← Back to 資治通鑑

卷24 漢紀十六

Volume 24 Han Records 16

Chapter 24 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 24
Next Chapter →
1
From Qianggu Xiehe through Zhaoyang Chifenruo—seven years in all.
2
1 ----2 祿
1. In spring, the second month, an edict cut the poll tax by thirty percent. ----2 In summer, the fourth month, on guiwei, the emperor died at Weiyang Palace; he left no heir. At that time Emperor Wu's only surviving son was Prince Xu of Guangling; Grand General Guang and the ministers debated whom to enthrone, and all favored the Prince of Guangling. The prince had long since lost the Way in his conduct and had been passed over by the former emperor; Guang was inwardly ill at ease. A gentleman of the Lang submitted a memorial: "King Tai of Zhou set aside Taibo and established Wang Ji; King Wen set aside Boyi Kao and established King Wu—only fitness matters; abolishing the elder to establish the younger can be right. The Prince of Guangling cannot undertake the ancestral temple." The words accorded with Guang's intent. Guang showed the memorial to Chancellor Chang and the others and promoted the gentleman to Governor of Jiujiang. That same day, acting on the empress dowager's edict, he sent Acting Grand Herald Yuecheng, Director of the Imperial Clan De, Palace Grandee Ji, and Palace Cadet General Li Han to welcome Prince He of Changyi, who traveled by seven-relay post carriage to the Chang'an residence. Guang also reported to the empress dowager and transferred Right General Anshi to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
3
輿 退 祿 使
He was the son of King Ai of Changyi and in his domain had always been wild and unrestrained, his conduct without measure. During Emperor Wu's mourning, He never stopped hunting and roaming. Once while touring Fangyu he galloped two hundred li in less than half a day. Commandant Wang Ji of Langye submitted a memorial of admonition: "Your Highness does not love books and the arts but delights in roaming at ease—gripping the reins, galloping without cease. Your mouth grows weary from shouting; your hands ache from whip and bridle; your body is worn by carriage and chariot. In the morning you meet mist and dew; by day you are clothed in dust; in summer you are scorched by great heat; in winter you are pelted by wind and cold. Again and again you set this tender, fragile body against toilsome harm—not the way to preserve long life, nor to advance benevolence and righteousness. Under a broad hall, upon fine felt, with an enlightened teacher before you and diligent recitation behind—discoursing on the age of Tang and Yu, reaching down to the splendor of Yin and Zhou, examining the winds of benevolence and sagehood, practicing the Way of governing the state—eagerly forgetting food in ardent study, renewing your virtue day by day—would its joy be merely between bit and curb! In rest, bend and stretch to benefit the form; advance and retreat, step and pace to strengthen the lower body; draw in the new and expel the old to train the viscera; focus the mind and gather essence to suit the spirit—in this way to nourish life, is it not lasting! If Your Highness truly heed this, your heart will hold the intent of Yao and Shun, your body the longevity of Qiao and Song; fine renown will mount to those above, fortune will arrive, and the altars of soil and grain will be secure. The emperor was benevolent and sage; to this day his mourning has not slackened. He never indulged in palaces, parks, ponds, arms, or hunting. Your Highness ought day and night to keep this in mind and carry out his intent. Among the feudal lords in flesh and bone, none is closer than Your Highness. In kinship you are a son; in station you are a subject—upon one person the double burden of both offices is laid. If in affection, conduct, or the slightest propriety anything is lacking and it reaches those above, it is not the blessing of a state that enjoys offerings." The prince issued an order: "My conduct cannot be without sloth; the Commandant is loyal and repeatedly corrects my faults." He sent Usher Qianqiu to bestow on the Commandant five hundred jin of beef, five piculs of wine, and five bundles of dried meat. Afterward he again gave himself to wild license as before.
4
西 西
Director of the Gentlemen Gong Sui of Shanyang was loyal, steadfast, and resolute, with great integrity; inwardly he remonstrated with the prince, outwardly he held the tutor and chancellor to account, citing canonical principles and laying out fortune and calamity until he wept—steadfast and unceasing, confronting the prince's faults to his face. The prince would cover his ears, rise, and flee, saying, "The Director of the Gentlemen is skilled at shaming people!" Once the prince spent long days gaming, eating, and drinking with grooms, slaves, and cooks, bestowing rewards without measure. Sui entered to see the prince, weeping and advancing on his knees; attendants left and right all shed tears. The prince said, "Director of the Gentlemen, why do you weep?" Sui said, "Your servant grieves that the altars of soil and grain are in peril! I beg a quiet audience to exhaust my foolish counsel!" The prince dismissed those at his side. Sui said, "Does Your Highness know why the Prince of Jiaoxi became lawless and perished?" The prince said, "I do not know." He said, "Your servant has heard that the Prince of Jiaoxi had a flatterer, Hou De; what the prince did resembled Jie and Zhou, yet De called it Yao and Shun. The prince delighted in his flattery, constantly shared bed and dwelling with him, and heeded only what De said—until it came to this. Now Your Highness draws near petty men, steeped in what evil habits instill—the hinge of survival and extinction cannot be treated lightly! Your servant asks to select gentlemen of the Lang who know the classics and possess conduct and righteousness to rise and sit with Your Highness—when seated to recite the Odes and Documents, when standing to practice ritual deportment; it should help." The prince assented. Sui selected Palace Gentlemen Zhang An and nine others to attend the prince. Within several days the prince drove out An and the rest.
5
The prince once saw a great white dog, from the neck down like a man, wearing a fangshan cap but without a tail. He asked Gong Sui; Sui said, "This is a heaven-sent warning: those at your side are all capped dogs; remove them and you survive—fail to remove them and you perish." Later he again heard a human voice say, "Bear!" He looked and saw a great bear; those left and right saw nothing. He asked Sui; Sui said, "The bear is a beast of mountain and wild, yet it came into the palace chambers and Your Highness alone saw it. This is heaven's warning: I fear the chambers will be emptied—the image of peril and extinction." The prince looked up to heaven and sighed, "Why do ill omens come again and again!" Sui kowtowed and said, "Your servant dares not conceal loyalty; I have repeatedly spoken warnings of peril and extinction; Your Highness is not pleased. Whether the state survives or perishes—how could it depend on my words! I beg Your Highness inwardly to measure and reflect. Your Highness recites the three hundred and five pieces of the Odes—human affairs are thorough, the kingly Way complete. In what Your Highness does, which single piece of the Odes does it match? Your Highness stands among feudal kings yet acts fouler than a commoner—to preserve is hard, to perish is easy; you ought to examine this deeply!" Later blood again stained the prince's seat; the prince asked Sui; Sui cried out: "The chambers will soon be empty; prodigies and omens arrive in succession. Blood is the image of yin sorrow; you ought to fear, be cautious, and examine yourself!" The prince in the end did not change his ways.
6
When the summons arrived, before one quarter of the night watch had passed he opened the letter by firelight. At midday the prince set out; at the hour of shen he reached Dingtao, having traveled one hundred thirty-five li; among his attendants horses died one after another along the road. Wang Ji submitted a memorial warning the prince: "Your servant has heard that Gaozong observed deep mourning and for three years did not speak. Now Your Highness is summoned for the mourning rites; you ought only to weep and grieve day and night—take care to initiate nothing! The Grand General's virtues of benevolence, courage, wisdom, loyalty, and trustworthiness—none under Heaven has not heard of them; he served Emperor Xiao of Wu for more than twenty years without a single fault. The former emperor left his ministers, entrusted him with all under Heaven, and placed the young orphan in his care. The Grand General held the young lord from swaddling clothes, spread government and taught the people, and within the seas all was tranquil—even the Duke of Zhou and Yi Yin could not surpass him. Now the emperor has died without an heir; the Grand General has pondered only who can serve the ancestral temple and, drawing support, has established Your Highness—how can his benevolence and depth be measured! Your servant wishes Your Highness to serve him, revere him, and in all government affairs heed him entirely—Your Highness need only sit with folded hands facing south. Keep this in mind and often make it your thought!"
7
使 使
The prince reached Jiyang, sought long-crowing cocks, and along the road bought tall bamboo staffs. Passing Hongnong, he had his great slave Shan use a curtained carriage to carry women. Reaching Hu, the envoy reproached Chancellor Anle. Anle told Gong Sui; Sui entered and questioned the prince. The prince said, "There was nothing." Sui said, "If there was nothing, why spare one Shan and ruin righteous conduct! I ask to take him into custody and hand him to the officials, to cleanse Your Highness." He at once seized Shan and handed him to the captain of the guards for punishment according to law.
8
輿 使 西 ----3 ----4 西 退
When the prince reached Bashang, the Grand Herald met him in suburban welcome; grooms presented the imperial carriage. The prince had Shoucheng drive; Director of the Gentlemen Sui rode as attendant. As they neared Guangming and the East Capital Gate, Sui said, "By ritual, when hurrying to a funeral one weeps on sight of the capital. This is the eastern outer gate of Chang'an." The prince said, "My throat hurts; I cannot weep." Reaching the city gate, Sui spoke again; the prince said, "The city gate and the outer gate are the same." As they neared the eastern tower of Weiyang Palace, Sui said, "The Changyi quarters lie north of the imperial roadway outside this tower. Before reaching the quarters there is a north-south lane; when the horse's hooves are still several paces short; Your Highness ought to descend, turn toward the tower and prostrate yourself weeping to the west, exhaust your grief, and then stop." The prince said, "Yes." On arrival he wept according to ritual. In the sixth month, on bingyin, the prince received the imperial seal and ribbon, assumed the exalted title, and honored the empress as empress dowager. ----3 On renshen, Emperor Xiao of Zhao was buried at Pingling. ----4 Once Prince He of Changyi was established, his lewd sport knew no bounds. Changyi officials and retainers were all summoned to Chang'an and were often promoted and enfeoffed beyond their rank. Chancellor Anle was transferred to Commandant of the Guards for Changle. Gong Sui saw Anle, wept, and said, "The prince has been made Son of Heaven and daily grows more arrogant and excessive; he no longer heeds admonition. Mourning grief is not yet exhausted, yet day by day he drinks and makes sport with close retainers, pits tigers and leopards in combat, summons the nine-tassel leather-canopied chariot, and gallops east and west—his acts violate the Way. Ancient institutions were broad; great ministers might withdraw in concealment; now to leave is not permitted; feigning madness for fear of being known, one's body dies and becomes the world's disgrace—what is to be done? You, my lord, were the emperor's former chancellor; you ought to remonstrate to the utmost."
9
西
The emperor dreamed that green fly droppings piled east of the western stair, some five or six piculs, covered with roof tiles; he asked Sui. Sui said, "Does not Your Majesty's Odes say, 'Buzzing green flies stop at the fence. Easy and gracious is the gentleman—do not trust slanderous words." Slanderers at Your Majesty's left are many—such is the evil of green flies. You ought to advance the sons and grandsons of the former emperor's great ministers and draw them near as those at your side. If you cannot bear to part with your old Changyi associates and trust slander and flattery, disaster is sure to follow. Turn misfortune into fortune—banish them all! I ought to be the first one expelled." The king would not listen.
10
Director of Studs Assistant Zhang Chang of Hedong submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying, "Emperor Zhao died young without an heir; the great ministers were anxious and fearful and selected a worthy man to succeed the ancestral temple. On the day of welcoming him from the east, everyone feared the imperial procession would be delayed. Now the emperor has just taken the throne in the prime of youth, and all under Heaven watches with eager eyes and ears for signs of reform. The great ministers who support the state have not yet been rewarded, while petty men from Changyi are promoted first—this is a grave fault indeed." The king would not listen.
11
Grand General Huo Guang was distressed and resentful and confided only in his close old subordinate, Grand Minister of Agriculture Tian Yannian. Yannian said, "General, you are the pillar of the state. Having judged this man unfit, why not report to the Empress Dowager, choose another worthy man, and enthrone him?" Guang said, "If we wish to act thus now, was there ever such a thing in antiquity?" Yannian said, "Yi Yin served Yin, deposed Tai Jia to secure the ancestral temple, and later ages praised his loyalty. If the general can do this, you will be Han's Yi Yin as well." Thereupon Guang brought Yannian in as Palace Attendant and secretly plotted with Cavalry-and-Chariots General Zhang Anshi.
12
祿輿
When the king went out touring, Palace Illustrious Grandee Xiahou Sheng of Lu, whose duty was to remonstrate before the imperial carriage, said, "Heaven has long been overcast without rain—among the ministers below there are those plotting against their superior. Your Majesty is going out—where do you intend to go?" The king was angry, called Sheng's words inauspicious, bound him, and handed him over to the officials for punishment. The officials reported to Huo Guang, but Guang did not enforce the law. Guang reproached Anshi, thinking he had leaked their plan. Anshi had in truth said nothing; so he summoned and questioned Sheng. Sheng replied, "The Hong Fan Commentary says, 'When the Sovereign lacks the utmost, the punishment is constant overcast skies; at such times inferiors attack their superiors. I dislike overly explicit speech, therefore I said 'among the ministers below there is plotting.'" Guang and Anshi were greatly alarmed and for this reason valued classicist scholars all the more. Palace Attendant Fu Jia repeatedly remonstrated; the king also bound Jia and put him in prison.
13
使 使
Once Guang and Anshi had settled their decision, they sent Tian Yannian to inform Chancellor Yang Chang. Chang was alarmed and at a loss for words; sweat soaked his back and he could only murmur assent. Yannian rose and went to the side chamber; Chancellor Chang's wife hastened from the east wing and said to him, "This is a matter of state. The Grand General's plan is settled and he has sent the Nine Ministers to report to you. If you do not respond swiftly and stand with the Grand General, it is as good as having no resolution—you will be the first executed!" When Yannian returned from the side chamber, Chancellor Chang's wife and Yannian spoke together in assent, "We shall follow the Grand General's command!"
14
On guisi, Guang summoned the chancellor, censor, generals, ranked marquises, officials of middle two thousand dan rank, grandees, and erudites to meet in Weiyang Palace. Guang said, "The King of Changyi's conduct is benighted and chaotic and I fear he endangers the state. What is to be done?" The assembled ministers were all startled speechless, their faces drained of color; none dared speak and could only murmur assent. Tian Yannian stepped forward, left his seat, and with hand on sword said, "The late emperor entrusted you, General, with the young orphan and committed the realm to you because you are loyal and worthy and can secure the house of Liu. Now the court boils like a cauldron and the state is about to topple; moreover among Han's posthumous titles those bearing 'Filial' earned it by long holding the realm and keeping the ancestral sacrifices alive. If the house of Han's sacrifices end, General, even in death with what face could you meet the late emperor in the underworld? Today's deliberation brooks no delay; any minister who responds afterward—I ask to cut him down with the sword!" Guang apologized, saying, "The Nine Ministers rightly reproach me! All under Heaven is restless and unsettled; I ought to bear the hardship." Thereupon all present kowtowed, saying, "The lives of the myriad people rest on the General—we await only the Grand General's command!"
15
殿 使 宿
Guang immediately went with the assembled ministers to audience, reported to the Empress Dowager, and fully set forth why the King of Changyi could not succeed the ancestral temple. The Empress Dowager thereupon took her carriage to Chengming Hall in Weiyang Palace and issued an edict that at all forbidden gates Changyi ministers were not to be admitted. The king had attended the Empress Dowager and returned, mounted his palanquin, and wished to return to the Warm Apartment. Central Yellow Gate eunuchs each held the gate panels; when the king entered the gates closed and the Changyi ministers could not follow. The king said, "What is going on?" The Grand General knelt and said, "There is an edict of the Empress Dowager—do not admit the Changyi ministers!" The king said, "Take it slowly—why startle people like this!" Guang had all the Changyi ministers driven out and placed outside the Golden Horse Gate. Cavalry-and-Chariots General Anshi led Feathered Forest cavalry, seized and bound more than two hundred men, and sent them all to the imperial prison under the Commandant of Justice. He ordered Emperor Zhao's former palace attendants and inner attendants to attend and guard the king. Guang charged those at hand, "Guard carefully! If he should suddenly die by suicide, I would bear guilt under Heaven and have the name of regicide." The king did not yet know he was about to be deposed and said to those at hand, "How have my old ministers and followers offended that the Grand General binds them all!"
16
殿殿 使使 使 殿 使 使使 使 殿 西 輿
Before long came an edict of the Empress Dowager summoning the king. Hearing the summons, the king grew fearful and said, "How have I offended that I am summoned!" The Empress Dowager wore a pearl-lined jacket and full court dress, seated in the martial canopy; several hundred attendants all held weapons; Barrier Gate warriors with halberds on the steps lined the hall below; the assembled ministers ascended in order, and the King of Changyi was summoned to prostrate and hear the edict. Guang and the assembled ministers jointly memorialized the king; the Director of the Masters of Writing read the memorial, saying, "Chancellor Yang Chang and others, risking death, address Her Majesty the Empress Dowager: Emperor Zhao died young; envoys were sent to summon the King of Changyi to preside over the mourning. He wore frayed-edge hemp mourning yet had no heart of grief, discarded ritual and propriety, ate no mourning vegetarian food on the road, had followers seize women into clothing carts, and brought them into the relay lodges where he stayed. When he first arrived for audience he was made heir apparent, yet constantly bought chickens and pigs in private to eat. He received the emperor's credential seal and traveling seal before the Grand Procession, took his place, and opened the seals without resealing them. Followers again held staffs of office and led in more than two hundred Changyi followers, outrider stewards, and official slaves, who constantly lived with him inside the forbidden inner gates sporting and playing. He wrote a letter saying, 'The emperor inquires of Palace Attendant Junqing: I order Director of the Inner Palace Treasury Gao Chang to present a thousand jin of gold and bestow on Junqing permission to take ten wives.' Before the front hall of the Grand Procession he issued music-office instruments, brought in Changyi musicians to beat drums, sing and play pipes, and perform comic entertainers; he summoned inner Grand Unity and ancestral-temple musicians and had them all perform the full repertoire. He drove the imperial regalia carriage racing through the Northern Palace and Cassia Palace, sporting with pigs and fighting tigers. He summoned the Empress Dowager's small horse carriage, had official slaves mount and ride it, and sported in the Rear Palace. With Emperor Zhao's palace women Meng and the rest he committed lewd disorder and issued an edict the Rear Palace director, 'Whoever dares leak word shall be beheaded at the waist!' ……" The Empress Dowager said, "Stop!" As subject and son, ought he be so perverse and chaotic!" The king left his seat and prostrated himself. The Director of the Masters of Writing read again, "…… He took the ribbons of kings, marquises, and two-thousand-dan officials together with black and yellow ribbons and had Changyi gentlemen-at-attendance wear them together to free slaves. He issued imperial treasury gold, cash, swords, jade objects, and colored silks and bestowed them on his playmates. With followers and official slaves he drank by night, steeped in wine. Alone at night he held nine-guest reception in the Warm Apartment and received his brother-in-law, Marquis within the Passes of Changyi. Ancestral temple sacrifices had not yet been performed; he made a sealed letter and sent envoys with staffs of office and triple grand sacrificial victims to sacrifice at the park temple of the Lamented King of Changyi, styling himself 'heir-son emperor.' In the twenty-seven days since receiving the seal, envoys crisscrossed constantly, holding staffs of office to edict all offices for requisitions and issuances—in all one thousand one hundred twenty-seven matters. Dissolute, lewd, and deluded, he abandoned imperial ritual and propriety and threw Han institutions into disorder. We repeatedly remonstrated; he did not change, and daily grew worse. We fear he endangers the state and all under Heaven is unsettled. We respectfully deliberated with the erudites; all said, 'Now Your Majesty succeeds Emperor Zhao and conducts lewd depravity contrary to the norm. " Among the five serious offenses, none is greater than unfilial conduct." King Xiang of Zhou could not serve his mother. The Spring and Autumn Annals says, 'The Son of Heaven went out to dwell at Zheng'—because of unfilial conduct he was sent out and cut off from all under Heaven. The ancestral temple weighs heavier than the ruler; Your Majesty cannot succeed Heaven's order, serve the ancestral temple, or be parent to the myriad people—you ought to be deposed!' We request the responsible offices to report the sacrifice to the High Temple with one grand sacrificial victim." The Empress Dowager issued an edict, "Approved." Guang ordered the king to rise and bow to receive the edict; the king said, "I have heard, 'Under Heaven there are seven remonstrating ministers—even if without the Way one does not lose the realm." Guang said, "The Empress Dowager has issued an edict your deposition—how can you still call yourself Son of Heaven!" Thereupon he immediately took the king's hand, removed his seal cord, presented it to the Empress Dowager, supported the king down from the hall, and went out the Golden Horse Gate with the assembled ministers following in escort. The king faced west and bowed, saying, "Stupid and blunt—I am not fit for Han's affairs!" He rose, mounted the escort carriage of the palanquin, and Grand General Guang escorted him to the Changyi residence. Guang apologized, saying, "Your Majesty's conduct has cut itself off from Heaven; I would rather fail you than fail the state! Take care of yourself, Your Majesty; I shall not again be at your side for long." Guang wept as he departed.
17
The assembled ministers memorialized, saying, "In antiquity deposed persons were banished to distant regions and did not participate in government. We request to relocate King He to Fangling County in Hanzhong." The Empress Dowager issued an edict to return He to Changyi, bestowed a bath fief of two thousand households, and gave him all the former royal house's goods and property; and the Lamented King's four daughters each received bath fiefs of a thousand households; the kingdom was abolished and made Shanyang commandery.
18
使 使
The Changyi ministers were convicted because while in the kingdom they had not reported the king's offenses and let the Han court remain ignorant, and also failed to guide him, plunging the king into great wickedness—all were imprisoned and more than two hundred were executed. Only Commandant Ji and Director of the Palace Secretariat Sui, for loyal uprightness and repeated remonstrance and correction, escaped death, were shaved, and sentenced to dawn wall-building labor. Teacher Wang Shi was imprisoned and liable to death; the investigating envoy questioned him, saying, "Teacher, why are there no remonstrance memorials?" Shi replied, "Your subject with the three hundred and five pieces of the Odes morning and evening instructs the king; as for the pieces on loyal ministers and filial sons, your subject has never failed to recite them repeatedly for the king. As for rulers who were in peril, lost the Way, and perished, your subject has never failed to shed tears and set them forth at length for the king. Your subject remonstrates with the three hundred and five pieces—therefore there is no remonstrance memorial." The envoy reported it; he also received a reduced-death sentence.
19
----5 涿
Huo Guang, because the ministers presented affairs at the Eastern Palace and the empress dowager oversaw government, thought she should know the classics; he reported to have Xiahou Sheng use the Documents to instruct the empress dowager, moved Sheng to Chamberlain of Changxin, and granted the title Marquis within the Passes. ----5 At the beginning, the Heir of Wei took as consort Lady Shi, a worthy lady of Lu, and bore a son Jin, styled the Shi Imperial Grandson. The imperial grandson took as consort the Lady of Wang of Zhuo commandery and bore a son Bingyi, styled the Imperial Great-Grandson. The imperial great-grandson was several months old when the witchcraft affair struck; the crown prince's three sons, one daughter, and all wives and concubines were harmed—only the imperial great-grandson remained, and he too was implicated, taken, and held in the commandery hostel prison. Former Commandant of Justice Supervisor Bing Ji of Lu received an edict to try the witchcraft prison; Ji in his heart knew the crown prince had no factual guilt and deeply pitied the imperial great-grandson's innocence; he chose careful, solid female convicts named Cheng Huzu and Guo Zhengqing of Huaiyang, ordered them to nurse the great-grandson, and placed him in a quiet, dry place. On auspicious days he again went to inspect.
20
使 使 使
The witchcraft affair went unresolved for successive years; Emperor Wu was ill, coming and going between Changyang and Wuzuo palaces; qi-readers said there was Son-of-Heaven qi in Chang'an's prisons; thereupon Emperor Wu sent envoys to itemize separately the capital officials—those held in edict prisons, without regard to severity, all were to be killed. Inner Usher-in-Chief Guo Rang came by night to the commandery hostel prison; Ji shut the gate, refused the envoy, and would not admit him, saying, "The imperial great-grandson is here. Others who died innocent still could not be allowed—how much more a close great-grandson!" They held each other off until dawn; he could not enter. Rang returned and reported it, and thereby impeached and memorialized Ji. Emperor Wu also awoke and said, "Heaven sent him." Thereupon he amnestied all under Heaven. Of those held in the commandery hostel prison, they alone relied on Ji to live.
21
使 滿
Afterward Ji told the prison warden Shei Ru, "The imperial grandson ought not to be in an office." He had Shei Ru send a letter to the Governor of Jingzhao to dispatch him together with Huzu; the Governor of Jingzhao would not receive him, and he returned. When Huzu's term was full and she was to leave, the imperial grandson yearned for her; Ji with private money hired Huzu to stay; together with Guo Zhengqing they jointly nursed him; after a month of nursing he sent Huzu away. Later the junior palace provisioner reported to Ji, "Feeding the imperial grandson has no edict." At that time Ji obtained food, rice, and meat and month by month supplied the imperial great-grandson. The great-grandson fell ill and several times nearly did not survive; Ji repeatedly ordered the protectors and wet-nurses to add medicine, and his regard and treatment were very full of kindness. Ji heard Lady Shi's worthy mother had the Chaste Lady and an elder brother Gong; he thereupon carried the imperial great-grandson and handed him over to them. The Chaste Lady was old; seeing the grandson orphaned, she deeply pitied him and herself nursed and watched over him.
22
-{}- -{}-
Later there was an edict that the Palace Rear Garden should nurse and watch him; the emperor entrusted his registration to the Director of the Imperial Clan. At that time Palace Rear Garden Director Zhang He had once served Prince Li; thinking back on old grace, he pitied the great-grandson, supported and nursed him very carefully, supplied him with private money, and taught him books. When he was grown, He wished to give his granddaughter in marriage to him. At this time Emperor Zhao had just capped his years and was eight feet two inches tall. He's younger brother Anshi was Right General assisting government; hearing He praise the imperial great-grandson, he wished to give his daughter in marriage to him and angrily said, "The great-grandson is the heir of the Wei crown prince; it is luck enough that as a commoner he eats and is clothed by the district officials—do not again speak of giving a daughter!" Thereupon He stopped. At that time Wardrobe Provisioner Xu Guanghan had a daughter; He thereupon set out wine and invited Guanghan; when the wine was deep, he spoke for him, "The great-grandson's person is close; below he will be Marquis within the Passes—he can be married." Guanghan promised. The next day the old woman heard it and was angry. Guanghan again had someone act as go-between, and thereupon he was given to the great-grandson. He used family wealth as betrothal gift. The great-grandson thereby relied on Guanghan's brothers and his grandmother's Shi clan; he received the Odes from Old Man Fu of the Middle in Donghai—talented and fond of learning; yet he also delighted in roaming knights-errant, cockfighting, and dog-racing-thereby altogether knowing -{the cited text}- wickedness and rectitude and officials' governance gains and losses. He repeatedly went up and down the various mausoleums and circled the Three Metropolises; he once was stranded in the Liaoshao salt marshes; he especially delighted in the region between Du and Hu—he mostly was often at Lower Du. When court audiences were held he lodged in Chang'an at Shangguan -{the cited text}-.
23
使 使
When the King of Changyi was deposed, Huo Guang with Zhang Anshi and the various great ministers deliberated whom to establish—it was not settled. Bing Ji submitted a note to Guang, saying, "The general served Emperor Wu of Filial Piety, received the entrustment in swaddling clothes, and bore the charge of all under Heaven. Emperor Zhao of Filial Piety early perished without an heir; within the seas there was worry and fear, wishing quickly to hear of a successor lord. On the day mourning was raised, by great principle he established a successor; the one established was not the right person, and again by great principle he deposed him; all under Heaven none failed to submit to it. Now the altars of soil and grain, the ancestral temples, and the lives of the masses rest on the general's one act; your subject privately bows and listens to the multitude—examining what they say, of the feudal lords and imperial clansmen in ranked positions, nothing has been heard from among the people. Yet the late emperor's edict–nurtured imperial great-grandson of Emperor Wu named Bingyi, who is in the Palace Rear Garden and at his maternal kin's—when Ji formerly had him dwell at the commandery hostel, he saw him young; until now he is eighteen or nineteen; he has mastered the classics, has fine talent, and his conduct is steady and his temperance harmonious. Your subject wishes the general to examine great principle, consult tortoise and milfoil on what is fitting, honor and display him first and have him enter attendance, let all under Heaven clearly know it, and then decide the great policy—all under Heaven would be greatly fortunate!" Du Yanian also knew the great-grandson's virtue and beauty and urged Guang and Anshi to establish him.
24
-{}-
In autumn, the seventh month, Guang sat in the courtyard and convened the chancellor and below to settle whom to establish; he thereupon again with Chancellor Chang and others submitted a memorial, saying, "Emperor Wu of Filial Piety's imperial great-grandson Bingyi, age eighteen, has been instructed in the Odes, Analects, and Classic of Filial Piety, personally practices frugality, is kindly and humane, and can succeed after Emperor Zhao of Filial Piety, receive and uphold the ancestral temples, and be lord to the myriad people. Your subjects risk death to report!" The empress dowager issued an edict, "Approved." Guang sent Director of the Imperial Clan De to the great-grandson's home at Shangguan -{the cited text}- to bathe and wash him and bestow imperial robes; the Grand Coachman with a light hunting carriage welcomed the great-grandson, and he fasted at the Director of the Imperial Clan's office. On gengshen he entered Weiyang Palace, saw the empress dowager, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangwu. Shortly after, the ministers memorialized and presented the seal and ribbon; he took the imperial throne and visited the High Ancestral Temple; he honored the empress dowager as Grand Empress Dowager.
25
----6 ----7 ----8 ----9 -{}- ----10 ----
Attendant Censor Yan Yannian impeached and memorialized, "Grand General Guang on his own authority deposed and established the lord, lacked minister's rites, and was without the Way." The memorial though was shelved, yet the court was solemn and in reverent awe of him. ----6 In the eighth month, on jisi, Yang Chang, Marquis Jing of Anping, died. ----7 In the ninth month, there was an amnesty for all under Heaven. ----8 On wuyin, Cai Yi was appointed chancellor. ----9 At the beginning, Xu Guanghan's daughter was married to the imperial great-grandson; at one year she bore a son Shi. Several months later the great-grandson was established as emperor; the Xu clan became Lady of Handsome Fairness. At this time General Huo had a young daughter kin to the empress dowager; the dukes and ministers deliberated on changing and establishing an empress—all inwardly had in mind General Huo's daughter, yet none spoke. The emperor thereupon issued an edict to seek the old sword from his humble days. The great ministers knew his intent and reported to establish Lady Xu of Handsome Fairness as empress. In the eleventh month, on renzi, Empress Xu was established. Huo Guang, because the -{the cited text}-'s father Guanghan was a punished man, thought him unsuitable to lord the state; after more than a year he was enfeoffed as Lord of Changcheng. ----10 The Grand Empress Dowager returned to Changle Palace. Changle Palace for the first time established garrison guards.
26
1 ----2 婿西婿 ----3 ----4 ----5 -{}- ----6 ----7 ----
1 In spring, an edict ordered the officials to discuss and fix merit for the policy of securing the ancestral temples. Grand General Guang was additionally enfeoffed with seventeen thousand households; together with what he formerly ate, in all twenty thousand households. Commandant of Cavalry and Chariots Anshi, Marquis of Fuping, and below—ten persons were additionally enfeoffed; five were enfeoffed as marquises; eight were granted the title Marquis within the Passes. ----2 Grand General Guang bowed his head and returned government; the emperor modestly declined and would not receive it; all affairs were first brought to Guang's attention, and then memorialized to the throne. From Emperor Zhao's time, Guang's son Yu and elder brother's grandson Yun were both Commanders of the Palace Guard; Yun's younger brother Shan was Commandant of the Imperial Carriages, Palace Attendant, and led Hu and Yue troops; Guang's two sons-in-law were Eastern and Western Palace Commandants of the Guard; brothers, sons-in-law, and maternal grandsons all attended court audiences as guests, serving as various bureau heads, grandees, Commandants of Cavalry, and Palace Attendants—faction and kin linked as one body, rooted in the court. When the King of Changyi was deposed, Guang's power grew ever heavier; at each court audience the emperor emptied himself and composed his countenance, honoring and lowering himself to him already to excess. ----3 In summer, the fourth month, on gengwu, there was an earthquake. ----4 In the fifth month, phoenixes gathered at Jiaodong and Qiancheng. There was an amnesty for all under Heaven; field rent and tax were not collected. ----5 In the sixth month, an edict said, "The former crown prince is at Hu and has no posthumous title or seasonal sacrifices; discuss his posthumous title and establish a park estate." The officials memorialized and requested, "By ritual, one who becomes another's successor is as his son; therefore one lowers his parents and may not sacrifice to them—the meaning of honoring ancestors. Your Majesty succeeds after Emperor Zhao of Filial Piety and receives the ancestral sacrifices; your subjects think the parent's posthumous title should be called Mournful, the mother called -{the cited text}-; the former crown prince's posthumous title is called Harsh, Lady Shi the worthy is called Lady Harsh." All were reburied. ----6 In autumn, the seventh month, an edict established the King of Yan's spur-king crown prince Jian as King of Guangyang; it established the King of Guangling Xu's youngest son Hong as King of Gaomi. ----7 At the beginning, Shangguan Jie contended for power with Huo Guang; after Guang had executed Jie, he thereupon followed Emperor Wu's standards, using punishments to tightly bind the masses below—thereby vulgar officials all prized severity and cruelty as ability; yet Assistant Governor Huang Ba of Huaiyang in Henan alone used leniency and harmony as his reputation. When the emperor was among the people he knew the common people suffered from officials' harshness; hearing Ba held the law evenly, he thereupon summoned him and made him Corrector of the Commandant of Justice; he repeatedly decided doubtful cases, and within the court they called him even.
27
1 使 使 使 西 使 ----2 ----3 祿 祿使 使 使使 西 ----
1 In spring, Grand Minister of Agriculture Tian Yannian, guilty of a crime, killed himself. At Emperor Zhao's mourning, the Grand Minister of Agriculture hired the people's carts; Yannian falsely increased the hire price and stole thirty million cash; he was reported by an enemy family. Grand General Huo summoned and questioned Yannian, wishing to find him grounds for leniency. Yannian pushed back and said, "There is no such thing!" Guang said, "Even if there is nothing to it, it must be investigated to the end!" Censor-in-Chief Tian Guangming said to Grand Master of Husbandry Du Yannian, "The Spring and Autumn principle is that merit may cover offense. When deposing the King of Changyi, without Tian Zibin's counsel the great affair would not have succeeded. Now the government is putting out thirty million to plead on his behalf—what is this? I wish to present my humble counsel to the Grand General." Yannian reported this to the Grand General, who said, "It is true—he is indeed a brave warrior! When that great debate was launched, it shook the court," Guang raised his hand to his heart and said, "It still makes my heart race with fear. Thank Censor Tian; inform the Grand Minister of Agriculture; let him go to prison and obtain a collective court judgment." The Censor sent someone to speak to Yannian. Yannian said, "Fortunately the government will be lenient with me—what face have I to enter prison, let everyone point and laugh at me, and convicts spit on my back?" He shut his door, lived alone in his study, bared one shoulder, and paced east and west with a knife in hand. Several days later, an envoy summoned Yannian to the Director of Justice. Hearing the drum, he cut his own throat and died. ----2 In summer, the fifth month, an edict said, "Emperor Xiao Wu personally practiced benevolence and righteousness, encouraged martial prowess, and his merit and virtue were abundant, yet his temple music is unworthy—We are deeply grieved. Let him deliberate with the marquises, two-thousand-bushel officials, and erudites." Thereupon the ministers debated at length in court, all saying, "It should be as the edict states." Director of Changxin Household Xiahou Sheng alone said, "Although Emperor Wu had the achievement of driving off the four barbarians and expanding the borders, he killed many soldiers and civilians, exhausted the people's wealth, was extravagant beyond measure—the realm was drained, the people displaced, half perished, locusts swarmed, thousands of li lay bare, people sometimes ate one another, and stores have not recovered to this day; he bestowed no benevolent favor on the people and is not fit to have temple music established." The high ministers together challenged Sheng, saying, "This is an imperial edict." Sheng said, "The edict cannot be followed. A minister's duty is to speak frankly and argue rightly—not to fawn and follow every whim. What I have said is already spoken—even if I die I will not regret it!" Thereupon the chancellor and censor impeached Sheng for criticizing the edict, slandering the former emperor, and impiety; and the chancellor's chief clerk Huang Ba indulged Sheng and failed to impeach him; both were imprisoned. The responsible offices requested honoring Emperor Xiao Wu's temple as the Shizong Temple and performing the dances "Abundant Virtue" and "Wen Shi Five Elements." In every commandery and state Emperor Wu had favored on his tours, temples were established, as with Gaozu and Taizong. Xiahou Sheng and Huang Ba, long imprisoned, wished to study the Documents with Sheng; Sheng declined, saying he would die for his offense. Ba said, "If one hears the Way in the morning, one may die in the evening." Sheng admired his words and thereupon taught him. Imprisoned through two more winters, they lectured without slackening. ----3 Initially the Wusun princess died; Han again made Jieyou, granddaughter of King Wu of Chu, a princess and married her to Cenju. Cenju's son by a Hu woman, Nimi, was still young; as Cenju was dying, he gave the state to his uncle's son Wengguimi, saying, "When Nimi is grown, return the state to him." Once installed, Wengguimi was titled the Fat King; he again married the Chu princess and had three sons and two daughters. The eldest son was Yuanguimi, the second Wannian, the third Dale. In Emperor Zhao's time the princess memorialized, "The Xiongnu and Cheshi together invade Wusun—only the Son of Heaven can save us." Han raised troops and horses and debated attacking the Xiongnu. Emperor Zhao died; the emperor dispatched Palace Counselor Chang Hui as envoy to Wusun. The Wusun princess and the kunmi both memorialized, "The Xiongnu again repeatedly dispatch great armies to invade Wusun. They send envoys telling Wusun, 'Hurry and bring the princess here!' intending to sever ties with Han. The kunmi wishes to dispatch fifty thousand elite horsemen and strike the Xiongnu with full force. Only the Son of Heaven can dispatch troops to save the princess and the kunmi!" Earlier the Xiongnu had repeatedly invaded Han's borders, and Han also wished to chastise them. In autumn great forces were raised; Censor-in-Chief Tian Guangming was made General of Qilian with more than forty thousand horsemen, marching out from Xihe; General Crossing the Liao Fan Mingyou with more than thirty thousand horsemen, out from Zhangye; Forward General Han Zeng with more than thirty thousand horsemen, out from Yunzhong; Rear General Zhao Chongguo as General of Pu Lei with more than thirty thousand horsemen, out from Jiuquan; Governor of Yunzhong Tian Shun as General of Tiger's Teeth with more than thirty thousand horsemen, out from Wuyuan; they were to go beyond the passes each more than two thousand li. Chang Hui was made colonel, bearing credentials to oversee Wusun troops in a joint attack on the Xiongnu.
28
1 -{}--{}- ----2 西使 使西使
1 In spring, the first month, on guihai, the Respectful and Lamented Empress Xu died. At this time Huo Guang's wife Xian wished to exalt her younger daughter Chengjun but found no way to do so. It happened -{the cited text}- was about to give birth and was ill; the woman physician -{the cited text}-, favored by the Huo clan, had once entered the palace to attend the empress's illness. Yan's husband Shang was a Household Guard of the Palace Apartments and told Yan, "You may visit Lady Huo; on the way ask for me the post of Overseer of Anchi." Yan reported as told to Xian; Xian conceived a plan, dismissed attendants, and said to Yan, "Young lady, if you will do something for me, I also wish to repay you—will you?" Yan said, "Whatever my lady says—what could not be done!" Xian said, "The General has long loved my younger daughter Chengjun and wishes to exalt her extraordinarily; I wish to entrust this to you." Yan said, "What do you mean?" Xian said, "Childbirth is a grave matter—nine deaths to one life. Now the empress is about to give birth; you may take the opportunity to poison her—Chengjun will then be empress. If you lend your strength and it succeeds, wealth and honor will be shared with you." Yan said, "Medicines are compounded and the physician always tastes them first—how could it be done?" Xian said, "That is for you to do. The General commands the realm—who would dare speak! In urgency and ease we protect one another—I only fear you lack the will." After a long while Yan said, "I will do all I can!" She pounded aconite and carried it into Changding Palace. After the empress gave birth, Yan mixed aconite into the Grand Physician's large pill and had her drink it; presently she said, "My head is swimming—could there be poison in the medicine?" The reply was, "There is none." She grew more distressed and died. Yan went out, saw Xian on the way, exchanged greetings, yet did not dare thank her effusively. Later someone memorialized accusing the attending physicians of misconduct; all were arrested in the edict prison and impeached for impiety. Xian, in fear, fully told Guang the circumstances and said, "Having erred in this, do not let the officials press Yan!" Guang was greatly shocked, wished to report it himself but could not bear to, and still wavered. When the memorial was submitted, Guang endorsed that Yan not be prosecuted. Xian urged Guang to bring her daughter into the palace. ----2 On wuchen the five generals set out from Chang'an. The Xiongnu heard Han troops were coming out in force; the old and weak fled, driving livestock far off—thus the five generals gained little. In summer, the fifth month, the armies were dismissed. General Crossing the Liao went beyond the passes more than twelve hundred li to Puli Marquis's Water and cut more than seven hundred heads and captives; the Forward General went more than twelve hundred li beyond the passes to Wuyuan and cut more than one hundred heads and captives; the General of Pu Lei went more than eighteen hundred li beyond the passes west to Hou Mountain, cut heads and captives, and took the chanyu's envoy Pu Yin Wang and others—more than three hundred; Hearing the enemy had withdrawn, all failed to return by the appointed date. The emperor regarded their offenses lightly and did not punish them. General of Qilian went sixteen hundred li beyond the passes to Jizhi Mountain and cut nineteen heads and captives. He met Han envoys returning from the Xiongnu, Ran Hong and others, who said there were enemy forces west of Jizhi Mountain; Qilian warned Hong to say there were none, wishing to withdraw. Secretary of the Censorate Gongsun Yishou remonstrated that the commander should advance. Qilian did not listen and withdrew the army. General of Tiger's Teeth went more than eight hundred li beyond the passes to the Dan Yuyu River, halted without advancing, cut more than nineteen hundred heads and captives, and withdrew. The emperor, because General of Tiger's Teeth failed to arrive on time and falsely inflated captures, and Qilian knew the enemy was ahead yet hesitated and did not advance, sent both to the officials; they committed suicide. Gongsun Yishou was promoted to Attending Censor.
29
西 使
The Wusun kunmi personally led fifty thousand horsemen with Colonel Chang Hui, entering from the west to the Right Guli King's court, capturing the chanyu's father's generation, sisters-in-law, younger sisters, named kings, Liyu colonels, thousand-chiefs, cavalry generals and below—forty thousand in rank—and more than seven hundred thousand horses, cattle, sheep, donkeys, and camels. The Wusun kept all they had captured. Because the five generals all achieved nothing while Hui alone on his mission succeeded, the emperor enfeoffed Hui as Marquis of Changluo. Yet Xiongnu wounded and displaced people and livestock moved far off and died in numbers beyond counting. Thereupon the Xiongnu declined and resented Wusun.
30
便 便 西使 使 ----3 ----4 ----5 ----6 ----7 西 ----8 缿使 -{}- -{}- 使 ----
The emperor again dispatched Chang Hui with gold and coins to reward meritorious Wusun nobles. Hui thereupon memorialized that Kucha had once killed Colonel Lai Dan without having submitted to punishment, and asked to strike them by a convenient route. The emperor did not permit it. Grand General Huo Guang hinted to Hui that he might act at his discretion. Hui, with five hundred clerks and soldiers, reached Wusun; on the return march he raised twenty thousand troops of the western states, had the deputy envoy raise twenty thousand from Kucha's eastern dependencies and seven thousand Wusun troops, and attacked Kucha from three sides. Before the armies converged, he first sent someone to reproach the king for having killed Han envoys. The king apologized, saying, "It was only in my former king's time that the noble Gu Yi misled us—I am guiltless." Hui said, "If so, bind Gu Yi and bring him—I will install you as king." The king seized Gu Yi and presented him to Hui; Hui beheaded him and returned. ----3 There was a great drought. ----4 In the sixth month, on jichou, Marquis Jie of Yangping Cai Yi died. ----5 On jiachen, Director of Changxin Household Wei Xian became chancellor. ----6 Grand Minister of Agriculture Wei Xiang became censor-in-chief. ----7 In winter the Xiongnu chanyu personally led tens of thousands of horsemen against Wusun and captured many of the old and weak. As they wished to return, heavy rain and snow fell; in one day the snow was more than a zhang deep; people and livestock froze to death, and fewer than one in ten of those who set out returned. Thereupon the Dingling, seizing their weakness, struck from the north; the Wuhuan entered from the east; Wusun struck from the west—the three states together killed tens of thousands, seized tens of thousands of horses, and very many cattle and sheep; and with starvation added, three-tenths of the people and five-tenths of the livestock perished. The Xiongnu were greatly weakened; all subordinate states broke away, and raids and banditry could not be controlled. Afterward Han sent out more than three thousand horsemen in three columns into Xiongnu territory, captured several thousand prisoners, and returned; the Xiongnu in the end did not dare meet them in battle, increasingly wished to seek peace through marriage, and border affairs grew quiet. ----8 That year, Governor of Yingchuan Zhao Guanghan became metropolitan magistrate of Jingzhao. In Yingchuan custom, powerful men formed factions with one another. Guanghan set up letter-boxes, received anonymous writings from clerks and commoners, and had them inform on one another; factions turned on one another, wicked cliques scattered, and bandits did not dare act. Surrendered Xiongnu said that throughout the Xiongnu all had heard Guanghan's name; on this account he was appointed metropolitan magistrate. Guanghan treated his clerks with the utmost care and attention; he credited subordinates with merit and goodness; his conduct arose from utmost sincerity; clerks all wished to serve him, and even if they fell exhausted they did not shirk duty. Guanghan was perceptive; he knew what each man's ability suited and whether he exerted his full strength; those who failed in duty. he immediately arrested them, with nowhere to escape; investigated the case, the offense was immediately established, and at once they submitted to punishment. He was especially skilled at investigative accounting to uncover facts; -{the cited text}- petty frauds down to a cash or two he all knew. Several youths of Chang'an met in a poor -{the cited text}- empty house and plotted to rob people together; before their talk was finished, Guanghan sent clerks to arrest and try them, and they fully confessed. His exposing crime and uncovering hidden plots was uncanny. Jingzhao's government was clear; clerks and people praised him without end. The elders transmitted that since Han's rise, none who governed Jingzhao could match him.
31
1 -{}- -{}-輿-{}- ----2 殿
1 In spring, the third month, on yimao, Huo Guang's daughter was established as empress and there was an amnesty for all under Heaven. Initially -{the cited text}- rose from humble origins; her days on the throne were few; attendants' carriages and dress were very frugal. When -{the cited text}- was established, imperial carriages and attendants grew ever grander; rewards to officials were reckoned in tens of millions-utterly unlike the time of -{the cited text}-. ----2 In summer, the fourth month, on renyin, forty-nine commanderies and states had earthquakes on the same day; some mountains collapsed, city walls and houses were ruined, and more than six thousand were killed. The ancestral temples of Beihai and Langye were ruined. An edict ordered the chancellor, censor, marquises, and two-thousand-bushel officials broadly to consult scholars of the classics for means to respond to the calamity, without concealment. It ordered the Three Metropolises, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and inner commanderies and states each to recommend one worthy and upright candidate. There was a great amnesty for all under Heaven. The emperor wore plain dress and avoided the main hall for five days. He released Xiahou Sheng and Huang Ba, making Sheng remonstrance grandee and attendant within the gates, and Ba governor of Yangzhou.
32
----3-{}- ----4 ----
Sheng was plain and upheld rectitude, simple and without imposing deportment; sometimes he called the emperor "lord" and mistakenly used familiar terms in his presence; the emperor also for this reason was close to and trusted him. Once after an audience he repeated the emperor's words on the road; the emperor heard and reproached Sheng; Sheng said, "What Your Majesty said was good—your servant therefore spread it. Yao's words were spread through all under Heaven and are recited to this day. Your servant thought they should be transmitted, and therefore transmitted them." Whenever the court had great deliberations, the emperor, knowing Sheng was by nature upright, said to him, "Master, set forth correct words—do not be chastened by former affairs!" Sheng was again made director of Changxin Household and later transferred to grand tutor of the heir apparent. He died at age ninety; the empress dowager bestowed two million cash and wore plain dress for him for five days to repay a teacher's grace. Confucians took this as an honor. ----3 In the fifth month, phoenixes gathered at Anqiu in Beihai and -{the cited text}-. ----4 Prince Qu of Guangchuan was charged with killing his tutor and more than ten concubines—some he poured molten lead and tin into their mouths, some he dismembered, and he boiled them together with poison until they were reduced to paste; he was deposed and moved to Shangyong; he killed himself.
33
1西 ----2使 ----3 ----4-{}- -{}-----
1 In spring, the first month, a comet appeared in the west. ----2 King Shou of Chu, because Prince Xu of Guangling was Emperor Wu's son and if the realm changed would surely be enthroned, secretly attached himself and aided him; for his younger half-brother Zhao Heqi he took the Prince of Guangling's daughter as wife and had Heqi present a letter to the prince, saying, "I wish to extend my ears and eyes—do not let later men possess all under Heaven!" Heqi's father Changnian memorialized to report it; the affair was sent to the responsible offices for examination and the confession was accepted. In winter, the eleventh month, Shou killed himself. Xu was not prosecuted. ----3 In the twelfth month, on guihai the last day of the month, there was a solar eclipse. ----4 That year -{the cited text}- became director of justice. Dingguo in deciding doubtful cases balanced the law, striving to pity widowers and widows, treating doubtful guilt with leniency, and exercising careful scrutiny. The court praised him, saying, "When Zhang Shizhi was director of justice, all under Heaven had no wrongly accused people. -{the cited text}- as director of justice-the people by themselves felt they were not wronged."
34
1 輿 穿
1 In spring, Huo Guang's illness was grave. The emperor personally came to inquire; he wept for him. Guang submitted a memorial thanking for grace, wishing to divide three thousand households of his fief to enfeoff his elder brother's grandson Palace Coachman Colonel Shan as a marquis to tend the sacrifices to his brother Qubing. That same day, Guang's son Yu was appointed right general. In the third month, on gengwu, Guang died. The emperor and empress dowager personally attended Guang's mourning; two-thousand-bushel officials oversaw the tomb; they bestowed a catalpa coffin and burial goods all according to imperial regulations; his posthumous title was Marquis Xuancheng. They raised Three Rivers conscripts to dig and cover the tomb, established a park settlement of three hundred households with a chief and assistant to tend and guard it; an edict was issued to restore his later generations, grant his noble fief in perpetuity, generation after generation without any levy.
35
祿 祿 ----2 ----3使 祿 婿 ----4 退 -{}- ----5 使 使使 使 西
Censor-in-Chief Wei Xiang submitted a sealed memorial: "The state has newly lost the grand general; it is fitting to display meritorious ministers to fill the feudal states, not leave great offices empty, to block contention for power. It is fitting to make General of Chariots and Cavalry Anshi grand general and not let him oversee the director of the palace's affairs; make his son Shou director of the palace." The emperor also wished to use him thus. In summer, the fourth month, on wushen, Anshi was made grand marshal and general of chariots and cavalry, overseeing secretariat affairs. ----2 Phoenixes gathered in Lu; flocks of birds followed them. There was a great amnesty for all under Heaven. ----3 The emperor, thinking to repay the grand general's virtue, enfeoffed Guang's elder brother's grandson Shan as Marquis of Le Ping and had him as palace coachman colonel oversee secretariat affairs. Wei Xiang, through Lord of Changcheng Xu Guanghan, submitted a sealed memorial: "The Spring and Autumn Annals ridicule hereditary ministers, detest Song's three generations as grandees and the Lu Jisun clan's monopoly of power—all endangered the state. Since the Houyuan era, emoluments have departed from the royal house and government has lain with the chief steward. Now Guang is dead, his son again is right general, his elder brother's son holds the pivot of power, brothers and sons-in-law hold authority in military offices, Guang's wife Xian and all daughters have registry at Changxin Palace, some enter and leave by night edict gates in arrogant extravagance—I fear they will not be controlled; means should be found to diminish their power, break up secret plots, secure the foundation of ten thousand generations, and preserve the generations of meritorious ministers." Moreover by precedent: all memorialists made two seals, marking one "duplicate"; whoever oversaw the secretariat first opened the duplicate seal—if the words were unfavorable, it was set aside and not presented. Xiang again through Lord Xu reported asking to remove the duplicate seal to guard against obstruction. The emperor approved; an edict made Xiang attendant within the gates; all followed his proposals. ----4 The emperor rose from common lanes and knew the hardship of the people's affairs. Once Huo Guang had died, he began personally to handle government, striving in spirit to govern, hearing affairs every five days. From the chancellor down, each performed his office and presented affairs; he spread forth their words and examined their performance. Attendants within and secretariat officials whose merit warranted promotion or who had unusual excellence received rich rewards extending to their sons and grandsons, never altered. The pivot of power was close and thorough; grades and models were fully provided; above and below were at peace, and none were perfunctory. When appointing governors, prefects, and chancellors of states, he immediately personally received and questioned them, observing their origins; afterward he examined their conduct to verify their words—if name and reality did not correspond, he was sure to know what would follow. He often said, "The reason the common people can settle their -{the cited text}- and be without sighing and resentful hearts is that government is level and lawsuits are settled. Those who share this with me—are they not the good two-thousand-bushel officials!" He held that the governor is the root of clerks and people; frequent changes make those below unsettled; when the people know he will be long in office and cannot be deceived, then they submit to his transforming instruction. Therefore when a two-thousand-bushel official had governing effect, he immediately sent a seal-letter to encourage him, increased his rank, bestowed gold, or ennobled him to marquis within the passes; when a high minister's office was vacant, he selected from those recommended, using them in order. Thus in the Han age good officials flourished as never before, and the era was called the Restoration. ----5 Chanyu Huyandi of the Xiongnu died; his younger brother the Left Wise King became Chanyu Xulüquanqu, made the Right Grand General's daughter chief queen, and demoted the former chanyu's favored Zhuanqu. Zhuanqu's father, the Left Grand Daqu, nursed a grudge. At this time Han, seeing the Xiongnu could not raid the borders, dismantled outpost cities beyond the passes to spare the people. The chanyu rejoiced, summoned his nobles to counsel, and wished to seek peace kinship with Han. The Left Grand Daqu inwardly opposed the plan and said, "Previously when Han envoys came, troops followed behind them. Now imitate Han: raise troops and send envoys in first." He then volunteered that he and King Hulüze each lead ten thousand horsemen south to hunt along the border, meet up, and enter together. Before they arrived, three riders defected to Han and reported that the Xiongnu intended to raid. Thereupon the emperor ordered border cavalry to garrison chokepoints and sent four Grand General's army supervisors including Zhi Zhong, each with five thousand horsemen in three columns beyond the passes for several hundred li each, capturing several tens of captives apiece before returning. The Xiongnu, missing those three riders, did not dare enter and at once withdrew. That year famine struck the Xiongnu; six or seven tenths of the people and livestock perished, and they still posted two camps of ten thousand horsemen each against Han. That autumn several thousand western captives the Xiongnu had held in the left zone—from chiefs downward—drove their herds forth, fought their Ouduo guards, inflicted heavy casualties, and defected south to Han.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →