫工圖畫周公負成王也。 於是左右群臣知武帝意欲立少子也。 後數日，帝譴責鉤弋夫人。 夫人脫簪珥叩頭。 帝曰：「引持去，送掖庭獄！」 夫人還顧，帝曰：「趣行，女不得活！」 夫人死雲陽宮。 時暴風揚塵，百姓感傷。 使者夜持棺往葬之，封識其處。 其後帝閒居，問左右曰：「人言云何？」 左右對曰：「人言且立其子，何去其母乎？」 帝曰：「然。 是非兒曹愚人所知也。 往古國家所以亂也，由主少母壯也。 女主獨居驕蹇，淫亂自恣，莫能禁也。 女不聞呂后邪？」 故諸為武帝生子者，無男女，其母無不譴死，豈可謂非賢聖哉！ 昭然遠見，為後世計慮，固非淺聞愚儒之所及也。 謚為「武」，豈虛哉！
While residing at Ganquan Palace, the emperor summoned court painters to create a painting of the Duke of Zhou bearing the young King Cheng on his back. From this, the ministers around him understood that Emperor Wu intended to make his youngest son the heir. A few days later, the emperor severely reproached Lady Gouyi. The lady removed her hairpins and earrings and knocked her head on the ground in supplication. The emperor commanded, "Take her away and send her to the prison of the Lateral Courts!" As the lady was led away she looked back, and the emperor said, "Go quickly—you shall not live!" The lady died at Yunyang Palace. At the time a violent storm stirred up clouds of dust, and the common people were deeply moved. Envoys carried her coffin under cover of night to bury her, sealing and marking the site. Sometime later, while the emperor was at leisure, he asked those around him, "What are people saying?" His attendants replied, "People are saying: if you intend to enthrone the son, why did you put his mother to death?" The emperor said, "Just so. This is not something that children and fools can understand. Throughout history, states have fallen into chaos because the ruler was young and the mother was in the prime of her power. A woman ruling alone grows arrogant and willful, gives herself over to excess and disorder, and no one can restrain her. Have you never heard of Empress Lü?" And so, of all the women who bore Emperor Wu's children, regardless of whether the child was a son or a daughter, not one mother escaped being put to death—can anyone say this was not the act of a wise and sagely ruler! His clear and far-sighted vision, planning for generations to come, was assuredly beyond the comprehension of shallow scholars and pedantic Confucians. That his posthumous title was "the Martial"—surely this was not bestowed without reason!