1
起玄黓涒灘,盡柔兆閹茂,凡十五年。
From Xuanyi Tuantan through Rouzhao Yanmao—fifteen years in all.
2
1冬,十一月,上行幸代。 ----2春,正月,自代還。 ----3夏,六月,梁懷王揖薨,無子。 賈誼復上疏曰:「陛下即不定製,如今之勢,不過一傳、再傳,諸侯猶且人恣而不制,豪植而大強,漢法不得行矣。 陛下所以為籓扞及皇太子之所恃者,唯淮陽、代二國耳。 代,北邊匈奴,與強敵為鄰,能自完則足矣; 而淮陽之比大諸侯,廑如黑子之著面,適足以餌大國,而不足以有所禁御。 方今制在陛下,制國而令子適足以為餌,豈可謂工哉! 臣之愚計,願舉淮南地以益淮陽,而為梁王立後,割淮陽北邊二、三列城與東郡以益梁。 不可者,可徙代王而都睢陽。 梁起於新郪而北著之河,淮陽包陳而南揵之江,則大諸侯之有異心者破膽而不敢謀。 梁足以扞齊、趙,淮陽足以禁吳、楚,陛下高枕,終無山東之憂矣,此二世之利也。 當今恬然,適遇諸侯之皆少; 數歲之後,陛下且見之矣。 夫秦日夜苦心勞力以除六國之禍; 今陛下力制天下,頤指如意,高拱以成六國之禍,難以言智,苟身無事,畜亂,宿祝,孰視而不定; 萬年之後,傳之老母、弱子,將使不寧,不可謂仁。」 帝於是從誼計,徙淮陽王武為梁王,北界泰山,西至高陽,得大縣四十餘城。 後歲餘,賈誼亦死,死時年三十三矣。 ----4徙城陽王喜為淮南王。 ----5匈奴寇狄道。
1. In winter, the eleventh month, the emperor traveled in person to Dai. ----2 In spring, the first month, he returned from Dai. ----3 In summer, the sixth month, King Huai of Liang died; he had no son. Jia Yi again submitted a memorial: "If Your Majesty does not at once fix institutions, under the present trend it will not pass one generation or two before the feudal lords do as they please without restraint, powerful houses take root and grow great, and Han law cannot be enforced. What Your Majesty relies on as a feudal bulwark and what the crown prince depends upon are only the two states of Huaiyang and Dai. Dai, on the northern frontier with the Xiongnu and bordering a powerful foe, suffices if it can preserve itself; yet Huaiyang beside the great feudal lords is scant as a mole on the face—just enough to bait great states, not enough to forbid or restrain them. Power rests with Your Majesty now; to shape the realm yet make your sons barely enough for bait—how can this be called skillful! Your servant's plan is this: transfer Huainan territory to enlarge Huaiyang, establish an heir for Liang, and carve off two or three ranked cities on Huaiyang's northern border with Dong commandery to enlarge Liang. If that cannot be done, move the king of Dai and set his capital at Suiyang. If Liang rises from Xinqi and northward reaches the river, and Huaiyang wraps Chen and southward presses the Yangzi, then great feudal lords with other intent will lose heart and not dare plot. Liang will suffice to shield Qi and Zhao; Huaiyang will suffice to restrain Wu and Chu; Your Majesty may rest easy and in the end have no worry east of the mountains—this is a benefit for two generations. At present all is calm, just when the feudal lords are all young; after a few years Your Majesty will see it. Qin day and night toiled in mind and body to remove the calamity of the Six States; now Your Majesty by force controls all under Heaven, nods and it is as you wish, sits high with folded hands and completes the calamity of the Six States—hard to call this wisdom; if only your person is unharmed, you nurture disorder and lodge prayers, staring fixedly without settling policy; after ten thousand years, passing the realm to an aged mother and a weak son, you will make them unquiet—this cannot be called benevolence." The emperor thereupon followed Yi's plan, moved King Wu of Huaiyang to be king of Liang, with the northern border at Mount Tai, the western at Gaoyang, obtaining more than forty great counties. A little more than a year later Jia Yi also died; he was thirty-three. ----4 King Xi of Chengyang was moved to be king of Huainan. ----5 The Xiongnu raided Didao.
3
時匈奴數為邊患,太子家令穎川晁錯上言兵事曰:
At that time the Xiongnu repeatedly troubled the frontier; the crown prince's household intendant Chao Cuo of Yingchuan spoke on military affairs, saying:
4
:「《兵法》曰:『有必勝之將,無必勝之民。』 由此觀之,安邊境,立功名,在於良將,不可不擇也。 :臣又聞,用兵臨戰合刃之急者三:一曰得地形,二曰卒服習,三曰器用利。 兵法:步兵、車騎、弓弩、長戟、矛鋋、劍楯之地,各有所宜; 不得其宜者,或十不當一。 士不選練,卒不服習,起居不精,動靜不集,趨利弗及,避難不畢,前擊後解,與金鼓之指相失,此不習勒卒之過也,百不當十。 兵不完利,與空手同; 甲不堅密,與袒裼同; 弩不可以及遠,與短兵同; 射不能中,與無矢同; 中不能入,與無鏃同; 此將不省兵之禍也,五不當一。 故《兵法》曰:『器械不利,以其卒予敵也; 卒不可用,以其將予敵也; 將不知兵,以其主予敵也; 君不擇將,以其國予敵也。』 四者,兵之至要也。 :臣又聞:小大異形,強弱異勢,險易異備。 夫卑身以事強,小國之形也; 合小以攻大,敵國之形也; 以蠻夷攻蠻夷,中國之形也。 今匈奴地形、技藝與中國異,上下山阪,出入溪澗,中國之馬弗與也; 險道傾仄,且馳且射,中國之騎弗與也; 風雨罷勞,饑渴不困,中國之人弗與也; 此匈奴之長技也。 若夫平原、易地、輕車、突騎,則匈奴之眾易撓亂也; 勁弩、長戟、射疏、及遠,則匈奴之弓弗能格也; 堅甲、利刃,長短相雜,游弩往來,什伍俱前,則匈奴之兵弗能當也; 材官騶發,矢道同的,則匈奴之革笥、木薦弗能支也; 下馬地斗,劍戟相接,去就相薄,則匈奴之足弗能給也; 此中國之長技也。 以此觀之,匈奴之長技三,中國之長技五。 陛下又興數十萬之眾以誅數萬之匈奴,眾寡之計,以一擊十之術也。 :雖然,兵,兇器; 戰,危事也。 故以大為小,以強為弱,在俛仰之間耳。 夫以人之死爭勝,跌而不振,則悔之無及也。 帝王之道,出於萬全。 今降胡、義渠、蠻夷之屬來歸誼者,其眾數千,飲食、長技與匈奴同。 可賜之堅甲、絮衣、勁弓、利矢,益以邊郡之良騎,令明將能知其習俗、和輯其心者,以陛下之明約將之。 即有險阻,以此當之; 平地通道,則以輕車、材官制之; 兩軍相為表里,各用其長技,衡加之以眾,此萬全之術也。」
:"The Art of War says, 'There may be a commander sure to win; there is no people sure to win. From this we see that to secure the borders and establish merit and fame lies in good commanders—they cannot go unchosen. :Your servant has also heard that in employing troops, when battle is joined and blades meet, three urgencies arise: first, gaining terrain; second, soldiers trained and accustomed; third, weapons and gear sharp. The art of war: infantry, chariots and cavalry, crossbows, long halberds, spears and daggers, swords and shields—each terrain has what suits it; where what suits is not obtained, perhaps ten will not equal one. If soldiers are not chosen and drilled, troops not trained and accustomed, rising and resting not exact, movement and stillness not gathered, rushing profit not reached, fleeing harm not completed, striking forward then breaking apart in the rear, missing the gold-and-drum signals—this is the fault of not drilling troops; a hundred will not equal ten. If arms are not complete and sharp, it is the same as empty hands; if armor is not firm and close, it is the same as baring the torso; if crossbows cannot reach far, it is the same as short weapons; if shooting cannot hit, it is the same as having no arrows; if hitting cannot penetrate, it is the same as having no points; this is the calamity of a commander who does not examine arms—five will not equal one. Therefore the Art of War says, 'If gear is not sharp, you give your soldiers to the enemy; if soldiers cannot be used, you give your commander to the enemy; if the commander does not know war, you give your lord to the enemy; if the ruler does not choose commanders, you give your state to the enemy.' These four are the utmost essentials of war. :Your servant has also heard: small and large differ in form, strong and weak differ in momentum, difficult and easy differ in preparation. To abase oneself in serving the strong is the form of a small state; to unite small states to attack a large one is the form of a rival state; to use barbarians to attack barbarians is the form of China. Now the Xiongnu's terrain and skills differ from China's: ascending and descending mountain slopes, entering and leaving streams and ravines—China's horses cannot match; on perilous roads steep and narrow, riding and shooting at once—China's horsemen cannot match; in wind and rain, weary yet untroubled by hunger and thirst—China's people cannot match; these are the Xiongnu's long skills. On plains, level ground, light chariots, and shock cavalry, the Xiongnu masses are easily thrown into disorder; with strong crossbows, long halberds, loose volleys reaching far, the Xiongnu bow cannot withstand; with firm armor and sharp blades, long and short mixed, mobile crossbows coming and going, squads of ten and five advancing together, the Xiongnu troops cannot withstand; when skilled archers spur and loose together, arrow paths on one mark, the Xiongnu's leather quivers and wooden shields cannot bear up; dismounting to fight on foot, swords and halberds meeting, advance and retreat pressing close, the Xiongnu's feet cannot keep pace; these are China's long skills. Viewed thus, the Xiongnu have three long skills; China has five. Your Majesty further raises hundreds of thousands to punish tens of thousands of Xiongnu—the calculus of many against few, the method of one striking ten. :Even so, arms are baleful tools; war is a perilous affair. Therefore to turn great into small, strong into weak, lies in a bow or a rise. To contend for victory with men's deaths—if one stumbles and does not recover, regret comes too late. The way of emperors and kings proceeds from utmost security. Now surrendered Hu, Yiqu, and barbarian sorts who come in good faith number several thousand; diet and long skills are the same as the Xiongnu's. Grant them firm armor, padded garments, strong bows, and sharp arrows, add good cavalry from the border commanderies, and place them under clear-sighted commanders who know their customs and harmonize their hearts—under Your Majesty's bright bond to lead them. Where there is rough ground, use these to meet them; on level ground and open roads, use light chariots and skilled archers to control them; the two armies acting as inner and outer, each employing its long skills, with numbers added in balance—this is the method of utmost security."
5
帝嘉之,賜錯書,寵答焉。
The emperor praised it, bestowed a letter on Chao Cuo, and favored him with a reply.
6
錯又上言曰::「臣聞秦起兵而攻胡、粵者,非以衛邊地而救民死也,貪戾而欲廣大也,故功未立而天下亂。 且夫起兵而不知其勢,戰則為人禽,屯則卒積死。 夫胡、貉之人,其性耐寒; 揚、粵之人,其性耐暑。 秦之戍卒不耐其水土,戍者死於邊,輸者僨於道。 秦民見行,如往棄市,因以謫發之,名曰『謫戍』; 先發吏有謫及贅婿、賈人,後以嘗有市籍者,又後以大父母、父母嘗有市籍者,後入閭取其左。 發之不順,行者憤怨,有萬死之害而亡銖兩之報,死事之後,不得一算之復,天下明知禍烈及己也。 陳勝行戍,至於大澤,為天下先倡,天下從之如流水者,秦以威劫而行之之敝也。
Chao Cuo again submitted, saying: :"Your servant has heard that when Qin raised troops to attack the Hu and Yue, it was not to guard the borderlands and save the people from death, but from greed and harshness wishing to expand; therefore merit was not established and all under Heaven fell into disorder. Moreover, to raise troops without knowing the momentum—if you fight you become another's captive; if you encamp your soldiers pile up dead. The people of the Hu and Mo by nature endure cold; the people of Yang and Yue by nature endure heat. Qin's garrison soldiers could not endure their water and soil; garrison men died on the frontier, transport men collapsed on the road. When Qin people saw they were to go, it was like going to the execution ground; therefore they were sent by penal transport, named 'penal frontier service'; first were sent officials with penal marks, surplus sons-in-law, and merchants; later those who had once held market registry; later those whose grandfathers and fathers had once held market registry; finally they entered the lanes and took those of the left. The dispatch was not accordant; travelers were angry and resentful—ten thousand deaths' harm without a speck of reward; after dying in service they received not one tally's restitution; all under Heaven clearly knew calamity fierce would reach themselves. Chen Sheng on penal frontier march reached the great marsh and was first to raise the cry under Heaven; that all under Heaven followed like flowing water was the harm of Qin's going by coercive awe.
7
:胡人衣食之業,不著於地,其勢易以擾亂邊境,往來轉徙,時至時去。 此胡人之生業,而中國之所以離南□也。 今胡人數轉牧、行獵於塞下,以候備塞之卒,卒少則入。 陛下不救,則邊民絕望而有降敵之心; 救之,少發則不足,多發,遠縣才至,則胡又已去。 聚而不罷,為費甚大; 罷之,則胡復入。 如此連年,則中國貧苦而民不安矣。 陛下幸憂邊境,遣將吏發卒以治塞,甚大惠也。 然今遠方之卒守塞,一歲而更,不知胡人之能。 不如選常居者家室田作,且以備之,以便為之高城深塹; 要害之處,通川之道,調立城邑,毋下千家。 先為室屋,具田器,乃募民,免罪,拜爵,復其家,予冬夏衣、稟食,能自給而止。 塞下之民,祿利不厚,不可使久居危難之地。 胡人入驅而能止其所驅者,以其半予之,縣官為贖。 其民如是,則邑里相救助,赴胡不避死。 非以德上也,欲全親戚而利其財也; 此與東方之戍卒不習地勢而心畏胡者功相萬也。 以陛下之時,徙民實邊,使遠方無屯戍之事; 塞下之民,父子相保,無系虜之患; 利施後世,名稱聖明,其與秦之行怨民,相去遠矣。」
:The Hu people's livelihood of food and clothing is not fixed to the land; their momentum easily disturbs the borderlands, coming and going in shifts, arriving and departing by season. This is the Hu people's livelihood, and why China must leave the southern □. Now the Hu repeatedly shift pasture and hunt below the passes to watch the garrison troops who guard the passes; when troops are few they enter. If Your Majesty does not rescue them, border people lose hope and gain a heart to surrender to the enemy; if you rescue them, a small dispatch is insufficient; a large dispatch—from distant counties just arrives, and the Hu have already gone. To gather and not dismiss costs greatly; to dismiss them, and the Hu enter again. Thus year after year, China grows poor and bitter and the people are unquiet. Your Majesty has been pleased to worry over the borderlands, sending generals and officials to raise soldiers and repair the passes—this is a very great grace. Yet now soldiers from distant places guard the passes, rotated every year, and do not know the Hu people's abilities. Better to choose permanent residents whose families farm the fields, and with them prepare defense, so as conveniently to raise high walls and deep moats for them; at strategic points and along roads through open valleys, arrange and establish walled towns, none fewer than a thousand households. First build houses and dwellings, provide farming tools, then recruit people—exempt from punishment, invest with rank, restore their households, grant winter and summer clothing and grain rations, stopping when they can supply themselves. The people below the passes have salary and profit not thick; they cannot be made to dwell long in perilous and difficult places. When the Hu enter and drive off livestock, whoever can stop what they drive off—give him half; the county office redeems it. If the people are thus, then towns and lanes aid one another and rush against the Hu without shunning death. This is not from virtue toward superiors, but wishing to preserve kin and profit their goods; this compared with eastern garrison soldiers who do not know the terrain and in heart fear the Hu is merit ten thousandfold. In Your Majesty's time, move people to fill the border, so distant places have no encamped garrison affairs; the people below the passes, fathers and sons protecting one another, without the trouble of being bound captive; benefit extending to later generations, fame called sage and bright—how far this is from Qin's course of breeding resentment in the people."
8
上從其言,募民徙塞下。
The emperor followed his words and recruited people to move below the passes.
9
錯復言::「陛下幸募民徙以實塞下,使屯戍之事益省,輸將之費益寡,甚大惠也。 下吏誠能稱厚惠,奉明法,存恤所徙之老弱,善遇其壯士,和輯其心而勿侵刻,使先至者安樂而不思故鄉,則貧民相慕而勸往矣。 臣聞古之徙民者,相其陰陽之和,嘗其水泉之味,然後營邑、立城、制里、割宅,先為築室家,置器物焉。 民至有所居,作有所用。 此民所以輕去故鄉而勸之新邑也。 為置醫、巫以救疾病,以修祭祀,男女有昏,生死相恤,墳墓相從,種樹畜長,室屋完安。 此所以使民樂其處而有長居之心也。
Chao Cuo again spoke: :"Your Majesty has been pleased to recruit people to move and fill the area below the passes, making encamped garrison affairs ever more spared and transport and supply costs ever fewer—this is a very great grace. If lower officials can truly match this thick grace, uphold bright law, preserve and comfort the old and weak among those moved, treat their strong men well, harmonize their hearts and not encroach harshly, so that those who arrive first are secure and glad and do not think of their old home, then poor people will admire one another and be urged to go. Your servant has heard that in antiquity those who relocated people first surveyed the balance of yin and yang and tasted the local springs, and only then laid out settlements, raised cities, fixed wards, and allotted dwellings—building houses and furnishing them before the people arrived. When the people arrived, they had a place to live and tools to work with. That is why people could leave their old homeland without regret and were drawn to the new settlement. Physicians and shamans were provided to treat illness and maintain sacrifices; marriages were arranged, neighbors aided one another in life and death, families buried their dead together, trees were planted and livestock raised, and houses were kept in good repair. That is how people were made content where they lived and inclined to stay for good.
10
:臣又聞古之制邊縣以備敵也,使五家為伍,伍有長; 十長一里,里有假士; 四里一連,連有假五百; 十連一邑,邑有假候。 皆擇其邑之賢材有護、習地形、知民心者。 居則習民於射法,出則教民於應敵。 故卒伍成於內,則軍政定於外。 服習以成,勿令遷徙,幼則同游,長則共事。 夜戰聲相知,則足以相救; 晝戰目相見,則足以相識; 歡愛之心,足以相死。 如此而勸以厚賞,威以重罰,則前死不還踵矣。 所徙之民非壯有材者,但費衣糧,不可用也; 雖有材力,不得良吏,猶亡功也。
Your servant has also heard that in antiquity frontier counties were organized against the enemy: five households formed a squad, each squad with a leader; ten squad leaders formed a li, and each li had an acting cadet; four li formed a company, and each company had an acting commandant of five hundred; ten companies formed a town, and each town had an acting frontier marquis. In every case they chose men of talent in the town who were protective, knew the terrain, and understood the people's hearts. In peacetime they drilled the people in archery; in campaign they taught them how to face the enemy. Thus when squads and companies were formed at home, military order was secure abroad. Through long practice they became skilled; they were not allowed to move away—children grew up together, adults served together. In night battle they knew one another's voices and could rescue one another; in day battle they saw one another's faces and could recognize one another; their bonds of affection were enough to make them die for one another. Encouraged with rich rewards and awed with heavy punishments, men so bound would die forward without turning back. If those relocated were not able-bodied men of talent, they only wasted clothing and grain and were of no use; even with strength and ability, without good officials there would still be no success.
11
:陛下絕匈奴不與和親,臣竊意其冬來南也; 壹大治,則終身創矣。 欲立威者,始於折膠; 來而不能困,使得氣去,後未易服也。」
Your Majesty has broken with the Xiongnu and refused marriage-alliance; your servant ventures to suppose they will come south in winter; one great campaign, and they will suffer a wound for life. He who would establish awe must strike when the glue freezes; if they come yet cannot be trapped and are allowed to withdraw in high spirits, they will not be easy to subdue afterward."
12
錯為人峭直刻深,以其辯得幸太子,太子家號曰「智囊」。 ----1冬,十二月,河決酸棗,東潰金堤、東郡; 大興卒塞之。 ----2春,三月,除關,無用傳。 ----3晁錯言於上曰:
Chao Cuo was stern, upright, and severe; by his eloquence he won favor with the crown prince, and the prince's household called him the "Wisdom Satchel." ----1 In winter, the twelfth month, the Yellow River burst at Suanzao and breached eastward through the Golden Dike into Dong commandery; corvée labor was raised on a great scale to block the breach. ----2 In spring, the third month, the passes were abolished and travel documents were no longer required. ----3 Chao Cuo spoke to the emperor, saying:
13
:「聖王在上而民不凍饑者,非能耕而食之,織而衣之也,為開其資財之道也。 故堯有九年之水,湯有七年之旱,而國亡捐瘠者,以畜積多而備先具也。 今海內為一,土地、人民之眾不減湯、禹,加以無天災數年之水旱,而畜積未及者,何也? 地有遺利,民有餘力; 生谷之土未盡墾,山澤之利未盡出,游食之民未盡歸農也。
"When a sage king reigns and the people are neither cold nor hungry, it is not because he plows and feeds them or weaves and clothes them—he opens the ways by which they may gain wealth. When Yao had nine years of flood and Tang seven years of drought, no one in the state died of starvation, because stores were ample and preparations had been made in advance. Now the realm is united; land and people are no fewer than under Tang and Yu; and for several years there have been no heaven-sent floods or droughts—yet stores have not reached that level. Why? The land still holds unused profit, and the people still have strength to spare; land that can bear grain is not fully opened, the profit of mountains and marshes is not fully drawn forth, and roaming eaters have not all returned to farming.
14
:夫寒之於衣,不待輕暖; 饑之於食,不待甘旨; 饑寒至身,不顧廉恥。 人情,一日不再食則饑,終歲不製衣則寒。 夫腹饑不得食,膚寒不得衣,雖慈母不能保其子,君安能以有其民哉! 明主知其然也,故務民於農桑,薄賦斂,廣畜積,以實倉廩,備水旱,故民可得而有也。 民者,在上所以牧之; 民之趨利,如水走下,四方無擇也。
As for cold, one does not wait for light garments; as for hunger, one does not wait for fine delicacies; when hunger and cold reach the body, integrity and shame are forgotten. Human nature is such: one day without a second meal brings hunger; a whole year without new clothes brings cold. When the belly is hungry yet there is no food, when the skin is cold yet there is no clothing—even a loving mother cannot save her child; how then can a ruler hold his people! An enlightened ruler knows this and therefore sets the people to farming and sericulture, lightens taxes, broadens stores, fills the granaries, and prepares against flood and drought—thus the people can be held. The people are what those above shepherd; the people's rush toward profit is like water running downhill—they choose no direction.
15
:夫珠、玉、金、銀,饑不可食,寒不可衣; 然而眾貴之者,以上用之故也。 其為物輕微易藏,在於把握,可以周海內而無饑寒之患。 此令臣輕背其主,而民易去其鄉,盜賊有所勸,亡逃者得輕資也。 粟、米、布、帛,生於地,長於時,聚於力,非可一日成也; 數石之重,中人弗勝,不為奸邪所利,一日弗得而饑寒至。 是故明君貴五穀而賤金玉。
Pearls, jade, gold, and silver—when hungry one cannot eat them; when cold one cannot wear them; yet the multitude values them because those above use them. They are light and small, easy to hide, held in the palm, and can be carried across the realm without fear of hunger or cold. This makes ministers lightly desert their lord and the people easily leave their villages; thieves are encouraged, and fugitives obtain portable wealth. Grain, rice, cloth, and silk are born from the earth, grow through the seasons, and are gathered by labor—they cannot be produced in a day; they weigh several piculs, which a middling man cannot carry; villains do not covet them; one day without them and hunger and cold arrive. Therefore the enlightened ruler values the five grains and holds gold and jade cheap.
16
:今農夫五口之家,其服役者不下二人,其能耕者不過百□,百□之收不過百石。 春耕,夏耘,秋獲,冬藏,伐薪樵,治官府,給繇役; 春不得避風塵,夏不得避暑熱,秋不得避陰雨,冬不得避寒凍,四時之間亡日休息; 又私自送往迎來、吊死問疾、養孤長幼在其中。 勤苦如此,尚復被水旱之災,急政暴賦,賦斂不時,朝令而暮改。 有者半賈而賣,無者取倍稱之息,於是有賣田宅、鬻子孫以償責者矣。 而商賈大者積貯倍息,小者坐列販賣,操其奇贏,日游都市,乘上之急,所賣必倍。 故其男不耕耘,女不蠶織,衣必文采,食必粱肉; 無農夫之苦,有仟伯之得。 因其富厚,交通王侯,力過吏勢,以利相傾; 千里游敖,冠蓋相望,乘堅、策肥,履絲、曳縞。 此商人所以兼併農人,農人所以流亡者也。
Now a farming household of five mouths has at least two men on corvée; those able to plow can manage no more than a hundred □, and a hundred □ yields no more than a hundred piculs. In spring they plow, in summer weed, in autumn reap, in winter store; they cut firewood, attend government offices, and supply corvée; in spring they cannot escape wind and dust, in summer heat, in autumn rain, in winter cold—between the four seasons there is no day of rest; moreover on their own they send off and welcome guests, mourn the dead and inquire after the ill, and rear orphans and nurture the young—all within this. Toiling so, they still suffer flood and drought, harsh government and violent levies, collections out of season, and orders changed from morning to evening. Those with goods sold at half price; those without borrowed at double interest—thus some sold fields and houses or even sold sons and grandsons to pay debts. Yet great merchants hoarded for double profit; small ones sat in rows to sell, grasping extraordinary gains, roaming the markets daily, and riding the ruler's urgency—whatever they sold was sure to double in price. Thus their men did not plow, their women did not rear silkworms and weave; their clothing was brocade, their food fine grain and meat; without the farmer's toil, they had gains in the thousands. Relying on their wealth, they cultivated ties with kings and marquises, their power surpassing officials', and overthrew rivals for profit; they roamed a thousand li; caps and carriage covers filled the roads; they rode sturdy carts and drove fat horses, wore silk and trailed white gauze. This is why merchants annex farmers and farmers flee their fields.
17
:方今之務,莫若使民務農而已矣。 欲民務農,在於貴粟。 貴粟之道,在於使民以粟為賞罰。 今募天下入粟縣官,得以拜爵,得以除罪。 如此,富人有爵,農民有錢,粟有所渫。 夫能入粟以受爵,皆有餘者也。 取於有餘以供上用,則貧民之賦可損,所謂損有餘,補不足,令出而民利者也。 今令民有車騎馬一匹者,復卒三人; 車騎者,天下武備也,故為復卒。 神農之教曰:『有石城十仞,湯池百步,帶甲百萬,而無粟,弗能守也。』 以是觀之,粟者,王者大用,政之本務。 令民入粟受爵至五大夫以上,乃復一人耳,此其與騎馬之功相去遠矣。 爵者,上之所擅,出於口而無窮; 粟者,民之所種,生於地而不乏。 夫得高爵與免罪,人之所甚欲也; 使天下人入粟於邊以受爵、免罪,不過三歲,塞下之粟必多矣。」
Of present tasks, nothing is better than making the people attend to farming. To make the people attend to farming lies in valuing grain. The way to value grain lies in making the people use grain for rewards and punishments. Now summon all under Heaven to present grain to the government granaries: they may receive rank and may expiate crime. Thus the rich gain rank, farmers gain money, and grain is dispersed where needed. Those able to present grain for rank are all men of surplus. Taking from surplus to supply the ruler's use, the poor people's levies can be reduced—this is reducing surplus to supplement insufficiency: orders go forth and the people profit. Now the order is: if a man presents one war-horse for chariot and cavalry, three corvée laborers are exempted; chariots and cavalry are the realm's military equipment, and therefore corvée is exempted. The teaching of Shennong says, 'Though there be stone walls ten ren high, boiling moats a hundred paces wide, and a million armored men, without grain they cannot be held.' Viewed thus, grain is the great instrument of a king and the root task of government. To make the people present grain for rank up to the fifth grandee and above exempts only one man—how far this falls short of the merit of presenting a cavalry horse! Rank is what those above monopolize—it comes from the mouth and is without limit; grain is what the people plant—it grows from the earth and is not exhausted. High rank and exemption from punishment are what people most desire; if all under Heaven present grain at the frontier for rank and to expiate crime, within three years the grain below the passes will surely be abundant."
18
帝從之,令民入粟邊,拜爵各以多少級數為差。
The emperor followed this and ordered the people to present grain at the frontier; rank was granted in proportion to the amount presented.
19
錯復奏言:「陛下幸使天下入粟塞下以拜爵,甚大惠也。 竊恐塞卒之食不足用,大渫天下粟。 邊食足以支五歲,可令入粟郡縣矣; 郡縣足支一歲以上,可時赦,勿收農民租。 如此,德澤加於萬民,民愈勤農,大富樂矣。」
Chao Cuo again memorialized, saying, "Your Majesty has graciously had all under Heaven present grain below the passes to receive rank—a very great favor. Your servant fears the frontier soldiers' food may not suffice and urges a great draining of grain throughout the realm. When frontier stores suffice for five years, the people may be ordered to present grain to commanderies and counties; when commanderies and counties suffice for more than a year, amnesties may be granted and farmers' rents waived. Thus favor would reach the myriad people, the people would be all the more diligent in farming, and there would be great wealth and joy."
20
上復從其言,詔曰:「道民之路,在於務本。 朕親率天下農,十年於今,而野不加辟,歲一不登,民有饑色; 是從事焉尚寡而吏未加務。 吾詔書數下,歲勸民種樹而功未興,是吏奉吾詔不勤而勸民不明也。 且吾農民甚苦而吏莫之省,將何以功焉! 其賜農民今年租稅之半。」 ----1春,二月,甲寅,詔日; 「朕親率天下農耕以供粢盛,皇后親桑以供祭服; 其具禮儀。」 ----2初,秦時祝官有祕祝,即有災祥,輒移過於下。 夏,詔曰:「蓋聞天道,禍自怨起而福繇德興,百官之非,宜由朕躬。 今祕祝之官移過於下,以彰吾之不德,朕甚弗取。 其除之!」 ----3齊太倉令淳于意有罪,當刑,詔獄逮系長安。 其少女緹縈上書曰:「妾父為吏,齊中皆稱其廉平; 今坐法當刑。 妾傷夫死者不可復生,刑者不可復屬,雖後欲改過自新,其道無繇也。 妾願沒入為官婢,以贖父刑罪,使得自新。」
The emperor again followed his words and issued an edict, saying, "The way to lead the people lies in attending to the root. I have personally led all under Heaven in farming for ten years until now, yet the wilds are not further opened; one poor harvest and the people show hunger in their faces; this shows that too few are engaged in it and officials have not increased their exertions. My edicts have gone down repeatedly, and each year the people are urged to plant trees yet the work has not flourished—this is because officials do not diligently carry out my edicts and do not clearly urge the people. Moreover my farmers toil bitterly yet officials do not look into it—how shall achievement be made! Let half this year's rent and tax be granted to farmers." ----1 In spring, the second month, on jiayin, an edict said: "I shall personally lead all under Heaven in plowing and sowing to supply the sacrificial grain vessels; the empress shall personally tend silkworms to supply sacrificial robes; let the full rites be prepared." ----2 At the outset, in Qin times the prayer officials had secret invocations: whenever there was disaster or omen, blame was at once shifted downward. In summer, an edict said, "I have heard that the Way of Heaven is such: disaster arises from resentment and blessing follows virtue; the faults of the hundred officials ought to rest on my person. Now the secret-invocation officials shift blame downward to display my want of virtue—this I very much do not accept. Let them be abolished!" ----3 Chunyu Yi, Grand Granary Master of Qi, was guilty and due for punishment; the edict prison arrested and held him in Chang'an. His young daughter Ti Ying submitted a memorial, saying, "Your handmaid's father served as an official, and throughout Qi all called him incorrupt and fair; now, convicted by law, he is due for punishment. Your handmaid grieves that the dead cannot live again, that the mutilated cannot be made whole again—even if afterward he wished to reform and renew himself, there would be no way. Your handmaid wishes to be confiscated and made a government bondwoman to redeem her father's punishment, so that he may have a chance to reform."
21
天子憐悲其意,五月,詔曰:「《詩》曰:『愷弟君子,民之父母。』 今人有過,教未施而刑已加焉,或欲改行為善而道無繇至,朕甚憐之! 夫刑至斷支體,刻肌膚,終身不息,何其刑之痛而不德也! 豈為民父母之意哉! 其除肉刑,有以易之; 及令罪人各以輕重,不記逃,有年而免。 具為令!」
The Son of Heaven pitied and grieved their plight; in the fifth month an edict said: "The Odes says: 'A genial, younger-brother-like gentleman is the people's parent. Now when people err, instruction has not yet been applied yet punishment is already imposed, or they wish to reform and do good yet have no means to reach the Way—I am deeply grieved! For punishments to reach cutting off limbs and carving flesh and skin, never ceasing through life—how painful the punishment and how lacking in virtue! How is this the intent of being the people's parent! Abolish the mutilation punishments and have something to replace them; and order that offenders each according to the severity of their crimes, without recording flight, be released after a set term of years. Draw up the statutes in full!"
22
丞相張蒼、御史大夫馮敬奏請定律曰:「諸當髡者為城旦、舂; 當黥者髡鉗為城旦、舂; 當劓者笞三百; 當斬左止者笞五百; 當斬右止及殺人先自告及吏坐受賕、枉法、守縣官財物而即盜之、已論而復有笞罪皆棄市。 罪人獄已決為城旦、舂者,各有歲數以免。」 制曰:「可。」
Chancellor Zhang Cang and Grand Secretary Feng Jing memorialized requesting fixed laws, saying: "All who ought to be shaved shall become wall-guard dawn laborers and grain-pounders; those who ought to be tattooed shall be shaved, collared, and made wall-guard dawn laborers and grain-pounders; those who ought to have the nose cut shall be beaten three hundred strokes; those who ought to have the left foot cut off shall be beaten five hundred; those who ought to have the right foot cut off, and murderers who confess first, and officers guilty of taking bribes, perverting the law, guarding county officials' goods yet immediately stealing them, and those already sentenced who again incur beating offenses—all shall be executed in the market. Offenders whose prison sentences are already decided as wall-guard dawn laborers and grain-pounders each have a set term of years for release." The rescript said: "Approved."
23
是時,上既躬修玄默,而將相皆舊功臣,少文多質。 懲惡亡秦之政,論議務在寬厚,恥言人之過失,化行天下,告訐之俗易。 吏安其官,民樂其業,畜積歲增,戶口浸息。 風流篤厚,禁罔疏闊,罪疑者予民,是以刑罰大省,至於斷獄四百,有刑錯之風焉。 ----4六月,詔曰:「農,天下之本,務莫大焉。 今勤身從事而有租稅之賦,是為本末者無以異也,其於勸農之道未備。 其除田之租稅。」 ----1冬,匈奴老上單于十四萬騎入朝那、蕭關,殺北地都尉卬,虜人民畜產甚多; 遂至彭陽,使奇兵入燒回中宮,候騎至雍甘泉。 帝以中尉周舍、郎中令張武為將軍,發車千乘、騎卒十萬軍長安旁,以備胡寇; 而拜昌侯盧卿為上郡將軍,甯侯魏□為北地將軍,隆慮侯周灶為隴西將軍,屯三郡。 上親勞軍,勒兵,申教令,賜吏卒,自欲征匈奴。 群臣諫,不聽; 皇太后固要,上乃止。 於是以東陽侯張相如為大將軍,成侯董赤、內史欒布皆為將軍,擊匈奴。 單于留塞內月餘,乃去。 漢逐出塞即還,不能有所殺。 ----2上輦過郎署,問郎署長馮唐曰:「父家安在?」 對曰:「臣大父趙人,父徙代。」 上曰:「吾居代時,吾尚食監高祛數為我言趙將李齊之賢,戰於巨鹿下。 今吾每飯意未嘗不在巨鹿也。 父知之乎?」 唐對曰:「尚不如廉頗、李牧之為將也。」 上搏髀曰:「嗟乎! 吾獨不得廉頗、李牧為將! 吾豈憂匈奴哉!」 唐曰:「陛下雖得廉頗、李牧,弗能用也。」
At this time the Emperor had personally cultivated quiet restraint, while generals and chancellors were all old merit officials—little literary polish, much plain substance. Chastising the evil government of fallen Qin, discussion strove to be generous and mild, ashamed to speak of people's faults; transformation spread through the realm and the custom of informing was changed. Officers were secure in their posts, the people delighted in their occupations; livestock and stores increased year by year, and households gradually multiplied. Customs were sincere and generous, prohibitions sparse and broad; where guilt was doubtful the benefit went to the people—therefore punishments were greatly reduced, with as few as four hundred cases decided, and there was a wind of punishments falling into disuse. ----4 In the sixth month an edict said: "Agriculture is the root of the realm; no task is greater. Now those who diligently work the fields yet pay rent and tax levies—for root and branch there is no distinction; the policy of encouraging agriculture is not yet complete. Abolish the field rent and taxes." ----1 In winter the Xiongnu Laoshang Chanyu with one hundred forty thousand horsemen entered Chaona and Xiaoguan, killed Beidi Commandant Ang, and captured very many people, livestock, and goods; he thereupon reached Pengyang, sent irregular troops in to burn the Huizhong Palace, and scout horsemen reached Yong and Ganquan. The Emperor made Central Commandant Zhou She and Palace Commandant Zhang Wu generals, mobilized a thousand chariots and one hundred thousand cavalry and infantry to encamp beside Chang'an against Xiongnu raids; and invested Marquis of Chang Lu Qing as General of Shang Commandery, Marquis of Ning Wei□ as General of Beidi, and Marquis of Longlü Zhou Zao as General of Longxi, encamped in the three commanderies. The Emperor personally comforted the army, arrayed the troops, reiterated orders, bestowed gifts on officers and soldiers, and himself wished to campaign against the Xiongnu. The ministers remonstrated; he did not heed; the Empress Dowager firmly pressed him, and the Emperor then stopped. Thereupon Marquis of Dongyang Zhang Xiangru was made Grand General, Marquis of Cheng Dong Chi and the Interior Minister Luan Bu were all made generals, and they attacked the Xiongnu. The Chanyu remained within the passes for more than a month, then departed. Han pursued them out of the passes and then returned, unable to kill anyone. ----2 The Emperor's carriage passed the Gentlemen's quarters and asked the Gentlemen's Chief Feng Tang: "Where is your father's household?" He replied: "Your servant's great-grandfather was a man of Zhao; his father was moved to Dai." The Emperor said: "When I dwelt in Dai, my Master of Victuals Gao Qu several times told me of the worth of Zhao's general Li Qi, fighting below Julu. Now at every meal my thoughts have never left Julu. Did your father know of him?" Tang replied: "He was still not equal to Lian Po and Li Mu as generals." The Emperor struck his thigh and said: "Alas! I alone cannot obtain Lian Po and Li Mu as generals! How would I worry about the Xiongnu!" Tang said: "Though Your Majesty might obtain Lian Po and Li Mu, you could not employ them."
24
上怒,起,入禁中,良久,召唐,讓曰:「公奈何眾辱我,獨無間處乎!」 唐謝曰:「鄙人不知忌諱。」 上方以胡寇為意,乃卒復問唐曰:「公何以知吾不能用廉頗、李牧也?」 唐對曰:「臣聞上古王者之遣將也,跪而推轂,曰:『閫以內者,寡人制之; 閫以外者,將軍制之。』 軍功爵賞皆決於外,歸而奏之,此非虛言也。 臣大父言:李牧為趙將,居邊,軍市之租,皆自用饗士; 賞賜決於外,不從中覆也。 委任而責成功,故李牧乃得盡其智能; 選車千三百乘,彀騎萬三千,百金之士十萬,是以北逐單于,破東胡,滅澹林,西抑強秦,南支韓、魏。 當是之時,趙幾霸。 其後會趙王遷立,用郭開讒,卒誅李牧,令顏聚代之; 是以兵破士北,為秦所禽滅。 今臣竊聞魏尚為雲中守,其軍市租盡以饗士卒,私養錢五日一椎牛,自饗賓客、軍吏、舍人,是以匈奴遠避,不近雲中之塞。 虜曾一入,尚率車騎擊之,所殺甚眾。 夫士卒盡家人子,起田中從軍,安知尺籍、伍符! 終日力戰,斬首捕虜,上功幕府,一言不相應,文吏以法繩之,其賞不行,而吏奉法必用。 臣愚以為陛下賞太輕,罰太重。 且雲中守魏尚坐上功首虜差六級,陛下下之吏,削其爵,罰作之。 由此言之,陛下雖得廉頗、李牧,弗能用也!」 上說。 是日,令唐持節赦魏尚,復以為雲中守,而拜唐為車騎都尉。 ----3春,詔廣增諸祀壇場、珪幣,且曰:「吾聞祠官祝釐,皆歸福於朕躬,不為百姓,朕甚愧之。 夫以朕之不德,而專饗獨美其福,百姓不與焉,是重吾不德也。 其令祠官致敬,無有所祈!」 ----4是歲,河間文王辟強薨。 ----5初,丞相張蒼以為漢得水德,魯人公孫臣以為漢當土德,其應,黃龍見; 蒼以為非是,罷之。 ----1春,黃龍見成紀。 帝召公孫臣,拜為博士,與諸生申明土德,草改歷、服色事。 張蒼由此自絀。 ----2夏,四月,上始幸雍,郊見五帝,赦天下。 ----3九月,詔諸侯王、公卿、郡守舉賢良、能直言極諫者,上親策之。 太子家令晁錯對策高第,擢為中大夫。 錯又上言宜削諸侯及法令可更定者書凡三十篇。 上雖不盡聽,然奇其材。 ----4是歲,齊文王則、河間哀王福皆薨,無子,國除。 ----5趙人新垣平以望氣見上,言長安東北有神氣,成五采,於是作渭陽五帝廟。 ----1夏,四月,上郊祀上帝於渭陽五帝廟。 於是貴新垣平至上大夫,賜累千金; 而使博士、諸生刺《六經》中作《王制》,謀議巡狩、封禪事。 又於長門道北立五帝壇。 ----2徙淮南王喜復為城陽王,又分齊為六國; 丙寅,立齊悼惠王子在者六人:楊虛侯將閭為齊王,安都侯志為濟北王,武成侯賢為菑川王,白石侯雄渠為膠東王,平昌侯卬為膠西王,扐侯辟光為濟南王。 淮南厲王子在者三人:阜陵安為淮南王,安陽侯勃為衡山王,陽周侯賜為廬江王。 ----3秋,九月,新垣平使人持玉杯上書闕下獻之。 平言上曰:「闕下有寶玉氣來者。」 已,視之,果有獻玉杯者,刻曰「人主延壽」。 平又言:「臣侯日再中。」 居頃之,日卻,復中。 於是始更以十七年為元年,令天下大酺。 平言曰:「周鼎亡在泗水中。 今河決,通於泗,臣望東北汾陰直有金寶氣,意周鼎其出乎! 兆見,不迎則不至。」 於是上使使治廟汾陰南,臨河,欲祠出周鼎。 ----1冬,十月,人有上書告新垣平「所言諧詐也」; 下吏治,誅夷平。 是後,上亦怠於改正、服、鬼神之事,而渭陽、長門五帝,使祠官領,以時致禮,不往焉。 ----2春,三月,孝惠皇后張氏薨。 ----3詔曰:「間者數年不登,又有水旱、疾疫之災,朕甚憂之。 愚而不明,未達其咎:意者朕之政有所失而行有過與? 乃天道有不順,地利或不得,人事多失和,鬼神廢不享與? 何以致此? 將百官之奉養或廢,無用之事或多與? 何其民食之寡乏也? 夫度田非益寡,而計民未加益,以口量地,其於古猶有餘,而食之甚不足者,其咎安在? 無乃百姓之從事於末以害農者蕃,為酒醪以靡谷者多,六畜之食焉者眾與? 細大之義,吾未得其中,其與丞相、列侯、吏二千石、博士議之。 有可以佐百姓者,率意遠思,無有所隱!」 ----1夏,上行幸雍棫陽宮。 ----2六月,代孝王參薨。 ----3匈奴連歲入邊,殺略人民、畜產甚多; 雲中、遼東最甚,郡萬餘人。 上患之,乃使使遺匈奴書。 單于亦使當戶報謝,復與匈奴和親。 ----4八月,戊戌,丞相張蒼免。 帝以皇后弟竇廣國賢,有行,欲相之,曰:「恐天下以吾私廣國,久念不可。」 而高帝時大臣,餘見無可者。 御史大夫梁國申屠嘉,故以材官蹶張從高帝,封關內侯; 庚午,以嘉為丞相,封故安侯。 嘉為人廉直,門不受私謁。 是時,太中大夫鄧通方愛幸,賞賜累巨萬。 帝嘗燕飲通家,其寵幸無比。 嘉嘗入朝,而通居上旁,有怠慢之禮,嘉奏事畢,因言曰:「陛下幸愛群臣,則富貴之; 至於朝廷之禮,不可以不肅。」 上曰:「君勿言,吾私之。」 罷朝,坐府中,嘉為檄召通詣丞相府,不來,且斬通。 通恐,入言上; 上曰:「汝第往,吾今使人召若。」 通詣丞相,免冠、徒跣,頓首謝嘉。 嘉坐自如,弗為禮,責曰:「夫朝廷者,高帝之朝廷也。 通小臣,戲殿上,大不敬,當斬。 吏! 今行斬之!」 通頓首,首盡出血,不解。 上度丞相已困通,使使持節召通而謝丞相:「此吾弄臣,君釋之!」 鄧通既至,為上泣曰:「丞相幾殺臣!」 ----1春,二月,上行幸代。 ----2是歲,匈奴老上單于死,子軍臣單于立。 ----1夏,四月,丙寅晦,日有食之。 ----2五月,赦天下。 ----3上行幸雍。 ----1春,正月,上行幸隴西; 三月,行幸雍; 秋,七月,行幸代。 ----1冬,匈奴三萬騎入上郡,三萬騎入雲中,所殺略甚眾,烽火通於甘泉、長安。 以中大夫令免為車騎將軍,屯飛狐; 故楚相蘇意為將軍,屯句注; 將軍張武屯北地; 河內太守周亞夫為將軍,次細柳; 宗正劉禮為將軍,次霸上,祝茲侯徐厲為將軍,次棘門; 以備胡。
The Emperor was angry, rose, and entered the inner palace; after a long while he summoned Tang and reproached him: "Sir, why do you publicly humiliate me—is there no private place!" Tang apologized: "This rustic does not know taboos." The Emperor, just then concerned with the Xiongnu, thereupon finally again asked Tang: "How do you know I could not employ Lian Po and Li Mu?" Tang replied: "Your servant has heard that when ancient kings dispatched generals, they knelt and pushed the chariot wheel, saying: 'Within the bar I control; without the bar the general controls.' Military merit, ranks, and rewards are all decided in the field; on return he reports—this is not empty talk. Your servant's great-grandfather said: Li Mu as Zhao's general dwelt on the border; the army market's rents he all used himself to feast his officers; rewards and gifts were decided in the field and did not await central review. Entrusting him and charging him with success, therefore Li Mu was able to exhaust his wisdom and ability; he selected thirteen hundred chariots, ten thousand three hundred armored horsemen, and one hundred thousand elite warriors—thereby north he drove off the Chanyu, broke the Eastern Hu, extinguished the Fulin, west he checked mighty Qin, south he supported Han and Wei. At that time Zhao nearly dominated. Afterward it happened that King Qian of Zhao was established; employing Guo Kai's slander, he finally executed Li Mu and ordered Yan Ju to replace him; therefore the army was broken, the troops fled north, and they were captured and destroyed by Qin. Now your servant has privately heard that Wei Shang is Administrator of Yunzhong; the army market rents he entirely uses to feast the soldiers, and from private nurture funds every five days he butchers an ox to feast guests, army officers, and household retainers—therefore the Xiongnu keep far off and do not approach Yunzhong's passes. The barbarians once invaded; Shang led chariots and horsemen to attack them and killed very many. The soldiers are all sons of families, rising from the fields to join the army—how would they know roster records and unit tallies! All day they fought hard, beheaded and captured enemies, and reported merit to headquarters—if one word did not match, the clerkly officers bound them by law; their rewards were not granted, yet the officers' enforcement of law was always applied. Your servant foolishly considers that Your Majesty's rewards are too light and punishments too heavy. Moreover Yunzhong Administrator Wei Shang for his reported merit in enemy heads was short six grades; Your Majesty sent him to the officers, reduced his rank, and punished him with corvée labor. From this it follows that though Your Majesty might obtain Lian Po and Li Mu, you could not employ them!" The Emperor was pleased. That day he ordered Tang to hold the staff and pardon Wei Shang, restore him as Administrator of Yunzhong, and invested Tang as Commandant of Chariots and Cavalry. ----3 In spring an edict broadly increased the sacrificial altars and fields, jade and silks, and said: "I have heard that the sacrificial officers' prayers for blessing all return good fortune to my person and not to the common people—I am deeply ashamed. That with my lack of virtue I alone enjoy and alone claim the blessing, the common people not sharing in it—this doubles my lack of virtue. Order the sacrificial officers to show reverence and not pray for anything!" ----4 That year King Wen of Hejian Biruqi died. ----5 At first Chancellor Zhang Cang held that Han possessed the Water Virtue; the Lu man Gongsun Chen held that Han ought to possess the Earth Virtue—its omen: a yellow dragon appeared; Zhang Cang held it incorrect and dismissed him. ----1 In spring a yellow dragon appeared at Chengji. The Emperor summoned Gongsun Chen, invested him as Erudite, and with the various students clarified the Earth Virtue and drafted matters of changing the calendar and garment colors. Zhang Cang thereby humbled himself. ----2 In summer, the fourth month, the Emperor first visited Yong, suburban-sacrificed to the Five Emperors, and amnestied the realm. ----3 In the ninth month an edict ordered feudal kings, high ministers, and commandery administrators to recommend the worthy and good and those able to speak bluntly with extreme remonstrance; the Emperor personally examined them. Household Commandant of the Heir Apparent Chao Cuo's examination answer ranked highest; he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace. Cuo also submitted that feudal lords ought to be reduced and statutes that could be revised, thirty memorials in all. The Emperor though he did not fully heed him yet marveled at his talent. ----4 That year King Wen of Qi Ze and King Ai of Hejian Fu all died without sons; their states were abolished. ----5 The Zhao man Xinyuan Ping, by observing qi, had audience with the Emperor and said that northeast of Chang'an there was divine qi forming five colors; thereupon the Weiyang Five Emperors Temple was built. ----1 In summer, the fourth month, the Emperor suburban-sacrificed to the High God at the Weiyang Five Emperors Temple. Thereupon Xinyuan Ping was honored to Grand Master of the Palace and given gifts accumulating to a thousand in gold; and he had Erudites and various students pick through the Six Classics to compose the Royal Regulations and deliberate on imperial tours and feng and shan affairs. He also established a Five Emperors altar north of Changmen Road. ----2 King Xi of Huainan was moved and restored as King of Chengyang; Qi was again divided into six states; On bingyin the six surviving sons of King Daohui of Qi were established: Marquis of Yangxu Jiang Lü as King of Qi, Marquis of Andu Zhi as King of Jibei, Marquis of Wucheng Xian as King of Zichuan, Marquis of Baishi Xiongqu as King of Jiaodong, Marquis of Pingchang Ang as King of Jiaoxi, and Marquis of Yi Piguang as King of Jinan. The three surviving sons of King Li of Huainan: Fu'an as King of Huainan, Marquis of Anyang Bo as King of Hengshan, and Marquis of Yangzhou Ci as King of Lujiang. ----3 In autumn, the ninth month, Xinyuan Ping sent a man holding a jade cup to submit a letter below the palace gate and present it. Ping spoke to the Emperor: "Below the gate there is jade treasure qi coming." Shortly after, they looked and indeed there was one presenting a jade cup, inscribed: "The ruler prolongs life." Ping also said: "Your servant awaits the sun reaching zenith twice." After a short while the sun retreated and again reached zenith. Thereupon he first changed to take the seventeenth year as the inaugural year and ordered a great communal feast for the realm. Ping said: "The Zhou cauldrons were lost in the Si River. Now the Yellow River has burst and connects to the Si; your servant observed northeast of Fenyin directly that there is gold and treasure qi—I believe the Zhou cauldrons will emerge! The omen has appeared; if not welcomed they will not arrive." Thereupon the Emperor sent envoys to build a temple south of Fenyin facing the river, wishing to sacrifice and draw out the Zhou cauldrons. ----1 In winter, the tenth month, someone submitted a letter reporting Xinyuan Ping "his words are harmoniously deceitful"; he was sent to the officers for trial and Ping was executed and his clan exterminated. After this the Emperor also grew slack toward correcting the calendar, garments, and spirit matters; as for the Weiyang and Changmen Five Emperors, he had sacrificial officers oversee them, presenting rites on schedule, and did not go himself. ----2 In spring, the third month, Empress Zhang of Xiaohui died. ----3 An edict ran: "Harvests have failed several years running, and flood, drought, and plague have followed. I am deeply troubled. I am dull and cannot see the cause: has my rule gone wrong, or my conduct strayed? Or has Heaven turned aside, earth withheld its bounty, men fallen out of harmony, or spirits been neglected so they receive no offerings? What has brought this about? Are officials' stipends wasted, or useless undertakings multiplied? Why is the people's food so scarce? Measured acreage has not shrunk, and the population has not grown; by heads per field we still match antiquity with land to spare—yet food falls far short. Where does the fault lie? Is it that too many folk chase trade and commerce at farming's expense, that brewing wastes grain, or that too many beasts are fed at men's cost? I cannot yet strike the balance between large policy and small detail; let the Chancellor, the marquises, the two-thousand-picul officials, and the erudites debate it. Whatever may aid the people, speak your mind freely and think far ahead—conceal nothing!" ----1 That summer the Emperor went to the Zhiyang Palace at Yong. ----2 In the sixth month Dai's Prince Xiao, Liu Can, died. ----3 The Xiongnu raided the frontier year after year, killing and carrying off people and herds in great numbers; Yunzhong and Liaodong suffered worst, with more than ten thousand victims in each commandery. The Emperor, troubled, sent envoys with a letter to the Xiongnu. The chanyu sent the danghu in reply with thanks, and the two sides renewed the peace marriage. ----4 In the eighth month, on the day wuxu, Chancellor Zhang Cang was removed. The Emperor thought the Empress's brother Dou Guangguo worthy and upright and wished to make him Chancellor, but said, "I fear the realm will think I favor Guangguo for private reasons; I have long weighed it and cannot do it." Among the great ministers who had served Gaozu, none who remained seemed fit. Grandee Secretary Shen Tujia of Liang—once a crossbow-skilled warrior who followed Gaozu—had been enfeoffed as a marquis within the passes; on the day gengwu he was made Chancellor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Gu'an. Jia was upright and incorrupt; his gate accepted no private callers. At that time Grand Master Deng Tong was in special favor, and rewards to him piled into the tens of thousands. The Emperor once feasted at Tong's house; no favorite ever matched him. Once when Jia attended court, Tong sat beside the Emperor with negligent manners. When Jia had finished his business he said, "Your Majesty, if you cherish your ministers, make them rich and noble; but court ritual must not be treated lightly." The Emperor said, "Say no more; he is my private favorite." After court Jia sat in his office and sent a summons ordering Tong to the Chancellor's house on pain of execution if he failed to come. Tong, afraid, went in and told the Emperor; the Emperor said, "Go for now; I will send men to fetch you." Tong went to the Chancellor, bareheaded and barefoot, and kowtowed to beg Jia's pardon. Jia sat as before, made no courtesy, and rebuked him: "The court is Gaozu's court. You are a petty minister who played the fool in the hall—grave irreverence, punishable by death. Officers! Behead him at once!" Tong kowtowed until his head bled, yet was not released. The Emperor judged the Chancellor had cornered Tong, sent an envoy with credentials to summon Tong, and told the Chancellor, "He is my plaything—release him!" When Deng Tong arrived he wept to the Emperor, "The Chancellor nearly killed me!" ----1 In spring, the second month, the Emperor went to Dai. ----2 That year the Xiongnu chanyu Laoshang died and his son Junchen succeeded as chanyu. ----1 In summer, the fourth month, on the last day bingyin, the sun was eclipsed. ----2 In the fifth month he proclaimed a general amnesty. ----3 The Emperor went to Yong. ----1 In spring, the first month, the Emperor went to Longxi; in the third month he went to Yong; in autumn, the seventh month, he went to Dai. ----1 In winter thirty thousand Xiongnu horsemen entered Shang commandery and thirty thousand entered Yunzhong; the killing and plunder were heavy, and beacon fires lit the sky from Ganquan to Chang'an. Central Grandee Ling Mian was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and encamped at Flying Fox; former Chancellor of Chu Su Yi was made general and encamped at Gouzhu; General Zhang Wu encamped in Beidi; Administrator of Henei Zhou Yafu was made general and posted at Fine Willow; Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Li was made general and posted at Bashang; Marquis of Zhuzi Xu Li was made general and posted at Jimen; to guard against the barbarians.
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上自勞軍,至霸上及棘門軍,直馳入,將以下騎送迎。 已而之細柳軍,軍士吏被甲,銳兵刃,彀弓弩持滿,天子先驅至,不得入。 先驅曰:「天子且至!」 軍門都尉曰; 「將軍令曰:『軍中聞將軍令,不聞天子之詔!』」 居無何,上至,又不得入。 於是上乃使使持節詔將軍:「吾欲入營勞軍。」 亞夫乃傳言「開壁門」。 壁門士請車騎曰:「將軍約:軍中不得驅馳。」 於是天子乃按轡徐行。 至營,將軍亞夫持兵揖曰:「介冑之士不拜,請以軍禮見。」 天子為動,改容,式車,使人稱謝:「皇帝敬勞將軍。」 成禮而去。 既出軍門,群臣皆驚。 上曰:「嗟乎,此真將軍矣! 曩者霸上、棘門軍若兒戲耳,其將固可襲而虜也。 至於亞夫,可得而犯耶!」 稱善者久之。 月餘,漢後至邊,匈奴亦遠塞,漢兵亦罷。 乃拜周亞夫為中尉。 ----2夏,四月,大旱,蝗。 令諸侯無入貢; 弛山澤,減諸服御,損郎吏員; 發倉庾以振民; 民得賣爵。 ----1夏,六月,已亥,帝崩於未央宮。 遺詔曰::「朕聞之:蓋天下萬物之萌生,靡有不死。 死者,天地之理,物之自然,奚可甚哀! 當今之世,咸嘉生而惡死,厚葬以破業,重服以傷生,吾甚不取。 且朕既不德,無在佐百姓; 今崩,又使重服久臨以罹寒暑之數,哀人父子,傷長老之志,損其飲食,絕鬼神之祭祀,以重吾不德,謂天下何! 朕獲保宗廟,以眇眇之身托於天下君王之上,二十有餘年矣。 賴天之靈,社稷之福,方內安寧,靡有兵革。 朕既不敏,常畏過行以羞先帝之遺德,惟年之久長,懼於不終。 今乃幸以天年得復供養於高廟,其奚哀念之有! 其令天下吏民:令到,出臨三日,皆釋服; 毋禁取婦、嫁女、祠祀、飲酒、食肉,自當給喪事服臨者,皆無跣; 絰帶毋過三寸; 毋布車及兵器; 毋發民哭臨宮殿中; 殿中當臨者,皆以旦夕各十五舉音,禮畢罷; 非旦夕臨時,禁毋得擅哭臨; 已下棺,服大功十五日,小功十四日,纖七日,釋服。 它不在令中者,皆以此令比類從事。 佈告天下,使明知朕意。 霸陵山川因其故,毋有所改。 歸夫以下至少使。」
The Emperor went in person to review the troops. At Bashang and Jimen he drove straight in, and the generals and their men dismounted to escort and welcome him. Then he came to Fine Willow. Soldiers and officers wore armor; blades were sharp; bows and crossbows were strung and drawn. When the Emperor's vanguard arrived, it was not admitted. The vanguard called, "The Son of Heaven is coming!" The commandant of the camp gate replied; "The general's order runs: In camp we heed the general's command, not the Son of Heaven's edict! Before long the Emperor himself arrived and again was refused entry." Then the Emperor sent an envoy with credentials to announce to the general, "I wish to enter the camp and review the troops." Yafu passed the order, "Open the gate." Men at the gate told the riders, "The general's rule: no galloping in camp." Thereupon the Emperor reined in and advanced at a walk. At the camp General Yafu, armed, saluted with clasped hands and said, "An armored man does not kowtow; allow me to greet you by military rites." The Emperor was stirred, changed expression, leaned from the carriage rail, and sent word of thanks: "The Emperor respectfully salutes the general." When the rites were finished he departed. After he left the camp gate the ministers were all astonished. The Emperor said, "Ah—there is a true general! Bashang and Jimen were child's play; their generals could have been surprised and taken. As for Yafu—who could touch him!" He praised him at length. More than a month later Han forces reached the border; the Xiongnu had already withdrawn deep beyond the passes, and the Han armies were stood down. Zhou Yafu was then appointed Commandant of the Capital. ----2 In summer, the fourth month, severe drought and locusts. He ordered the feudal lords to send no tribute; lifted levies on hills and marshes, cut court wardrobe and equipage, and reduced attendant officers; opened the granaries to relieve the people; commoners were permitted to buy noble rank for grain. ----1 In summer, the sixth month, on the day jihai, the Emperor died in Weiyang Palace. “His testament ran: :« I have heard that everything born under Heaven must die. Death is Heaven and earth's law and every creature's nature—why mourn excessively? Men today rejoice in life and hate death, ruin their estates with lavish funerals, and harm the living with prolonged mourning—I want none of it. Moreover I have lacked virtue and done little to aid the people; now at my death to impose heavy mourning and long vigils, exposing mourners to heat and cold, grieving fathers and sons, wounding elders, spoiling their food and drink, and cutting off sacrifices to the spirits—would that not double my want of virtue? What could I say to the realm! I have preserved the ancestral temple and, tiny as I am, held the throne above the realm's kings for more than twenty years. By Heaven's grace and the state's good fortune the realm within the four seas has been tranquil, without war. I have not been clever and have often feared that faults would shame the virtue Gaozu left; only the length of years made me fear I might not finish my course. Now I have the good fortune to die in my full years and again to be honored in the High Temple—what is there to mourn! Let all officials and people throughout the realm: when this order arrives, mourn three days abroad, then lay mourning aside; do not forbid weddings, sacrifices, wine, or meat; those who must attend the funeral need not go barefoot; mourning sashes must not exceed three inches; no draped funeral carts or weapons; do not summon the people to wail within the palace; those who mourn in the halls shall wail fifteen cries at dawn and dusk, then cease when the rite is done; at other times none may wail on his own; after the coffin is lowered, wear great mourning fifteen days, lesser fourteen, finest seven, then lay mourning aside. Whatever this order does not cover, follow it by analogy. Proclaim this throughout the realm so all may know my intent clearly. At Baling let hills and streams remain as they are; alter nothing. Send home the palace women down to the lowest attendants."
26
乙巳,葬霸陵。
On the day yisi, he was buried at Baling.
27
帝即位二十三年,宮室、苑囿、車騎、服御,無所增益; 有不便,輒馳以利民。 嘗欲作露台,召匠計之,直百金。 上曰:「百金,中人十家之產也。 吾奉先帝宮室,常恐羞之,何以台為!」 身衣弋綈; 所幸慎夫人,衣不曳地; 帷帳無文繡; 以示敦樸,為天下先。 治霸陵,皆瓦器,不得以金、銀、銅、錫為飾,因其山,不起墳。 吳王詐病不朝,賜以幾杖。 群臣袁盎等諫說雖切,常假借納用焉。 張武等受賂金錢,覺,更加賞賜以愧其心; 專務以德化民。 是以海內安寧,家給人足,後世鮮能及之。 ----2丁未,太子即皇帝位,尊皇太后薄氏曰太皇太后,皇后曰皇太后。 ----3九月,有星孛於西方。 ----4是歲,長沙王吳著薨,無子,國除。
In the twenty-three years of his reign the Emperor added nothing to palaces, parks, chariots, horses, or court wardrobe; whenever something burdened the people, he promptly issued orders for their benefit. He once wished to build an open terrace, summoned craftsmen to estimate it, and the cost came to a hundred gold. The Emperor said, "A hundred gold is the estate of ten middling households. I inherit the Former Emperor's palaces and constantly fear to disgrace them—why build a terrace!" He himself wore plain black silk; Lady Shen Fu, whom he favored, wore robes that did not trail the ground; curtains and canopies bore no brocade; to show earnest simplicity and set an example for the realm. For Baling tomb everything was earthenware; gold, silver, copper, and tin were forbidden as ornament; the mountain itself served, and no mound was raised. The King of Wu feigned illness and stayed away from court; the Emperor granted him a stool and staff of exemption. When ministers such as Yuan Ang remonstrated sharply, he often pretended to accept their counsel. When Zhang Wu and others were found to have taken bribes in gold and cash, he added further rewards to shame them; he devoted himself to governing the people through virtue. Thus the realm was tranquil, households were provided for and the people had enough—later ages have rarely matched him. ----2 On the day dingwei the crown prince took the throne; he honored Empress Dowager Lady Bo as Grand Empress Dowager and the empress as Empress Dowager. ----3 In the ninth month a broom star appeared in the west. ----4 That year King Wu Zhu of Changsha died without a son, and the kingdom was abolished.
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初,高祖賢文王芮,制誥御史:「長沙王忠,其令著令。」 至孝惠、高后時,封芮庶子二人為列侯,傳國數世絕。
Earlier Gaozu esteemed King Wen Wu Rui and issued an edict to the censor: "The King of Changsha is loyal; let this be made a standing rule." Under Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Dowager Gao, two of Rui's sons by concubines were enfeoffed as marquises; the line passed several generations and died out.
29
1冬,十月,丞相嘉等奏:「功莫大於高皇帝,德莫盛於孝文皇帝。 高皇帝廟,宜為帝者太祖之廟; 孝文皇帝廟,宜為帝者太宗之廟。 天子宜世世獻祖宗之廟,郡國諸侯宜各為孝文皇帝立太宗之廟。」 制曰:「可。」 ----2夏,四月,乙卯,赦天下。 ----3遣御史大夫青至代下與匈奴和親。 ----4五月,復收民田半租,三十而稅一。 ----5初,文帝除肉刑,外有輕刑之名,內實殺人; 斬右止者又當死; 斬左止者笞五百,當劓者笞三百,率多死。 是歲,下詔曰:「加笞、重罪無異; 幸而不死,不可為人。 其定律:笞五百曰三百,笞三百曰二百。」 ----6以太中大夫周仁為郎中令,張歐為廷尉,楚元王子平陸侯禮為宗正,中大夫晁錯為左內史。 仁始為太子舍人,以廉謹得幸。 張歐亦事帝於太子宮,雖治刑名家,為人長者,帝由是重之,用為九卿。 歐為吏未嘗言按人,專以誠長者處官; 官屬以為長者,亦不敢大欺。 ----1冬,十二月,有星孛於西南。 ----2令天下男子年二十始傅。 ----3春,三月,甲寅,立皇子德為河間王,閼為臨江王,餘為淮陽王,非為汝南王,彭祖為廣川王,發為長沙王。 ----4夏,四月,壬午,太皇太后薄氏崩。 ----5六月,丞相申屠嘉薨。 時內史晁錯數請間言事,輒聽,寵幸傾九卿,法令多所更定。 丞相嘉自絀所言不用,疾錯。 錯為內史,東出不便,更穿一門南出。 南出者,太上皇廟堧垣也。 嘉聞錯穿宗廟垣,為奏,請誅錯。 客有語錯,錯恐,夜入宮上謁,自歸上。 至朝,嘉請誅內史錯。 上曰:「錯所穿非真廟垣,乃外堧垣,故冗官居其中; 且又我使為之,錯無罪。」 丞相嘉謝。 罷朝,嘉謂長史曰:「吾悔不先斬錯乃請之,為錯所賣。」 至舍,因歐血而死。 錯以此愈貴。 ----6秋,與匈奴和親。 ----7八月,丁未,以御史大夫開封侯陶青為丞相。 丁巳,以內史晁錯為御史大夫。 ----8彗星出東北。 ----9秋,衡山雨雹,大者五寸,深者二尺。 ----10熒惑逆行守北辰,月出北辰間; 歲星逆行天廷中。 ----11梁孝王以竇太后少子故,有寵,王四十餘城,居天下膏腴地。 賞賜不可勝道,府庫金錢且百巨萬,珠玉寶器多於京師。 築東苑,方三百餘里,廣睢陽城七十里,大治宮室,為覆道,自宮連屬於平台三十餘里。 招延四方豪俊之士,如吳人枚乘、嚴忌,齊人羊勝、公孫詭、鄒陽,蜀人司馬相如之屬皆從之游。 每入朝,上使使持節以乘輿駟馬迎梁王於關下。 既至,寵幸無比,入則侍上同輦,出則同車,射獵上林中。 因上疏請留,且半歲。 梁侍中、郎、謁者著籍引出入天子殿門,與漢宦官無異。
1. In winter, the tenth month, Chancellor Jia and others memorialized: "No merit surpasses Gaozu's; no virtue surpasses Emperor Wen's. Gaozu's temple ought to be the dynasty's Supreme Ancestor temple; Emperor Wen's temple ought to be the dynasty's Grand Ancestor temple. The Son of Heaven ought to offer at the ancestral temples generation after generation, and every commandery, kingdom, and feudal lord ought to establish Emperor Wen's Grand Ancestor temple." The rescript ran: "Approved." ----2 In summer, the fourth month, on the day yimao, he proclaimed a general amnesty. ----3 He sent Grandee Secretary Qing to the lower marches of Dai to make peace with the Xiongnu. ----4 In the fifth month he again collected half the field rent from the people—one part in thirty. ----5 Earlier Emperor Wen had abolished corporal punishments; outwardly punishments were lighter, but in practice many still died; those who had the right foot cut off were again liable to death; those who had the left foot cut off were flogged five hundred strokes; those due to have the nose cut were flogged three hundred—in most cases they died. That year an edict ran: "Increased flogging and heavy crimes are no different; if by luck one does not die, one cannot live as a person. Let the law be fixed: five hundred strokes become three hundred, three hundred become two hundred." ----6 Grand Master Zhou Ren was made Prefect of the Gentlemen, Zhang Ou Commandant of Punishments, King Yuan of Chu's son Marquis of Pinglu Liu Li Director of the Imperial Clan, and Central Grandee Chao Cuo Left Administrator of the Capital. Ren had begun as a crown prince attendant and through incorrupt prudence gained favor. Zhang Ou had also served the Emperor in the crown prince's palace; though he studied the Legalist school of punishments, as a man he was an elder, and the Emperor valued him and made him one of the Nine Ministers. As an officer Ou never spoke of investigating people; he governed solely through sincerity and elderhood; his subordinates regarded him as an elder and did not dare greatly deceive him. ----1 In winter, the twelfth month, a broom star appeared in the southwest. ----2 He ordered that males throughout the realm register for labor service at age twenty. ----3 In spring, the third month, on the day jiayin, he installed his sons: De as King of Hejian, Que as King of Linjiang, Yu as King of Huaiyang, Fei as King of Runan, Pengzu as King of Guangchuan, and Fa as King of Changsha. ----4 In summer, the fourth month, on the day renwu, Grand Empress Dowager Lady Bo died. ----5 In the sixth month Chancellor Shen Tujia died. At this time Administrator Chao Cuo repeatedly sought private audience on affairs and was always heard; his favor eclipsed the Nine Ministers, and laws and orders were widely revised. Chancellor Jia felt himself shamed when his advice went unused and hated Cuo. As administrator Cuo found the eastern exit inconvenient and cut a new gate to the south. The southern exit passed through the outer wall of the Grand Supreme Emperor's temple. Jia heard that Cuo had cut through the ancestral temple wall, memorialized, and requested Cuo's execution. A guest warned Cuo; afraid, he entered the palace at night to present himself and surrender. At court Jia requested that Administrator Cuo be executed. The Emperor said, "What Cuo cut through is not the true temple wall but the outer wall, where redundant officers dwell; moreover I ordered him to do it—Cuo is guiltless." Chancellor Jia apologized. After court Jia told his chief clerk, "I regret I did not behead Cuo first before requesting it—I was outmaneuvered by Cuo." When he reached his residence he vomited blood and died. Cuo thereby became still more exalted. ----6 In autumn the court made peace with the Xiongnu. ----7 In the eighth month, on the day dingwei, Grandee Secretary Marquis of Kaifeng Tao Qing was made Chancellor. On the day dingsi Administrator Chao Cuo was made Grandee Secretary. ----8 A comet appeared in the northeast. ----9 In autumn Hengshan had hail as large as five inches across and piled two feet deep in places. ----10 Mars moved retrograde and guarded the North Pole; the moon passed between the North Pole stars; Jupiter moved retrograde within the Celestial Court. ----11 King Xiao of Liang, as Empress Dowager Dou's youngest son, was favored; he ruled more than forty cities on the richest lands in the realm. Rewards and grants were beyond reckoning; his treasury held nearly ten million in gold and cash, and pearls, jade, and precious vessels outnumbered those in the capital. He built the Eastern Park, more than three hundred li square; expanded Suiyang city seventy li; greatly enlarged his palaces; and made covered passages linking the palace to the Terrace Platform for more than thirty li. He gathered eminent men from the four quarters—such as Wu's Mei Sheng and Yan Ji, Qi's Yang Sheng, Gongsun Gui, and Zou Yang, and Shu's Sima Xiangru and their like—all of whom associated with him. Each time he came to court the Emperor sent an envoy with credentials and the imperial four-horse carriage to welcome the King of Liang below the passes. Once he arrived his favor had no peer: entering court he rode with the Emperor in the same carriage; leaving they shared the same chariot and hunted in the Shanglin Park. He then submitted a memorial asking to remain—nearly half a year. Liang's attendants, gentlemen, and ushers were entered in registers to pass in and out of the Son of Heaven's palace gates—no different from Han palace eunuchs.