1
劉敬者，齊人也。 漢五年，戍隴西，過洛陽，高帝在焉。 婁敬脫輓輅，衣其羊裘，見齊人虞將軍曰：「臣願見上言便事。」 虞將軍欲與之鮮衣，婁敬曰：「臣衣帛，衣帛見； 衣褐，衣褐見：終不敢易衣。」 於是虞將軍入言上。 上召入見，賜食。
Liu Jing was a native of Qi. In the fifth year of the Han dynasty, while on garrison duty in Longxi, he passed through Luoyang, where Emperor Gao was residing. Lou Jing removed himself from the draught cart, put on his sheepskin coat, and saw General Yu of Qi, saying: 'I wish to see the Sovereign and speak of convenient matters.' General Yu wanted to give him fine clothes, but Lou Jing said: 'I wear silk, I see in silk;' I wear coarse hemp, I see in coarse hemp: I ultimately dare not change my clothes.' General Yu then went in and reported this to the Emperor. The Emperor summoned him for an audience and bestowed a meal upon him.
2
已而問婁敬，婁敬說曰：「陛下都洛陽，豈欲與周室比隆哉？」 上曰：「然。」 婁敬曰：「陛下取天下與周室異。 周之先自后稷，堯封之邰，積德累善十有餘世。 公劉避桀居豳。 太王以狄伐故，去豳，杖馬箠居岐，國人爭隨之。 及文王為西伯，斷虞芮之訟，始受命，呂望、伯夷自海濱來歸之。 武王伐紂，不期而會孟津之上八百諸侯，皆曰紂可伐矣，遂滅殷。 成王即位，周公之屬傅相焉，乃營成周洛邑，以此為天下之中也，諸侯四方納貢職，道裏均矣，有德則易以王，無德則易以亡。 凡居此者，欲令周務以德致人，不欲依阻險，令後世驕奢以虐民也。 及周之盛時，天下和洽，四夷鄉風，慕義懷德，附離而并事天子，不屯一卒，不戰一士，八夷大國之民莫不賓服，效其貢職。 及周之衰也，分而為兩，天下莫朝，周不能制也。 非其德薄也，而形勢弱也。 今陛下起豐沛，收卒三千人，以之徑往而卷蜀漢，定三秦，與項羽戰滎陽，爭成皋之口，大戰七十，小戰四十，使天下之民肝腦涂地，父子暴骨中野，不可勝數，哭泣之聲未絕，傷痍者未起，而欲比隆於成康之時，臣竊以為不侔也。 且夫秦地被山帶河，四塞以為固，卒然有急，百萬之眾可具也。 因秦之故，資甚美膏腴之地，此所謂天府者也。 陛下入關而都之，山東雖亂，秦之故地可全而有也。 夫與人鬬，不搤其亢，拊其背，未能全其勝也。 今陛下入關而都，案秦之故地，此亦搤天下之亢而拊其背也。」
Then he asked Lou Jing, and Lou Jing spoke, saying: 'Your Majesty makes Luoyang the capital—does this desire to compare flourishing with the Zhou house?' The Sovereign said: 'Yes.' Lou Jing said: 'Your Majesty took the empire differently from the Zhou house.' The Zhou ancestors began with Hou Ji, whom Yao enfeoffed at Tai, accumulating virtue and goodness for more than ten generations.' Duke Liu fled from Jie and settled in Bin. Because of the Di people's attacks, King Tai left Bin. Leaning on his riding crop, he settled at Qi, and the people of his state vied to follow him. When Wen Wang became Western Bo, he adjudicated the dispute between Yu and Rui, began receiving the mandate, and Lü Wang and Bo Yi came from the seacoast to submit to him.' When King Wu marched against Zhou, eight hundred lords gathered unbidden at Mengjin, all declaring that Zhou could be overthrown—and so the Yin dynasty was destroyed. Cheng Wang ascended the throne, and Zhou Gong's relations tutored and chancellored there, then built Chengzhou at Luoyi, making this the center of all under heaven. The feudal lords from four directions submitted tribute and duties, road distances were equal. With virtue one easily became king; without virtue one easily perished.' All who chose to reside there wished the Zhou to devote themselves to attracting the people through virtue, not to rely on natural defenses, lest future generations grow arrogant and extravagant and oppress the people. When Zhou was flourishing, all under heaven was harmonious and agreeable. The four Yi turned toward it like the wind, admired righteousness and cherished virtue, attached to those who had separated and together served the Son of Heaven. Without stationing a single soldier or battling a single warrior, the people of the eight Yi and great states were all submissive and obedient, presenting their tribute and duties.' When Zhou declined, it divided into two, all under heaven ceased to court it, and Zhou could not control them.' It was not that their virtue was lacking, but that their strategic position was weak. Now Your Majesty arose from Feng and Pei, gathered three thousand soldiers, and with them directly went and rolled up Shu and Han, pacified the Three Qins, battled Xiang Yu at Xingyang, contended for the mouth of Chenggao. In seventy great battles and forty small battles, the people of all under heaven had their livers and brains smeared on the ground, fathers and sons exposed their bones in the midst of fields beyond counting. The sounds of weeping and crying have not ceased, the wounded and injured have not yet risen, yet you desire to compare flourishing with the time of Cheng and Kang. I secretly consider it unequal.' Moreover, the land of Qin is flanked by mountains and belted by the Yellow River, secured on all four sides by strategic passes. Should an emergency suddenly arise, an army of a million could be assembled. Building on the foundations of Qin, it commands lands of exceptional fertility—this is what men call the Heavenly Storehouse. If Your Majesty enters the passes and establishes the capital there, then even should the lands east of the mountains fall into chaos, the old territories of Qin can be held in their entirety. When wrestling an opponent, if you do not seize him by the throat but merely pat his back, you cannot secure a complete victory. Now if Your Majesty enters the pass and makes it the capital, pressing on Qin's old lands, this also grasps the throat of all under heaven while patting its back.'
3
高帝問群臣，群臣皆山東人，爭言周王數百年，秦二世即亡，不如都周。 上疑未能決。 及留侯明言入關便，即日車駕西都關中。
Emperor Gao consulted his ministers, but they were all men from east of the mountains, and they argued that the Zhou had reigned for several hundred years while the Qin fell after just two generations, making it far better to establish the capital at the old Zhou site. The Emperor was uncertain and could not reach a decision. When the Marquis of Liu clearly stated the advantages of entering the passes, that very day the imperial carriage set out westward to establish the capital in Guanzhong.
4
於是上曰：「本言都秦地者婁敬，『婁』者乃『劉』也。」 賜姓劉氏，拜為郎中，號為奉春君。
Thereupon the Sovereign said: 'The one who originally spoke of making Qin lands the capital was Lou Jing. "Lou" is "Liu".' He was granted the imperial surname Liu, appointed as a Palace Attendant, and given the title Lord of Fengchun.
5
漢七年，韓王信反，高帝自往擊之。 至晉陽，聞信與匈奴欲共擊漢，上大怒，使人使匈奴。 匈奴匿其壯士肥牛馬，但見老弱及羸畜。 使者十輩來，皆言匈奴可擊。 上使劉敬復往使匈奴，還報曰：「兩國相擊，此宜夸矜見所長。 今臣往，徒見羸瘠老弱，此必欲見短，伏奇兵以爭利。 愚以為匈奴不可擊也。」 是時漢兵已踰句注，二十餘萬兵已業行。 上怒，罵劉敬曰：「齊虜！ 以口舌得官，今乃妄言沮吾軍。」 械系敬廣武。 遂往，至平城，匈奴果出奇兵圍高帝白登，七日然後得解。 高帝至廣武，赦敬，曰：「吾不用公言，以困平城。 吾皆已斬前使十輩言可擊者矣。」 乃封敬二千戶，為關內侯，號為建信侯。
In the seventh year of the Han dynasty, King Xin of Han rebelled, and Emperor Gao personally led a campaign against him. Upon reaching Jinyang, he learned that Xin intended to join forces with the Xiongnu to attack Han. The Emperor was furious and sent envoys to the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu hid their finest warriors and fattest cattle and horses, displaying only the old and weak along with emaciated livestock. Envoys returned in ten successive groups, all reporting that the Xiongnu could be attacked. The Sovereign sent Liu Jing to again go dispatch to the Xiongnu. He returned and reported: 'When two states mutually strike, this should boast proudly and show strengths.' When I went, all I saw were the emaciated, the old, and the weak. They are surely displaying their weaknesses while concealing crack troops to seize the advantage. I foolishly consider that the Xiongnu cannot be struck.' By this time, the Han forces had already crossed the Gouzhu Pass, and over two hundred thousand troops were already on the march. The Sovereign was angered and cursed Liu Jing, saying: 'Qi captive!' You got your office with mouth and tongue, and now you recklessly speak to obstruct my army.' He had Liu Jing shackled and imprisoned at Guangwu. He pressed onward to Pingcheng, where the Xiongnu indeed unleashed their hidden forces and surrounded Emperor Gao at Baideng. Only after seven days was the siege lifted. The Gao Emperor arrived at Guangwu, pardoned Jing, and said: 'I did not use your words, which is why I was distressed at Pingcheng.' I have already beheaded all the previous envoys in ten groups who said it could be struck.' He then enfeoffed Liu Jing with two thousand households, granted him the rank of Marquis Within the Passes, and titled him the Marquis of Jianxin.
6
高帝罷平城歸，韓王信亡入胡。 當是時，冒頓為單于，兵彊，控弦三十萬，數苦北邊。 上患之，問劉敬。 劉敬曰：「天下初定，士卒罷於兵，未可以武服也。 冒頓殺父代立，妻群母，以力為威，未可以仁義說也。 獨可以計久遠子孫為臣耳，然恐陛下不能為。」 上曰：「誠可，何為不能！ 顧為柰何？」 劉敬對曰：「陛下誠能以適長公主妻之，厚奉遺之，彼知漢適女送厚，蠻夷必慕以為閼氏，生子必為太子。 代單于。 何者？ 貪漢重幣。 陛下以歲時漢所餘彼所鮮數問遺，因使辯士風諭以禮節。 冒頓在，固為子婿； 死，則外孫為單于。 豈嘗聞外孫敢與大父抗禮者哉？ 兵可無戰以漸臣也。 若陛下不能遣長公主，而令宗室及後宮詐稱公主，彼亦知，不肯貴近，無益也。」 高帝曰：「善。」 欲遣長公主。 呂后日夜泣，曰：「妾唯太子、一女，柰何棄之匈奴！」 上竟不能遣長公主，而取家人子名為長公主，妻單于。 使劉敬往結和親約。
After Emperor Gao withdrew from Pingcheng and returned, King Xin of Han fled to the Hu. At that time, Modu was the Chanyu. His forces were formidable—he commanded three hundred thousand mounted archers and repeatedly ravaged the northern frontier. The Emperor was troubled by this and consulted Liu Jing. Liu Jing said: 'The empire has newly been pacified, the officers and soldiers are fatigued by warfare, and it cannot yet be subjugated with martial means.' Modu killed his father and seized power, took his father's consorts as his own wives, and rules through force and intimidation—he cannot be won over by appeals to benevolence and righteousness. Only with a plan for the long term can their descendants serve as ministers, but I fear Your Majesty cannot do it.' The Sovereign said: 'If it truly can be done, why cannot I do it!' But how should it be done?' Liu Jing replied: 'If Your Majesty can truly give him the legitimate eldest princess as wife, with thick bestowal and gifts, he will know that Han sends legitimate daughters with thickness, and the barbarians and foreigners will certainly admire and take her as Yanzhi. Any son born will certainly become crown prince.' He will succeed the Chanyu. Why is this so? Because they covet the lavish gifts of Han. Your Majesty should regularly send them whatever Han has in abundance and they lack, according to the seasons, and dispatch eloquent envoys to instruct them gently in ritual propriety. While Modun is present, he firmly serves as son-in-law;' When he dies, your grandson will become the Chanyu. Have you ever heard of a grandson who dares to contend in rites with his grandfather?' Without a battle, the Xiongnu could gradually be brought to submission. If Your Majesty cannot send the eldest princess, but orders the imperial clan and rear palace to falsely call someone princess, they will also know, and will not be willing to honor and approach her. It will be of no benefit.' The Gao Emperor said: 'Good.' He wished to send the eldest princess. The Lü Empress Dowager wept day and night, saying: 'I have only the crown prince and one daughter—how can I abandon her to the Xiongnu!' In the end, the Emperor could not bring himself to send the eldest princess. Instead, he took a girl from a common family, bestowed on her the title of eldest princess, and married her to the Chanyu. He sent Liu Jing to negotiate and conclude the marriage alliance.
7
劉敬從匈奴來，因言「匈奴河南白羊、樓煩王，去長安近者七百里，輕騎一日一夜可以至秦中。 秦中新破，少民，地肥饒，可益實。 夫諸侯初起時，非齊諸田，楚昭、屈、景莫能興。 今陛下雖都關中，實少人。 北近胡寇，東有六國之族，宗彊，一日有變，陛下亦未得高枕而臥也。 臣願陛下徙齊諸田，楚昭、屈、景，燕、趙、韓、魏後，及豪桀名家居關中。 無事，可以備胡； 諸侯有變，亦足率以東伐。 此彊本弱末之術也」。 上曰：「善。」 乃使劉敬徙所言關中十餘萬口。
When Liu Jing came from the Xiongnu, he then said: 'The Xiongnu's Baiyang and Loufan kings south of the Yellow River are seven hundred li from Chang'an at closest. Light cavalry can reach Qin central in one day and one night.' The heartland of Qin has been recently devastated and is sparsely populated, yet the land is fertile and abundant—it can be further settled and filled. When the feudal lords first rose in rebellion, none could have succeeded without the Tian clans of Qi and the Zhao, Qu, and Jing clans of Chu. Now, though Your Majesty has established the capital in Guanzhong, the population there is in truth too sparse. To the north are near Hu bandits, to the east are the clans of the six states with strong imperial clans. If one day there is a change, Your Majesty also will not yet be able to lie with high pillow.' I request that Your Majesty relocate the Tian clans of Qi, the Zhao, Qu, and Jing clans of Chu, the descendants of the Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei ruling houses, and all the powerful and prominent families to reside in Guanzhong. In peacetime, this can prepare against the Hu;' Should the feudal lords rebel, these relocated families would also serve as a ready force to lead eastward in a punitive campaign. This is the method of strengthening the root and weakening the branches.' The Sovereign said: 'Good.' He then dispatched Liu Jing to relocate over a hundred thousand people to Guanzhong, as he had proposed.
8
叔孫通者，薛人也。 秦時以文學徵，待詔博士。 數歲，陳勝起山東，使者以聞，二世召博士諸儒生問曰：「楚戍卒攻蘄入陳，於公如何？」 博士諸生三十餘人前曰：「人臣無將，將即反，罪死無赦。 願陛下急發兵擊之。」 二世怒，作色。 叔孫通前曰：「諸生言皆非也。 夫天下合為一家，毀郡縣城，鑠其兵，示天下不復用。 且明主在其上，法令具於下，使人人奉職，四方輻輳，安敢有反者！ 此特群盜鼠竊狗盜耳，何足置之齒牙閒。 郡守尉今捕論，何足憂。」 二世喜曰：「善。」 盡問諸生，諸生或言反，或言盜。 於是二世令御史案諸生言反者下吏，非所宜言。 諸言盜者皆罷之。 乃賜叔孫通帛二十匹，衣一襲，拜為博士。 叔孫通已出宮，反舍，諸生曰：「先生何言之諛也？」 通曰：「公不知也，我幾不脫於虎口！」 乃亡去，之薛，薛已降楚矣。 及項梁之薛，叔孫通從之。 敗於定陶，從懷王。 懷王為義帝，徙長沙，叔孫通留事項王。 漢二年，漢王從五諸侯入彭城，叔孫通降漢王。 漢王敗而西，因竟從漢。
Shusun Tong was a native of Xue. During the Qin dynasty, he was summoned for his learning and served as an erudite awaiting imperial orders. After several years, Chen Sheng arose in Shandong, and an envoy reported this. The Second Generation summoned the erudites and various scholar students and asked: 'Chu garrison soldiers have attacked Qi and entered Chen—what is this to you gentlemen?' The erudites and various students, thirty-plus persons, advanced and said: 'Subject ministers have no generals; if they have generals, then they rebel. The crime is death with no pardon.' We wish Your Majesty to urgently send troops and strike them.' The Second Emperor was enraged, his expression darkening. Shusun Tong advanced and said: 'The various students' words are all wrong.' All under heaven has been united as one family. The walls of the commanderies and counties have been torn down, their weapons melted, to show the realm they will never be used again. Moreover, an enlightened ruler is at the top, laws and commands are complete at the bottom, making everyone fulfill their duties. The four directions converge like spokes to a hub—how dare there be any who rebel!' These are merely a pack of petty thieves—rats pilfering and dogs stealing—hardly worth mentioning. The commandery governor and commandant's assistant will now capture and judge them—what is there to worry about.' The Second Generation was pleased and said: 'Good.' He questioned all the scholars, and some called it rebellion while others called it banditry. The Second Emperor then ordered the Imperial Secretary to investigate those scholars who had called it rebellion and hand them over to the authorities, for speaking what was improper. All those who had called it banditry were dismissed from their posts. He bestowed upon Shusun Tong twenty bolts of silk and a set of clothes, and appointed him as an erudite. Shusun Tong had already exited the palace and returned to his dwelling when the various students said: 'Sir, why did you speak flattery?' Tong said: 'You gentlemen do not know—I almost did not escape from the tiger's mouth!' He then fled to Xue, but Xue had already surrendered to Chu. When Xiang Liang came to Xue, Shusun Tong attached himself to him. After the defeat at Dingtao, he followed King Huai. When King Huai was made the Righteous Emperor and relocated to Changsha, Shusun Tong remained behind to serve King Xiang. In the second year of the Han dynasty, the King of Han entered Pengcheng with the forces of five feudal lords, and Shusun Tong surrendered to the King of Han. When the King of Han was defeated and retreated westward, Shusun Tong followed and ultimately committed himself to the Han cause.
9
叔孫通儒服，漢王憎之； 乃變其服，服短衣，楚製，漢王喜。
Shusun Tong wore Confucian robes, which the Han King disliked; So he changed his attire, adopting a short jacket in the Chu fashion, which pleased the King of Han.
10
叔孫通之降漢，從儒生弟子百餘人，然通無所言進，專言諸故群盜壯士進之。 弟子皆竊罵曰：「事先生數歲，幸得從降漢，今不能進臣等，專言大猾，何也？」 叔孫通聞之，乃謂曰：「漢王方蒙矢石爭天下，諸生寧能鬬乎？ 故先言斬將搴旗之士。 諸生且待我，我不忘矣。」 漢王拜叔孫通為博士，號稷嗣君。
When Shusun Tong submitted to Han, he was followed by over a hundred Confucian scholar disciples, but Tong made no recommendations for them. Instead, he specifically recommended the former bandit leaders and warriors for advancement. All the disciples secretly cursed and said, 'We served the master for several years and were fortunate enough to follow him in submitting to Han. Now he cannot advance us, but instead only speaks of promoting those big rogues—what is the reason?' Shusun Tong heard this and then said to them, 'The Han King is currently braving arrows and stones to contend for the empire—how can you Confucian scholars fight?' That is why I first recommended warriors who behead enemy generals and seize their banners. You scholars should wait for me—I will not forget you.' The King of Han appointed Shusun Tong as an erudite and bestowed on him the title Lord Successor of Ji.
11
漢五年，已并天下，諸侯共尊漢王為皇帝於定陶，叔孫通就其儀號。 高帝悉去秦苛儀法，為簡易。 群臣飲酒爭功，醉或妄呼，拔劍擊柱，高帝患之。 叔孫通知上益厭之也，說上曰：「夫儒者難與進取，可與守成。 臣願徵魯諸生，與臣弟子共起朝儀。」 高帝曰：「得無難乎？」 叔孫通曰：「五帝異樂，三王不同禮。 禮者，因時世人情為之節文者也。 故夏、殷、周之禮所因損益可知者，謂不相復也。 臣願頗采古禮與秦儀雜就之。」 上曰：「可試為之，令易知，度吾所能行為之。」
In the fifth year of Han, the empire having been unified, the feudal lords together honored the King of Han as Emperor at Dingtao, and Shusun Tong arranged the ceremonies and titles for the occasion. Emperor Gao abolished all the harsh ceremonies and regulations of Qin, replacing them with simplicity. The ministers would drink and quarrel over their merits; some, in their drunkenness, would shout wildly, draw their swords, and hack at the pillars. Emperor Gao found this deeply troubling. Shusun Tong knew the High Emperor increasingly disliked this and persuaded him, saying, 'Confucian scholars are difficult to use for conquest, but they can be used for maintaining what has been achieved.' I wish to summon the Confucian scholars of Lu and, together with my disciples, establish court ceremonies.' The High Emperor said, 'Will it not be difficult?' Shusun Tong said, 'The Five Emperors had different music, and the Three Kings had different rites.' Rites are the formal patterns shaped by the times and by human nature. Thus, the ways in which the rites of the Xia, Yin, and Zhou dynasties adapted, subtracted, and added can be traced—they did not simply repeat one another. I wish to somewhat collect ancient rites and mix them together with Qin ceremonies to complete them.' The High Emperor said, 'We can try doing it—make it easy to understand and within my ability to perform.'
12
於是叔孫通使徵魯諸生三十餘人。 魯有兩生不肯行，曰：「公所事者且十主，皆面諛以得親貴。 今天下初定，死者未葬，傷者未起，又欲起禮樂。 禮樂所由起，積德百年而後可興也。 吾不忍為公所為。 公所為不合古，吾不行。 公往矣，無汙我！」 叔孫通笑曰：「若真鄙儒也，不知時變。」
Shusun Tong then sent for more than thirty Confucian scholars from Lu. Lu had two scholars who were unwilling to go and said, 'You, sir, have served nearly ten rulers, and each time you flattered them to gain closeness and nobility.' The empire has only just been settled—the dead are not yet buried, the wounded have not yet risen—and already you wish to institute rites and music. Rites and music can only flourish after virtue has been accumulated for a hundred years. We cannot bring ourselves to do what you propose. What you propose does not accord with antiquity—we will not participate. You, sir, may go—do not defile us!' Shusun Tong laughed and said, 'You are truly narrow-minded Confucian scholars who do not understand how times change.'
13
遂與所徵三十人西，及上左右為學者與其弟子百餘人為綿蕞野外。 習之月餘，叔孫通曰：「上可試觀。」 上既觀，使行禮，曰：「吾能為此。」 乃令群臣習肄，會十月。
So he went west with the thirty summoned scholars, along with the High Emperor's attendants who were scholars and his own disciples—over a hundred people total—and they practiced in a continuous tent in the open fields. After practicing for over a month, Shusun Tong said, 'Your Majesty can try observing.' After the High Emperor observed, he had them perform the rites and said, 'I can do this.' He then ordered all the ministers to practice and rehearse, assembling them in the tenth month.
14
漢七年，長樂宮成，諸侯群臣皆朝十月。 儀：先平明，謁者治禮，引以次入殿門，廷中陳車騎步卒衛宮，設兵張旗志。 傳言「趨」。 殿下郎中俠陛，陛數百人。 功臣列侯諸將軍軍吏以次陳西方，東鄉； 文官丞相以下陳東方，西鄉。 大行設九賓，臚傳。 於是皇帝輦出房，百官執職傳警，引諸侯王以下至吏六百石以次奉賀。 自諸侯王以下莫不振恐肅敬。 至禮畢，復置法酒。 諸侍坐殿上皆伏抑首，以尊卑次起上壽。 觴九行，謁者言「罷酒」。 御史執法舉不如儀者輒引去。 竟朝置酒，無敢讙譁失禮者。 於是高帝曰：「吾乃今日知為皇帝之貴也。」 乃拜叔孫通為太常，賜金五百斤。
In the seventh year of the Han dynasty, when the Changle Palace was completed, all the feudal lords and ministers gathered for the court assembly in the tenth month. The ceremony: Before dawn, the ye zhe arranged the rites and led them in proper order to enter the hall gate. In the courtyard were arrayed chariots, cavalry, and infantry guarding the palace, with weapons displayed and banners and insignia unfurled. The command was transmitted: 'Hurry!' Below the hall, the Palace Attendants flanked the steps, with several hundred men lining the stairway. The merit ministers, lie hou, various generals, and army officials were arrayed in order on the western side, facing east; The civil officials, from the Chancellor on down, were arrayed on the eastern side, facing west. The Grand Usher arranged the nine ranks of guests, and the heralds relayed the announcements. Then the Emperor emerged from his chamber on the imperial carriage. The hundred officials performed their duties and relayed the ceremonial alerts, leading the feudal lords and kings down to officials ranked at six hundred bushels to offer their congratulations in order of precedence. From the feudal lords and kings on down, all trembled with awe and solemn reverence. When the ceremonies were concluded, the ritual wine was served once more. All those seated in attendance in the hall bowed low and pressed their heads to the ground, then rose in order of rank to offer toasts of longevity. Nine rounds of cups circulated, and the ye zhe announced, 'Dismiss the wine.' The censors enforced the rules and immediately escorted out anyone who failed to observe proper ceremony. Throughout the entire court session and banquet, not a single person dared to cause a disturbance or breach propriety. Then the High Emperor said, 'Only today do I understand the nobility of being emperor.' He then appointed Shusun Tong as Grand Master of Ceremonies and bestowed upon him five hundred catties of gold.
15
叔孫通因進曰：「諸弟子儒生隨臣久矣，與臣共為儀，願陛下官之。」 高帝悉以為郎。 叔孫通出，皆以五百斤金賜諸生。 諸生乃皆喜曰：「叔孫生誠聖人也，知當世之要務。」
Shusun Tong then stepped forward and said, 'These disciples and Confucian scholars have followed me for a long time and helped me create the ceremonies. I wish Your Majesty would give them official positions.' Emperor Gao appointed every one of them as court attendants. When Shusun Tong left the court, he distributed all five hundred catties of gold among the scholars. The scholars were all delighted and said, 'Master Shusun is truly a sage—he understands the essential affairs of our time.'
16
漢九年，高帝徙叔孫通為太子太傅。 漢十二年，高祖欲以趙王如意易太子，叔孫通諫上曰：「昔者晉獻公以驪姬之故廢太子，立奚齊，晉國亂者數十年，為天下笑。 秦以不蚤定扶蘇，令趙高得以詐立胡亥，自使滅祀，此陛下所親見。 今太子仁孝，天下皆聞之； 呂后與陛下攻苦食啖，其可背哉！ 陛下必欲廢適而立少，臣願先伏誅，以頸血汙地。」 高帝曰：「公罷矣，吾直戲耳。」 叔孫通曰：「太子天下本，本一搖天下振動，柰何以天下為戲！」 高帝曰：「吾聽公言。」 及上置酒，見留侯所招客從太子入見，上乃遂無易太子志矣。
In the ninth year of Han, Emperor Gao transferred Shusun Tong to the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. In the twelfth year of Han, Gaozu wished to replace the Crown Prince with King Ruyi of Zhao. Shusun Tong admonished the High Emperor, saying, 'Formerly, Duke Xian of Jin deposed the crown prince because of Li Ji and established Xi Qi, causing chaos in Jin that lasted several decades and made them the laughingstock of the empire.' Because the Qin failed to designate Fusu early, Zhao Gao was able to fraudulently enthrone Huhai, bringing about the extinction of the Qin sacrificial line—this is something Your Majesty witnessed personally. The current Crown Prince is benevolent and filial—everyone in the empire has heard of this; The Empress Lü endured hardship and ate meager food alongside Your Majesty—how can you betray her! If Your Majesty insists on deposing the rightful heir and establishing a younger son, I wish to be executed first, staining the ground with my neck blood.' The High Emperor said, 'Enough, you. I was only joking.' Shusun Tong said, 'The Crown Prince is the root of the empire. If the root shakes even once, the whole empire shakes. How can you treat the empire as a joke!' The High Emperor said, 'I will listen to your words.' When the High Emperor held a banquet, he saw the guests recruited by Liu Hou following the Crown Prince in for an audience, and the High Emperor finally abandoned any intention to change the Crown Prince.
17
高帝崩，孝惠即位，乃謂叔孫生曰：「先帝園陵寢廟，群臣莫（能）習。」 徙為太常，定宗廟儀法。 及稍定漢諸儀法，皆叔孫生為太常所論箸也。
After the High Emperor passed away and Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he said to Master Shusun, 'The assembled ministers are not familiar with the rituals for the late emperor's park tomb and ancestral temple.' He was transferred to the post of Grand Master of Ceremonies, where he established the ceremonial regulations for the ancestral temples. As the various ceremonial regulations of Han were gradually established, they were all discussed and codified by Master Shusun during his tenure as Grand Master of Ceremonies.
18
孝惠帝為東朝長樂宮，及閒往，數蹕煩人，乃作複道，方筑武庫南。 叔孫生奏事，因請閒曰：「陛下何自筑複道高寢，衣冠月出游高廟？ 高廟，漢太祖，柰何令後世子孫乘宗廟道上行哉？」 孝惠帝大懼，曰：「急壞之。」 叔孫生曰：「人主無過舉。 今已作，百姓皆知之，今壞此，則示有過舉。 願陛下原廟渭北，衣冠月出游之，益廣多宗廟，大孝之本也。」 上乃詔有司立原廟。 原廟起，以複道故。
Emperor Hui held court at the Changle Palace to the east, and when he traveled there, the repeated clearing of the roads troubled the people. He therefore had a covered walkway constructed, just south of the armory. Master Shusun memorialized on affairs, then requested a private audience and said, 'Why does Your Majesty personally build a covered walkway to the high chamber and, wearing court robes, go out monthly to tour the High Temple?' The High Temple houses Han's Great Ancestor—how can we allow future generations' descendants to walk above the ancestral temple road!' Emperor Hui was greatly terrified and said, 'Destroy it immediately.' Master Shusun said, 'A ruler makes no mistaken actions.' Now that it has already been built and all the people know of it, if we were to tear it down, it would reveal a misstep. I wish Your Majesty would establish a temple north of the Wei River and, wearing court robes, go out monthly to tour it. Moreover, expand and increase the ancestral temples—this is the root of great filial piety.' The Emperor then decreed that the responsible officials establish a branch temple. The branch temple was established on account of the covered walkway.
19
孝惠帝曾春出游離宮，叔孫生曰：「古者有春嘗果，方今櫻桃孰，可獻，願陛下出，因取櫻桃獻宗廟。」 上乃許之。 諸果獻由此興。
Once in spring, Emperor Hui went out to tour a detached palace. Master Shusun said, 'In ancient times there was the spring tasting of fruits. Right now the cherries are ripe and can be offered. I wish Your Majesty would go out and thereby take cherries to offer at the ancestral temple.' The Emperor then granted his permission. The practice of offering fruits and produce arose from this.
20
太史公曰：語曰「千金之裘，非一狐之腋也； 臺榭之榱，非一木之枝也； 三代之際，非一士之智也。」 信哉！ 夫高祖起微細，定海內，謀計用兵，可謂盡之矣。 然而劉敬脫輓輅一說，建萬世之安，智豈可專邪！ 叔孫通希世度務，制禮進退，與時變化，卒為漢家儒宗。 「大直若詘，道固委蛇」，蓋謂是乎？
The Grand Historian said: As the proverb goes, 'A fur coat worth a thousand pieces of gold is not made from the armpit of a single fox;' The rafters of a pavilion or terrace are not made from the branch of a single tree; The governance of the Three Dynasties was not the wisdom of a single scholar.' How true! Emperor Gaozu rose from the humblest origins to pacify the realm within the seas, exhausting every stratagem and military art. However, Liu Jing's one speech about removing the chariot bridle established peace for ten thousand generations—how can wisdom be monopolized! Shusun Tong read the currents of his age and gauged the needs of the moment, crafting rites of advancement and withdrawal that adapted to every turn of the times, and in the end became the founding patriarch of Confucianism for the house of Han. 'The great straight appears bent; the Way is indeed winding'—is this not what it speaks of?