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卷15 漢紀七

Volume 15 Han Records 7

Chapter 15 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Chapter 15
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1
From Xuanyi Tuantan through Rouzhao Yanmao—fifteen years in all.
2
1 ----2 ----3 宿 使 西 ----4 ----5
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
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
: : : :
:"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
The emperor praised it, bestowed a letter on Chao Cuo, and favored him with a reply.
6
: 婿
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
: 便 調 祿使 使
: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
The emperor followed his words and recruited people to move below the passes.
9
:使 使 使
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
:使
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
: 使
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
----1 ----2 ----3
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:
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:
"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
:
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
:
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
:
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.
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:使 使 使
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."
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The emperor followed this and ordered the people to present grain at the frontier; rank was granted in proportion to the amount presented.
19
使
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."
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----1 ----2 ----3 使
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
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
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
----4 ----1 使 西 ----2 鹿 鹿
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."
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西 ----3 ----4 ----5 ----1 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 ----1 使 ----2 西 ----3使 使使 ----1 使 ----2 ----3 ----1 ----2 ----3 使使 使 ----4 使 殿 使使 ----1 ----2 ----1 ----2 ----3 ----1西 ----1
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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滿 使使 使 ----2 ----1 : 使 殿 殿 使 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."
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On the day yisi, he was buried at Baling.
27
便 ----2 ----3西 ----4
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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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.
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1 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 ----6 ----1西 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 便穿 穿 穿 使 ----6 ----7 ----8 ----9 ----10 ----11 使使輿 殿
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.
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