1
起閼逢攝提格,盡昭陽大淵獻,凡十年。 1冬,太后議欲立諸呂為王,問右丞相陵。 陵曰:「高帝刑白馬盟曰:『非劉氏而王,天下共擊之。』 今王呂氏,非約也。」 太后不說,問左丞相平、太尉勃,對曰:「高帝定天下,王子弟; 今太后稱制,王諸呂,無所不可。」 太后喜,罷朝。 王陵讓陳平、絳侯曰:「始與高帝啑血盟,諸君不在邪? 今高帝崩,太后女主,欲王呂氏; 諸君縱欲阿意背約,何面目見高帝於地下乎?」 陳平、降侯曰:「於今,面折廷爭,臣不如君; 全社稷,定劉氏之後,君亦不如臣。」 陵無以應之。 十一月,甲子,太后以王陵為帝太傅,實奪之相權。 陵遂病免歸。
From Quefeng Shotige through Zhaoyang Dayuanxian—ten years in all. 1. In winter the Empress Dowager resolved to enfeoff the Lü clan as kings and asked the right chancellor, Wang Ling. Ling said, "When the High Emperor slew the white horse for the oath, he declared: 'Whoever is made king though not of the Liu clan—all under Heaven shall strike him down together. To make the Lü clan kings now is to break that covenant." The Empress Dowager was displeased and turned to the left chancellor Chen Ping and the Grand Commandant Zhou Bo. They answered, "The High Emperor settled the realm and made his sons and brothers kings; now Your Majesty holds the regency—if you wish to make the Lü kings, what cannot be done?" The Empress Dowager was pleased and dismissed court. Wang Ling reproached Chen Ping and the Marquis of Jiang: "At the outset we joined the High Emperor in the blood oath—were you not there? Now the High Emperor is dead, the Empress Dowager rules as sovereign, and wishes to make the Lü kings; if you would only fawn and betray the covenant, with what face will you meet the High Emperor beneath the earth?" Chen Ping and the Marquis of Jiang said, "As for refuting to the face and contending in open court, I am not your equal; but to preserve the altars of state and secure the house of Liu, you are not my equal." Ling had nothing to say in reply. In the eleventh month, on jiazi, the Empress Dowager made Wang Ling Grand Tutor to the Emperor—in truth stripping him of the chancellor's authority. Ling then pleaded illness, resigned, and went home.
2
乃以左丞相平為右丞相,以辟陽侯審食其為左丞相,不治事,令監宮中,如郎中令。 食其故得幸於太后,公卿皆因而決事。
Thereupon Chen Ping was moved from left to right chancellor, and the Marquis of Piyang Shen Yishi was made left chancellor; he did not govern affairs but was ordered to oversee the inner palace, like the superintendent of the imperial clan. Yishi had long enjoyed the Empress Dowager's favor, and the highest ministers all decided affairs through him.
3
太后怨趙堯為趙隱王謀,乃抵堯罪。
The Empress Dowager resented Zhao Yao for plotting on behalf of the Hidden King of Zhao and therefore charged him with a crime.
4
上黨守任敖嘗為沛獄吏,有德於太后,乃以為御史大夫。
Ren Ao, governor of Shangdang, had once been a jail clerk in Pei and had done the Empress Dowager a kindness; he was therefore made grand secretary.
5
太后又追尊其父臨泗侯呂公為宣王,兄周呂令武侯澤為悼武王,欲以王諸呂為漸。 ----2春,正月,除三族罪、妖言令。 ----3夏,四月,魯元公主薨。 封公主子張偃為魯王,謚公主曰魯元太后。 ----4辛卯,封所名孝惠子山為襄城侯,朝為軹侯,武為壺關侯。
The Empress Dowager further posthumously honored her father, Marquis of Linsi Duke Lü, as King Xuan, and her elder brother Marquis Wu of Zhoulü Lingwu Ze as King Dao—laying the groundwork to make the Lü kings by degrees. ----2 In spring, the first month, the crime of exterminating three clans and the ban on perverse speech were abolished. ----3 In summer, the fourth month, Princess Yuan of Lu died. Her son Zhang Yan was enfeoffed as king of Lu, and the princess was given the posthumous title Empress Dowager Yuan of Lu. ----4 On xinmao, those styled as sons of Emperor Hui—Shan as Marquis of Xiangcheng, Chao as Marquis of Zhi, Wu as Marquis of Huguan—were enfeoffed.
6
太后欲王呂氏,乃先立所名孝惠子強為淮陽王,不疑為恆山王; 使大謁者張釋風大臣。 大臣乃請立悼武王長子酈侯台為呂王,割齊之濟南郡為呂國。 ----5五月,丙申,趙王宮叢台災。 ----6秋,桃、李華。 ----1冬,十一月,呂肅王台薨。 ----2春,正月,乙卯,地震; 羌道、武都道山崩。 ----3夏,五月,丙申,封楚元王子郢客為上邳侯,齊悼惠王子章為朱虛侯,令入宿衛,又以呂祿女妻章。 ----4六月,丙戌晦,日有食之。 ----5秋,七月,恆山哀王不疑薨。 ----6行八銖錢。 ----7癸丑,立襄成侯山為恆山王,更名義。 ----1夏,江水、漢水溢,流四千餘家。 ----2秋,星晝見。 ----3伊水、洛水溢,流千六百餘家。 汝水溢,流八百餘家。 ----1春,二月,癸未,立所名孝惠子太為昌平侯。 ----2夏,四月,丙申,太后封女弟嬃為臨光侯。 ----3少帝浸長,自知非皇后子,乃出言曰:「-{后}-安能殺吾母而名我? 我壯,即為變!」 太后聞之,幽之永巷中,言帝病,左右莫得見。 太后語群臣曰:「今皇帝病久不已,失惑昏亂,不能繼嗣治天下; 其代之。」 群臣皆頓首言:「皇太后為天下齊民計,所以安宗廟、社稷甚深。 群臣頓首奉詔。」 遂廢帝,幽殺之。 五月,丙辰,立恆山王義為帝,更名曰弘,不稱元年,以太后制天下事故也。 以軹侯朝為恆山王。 ----4是歲,以平陽侯曹窋為御史大夫。 ----5有司請禁南越關市、鐵器。 南越王佗曰:「高帝立我,通使物。 今高后聽讒臣,別異蠻夷,隔絕器物,此必長沙王計,欲倚中國擊滅南越而並王之,自為功也。」----
The Empress Dowager wished to make the Lü kings; she therefore first installed those styled as sons of Emperor Hui—Qiang as king of Huaiyang, Buyi as king of Hengshan; she had the grand usher Zhang Shi stir the great ministers. The great ministers then requested that the eldest son of King Dao, Marquis Li Tai, be installed as king of Lü, and Jinan prefecture in Qi was carved off to form the state of Lü. ----5 In the fifth month, on bingshen, the Cluster Terrace of the Zhao king's palace caught fire. ----6 In autumn, peach and plum trees flowered out of season. ----1 In winter, the eleventh month, King Su of Lü, Tai, died. ----2 In spring, the first month, on yimao, there was an earthquake; mountains collapsed on the roads at Qiangdao and Wudu. ----3 In summer, the fifth month, on bingshen, Ying Ke, son of King Yuan of Chu, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Shangpi, and Zhang, son of King Huaihui of Qi, as Marquis of Zhuwei; both were ordered into the palace guard, and Lü Lu's daughter was given to Zhang in marriage. ----4 In the sixth month, on the last day bingxu, there was a solar eclipse. ----5 In autumn, the seventh month, King Ai of Hengshan, Buyi, died. ----6 Eight-zhu coins were put in circulation. ----7 On guichou, Marquis of Xiangcheng Shan was installed as king of Hengshan and renamed Yi. ----1 In summer, the Yangtze and Han overflowed, drowning more than four thousand households. ----2 In autumn, stars were seen in daytime. ----3 The Yi and Luo overflowed, drowning more than sixteen hundred households. The Ru overflowed, drowning more than eight hundred households. ----1 In spring, the second month, on guiwei, the son styled as Emperor Hui's, Tai, was installed as Marquis of Changping. ----2 In summer, the fourth month, on bingshen, the Empress Dowager enfeoffed her younger half-sister Xu as Marquis of Linguang. ----3 The young Emperor was gradually growing up; knowing he was not the empress's son, he spoke out: "How could the empress kill my mother and call me her son? When I am grown, there will be a reckoning!" When the Empress Dowager heard it, she confined him in the Eternal Lane, announced that the Emperor was ill, and none of his attendants might see him. The Empress Dowager told the ministers, "The Emperor has long been ill without recovery; he is muddled and deranged and cannot succeed to rule the realm; let him be replaced." The ministers all bowed their heads and said, "The Empress Dowager has reckoned for the common people; how deep her care for the imperial temples and altars of state. The ministers bowed their heads and accepted the decree." Thereupon they deposed the Emperor and killed him in secret. In the fifth month, on bingchen, King Yi of Hengshan was installed as Emperor and renamed Hong; the first year was not proclaimed, because the Empress Dowager governed the realm. Marquis of Zhi Chao was made king of Hengshan. ----4 This year Marquis of Pingyang Cao Chu was made grand secretary. ----5 The responsible offices requested a ban on frontier markets and ironware with Nanyue. The king of Nanyue, Tuo, said, "The High Emperor installed me and allowed the exchange of envoys and goods. Now the High Empress listens to slanderous ministers, treats the barbarians as alien, and cuts off goods and iron—this must be the king of Changsha's design, to rely on the central court to destroy Nanyue and annex it himself, making that his achievement."
7
1春,佗自稱南越武帝,發兵攻長沙,敗數縣而去。 ----2秋,八月,淮陽懷王強薨,以壺關侯武為淮陽王。 ----3九月,發河東、上黨騎屯北地。 ----4初令戍卒歲更。 ----1冬,十月,太后以呂王嘉居處驕恣,廢之。 十一月,立肅王弟產為呂王。 ----2春,星晝見。 ----3夏,四月,丁酉,赦天下。 ----4封朱虛侯章弟興居為東牟侯,亦入宿衛。 ----5匈奴寇狄道,攻阿陽。 ----6行五分錢。 ----7宣平侯張敖卒,賜謚曰魯元王。 ----1冬,十二月,匈奴寇狄道,略二千餘人。 ----2春,正月,太后召趙幽王友。 友以諸呂女為-{后}-,弗愛,愛他姬。 諸呂女怒,去,讒之於太后曰:「王言『呂氏安得王? 太后百歲後,吾必擊之。』」 太后以故召趙王,趙王至,置邸,不得見,令衛圍守之,弗與食; 其群臣或竊饋,輒捕論之。 丁丑,趙王餓死,以民禮葬之長安民塚次。 ----3己丑,日食,晝晦。 太后惡之,謂左右曰:「此為我也!」 ----4二月,徙梁王恢為趙王,呂王產為梁王。 梁王不之國,為帝太傅。 ----5秋,七月,丁巳,立平昌侯太為濟川王。 ----6呂嬃女為將軍、營陵侯劉澤妻。 澤者,高祖從祖昆弟也。 齊人田生為之說大謁者張卿曰:「諸呂之王也,諸大臣未大服。 今營陵侯澤,諸劉最長; 今卿言太后王之,呂氏王益固矣。」 張卿入言太后,太后然之,乃割齊之琅邪郡封澤為琅邪王。 ----7趙王恢之徙趙,心懷不樂。 太后以呂產女為王后,王后從官皆諸呂,擅權,微伺趙王,趙王不得自恣。 王有所愛姬,王后使人鴆殺之。 六月,王不勝悲憤,自殺。 太后聞之,以為王用婦人棄宗廟禮,廢其嗣。 ----8是時,諸呂擅權用事。 朱虛侯章,年二十,有氣力,忿劉氏不得職。 嘗入侍太后燕飲,太后令章為酒吏。 章自請曰:「臣將種也,請得以軍法行酒。」 太后曰:「可。」 酒酣,章請為《耕田歌》,太后許之。 章曰:「深耕穊種,立苗欲疏; 非其種者,鋤而去之!」 太后默然。 頃之,諸呂有一人醉,亡酒,章追,拔劍斬之而還,報曰:「有亡酒一人,臣謹行法斬之!」 太后左右皆大驚,業已許其軍法,無以罪也,因罷。 自是之後,諸呂憚朱虛侯,雖大臣皆依朱虛侯,劉氏為益強。
1. In spring Tuo styled himself Emperor Wu of Nanyue, sent troops against Changsha, defeated several counties, and withdrew. ----2 In autumn, the eighth month, King Huai of Huaiyang, Qiang, died; Marquis of Huguan Wu was made king of Huaiyang. ----3 In the ninth month, cavalry from Hedong and Shangdang were mobilized to garrison Beidi. ----4 For the first time border garrisons were ordered to rotate yearly. ----1 In winter, the tenth month, the Empress Dowager deposed King Jia of Lü for arrogant and unrestrained conduct. In the eleventh month, the younger brother of King Su, Chan, was installed as king of Lü. ----2 In spring, stars were seen in daytime. ----3 In summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, all under Heaven was pardoned. ----4 Zhang's younger brother Xingju was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongmou and also joined the palace guard. ----5 The Xiongnu raided Didao and attacked Ayang. ----6 Five-fen coins were put in circulation. ----7 Marquis of Xuanping Zhang Ao died and was given the posthumous title King Yuan of Lu. ----1 In winter, the twelfth month, the Xiongnu raided Didao and carried off more than two thousand people. ----2 In spring, the first month, the Empress Dowager summoned King You of Zhao, the Secluded King. You had taken a daughter of the Lü clan as -{the cited text}- but did not love her; he loved another consort. The Lü daughter was enraged, left, and slandered him to the Empress Dowager, saying, "The king said, 'How can the Lü clan be made kings? After the Empress Dowager passes her hundred years, I will surely strike them.'" For this reason the Empress Dowager summoned the king of Zhao; when he arrived, he was lodged at the guesthouse but could not be received; she ordered guards to surround him and would not give him food; if any of his ministers secretly fed him, they were immediately seized and prosecuted. On dingchou, the king of Zhao starved to death; he was buried with commoners' rites in the commoners' burial ground at Chang'an. ----3 On jichou, there was an eclipse; daytime grew dark. The Empress Dowager took it ill and said to those beside her, "This is aimed at me!" ----4 In the second month, King Hui of Liang was moved to Zhao, and King Chan of Lü was made king of Liang. The king of Liang did not go to his state but became Grand Tutor to the Emperor. ----5 In autumn, the seventh month, on dingsi, Marquis of Pingchang Tai was installed as king of Jichuan. ----6 Lü Xu's daughter was wife to the general and Marquis of Yingling, Liu Ze. Ze was a cousin of the High Ancestor on the collateral line. The man of Qi, Tian Sheng, spoke on his behalf to the grand usher Zhang Qing: "When the Lü were made kings, the great ministers were not fully persuaded. Now Marquis of Yingling Ze is the eldest among the Liu; if you speak to the Empress Dowager to make him king, the Lü kingship would be all the firmer." Zhang Qing went in and spoke to the Empress Dowager; she approved, cut Langye prefecture from Qi, and enfeoffed Ze as king of Langye. ----7 King Hui of Zhao, having been moved to Zhao, was discontent at heart. The Empress Dowager made Lü Chan's daughter his queen; the queen's attendants were all Lü kin; they monopolized power, watched the king of Zhao covertly, and he could not act as he wished. The king had a consort he loved; the queen sent someone to poison her. In the sixth month, unable to bear grief and rage, the king killed himself. When the Empress Dowager heard it, she held that the king had abandoned the rites of the ancestral temple for a woman's sake and abolished his succession. ----8 At this time the Lü clan monopolized power and handled affairs. Marquis of Zhuwei Zhang, twenty years old, was strong and spirited and resented that the Liu clan held no office. Once, attending the Empress Dowager at a banquet, she ordered Zhang to be wine steward. Zhang requested on his own, "Your servant is of a general's stock; I beg to enforce the wine by military law." The Empress Dowager said, "It may be done." When the wine was deep, Zhang requested to perform the "Ploughing Fields Song"; the Empress Dowager granted it. Zhang said, "Plough deep and sow thick; set the seedlings, wanting them sparse; What is not our kind—hoe it up and cast it out!" The Empress Dowager fell silent. Shortly after, one of the Lü clan, drunk, fled the wine service; Zhang pursued him, drew his sword and killed him, then reported: "One man deserted the wine service; your servant has duly executed him by military law!" Those around the Empress Dowager were greatly alarmed; she had already approved his military law and could not punish him, so the banquet ended. From then on the Lü clan feared the Marquis of Zhu Xu; even the great ministers relied on him, and the Liu house grew stronger.
8
陳平患諸呂,力不能制,恐禍及己。 嘗燕居深念,陸賈往,直入坐,而陳丞相不見。 陸生曰:「何念之深也!」 陳平曰:「生揣我何念?」 陸生曰:「足下極富貴,無欲矣; 然有憂念,不過患諸呂、少主耳。」 陳平曰:「然! 為之奈何?」 陸生曰:「天下安,注意相; 天下危,注意將。 將相和調,則士豫附; 天下雖有變,權不分。 為社稷計,在兩君掌握耳。 臣常欲謂太尉絳侯,絳侯與我戲,易吾言。 君何不交歡太尉,深相結?」 因為陳平畫呂氏數事。 陳平用其計,乃以五百金為絳侯壽,厚具樂飲; 太尉報亦如之。 兩人深相結,呂氏謀益衰。 陳平以奴婢百人、車馬五十乘、錢五百萬遺陸生為飲食費。 ----9太后使使告代王,欲徙王趙。 代王謝之,願守代邊。 太后乃立兄子呂祿為趙王,追尊祿父建成康侯釋之為趙昭王。 ----10九月,燕靈王建薨,有美人子,太后使人殺之。 國除。 ----11遣隆慮侯周灶將兵擊南越。 ----1冬,十月,辛丑,立呂肅王子東平侯通為燕王,封通弟莊為東平侯。 ----2三月,太后祓,還,過軹道,見物如蒼犬,撠太后掖,忽不復見。 卜之,云「趙王如意為祟」。 太后遂病掖傷。
Chen Ping was troubled by the Lü clan; he lacked the power to control them and feared disaster would reach him. Once when at ease in private he was deep in thought, Lu Jia came, went straight in and sat down, yet Chancellor Chen did not receive him. Master Lu said, "How deep your brooding!" Chen Ping said, "Master, what do you suppose I am brooding on?" Master Lu said, "Your Excellency is supremely rich and noble—you want for nothing; yet you brood on nothing beyond the Lü clan and the young sovereign." Chen Ping said, "It is so! What is to be done about it?" Master Lu said, "When the realm is secure, attend to the chancellor; when the realm is in peril, attend to the general. When general and chancellor are in harmony, officers gladly attach themselves; though trouble comes, power is not divided. For the realm's sake, it lies in the grasp of you two lords alone. I have often wished to speak to Grand Commandant the Marquis of Jiang, but he jokes with me and makes light of my words. Why not make friends with the Grand Commandant and bind yourselves deeply?" He then laid out for Chen Ping several matters concerning the Lü clan. Chen Ping used his plan and sent five hundred in gold as a birthday gift to the Marquis of Jiang, lavishly providing music and drink; and the Grand Commandant returned the courtesy in like measure. The two men bound themselves deeply, and the Lü clan's plots grew weaker. Chen Ping gave Master Lu a hundred slaves, fifty teams of chariots and horses, and five million in cash for food and drink. ----9 The Empress Dowager sent envoys to tell the king of Dai that she wished to move his fief to Zhao. The king of Dai declined and wished to remain guarding the Dai frontier. The Empress Dowager thereupon installed her elder brother's son Lü Lu as king of Zhao and posthumously honored Lu's father, Marquis Kang of Jiancheng Shi Zhi, as King Zhao of Zhao. ----10 In the ninth month King Ling of Yan Jian died; he had a son by a concubine, and the Empress Dowager sent men to kill him. The state was abolished. ----11 The Marquis of Longlu Zhou Zao was sent to lead troops against the Southern Yue. ----1 In winter, the tenth month, on xinchou, the son of King Su of Lü, Marquis of Dongping Tong, was installed as king of Yan, and Tong's younger brother Zhuang was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongping. ----2 In the third month the Empress Dowager performed the lustration rite; on her return, passing Zhi Road, she saw something like a gray dog that struck her under the arm, then vanished. She divined; the answer said, "King Ruyi of Zhao is the haunting spirit." The Empress Dowager then fell ill from the wound to her arm.
9
太后為外孫魯王偃年少孤弱,夏,四月,丁酉,封張敖前姬兩子侈為新都侯,壽為樂昌侯,以輔魯王。 又封中大謁者張釋為建陵侯,以其勸王諸呂,賞之也。 ----3江、漢水溢,流萬餘家。 ----4秋,七月,太后病甚,乃令趙王祿為上將軍,居北軍; 呂王產居南軍。 太后誡產、祿曰:「呂氏之王,大臣弗平。 我即崩,帝年少,大臣恐為變。 必據兵衛宮,慎毋送喪,為人所制!」 辛巳,太后崩,遺詔:大赦天下,以呂王產為相國,以呂祿女為帝后。 高後已葬,以左丞相審食其為帝太傅。 ----5諸呂欲為亂,畏大臣絳、灌等,未敢發。 朱虛侯以呂祿女為婦,故知其謀,乃陰令人告其兄齊王,欲令發兵西,朱虛侯、東牟侯為內應,以誅諸呂,立齊王為帝。 齊王乃與其舅駟鈞、郎中令祝午、中尉魏勃陰謀發兵。 齊相召平弗聽。 八月,丙午,齊王欲使人誅相。 相聞之,乃發卒衛王宮。 魏勃紿召平曰:「王欲發兵,非有漢虎符驗也。 而相君圍王固善,勃請為君將兵衛王。」 召平信之。 勃既將兵,遂圍相府,召平自殺。 於是齊王以駟鈞為相,魏勃為將軍,祝午為內史,悉發國中兵。
Because her grandson the king of Lu Yan was young, orphaned, and weak, in summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, she enfeoffed Zhang Ao's two sons by a former concubine—Zhang Chi as Marquis of Xindu and Zhang Shou as Marquis of Lechang—to assist the king of Lu. She also enfeoffed the grand usher Zhang Shi as Marquis of Jianling, rewarding him for having urged the king to support the Lü clan. ----3 The Yangzi and Han rivers overflowed, drowning more than ten thousand households. ----4 In autumn, the seventh month, the Empress Dowager was gravely ill and appointed King Zhao Lu as supreme general in the Northern Army; King Lü Chan was stationed in the Southern Army. The Empress Dowager admonished Chan and Lu: "The Lü kingships—the great ministers are not reconciled. When I soon die, the Emperor is young, and the great ministers may fear trouble. You must hold troops and guard the palace; take care not to attend the funeral—you will be controlled by others!" On xinsi the Empress Dowager died. Her testamentary edict: a general amnesty; King Lü Chan to be Chancellor of State; Lü Lu's daughter to be empress. After the High Empress Dowager was buried, the left chancellor Shen Yiji was made Imperial Tutor to the Emperor. ----5 The Lü clan wished to rebel but feared the great ministers Jiang, Guan, and others, and did not dare act. The Marquis of Zhu Xu, having married Lü Lu's daughter, knew their plot; he secretly sent men to tell his elder brother the king of Qi to raise troops and march west while the Marquis of Zhu Xu and the Marquis of Dongmou served as inner supporters, to execute the Lü clan and install the king of Qi as emperor. The king of Qi then secretly plotted to raise troops with his maternal uncle Si Jun, the director of attendants Zhu Wu, and the commandant of justice Wei Bo. The chancellor of Qi, Shao Ping, would not heed him. In the eighth month, on bingwu, the king of Qi wished to send men to execute the chancellor. The chancellor, learning of it, raised troops to guard the royal palace. Wei Bo deceived Shao Ping: "The king wishes to raise troops, yet there is no verification by the Han tiger tally. Yet my lord the chancellor in besieging the king is surely right; Bo asks to lead troops for my lord and guard the king." Shao Ping believed him. Once Bo had taken command, he besieged the chancellor's residence and Shao Ping killed himself. Thereupon the king of Qi made Si Jun chancellor, Wei Bo general, and Zhu Wu director of the interior, and fully mobilized the state's troops.
10
使祝午東詐琅邪王曰:「呂氏作亂,齊王發兵欲西誅之。 齊王自以年少,不習兵革之事,願舉國委大王。 大王,自高帝將也。 請大王幸之臨菑,見齊王計事。」 琅邪王信之,西馳見齊王。 齊王因留琅邪王,而使祝午盡發琅邪國兵,並將之。 琅邪王說齊王曰:「大王,高皇帝適長孫也,當立。 今諸大臣狐疑未有所定,而澤於劉氏最為長年,大臣固待澤決計。 今大王留臣,無為也,不如使我入關計事。」 齊王以為然,乃益具車送琅邪王。 琅邪王既行,齊遂舉兵西攻濟南。 遺諸侯王書,陳諸呂之罪,欲舉兵誅之。
He sent Zhu Wu east to deceive the king of Langye: "The Lü clan is in rebellion; the king of Qi has raised troops and wishes to march west to execute them. The king of Qi considers himself young and unskilled in military affairs and wishes to entrust the whole state to Your Majesty. Your Majesty was yourself a general under the High Emperor. We beg Your Majesty to favor us with a visit to Linzi to meet the king of Qi and plan affairs." The king of Langye believed it and galloped west to see the king of Qi. The king of Qi detained the king of Langye and sent Zhu Wu to fully mobilize Langye's troops and take joint command. The king of Langye persuaded the king of Qi: "Your Majesty, as the eldest grandson by the proper wife of the High Emperor, ought to be enthroned. Now the great ministers are in doubt and have not settled on anyone; among the Liu house Ze is the eldest in years, and the great ministers surely await Ze to decide. If Your Majesty detains me, it is of no use; better to let me enter the passes and plan affairs." The king of Qi thought it right and further equipped chariots and sent off the king of Langye. Once the king of Langye had departed, Qi raised troops and attacked Jinan westward. He sent a letter to the feudal kings, setting forth the crimes of the Lü clan and wishing to raise troops to execute them.
11
相國呂產等聞之,乃遣穎陰侯灌嬰將兵擊之。 灌嬰至滎陽,謀曰:「諸呂擁兵關中,欲危劉氏而自立。 今我破齊還報,此益呂氏之資也。」 乃留屯滎陽,使使諭齊王及諸侯與連和,以待呂氏變,共誅之。 齊王聞之,乃還兵西界待約。
Chancellor of State Lü Chan and others, hearing of it, sent the Marquis of Yingyin Guan Ying to lead troops against them. Guan Ying reached Xingyang and took counsel: "The Lü clan hold troops in the passes and wish to endanger the Liu house and set themselves up. If I now break Qi and return to report, this only adds to the Lü clan's resources." He therefore remained encamped at Xingyang, sent envoys to instruct the king of Qi and the feudal lords to join in alliance, and waited for trouble from the Lü clan so they might together execute them. The king of Qi, hearing of it, returned his troops to the western border to await the covenant.
12
呂祿、呂產欲作亂,內憚絳侯、朱虛等,外畏齊、楚兵,又恐灌嬰畔之。 欲待灌嬰兵與齊合而發,猶豫未決。
Lü Lu and Lü Chan wished to rebel; inwardly they feared the Marquis of Jiang, the Marquis of Zhu Xu, and others; outwardly they feared the troops of Qi and Chu; and they also feared Guan Ying would turn against them. They wished to wait until Guan Ying's troops joined with Qi's before acting, and hesitated without deciding.
13
當是時,濟川王太、淮陽王武、常山王朝及魯王張偃皆年少,未之國,居長安; 趙王祿、梁王產各將兵居南、北軍。 皆呂氏之人也。 列侯群臣莫自堅其命。
At this time the kings of Jichuan Tai, Huaiyang Wu, Changshan Chao, and Lu Zhang Yan were all young and had not gone to their states, dwelling in Chang'an; King Zhao Lu and King Liang Chan each commanded troops in the Southern and Northern Armies. all were men of the Lü clan. The ranked marquises and ministers none could be secure in their lives.
14
太尉絳侯勃不得主兵。 曲周侯酈商老病,其子寄與呂祿善。 絳侯乃與丞相陳平謀,使人劫酈商,令其子寄往紿說呂祿曰:「高帝與-{呂后}-共定天下,劉氏所立九王,呂氏所立三王,皆大臣之議,事已佈告諸侯,皆以為宜。 今太后崩,帝少,而足下佩趙王印,不急之國守籓,乃為上將,將兵留此,為大臣諸侯所疑。 足下何不歸將印,以兵屬太尉,請梁王歸相國印,與大臣盟而之國。 齊兵必罷,大臣得安,足下高枕而王千里,此萬世之利也。」 呂祿信然其計,欲以兵屬太尉。 使人報呂產及諸呂老人,或以為便,或曰不便,計猶豫未有所決。
Grand Commandant the Marquis of Jiang Bo could not command troops. The Marquis of Quzhou Li Shang was old and ill; his son Ji was on good terms with Lü Lu. The Marquis of Jiang then plotted with Chancellor Chen Ping, sent men to seize Li Shang, and had his son Ji go to deceive Lü Lu: "The High Emperor and -{the cited text}- together settled the realm; the nine kings the Liu house installed and the three the Lü house installed were all by the great ministers' deliberation; the matter has been proclaimed to the feudal lords, and all think it fitting. Now the Empress Dowager is dead and the Emperor young, yet Your Excellency wears the seal of king of Zhao, does not hurry to your state to guard your fief, but serves as supreme general and keeps troops here—you are suspected by the great ministers and feudal lords. Why not return the general's seal and entrust the troops to the Grand Commandant, ask King Liang to return the Chancellor of State's seal, covenant with the great ministers, and go to your states? Qi's troops will surely be dismissed, the great ministers will be secure, and you may lay your head on a high pillow and be king of a thousand li—this is a benefit for ten thousand generations." Lü Lu believed this plan and wished to entrust the troops to the Grand Commandant. He sent men to report to Lü Chan and the elders of the Lü clan; some thought it expedient, some said it was not—the plan hesitated without decision.
15
呂祿信酈寄,時與出遊獵,過其姑呂嬃。 嬃大怒曰:「若為將而棄軍,呂氏今無處矣!」 乃悉出珠玉、寶器散堂下,曰:「毋為他人守也!」
Lü Lu trusted Li Ji and at times went out with him to hunt, passing his aunt Lü Xu. Xu raged: "You serve as general yet abandon the army—the Lü clan today has nowhere to stand!" She then brought out all pearls, jade, and precious vessels and scattered them in the hall: "Do not keep them for others!"
16
九月,庚申旦,平陽侯窋行御史大夫事,見相國產計事。 郎中令賈壽使從齊來,因數產曰:「王不早之國,今雖欲行,尚可得邪!」 具以灌嬰與齊、楚合從欲誅諸呂告產,且趣產急入宮。 平陽侯頗聞其語,馳告丞相、太尉。
In the ninth month, at dawn on gengshen, the Marquis of Pingyang Zhu, acting as Grand Secretary, met Chancellor of State Chan to plan affairs. Director of attendants Jia Shou's envoy came from Qi and reproached Chan: "Your Majesty did not go early to your state; though you now wish to go, can you still get away!" He fully told Chan that Guan Ying had allied with Qi and Chu and wished to execute the Lü clan, and urged Chan to hurry into the palace. The Marquis of Pingyang had partly overheard these words and galloped to tell the chancellor and Grand Commandant.
17
太尉欲入北軍,不得入。 襄平侯紀通尚符節,乃令持節矯內太尉北軍。 太尉復令酈寄與典客劉揭先說呂祿曰:「帝使太尉守北軍,欲足下之國。 急歸將印辭去。 不然,禍且起。」 呂祿以為酈況不欺己,遂解印屬典客,而以兵授太尉。 太尉至軍,呂祿已去。 太尉入軍門,行令軍中曰:「為呂氏右袒,為劉氏左袒!」 軍中皆左袒,太尉遂將北軍。 然尚有南軍。 丞相平乃召朱虛侯章佐太尉,太尉令朱虛侯監軍門,令平陽侯告衛尉:「毋入相國產殿門。」
The Grand Commandant wished to enter the Northern Army but could not enter. The Marquis of Xiangping Ji Tong held the tally and credentials; he was ordered to hold the credentials and falsely announce the Grand Commandant's entry into the Northern Army. The Grand Commandant again ordered Li Ji and the director of guests Liu Jie first to persuade Lü Lu: "The Emperor has sent the Grand Commandant to hold the Northern Army and wishes you to go to your state. Hurry back and return the general's seal and resign. If not, disaster will soon arise." Lü Lu thought Li Ji would not deceive him, removed the seal and entrusted it to the director of guests, and gave the troops to the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant reached the army; Lü Lu had already left. The Grand Commandant entered the camp gate and issued orders in the army: "Those for the house of Lü, bare the right shoulder; those for the house of Liu, bare the left shoulder!" In the army all bared the left shoulder; the Grand Commandant then took command of the Northern Army. Yet the Southern Army still remained. Chancellor Ping then summoned the Marquis of Zhu Xu, Zhang, to assist the Grand Commandant; the Grand Commandant ordered the Marquis of Zhu Xu to supervise the camp gate and ordered the Marquis of Pingyang to tell the Commandant of the Guard: "Do not let anyone enter Chancellor of State Chan's palace gate."
18
呂產不知呂祿已去北軍,乃入未央宮,欲為亂。 至殿門,弗得入,徘徊往來。 平陽侯恐弗勝,馳語太尉。 太尉尚恐不勝諸呂,未敢公言誅之,乃謂朱虛侯曰:「急入宮衛帝!」 朱虛侯請卒,太尉予卒千餘人。 入未央宮門,見產廷中。 日哺時,遂擊產,產走。 天風大起,以故其從官亂,莫敢鬬,逐產,殺之郎中府吏廁中。 朱虛侯已殺產,帝命謁者持節勞朱虛侯。 朱虛侯欲奪其節,謁者不肯。 朱虛侯則從與載,因節信馳走,斬長樂衛尉呂更始。 還,馳入北軍報太尉。 太尉起,拜賀朱虛侯曰:「所患獨呂產。 今已誅,天下定矣!」 遂遣人分部悉捕諸呂男女,無少長皆斬之。 辛酉,捕斬呂祿而笞殺呂嬃,使人誅燕王呂通而廢魯王張偃。 戊辰,徙濟川王王梁。 遣朱虛侯章以誅諸呂事告齊王,令罷兵。
Lü Chan did not know Lü Lu had already left the Northern Army; he entered Weiyang Palace, intending to make trouble. Reaching the palace gate, he could not enter and paced back and forth. The Marquis of Pingyang feared they would not prevail and galloped to tell the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant still feared he might not overcome the various Lü and did not dare speak openly of executing them; he said to the Marquis of Zhu Xu: "Hurry into the palace and guard the Emperor!" The Marquis of Zhu Xu requested troops; the Grand Commandant gave him more than a thousand men. Entering Weiyang Palace gate, he saw Chan in the courtyard. In late afternoon he attacked Chan; Chan fled. A great wind arose; his followers fell into disorder and none dared fight; they pursued Chan and killed him in the privy of the Palace Attendant's quarters. After the Marquis of Zhu Xu had killed Chan, the Emperor ordered a chamberlain to hold credentials of authority and console the Marquis of Zhu Xu. The Marquis of Zhu Xu wished to seize the credentials; the chamberlain would not agree. The Marquis of Zhu Xu then rode with him in the carriage; relying on the credentials' authority he galloped off and beheaded Chang Palace Commandant of the Guard Lü Gengshi. Returning, he galloped into the Northern Army to report to the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant rose, bowed in congratulation to the Marquis of Zhu Xu, and said: "The sole worry was Lü Chan. Now he has been executed—the realm is settled!" Thereupon he sent men in divisions to arrest all the Lü, men and women; none, young or old, was spared execution. On xinyou, Lü Lu was captured and executed and Lü Xu was flogged to death; envoys were sent to execute King of Yan Lü Tong and depose King of Lu Zhang Yan. On wuchen, the King of Jichuan was moved to be King of Liang. The Marquis of Zhu Xu, Zhang, was sent to report to the King of Qi about the execution of the Lü and to order him to disband his troops.
19
灌嬰在滎陽,聞魏勃本教齊王舉兵,使使召魏勃至,責問之。 勃曰:「失火之家,豈暇先言丈人而後救火乎!」 因退立,股戰而栗,恐不能言者,終無他語。 灌將軍熟視笑曰:「人謂魏勃勇,妄庸人耳,何能為乎!」 乃罷魏勃。 灌嬰兵亦罷滎陽歸。
Guan Ying was at Xingyang; hearing that Wei Bo had originally urged the King of Qi to raise troops, he sent an envoy to summon Wei Bo and, when he arrived, rebuked and questioned him. Bo said: "In a house where fire has broken out, how could there be leisure to speak first of the father-in-law and only then fight the fire!" Thereupon he withdrew and stood aside, thighs trembling and shuddering, afraid he could not speak; in the end he said nothing more. General Guan looked at him intently and laughed: "People call Wei Bo brave—he is a muddled common fellow; what can he do!" Thereupon he dismissed Wei Bo. Guan Ying's troops also withdrew from Xingyang and returned.
20
::班固贊曰:孝文時,天下以酈寄為賣友。 夫賣友者,謂見利而忘義也。 若寄父為功臣而又執劫,雖摧呂祿以安社稷,誼存君親可也。 ----6諸大臣相與陰謀曰:「少帝及梁、淮陽、恆山王,皆非真孝惠子也。 -{呂后}-以計詐名他人子,殺其母養後宮,令孝惠子之,立以為後及諸王,以強呂氏。 今皆已夷滅諸呂,而所立即長,用事,吾屬無類矣。 不如視諸王最賢者立之。」 或言:「齊王,高帝長孫,可立也。」 大臣皆曰:「呂氏以外家惡而幾危宗廟,亂功臣。 今齊王舅駟鈞,虎而冠。 即立齊王,復為呂氏矣。 代王方今高帝見子最長,仁孝寬厚,太后家薄氏謹良。 且立長固順,況以仁孝聞天下乎!」 乃相與共陰使人召代王。
:: Ban Gu's encomium says: In Emperor Wen's time, all under Heaven took Li Ji as one who sold out his friend. To sell out a friend means to see profit and forget righteousness. If Ji, as the son of a meritorious minister, moreover held him hostage, though he overthrew Lü Lu to secure the realm, it was permissible to preserve lord and kin in righteousness. ----6 The great ministers together plotted in secret: "The Young Emperor and the kings of Liang, Huaiyang, and Hengshan are none of them true sons of Emperor Xiaohui. -{the cited text}- by scheme falsely named others' sons, killed their mothers, and raised them in the rear palace, making them Emperor Xiaohui's sons, establishing one as heir and the various kings, to strengthen the house of Lü. Now all the Lü have been exterminated, yet the one enthroned is grown and in power—our sort will have no survivors. Better to look among the kings for the most worthy and establish him." Some said: "The King of Qi, the High Emperor's eldest grandson, may be established." The great ministers all said: "The house of Lü, because of evil from the maternal kin, nearly endangered the ancestral temples and threw the merit-holders into disorder. Now the King of Qi's maternal uncle Siju is violent as a tiger wearing a cap. To establish the King of Qi would be to make the Lü again. The King of Dai is now the eldest among the High Emperor's living sons, humane, filial, generous, and lenient; the empress dowager's clan, the house of Bo, is careful and good. Moreover to establish the eldest is inherently accordant—how much more when he is known throughout the realm for humanity and filial piety!" Thereupon together they secretly sent envoys to summon the King of Dai.
21
代王問左右,郎中令張武等曰:「漢大臣皆故高帝時大將,習兵,多謀詐。 此其屬意非止此也,特畏高帝、呂太后威耳。 今已誅諸呂,新啑血京師,此以迎大王為名,實不可信。 願大王稱疾毋往,以觀其變。」 中尉宋昌進曰:「群臣之議皆非也。 夫秦失其政,諸侯、豪桀並起,人人自以為得之者以萬數,然卒踐天子之位者,劉氏也,天下絕望,一矣。 高帝封王子弟,地犬牙相制,此所謂磐石之宗也,天下服其強,二矣。 漢興,除秦苛政,約法令,施德惠,人人自安,難動搖,三矣。 夫以呂太后之嚴,立諸呂為三王,擅權專制; 然而太尉以一節入北軍一呼,士皆左袒為劉氏,叛諸呂,卒以滅之。 此乃天授,非人力也。 今大臣雖欲為變,百姓弗為使,其黨寧能專一邪? 方今內有朱虛、東牟之親,外畏吳、楚、淮陽、琅邪、齊、代之強。 方今高帝子,獨淮南王與大王。 大王又長,賢聖仁孝聞於天下,故大臣因天下之心而欲迎立大王。 大王勿疑也。」 代王報太后計之。 猶豫未定,卜之,兆得大橫。 占曰:「大橫庚庚,余為天王,夏啟以光。」 代王曰:「寡人固已為王矣,又何王?」 卜人曰:「所謂天王者,乃天子也。」 於是代王遣太后弟薄昭往見絳侯,絳侯等具為昭言所以迎立王意。 薄昭還報曰:「信矣,無可疑者。」 代王乃笑謂宋昌曰:「果如公言。」
The King of Dai asked his attendants; Gentlemen-of-the-Palace Zhang Wu and others said: "The great officers of Han are all former great generals from the High Emperor's time, skilled in war, full of plots and deceit. Their intent does not stop here; they only fear the authority of the High Emperor and Empress Dowager Lü. Now the Lü have been executed and they have freshly shed blood in the capital—this, though in the name of welcoming Your Majesty, is truly not to be trusted. I wish that Your Majesty plead illness and not go, to observe how things change." Commandant of the Imperial Guards Song Chang advanced and said: "The counsel of the ministers is all wrong. When Qin lost its government, feudal lords and powerful heroes rose together; everyone who took himself for the one to obtain it numbered in the tens of thousands—yet in the end the one who trod the Son of Heaven's place was the house of Liu; the realm had given up hope—one thing. The High Emperor enfeoffed sons and younger brothers with territory interlocking like dogs' teeth—this is what is called the clan as bedrock; the realm submitted to its strength—two things. Han rose, abolished Qin's harsh government, simplified laws and ordinances, and bestowed virtue and kindness; everyone found security for himself—hard to shake—three things. Even under the sternness of Empress Dowager Lü, she established the various Lü as three kings with sole power and authoritarian rule; yet the Grand Commandant, with a single credential entering the Northern Army and one shout, every soldier bared the left shoulder for the house of Liu, revolted against the various Lü, and in the end destroyed them. This was Heaven's grant—not human strength. Now though the great ministers wished to make trouble, the common people would not serve them; could their faction achieve singleness of purpose? Now within there are kin such as Zhu Xu and Dong Mou; without, they fear the strength of Wu, Chu, Huaiyang, Langye, Qi, and Dai. Among the High Emperor's sons today, only the King of Huainan and Your Majesty. Your Majesty is moreover the eldest; your worth, sagacity, humanity, and filial piety are heard throughout the realm—therefore the great ministers rely on the hearts of the realm and wish to welcome and establish Your Majesty. Your Majesty must not doubt." The King of Dai reported to the empress dowager to work out a plan. Still hesitating and undecided, he divined; the omen obtained Great Horizontal. The interpretation said: "Great Horizontal, geng-geng; I become King of Heaven; Xia Qi with brightness." The King of Dai said: "I am already king—what further kinghood?" The diviner said: "What is called King of Heaven is in fact the Son of Heaven." Thereupon the King of Dai sent the empress dowager's younger brother Bo Zhao to see the Marquis of Jiang; Bo and the others fully explained to Zhao the reason for welcoming and establishing him as king. When Bo Zhao returned and reported, he said: "It is trustworthy; there is nothing to doubt." The King of Dai then smiled and said to Song Chang: "It has indeed been as you said."
22
乃命宋昌參乘,張武等六人乘傳,從詣長安。 至高陵,休止,而使宋昌先馳之長安觀變。 昌至渭橋,丞相以下皆迎。 昌還報。 代王馳至渭橋,群臣拜謁稱臣,代王下車答拜。 太尉勃進曰:「願請間。」 宋昌曰:「所言公,公言之; 所言私,王者無私。」 太尉乃跪上天子璽、符。 代王謝曰:「至代邸而議之。」
He then ordered Song Chang to ride as companion, Zhang Wu and six others to travel post-haste, and followed to Chang'an. Reaching Gaoling, he stopped to rest and sent Song Chang first to gallop to Chang'an and observe developments. When Chang reached the Wei Bridge, the chancellor and those below all came to welcome him. Chang returned to report. The King of Dai galloped to the Wei Bridge; the ministers bowed in audience and styled themselves subjects; the King of Dai descended from the chariot and returned the bows. Grand Commandant Bo advanced and said: "I wish to request a private word." Song Chang said: "What you would speak is public—speak it publicly; what is private, a king has no private affairs." The Grand Commandant then knelt and presented the Son of Heaven's seal and tally. The King of Dai declined: "Let us deliberate at the lodging for Dai."
23
後九月,己酉晦,代王至長安,舍代邸,群臣從至邸。 丞相陳平等皆再拜言曰:「子弘等皆非孝惠子,不當奉宗廟。 大王,高帝長子,宜為嗣。 願大王即天子位。」 代王西鄉讓者三,南鄉讓者再,遂即天子位。 群臣以禮次侍。
In the intercalary ninth month, on jiyou, the last day of the month, the King of Dai reached Chang'an, lodged at the lodging for Dai, and the ministers followed him to the lodging. Chancellor Chen Ping and all twice bowed and said: "Hong and the others are none of them sons of Emperor Xiaohui and ought not to tend the ancestral temples. Your Majesty, eldest son of the High Emperor, should be the heir. We wish Your Majesty to assume the Son of Heaven's place at once." The King of Dai declined facing west three times, declined facing south twice, and then assumed the Son of Heaven's place. The ministers waited in attendance according to ritual order.
24
東牟侯興居曰:「誅呂氏,臣無功,請得除宮。」 乃與太僕汝陰侯滕公入宮,前謂少帝曰:「足下非劉氏子,不當立!」 乃顧麾左右執戟者掊兵罷去; 有數人不肯去兵,宦者令張釋諭告,亦去兵。 滕公乃召乘輿車載少帝出。 少帝曰:「欲將我安之乎?」 滕公曰:「出就舍。」 舍少府。 乃奉天子法駕迎代王於邸,報曰:「宮謹除。」 代王即夕入未央宮。 有謁者十人持戟衛端門,曰:「天子在也,足下何為者而入?」 代王乃謂太尉。 太尉往諭,謁者十人皆掊兵而去,代王遂入。 夜,拜宋昌為衛將軍,鎮撫南北軍; 以張武為郎中令,行殿中。 有司分部誅滅梁、淮陽、恆山王及少帝於邸。 文帝還坐前殿,夜,下詔書赦天下。
Marquis of Dongmou Xingju said: "In executing the house of Lü, your servant had no merit; I request to be allowed to clear the palace." He then entered the palace with Grand Coachman Marquis of Ruyin Teng Gong, went forward and said to the Young Emperor: "Your Excellency are not of the house of Liu and ought not to be enthroned!" Then he turned and gestured to those at the left and right holding halberds to cast aside weapons and withdraw; several men would not lay down weapons; Chamberlain Zhang Shizhi was ordered to announce, and they too laid down weapons. Teng Gong then summoned the imperial carriage to carry the Young Emperor out. The Young Emperor said: "Where do you mean to take me?" Teng Gong said: "Go out to the lodging." He lodged him at the Minor Treasury. Then with the Son of Heaven's formal equipage he welcomed the King of Dai from the lodging and reported: "The palace has been carefully cleared." The King of Dai that evening entered Weiyang Palace. Ten chamberlains holding halberds guarded the main gate: "The Son of Heaven is within; what are Your Excellency doing entering?" The King of Dai thereupon spoke to the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant went to announce; the ten chamberlains all cast aside weapons and left; the King of Dai then entered. At night, Song Chang was appointed General of the Guard, pacifying the Northern and Southern Armies; Zhang Wu was made Gentlemen-of-the-Palace and patrolled within the palace halls. The relevant officials in divisions executed the kings of Liang, Huaiyang, and Hengshan and the Young Emperor at their lodging. Emperor Wen returned and took his seat in the front hall; at night he issued an edict amnestying the realm.
25
1冬,十月,庚戌,徙琅邪王澤為燕王; 封趙幽王子遂為趙王。 ----2陳平謝病。 上問之,平曰:「高祖時,勃功不如臣,及誅諸呂,臣功亦不如勃,願以右丞相讓勃。」 十一月,辛巳,上徙平為左丞相,太尉勃為右丞相,大將軍灌嬰為太尉。 諸呂所奪齊、楚故地,皆復與之。 ----3論誅諸呂功,右丞相勃以下益戶、賜金各有差。 絳侯朝罷趨出,意得甚。 上禮之恭,常目送之。 郎中安陵袁盎諫曰:「諸呂悖逆,大臣相與共誅之。 是時丞相為太尉,本兵柄,適會其成功。 今丞相如有驕主色,陛下謙讓。 臣主失禮,竊為陛下弗取也!」 後朝,上益莊,丞相益畏。 ----4十二月,詔曰:「法者,治之正也。 今犯法已論,而使無罪之父母、妻子、同產坐之,及為收帑,朕甚不取! 其除收帑諸相坐律令。」 ----5春,正月,有司請蚤建太子。 上曰; 「朕既不德,縱不能博求天下賢聖有德之人而禪天下焉,而曰豫建太子,是重吾不德也。 其安之!」 有司曰:「豫建太子,所以重宗廟、社稷,不忘天下也。」 上曰:「楚王,季父也; 吳王,兄也; 淮南王,弟也,豈不豫哉? 今不選舉焉,而曰必子,人其以朕為忘賢有德者而專於子,非所以憂天下也!」 有司固請曰:「古者殷、周有國,治安皆千餘歲,用此道也。 立嗣必子,所從來遠矣。 高帝平天下為太祖,子孫繼嗣世世不絕,今釋宜建而更選於諸侯及宗室,非高帝之志也。 更議不宜。 子啟最長,純厚慈仁,請建以為太子。」 上乃許之。 ----6三月,立太子母竇氏為皇后。 皇后,清河觀津人。 有弟廣國,字少君,幼為人所略賣,傳十餘家,聞-{竇后}-立,乃上書自陳。 召見,驗問,得實,乃厚賜田宅、金錢,與兄長君家於長安。 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。 ----7詔振貸鰥、寡、孤、獨、窮困之人。 又令:「八十已上,月賜米、肉、酒; 九十已上,加賜帛、絮。 賜物當稟鬻米者,長吏閱視,丞若尉致; 不滿九十,嗇夫、令史致; 二千石遣都吏循行,不稱者督之。」 ----8楚元王交薨。 ----9夏,四月,齊、楚地震,二十九山同日崩,大水潰出。 ----10時有獻千里馬者。 帝曰:「鸞旗在前,屬車在後,吉行日五十里,師行三十里。 朕乘千里馬,獨先安之?」 於是還其馬,與道里費,而下詔曰:「朕不受獻也。 其令四方毋求來獻。」 ----11帝既施惠天下,諸侯、四夷遠近歡洽。 乃修代來功,封宋昌為壯武侯。 ----12帝益明習國家事。 朝而問右丞相勃曰:「天下一歲決獄幾何?」 勃謝不知。 又問:「一歲錢穀出入幾何?」 勃又謝不知,惶愧,汗出沾背。 上問左丞相平。 平曰:「有主者。」 上曰:「主者謂誰?」 曰:「陛下即問決獄,責廷尉; 問錢穀,責治粟內史。」 上曰:「苟各有主者,而君所主者何事也?」 平謝曰:「陛下不知其駑下,使待罪宰相。 宰相者,上佐天子,理陰陽,順四時; 下遂萬物之宜; 外鎮撫四夷諸侯; 內親附百姓,使卿大夫各得任其職焉。」 帝乃稱善。 右丞相大慚,出而讓陳平曰:「君獨不素教我對!」 陳平笑曰:「君居其位,不知其任邪? 且陛下即問長安中盜賊數,君欲強對邪?」 於是絳侯自知其能不如平遠矣。 居頃之,人或說勃曰:「君既誅諸呂,立代王,威震天下。 而君受厚賞,處尊位,久之,即禍及身矣。」 勃亦自危,乃謝病,請歸相印,上許之。 秋,八月,辛未,右丞相勃免,左丞相平專為丞相。 ----13初,隆慮侯灶擊南越,會暑濕,士卒大疫,兵不能隃領。 歲餘,-{高后}-崩,即罷兵。 趙佗因此以兵威財物賂遺閩越、西甌、駱,役屬焉。 東西萬餘里,乘黃屋左纛,稱制與中國侔。
In winter of the first year, in the tenth month, on the day gengxu, King Ze of Langye was transferred to be King of Yan; King You of Zhao's son Sui was enfeoffed as King of Zhao. ----2 Chen Ping declined office on grounds of illness. The Emperor asked him; Chen Ping said, “Under Gaozu, Bo's merit was less than mine, and in executing the Lü clan mine was also less than his; I wish to yield the right chancellorship to Bo.” In the eleventh month, on xinsi, the Emperor made Chen Ping left chancellor, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo right chancellor, and Grand General Guan Ying grand commandant. The former Qi and Chu territories seized by the Lü clan were all restored. ----3 When rewards were apportioned for executing the Lü clan, from Right Chancellor Bo downward each received added households and gold according to rank. After court the Marquis of Jiang hurried out, looking very pleased with himself. The Emperor treated him with deference and often watched him leave. Palace Gentleman Yuan Ang of Anling remonstrated: “The Lü clan rebelled and the great ministers joined to execute them. At that time the chancellor had been grand commandant and already held military authority; he simply happened to be there when it succeeded. Now if the chancellor acts like a proud master while Your Majesty defers to him, lord and minister lose all propriety—I cannot think this fitting for Your Majesty!” After that at court the Emperor grew sterner and the chancellor more afraid. ----4 In the twelfth month an edict said, “Law is the straightedge of rule. When the guilty have already been sentenced, yet innocent parents, wives and children, and household kin are punished with them, and families are confiscated into servitude—We cannot accept this! Abolish the statutes on confiscation of kin and collective punishment.” ----5 In spring, the first month, officials asked that the crown prince be established at once. The Emperor said; “I lack virtue; even if I cannot seek out worthy and sage men throughout the realm and yield the throne to one of them, to speak of establishing an heir in advance only doubles my want of virtue. Let the matter rest!” The officials said, “Establishing an heir in advance gives weight to the ancestral temple and altars of state and shows that the realm is not forgotten.” The Emperor said, “The King of Chu is my uncle; the King of Wu is my elder brother; the King of Huainan is my younger brother—are they not already in line? If I do not choose among them but insist it must be a son, people will think I have forgotten the worthy and virtuous and fix on my own son—this is not how to care for the realm!” The officials pressed on: “In antiquity Yin and Zhou each held their states in peace for more than a thousand years by this very method. The heir must be a son—a practice of very ancient standing. Gaozu pacified the realm as Grand Ancestor so that descendants might succeed generation after generation without end; to set aside what ought to be done and choose anew among feudal lords and the imperial clan is not Gaozu's intent. Further debate is out of place. His son Qi is the eldest, pure, generous, and benevolent; we ask that he be made crown prince.” The Emperor then agreed. ----6 In the third month the crown prince's mother, Lady Dou, was made empress. The empress was from Guanjin in Qinghe commandery. She had a younger brother Guangguo, styled Shaojun, who as a child was kidnapped and sold through more than ten households; when he heard Empress Dou had been established, he submitted a memorial identifying himself. He was summoned, questioned, and the facts verified; he received rich grants of land, houses, and money, and he and his elder brother Changjun were given residences in Chang'an. The Marquis of Jiang, General Guan, and others said, “If we are not to die, our lives still hang by these two. Both come from humble origins; tutors and retainers must be chosen for them; if they imitate the Lü clan again, it will be a grave matter!” Scholars of proven integrity were then chosen to live with them. Dou Changjun and Shaojun thereby became modest gentlemen and did not presume on their rank to treat others arrogantly. ----7 An edict ordered relief for widowers, widows, orphans, the childless elderly, and the destitute. It also ordered: “Those eighty and above shall receive monthly allotments of rice, meat, and wine; those ninety and above shall additionally receive silk and cotton wadding. Where stipends are to be reported and converted to rice, chief officials shall inspect and the assistant or commandant shall deliver; for those under ninety, the district clerk and recorder shall deliver; officials of two thousand dan shall send inspectors on circuit and hold accountable any who fail to comply.” ----8 King Yuan of Chu, Liu Jiao, died. ----9 In summer, the fourth month, Qi and Chu were shaken by earthquakes; twenty-nine mountains collapsed on the same day and great floods burst out. ----10 At that time someone presented a thousand-li horse. The Emperor said, “Imperial banners go before and attendant chariots follow; on a ceremonial journey we cover fifty li a day, on campaign thirty. If I ride a thousand-li horse, where would I go ahead alone?” He returned the horse, gave traveling expenses, and issued an edict: “I do not accept presentations. Let the four quarters be ordered not to come bearing tribute.” ----11 Once the Emperor had extended his grace throughout the realm, feudal lords and the four quarters near and far were at ease. He then reviewed those who had aided his coming from Dai and enfeoffed Song Chang as Marquis of Zhuangwu. ----12 The Emperor grew ever more skilled in affairs of state. At court he asked Right Chancellor Zhou Bo: “How many cases are decided throughout the realm in a year?” Bo apologized that he did not know. He asked again: “How much money and grain enter and leave the treasury in a year?” Bo again said he did not know, fearful and ashamed, sweat soaking his back. The Emperor asked Left Chancellor Chen Ping. Chen Ping said, “There are officials in charge of that.” The Emperor said, “Who is in charge?” He said, “If Your Majesty asks about cases, hold the commandant of justice responsible; if about money and grain, hold the superintendent of grain responsible.” The Emperor said, “If each has its officer, what do you yourself oversee?” Chen Ping apologized: “Your Majesty does not know how incompetent I am and has made me serve as chancellor. The chancellor assists the Son of Heaven above, harmonizes yin and yang, and accords with the four seasons; below he brings the ten thousand things to their proper course; externally he pacifies the four quarters and feudal lords; internally he draws the people close and sees that ministers and grandees each fulfill his charge.” The Emperor praised this. The right chancellor was deeply ashamed; leaving court he reproached Chen Ping: “Why did you never teach me how to answer!” Chen Ping laughed: “You hold the post—do you not know its duties? And if Your Majesty asked how many thieves there are in Chang'an, would you force an answer?” Then the Marquis of Jiang knew his ability fell far short of Chen Ping's. Before long someone urged Zhou Bo: “You executed the Lü clan and established the King of Dai; your authority shakes the realm. Yet you have received rich rewards and hold an exalted post; before long disaster will reach you.” Zhou Bo also felt endangered; he declined on grounds of illness and asked to return the chancellor's seal, and the Emperor agreed. In autumn, the eighth month, on xinwei, Right Chancellor Zhou Bo was dismissed and Left Chancellor Chen Ping became sole chancellor. ----13 Earlier, when the Marquis of Longlü, Zao, attacked the Southern Yue, heat and damp brought a great epidemic among the troops and the army could not cross the frontier passes. After more than a year Empress Dowager Gao died and the army was withdrawn. Zhao Tuo then used military might and gifts to win over Min Yue, Western Ou, and the Luo peoples and bring them under his rule. His domain stretched more than ten thousand li east to west; he rode the yellow canopy with the left banner and styled himself emperor on a par with China.
26
帝乃為佗親塚在真定者置守邑,歲時奉祀; 召其昆弟,尊官、厚賜寵之。 復使陸賈使南越,賜佗書曰:「朕,高皇帝側室之子也,棄外,奉北籓於代。 道里遼遠,壅蔽樸愚,未嘗致書。 高皇帝棄群臣,孝惠皇帝即世; -{高后}-自臨事,不幸有疾,諸呂為變,賴功臣之力,誅之已畢,朕以王、侯、吏不釋之故,不得不立。 今即位。 乃者聞王遺將軍隆慮侯書,求親昆弟,請罷長沙兩將軍。 朕以王書罷將軍博陽侯; 親昆弟在真定者,已遣人存問,修治先人塚。 前日聞王發兵於邊,為寇災不止。 當其時,長沙苦之,南郡尤甚。 雖王之國,庸獨利乎! 必多殺士卒,傷良將吏,寡人之妻,孤人之子,獨人父母,得一亡十,朕不忍為也。 朕欲定地犬牙相入者,以問吏,吏曰:『高皇帝所以介長沙土也。』 朕不得擅變焉。 今得王之地,不足以為大; 得王之財,不足以為富。 服領以南,王自治之。 雖然,王之號為帝。 兩帝並立,亡一乘之使以通其道,是爭也; 爭而不讓,仁者不為也。 願與王分棄前惡,終今以來,通使如故。」
The Emperor then established guard districts for Zhao Tuo's ancestral tombs at Zhending and ordered seasonal sacrifices; summoned his brothers, gave them honored posts, and richly favored them. He again sent Lu Jia as envoy to the Southern Yue with a letter to Zhao Tuo: “I am a son of Gaozu by a concubine, set aside in the borderlands, and received the northern fief at Dai. The roads are distant and I was cut off in my simplicity; I have never before sent you word. Gaozu left his ministers; Emperor Xiaohui passed away; Empress Dowager Gao herself held power; she fell ill and the Lü clan rebelled; thanks to the great ministers they were executed to the last; because kings, marquises, and officials would not be reassured, I had no choice but to ascend. I have now taken the throne. Recently I heard that you sent a letter to General the Marquis of Longlü, seeking your brothers and asking that the two Changsha generals be dismissed. At your request I have dismissed General the Marquis of Boyang; your brothers at Zhending have already been visited and your ancestral tombs repaired. The other day I heard you had raised troops on the border and raids have not ceased. At that time Changsha suffered bitterly and Nan commandery most of all. Though it is your own kingdom, can it alone benefit? It must multiply the killing of soldiers, wound good commanders, widow wives, orphan sons, and bereave parents—for one gain, ten losses; I cannot bear to do it. I wish to fix the boundaries where our lands interlock like dog's teeth and asked the officials; they said, ‘This is how Gaozu divided the territory of Changsha. ’ I cannot change that on my own authority. To take your territory would not make me great; to take your wealth would not make me rich. South of Fuling Pass you may govern on your own. Nevertheless, your title is still emperor. If two emperors stand together yet lack even a one-horse messenger to keep the road open between them, that is contention; to contend and not yield—no benevolent man would do it. I wish with you equally to cast aside past ill will; from now on let envoys pass as before."
27
賈至南越,南越王恐,頓首謝罪,願奉明詔,長為籓臣,奉貢職。 於是下令國中曰:「吾聞兩雄不俱立,兩賢不並世。 漢皇帝,賢天子。 自今以來,去帝制、黃屋、左纛。」 因為書,稱:「蠻夷大長、老夫臣佗昧死再拜上書皇帝陛下:老夫,故越吏也,高皇帝幸賜臣佗璽,以為南越王。 孝惠皇帝即位,義不忍絕,所以賜老夫者甚厚。 -{高后}-用事,別異蠻夷,出令曰:『毋與蠻夷越金、鐵、田器、馬、牛、羊。 即予,予牡,毋予牝。』 老夫處僻,馬、牛、羊齒已長。 自以祭祀不修,有死罪,使內史籓、中尉高、御史平凡三輩上書謝過,皆不反。 又風聞老夫父母墳墓已壞削,兄弟宗族已誅論。 吏相與議曰:『今內不得振於漢,外無以自高異。』 故更號為帝,自帝其國,非敢有害於天下。 高皇后聞之,大怒,削去南越之籍,使使不通。 老夫竊疑長沙王讒臣,故發兵以伐其邊。 老夫處越四十九年,於今抱孫焉。 然夙興夜寐,寢不安席,食不甘味,目不視靡曼之色,耳不聽鐘鼓之音者,以不得事漢也。 今陛下幸哀憐,復故號,通使漢如故; 老夫死,骨不腐。 改號,不敢為帝矣!」 ----14齊哀王襄薨。 ----15上聞河南守吳公治平為天下第一,召以為廷尉。 吳公薦洛陽人賈誼,帝召以為博士。 是時賈生年二十餘。 帝愛其辭博,一歲中,超遷至太中大夫。 賈生請改正朔,易服色,定官名,興禮樂,以立漢制,更秦法。 帝謙讓未遑也。 ----1冬,十月,曲逆獻侯陳平薨。 ----2詔列侯各之國,為吏及詔所止者,遣太子。 ----3十一月,乙亥,周勃復為丞相。 ----4癸卯晦,日有食之。 詔:「群臣悉思朕之過失及知見之所不及,匄以啟告朕。 及舉賢良、方正、能直言極諫者,以匡朕之不逮。」 因各敕以職任,務省繇費以便民,罷衛將軍。 太僕見馬遺財足,餘皆以給傳置。
When Lu Jia reached the Southern Yue, the king was afraid; he kowtowed in apology and vowed to obey the imperial edict, remain a frontier vassal forever, and fulfill his tribute duties. Thereupon he issued an order throughout the state: “I have heard that two heroes do not stand together, nor two sages in one age. The Han Emperor is a worthy Son of Heaven. From now on I shall abandon the imperial title, yellow canopy, and left banner.” He then wrote a letter styled: “Great chieftain of the barbarians, your old servant Tuo, risking death, twice knocks head and submits this letter to His Majesty the Emperor: I, your old servant, was formerly a Yue official; the High Emperor graciously granted me a seal and made me King of the Southern Yue. When Emperor Xiaohui took the throne, in righteousness he could not cut me off, and what he bestowed on your old servant was very generous. -{the cited text}- held power, treated the barbarians differently, and issued an order: ‘Do not give the barbarian Yi of Yue gold, iron, field tools, horses, cattle, or sheep. If you give any, give males only; do not give females. ’ Your old servant dwells in a remote place; our horses, cattle, and sheep are already fully grown. Thinking that poorly kept sacrifices were a capital offense, I sent three parties—the inner secretary Fan, the commandant of the guards Gao, and the censorate recorder Ping—to submit letters of apology; none returned. I also heard on rumor that my parents' tombs had been destroyed and my brothers and clansmen condemned and executed. Officials discussed among themselves: ‘Now inwardly we cannot gain standing with Han, and outwardly have no way to set ourselves apart. ’ So we changed our title to emperor and styled ourselves emperors in our state—not daring to harm all under Heaven. When Empress Dowager Gao heard, she was greatly angry, struck Southern Yue from the register, and cut off diplomatic contact. Your old servant privately suspected the King of Changsha had slandered me, so I sent troops to raid his border. Your old servant has dwelt in Yue forty-nine years and now holds a grandchild in his arms. Yet rising early and sleeping late, with no peace in bed or savor in food, eyes not viewing gorgeous colors, ears not hearing bells and drums—all because I could not serve Han. Now Your Majesty has graciously pitied me, restored my old title, and envoys pass with Han as before; when your old servant dies, his bones will not rot away. To change our title—I dare not be emperor again!” ----14 King Ai of Qi, Liu Xiang, died. ----15 The Emperor heard that Wu Gong, prefect of Henan, ranked first in all under Heaven for governance and peace, and summoned him to be commandant of justice. Wu Gong recommended Jia Yi of Luoyang; the Emperor summoned him and made him an erudite. At that time Jia Yi was in his twenties. The Emperor loved his broad learning; within a year he was promoted past regular steps to grand master of the palace. Jia Yi asked to correct the calendar, change ceremonial colors, fix official titles, raise ritual and music, establish Han institutions, and reform Qin law. The Emperor modestly deferred; there was as yet no leisure for it. ----1 In winter, the tenth month, Marquis Xian of Quyu, Chen Ping, died. ----2 An edict ordered feudal lords each to his state; those serving as officials and those held back by edict were to send their heirs. ----3 In the eleventh month, on yihai, Zhou Bo again became chancellor. ----4 On the last day of the month guimao, there was a solar eclipse. An edict: “Let all ministers reflect on my faults and on what their knowledge and insight fail to reach, and beg to report them to me. And recommend worthy and upright men able to speak bluntly and remonstrate forcefully, to correct my shortcomings.” Thereupon each was charged with his duties, told to reduce corvée levies to benefit the people, and the general of the guard was abolished. The grand coachman reported surplus horses in the treasury; the remainder were all assigned to relay stations.
28
穎陰侯騎賈山上書言治亂之道曰:
The Marquis of Yingyin, Jia Shan, submitted a memorial on the way of order and disorder, saying:
29
:「臣聞雷霆之所擊,無不摧折者; 萬鈞之所壓,無不糜滅者。 今人主之威,非特雷霆也; 執重,非特萬鈞也。 開道而求諫,和顏色而受之,用其言而顯其身,士猶恐懼而不敢自盡; 又況於縱欲恣暴、惡聞其過乎! 震之以威,壓之以重,雖有堯、舜之智,孟賁之勇,豈有不摧折者哉! 如此,則人主不得聞其過,社稷危矣。
: “I have heard that what thunderbolts strike, nothing fails to be shattered; what ten thousand jun weights press, nothing fails to be ground to dust. Now the lord's majesty is not merely like thunderbolts; what he holds is weighty—not merely ten thousand jun. He opens the way and seeks remonstrance, receives it with a gentle countenance, uses their words and honors their persons—yet scholars still fear and dare not speak their full mind; how much more when one indulges desire, acts willfully and violently, and hates to hear of one's faults! Shake them with majesty and press them with weight—even with the wisdom of Yao and Shun and the courage of Meng Ben, would any fail to be shattered! If so, the lord cannot hear his faults and the altars of state are in peril.
30
:昔者周蓋千八百國,以九州之民養千八百國之君,君有餘財,民有餘力,而頌聲作。 秦皇帝以千八百國之民自養,力罷不能勝其役,財盡不能勝其求。 一君之身耳,所自養者馳騁弋獵之娛,天下弗能供也。 秦皇帝計其功德,度其後嗣世世無窮; 然身死才數月耳,天下四面而攻之,宗廟滅絕矣。 秦皇帝居滅絕之中而不自知者,何也? 天下莫敢告也。 其所以莫敢告者,何也? 亡養老之義,亡輔弼之臣,退誹謗之人,殺直諫之士。 是以道諛、媮合苟容,比其德則賢於堯、舜,課其功則賢於湯、武; 天下已潰而莫之告也。
: In former times Zhou had perhaps eighteen hundred states; the people of the Nine Provinces supported eighteen hundred lords—the lords had surplus wealth, the people surplus strength, and songs of praise arose. The First Emperor of Qin used the people of those eighteen hundred states to nourish himself alone; strength exhausted, they could not bear his corvées; wealth spent, they could not satisfy his demands. One man's person—the pleasures with which he nourished himself were racing, archery, and hunting—and all under Heaven could not supply them. The First Emperor reckoned his merit and measured that his descendants for generations without end— yet within only a few months after his death all under Heaven attacked from four sides and the ancestral temple was extinguished. The First Emperor dwelt in extinction yet did not know it—why? All under Heaven dared not tell him. Why did none dare tell him? He lacked the duty of nurturing the aged, lacked assisting ministers, dismissed those who criticized, and killed those who spoke bluntly. Thus the way of flattery and shameless compliance: in comparing his virtue he surpassed Yao and Shun; in judging his achievement he surpassed Tang and Wu; all under Heaven had already collapsed yet none told him.
31
:今陛下使天下舉賢良方正之士,天下皆欣欣焉曰:『將興堯舜之道、三王之功矣。』 天下之士,莫不精白以承休德。 今方正之士皆在朝廷矣; 又選其賢者,使為常侍、諸吏,與之馳驅射獵,一日再三出。 臣恐朝廷之解馳,百官之墮於事也。 陛下即位,親自勉以厚天下,節用愛民,平獄緩刑; 天下莫不說喜。 臣聞山東吏布詔令,民雖老羸癃疾,扶杖而往聽之,願少須臾毋死,思見德化之成也。 今功業方就,名聞方昭,四方鄉風而從; 豪俊之臣,方正之士,直與之日日獵射,擊兔、伐狐,以傷大業,絕天下之望,臣竊悼之。 古者大臣不得與宴游,使皆務其方而高其節,則群臣莫敢不正身修行,盡心以稱大體。 夫士,修之於家而壞之於天子之廷,臣竊愍之。 陛下與眾臣宴游,與大臣、方正朝廷論議,游不失樂,朝不失禮,議不失計,軌事之大者也。」
: Now Your Majesty has caused all under Heaven to recommend worthy and upright men; all under Heaven rejoice and say, ‘He is about to raise the way of Yao and Shun and the achievement of the Three Kings. ’ Scholars everywhere refine themselves to receive your gracious virtue. Now worthy and upright men are all at court; yet choosing the worthiest among them, you make them attendants-in-ordinary and various officials and ride and hunt with them—going out three or four times in a day. I fear the court will grow slack and the hundred officials will neglect their duties. Since Your Majesty took the throne you have personally urged enriching all under Heaven, sparing expense and loving the people, leveling prisons and easing punishments; and all under Heaven rejoices. I hear that when officers east of the mountains issued edicts, people though old, frail, and crippled leaned on staves to go and listen, wishing to live a little longer without dying to see your transforming virtue fulfilled. Now your achievement is just being completed and your fame just spreading—the four quarters look to your example and follow; yet worthy grandees and upright scholars go straight to daily hunting and shooting, striking rabbits and killing foxes, injuring the great work and cutting off all under Heaven's hopes—I mourn it privately. In antiquity great ministers did not join in feasting and outings; if all were made to devote themselves to their duties and elevate their integrity, then no minister would dare fail to straighten his conduct and give full heart to match the great framework. Scholars refined at home yet ruined in the Son of Heaven's court—I pity it privately. Your Majesty should feast and recreate with the multitude of ministers, but debate policy in court with great ministers and upright men—outing without losing pleasure, court without losing ritual, debate without losing plans: these are the great tracks of affairs."
32
上嘉納其言。
The Emperor praised and adopted his words.
33
上每朝,郎、從官上書疏,未嘗不止輦受其言。 言不可用置之,言可用采之,未嘗不稱善。
At each audience, when gentlemen and attendant officials submitted memorials, the Emperor never failed to stop the palanquin and receive their words. What could not be used he set aside; what could be used he adopted—he never failed to praise it as good.
34
帝從霸陵上欲西馳下峻阪。 中郎將袁盎騎,並車攬轡。 上曰:「將軍怯邪?」 盎曰:「臣聞『千金之子,坐不垂堂』。 聖主不乘危,不徼幸。 今陛下騁六飛馳下峻山,有如馬驚車敗,陛下縱自輕,奈高廟、太后何!」 上乃止。
The Emperor, riding over Baling Ridge, wished to gallop westward down a steep slope. Supervisor of the Gentlemen Yuan Ang rode alongside, drew abreast of the chariot, and pulled the reins. The Emperor said, “General, are you afraid?” Yuan Ang said, “I have heard, ‘A son worth a thousand in gold does not sit beneath overhanging eaves.’ A sage lord does not ride in peril or court luck. Now Your Majesty would gallop the six-horse team down a steep mountain—if the horses startle and the chariot breaks, though Your Majesty might make light of yourself, what of the High Ancestor's temple and the empress dowager!” The Emperor then stopped.
35
上所幸慎夫人,在禁中常與皇后同席坐。 及坐郎置,袁盎引卻慎夫人坐。 慎夫人怒,不肯坐; 上亦怒,起,入禁中。 盎因前說曰:「臣聞『尊卑有序,則上下和』。 今陛下既已立-{后}-,慎夫人乃妾。 妾、主豈可與同坐哉! 且陛下幸之,即厚賜之。 陛下所以為慎夫人,適所以禍之也。 陛下獨不見『人彘』乎!」 於是上乃說,召語慎夫人,慎夫人賜盎金五十斤。
Consort Shen, whom the Emperor favored, in the inner palace often sat on the same mat as the empress. When they sat with attendants in place, Yuan Ang drew back Consort Shen's seat. Consort Shen was angry and would not sit; the Emperor too was angry, rose, and went into the inner palace. Yuan Ang then advanced and said, “I have heard, ‘When high and low are ordered, then above and below are harmonized.’ Now Your Majesty has already established -{the cited text}-; Consort Shen is but a concubine. How can a concubine and the mistress sit together! Moreover, if Your Majesty favors her, richly reward her— what Your Majesty does for Consort Shen is exactly what will bring calamity upon her. Has Your Majesty alone not seen the ‘human pig’!” Thereupon the Emperor was persuaded, summoned Consort Shen and spoke to her, and Consort Shen bestowed fifty jin of gold on Yuan Ang.
36
賈誼說上曰:
Jia Yi spoke to the Emperor, saying:
37
:「《管子》曰:『倉廩實而知禮節,衣食足而知榮辱。』 民不足而可治者,自古及今,未之嘗聞。 古之人曰:『一夫不耕,或受之饑; 一女不織,或受之寒。』 生之有時而用之亡度,則物力必屈。 古之治天下,至纖至悉,故其畜積足恃。 今背本而趨末者甚眾,是天下之大殘也! 淫侈之俗,日日以長,是天下之大賊也! 殘、賊公行,莫之或止; 大命將泛,莫之振救。 生之者甚少而靡之者甚多,天下財產何得不厥。
: “The Guanzi says, ‘When granaries are full, then ritual and propriety are known; when clothing and food are sufficient, then honor and shame are known. ’ That the people are insufficient yet the state can be governed—from antiquity until now, none has ever heard of it. The ancients said: ‘If one man does not plow, someone may go hungry; if one woman does not weave, someone may go cold. ’ Production has its seasons, yet consumption knows no limit—then material resources must fail. In antiquity those who governed the realm were thorough to the finest detail, so their stored reserves could be trusted. Today many abandon the fundamental and rush to the secondary—this is the great destroyer of the realm! The habit of excess and extravagance grows daily—this is the great thief of the realm! Destroyer and thief go unchecked, and no one stops them; the nation's vital strength is about to fail, and no one stirs to rescue it. Producers are few and spenders many—how can the realm's wealth not be depleted?
38
:漢之為漢,幾四十年矣,公私之積,猶可哀痛。 失時不雨,民且狼顧; 歲惡不入,請賣爵子。 既聞耳矣,安有為天下阽危者若是而上不驚者!
: The Han dynasty has ruled for nearly forty years, yet public and private stores remain pitifully thin. If the seasons fail and rains do not come, the people will look about in alarm; if the harvest fails and taxes cannot be paid, they beg to sell their noble ranks and even their children. This has already reached my ears—how can the realm be brought to such peril while those above are not alarmed!
39
:世之有饑、穰,天之行也; 禹、湯被之矣。 即不幸有方二三千里之旱,國胡以相恤? 卒然邊境有急,數十百萬之眾,國胡以饋之? 兵、旱相乘,天下大屈,有勇力者聚徒而衡擊,罷夫、羸老,易子上咬其骨。 政治未畢通也,遠方之能僭擬者並舉而爭起矣; 乃駭而圖之,豈將有及乎! 夫積貯者,天下之大命也。 苟粟多而財有餘,何為而不成! 以攻則取,以守則固,以戰則勝,懷敵附遠,何招而不至!
: Famine and plenty in the world are Heaven's way; Yu and Tang endured them. If misfortune brings drought across two or three thousand li, how will the state aid one another? If suddenly the border is threatened and armies of hundreds of thousands or millions must be fed, with what will the state supply them? When war and drought strike together, the realm is drained; the strong gather bands and rampage, while the worn-out and the aged exchange sons and gnaw on bones. Before government is fully restored, distant men who would usurp the throne will rise together in rivalry; only then in alarm will you take counsel—will it still be in time! Stored grain is the lifeblood of the realm. If grain is plentiful and resources ample, what undertaking would not succeed! In attack you prevail, in defense you stand firm, in battle you win; win over foes and draw the distant near—what invitation would they not answer!
40
:今驅民而歸之農,皆著於本。 使天下各食其力,末技、游食之民轉而緣南晦則畜積足而人樂其所矣。 可以為富安天下,而直為此廩廩也,竊為陛下惜之!」
: Now drive the people back to farming and fix them all on the fundamental. Let all under Heaven live by their own labor; let those in petty crafts and idle wandering turn to the south-facing fields—then stores will be full and the people content in their places. By this you could enrich and secure the realm, yet Your Majesty lets the granaries run so thin—I grieve for you in private!"
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上感誼言,春,正月,丁亥,詔開藉田,上親耕以率天下之民。 ----5三月,有司請立皇子為諸侯王。 詔先立趙幽王少子辟強為河間王,朱虛侯章為城陽王,東牟侯興居為濟北王; 然後立皇子武為代王,參為太原王,揖為梁王。 ----6五月,詔曰:「古之治天下,朝有進善之旌,誹謗之木,所以通治道而來諫者也。 今法有誹謗、妖言之罪,是使眾臣不敢盡情而上無由聞過失也,將何以來遠方之賢良! 其除之!」 ----7九月,詔曰:「農,天下之大本也,民所恃以生也; 而民或不務本而事末,故生不遂。 朕憂其然,故今茲親率群臣農以勸之; 其賜天下民今年田租之半。」 ----8燕敬王澤薨。
The Emperor was moved by Jia Yi's words; in spring, the first month, on dinghai, an edict opened the sacred plowing field and the Emperor farmed in person to lead the people of the realm. ----5 In the third month officials asked that the imperial sons be enfeoffed as feudal kings. An edict first made the young son of King You of Zhao, Piqiang, King of Hejian; the Marquis of Zhu Xu, Zhang, King of Chengyang; and the Marquis of Dongmou, Xingju, King of Jibei; then made the imperial sons Wu King of Dai, Can King of Taiyuan, and Yi King of Liang. ----6 In the fifth month an edict said: “In antiquity those who governed the realm set up banners to reward good counsel and posts for criticism, so that the way of rule was kept open and remonstrance could reach the throne. Now the law punishes slander and ‘demon talk,’ so ministers dare not speak plainly and those above have no way to hear their faults—how will worthy men from afar be drawn in! Abolish them!” ----7 In the ninth month an edict said: “Agriculture is the great foundation of the realm; the people depend on it for their livelihood; yet some neglect the root and pursue the secondary, so their livelihood fails. I am troubled by this, and therefore now personally lead the ministers in farming to encourage it; grant the people of the realm half this year's land tax.” ----8 King Jing of Yan, Liu Ze, died.