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卷22 漢紀十四

Volume 22 Han Records 14

Chapter 22 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Chapter 22
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1 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 ----1 ----2 使 ----3 ----1 ----2 ----3 ----4 使 鹿 ----1 ----2祿 ----3 ----4穿 ----1 ----2 : ----3 使使 使 使 ----1 ----2 ----3 西 1 ----2 使 ----3 ----4 ----5 使 ----1 涿 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 使 滿 使 使 使 使 使 使 使使 使 使殿 忿 使使 使 使 西 使 使 使 使 西 退忿忿 使 使 :使 使 ----6 ----7 ----8 ----9 1 ----2 西 ----3 ----4 使 使 使 ----5 ----6祿使 ----7 使 ----1 ----2 ----3 使 ----4 西西 西西 使使 使忿 便便 : 滿 使 ----5 ----6 ----1 ----2 ----3 ----4 ----5 使 殿 ----6 ----7宿 使 祿使 ----1 ----2 使 殿 殿 殿 : :使 ----3 殿 ----4 ----5 ----6 ----7 ----8 西
From Zhaoyang Xiehe through Efeng Dunjiang—twelve years in all. Shizong Emperor Xiaowu, Lower Part Two. Tianhan year 3 (guiwei, 98 BCE). 1. In spring, the second month, Wang Qing, found guilty of a crime, killed himself; Commandant of the Capital Guard Du Zhou was made Censor-in-Chief. ----2 For the first time the state monopolized wine for franchised sale. ----3 In the third month, the emperor traveled to Mount Tai, performed the feng, sacrificed at the Bright Hall, and thereupon received the annual accounts. On his return he sacrificed at Mount Chang and buried dark jade. The masters of the methods who awaited spirit-men at sacrifices and those who entered the sea seeking Penglai never obtained proof, yet Gongsun Qing still explained it away with the footprints of a great man. The emperor grew ever more weary of the masters' strange and perverse talk, yet still kept them tethered without cutting them off, hoping to encounter a true one. From this time onward, masters who spoke of spirit worship grew ever more numerous, yet their effects were plain to see. ----4 In summer, the fourth month, there was great drought. An amnesty was proclaimed for all under Heaven. ----5 In autumn, the Xiongnu entered Yanmen. The governor, convicted of cowardice and slackness, was executed in the marketplace. ----Tianhan year 4 (jiashen, 97 BCE). 1. In spring, the first month, the feudal kings were received in audience at Ganquan Palace. ----2 Troops were raised from across the realm among the seven categories of banishment and brave men; Ershi General Li Guangli was sent with sixty thousand cavalry and seventy thousand infantry out from Shuofang; Strong Crossbow Commandant Lu Bode led more than ten thousand men to join Ershi; Mobile Strike General Han Yue led thirty thousand infantry out from Wuyuan; Yin'yu General Gongsun Ao led ten thousand cavalry and thirty thousand infantry out from Yanmen. The Xiongnu heard of it and moved all their baggage far north of the Yuwu River; the chanyu with a hundred thousand troops waited south of the river and engaged Ershi in battle. Ershi disengaged and withdrew, fighting the chanyu in succession for more than ten days. Mobile Strike gained nothing. Yin'yu fought the Left Worthy King, did not prevail, and withdrew. At that time the emperor had sent Ao deep into the Xiongnu to welcome Li Ling; Ao's army returned without success and reported, "We captured a live captive who said Li Ling taught the chanyu to array troops against the Han army, and therefore your subject gained nothing." The emperor thereupon exterminated Ling's clan. Soon afterward it was learned that it was Li Xu, a Han general who had surrendered to the Xiongnu, and not Ling. Ling sent men to stab and kill Xu. The Grand Consort wished to kill Ling; the chanyu hid him in the north. When the Grand Consort died, he returned. The chanyu gave his daughter to Ling in marriage and made him Right Commandant King; he and Wei Lü were both honored and held power. Wei Lü was constantly at the chanyu's side; Ling lived apart; only when a great affair arose did he enter to deliberate. ----3 In summer, the fourth month, the emperor's son Bo was established as King of Changyi. ----Taishi year 1 (yiyou, 96 BCE). 1. In spring, the first month, Gongsun Ao, convicted because his wife practiced witchcraft, was beheaded at the waist. ----2 Powerful and prominent men of the commanderies and kingdoms were moved to Maoling. ----3 In summer, the sixth month, an amnesty was proclaimed for all under Heaven. ----4 That year the Xiongnu chanyu Qiedi Hou died. He had two sons: the elder was Left Worthy King, the younger Left Grand General. The Left Worthy King had not arrived; the nobles thought him ill and instead made the Left Grand General chanyu. The Left Worthy King heard of it and did not dare advance. The Left Grand General sent men to summon the Left Worthy King and yield the throne to him. The Left Worthy King declined on grounds of illness; the Left Grand General would not listen and said, "If you should die, pass the throne to me." The Left Worthy King assented; he was thereupon established as chanyu, titled Hulu Gu. The Left Grand General was made Left Worthy King; after several years he died of illness; his son Xianxian Shan could not succeed him and was instead made Riyu King. The chanyu himself made his own son Left Worthy King. ----Taishi year 2 (bingxu, 95 BCE). 1. In spring, the first month, the emperor traveled to Huizhong. ----2 Du Zhou died; Palace Grandee Bao Shengzhi was made Censor-in-Chief. ----3 In autumn, there was drought. ----4 Zhao Palace Grandee Bai Gong memorialized to cut a canal drawing the Jing River from Gukou to Liyang, pouring into the Wei—two hundred li long, irrigating more than forty-five hundred qing of fields; it was therefore named the Bai Canal; the people gained its abundance. ----Taishi year 3 (dinghai, 94 BCE). 1. In spring, the first month, the emperor traveled to Ganquan Palace. In the second month, he visited Donghai and obtained a red wild goose. He visited Langye, performed rites at Mount Richeng, ascended Mount Zhi, sailed upon the great sea, and returned. ----2 That year the imperial son Fuling was born. Fuling's mother was Lady Jieyi Zhao of Hejian, dwelling in Gouyi Palace; she carried the child fourteen months before giving birth. The emperor said, "I have heard that in former times Yao was born after fourteen months; now Gouyi is likewise." He thereupon named the gate where she gave birth Gate of Yao's Mother. : Your subject Guang says: As a ruler, every movement and every act must be cautious; what arises within must take form without, and all under Heaven will know it. At that time the empress and crown prince were both unharmed, yet he named Gouyi's gate Yao's Mother—this was not a proper name. For this reason wicked men probed the emperor's intent in reverse, knew he singularly loved the younger son and wished to make him heir, and harbored thoughts of endangering the empress and crown prince, until at last the witchcraft calamity was completed—how lamentable! ----3 The Zhao man Jiang Chong was made Chief Steward for Water and Parks. At the outset Chong had been a retainer of King Jingsu of Zhao, offended the heir Dan, and fled; he came to the palace gates to report the Zhao heir's secret affairs, and the heir was deposed. The emperor summoned Chong to audience. Chong's appearance was lofty and imposing, his dress light and extravagant; the emperor marveled at him; in speaking with him of state affairs he was greatly pleased; thereby he gained favor and was appointed Straight-Pointing Embroidered-Robe Envoy, charged to inspect noble kin and close ministers who exceeded in extravagance. Chong impeached without avoiding anyone; the emperor considered him loyal and upright, and everything he said hit the mark. Once, following the emperor to Ganquan, he encountered the crown prince's household envoy driving along the imperial speedway; Chong handed him over to the attending officials. The crown prince heard of it and sent men to apologize to Chong, saying, "It is not that I love the carriage and horses; I truly did not wish the emperor to hear of it, lest he admonish my lack of discipline—only let Lord Jiang be lenient." Chong would not listen and reported in memorial; the emperor said, "A minister ought to be like this!" He was greatly trusted and his authority shook the capital. ----Taishi year 4 (wuzi, 93 BCE). 1. In spring, the third month, the emperor traveled to Mount Tai. On renwu he sacrificed to High Ancestor at the Bright Hall to accompany the High God, and thereupon received the accounts. On guiwei he sacrificed to Emperor Xiaojing at the Bright Hall. On jiashen he performed the feng. On bingxu he performed the shan at Stone Lodge. In summer, the fourth month, he visited Buqi. In the fifth month, on his return, he visited Jianzhang Palace and proclaimed an amnesty for all under Heaven. ----2 In winter, the tenth month, on the last day of the month jiayin, there was a solar eclipse. ----3 In the twelfth month, the emperor traveled to Yong and sacrificed at the Five Altars. He went west to Anding and Beidi. Zhenghe year 1 (jichou, 92 BCE). 1. In spring, the first month, the emperor returned and visited Jianzhang Palace. ----2 In the third month, King Jingsu of Zhao Pengzu died. Pengzu took Nao Ji, whom King Yi of Jiangdu had favored, and she bore a son styled the Nao lad. At that time Nao Ji's elder brother was a Han eunuch; the emperor summoned him and asked, "What of the Nao lad?" He replied, "He is a man of many desires." The emperor said, "Many desires do not suit ruling a state and governing the people." He asked Marquis of Wushi Chang, who said, "Neither fault nor praise." The emperor said, "Such as this will do." He sent an envoy to establish Chang as King of Zhao. ----3 In summer, there was great drought. ----4 The emperor was at Jianzhang Palace and saw a man with a sword enter the Central Longhua Gate; suspecting him an extraordinary person, he ordered him seized. The man cast aside his sword and fled; they pursued him but did not capture him. The emperor was angry and beheaded the gate warden. In winter, the eleventh month, he raised knights of the Three Metropolises for a great search of Shanglin and closed the Chang'an city gates to hunt; only after eleven days was the lock lifted. The witchcraft affair first arose. ----5 Chancellor Gongsun He's wife Junru was Empress Wei's elder sister; He thereby gained favor. He's son Jingsheng succeeded his father as Grand Master of the Household, was arrogant and extravagant and did not observe the law, and on his own authority used nineteen million of Northern Army funds; when discovered, he was cast into prison. At this time an edict urgently sought the Yangling great hero Zhu Anshi; He volunteered to pursue and capture Anshi to redeem Jingsheng's crime, and the emperor assented. Later they indeed captured Anshi. Anshi laughed and said, "The Chancellor's calamity will reach his clan!" “Thereupon from prison he memorialized, accusing Jingsheng of illicit relations with the Yangshi Princess; when the emperor would go to Ganquan, had witches bury doll figures on the imperial carriage road and curse the emperor with evil words." ---- Zhenghe year 2 (Gengyin, 91 BCE) 1 In spring, the first month, He was imprisoned and investigated; Father and son died in prison, and the clan was exterminated. Liu Quji, Governor of Zhuo commandery, was made Left Chancellor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Peng. Quji was a son of King Jing of Zhongshan. ---- 2 In summer, the fourth month, a great wind tore houses open and broke trees. ---- 3 In the intercalary month, the Princess of Zhuyi, the Yangshi Princess, and the empress's nephew Marquis of Changping Kang were all executed for witchcraft. ---- 4 The emperor traveled to Ganquan. ---- 5 At first the emperor was twenty-nine when the Aloof Crown Prince was born, and he greatly loved him. When he grew up, he was benevolent, forgiving, warm, and cautious; the emperor disliked his limited talent and ability, finding him unlike himself; while the Wang lady he favored bore Hong, Lady Li bore Dan and Xu, and Lady Li bore Bo; favor toward the empress and crown prince gradually declined, and they often felt ill at ease. The emperor noticed and said to Grand General Qing, "The Han house's many affairs are still in the founding stage, and the four barbarians invade and harass China—if I do not change and renew institutions, later generations will have no models; if I do not send troops out to campaign, all under Heaven will not be secure; for this one must burden the people. If later generations again do as I do, that is following the path of the perished Qin. The crown prince is staunch and grave and loves quiet—he will surely secure all under Heaven and spare me worry. If one seeks a ruler who guards the written statutes, who is more worthy than the crown prince! I have heard the empress and crown prince feel uneasy—could that really be so? You may convey my meaning to reassure them." The Grand General bowed his head in thanks. The empress heard and removed her hairpin to beg forgiveness. The crown prince repeatedly remonstrated against campaigning against the four barbarians; the emperor laughed and said, "I will bear the labor and leave ease for you—is that not acceptable!" Whenever the emperor traveled, he often entrusted later affairs to the crown prince and palace matters to the empress. When decisions were made, on return they reported the main points; the emperor raised no objection—sometimes he did not even look into them. The emperor applied the law strictly and mostly employed harsh, penetrating officials. The crown prince was generous and often overturned wrongful verdicts; though he won the people's hearts, the ministers who applied the law were all displeased. The empress feared she would eventually be blamed and repeatedly warned the crown prince to keep to the emperor's intent and not on his own grant releases and pardons. The emperor heard and sided with the crown prince rather than the empress. Generous, senior ministers all attached to the crown prince, while those who applied the law harshly all slandered him. Wicked ministers mostly had factions, so praise of the crown prince was scant and slander abundant. After Wei Qing died, the ministers no longer had the maternal kin as backing and competed to frame the crown prince. The emperor was distant from his sons, and the empress rarely saw him. The crown prince once called on the empress and did not emerge until a whole day had passed. The Yellow Gate Su Wen reported to the emperor, "The crown prince was sporting with palace women." The emperor increased the crown prince's palace women to two hundred. The crown prince later learned of it and bore resentment toward Wen. Wen with junior yellow gates Chang Rong, Wang Bi, and others constantly spied on the crown prince's faults and reported every one they found. The empress gnashed her teeth and urged the crown prince to report and have Wen and the others executed. The crown prince said, "Just do not commit faults—why fear Wen and the rest! The emperor is intelligent and does not believe the wicked and flattering—there is no need to worry." The emperor was once slightly unwell and had Chang Rong summon the crown prince; Rong said the crown prince had a pleased look; the emperor was silent. When the crown prince arrived, the emperor observed his appearance—there were traces of tears yet he pretended cheerful talk and laughter; the emperor found it strange; questioning him further in secret, he learned the truth and executed Rong. The empress also guarded herself carefully against suspicion; though long without favor, she still received courteous treatment. At this time method masters and spirit witches mostly gathered in the capital, all generally crooked ways deluding the masses, conjuring anything they pleased. Witches went back and forth within the palace, teaching the beauties rites to pass through calamity; in every room they buried wooden figures for sacrifice. Because of jealousy they cursed in anger and repeatedly accused one another of cursing the emperor—great impiety. The emperor was angry; executions in the rear palaces extended to great ministers, and several hundred died. The emperor's heart already harbored suspicion; he once slept by day and dreamed several thousand wooden figures holding staves about to strike him; he started awake in fright; thereafter his health failed and he suffered restless forgetfulness. Jiang Chong, knowing he had a rift with the crown prince and the Wei clan, saw the emperor was old and feared execution after the emperor's death; he therefore acted wickedly, saying the emperor's illness stemmed from witchcraft. Thereupon the emperor made Chong an envoy to investigate the witchcraft case. Chong led Hu witches to dig earth seeking doll figures, captured sorcery, night sacrifices, and spirit-viewing; wherever tainted evidence could be planted they arrested and tried the accused, burning iron pincers to cauterize and forcing confession. The people turned and accused one another of witchcraft; officials would impeach them as great treason; from the capital and the three metropolitan areas to commanderies and kingdoms, those convicted and executed before and after numbered tens of thousands. At this time the emperor was advanced in years and suspected everyone around him of sorcery and cursing; whether guilty or not, none dared plead their innocence. Chong, knowing the emperor's intent, had the Hu witch Tan He say, "Within the palace there is sorcery vapor; if not removed, the emperor will never recover." The emperor then had Chong enter the palace, reach the inner apartments, break imperial seats, and dig earth seeking sorcery; He also had Marquis of Andao Han Shuo, Censor Zhang Gan, Yellow Gate Su Wen, and others assist Chong. Chong first investigated favored ladies of the rear palace, then in turn the empress and crown prince's palaces; digging everywhere crosswise and lengthwise, the crown prince and empress no longer had room to set a bed. Chong said, "In the crown prince's palace especially many wooden figures were found, and additionally silk writing with impious words; this should be memorialized to the throne." The crown prince was afraid and asked Junior Tutor Shi De. De feared being executed with his pupil and therefore said to the crown prince, "Previously the chancellor father and son, two princesses, and the Wei clan were all convicted for this; now the witches and envoy dig earth and obtain evidence—we do not know whether the witches planted it or it really exists; there is no way to clear oneself. You may falsely use the staff of office to arrest Chong and the rest, imprison them, and exhaustively try their wicked deception. Moreover the emperor is ill at Ganquan; the empress and household officials' requests for news all go unanswered; the emperor's survival is unknown, while wicked ministers act like this—will the crown prince not recall what happened to Qin's Fusu?" The crown prince said, "I am a son—how can I execute on my own authority! Better to go and apologize and hope to escape guilt." The crown prince was about to go to Ganquan, but Jiang Chong pressed him very urgently; the crown prince could think of no way out and thereupon followed Shi De's plan. In autumn, the seventh month, on renwu, the crown prince sent retainers posing as envoys to arrest Chong and the rest. Marquis of Andao Shuo suspected the envoys were fraudulent and refused the edict; the retainers killed him in the struggle. The crown prince personally beheaded Chong, cursing, "Zhao barbarian! Was it not enough that you before ruined the Zhao king and his son! Now you come again to ruin our father and son!" He also roasted the Hu witch in Shanglin Park. The crown prince sent Chamberlain Wunie with the staff of office by night through Weiyang Palace's Eternal Autumn Gate; through Chief Attendant Yi Hua he fully informed the empress, mobilized central stable chariots with archers, brought out arsenal weapons, and raised Changle Palace guard troops. Chang'an was thrown into turmoil; word spread that the crown prince had rebelled. Su Wen fled and escaped back to Ganquan, reporting the crown prince's misconduct. The emperor said, "The crown prince must be afraid and angry at Chong and the rest—hence this disturbance." He then sent an envoy to summon the crown prince. The envoy did not dare advance and returned reporting, "The crown prince's rebellion is already accomplished; he wished to behead me, and I fled back." The emperor was greatly angry. Chancellor Quji heard of the disturbance, fled headlong, lost his seal and cord, and had the chief clerk ride the express relay to report. The emperor asked, "What is the Chancellor doing?" The reply was, "The Chancellor is keeping it secret and does not dare send troops." The emperor angrily said, "The affair is so widespread—what do you mean by secret! The Chancellor lacks the Duke of Zhou's spirit—did not the Duke of Zhou execute Guan and Cai!" He then bestowed on the Chancellor a sealed letter saying, "Capturing and beheading rebels carry their own rewards and punishments. Use oxcarts as shield-walls; do not engage at close quarters; do not greatly kill and wound troops! Securely close the city gates; do not let the rebels escape!" The crown prince proclaimed to the hundred officials, "The emperor is at Ganquan, gravely ill, and suspects a coup; wicked ministers wish to rebel." The emperor thereupon came from Ganquan to Jianzhang Palace west of the city, ordered troops mobilized from nearby counties of the three metropolitan areas, and had the Chancellor jointly command all officials in departments and below two-thousand-dan. The crown prince also sent envoys with forged orders to pardon Chang'an prisoners held by central capital officials, and ordered Junior Tutor Shi De and retainer Zhang Guang and others to divide command; and had Chang'an prisoner Ru Hou, holding the staff of office, mobilize Changshui and Xuqu Hu cavalry, all to assemble fully equipped. Vice Minister Ma Tong was sent to Chang'an; pursuing Ru Hou along the way, he told the Hu, "The staff is deceptive—do not obey it!" Thereupon he beheaded Ru Hou and led horsemen into Chang'an; He also sent boatmen and oarsmen to Grand Steward Shangqiu Cheng. Initially Han staffs were pure red; because the crown prince held a red staff, they therefore added yellow pennants on top to distinguish them. The crown prince stood by his chariot outside the south gate of the Northern Army barracks, summoned the envoy to protect the Northern Army Ren An, gave him the staff, and ordered him to raise troops. An bowed and received the staff; he entered, closed the gate, and did not come out. The crown prince led troops away, drove men from the four markets totaling tens of thousands to below the western tower of Changle, met the Chancellor's army, and fought for five days; tens of thousands died, and blood flowed into the ditches. Among the people all said the crown prince had rebelled; for this reason the masses did not rally to the crown prince, while the Chancellor's attached troops gradually increased. On gengyin, the crown prince's army was defeated and fled south to Fuchang Gate. Director of Integrity Tian Ren's unit closed the city gate, thinking that as father and son the crown prince was kin and not wishing to press him hard; the crown prince thereby escaped. The Chancellor wished to execute Ren; Grand Counsellor Bao Shengzhi said to the Chancellor, "Director of Integrity is an official of two thousand bushels—one should first request permission; how can you execute him on your own authority!" The Chancellor released Ren. The emperor heard it and was greatly angry; he sent officials down to rebuke and interrogate the Grand Counsellor, saying, "Director of Integrity indulged rebels—the Chancellor executed him; that is the law; why did you, Grand Counsellor, arbitrarily stop it?" Shengzhi in fear and trembling killed himself. An edict sent Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Chang and Commandant of the Metropolitan Guard Liu Gan bearing a decree to receive the empress's seal and ribbon; the empress killed herself. The emperor thought Ren An was an old official; when the military affair arose he wished to sit and observe success and failure, and when he saw the victor he would join with him—he had divided loyalties; with Tian Ren both were sentenced to decapitation at the waist. Because Ma Tong captured Ru Hou, Chang'an man Jing Jian with Tong captured Shi De, and Shangqiu Cheng fought fiercely and captured Zhang Guang, the emperor enfeoffed Tong as Marquis of Chonghe, Jian as Marquis of De, and Cheng as Marquis of Zhe. All the crown prince's retainers who had gone in and out of the palace gates were punished with execution; those who followed the crown prince in raising troops, by the law of rebellion had their clans exterminated; officials and soldiers who plundered were all exiled to Dunhuang commandery. Because the crown prince was outside, for the first time garrison troops were stationed at Chang'an's various city gates. The emperor was greatly angry; the officials below were worried and fearful, not knowing what to do. Elder of Huguan Mao memorialized, saying, "Your subject has heard that the father is like Heaven, the mother like Earth, the son like the ten thousand things—thus Heaven is balanced, Earth peaceful, and things then flourish and succeed; the father kind, the mother loving, the son then filial and obedient. Now the crown prince is Han's heir, undertakes the enterprise of ten thousand generations, bears the weight of the ancestral temples—by kinship he is the emperor's eldest son. Jiang Chong is a man of common cloth, a lackey servant of lanes and alleys; Your Majesty prominently employed him, bearing the Most August command to press and trample the crown prince, fabricating wicked fraud; the wicked were confused and wrong—thereby the path of kin was blocked and not open. The crown prince advancing could not see the emperor; retreating he was trapped by disorderly ministers, alone wronged with no one to tell, unable to bear an angry heart—he rose and killed Chong, feared and fled; a son stole his father's troops to save himself from calamity. Your subject privately thinks he had no rebellious heart. The Odes says, 'Buzzing green flies, stop at the fence. Harmonious, gentle gentleman—do not trust slanderous words. Slander reaches the limit, confuses and disorders the four states.' Formerly Jiang Chong by slander killed the Zhao crown prince—all under Heaven has heard it. Your Majesty did not examine and investigate, deeply faulted the crown prince, sent forth great wrath, raised a great army to seek him, and the Three Excellencies led troops themselves. The wise dared not speak, debaters dared not argue—your subject privately grieves it! Only may Your Majesty broaden your heart and comfort your intent, slightly examine those close to you, do not worry over the crown prince's wrong, urgently halt armor and troops, and do not let the crown prince long remain a fugitive! Your subject cannot bear earnest care, offers at once his life's command, and awaits punishment below Jianzhang Palace!" The memorial was presented; the Son of Heaven was moved and awakened, yet still did not openly say to pardon him. The crown prince fled east to Hu and hid at Quanjiu li; the host family was poor and often sold sandals to supply the crown prince. The crown prince had an old acquaintance in Hu; hearing he was wealthy, he sent someone to summon him and was discovered. In the eighth month, on xinhai, officials surrounded and captured the crown prince. The crown prince estimated he could not escape, then entered the room, barred the door, and hanged himself. Shanyang man Zhang Fuchang as a soldier kicked open the door with his foot; Xin'an order-clerk Li Shou rushed to embrace and undo the crown prince. The host thereupon fought and died; the two imperial grandsons both met calamity together. The emperor, having grieved the crown prince, then enfeoffed Li Shou as Marquis of Yu and Zhang Fuchang as Marquis of Ti. Initially the emperor for the crown prince established Bowang Park, allowed guests to come and go, and let him follow his preferences—therefore many retainers entered by heterodox ways. : Your subject Guang says: Ancient enlightened kings in educating and nurturing the crown prince chose upright and honest worthy scholars for him as protectors, tutors, and friends, and made them morning and evening associate with him. Left, right, before, behind—none were not upright men; going out and in, rising and resting—none were not upright paths—yet still there were those who indulged in dissipation and fell into disaster; now they let the crown prince himself receive guests and follow his likes. Uprightness is hard to be close to; flattery is easy to join—this is indeed the common feeling of mediocre men—no wonder the crown prince did not end well! ---- 6 On guihai, there was an earthquake. ---- 7 In the ninth month, Shangqiu Cheng was appointed Grand Counsellor. ---- 8 The Zhao King Jing Su's young son Yan was established as King of Pinggan. ---- 9 The Xiongnu entered Shanggu and Wuyuan, killing and plundering officials and people. 3rd year of Zhenghe (ximao, 90 BCE) 1 In spring, the first month, the emperor traveled in person to Yong, reaching Anding and Beidi. ---- 2 The Xiongnu entered Wuyuan and Jiuquan and killed two commandants. In the third month, he sent Li Guangli leading seventy thousand men out from Wuyuan, Shangqiu Cheng leading twenty thousand out from Xihe, and Ma Tong leading forty thousand horsemen out from Jiuquan to strike the Xiongnu. ---- 3 In summer, the fifth month, there was an amnesty for all under Heaven. ---- 4 The Xiongnu Chanyu heard Han troops had come out in force and wholly moved his baggage north to lodge at Zhi Ju River; the Wise King of the Left drove his people across Yu Yuw River six or seven hundred li and dwelt at Douyan Mountain; the Chanyu himself led picked troops across Guchu River. Shangqiu Cheng's army arrived, pursued by deviant paths, saw nothing, and returned. The Xiongnu sent a grand general with Li Ling leading more than thirty thousand horsemen to pursue the Han army; they fought in turns for nine days, reaching Punu River; the enemy was not advantaged and returned and left. Ma Tong's army reached Tianshan; the Xiongnu sent Grand General Yan Qu leading more than twenty thousand horsemen to intercept Han troops; seeing Han troops were strong, he led away; Tong had no gain or loss. At this time Han feared Cheshi would block Ma Tong's army; it sent Marquis of Kailing Cheng Wan leading troops of Loulan, Weili, Weixu, and six states together to surround Cheshi, wholly obtained their king, people, and masses, and returned. The Ershi general left the pass; the Xiongnu sent Right Grand Commandant with Wei Lü leading five thousand horsemen to intercept and strike the Han army at Fuyang Gou Mountain pass; the Ershi defeated them and, taking victory, pursued north to Fan Furen city. The Xiongnu fled in panic; none dared resist the enemy. Initially, when the Ershi went out, Chancellor Liu Quji performed the road-leaving rite and sent him to Wei Bridge. Guangli said, "I wish you, Lord Marquis, would early request the King of Changyi as crown prince; if he is established as emperor, Lord Marquis—what long worry!" Quji promised. The King of Changyi was the Ershi general's younger sister Lady Li's son; the Ershi's daughter was Quji's son's wife—therefore together they wished to establish him. It happened the Inner Palace Clerk Guo Rang reported "the Chancellor's wife cursed the emperor and together with the Ershi prayed at shrines, wishing to make the King of Changyi emperor"—investigated, the offense reached great impiety and disloyalty. In the sixth month, an edict carried Quji in the kitchen cart to display him, decapitated him at the waist in the eastern market, and his wife and children had their heads displayed on Huayang Street; the Ershi's wife and children were also arrested. The Ershi heard it and was worried and afraid; his aide Hu Yafu, also avoiding offense by following the army, advised the Ershi, "Wife and household are all in officials' hands—if you return, not to one's liking, you will just meet with prison—north of Zhi Ju, can you again be seen!" The Ershi thereby hesitated, advanced deep to seek merit, and thereupon north to Zhi Ju waters. The enemy had already departed; the Ershi sent Protector of the Army with twenty thousand horsemen across Zhi Ju waters, met the Wise King of the Left and Left Grand General with twenty thousand horsemen, joined battle one day with the Han army—the Han army killed the Left Grand General, and the enemy dead and wounded were very many. Army Chief Clerk together with Colonel of Resolve Wei Qu, Marquis Hui Qu, deliberated, saying, "The general harbors a different heart, wishes to endanger the host and seek merit—fearing he will certainly be defeated." They plotted together to seize the Ershi. The Ershi heard it, beheaded the Chief Clerk, and led troops back to Mount Yanran. The Chanyu knew the Han army was weary and exhausted, himself led fifty thousand horsemen to intercept and strike the Ershi, and mutual killing and wounding were very many; at night he trenched before the Han army several chi deep and from behind urgently struck them—the army was greatly disordered; the Ershi thereupon surrendered. The Chanyu always knew he was a great Han general, gave him his daughter in marriage, and honor and favor were above Wei Lü. The clan was thereupon extinguished. ---- 5 In autumn, there were locusts. ---- 6 In the ninth month, former Chengyang Magistrate Gongsun Yong with client Hu Qian and others plotted rebellion; Qian falsely claimed to be Palace Attendant, saying he was sent to supervise bandits; Huaiyang Administrator Tian Guangming detected it and sent troops to capture and behead them. Gongsun Yong wore embroidered robes and rode a four-horse carriage to the stable park; the stable park Commandant Wei Buhai and others executed him. Buhai and four others were enfeoffed as marquises. ---- 7 Officials and people who reported one another for witchcraft—investigation mostly found them untrue. The emperor quite knew the crown prince was fearful with no other intent; it happened Bedchamber Attendant Tian Qianqiu urgently reported a change, pleading the crown prince's wrong, saying, "A son played with his father's troops—the offense should be caning. The Son of Heaven's son in excess fault killed a man—what offense should it be! Your subject once dreamed a white-haired old man taught your subject to speak." The emperor was deeply moved, summoned Qianqiu, and said, "Between father and son, what men find hard to speak of—you alone clearly see it is not so. The spirit of the High Temple sent you to teach me; you shall be my chief minister." He immediately appointed Qianqiu Grand Herald; exterminated Jiang Chong's clan; burned Su Wen on Heng Bridge; and those who had armed themselves against the heir at Quanjiu Li—first the Northland governor, later their clans were exterminated. Pitying the heir's innocence, the emperor built the Palace of Longing for the Son and the Platform of Return to Look and Long at the lake; all under Heaven heard and grieved. ---- Zhenghe year 4 (renchen, 89 BCE) 1 In spring, the first month, the emperor traveled to Donglai, approached the sea, and wished to sail in search of the divine mountains. The ministers remonstrated, but the emperor would not listen; but great winds arose and the sky darkened, and the sea boiled and surged. The emperor stayed more than ten days, could not board the tower ships, and returned. ----2 In the second month, on dingyou, Yong county had no clouds yet thundered three times; two meteorites fell, black as pitch. ----3 In the third month the emperor performed the plowing ceremony at Juding. On his return he traveled to Mount Tai and performed the feng. On gengyin he sacrificed at the Bright Hall. On guiji he performed the chan at Stone Gate, saw the ministers, and said, "Since I took the throne, my actions have been reckless and perverse, bringing sorrow to the realm—this cannot be undone. From now on, whatever harms the people or wastes the realm's resources shall be abolished." Tian Qianqiu said, "Fangshi who speak of immortals are very numerous, yet accomplish nothing visible; your servant asks that they all be dismissed." The emperor said, "The Grand Herald is right." Thereupon all fangshi awaiting spirits and divine men were dismissed. After this, whenever he faced the ministers the emperor would sigh: "I was once foolish and deluded and was deceived by fangshi. How could there be immortals under Heaven? It is all demonic nonsense! Eating moderately and taking medicine may somewhat reduce illness—that is all." In summer, the sixth month, he returned and traveled to Sweet Springs. ----4 On dingsi, Grand Herald Tian Qianqiu was made chancellor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Enriching the People. Qianqiu had no other talent and no record of military merit; solely because one word awakened the emperor, within months he became chancellor and was enfeoffed as marquis—unprecedented in the age. Yet he was generous and wise, and in office conducted himself with restraint, surpassing several chancellors before and after him. Earlier Search-for-Grain Colonel Sang Hongyang, with the chancellor and censor, memorialized, "East of Luntai are more than five thousand qing of irrigated fields; garrison-farming soldiers may be sent, three colonels appointed to guard in sections, and the five grains increased; Zhangye and Jiuquan should send mounted acting majors as scouts; recruit sturdy commoners willing to migrate to the farming sites, increase reclamation and irrigation, gradually build watchtowers in rows linking walls westward, to awe the western states and assist the Wusun." The emperor issued an edict deeply stating his past regret: "Formerly the offices wished to increase the people's tax by thirty to aid border expenses—this would heavily burden the old, weak, orphaned, and alone. Now again they request sending soldiers to farm at Luntai. Luntai lies more than a thousand li west of Cheshi; when the Marquis of Kailing attacked Cheshi, though victorious and having reduced their king, because of distance and lack of food several thousand died on the road—how much more if one goes further west! Formerly, in my lack of clarity, when army scout Hong memorialized that the Xiongnu had tied horses' front and rear feet beneath the city and galloped saying, "Qin men, I beg your horses," and Han envoys had long been detained, I therefore sent the General of the Ershi to lend prestige to the envoys. In antiquity nobles deliberated and consulted yarrow and tortoise divination—if inauspicious, they did not act. Recently, when the tied-horse letter was shown to the chancellor, censor, two-thousand-bushel officials, grandees, gentlemen, literary officials, and even commandery and dependent-state colonels, all said, "The barbarians tied their own horses—most inauspicious!" Or some thought, "Wishing to show strength—those who lack look at others as having surplus." The imperial fangshi, Grand Astrologer, star diviners, qi watchers, and Grand Diviner with turtle and yarrow all said, "Auspicious—the Xiongnu must be broken; the opportunity cannot come again." They also said, "The northern-campaign acting general will surely conquer at Fushan." By divination among the generals, the Ershi was most auspicious." Therefore I personally sent the Ershi down from Fushan and ordered him not to penetrate deeply. Now plans and divinations all prove contrary and absurd. The Marquis of Chonghe obtained a Xiongnu scout who said, "Tying the horses was a Xiongnu curse upon the army." The Xiongnu often say, "Han is extremely great, yet cannot bear hunger and thirst—lose one wolf and a thousand sheep run." Recently the Ershi was defeated; soldiers died, were plundered, and scattered—the grief is always in my heart. Now again they request farming Luntai from afar and wish to raise beacon towers—this disturbs and burdens the realm; it is not how to favor the people. I cannot bear to hear it! The Grand Herald and others again discussed recruiting convicts to pursue Xiongnu envoys, with clear marquis rewards to answer rage—this the Five Hegemons would not do. Moreover, when the Xiongnu obtain Han surrenderers they constantly search and question them—how could such a plan be carried out! The present task is to forbid harsh cruelty, stop unauthorized levies, strengthen agriculture, restore the horse-relay statute, to fill gaps and not lack military preparation—that is all. The two-thousand-bushel officials of commanderies and kingdoms shall each memorialize horse-raising plans and border-reinforcement reports, to be checked against the annual accounts." From this he no longer dispatched armies; he enfeoffed Tian Qianqiu as Marquis of Enriching the People to make clear his intent to rest, enrich, and nourish the people. He also made Zhao Guo Search-for-Grain Colonel. Guo practiced alternate-field farming; his plows and field tools were all ingeniously convenient; he taught the people to use less labor and obtain more grain, and the people all welcomed it. : Minister Guang said: Under Heaven truly has never lacked capable men! Emperor Wu loved achievements against the four barbarians, and brave, sharp men who lightly faced death filled the court; in opening land and expanding territory nothing failed to go as he wished. When later he rested the people and emphasized agriculture, men like Zhao Guo taught farming, and the people also benefited. Within one ruler's lifetime his tastes differed so greatly, yet gentlemen at once responded—truly, if Emperor Wu had possessed the measure of the Three Kings to revive Shang and Zhou governance, would he have lacked ministers of the Three Dynasties! ----5 In autumn, the eighth month, on the last day xinyou, there was a solar eclipse. ----6 Wei Lü resented the Ershi's favor; when the chanyu's mother the yanzhi fell ill, Lü instructed a Hu shaman to say, "The former chanyu was angry, saying, 'The Hu formerly sacrificed with weapons and always said, Obtain the Ershi for the altar sacrifice—why was he not used?' Thereupon the Ershi was seized." The Ershi cursed, "When I die I will destroy the Xiongnu!" He was thereupon slaughtered as a sacrifice. ---- Houyuan 1 (guisi, 88 BCE) 1 In spring, the first month, the emperor traveled to Sweet Springs and performed suburban sacrifice at the Great Altar; he then traveled to Anding. ----2 The Lamented King of Changyi, Bo, died. ----3 In the second month there was an amnesty for all under Heaven. ----4 In summer, the sixth month, Shangqiu Cheng, convicted of curse-prayer, committed suicide. ----5 Initially Attendant-in-Ordinary Ma Heluo was friendly with Jiang Chong. When the heir of Wei raised troops, Heluo's younger brother Tong was enfeoffed Marquis of Chonghe for fierce fighting. Later the emperor exterminated Chong's clan and allies; the Heluo brothers feared they would be implicated and plotted rebellion. Attendant and Commandant of the Imperial Son-in-Law Jin Midi saw his intent was highly unusual and suspected him; secretly he observed his movements and accompanied him everywhere. Heluo also sensed Midi's intent; for this reason he long could not act. At this time the emperor was at Linqguang Palace; Midi lay ill in his lodge. Heluo, with Tong and his youngest brother Ancheng, forged an edict and went out by night, killed the messenger, and raised troops. At dawn the next day, before the emperor had risen, Heluo somehow entered from outside. Midi was at the privy; his heart stirred; he immediately entered and sat below the inner door. Shortly Heluo, with a bare blade in his sleeve, came up from the east wing; seeing Midi, his complexion changed; he ran toward the sleeping quarters wishing to enter; walking, he struck the precious se and stiffened. Midi seized Heluo and cried out, "Ma Heluo rebels!" The emperor started up in alarm. Those at his side drew blades to strike, but the emperor feared they would hit Midi as well and stopped them. Midi threw Heluo below the hall and seized and bound him. Investigated to the end, all submitted to punishment. ----6 In autumn, the seventh month, there was an earthquake. ----7 The King of Yan, Dan, thought that by order of succession he ought to be heir apparent and memorialized requesting to enter palace guard service. The emperor was angry and beheaded his envoy at the northern gate; he was also convicted of harboring fugitives and had the three counties Liangxiang, Anci, and Wen'an stripped away. The emperor thereby came to hate Dan. Dan was eloquent, clever, and broadly learned; his younger brother the King of Guangling, Xu, had martial strength—yet both acted lawlessly and had many faults; therefore the emperor established neither. At this time Lady Gouyi's son Fuling was only a few years old, yet sturdy and large and knowing much; the emperor marveled and loved him and wished to establish him; but because the boy was young and his mother young, he still delayed. Wishing to have great ministers assist him, he surveyed the ministers; only Director of the Carriages and Palace Counsellor Huo Guang was loyal and could be entrusted with great affairs. The emperor had the Yellow Gate paint the Duke of Zhou carrying the young king before the feudal lords and gave it to Guang. Several days later the emperor reproached Lady Gouyi. The lady removed her hairpins and ear ornaments and kowtowed. The emperor said, "Take her away and send her to the Palace Rearward prison!" The lady looked back; the emperor said, "Go quickly—you cannot live!" In the end she was put to death. Shortly after, at leisure the emperor asked his attendants, "What are outsiders saying?" They replied, "People say, 'You are about to establish her son—why remove his mother?' The emperor said, "So—but this is not what children and fools understand. In former ages states fell into disorder because the ruler was young and the mother strong. The empress dowager dwelling alone grows arrogant, licentious and self-indulgent—none can forbid it. Have you not heard of Empress Lü! Therefore I could not but remove her first." ---- Houyuan 2 (jiawu, 87 BCE) 1 In spring, the first month, the emperor held court with the feudal kings and princes at Sweet Springs Palace. In the second month he traveled to Wuzuo Palace at Zhouzhi. ----2 The emperor's illness was grave; Huo Guang, weeping, asked, "If the worst should come, who ought to succeed?" The emperor said, "Have you not understood the meaning of the earlier painting? Establish the younger son; you shall perform the Duke of Zhou's role." Guang kowtowed and declined, saying, "Your servant is not equal to Jin Midi!" Midi also said, "Your servant, a foreigner, is not equal to Guang; moreover it would make the Xiongnu look down on Han!" On yichou an edict established Fuling as heir apparent; he was then eight years old. On bingyin, Guang was made grand marshal and grand general, Midi commandant of cavalry, and Grand Coachman Shangguan Jie left general—all received the testamentary edict to assist the young ruler; Search-for-Grain Colonel Sang Hongyang was also made censor-in-chief; all were appointed below the bed in the sleeping chamber. Guang had served within the forbidden gates for more than twenty years; going out he attended the carriage, entering he served at the emperor's side—careful and cautious, never at fault. He was deep, calm, and thorough; whenever he went out or in or descended the hall gate, his stopping and advancing had fixed places; gentlemen and masters of attendants secretly marked him—not off by an inch. Midi was at the emperor's side; for decades his eyes never met the emperor's gaze improperly; when palace women were granted and sent out, he did not dare approach; the emperor wished to take his daughter into the inner palace—he refused; his earnest caution was such; the emperor especially marveled at him. Midi's eldest son was the emperor's playboy; the emperor greatly loved him; later the playboy grew up, was careless, and from below the hall played with palace women; Midi happened to see it, hated the licentious conduct, and killed the playboy. The emperor heard and was greatly angry; Midi kowtowed and apologized, fully explaining why he had killed the playboy. The emperor was deeply grieved and wept for him; shortly after he came to respect Midi in his heart. Shangguan Jie at first won favor through talent and strength and was made Weiyang Stable Director; The emperor once was unwell; when he recovered and saw the horses, many were thin; the emperor was greatly angry and said, "Director, do you think I will never see horses again!" He wished to hand him over to the law officers. Jie kowtowed and said, "Your servant heard Your Majesty was unwell and day and night was anxious and fearful—my mind truly was not on the horses." Before he finished speaking, tears streamed down his face. The emperor thought he loved him; from this he drew him near, made him attendant-in-ordinary, and gradually promoted him to grand coachman. All three were men the emperor had long loved and trusted; therefore he especially raised them and entrusted them with affairs after his death. On dingmao the emperor died at Wuzuo Palace; his body was brought to lie in state at the front hall of Weiyang Palace. The emperor was intelligent and decisive, good at employing men, and in applying the law gave no indulgence. Princess Longlü's son Zhaoping Jun married the emperor's daughter Princess Yian. Princess Longlü, gravely ill, offered a thousand jin of gold and ten million cash for Zhaoping Jun to redeem capital crime in advance; the emperor assented. Princess Longlü died; Zhaoping Jun daily grew arrogant, drunkenly killed the princess's tutor, and was imprisoned; the commandant of justice memorialized upward as the princess's son. Those at his side all spoke for him: "Formerly he also paid ransom; Your Majesty assented." The emperor said, "My sister in her old age had this one son; when she died she entrusted him to me." Thereupon he shed tears for him, sighed long, and said, "Laws and ordinances are what the Former Emperor made; using my sister's sake to betray the Former Emperor's law—what face have I to enter the High Temple! Moreover below I would wrong the myriad people." He thereupon approved the memorial; his grief could not stop; those at his side were all sorrowful. Awaiting-edict Dongfang Shuo came forward to offer congratulations, saying, "Your servant has heard that sage kings in governing reward without avoiding enemies and execute without choosing kin. The Documents says, 'Without partiality, without faction—the kingly way is vast and open.' These two points the Five Emperors valued and the Three Kings found difficult; Your Majesty practices them—all under Heaven is most fortunate! Your servant Shuo, offering the cup, risking death, twice kowtows and offers ten-thousand-year longevity!" At first the emperor was angry at Shuo; shortly after he approved of him and made Shuo a palace gentleman. : Ban Gu's praise says: Han inherited the defects of a hundred kings; Gaozu swept away disorder and restored order; Wen and Jing strove to nourish the people—as for examining antiquity in ritual and literary matters, many still were lacking. When Emperor Wu first took the throne, he outstandingly dismissed the Hundred Schools and displayed the Six Classics; he thereupon consulted within the realm, raised outstanding talent, and with them established achievements; he raised the Imperial Academy, repaired suburban sacrifices, corrected the calendar, fixed calendrical reckoning, harmonized pitch pipes, composed poetry and music, established feng and chan, honored the hundred spirits, continued Zhou's succession, and his orders and writings blazed forth and could be narrated—later successors could follow the great enterprise and have the manner of the Three Dynasties. If one of Emperor Wu's heroic talent and great design had not altered Wen and Jing's respectful frugality to aid the people—even what the Odes and Documents praise, what could be added! : Minister Guang said: Emperor Wu exhausted luxury and extreme desire, multiplied punishments and heavy levies, was extravagant in palaces within, served the four barbarians without, believed spirits and marvels, toured without measure, wore out the people until they rose as bandits—the ways he differed from Qin Shihuang were few. Yet Qin through this perished and Han through this rose because Emperor Wu was able to honor the way of the former kings, know what to uphold, accept loyal and straight counsel, hate deception, love the worthy without weariness, punish and reward with strict clarity, reform late in life, and in entrusting care obtain the right men—this is why he had Qin's faults yet escaped Qin's calamity! ----3 On wuchen the heir apparent took the throne. The emperor's elder sister the Princess of Eyi jointly raised him within the inner palace; Huo Guang, Jin Midi, and Shangguan Jie jointly headed Secretariat affairs. Guang assisted the young ruler; government issued from himself; all under Heaven longed to hear his manner and bearing. Once there was a marvel in the hall; one night the ministers were startled together; Guang summoned the gentleman of the Office of Tallies and Seals and wished to take and secure the seal. The gentleman would not hand it over; Guang wished to seize it. The gentleman grasped his sword and said, "Your servant's head can be taken—the seal cannot be taken!" Guang greatly approved of him. The next day an edict increased this gentleman's rank by two grades. The common people all admired Guang. ----4 In the third month, on jiachen, Emperor Wu was buried at Maoling. ----5 In summer, the sixth month, there was an amnesty for all under Heaven. ----6 In autumn, the seventh month, a comet appeared in the east. ----7 The King of Jibei, Kuan, convicted of beastly conduct, committed suicide. ----8 In winter the Xiongnu entered Shuofang, killed and plundered officials and people; troops were dispatched to garrison Xihe; Left General Jie marched the northern border.
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