Volume 34 Han Records 26

資治通鑑第034卷

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 34.

【漢紀二十六】起柔兆執徐，盡著雍敦牂，凡三年。

[Han Annals 26] From Rouzhao Zhixu through Zhuoyong Dunzhang—three years in all.

春，正月，有星孛於牽牛。

In spring, the first month, a comet appeared in the Ox constellation.

丁、傅宗族驕奢，皆嫉傅喜之恭儉。又，傅太后欲求稱尊號，與成帝母齊尊；喜與孔光、師丹共執以為不可。上重違大臣正議，又內迫傅太后，依違者連歲。傅太后大怒，上不得已，先免師丹以感動喜。喜終不順。朱博與孔鄉侯傅晏連結，共謀成尊號事，數燕見，奏封事，毀短喜及孔光。丁丑，上遂策免喜，以侯就第。

The Ding and Fu clans were arrogant and extravagant, and all envied Fu Xi's modesty and restraint. Moreover, Empress Dowager Fu wished to take an honored title equal to Emperor Cheng's mother; Fu Xi, together with Kong Guang and Shi Dan, firmly held that it could not be done. The emperor weighed defying his ministers' upright counsel, yet was pressed from within by Empress Dowager Fu; he wavered year after year. Empress Dowager Fu was furious; the emperor had no choice and first removed Shi Dan, hoping to move Fu Xi. Fu Xi would not yield in the end. Zhu Bo allied with Marquis of Kongxiang Fu Yan to accomplish the honored-title affair; he had frequent informal audiences, submitted sealed memorials, and defamed Fu Xi and Kong Guang. On dingchou, the emperor removed Fu Xi by patent and sent him to his marquisate residence.

御史大夫官既罷，議者多以為古今異制，漢自天子之號下至佐史，皆不同於古，而獨改三公，職事難分明，無益於治亂。於是朱博奏言：「故事：選郡國守相高第為中二千石，選中二千石為御史大夫，任職者為丞相；位次有序，所以尊聖德，重國相也。今中二千石未更御史大夫而為丞相，權輕，非所以重國政也。臣愚以為大司空官可罷，復置御史大夫，遵奉舊制。臣願盡力以御史大夫為百僚率！」上從之。夏，四月，戊午，更拜博為御史大夫。又以丁太后兄陽安侯明為大司馬、衛將軍，置官屬；大司馬冠號如故事。

Since the Censor-in-Chief had been abolished, many held that ancient and modern systems differed: from the Son of Heaven's title down to clerk and scribe, Han differed from antiquity throughout, yet only the Three Ducal Ministers were changed—duties hard to distinguish, with no benefit to order or disorder. Thereupon Zhu Bo memorialized: "By precedent, commandery and kingdom governors and administrators of high grade were made rank-2000-shi; rank-2000-shi were made Censor-in-Chief; the incumbent became Chancellor; ranks were ordered in sequence, thereby honoring sagely virtue and weighting the state's premier. Now rank-2000-shi who have not served as Censor-in-Chief become Chancellor—authority is too light; this is not how to weight state government. Your servant holds that the Grand Minister of Works may be abolished and the Censor-in-Chief restored, following the old system. Your servant wishes to give his utmost as Censor-in-Chief, leader of the hundred officials!" The emperor followed this. In summer, the fourth month, on wuwu, Zhu Bo was reappointed Censor-in-Chief. Ding the Empress Dowager's elder brother, Marquis of Yang'an Ming, was also made Grand Marshal and Defender General, with a staff appointed; The Grand Marshal's cap and title followed precedent.

傅太后又自詔丞相、御史大夫曰：「高武侯喜附下罔上，與故大司空丹同心背畔，放命圮族，不宜奉朝請，其遣就國。」

Empress Dowager Fu herself issued an edict the Chancellor and Censor-in-Chief: "Marquis of Gaowu Fu Xi fawned on subordinates and deceived his superiors; with the former Grand Minister of Works Shi Dan he conspired in rebellion and reckless defiance that ruined the clan. He ought not attend court—send him to his state."

丞相孔光，自先帝時議繼嗣，有持異之隙，又重忤傅太后指。由是傅氏在位者與朱博為表裡，共毀譖光。乙亥，策免光為庶人。以御史大夫朱博為丞相，封陽鄉侯；少府趙玄為御史大夫。臨延登受策，有大聲如鐘鳴，殿中郎吏陛者皆聞焉。上以問黃門侍郎蜀郡揚雄及李尋。尋對曰：「此《洪範》所謂鼓妖者也。師法，以為人君不聰，為眾所惑，空名得進，則有聲無形，不知所從生。其《傳》曰：『歲、月、日之中，則正卿受之。』今以四月日加辰、巳有異，是為中焉。正卿，謂執政大臣也。宜退丞相、御史，以應天變。然雖不退，不出期年，其人自蒙其咎。」揚雄亦以為：「鼓妖，聽失之象也。朱博為人強毅，多權謀，宜將不宜相，恐有凶惡亟疾之怒。」上不聽。

Chancellor Kong Guang, from when the late emperor deliberated the succession, had a rift over holding divergent views, and again deeply offended Empress Dowager Fu. Thereupon the Fu clan in office and Zhu Bo worked hand in glove, jointly slandering Kong Guang. On yihai, Kong Guang was removed by patent to commoner status. Censor-in-Chief Zhu Bo was made Chancellor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangxiang; Privy Treasurer Zhao Xuan was made Censor-in-Chief. As Zhu Bo was about to ascend and receive his patent of appointment, a great sound like a bell rang out, and all the gentlemen-attendants and clerks on the palace steps heard it. The emperor asked Yellow Gate Gentleman-attendant Yang Xiong of Shu Commandery and Li Xun. Li Xun replied: "This is what the Hong Fan calls a drum demon. By masterly interpretation, when the ruler is not perspicacious and is deluded by the multitude, and empty names advance, there is sound without form, with no knowing whence it arises. Its Commentary says, 'Within the year, month, and day, the chief minister receives it.' Now on a day in the fourth month, at chen and si hours, there was an anomaly—this counts as being within. Chief minister means the minister holding power. The Chancellor and Censor ought to retire to answer Heaven's omen. Yet even if they do not retire, within a year the man himself will bear the blame." Yang Xiong also held: "The drum demon is a sign of failure in hearing. Zhu Bo is forceful and resolute, full of stratagems—fit for a general, unfit for chancellor; I fear sudden fierce harm born of wrath." The emperor did not listen.

朱博既為丞相，上遂用其議，下詔曰：「定陶共皇之號，不宜復稱定陶。尊共皇太后曰帝太太后，稱永信宮；共皇后曰帝太后，稱中安宮；為共皇立寢廟於京師，比宣帝父悼皇考制度。」於是四太后各置少府、太僕，秩皆中二千石。傅太后既尊後。尤驕，與太皇太后語，至謂之「嫗」。時丁、傅以一二年間暴興尤盛，為公卿列侯者甚眾。然帝不甚假以權勢，不如王氏在成帝世也。

Once Zhu Bo became Chancellor, the emperor adopted his proposal and issued an edict: "The title Lord Gong of Dingtao ought not again be called Dingtao. Honor the late Lord Gong's empress dowager as Grand Imperial Empress Dowager, with the style Everlasting Faith Palace; the late queen as Imperial Empress Dowager, with the style Central Peace Palace; establish a resting temple for Lord Gong in the capital, matching the system for Emperor Xuan's father, the Lamented Emperor." Thereupon each of the four empress dowagers was given a Privy Treasurer and Grand Coach Master at rank full 2000-shi. Once Empress Dowager Fu had been honored. She grew especially arrogant; in speaking with the Grand Empress Dowager she even called her "old woman." Within a year or two the Ding and Fu clans had risen with sudden violence; many held posts as dukes, ministers, and ranked marquises. Yet the emperor did not lend them much power or favor—not as the Wang clan had enjoyed in Emperor Cheng's reign.

丞相博、御史大夫玄奏言：「前高昌侯宏，首建尊號之議，而為關內侯師丹所劾奏，免為庶人。時天下衰粗，委政於丹，丹不深惟褒廣尊號之義，而妄稱說，抑貶尊號，虧損孝道，不忠莫大焉！陛下仁聖，昭然定尊號，宏以忠孝復封高昌侯；丹惡逆暴著，雖蒙赦令，不宜有爵邑，請免為庶人。」奏可。又奏：「新都侯王莽前為大司馬，不廣尊尊之義，抑貶尊號，虧損孝道，當伏顯戮。幸蒙赦令，不宜有爵土，請免為庶人。」上曰：「以莽與太皇太后有屬，勿免，遣就國。」及平阿侯仁臧匿趙昭儀親屬，皆遣就國。

Chancellor Zhu Bo and Censor-in-Chief Zhao Xuan memorialized: "Formerly Marquis of Gaochang Dong Hong first proposed the honored title, yet Marquis within the Passes Shi Dan impeached him and he was reduced to commoner status. The realm was coarse and declining, and government was entrusted to Shi Dan; Dan did not deeply weigh the meaning of honoring and extending the honored title, but spoke rashly, suppressed and demeaned it, and damaged filial piety—no disloyalty could be greater! Your Majesty is benevolent and sage and has clearly established the honored title; Hong, through loyalty and filial piety, is again enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaochang; Shi Dan's wicked rebellion stands glaring; though he received amnesty, he ought not hold rank and fief—we ask that he be reduced to commoner status." The memorial was approved. They also memorialized: "Marquis of Xindu Wang Mang, formerly Grand Marshal, did not extend the meaning of honoring the honored, suppressed the honored title, and damaged filial piety—he ought to suffer public execution. Fortunately he received amnesty, but he ought not hold rank and land—we ask that he be reduced to commoner status." The emperor said: "Because Wang Mang is kin to the Grand Empress Dowager, do not remove him—send him to his state." Marquis of Ping'e Liu Ren, who had concealed Consort Zhao Zhaoyi's kin, was also sent to his state.

天下多冤王氏者。諫大夫楊宣上封事言：「孝成皇帝深惟宗廟之重，稱述陛下至德以承天序，聖策深遠，恩德至厚。惟念先帝之意，豈不欲以陛下自代，奉承東宮哉！太皇太后春秋七十，數更憂傷，敕令親屬引領以避丁、傅，行道之人為之隕涕，況於陛下！時登高遠望，獨不慚於延陵乎！」帝深感其言，復封成都侯商中子邑為成都侯。

Throughout the realm many held that the Wang clan had been wronged. Remonstrance Grandee Yang Xuan submitted a sealed memorial: "Emperor Cheng deeply weighed the ancestral temple, praised Your Majesty's utmost virtue to continue Heaven's sequence—his sage policy was deep and far-reaching, his grace and virtue exceedingly great. Reflect on the late emperor's intent—did he not wish to have Your Majesty succeed him and attend the Eastern Palace! The Grand Empress Dowager is seventy and has suffered grief again and again; her edict has her kin stretch their necks to avoid the Ding and Fu clans—passers-by shed tears at the sight, how much more should Your Majesty! When you climb high and gaze far, are you alone not ashamed before Yanling!" The emperor was deeply moved and re-enfeoffed the middle son Yi of Marquis of Chengdu Wang Shang as Marquis of Chengdu.

朱博又奏言：「漢家故事，置部刺史，秩卑而賞厚，鹹勸功樂進。前罷刺史，更置州牧，秩真二千石，位次九卿；九卿缺，以高第補；其中材則苟自守而已。恐功效陵夷，奸軌不禁。臣請罷州牧，置刺史如故。」上從之。六月，庚申，帝太后丁氏崩，詔歸葬定陶共皇之園，發陳留、濟陰近郡國五萬人穿復土。

Zhu Bo again memorialized: "By Han precedent, regional inspectors were appointed—rank low yet rewards generous, so all urged merit and delighted in advancement. Inspectors were abolished and regional governors appointed instead, at salary true 2000-shi and rank after the Nine Ministers; when the Nine Ministers had vacancies, they were filled from high-grade men; men of middling talent merely kept themselves intact. I fear achievements would decline and villainy go unchecked. Your servant asks that regional governors be abolished and inspectors restored as before." The emperor followed this. In the sixth month, on gengshen, Imperial Empress Dowager Ding died; an edict ordered burial in Lord Gong of Dingtao's park and mobilized fifty thousand men from Chenliu, Jiyin, and nearby commanderies and kingdoms to dig and mound the tomb.

初，成帝時，齊人甘忠可詐造《天官歷》、《包元太平經》十二卷，言漢家逢天地之大終，當更受命於天，以教渤海夏賀良等。中壘校尉劉向奏忠可假鬼神，罔上惑眾；下獄，治服；未斷，病死。賀良等復私以相教。上即位，司隸校尉解光、騎都尉李尋白賀良等，皆待詔黃門。數召見，陳說「漢歷中衰，當更受命。成帝不應天命，故絕嗣。今陛下久疾，變異屢數，天所以譴告人也。宜急改元易號，乃得延年益壽，皇子生，災異息矣。得道不得行，咎殃且無不有，洪水將出，災火且起，滌蕩民人。」上久寢疾，冀其有益，遂從賀良等議，詔大赦天下，以建平二年為太初元年，號曰「陳聖劉太平皇帝」，漏刻以百二十為度。

Earlier, in Emperor Cheng's reign, Gan Zhongke of Qi forged the Heavenly Offices Calendar and twelve scrolls of the Bao yuan Taiping Classic, claiming the Han house had reached Heaven and Earth's great end and must receive a new mandate from Heaven, which he taught to Xia Heliang of Bohai and others. Central Stackade Commandant Liu Xiang memorialized that Zhongke feigned ghosts and spirits to deceive his superiors and delude the multitude; he was imprisoned and pleaded guilty; before sentence was passed, he died of illness. Heliang and others again taught one another in private. When the emperor took the throne, Metropolitan Commandant Jie Guang and Commandant of Cavalry Li Xun reported Heliang and others, and all were kept awaiting edict at the Yellow Gate. They were summoned repeatedly and declared: "The Han calendar is in mid-decline and must renew its mandate. Emperor Cheng did not answer Heaven's mandate, and therefore left no heir. Now Your Majesty's long illness and repeated anomalies are Heaven's way of admonishing mankind. You ought urgently to change the era name and alter your title—then you will gain long life, a prince will be born, and disasters and anomalies will cease. If you obtain the Way yet do not act, blame and calamity will follow without fail; floods will rise, disaster fire will break out, and the people will be swept away." The emperor had long been ill and hoped for benefit; he followed Heliang's proposal, proclaimed a general amnesty, made the second year of Jianping into the first year of Taichu, took the title "Chen Sheng Liu Taiping Emperor," and set the clepsydra graduations at one hundred twenty.

秋，七月，以渭城西北原上永陵亭部為初陵，勿徙郡國民。

In autumn, the seventh month, the Yongling pavilion district on the northwest plateau of Weicheng was made Chuling, and commandery and kingdom people were not to be relocated.

上既改號月餘，寢疾自若。夏賀良等復欲妄變政事，大臣爭以為不可許。賀良等奏言：「大臣皆不知天命，宜退丞相、御史，以解光、李尋輔政。」上以其言無驗，八月，詔曰：「待詔賀良等建言改元易號，增益漏刻，可以永安國家。朕信道不篤，過聽其言，冀為百姓獲福，卒無嘉應。夫過而不改，是謂過矣！六月甲子詔書，非赦令，皆蠲除之。賀良等反道惑眾，奸態當窮竟。」皆下獄，伏誅。尋及解光減死一等，徙敦煌郡。

More than a month after changing his title, the emperor's illness was unchanged. Xia Heliang and others again wished rashly to alter government affairs, and the ministers contended that this must not be allowed. Heliang and others memorialized: "The ministers do not know Heaven's mandate—the Chancellor and Censor ought to retire, and Jie Guang and Li Xun ought to assist government." Finding their words unverified, in the eighth month the emperor issued an edict: "Awaiting-edict Xia Heliang and others proposed changing the era name and title and increasing clepsydra graduations, saying this could eternally settle the state. I believed the Way without depth and listened too readily to their words, hoping the people would gain fortune, yet in the end there was no good response. To err and not correct the error—this is error indeed! All edicts of the sixth-month jiazi day, except amnesty orders, are annulled. Heliang and others opposed the Way and deluded the multitude; their wicked conduct must be pursued to the end." All were imprisoned and executed. Li Xun and Jie Guang had their sentences reduced one grade and were exiled to Dunhuang Commandery.

上以寢疾，盡復前世所嘗興諸神祠凡七百餘所，一歲三萬七千祠雲。

Because of his illness, the emperor fully restored all the spirit shrines former ages had raised—more than seven hundred in all—and it is said there were thirty-seven thousand sacrifices in a single year.

傅太后怨傅喜不已，使孔鄉侯晏風丞相朱博令奏免喜侯。博與御史大夫趙玄議之，玄言：「事已前決，得無不宜？」博曰：「已許孔鄉侯矣。匹夫相要，尚相得死，何況至尊！博唯有死耳！」玄即許可。博惡獨斥奏喜，以故大司空汜鄉侯何武前亦坐過免就國，事與喜相似，即並奏：「喜、武前在位，皆無益於治，雖已退免，爵土之封，非所當也。皆請免為庶人。」上知傅太后素嘗怨喜，疑博、玄承指，即召玄詣尚書問狀，玄辭服。有詔：「左將軍彭宣與中朝者雜問」，宣等奏劾「博、玄、晏皆不道，不敬，請召詣廷尉詔獄」。上減玄死罪三等；削晏戶四分之一；假謁者節召丞相詣廷尉，博自殺，國除。

Empress Dowager Fu's resentment of Fu Xi did not cease; she had Marquis of Kongxiang Fu Yan prompt Chancellor Zhu Bo to memorialize stripping Fu Xi of his marquisate. Zhu Bo deliberated with Censor-in-Chief Zhao Xuan; Xuan said: "The matter was already decided—perhaps it ought not be done?" Zhu Bo said: "I already promised Marquis of Kongxiang. When common men make mutual pledges, they still die for one another—how much more the August Ultimate! For Zhu Bo there is only death!" Zhao Xuan yielded. Unwilling to single out Fu Xi alone, Zhu Bo lumped in He Wu, former Grand Minister of Works and Marquis of Sìxiang, who had also been cashiered to his fief: "Neither Fu Xi nor He Wu helped the government while in power; though removed, they should not keep their marquisates and lands. Strip both to commoner rank." The emperor knew the grand empress dowager's grudge against Fu Xi and suspected Zhu Bo and Zhao Xuan acted on her nod; he summoned Zhao Xuan to the Secretariat for questioning, and Zhao Xuan confessed. An edict ordered: "Left General Peng Xuan and inner-court officials shall conduct a joint hearing." Peng Xuan and colleagues impeached: "Zhu Bo, Zhao Xuan, and Ding Yan are all unfilial and irreverent—summon them to the imperial prison under the Minister of Justice." The emperor reduced Zhao Xuan's death sentence by three degrees; cut Ding Yan's fief household by one quarter; an envoy bearing the imperial staff summoned the chancellor to the Minister of Justice; Zhu Bo killed himself, and his marquisate was abolished.

九月，以光祿勳平當為御史大夫；冬，十月，甲寅，遷為丞相；以冬月故，且賜爵關內侯。以京兆尹平陵王喜為御史大夫。

In the ninth month, Director of the Secretariat Ping Dang was appointed Censor-in-Chief; in winter, the tenth month, on jiayin, he was promoted to chancellor; because it was winter, he was also granted the rank of Marquis Within the Passes. Governor of the Capital Wang Xi of Pingling was appointed Censor-in-Chief.

上欲令丁、傅處爪牙官，是歲，策免左將軍淮陽彭宣，以關內侯歸家，而以光祿勳丁望代為左將軍。

The emperor wished to place the Ding and Fu clans in posts of real power; that year he removed Left General Peng Xuan of Huaiyang by patent, sent him home as Marquis Within the Passes, and made Director of the Secretariat Ding Wang Left General in his place.

烏孫卑爰疐侵盜匈奴西界，單于遣兵擊之，殺數百人，略千餘人，驅牛畜去。卑爰疐恐，遣子趨逯為質匈奴，單于受，以狀聞。漢遣使者責讓單于，告令還歸卑爰疐質子。單于受詔遣歸。

The Wusun chieftain Beiai Zhi raided the Xiongnu western border; the chanyu sent troops against him, killed several hundred, captured more than a thousand people, and drove off cattle and livestock. Beiai Zhi was afraid; he sent his son Qu Lu as hostage to the Xiongnu; the chanyu accepted him and reported the matter to the Han court. The Han court sent an envoy to reproach the chanyu and ordered him to return Beiai Zhi's hostage son. The chanyu obeyed the edict and sent him back.

春，正月，立廣德夷王弟廣漢為廣平王。

In spring, the first month, Guanghan, younger brother of the Yi King of Guangde, was established as King of Guangping.

癸卯，帝太太后所居桂宮正殿火。

On guimao, fire broke out in the main hall of the Cassia Palace where the Emperor's Grand Dowager Empress dwelt.

上使使者召丞相平當，欲封之。當病篤，不應召。室家或謂當：「不可強起受侯印為子孫邪？」當日：「吾居大位，已負素餐責矣。起受侯印，還臥而死，死有餘罪。今不起者，所以為子孫也！」遂上書乞骸骨，上不許。三月，己酉，當薨。

The emperor sent an envoy to summon Chancellor Ping Dang, intending to enfeoff him. Dang was gravely ill and did not answer the summons. Members of his household said to Dang, "Can you not force yourself up to accept the marquis's seal for your descendants' sake?" Dang said, "I have held the great post and already bear the blame of eating salary without work. To rise and accept the marquis's seal, then return to bed and die—death would still leave guilt remaining. Not rising now is precisely for my descendants' sake!" Thereupon he submitted a memorial begging to retire; the emperor refused. In the third month, on jiyou, Dang died.

有星孛於河鼓。

A comet appeared at the River Drum asterism.

夏，四月，丁酉，王嘉為丞相，河南太守王崇為御史大夫。崇，京兆尹駿之子也。嘉以時政苛急，郡國守相數有變動，乃上疏曰：「臣聞聖王之功在於得人。孔子曰：『材難，不其然與！』故繼世立諸侯，像賢也。雖不能盡賢，天子為擇臣、立命卿以輔之。居是國也，累世尊重，然後士民之眾附焉。是以教化行而治功立。今之郡守重於古諸侯，往者致選賢材，賢材難得，拔擢可用者，或起於囚徒。昔魏尚坐事系，文帝感馮唐之言，遺使持節赦其罪，拜為雲中太守，匈奴忌之。武帝擢韓安國於徒中，拜為梁內史，骨肉以安。張敞為京兆尹，有罪當免，黠吏知而犯敞，敞收殺之，其家自冤，使者覆獄，劾敞賊殺人，上逮捕不下，會免；亡命十數日，宣帝征敞拜為冀州刺史，卒獲其用。前世非私此三人，貪其材器有益於公家也。孝文時，吏居官者或長子孫，以官為氏，倉氏、庫氏則倉庫吏之後也；其二千石長吏亦安官樂職，然後上下相望，莫有苟且之意。其後稍稍變易，公卿以下傳相促急，又數改更政事，司隸、部刺史舉劾苛細，發揚陰私，吏或居官數月而退，送故迎新，交錯道路。中材苟容求全，下材懷危內顧，壹切營私者多。二千石益輕賤，吏民慢易之，或持其微過，增加成罪，言於刺史、司隸，或上書告之。眾庶知其易危，小失意則有離畔之心。前山陽亡徒蘇令等縱橫，吏士臨難，莫肯伏節死義，以守、相威權素奪也。孝成皇帝悔之，下詔書，二千石不為故縱，遣使者賜金，尉厚其意，誠以為國家有急，取辦於二千石；二千石尊重難危，乃能使下。孝宣皇帝愛其善治民之吏，有章劾事留中，會赦壹解。故事：尚書希下章，為煩擾百姓，證驗系治，或死獄中，章文必有『敢告之』字乃下。唯陛下留神於擇賢，記善忘過，容忍臣子，勿責以備。二千石、部刺史、三輔縣令有材任職者，人情不能不有過差，宜可闊略，令盡力者有所勸。此方今急務，國家之利也。前蘇令發，欲遣大夫使逐問狀，時見大夫無可使者，召盩厔令尹逢，拜為諫大夫遣之。今諸大夫有材能者甚少，宜豫畜養可成就者，則士赴難不愛其死。臨事倉卒乃求，非所以明朝廷也。」嘉因薦儒者公孫光、滿昌及能吏蕭鹹、薛修等，皆故二千石有名稱者，天子納而用之。

In summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, Wang Jia was appointed chancellor and Grand Administrator of Henan Wang Chong Censor-in-Chief. Chong was the son of Governor of the Capital Jun. Because government was harsh and urgent and commandery and kingdom governors and administrators changed frequently, Jia submitted a memorial, saying, "Your servant has heard that a sage king's true achievement is winning the right men to serve him. Confucius said, 'Good men are hard to find—is that not the truth!' So when a new king enfeoffs the heir among the lords, he is choosing a pattern of virtue. Even when the heir is not wholly worthy, the Son of Heaven still picks his ministers for him and appoints senior officers to guide him. Respected across generations in that domain, they win the allegiance of gentry and commoners alike. Only then does moral instruction take hold and good government follow. A grand administrator today wields more power than a feudal lord of old; past dynasties strained to find able men, and when talent ran short they did not hesitate to promote a man straight from chains. Wei Shang was once jailed for an offense; Emperor Wen, persuaded by Feng Tang, sent an envoy with the imperial staff to free him and made him grand administrator of Yunzhong, to the Xiongnu's alarm. Emperor Wu pulled Han Anguo out of penal labor and named him inner scribe of Liang, and the imperial house knew peace again. Zhang Chang, as governor of the capital, faced removal for an offense; a wily subordinate deliberately provoked him, and Chang had the man executed. The family cried foul; an imperial investigator reheard the case and charged Chang with malicious killing. The emperor withheld the warrant for his arrest until Chang was out of office; Chang then fled and hid for some weeks until Emperor Xuan recalled him as regional inspector of Ji—where he proved indispensable. Those earlier courts did not show those three men personal favor; they valued their abilities because they served the state. Under Emperor Wen some families held the same minor post for generations until the office became their surname—the Cangs and the Kus, for instance, descend from granary and treasury clerks; then the two-thousand-picul men could settle into their posts with confidence; ruler and officials looked to each other in good faith, and no one nursed a merely cynical careerism. Little by little the climate changed: from the highest ministers down, everyone hectored everyone else; policy swung back and forth; metropolitan and regional inspectors hunted for slip-ups and dragged private faults into the open; magistrates lasted only months before transfer; processions seeing off the outgoing and greeting the incoming choked the highways. Mediocre men played it safe to survive; lesser men watched their backs; across the board, self-dealing multiplied. The two-thousand-picul posts grew ever more lightly held; clerks and commoners treated their holders with contempt; some seized slight faults, inflated them into full charges, and denounced them to regional inspectors, the metropolitan superintendent, or the throne by memorial. The people knew their magistrates were easy to topple; at the slightest grievance they were ready to turn away. Earlier at Shanyang the escaped convict Su Ling and others ran riot; when officials faced danger none would stand firm and die for duty—because the governors' and administrators' authority had long since been stripped away. Emperor Cheng regretted it and issued an edict: two-thousand-picul officials were not to connive in old indulgence; he sent envoys to bestow gold and reassure them, truly thinking that when the state had urgency he would obtain results from the two-thousand-picul; only when the two-thousand-picul were honored, weighty, and hard to endanger could they make inferiors obey. Emperor Xuan loved officials who governed the people well; when impeachment memorials arrived he held them within; when an amnesty came he released the matter once. By precedent the Secretariat rarely forwarded denunciation memorials, lest the people be harassed; verification and trial sometimes ended in death in prison; only when the memorial text contained the words 'dare to report this' would it be sent down. Only may Your Majesty keep your mind on selecting the worthy, record good deeds and forget faults, tolerate your ministers, and not demand perfection. Among two-thousand-picul officials, regional inspectors, and metropolitan county magistrates who have talent and fit their posts, human nature cannot fail to slip—it is fitting to be broad and spare, so that those who give their utmost may be encouraged. This is the urgent task of the moment and the state's profit. Earlier when Su Ling rose up, the court wished to send a grandee to pursue and investigate; at the time no suitable grandee could be found; Zhìzhì Magistrate Yin Feng was summoned, appointed Remonstrance Grandee, and dispatched. Now able grandees are very few; it is fitting beforehand to rear and nurture those who can be brought to completion—then gentlemen facing peril will not spare their lives. To seek men only when crisis comes in haste is not how to clarify the court." Jia thereupon recommended the Confucians Gongsun Guang and Man Chang and able administrators Xiao Xian and Xue Xiu and others—all former two-thousand-picul men of famous reputation; the emperor accepted and employed them.

六月，立魯頃王子部鄉侯閔為王。

In the sixth month, Bu Village Marquis Min, son of King Qing of Lu, was established as king.

上以寢疾未定，冬，十一月，壬子，令太皇太后下詔復甘泉泰畤、汾陰后土祠，罷南、北郊。上亦不能親至甘泉、河東，遣有司行事而禮祠焉。

Because the emperor's lingering illness was not settled, in winter, the eleventh month, on renzi, he had the Grand Empress Dowager issue an edict restoring sacrifice at Sweet Springs' Great Altars and Fenyin's Queen of Earth shrine, and abolishing the southern and northern suburban sacrifices. The emperor also could not personally go to Sweet Springs and Hedong; he sent the responsible offices to perform the rites and sacrifice there.

無鹽危山土自起覆草，如馳道狀；又，瓠山石轉立。東平王雲及後謁自之石所祭，治石像瓠山立石，束倍草，並祠之。河內息夫躬、長安孫寵相與謀共告之，曰：「此取封侯之計也。」乃與中郎谷師譚共因中常侍宋弘上變事，告焉。是時上被疾，多所惡，事下有司，逮王后謁下獄驗治；服「祠祭詛祝上，為雲求為天子，以為石立，宣帝起之表也。」有司請誅王，有詔，廢徙房陵。雲自殺，謁並舅伍宏及成帝舅安成共侯夫人放，皆棄市。事連御史大夫王崇，左遷大司農。擢寵為南陽太守，譚穎川都尉，弘、躬皆光祿大夫、左曹、給事中。

At Mount Wei in Wuyan, earth of itself rose and covered grass in the shape of an imperial processional road; also, at Mount Hu a stone turned and stood upright. King Yun of Dongping and Queen Ye personally went to the stone to sacrifice; they fashioned a stone like the standing stone at Mount Hu, bound double handfuls of grass, and sacrificed to both. Xi Fu Gong of Henei and Sun Chong of Chang'an plotted together to denounce them, saying, "This is the stratagem for obtaining enfeoffment as marquis." Thereupon together with Palace Gentleman Gu Shi Tan, through Palace Attendant-in-Ordinary Song Hong, they submitted a report of anomaly and denounced them. At that time the emperor was ill and prone to suspicion; the matter was sent down to the responsible offices; Queen Ye was arrested and imprisoned for investigation; she confessed: "In sacrifice and prayer I cursed the sovereign, sought the kingship for Yun, and took the stone's standing as the omen by which Emperor Xuan rose." The responsible offices requested execution of the king; an edict deposed him and moved him to Fangling. Yun killed himself; Ye, her maternal uncle Wu Hong, and the wife of Marquis of Gong of Ancheng Fang—Emperor Cheng's maternal uncle—were all executed in the marketplace. The affair implicated Censor-in-Chief Wang Chong, who was demoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture. Chong was promoted to Grand Administrator of Nanyang; Tan made Commandant of Yingchuan; Hong and Gong were all made Palace Chamberlains, Left Bureau, and Attendants Within.

春，正月，大旱。

In spring, the first month, there was great drought.

關東民無故驚走，持藳或掫一枚，轉相付與，曰行西王母籌，道中相過逢，多至千數，或被發徒跣，或夜折關，或逾牆入，或乘車騎奔馳，以置驛傳行，經歷郡國二十六至京師，不可禁止。民又聚會里巷阡陌，設張博具，歌舞祠西王母，至秋乃止。

East of the Pass the people for no reason panicked and ran; they held straw or a single stalk and passed them along, saying they carried the Queen Mother of the West's tallies; they met on the roads in groups sometimes of a thousand; some ran with hair unbound and barefoot, some broke through gates at night, some climbed walls, some rode in furious gallop—posting the tokens at relay stations—passing through twenty-six commanderies and kingdoms to the capital; nothing could stop them. The people also gathered in village lanes and crossroads, set out mats and gambling implements, and sang and danced to worship the Queen Mother of the West—it only stopped in autumn.

上欲封傅太后從父弟侍中、光祿大夫商，尚書僕射平陵鄭崇諫曰：「孝成皇帝封親舅五侯，天為赤黃，晝昏，日中有黑氣。孔鄉侯，皇后父，高武侯以三公封，尚有因緣。今無故欲復封商，壞亂制度，逆天人之心，非傅氏之福也！臣願以身命當國咎！」崇因持詔書案起。傅太后大怒曰：「何有為天子乃反為一臣所顓制邪！」

The emperor wished to enfeoff Grand Dowager Empress Fu's younger cousin by the same mother, Attendant Within and Palace Chamberlain Shang; Vice Director of the Secretariat Zheng Chong of Pingling remonstrated, saying, "When Emperor Cheng enfeoffed his maternal uncles as the Five Marquises, Heaven turned red and yellow, day grew dim, and there was black vapor within the sun. Marquis of Kongxiang was the empress's father; Marquis of Gaowu was enfeoffed as one of the Three Dukes—there was still some justification. Now without cause you wish again to enfeoff Shang—this ruins the system, goes against Heaven and men's hearts, and is not the Fu clan's blessing! Your servant is willing to stake his life against the state's blame!" Chong thereupon seized the edict document from the desk and rose. Grand Dowager Empress Fu was furious and said, "How can the Son of Heaven be turned and controlled by a single minister!"

二月，癸卯，上遂下詔封商為汝昌侯。

In the second month, on guimao, the emperor issued an edict enfeoffing Shang as Marquis of Ruchang.

駙馬都尉、侍中雲陽董賢得幸於上，出則參乘，入御左右，賞賜累巨萬，貴震朝廷。常與上臥起。嘗晝寢，偏藉上袖，上欲起，賢未覺，不欲動賢，乃斷袖而起。又詔賢妻得通引籍殿中，止賢廬。又召賢女弟以為昭儀，位次皇后。昭儀及賢與妻旦夕上下，並侍左右。以賢父恭為少府，賜爵關內侯。詔將作大匠為賢起大第北闕下，重殿，洞門，土木之功，窮極技巧。賜武庫禁兵，上方珍寶。其選物上弟盡在董氏，而乘輿所服乃其副也。及至東園秘器、珠襦、玉柙，豫以賜賢，無不備具。又令將作為賢起塚塋義陵旁，內為便房，剛柏題湊，外為徼道，周垣數里，門闕罘罳甚盛。

Commandant of Cavalry for the Emperor's Son-in-Law and Attendant Within Dong Xian of Yunyang won the emperor's favor; going out he shared the imperial carriage, entering he attended at the ruler's side; rewards piled to tens of thousands; his eminence shook the court. He often shared the emperor's couch. Once the emperor napped with him; Xian lay across his sleeve. Rather than wake him, the emperor cut the cloth free and rose. He also issued an edict that Dong Xian's wife might carry palace passes and lodge in his quarters within the palace. He also took Dong Xian's younger sister as Lady of Handsome Deportment, second only to the empress. The sister, Dong Xian, and his wife attended the emperor morning and night, all at his side. Dong Xian's father Gong was made Privy Treasurer and granted the rank of Marquis Within the Passes. He ordered the Master of Works to build a great mansion for Dong Xian below the North Gate Tower—double halls, cavernous gates; the carpentry exhausted every refinement of skill. He bestowed arsenal guards and the sovereign's choicest treasures. The choicest of selected goods were all in the Dong clan, while what the emperor wore was only the secondary lot. Even the Eastern Garden funeral fittings, pearl shroud, and jade casings were bestowed on Dong Xian in advance, nothing lacking. He also ordered the Master of Works to raise a tomb for Dong Xian beside Yiling; within were side chambers with cypress beams joined at the heads; without were patrol paths; the encircling wall ran several li; gate towers and patterned screens were very grand.

鄭崇以賢貴寵過度諫上，由是重得罪，數以職事見責；發疾頸癰，欲乞骸骨，不敢。尚書令趙昌佞諂，素害崇；知見疏，因奏「崇與宗族通，疑有奸，請治。」上責崇曰：「君門如市人，何以欲禁切主上？」崇對曰：「臣門如市，臣心如水。願得考覆！」上怒，下崇獄。司隸孫寶上書曰：「按尚書令昌奏僕射崇獄，覆治，榜掠將死，卒無一辭，道路稱冤。疑昌與崇內有纖介，浸潤相陷。自禁門樞機近臣，蒙受冤譖，虧損國家，為謗不小。臣請治昌以解眾心。」書奏，上下詔曰：「司隸寶附下罔上，以春月作詆欺，遂其奸心，蓋國之賊也。免寶為庶人。」崇竟死獄中。

Zheng Chong remonstrated that Dong Xian's favor was excessive; because of this he again incurred heavy guilt and was repeatedly blamed on official business; a carbuncle broke out on his neck; he wished to beg to retire but did not dare. Director of the Secretariat Zhao Chang was fawning and sycophantic and had always hated Chong; knowing Chong was estranged, he memorialized: "Chong has relations with his clan kin—suspected of impropriety—we request investigation." The emperor reproached Zheng Chong, saying, "Your gate is like a thronged market—why do you wish to restrict and control your sovereign?" Chong replied, "Your subject's gate may be like a market, but your subject's heart is like water. I ask to be investigated and verified!" The emperor was furious and sent Chong to prison. Director of the Retainers Sun Bao memorialized, saying, "Per Master of Documents Zhao Chang's memorial on Vice Director Chong's case, re-investigation was conducted; beating and flogging nearly killed him, yet he would not speak a word—the people on the roads call it wrongful. I suspect Chang and Chong harbored a petty grudge and slandered each other into ruin. When close ministers at the pivot of power suffer wrongful slander, the state is harmed—and the scandal is no small matter. Your subject requests that Chang be punished to settle public anger." The memorial was submitted; an edict declared, "Director Bao fawns on inferiors and deceives superiors; in spring he spread slander and fraud to fulfill his wicked heart—he is the state's enemy. Bao was dismissed and reduced to commoner status." Chong died in prison.

二月，丁卯，諸吏、散騎、光祿勳賈延為御史大夫。

In the second month, on dingmao, Jia Yan—formerly Gentleman-Attendant, Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Household Minister of the Imperial Clan—was appointed Censor-in-Chief.

上欲侯董賢而未有緣，侍中傅嘉勸上定息夫躬、孫寵告東平本章，掇去宋弘，更言因董賢以聞，欲以其功侯之，皆先賜爵關內侯。頃之，上欲封賢等而心憚王嘉，乃先使孔鄉侯晏持詔書示丞相、御史。於是嘉與御史大夫賈延上封事言：「竊見董賢等三人始賜爵，眾庶匈匈，鹹曰賢貴，其餘並蒙恩，至今流言未解。陛下仁恩於賢等不已，宜暴賢等本奏語言，延問公卿、大夫、博士、議郎，考合古今，明正其義，然後乃加爵土；不然，恐大失眾心，海內引領而議。暴評其事，必有言當封者，在陛下所從；天下雖不說，咎有所分，不獨在陛下。前定陵侯淳于長初封，其事亦議，大司農谷永以長當封；眾人歸咎於永，先帝不獨蒙其譏。臣嘉，臣延，材駑不稱，死有餘責，知順指不迕，可得容身須臾。所以不敢者，思報厚恩也。」上不得已，且為之止。

The emperor wished to enfeoff Dong Xian but lacked a pretext; Attendant-in-Ordinary Fu Jia urged him to settle the original memorial in which Xinfu Gong and Sun Chong reported the Prince of Dongping's plot, remove Song Hong from the credit, and recast the account so that Dong Xian brought it to attention, intending to enfeoff him for the merit—all three were first granted rank as marquises within the passes. Shortly after, the emperor wished to enfeoff Xian and the others but feared Wang Jia; he first sent Marquis of Kongxiang Yan with the edict to show the Chancellor and Censor. Thereupon Jia and Censor-in-Chief Jia Yan submitted a sealed memorial, saying, "Your subjects observe that when Dong Xian and the other three were first granted rank, the people were in an uproar; all said Xian was being honored and the rest likewise favored—rumor has not subsided to this day. Your Majesty's grace toward Xian and the others is unceasing; you should publish the original memorial language, extend inquiry to the Three Dukes, grandees, erudites, and remonstrance officers, examine antiquity and the present to clarify the right of it, and only then add noble lands; otherwise I fear you will greatly lose popular support and all within the seas will crane their necks in debate. Once the matter is exposed and debated, some will surely say they ought to be enfeoffed—the choice will lie with what Your Majesty follows; though all under Heaven may be displeased, blame will be shared—not borne by Your Majesty alone. When Marquis of Dingling Chunyu Chang was first enfeoffed, the matter was also debated; Grand Minister of Agriculture Gu Yong held that Chang deserved enfeoffment; the multitude blamed Yong; the former emperor did not bear the criticism alone. Your subjects Jia and Yan are dull and unfit for our posts and deserve death; we know that following your cues without opposition could gain us a moment's safety. We dare not because we wish to repay your great grace." The emperor had no choice and for the time being held off.

夏，六月，尊帝太太后為皇太太后。

In summer, the sixth month, the emperor's Grand Grand Empress Dowager was honored as Imperial Grand Grand Empress Dowager.

秋，八月，辛卯，上下詔切責公卿曰：「昔楚有子玉得臣，晉文為之側席而坐；近事，汲黯折淮南之謀。今東平王雲等至有圖弒天子逆亂之謀者，是公卿股肱莫能悉心、務聰明以銷厭未萌故也。賴宗廟之靈，侍中、駙馬都尉賢等發覺以聞，鹹伏厥辜。《書》不雲乎：『用德章厥善。』其封賢為高安侯，南陽太守寵為方陽侯，左曹、光祿大夫躬為宜陵侯，賜右師譚爵關內侯。」又封傅太后同母弟鄭惲子業為陽信侯。息夫躬既親近，數進見言事，議論無所避，上疏歷詆公卿大臣。眾畏其口，見之仄目。

In autumn, the eighth month, on xinmao, an edict sharply reproached the high ministers, saying, "In antiquity Chu had Ziyu, Cheng of Chu, and Duke Wen of Jin sat sideways on his mat for fear of him; in recent times Ji An thwarted the plot of Huainan. Now the Prince of Dongping Yun and others came to plot regicide and rebellion—this is because you, the high ministers who are the emperor's arms and thighs, could not devote yourselves and use your wisdom to extinguish evil before it sprouted. By the numinous power of the ancestral temples, Attendant-in-Ordinary and Commandant of Cavalry Dong Xian and others discovered and reported it—all submitted to their guilt. Does not the Book of Documents say, 'Employ virtue to make manifest their goodness.' Enfeoff Xian as Marquis of Gao'an, Nanyang Administrator Sun Chong as Marquis of Fangyang, Left Censor and Household Minister Xinfu Gong as Marquis of Yiling, and grant Right Mentor Tan rank as marquis within the passes." Moreover, Grand Empress Dowager Fu's uterine brother Zheng Yun's son Ye was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangxin. Xinfu Gong, being intimate with the emperor, repeatedly entered audience to speak on affairs, held back nothing in debate, and in memorials serially denounced the high ministers. Everyone feared his tongue and narrowed their eyes when they saw him.

上使中黃門發武庫兵，前後十輩，送董賢及上乳母王阿捨。執金吾毋將隆奏言：「武庫兵器，天下公用。國家武備，繕治造作，皆度大司農錢。大司農錢，自乘輿不以給共養；共養勞賜，一出少府。蓋不以本臧給末用，不以民力共浮費，別公私，示正路也。古者諸侯、方伯得顓征伐，乃賜斧鉞，漢家邊吏職任距寇，亦賜武庫兵，皆任事然後蒙之。《春秋》之誼，家不臧甲，所以抑臣威，損私力也。今賢等便僻弄臣，私恩微妾，而以天下公用給其私門，契國威器，共其家備，民力分於弄臣，武兵設於微妾，建立非宜，以廣驕僭，非所以示四方也。孔子曰：『奚取於三家之堂！』臣請收還武庫。」上不說。頃之，傅太后使謁者賤買執金吾官婢八人，隆奏言：「買賤，請更平直。」上於是制詔丞相、御史：「隆位九卿，既無以匡朝廷之不逮，而反奏請與永信宮爭貴賤之賈，傷化失俗。以隆前有安國之言，左遷為沛郡都尉。」初，成帝末，隆為諫大夫，嘗奏封事言：「古者選諸侯入為公卿，以褒功德，宜征定陶王使在國邸，以填萬方。」故上思其言而宥之。

The emperor sent Palace Attendants to issue arms from the Arsenal in ten batches, for Dong Xian and the emperor's wet nurse Wang A. Commandant of the Capital Wujiang Long memorialized, saying, "Arsenal weapons are for public use throughout the realm. The state's military preparedness—repair and manufacture—all draw on Grand Minister of Agriculture funds. Grand Minister of Agriculture funds are not used even for the imperial carriage's maintenance; maintenance, labor grants, and gifts all come solely from the Privy Purse. This is so as not to supply minor expenses from root stores or burden the people with frivolous costs—separating public and private shows the correct path. In antiquity feudal lords and regional commissioners who held sole authority to campaign received axe and yue; in Han, border officials charged with repelling invaders likewise received Arsenal arms—only after assuming office. The Spring and Autumn principle is that a household does not store armor—to restrain ministers' authority and diminish private power. Now Xian and the others are fawning favorites and objects of private favor to humble concubines—yet public arms of the realm supply their private gates, carving out the state's awesome weapons for their household stores; the people's strength is divided among favorites and martial arms set up for concubines—this is improper, broadens arrogance and overstepping, and is not how to show the four quarters. Confucius said, 'What does he take from the Hall of the Three Families!' Your subject requests that they be collected and returned to the Arsenal." The emperor was displeased. Shortly after, Grand Empress Dowager Fu sent an usher to buy eight official slave women of the Commandant of the Capital at a low price; Long memorialized, "The purchase was too cheap—please set a fair price." The emperor thereupon issued an edict to the Chancellor and Censor: "Long holds rank among the Nine Ministers, yet could not correct the court's shortcomings and instead memorialized to haggle with Yongxin Palace over price—injuring morals and offending custom. Because Long earlier had counseled that stabilized the state, he was demoted to Commandant of Pei Commandery." Earlier, at the end of Emperor Cheng's reign, Long was Remonstrance Officer and once submitted a sealed memorial, saying, "In antiquity feudal lords were selected to serve as the Three Dukes to honor merit; the King of Dingtao should be summoned to remain at the state lodge to secure the realm." Therefore the emperor recalled his counsel and spared him.

諫大夫渤海鮑宣上書曰：「竊見孝成皇帝時，外親持權，人人牽引所私以充塞朝廷，妨賢人路，濁亂天下，奢泰亡度，窮困百姓，是以日食且十，彗星四起。危亡之征，陛下所親見也；今奈何反覆劇於前乎！

Remonstrance Officer Bao Xuan of Bohai memorialized, saying, "Your subject observes that under Emperor Cheng, maternal kin held power; each man drew in private favorites to fill the court, blocked worthy men, muddied and disordered the realm, and spent without limit until the people were exhausted—therefore solar eclipses came to nearly ten and comets appeared in four quarters. Signs of peril and ruin—Your Majesty has seen them with your own eyes; how can you now turn back and go to extremes worse than before!

「今民有七亡：陰陽不和，水旱為災，一亡也；縣官重責，更賦租稅，二亡也；貪吏並公，受取不已，三亡也；豪強大姓，蠶食亡厭，四亡也；苛吏繇役，失農桑時，五亡也；部落鼓鳴，男女遮列，六亡也；盜賊劫略，取民財物，七亡也。七亡尚可，又有七死：酷吏毆殺，一死也；治獄深刻，二死也；冤陷亡辜，三死也；盜賊橫發，四死也；怨讎相殘，五死也；歲惡飢餓，六死也；時氣疾疫，七死也。民有七亡而無一得，慾望國安，誠難；民有七死而無一生，慾望刑措，誠難。此非公卿、守相貪殘成化之所致邪？群臣幸得居尊官，食重祿，豈有肯加惻隱於細民，助陛下流教化者邪？志但在營私家，稱賓客，為奸利而已。以苟容曲從為賢，以拱默尸祿為智，謂如臣宣等為愚。陛下擢臣巖穴，誠翼有益豪毛，豈徒欲使臣美食大官、重高門之地哉！

" Now the people suffer seven losses: yin and yang out of harmony and flood and drought—the first loss; district offices impose heavy levies and repeatedly assess rent and tax—the second loss; greedy officials band together and take bribes without end—the third loss; powerful clans and great families devour without satiety—the fourth loss; harsh officials and corvée labor cause the farming seasons to be missed—the fifth loss; in the hamlets drums sound and men and women block the roads—the sixth loss; bandits and robbers plunder the people's goods—the seventh loss. The seven losses can still be borne; there are also seven deaths: harsh officials beat and kill—the first death; handling prisons with severity—the second death; wrongful imprisonment of the guiltless—the third death; bandits and robbers run rampant—the fourth death; enemies mutually slaughter—the fifth death; bad years with famine—the sixth death; seasonal epidemics—the seventh death. The people suffer seven losses yet gain not one; to wish the state secure is truly hard; the people suffer seven deaths yet not one survives; to wish punishments set aside is truly hard. Is this not caused by the greed and cruelty of the high ministers, governors, and chancellors shaping the age? Your ministers are fortunate to hold high office and heavy salaries—would any add sympathy for the common people and help Your Majesty spread transforming instruction? Their intent is only to manage private interests, praise retainers, and seek illicit profit. They take easy compliance as worthiness and folded silence while drawing salary as wisdom, and call men like your subject Xuan foolish. Your Majesty raised your subject from obscurity; I truly hoped to be of some use—even a hair's breadth of benefit—how could it be only to eat fine food, hold great office, and dwell in a grand estate!

「天下，乃皇天之天下也。陛下上為皇天子，下為黎庶父母，為天牧養元元，視之當如一，合《尸鳩》之詩。今貧民菜食不厭，衣又穿空，父子、夫婦不能相保，誠可為酸鼻。陛下不救，將安所歸命乎！奈何獨私養外親與幸臣董賢，多賞賜，以大萬數，使奴從、賓客，漿酒藿肉，蒼頭廬兒，皆用致富，非天意也。

" All under Heaven belongs to August Heaven. Your Majesty above is Son of Heaven, below father and mother to the people; you pasture the masses for Heaven and ought to view them as one—matching the Ode of the Pigeon. Now the poor eat vegetables without being sated and wear clothes worn through with holes; fathers and sons, husbands and wives cannot preserve one another—it is truly heartbreaking. If Your Majesty does not rescue them, to whom will they turn! Why do you alone lavish private favor on maternal kin and the favored minister Dong Xian, rewarding them by the tens of thousands so that slaves, followers, and retainers—even with thin wine and bean-leaf meat, male slaves and hut boys—all grow rich? This is not Heaven's intent.

「及汝昌侯傅商，亡功而封。夫官爵非陛下之官爵，乃天下之官爵也。陛下取非其官，官非其人，而望天說民服，豈不難哉！方陽侯孫寵，宜陵侯息夫躬，辯足以移眾，強可用獨立，奸人之雄，惑世尤劇者也，宜以時罷退。及外親幼童未通經術者，皆宜令休，就師傅。急征故大司馬傅喜，使領外親。故大司空何武、師丹，故丞相孔光，故左將軍彭宣，經皆更博士，位皆歷三公；龔勝為司直，郡國皆慎選舉；可大委任也。陛下前以小不忍退武等，海內失望。陛下尚能容亡功德者甚眾，曾不能忍武等邪？治天下者，當用天下之心為心，不得自專快意而已也。」宣語雖刻切，上以宣名儒，優容之。

" As for Marquis of Ruchang Fu Shang, he was enfeoffed without merit. For offices and ranks are not Your Majesty's alone—they belong to all under Heaven. Your Majesty bestows offices unfittingly and appoints unfit men, yet hopes Heaven will be pleased and the people submit—is that not hard! Marquis of Fangyang Sun Chong and Marquis of Yiling Xinfu Gong—eloquent enough to sway the multitude, strong enough to stand alone, chiefs among wicked men who confuse the age with especial severity—ought to be dismissed in season. Maternal kin who are young children not yet versed in the classics ought all to be sent home to their teachers. Urgently summon former Grand Marshal Fu Xi to lead the maternal kin. Former Grand Minister of Works He Wu and Shi Dan, former Chancellor Kong Guang, former General of the Left Peng Xuan—all studied classics under erudites and all reached the Three Dukes; Gong Sheng was Supervisor-Director and commanderies and states all chose officials carefully; they can be greatly entrusted. Your Majesty earlier dismissed Wu and the others for a small lack of forbearance, and all within the seas were disappointed. Your Majesty can still tolerate many without merit—could you not once bear Wu and the others? One who governs all under Heaven ought to take the heart of all under Heaven as his heart and cannot merely follow private pleasure." Though Xuan's words were cutting, the emperor, because Xuan was a famed Confucian, treated him with forbearance.

匈奴單于上書願朝五年。時帝被疾，或言：「匈奴從上游來厭人；自黃龍、竟寧時，單于朝中國，輒有大故。」上由是難之，以問公卿，亦以為虛費府帑，可且勿許。單于使辭去，未發，黃門郎揚雄上書諫曰：「臣聞《六經》之治，貴於未亂；兵家之勝，貴於未戰；二者皆微，然而大事之本，不可不察也。今單于上書求朝，國家不許而辭之，臣愚以為漢與匈奴從此隙矣。匈奴本五帝所不能臣，三王所不能制，其不可使隙明甚。臣不敢遠稱，請引秦以來明之：以秦始皇之強，蒙恬之威，然不敢窺西河，乃築長城以界之。會漢初興，以高祖之威靈，三十萬眾困於平城，時奇譎之士、石畫之臣甚眾，卒其所以脫者，世莫得而言也。又高皇后時，匈奴悖慢，大臣權書遺之，然後得解。及孝文時，匈奴侵暴北邊，候騎至雍甘泉，京師大駭，發三將軍屯細柳、棘門、霸上以備之，數月乃罷。孝武即位，設馬邑之權，欲誘匈奴，徒費財勞師，一虜不可得見，況單于之面乎！其後深惟社稷之計，規恢萬載之策，乃大興師數十萬，使衛青、霍去病操兵，前後十餘年，於是浮西河，絕大幕，破寘顏，襲王庭，窮極其地，追奔逐北，封狼居胥山，禪於姑衍，以臨翰海，虜名王、貴人以百數。自是之後，匈奴震怖，益求和親，然而未肯稱臣也。且夫前世豈樂傾無量之費，役無罪之人，快心狼望之北哉？以為不壹勞者不久佚，不暫費者不永寧，是以忍百萬之師以摧餓虎之喙，運府庫之財填盧山之壑而不悔也。至本始之初，匈奴有桀心，欲掠烏孫，侵公主，乃發五將之師十五萬騎以擊之，時鮮有所獲，徒奮揚威武，明漢兵若雷風耳！雖空行空反，尚誅兩將軍，故北狄不服，中國未得高枕安寢也。逮至元康、神爵之間，大化神明，鴻恩溥洽，而匈奴內亂，五單于爭立，日逐、呼韓邪攜國歸死，扶伏稱臣，然尚羈縻之，計不顓制。自此之後，欲朝者不距，不欲者不強。何者？外國天性忿鷙，形容魁健，負力怙氣，難化以善，易肄以惡，其強難詘，其和難得。故未服之時，勞師遠攻，傾國殫貨，伏屍流血，破堅拔敵，如彼之難也；既服之後，慰薦撫循，交接賂遺，威儀俯仰，如此之備也。往時嘗屠大宛之城，蹈烏桓之壘，探姑繒之壁，藉蕩姐之場，艾朝鮮之旃，拔兩越之旗，近不過旬月之役，遠不離二時之勞，固已犁其庭，掃其閭，郡縣而置之，雲徹席捲，後無餘災。唯北狄為不然，真中國之堅敵也，三垂比之縣矣；前世重之茲甚，未易可輕也。

The Xiongnu chanyu submitted a memorial wishing to attend court in the fifth year. At the time the emperor was ill; some said, "The Xiongnu coming from upstream bring affliction; since the Huanglong and Jingning periods, whenever the chanyu attended the Han court, some great misfortune followed." The emperor therefore hesitated and asked the high ministers; they also held it would waste the treasury and could for the time being be denied. The chanyu's envoy took leave to depart and had not yet set out when Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Yang Xiong memorialized in remonstrance, saying, "Your subject has heard that in governing by the Six Classics, what is prized is action before disorder; in military victory, what is prized is triumph before battle; both are subtle, yet they are the root of great affairs and must be examined. Now the Chanyu has submitted a memorial requesting an audience at court, and the state has refused and declined him; your servant is foolish enough to think that Han and the Xiongnu will from this have a rift. The Xiongnu from the outset were what the Five Emperors could not subdue and the Three Kings could not control—it is exceedingly clear that they must not be given cause for a rift. Your servant does not dare cite remote examples and asks to draw proof from Qin onward: with Qin Shihuang's strength and Meng Tian's might, they still did not dare encroach on the Western Bend and instead built the Long Wall to mark the boundary. When Han first rose, with Gaozu's majesty, three hundred thousand men were trapped at Pingcheng; crafty strategists and master planners were plentiful, yet how they escaped in the end—no generation has been able to say. Again in Empress Dowager Gao's time the Xiongnu were insolent; a great minister sent them a forged letter, and only then was there relief. By Emperor Wen's time the Xiongnu raided the northern frontier; scout horsemen reached Yong and Ganquan, and the capital was greatly alarmed; three generals were posted at Xiliu, Jimen, and Bashang to guard against them—only after several months was the emergency ended. When Emperor Wu took the throne he set the Mayi stratagem to lure the Xiongnu—only to waste wealth and weary the army; not one captive could be taken, how much less the Chanyu's face! Afterward he deeply weighed the state's welfare and planned policies for ten thousand generations, and thereupon raised armies of several hundred thousand, putting Wei Qing and Huo Qubing in command of troops—for more than ten years—crossing the Western Bend, cutting through the great desert, defeating Zhizhi, striking the royal court, exhausting their lands, pursuing the fleeing and driving them north, performing feng at Mount Langjuxu and chan at Guyan, overlooking Hanhai, and capturing several hundred of their famous kings and nobles. From this onward the Xiongnu were shaken and terrified and increasingly sought peace marriages, yet they still would not call themselves subjects. Moreover, did former ages delight in pouring out measureless expense and conscripting innocent people to gratify their hearts on the wolf-gazing north? They held that one who does not endure labor once will not long enjoy ease, and one who does not spend briefly will not be secure forever; therefore they bore armies of a million to break the starving tiger's jaw and moved treasury wealth to fill Lushan's ravines without regret. At the opening of the Benji era the Xiongnu grew fierce, wished to plunder the Wusun and encroach on the princess, and therefore hosts of five generals and one hundred fifty thousand horsemen were raised to strike them—little was captured at the time; they only displayed might and majesty, making clear that Han troops were like thunder and wind! Though they marched out empty and returned empty, two generals were still executed; therefore the northern barbarians did not submit and the Central States could not sleep in peace. Down to the Yuankang and Shenjue eras, great transformation was divine and bright and vast grace broadly harmonized, while the Xiongnu fell into internal disorder—five chanyus contended for the throne; Rizhu and Huhanye brought their states to submit, prostrating themselves and calling themselves subjects, yet they were still held on loose reins and the plan was not to control them exclusively. From this onward, those who wished to attend court were not rejected; those who did not wish were not compelled. Why? Foreign states by nature are fierce and proud, tall and strong in form, relying on strength and trusting in spirit—hard to transform with goodness, easy to indulge in evil; their strength is hard to bend and their harmony hard to obtain. Therefore when they had not yet submitted, to weary the army in distant attack, exhaust the state and spend all goods, lie corpses and shed blood, and break strongholds and rout the enemy—was as difficult as that; once they had submitted, to comfort, recommend, soothe, and tend them, exchange gifts and presents, and adjust ceremony high and low—was as complete as this. In former times they once slaughtered Dayuan's city, trampled the Wuhuan's ramparts, probed the Gungzang's walls, tread the Dangjie's ground, cut down Korea's banners, and plucked the Two Yues' flags—near campaigns did not exceed a month's service, far ones no more than two seasons' labor; they had already plowed their courts, swept their lanes, established commanderies and counties, swept through like clouds rolling up mats, with no lingering disaster. Only the northern Di were not so—truly the Central States' stubborn enemy; the three frontiers compared to them are worlds apart; former ages esteemed them this greatly—they cannot easily be taken lightly.

「今單于歸義，懷款誠之心，欲離其庭，陳見於前，此乃上世之遺策，神靈之所想望，國家雖費，不得已者也。奈何距以來厭之辭，疏以無日之期，消往昔之恩，開將來之隙？夫疑而隙之，使有恨心，負前言，緣往辭，歸怨於漢，因以自絕，終無北面之心，威之不可，諭之不能，焉得不為大憂乎！夫明者視於無形，聰者聽於無聲，誠先於未然，即兵革不用而憂患不生。不然，壹有隙之後，雖智者勞心於內，辯者轂擊於外，猶不若未然之時也。且往者圖西域，制車師，置城郭都護三十六國，費歲以大萬計者，豈為康居、烏孫能逾白龍堆而寇西邊哉？乃以制匈奴也。夫百年勞之，一日失之，費十而愛一，臣竊為國不安也。唯陛下少留意於未亂、未戰，以遏邊萌之禍！」

" Now the Chanyu returns to righteousness, harbors a sincere and earnest heart, wishes to leave his court and present himself before us—this is a legacy stratagem of higher ages and what spirits yearn toward; though the state must spend, it is unavoidable. How can we reject him with words that weary his coming, distance him with a date that has no fixed day, dissolve former grace, and open a rift for the future? To doubt him and create a rift will make him bear resentment, go against former words, follow past declarations, and return blame upon Han, thereby cutting himself off—in the end having no heart to face north; prestige cannot awe him and persuasion cannot instruct him—how can this not be a great worry! The clear-sighted see what has no form; the keen-eared hear what has no sound; sincerity precedes what is not yet—then arms are not used and calamity does not arise. If not so, once there is a rift, though the wise toil in mind within and debaters clash wheels without, it is still not like the time before it happened. Moreover, in former times they plotted the Western Regions, controlled Cheshi, and established the garrison commandant over thirty-six walled states at yearly expense in the tens of thousands—was it because Kangju and Wusun could cross the White Dragon Mounds and raid the western frontier? It was to control the Xiongnu. A hundred years' labor—lost in a day; spending ten yet cherishing one—your servant privately considers the state insecure. May Your Majesty give a little heed to before disorder and before battle, to check the disaster of frontier sprouts!"

書奏，天子寤焉，召還匈奴使者，更報單于書而許之。賜雄帛五十匹，黃金十斤。單于未發，會病，復遣使願朝明年；上許之。

When the memorial was submitted, the emperor awoke to it, recalled the Xiongnu envoy, and again replied to the Chanyu's letter, granting permission. Yang Xiong was granted fifty bolts of silk and ten catties of gold. The Chanyu had not yet set out when he fell ill; he again sent an envoy wishing to attend court the following year; the emperor permitted it.

董賢貴幸日盛，丁、傅害其寵，孔鄉侯晏與息夫躬謀欲求居位輔政。會單于以病未朝，躬因是而上奏，以為：「單于當以十一月入塞，後以病為解，疑有他變。烏孫兩昆彌弱，卑爰疐強盛，東結單于，遣子往侍，恐其合勢以並烏孫；烏孫並，則匈奴盛而西域危矣。可令降胡詐為卑爰疐使者來上書，欲因天子威告單于歸臣侍子，因下其章，令匈奴客聞焉；則是所謂『上兵伐謀，其次伐交』者也。」書奏，上引見躬，召公卿、將軍大議。左將軍公孫祿以為：「中國常以威信懷伏夷狄，躬欲逆詐，進不信之謀，不可許。且匈奴賴先帝之德，保塞稱蕃。今單于以疾病不任奉朝賀，遣使自陳，不失臣子之禮。臣祿自保沒身不見匈奴為邊竟憂也！」躬掎祿曰：「臣為國家計，冀先謀將然，豫圖未形，為萬世慮。而祿欲以其犬馬齒保目所見。臣與祿異議，未可同日語也！」上曰：「善！」乃罷群臣，獨與躬議。躬因建言：「災異屢見，恐必有非常之變，可遣大將軍行邊兵，敕武備，斬一郡守以立威，震四夷，因以厭應變異。」上然之，以問丞相嘉，對曰：「臣聞動民以行不以言，應天以實不以文。下民微細，猶不可詐，況於上天神明而可欺哉！天之見異，所以敕戒人君，欲令覺悟反正，推誠行善，民心說而天意得矣！辯士見一端，或妄以意傅著星歷，虛造匈奴、烏孫、西羌之難，謀動干戈，設為權變，非應天之道也。守相有罪，車馳詣闕，交臂就死，恐懼如此，而談說者欲動安之危，辯口快耳，其實未可從。夫議政者，苦其諂諛、傾險、辯惠、深刻也。昔秦繆公不從百里奚、蹇叔之言，以敗其師，其悔過自責，疾詿誤之臣，思黃發之言，名垂於後世。唯陛下觀覽古戒，反覆參考，無以先入之語為主！」上不聽。」」」」

Dong Xian's favored status grew daily; the Ding and Fu clans resented his favor; Marquis of Kongxiang Yan and Yifu Gong plotted, wishing to obtain position and assist in government. It happened that because the Chanyu was ill and did not attend court, Gong took occasion to submit a memorial, holding, "The Chanyu ought to have entered the passes in the eleventh month; afterward he used illness as an excuse—your servant suspects there is some other change. The Wusun's two kunmis are weak; Beizhi Que is strong and flourishing, has allied east with the Chanyu, and sent his son to attend in service—your servant fears they will combine strength to annex the Wusun; if the Wusun are annexed, then the Xiongnu will flourish and the Western Regions will be in peril. One may order surrendered Hu to feign being Beizhi Que's envoy and submit a memorial, wishing to use the Son of Heaven's prestige to tell the Chanyu to return his subject and attending son; thereby send down his memorial and let Xiongnu guests hear it; then this is what is called 'the highest military art attacks stratagems; next, attacks alliances.'" When the memorial was submitted, the emperor summoned Gong for audience and called the excellencies, ministers, and generals to great deliberation. Left General Gongsun Lu held, "The Central States constantly use authority and prestige to embrace and subdue the Yi and Di; Gong wishes to resort to deception and advance untrustworthy stratagems—it cannot be permitted. Moreover the Xiongnu rely on the former emperor's virtue, guard the passes, and style themselves vassals. Now the Chanyu, because of illness, cannot perform court congratulations and sent an envoy to state it himself—he has not lost the rites of minister and son. Your servant Lu personally guarantees that in his lifetime he will not see the Xiongnu become a worry for the frontier borders!" Gong seized Lu and said, "Your servant plans for the state, hoping to plot first what will be so, to map beforehand what has no form, and to calculate for ten thousand generations. Yet Lu wishes with his remaining years to guarantee only what his eyes have seen. Your servant and Lu hold different views—they cannot be spoken of on the same day!" The emperor said, "Good!" Thereupon he dismissed the assembled ministers and deliberated with Gong alone. Gong thereupon offered counsel, "Strange disasters have repeatedly appeared—your servant fears there must be an extraordinary change; one may dispatch the Grand General to march the frontier troops, order martial readiness, behead one commandery administrator to establish prestige, shake the four barbarians, and thereby respond to the strange disasters." The emperor approved it and questioned Chancellor Jia; he replied, "Your servant has heard that one moves the people by conduct, not by words, and responds to Heaven by substance, not by ornament. The lower people are minute and fine—even they cannot be deceived; how much less supreme Heaven's numinous clarity—can it be deceived! Heaven's appearance of strangeness is to admonish and warn the ruler, wishing to make him awaken, turn back, extend sincerity and practice goodness—then the people's hearts are pleased and Heaven's intent is obtained! Debaters see one end and perhaps recklessly attach it to star calendars, falsely fabricating difficulties of the Xiongnu, Wusun, and Western Qiang, plotting to move arms and set up expedient changes—this is not the Way of responding to Heaven. When administrators and chancellors have offense, chariots race to the palace gates and they fold arms to accept death—fear is like this; yet those who talk and persuade wish to move what is settled into danger, quick tongues for the ear—in substance it cannot be followed. Those who deliberate on government suffer from flattery, perverse danger, eloquent cleverness, and cutting depth. Formerly Duke Mu of Qin did not follow the words of Baili Xi and Jian Shu and thereby defeated his army; he repented, blamed himself, hated misleading ministers, and heeded words of gray hair—his name hangs down to later ages. May Your Majesty survey ancient warnings, turn and again compare and consult, and not take words that came first as master!" The emperor did not heed it.””””

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