Volume 35 Han Records 27

資治通鑑第035卷

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 35.

【漢紀二十七】起屠維協洽，盡玄黓閹茂，凡四年。

[Han Annals 27] From Tuwie Xieqia through Xuanmo Yanmao—four years in all.

春，正月，辛丑朔，詔將軍、中二千石舉明習兵法者各一人，因就拜孔鄉侯傅晏為大司馬、衛將軍，陽安侯丁明為大司馬、票騎將軍。

In spring, the first month, on the xinchou new moon, an edict ordered generals and rank-2000-shi officials each to recommend one man clearly versed in military law; thereupon Marquis of Kongxiang Fu Yan was appointed on the spot as Grand Marshal and Defender General, and Marquis of Yang'an Ding Ming as Grand Marshal and Rapid Cavalry General.

是日，日有食之。上詔公卿大夫悉心陳過失；又令舉賢良方正能直言者各一人。大赦天下。

That day there was a solar eclipse. The emperor issued an edict the dukes, ministers, and grandees to lay out faults with full candor; He also ordered that one worthy and upright man able to speak frankly be recommended from each district. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.

丞相嘉奏封事曰：「孝元皇帝奉承大業，溫恭少欲，都內錢四十萬萬。嘗幸上林，後宮馮貴人從臨獸圈，猛獸驚出，貴人前當之，元帝嘉美其義，賜錢五萬。掖庭見親，有加賞賜，屬其人勿眾謝。示平惡偏，重失人心，賞賜節約。是時外戚貲千萬者少耳，故少府、水衡見錢多也。雖遭初元、永光凶年饑饉，加以西羌之變，外奉師旅，內振貧民，終無傾危之憂，以府臧內充實也。孝成皇帝時，諫臣多言燕出之害，及女寵專愛，耽於酒色，損德傷年，其言甚切，然終不怨怒也。寵臣淳于長、張放、史育，育數貶退，家貲不滿千萬，放斥逐就國，長榜死於獄，不以私愛害公義，故雖多內譏，朝廷安平，傳業陛下。陛下在國之時，好《詩》、《書》，上儉節，征來，所過道上稱誦德美，此天下所以回心也。初即位，易帷帳，去錦繡，乘輿席緣綈繒而已。共皇寢廟比當作，憂閔元元，惟用度不足，以義割恩，輒且止息，今始作治。而駙馬都尉董賢亦起官寺上林中，又為賢治大第，開門鄉北闕，引王渠灌園池，使者護作，賞賜吏卒，甚於治宗廟。賢母病，長安廚給祠具，道中過者皆飲食。為賢治器，器成，奏御乃行，或物好，特賜其工。自貢獻宗廟、三宮，猶不至此。賢家有賓婚及見親，諸官並共，賜及倉頭、奴婢人十萬錢。使者護視、發取市物，百賈震動，道路讙嘩，群臣惶惑。詔書罷苑，而以賜賢二千餘頃，均田之制從此墮壞。奢僭放縱，變亂陰陽，災異眾多，百姓訛言，持籌相驚，天惑其意，不能自止。陛下素仁智慎事，今而有此大譏。孔子曰：『危而不持，顛而不扶，則將安用彼相矣！』臣嘉幸得備位，竊內悲傷不能通愚忠之信；身死有益於國，不敢自惜。唯陛下慎己之所獨鄉，察眾人之所共疑！往者寵臣鄧通、韓嫣，驕貴失度，逸豫無厭，小人不勝情慾，卒陷罪辜，亂國亡軀，不終其祿，所謂『愛之適足以害之』者也！宜深覽前世，以節賢寵，全安其命。」上由是於嘉浸不說。

Chancellor Wang Jia submitted a sealed memorial: "Emperor Yuan received the great enterprise—warm, respectful, and sparing in desire—and there were four hundred million cash coins within the capital. Once he visited Shanglin Park; Palace Lady Feng of the rear apartments followed him to the beast pens, a fierce beast bolted out, and the lady stepped before him to shield him. Emperor Yuan praised her righteousness and granted her fifty thousand cash. When palace women received audiences and were given added rewards, he charged them not to thank him publicly before the multitude. He showed fairness and hated partiality, prized not losing the people's hearts, and was sparing in rewards. At that time few affinal kin held wealth of ten million, and so the Privy Treasurer and Palace Parks offices had abundant cash on hand. Though the realm suffered famine in the Chuyuan and Yongguang years and the Western Qiang rose in revolt, supporting armies abroad while reviving the poor at home, there was never fear of collapse—because the treasury within was full. In Emperor Cheng's reign remonstrating ministers often spoke of the harm of private outings, of exclusive female favor, of immersion in wine and women that damaged virtue and shortened life—their words were sharp, yet he was never resentful or angry. Favored ministers Chunyu Chang, Zhang Fang, and Shi Yu—Yu was repeatedly demoted until his household wealth fell short of ten million; Fang was expelled to his state; Chang died under the rod in prison. He did not let private affection harm public duty; and so though criticism mounted within, the court remained secure and the enterprise passed to Your Majesty. When Your Majesty was still in your princely state you loved the Odes and Documents and prized thrift; when you were summoned to the throne, travelers along the roads praised your virtue—this is why the realm turned its heart to you. At the beginning of your reign you changed the curtains, removed brocade and embroidery, and the imperial carriage's mats were bordered with plain silk only. Lord Gong's resting temple ought by precedent to be built; you grieved for the common people and, funds being insufficient, cut affection for righteousness and halted work for a time—only now has construction begun. Yet Commandant of Cavalry Dong Xian also raised an official temple in Shanglin, and built him a great residence with a gate opening toward the northern palace gate, drawing the Royal Canal to fill his garden pools; envoys supervised the work and rewarded clerks and soldiers—more lavishly than for the ancestral temple. When Xian's mother fell ill, the Chang'an kitchen supplied sacrificial provisions, and every passer-by on the road was given food and drink. Utensils were made for Xian; when finished they were presented to the emperor before use, and if some piece was especially fine its craftsman was specially rewarded. Even tribute to the ancestral temple and the Three Palaces did not go this far. When Xian's household held guest weddings or kin audiences, all offices contributed together, and rewards reached even storehouse heads and slave girls—one hundred thousand cash per person. Envoys supervised the markets and requisitioned goods; merchants were shaken; the roads rang with clamor; and the ministers were fearful and perplexed. An edict had abolished the imperial park, yet more than two thousand qing were given to Xian instead, and the equal-fields system collapsed from that moment. Extravagance and presumptuous license disturbed yin and yang; disasters and anomalies multiplied; the people spread false reports and startled one another with counting rods in hand; Heaven's intent was clouded, and he could not stop himself. Your Majesty has always been benevolent, wise, and careful in affairs—yet now draws this great reproach. Confucius said, 'When the state is in peril yet you do not uphold it, when it is toppling yet you do not steady it—what use is that minister!' Your servant Wang Jia is fortunate to hold office, yet grieves inwardly that he cannot convey the trust of his blunt loyalty; If my death benefits the state, I dare not spare myself. Only may Your Majesty be careful where you alone incline, and examine what the multitude jointly doubts! Formerly favored ministers Deng Tong and Han Yan grew arrogant beyond measure in their honors, dissolute and insatiable—petty men who could not master desire, they fell at last into crime, disordering the state and losing their lives without finishing their stipends: what men call 'love them just enough to destroy them'! You ought deeply to review former ages, restrain favor toward Xian, and preserve his life entire." From this the emperor grew gradually displeased with Wang Jia.

前涼州刺史杜鄴以方正對策曰：「臣聞陽尊陰卑，天之道也。是以男雖賤，各為其家陽，女雖貴，猶為其國陰。故禮明三從之義，雖有文母之德，必繫於子。昔鄭伯隨姜氏之欲，終有叔段篡國之禍；周襄王內迫惠後之難，而遭居鄭之危。漢興，呂太后權私親屬，幾危社稷。竊見陛下約儉正身，欲與天下更始，然嘉瑞未應，而日食、地震。案《春秋》災異，以指象為言語。日食，明陽為陰所臨。坤以法地，為土，為母，以安靜為德；震，不陰之效也。占像甚明，臣敢不直言其事！昔曾子問從令之義，孔子曰：『是何言與！』善閔子騫守禮不苟從親，所行無非理者，故無可間也。今諸外家昆弟，無賢不肖，並侍帷幄，布在列位，或典兵衛，或將軍屯，寵意並於一家，積貴之勢，世所希見、所希聞也。至乃並置大司馬、將軍之官，皇甫雖盛，三桓雖隆，魯為作三軍，無以甚此！當拜之日，晻然日食。不在前後，臨事而發者，明陛下謙遜無專，承指非一，所言輒聽，所欲輒隨，有罪惡者不坐辜罰，無功能者畢受官爵，流漸積畏，過在於是，欲令昭昭以覺聖朝。昔詩人所刺，《春秋》所譏，指象如此，殆不在它。由後視前，忿邑非之。逮身所行，不自鏡見，則以為可，計之過者。願陛下加致精誠，思承始初，事稽諸古，以厭下心，則黎庶群生無不說喜，上帝百神收還威怒，禎祥福祿，何嫌不報！」

Former Governor of Liangzhou Du Ye, answering as worthy and upright, said: "Your servant has heard that yang is honored and yin is lowly—this is Heaven's Way. Therefore though a man may be lowly, each is the yang of his household; though a woman may be honored, she remains the yin of her state. Hence ritual clarifies the Three Followings: though a woman has the virtue of a civil mother, she must be bound to her son. Formerly the Earl of Zheng followed Lady Jiang's desires, and in the end suffered Uncle Duan's usurpation; King Xiang of Zhou, pressed from within by Queen Hui, met the peril of taking refuge in Zheng. When Han arose, Empress Dowager Lü wielded power for her private kin and nearly endangered the realm. Your servant sees that Your Majesty is abstemious and upright in person, wishing to make a new beginning with the realm—yet fine omens have not answered, while there are solar eclipse and earthquake. Examining disasters and anomalies in the Spring and Autumn Annals, they speak through pointing images. A solar eclipse means bright yang is overspread by yin. Kun models itself on earth—it is soil, it is mother, and its virtue is quiet calm; earthquake is the effect of yin failing to remain yin. The omen-image is very clear; your servant dares not fail to speak plainly! Formerly Zengzi asked the meaning of following a parent's orders; Confucius said, 'What words are these!' The good Min Ziqian kept ritual and would not casually obey kin; nothing he did was against reason—hence there was nothing to criticize. Now the various affinal kin and brothers, worthy or not, all attend the curtains and fill the ranks; some command military guard, some lead encamped armies—favor concentrates on one house in a weight of honor the age has rarely seen or heard. They even set up together the offices of Grand Marshal and general; though Huangfu was strong, though the Three Huan were exalted, though Lu raised three armies—nothing surpasses this! On the day of their appointment the sun was dimly eclipsed. Not before or after but as the affair unfolded—this shows Your Majesty's modesty without sole authority, receiving direction from more than one voice: what is spoken is at once heard, what is desired is at once granted; the guilty go unpunished, the meritless all receive rank and fief; dread accumulates by degrees—the fault lies here, and I wish to make it plain to awaken the sage court. What poets of old satirized and the Spring and Autumn Annals reproached points to images like these—probably to nothing else. Viewing the past from the future, men grow angry and deplore such things. But when it comes to what one's own person does, if one does not mirror oneself, one thinks it acceptable—this is excess in judgment. May Your Majesty increase refined sincerity, think to continue your beginning, and weigh affairs against antiquity to satisfy the hearts below—then the people will all rejoice, the High Lord and the hundred spirits will withdraw their wrath, and auspicious omens, fortune, and blessings—what worry that they will not answer!"

上又征孔光詣公車，問以日食事，拜為光祿大夫，秩中二千石，給事中，位次丞相。初，王莽既就國，杜門自守。其中子獲殺奴，莽切責獲，令自殺。在國三歲，吏民上書冤訟莽者百數。至是，賢良周護、宋崇等對策，復深訟莽功德。上於是征莽及平阿侯仁還京師，侍太后。

The emperor also summoned Kong Guang to the imperial carriage office, questioned him about the eclipse, and appointed him Grand Master of Splendor at rank 2000-shi, as Palace Attendant Within the Gates with rank next after the Chancellor. Earlier, after Wang Mang had gone to his state, he shut his doors and kept to himself. His middle son Wang Huo killed a slave; Wang Mang sternly reproached him and ordered him to take his own life. During three years in his state, officials and commoners submitted several hundred memorials pleading Wang Mang's injustice. At this time the worthies Zhou Hu and Song Chong and others, answering in audience, again deeply praised Wang Mang's merit and virtue. The emperor thereupon summoned Wang Mang and Marquis of Ping'e Liu Ren back to the capital to attend the empress dowager.

董賢因日食之變以沮傅晏、息夫躬之策，辛卯，上收晏印綬，罷就第。

Dong Xian used the eclipse omen to thwart Fu Yan and Xinfu Gong's plans; on xinmao the emperor took back Fu Yan's seal and ribbon and sent him to his residence.

丁巳，皇太太后傅氏崩，合葬渭陵，稱孝元傅皇后。

On dingsi the Grand Imperial Empress Dowager Fu died; she was buried jointly at Weiling and styled Empress Fu, filial consort of Emperor Yuan.

丞相、御史奏息夫躬、孫寵等罪過，上乃免躬、寵官，遣就國；又罷侍中、諸曹、黃門郎數十人。

The Chancellor and Censor memorialized the crimes of Xinfu Gong, Sun Chong, and others; the emperor removed Gong and Chong from office and sent them to their states; He also dismissed several dozen Palace Attendants, bureau officers, and Yellow Gate Gentlemen.

鮑宣上書曰：「陛下父事天，母事地，子養黎民。即位已來，父虧明，母震動，子訛言相驚恐。今日食於三始，誠可畏懼。小民正朔日尚恐毀敗器物，何況於日虧乎！陛下深內自責，避正殿，舉直言，求過失，罷退外親及旁仄素餐之人，征拜孔光為光祿大夫，發覺孫寵、息夫躬過惡，免官遣就國，眾庶歙然，莫不說喜。天人同心，人心說則天意解矣。乃二月丙戌，白虹干日，連陰不雨，此天下憂結未解，民有怨望未塞者也。侍中、駙馬都尉董賢，本無葭莩之親，但以令色、諛言自進，賞賜無度，竭盡府臧，併合三第，尚以為小，復壞暴室。賢父、子坐使天子使者，將作治第，行夜吏卒皆得賞賜，上塚有會，輒太官為供。海內貢獻，當養一君，今反盡之賢家，豈天意與民意邪！天不可久負，厚之如此，反所以害之也！誠欲哀賢，宜為謝過天地，解讎海內，免遣就國，收乘輿器物還之縣官，如此，可以父子終其性命；不者，海內之所仇，未有得久安者也。孫寵、息夫躬不宜居國，可皆免，以視天下。復征何武、師丹、彭宣、傅喜，曠然使民易視，以應天心，建立大政，興太平之端。」上感大異，納宣言，征何武、彭宣；拜鮑宣為司隸。

Bao Xuan submitted a memorial: "Your Majesty serves Heaven as father, Earth as mother, and nourishes the people as children. Since taking the throne, the father has lost his brightness, the mother has quaked, and the children spread false reports in mutual terror. Today's eclipse at the Three Beginnings is truly fearful. Common folk on New Year's Day still fear damaging their utensils—how much more when the sun itself is diminished! Your Majesty blamed yourself deeply within, avoided the main hall, raised frank speech, sought faults, dismissed affinal kin and lateral parasites who drew salary without work, summoned Kong Guang as Grand Master of Splendor, exposed Sun Chong and Xinfu Gong's excesses, removed them and sent them to their states—and the multitude sighed with relief; none failed to rejoice. Heaven and men share one heart; when the people's hearts are pleased, Heaven's intent is released. Yet on the second month bingxu a white rainbow crossed the sun and clouds lingered without rain—this shows the realm's worry not yet loosened and the people's resentful gaze not yet satisfied. Palace Attendant and Commandant of Cavalry Dong Xian had no reed-and-fluff kinship with you, yet advanced himself by pleasing looks and flattery; his rewards knew no limit and exhausted the treasury; he merged three great residences and still thought them small, and again destroyed the Bao chamber. Xian's father and son sat at ease while the Son of Heaven's envoys and the Chief of Construction built their residences; night patrol clerks and soldiers all received rewards; whenever there was a gathering at the ancestral mound, the Grand Provisioner supplied the feast. Tribute from within the seas ought to nourish one ruler—now it is all poured into Xian's house; can this be Heaven's intent or the people's will! Heaven cannot long be burdened; to heap favor on him thus is instead how to destroy him! If you truly wish to pity Xian, you ought apologize to Heaven and Earth, dissolve enmity within the seas, remove him and send him to his state, take back imperial-carriage utensils and return them to the government—thus father and son may live out their lives; If not, he will be what the realm hates, and none in such a case have long remained secure. Sun Chong and Xinfu Gong ought not remain in their states; remove them all, to show the realm. Again summon He Wu, Shi Dan, Peng Xuan, and Fu Xi; open the view so the people change what they see, answer Heaven's heart, establish great government, and raise the beginning of great peace." Moved by the great anomalies, the emperor adopted Bao Xuan's words and summoned He Wu and Peng Xuan; He appointed Bao Xuan Metropolitan Commandant.

上托傅太后遺詔，令太皇太后下丞相、御史，益封董賢二千戶，賜孔鄉侯、汝昌侯、陽新侯國。王嘉封還詔書，因奏封事諫曰：「臣聞爵祿、土地，天之有也。《書》云：『天命有德，五服五章哉！』王者代天爵人，尤宜慎之。裂地而封，不得其宜，則眾庶不服，感動陰陽，其害疾自深。今聖體久不平，此臣嘉所內懼也。高安侯賢，佞幸之臣，陛下傾爵位以貴之，單貨財以富之，損至尊以寵之，主威已黜，府臧已竭，唯恐不足。財皆民力所為，孝文皇帝欲起露台，重百金之費，克己不作。今賢散公賦以施私惠，一家至受千金，往古以來，貴臣未嘗有此，流聞四方，皆同怨之。里諺曰：『千人所指，無病而死，』臣常為之寒心。今太皇太后以永信太后遺詔詔丞相、御史，益賢戶，賜三侯國，臣嘉竊惑。山崩、地動、日食於三朝，皆陰侵陽之戒也。前賢已再封，晏、商再易邑，業緣私橫求，恩已過厚，求索自恣，不知厭足，甚傷尊尊之義，不可以示天下，為害痛矣！臣驕侵罔，陰陽失節，氣感相動，害及身體。陛下寢疾久不平，繼嗣未立，宜思正萬事，順天人之心，以求福祐，奈何輕身肆意，不念高祖之勤苦，垂立制度，欲傳之於無窮哉！臣謹封上詔書，不敢露見。非愛死而不自法，恐天下聞之，故不敢自劾。」

The emperor used Empress Dowager Fu's testamentary edict to have the Grand Empress Dowager instruct the Chancellor and Censor to increase Dong Xian's fief by two thousand households and grant states to Marquis of Kongxiang, Marquis of Ruchang, and Marquis of Yangxin. Wang Jia sealed and returned the edict, and submitted a sealed remonstrance: "Your servant has heard that ranks, stipends, and land belong to Heaven. The Documents say, 'Heaven's mandate rests on the virtuous—five garments and five patterns!' The king enfeoffs men on Heaven's behalf—he ought especially to be careful. To split land and enfeoff where it is not fitting is to make the multitude refuse submission and stir yin and yang—the harm quickly deepens of itself. Now Your Majesty's person has long been unwell—this is what your servant Wang Jia inwardly fears. Marquis of Gao'an Dong Xian is a fawning favorite; Your Majesty tilts rank and office to honor him, pours out goods and wealth to enrich him, diminishes your own majesty to favor him—sovereign authority is already dimmed, the treasury already drained, yet you still fear it is not enough. Wealth is all produced by the people's strength; Emperor Wen wished to raise an open-air terrace, weighed the cost at a hundred gold, restrained himself, and did not build. Now Xian disperses public levies to bestow private favor; one household has received as much as a thousand gold; from antiquity until now no honored minister has had this; word spreads to the four quarters and all alike resent it. A village saying runs, 'When a thousand men point at you, you die without illness'—your servant is often chilled at heart for it. Now the Grand Empress Dowager, by Everlasting Faith Empress Dowager's testamentary edict, has instructed the Chancellor and Censor to increase Xian's households and grant three marquis states—your servant Wang Jia is privately perplexed. Mountain collapse, earthquake, and eclipse at the Three Beginnings are all warnings of yin invading yang. The former favorite has already been enfeoffed twice; Fu Yan and Fu Shang have twice changed their fiefs; Fu Ye sought wildly through private ties—favor already past thick, demanding at will without satiety—greatly injuring the meaning of honoring the honored; this cannot be shown to the realm; the harm is grievous! When ministers grow arrogant and encroaching, yin and yang lose their measure; responsive forces move one another and harm reaches the body. Your Majesty's illness has long been unabated and the succession is not yet established—you ought think to rectify the ten thousand affairs and follow Heaven and the people's hearts to seek blessing; why lightly indulge your will, not recalling Gaozu's toil and the system he left hanging down, wishing to pass it on without end! Your servant respectfully seals and submits the edict, not daring to expose it for view. It is not that I welcome death yet refuse to punish myself—I fear the realm will hear of it; therefore I dare not impeach myself."

初，廷尉梁相治東平王雲獄，時冬月未盡二旬，而相心疑雲冤獄，有飾辭，奏欲傳之長安，更下公卿覆治。尚書令鞫譚、僕射宗伯鳳以為可許。天子以為相等皆見上體不平，外內顧望，操持兩心，幸雲逾冬，無討賊疾惡主讎之意，免相等皆為庶人。後數月，大赦，嘉薦「相等皆有材行，聖王有計功除過，臣竊為朝廷惜此三人。」書奏，上不能平。後二十餘日，嘉封還益董賢戶事，上乃發怒，召嘉詣尚書，責問以「相等前坐不忠，罪惡著聞，君時輒已自劾；今又稱譽，云『為朝廷惜之』，何也？」嘉免冠謝罪。事下將軍中朝者，光祿大夫孔光等劾「嘉迷國罔上，不道，請謁者召嘉詣廷尉詔獄。」議郎龔等以為「嘉言事前後相違，宜奪爵土，免為庶人。」永信少府猛等以為「嘉罪名雖應法，大臣括發關械，裸躬就笞，非所以重國，褒宗廟也。」上不聽，三月，詔「假謁者節，召丞相詣廷尉詔獄。」

Earlier, Minister of Justice Liang Xiang handled the case of King Yun of Dongping; winter had not yet run twenty days, yet Xiang suspected a wrongful conviction with embellished testimony and memorialized to transfer the case to Chang'an for re-examination by the high ministers. Director of the Secretariat Ju Tan and Vice Director Zong Bo Feng thought the request could be granted. The emperor concluded that Liang Xiang and the others had seen his health fail, wavered inwardly and outwardly, held two minds, and hoped Yun would survive the winter—showing no zeal to pursue villains and avenge their lord; he dismissed Liang Xiang and all the rest to commoner rank. Several months later, at a general amnesty, Wang Jia recommended: "Liang Xiang and the others all have talent and character; sage kings weigh merit and pardon faults; your servant privately grieves for the court to lose these three men." The memorial was submitted; the emperor could not accept it calmly. More than twenty days later, when Wang Jia's fief was returned to augment Dong Xian's household, the emperor flew into a rage, summoned Jia to the Secretariat, and reproached him: "Liang Xiang and the others were earlier convicted of disloyalty; their crimes are publicly known; you then promptly impeached yourself; now again you praise them, saying you grieve for the court to lose them—how is this?" Wang Jia removed his cap and apologized. The matter was referred to generals and inner-court officials; Palace Chamberlain Kong Guang and others impeached: "Jia deluded the state and deceived the sovereign—unfilial; we request an usher summon Jia to the imperial prison under the Minister of Justice." Remonstrance Gentleman Gong and others held: "Jia's statements before and after contradict each other—strip his rank and fief and reduce him to commoner status." Director of the Ever-Faithful Palace Meng and others held: "Though Jia's crimes answer to the law, to bind a great minister's hair, shackle him, bare his body, and beat him is not how to honor the state and exalt the ancestral temple." The emperor would not hear it; in the third month an edict said: "Lend the usher's staff; summon the chancellor to the imperial prison under the Minister of Justice."

使者既到，府掾、史涕泣，共和藥進嘉，嘉不肯服。主簿曰：「將相不對理陳冤，相踵以為故事，君侯宜引決。」使者危坐府門上，主簿復前進藥。嘉引藥杯以擊地，謂官屬曰：「丞相幸得備位三公，奉職負國，當伏刑都市，以示萬眾。丞相豈兒女子邪！何謂咀藥而死！」嘉遂裝，出見使者，再拜受詔；乘吏小車，去蓋，不冠，隨使者詣廷尉。廷尉收嘉丞相、新甫侯印綬，縛嘉載致都船詔獄。上聞嘉生自詣吏，大怒，使將軍以下與五二千石雜治。吏詰問嘉，嘉對曰：「案事者思得實。竊見相等前治東平王獄，不以雲為不當死，欲關公卿，示重慎，誠不見其外內顧望，阿附為雲驗，復幸得蒙大赦。相等皆良善吏，臣竊為國惜賢，不私此三人。」獄吏曰：「苟如此，則君何以為罪？猶當有以負國，不空入獄矣。」吏稍侵辱嘉，嘉喟然仰天歎曰：「幸得充備宰相，不能進賢、退不肖，以是負國，死有餘責。」吏問賢、不肖主名。嘉曰：「賢：故丞相孔光、故大司空何武，不能進；惡：高安侯董賢父子，佞邪亂朝，而不能退。罪當死，死無所恨！」嘉繫獄二十餘日，不食，歐血而死。

When the envoy arrived, the chancellor's clerks and scribes wept and together offered poison to Jia; Jia refused to take it. The chief clerk said: "Generals and chancellors do not plead their case at trial—one after another they made this the precedent; my lord ought to take his own life." The envoy sat upright at the mansion gate; the chief clerk again advanced the poison. Jia raised the cup and dashed it to the ground, telling his staff: "A chancellor who has attained one of the Three Ducal posts bears office and owes the state—he ought to die by public execution in the marketplace, as an example to all. Is a chancellor a child or a woman! Why speak of swallowing poison to die!" Jia thereupon dressed, went out to see the envoy, bowed twice and received the edict; he rode a clerk's small cart, removed the canopy, went bareheaded, and followed the envoy to the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice took Jia's chancellor and Marquis of Xinfu seals and cords, bound him, and conveyed him to the Metropolitan Boat imperial prison. Learning that Jia had gone alive of his own accord to the officials, the emperor was furious and ordered generals and the five-hundred- and two-thousand-picul ranks to conduct a joint trial. The officials interrogated Jia; Jia replied: "Those who handle cases seek the truth. Your servant observed that when Liang Xiang and the others handled King Yun's case, they did not hold that Yun ought not to die; they wished to refer it to the high ministers to show weighty caution—I truly did not see them wavering inwardly and outwardly or currying favor to manufacture evidence for Yun; they again fortunately received the great amnesty. Liang Xiang and the others are all capable officials; your servant grieves for the state to lose worthy men—not out of private favor for these three." The prison clerk said: "If that is so, then on what ground is my lord guilty? There must still be some way you have failed the state—you cannot enter prison for nothing." The officials gradually insulted him; Jia sighed, looked up to Heaven, and said: "Having attained the chancellorship, I could not advance the worthy and remove the unworthy—thereby failing the state; death still leaves guilt remaining." The officials asked the names of the worthy and unworthy. Jia said: "Worthy: former Chancellor Kong Guang and former Grand Minister of Works He Wu—I could not advance them; wicked: Marquis of Gao'an Dong Xian, father and son—fawning and wicked, throwing the court into disorder—and I could not remove them. The crime deserves death; in death I have no regret!" Jia was bound in prison more than twenty days, ate nothing, vomited blood, and died.

已而上覽其對，思嘉言，會御史大夫賈延免，夏，五月，乙卯，以孔光為御史大夫。秋，七月，丙午，以光為丞相，復故國博山侯；又以汜鄉侯何武為御史大夫。上乃知孔光前免非其罪，以過近臣毀短光者，曰：「傅嘉前為侍中，毀譖仁賢，誣訴大臣，令俊艾者久失其位，其免嘉為庶人，歸故郡。」八月，何武徙為前將軍。辛卯，光祿大夫彭宣為御史大夫。

Afterward the emperor reviewed his replies and reflected on Jia's words; when Censor-in-Chief Jia Yan was dismissed, in summer, the fifth month, on yimao, Kong Guang was appointed Censor-in-Chief. In autumn, the seventh month, on bingwu, Kong Guang was appointed chancellor and restored to his former state as Marquis of Boshan; and Marquis of Sìxiang He Wu was appointed Censor-in-Chief. The emperor then knew Kong Guang's earlier dismissal was not for his guilt; he punished close attendants who had defamed Guang, saying: "Fu Jia, formerly Attendant Within, slandered the humane and worthy and falsely accused great ministers, keeping outstanding men long from office—dismiss Fu Jia to commoner rank and send him to his home commandery." In the eighth month, He Wu was transferred to General of the Van. On xinmao, Palace Chamberlain Peng Xuan was appointed Censor-in-Chief.

司隸鮑宣坐摧辱宰相，拒閉使者，無人臣禮，減死髡鉗。

Metropolitan Superintendent Bao Xuan was convicted of humiliating the chancellor and refusing the envoy, lacking a minister's rites—his death sentence was reduced to shaving and shackles.

大司馬丁明素重王嘉，以其死而憐之；九月，乙卯，冊免明，使就第。

Grand Marshal Ding Ming had always esteemed Wang Jia and pitied him for his death; in the ninth month, on yimao, Ding Ming was removed by patent and sent to his mansion.

冬，十一月，壬午，以故定陶太傅、光祿大夫韋賞為大司馬、車騎將軍。己丑，賞卒。

In winter, the eleventh month, on renwu, the former Grand Tutor of Dingtao and Palace Chamberlain Wei Shang was appointed Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry. On jichou, Wei Shang died.

十二月，庚子，以侍中、駙馬都尉董賢為大司馬、衛將軍，冊曰：「建爾於公，以為漢輔！往悉爾心，匡正庶事，允執其中！」是時賢年二十二，雖為三公，常給事中，領尚書，百官因賢奏事。以父衛尉恭不宜在卿位，徙為光祿大夫、秩中二千石；弟寬信代賢為駙馬都尉。董氏親屬皆侍中、諸曹、奉朝請，寵在丁、傅之右矣。

In the twelfth month, on gengzi, Attendant Within and Commandant of Cavalry for the Emperor's Son-in-Law Dong Xian was appointed Grand Marshal and Defender-General; the patent read: "Establish you in the public sphere as Han's helper! Go and give your whole mind, rectify the multitude of affairs, and hold fast the mean!" At that time Dong Xian was twenty-two; although one of the Three Ducal posts, he constantly served as Attendant Within, headed the Secretariat, and the hundred offices submitted affairs through him. Because his father Commandant of the Guard Gong was unfit for a ministerial post, he was transferred to Palace Chamberlain at the two-thousand-picul middle rank; his younger brother Kuanxin replaced Dong Xian as Commandant of Cavalry for the Emperor's Son-in-Law. The Dong clan's kin were all Attendants Within, bureau chiefs, and court assemblers—their favor now surpassed the Ding and Fu clans.

初，丞相孔光為御史大夫，賢父恭為御史，事光。及賢為大司馬，與光並為三公。上故令賢私過光。光雅恭謹，知上欲尊寵賢。及聞賢當來也，光警戒衣冠出門待，望見賢車乃卻入，賢至中門，光入閣，既下車，乃出，拜謁、送迎其謹，不敢以賓客鈞敵之禮。上聞之，喜，立拜光兩兄子為諫大夫、常侍。賢由是權與人主侔矣。

Earlier, when Chancellor Kong Guang was Censor-in-Chief, Dong Xian's father Gong was a censor and served under Guang. When Dong Xian became Grand Marshal, he and Kong Guang were together among the Three Ducal posts. The emperor deliberately had Dong Xian pay a private visit to Kong Guang. Kong Guang was by nature respectful and cautious and knew the emperor wished to honor and favor Dong Xian. When he heard Dong Xian was coming, Kong Guang dressed carefully and went out the gate to wait; seeing Dong Xian's carriage he withdrew inside; when Dong Xian reached the middle gate Kong Guang entered the side chamber; only after Dong Xian had alighted did he come out—bowing, paying respects, and escorting him with such caution that he did not dare treat him as an equal guest. The emperor heard of it, was pleased, and immediately appointed Kong Guang's two elder brothers' sons Remonstrance Grandee and Regular Attendant. Dong Xian thereby came to wield power comparable to the sovereign.

是時，成帝外家王氏衰廢，唯平阿侯譚子去疾為侍中，弟閎為中常侍。閎妻父中郎將蕭鹹，前將軍望之子也，賢父恭慕之，欲為子寬信求鹹女為婦，使閎言之。鹹惶恐不敢當，私謂閎曰：「董公為大司馬，冊文言『允執其中』，此乃堯禪舜之文，非三公故事，長者見者莫不心懼。此豈家人子所能堪邪！」閎性有知略，聞鹹言，心亦悟；乃還報恭，深達鹹自謙薄之意。恭歎曰：「我家何用負天下，而為人所畏如是！」意不說。後上置酒麒麟殿，賢父子、親屬宴飲，侍中、中常侍皆在側，上有酒所，從容視賢，笑曰：「吾欲法堯禪舜，何如？」王閎進曰：「天下乃高皇帝天下，非陛下之有也！陛下承宗廟，當傳子孫於亡窮，統業至重，天子亡戲言！」上默然不說，左右皆恐。於是遣閎出歸郎署。久之，太皇太后為閎謝，復召閎還。閎遂上書諫曰：「臣聞王者立三公，法三光，居之者當得賢人。《易》曰：『鼎折足，覆公餗，』喻三公非其人也。昔孝文皇帝幸鄧通，不過中大夫；武皇帝幸韓嫣，常賜而已，皆不在大位。今大司馬、衛將軍董賢，無功於漢朝，又無肺腑之連，復無名跡高行以矯世，升擢數年，列備鼎足，典衛禁兵，無功封爵，父子、兄弟橫蒙拔擢，賞賜空竭帑藏，萬民喧嘩，偶言道路，誠不當天心也！昔褒神蚖變化為人，實生褒姒，亂周國，恐陛下有過失之譏，賢有小人不知進退之禍，非所以垂法後世也！」上雖不從閎言，多其年少志強，亦不罪也。

At that time the Wang clan of Emperor Cheng's maternal kin had declined; only Quji, son of Marquis of Ping'a Tan, was Attendant Within, and his younger brother Hong was Palace Attendant-in-Ordinary. Hong's father-in-law Gentlemen-of-the-Household Xiao Xian, son of former General of the Van Wang, was admired by Dong Gong; Gong wished to seek Xiao Xian's daughter as wife for his son Kuanxin and had Hong speak of it. Xiao Xian was fearful and did not dare accept; he privately told Hong: "Lord Dong as Grand Marshal—the patent's words 'hold fast the mean' are the text of Yao yielding the throne to Shun; they are not the Three Ducal precedent; elders who see it are all inwardly afraid. How can this be what a mere household son can bear!" Hong by nature had judgment; hearing Xiao Xian's words, he also understood; he returned and reported to Gong, conveying in depth Xiao Xian's intent of self-deprecation and modesty. Gong sighed: "What need has my house to bear the empire, that we should be feared by others like this!" His mind was displeased. Later the emperor set wine in the Qilin Hall; Dong Xian, father and son, and kin feasted; Attendants Within and Palace Attendants-in-Ordinary were all at his side; when wine had taken effect he leisurely looked at Dong Xian and said with a smile: "I wish to model Yao in yielding the throne to Shun—how would that be?" Wang Hong advanced and said: "The empire is Emperor Gao's empire—not something Your Majesty possesses! Your Majesty inherits the ancestral temple; you ought to transmit it to sons and grandsons without end—the unified enterprise is supremely weighty; the Son of Heaven has no jesting words!" The emperor was silent and displeased; those at his side were all afraid. Thereupon he sent Hong out to return to his gentleman post. After a long while the Grand Empress Dowager apologized for Hong, and he was again summoned back. Hong thereupon submitted a memorial remonstrating: "Your servant has heard that kings establish the Three Ducal posts, modeling the three luminaries—those who occupy them ought to be worthy men. The Changes says, 'The cauldron's legs break; the lord's stew is overturned'—a metaphor that the Three Ducal posts are not held by the right men. Formerly Emperor Wen favored Deng Tong, yet advanced him no higher than Palace Grandee; Emperor Wu favored Han Yan with frequent gifts only—neither held the great posts. Now Grand Marshal and Defender-General Dong Xian has no merit to the Han house, no bond of flesh and blood, and again no famous deeds or lofty conduct to correct the age—yet within a few years of promotion he fills one leg of the tripod, commands the guard forbidden troops, received enfeoffment without merit; father, sons, and brothers recklessly received elevation; rewards and gifts emptied the treasury; the people clamor and whisper along the roads—truly this does not accord with Heaven's mind! Formerly the spirit serpent of Bao transformed into a man and in truth bore Bao Si, throwing the Zhou state into disorder—I fear Your Majesty will incur the reproach of fault, and Dong Xian the misfortune of a petty man who does not know advance and retreat; this is not how to hand down law to later ages!" Although the emperor did not follow Hong's words, he admired his youth and strong will and did not punish him.

春，正月，匈奴單于及烏孫大昆彌伊秩靡皆來朝，漢以為榮。是時西域凡五十國，自譯長至將、相、侯、王皆佩漢印綬，凡三百七十六人；而康居、大月氏、安息、罽賓、烏弋之屬，皆以絕遠，不在數中，其來貢獻，則相與報，不督錄總領也。自黃龍以來，單于每入朝，其賞賜錦繡、繒絮，輒加厚於前，以慰接之。單于宴見，群臣在前，單于怪董賢年少，以問譯。上令譯報曰：「大司馬年少，以大賢居位。」單于乃起，拜賀漢得賢臣。是時上以大歲厭勝所在，捨單于上林苑蒲陶宮，告之以加敬於單于；單于知之，不悅。

In spring, the first month, the Xiongnu chanyu and the Wusun Grand Kunmi Yizhimi both came to court; the Han court took it as glory. At that time in the Western Regions there were fifty states in all; from interpreters-in-chief down to generals, chancellors, marquises, and kings—all wore Han seals and cords, three hundred seventy-six in all; but Kangju, Dayuezhi, Parthia, Jibin, Wuyi, and the like, all being extremely remote, were not counted among them; when they came to offer tribute, they were answered in turn and were not supervised or recorded in total. Since the Huanglong era, whenever the chanyu entered court, his rewards of brocade, embroidery, and silk floss were always richer than before, to comfort and receive him. At the chanyu's banquet audience, with the ministers before him, the chanyu wondered at Dong Xian's youth and asked the interpreter. The emperor ordered the interpreter to reply: "The Grand Marshal is young because great worthiness occupies the post." The chanyu thereupon rose and bowed, congratulating Han on obtaining a worthy minister. At that time, because the Grand Year star's conquering position lay there, the emperor lodged the chanyu at the Grape Palace in Shanglin Park and told him this showed added respect for the chanyu; the chanyu knew it and was displeased.

夏，四月，壬辰晦，日有食之。

In summer, the fourth month, on the last day renchen of the cycle, there was a solar eclipse.

五月，甲子，正三公官分職。大司馬、衛將軍董賢為大司馬；丞相孔光為大司徒；御史大夫彭宣為大司空，封長平侯。

In the fifth month, on jiazi, the Three Ducal offices were rectified and their duties divided. Grand Marshal and Defender-General Dong Xian remained Grand Marshal; Chancellor Kong Guang became Grand Minister of the Masses; Censor-in-Chief Peng Xuan became Grand Minister of Works and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping.

六月，戊午，帝崩於未央宮。

In the sixth month, on wuwu, the emperor died at Weiyang Palace.

帝睹孝成之世祿去王室，及即位，屢誅大臣，欲強主威以則武、宣。然而寵信讒諂，憎疾忠直，漢業由是遂衰。

The emperor had seen that in Emperor Cheng's reign emoluments left the royal house; when he took the throne he repeatedly executed great ministers, wishing to strengthen the sovereign's authority to match Wu and Xuan. Yet he favored slanderers and flatterers, hated the loyal and upright—and the Han enterprise thereby declined.

太皇太后聞帝崩，即日駕之未央宮，收取璽綬。太后召大司馬賢，引見東箱，問以喪事調度。賢內憂，不能對，免冠謝。太后曰：「新都侯莽，前以大司馬奉送先帝大行，曉習故事，吾令莽佐君。」賢頓首：「幸甚！」太后遣使者馳召莽。詔尚書，諸發兵符節、百官奏事、中黃門、期門兵皆屬莽。莽以太后指，使尚書劾賢帝病不親醫藥，禁止賢不得入宮殿司馬中；賢不知所為，詣闕免冠徒跣謝。己未，莽使謁者以太后詔即闕下冊賢曰：「賢年少，未更事理，為大司馬，不合眾心，其收大司馬印綬，罷歸第！」即日，賢與妻皆自殺；家惶恐，夜葬。莽疑其詐死。有司奏請發賢棺，至獄診視，因埋獄中。太皇太后詔「公卿舉可大司馬者」。莽故大司馬，辭位避丁、傅，眾庶稱以為賢，又太皇太后近親，自大司徒孔光以下，舉朝皆舉莽。獨前將軍何武、左將軍公孫祿二人相與謀，以為「往時惠、昭之世，外戚呂、霍、上官持權，幾危社稷；今孝成、孝哀比世無嗣，方當選立近親幼主，不宜令外戚大臣持權。親疏相錯，為國計便。」於是武舉公孫祿可大司馬，而祿亦舉武。庚申，太皇太后自用莽為大司馬、領尚書事。

The Grand Empress Dowager heard the emperor had died; that very day she drove to Weiyang Palace and took the seals and cords. The empress dowager summoned Grand Marshal Dong Xian, received him in audience in the eastern side chamber, and questioned him on funeral arrangements and provisions. Dong Xian was inwardly troubled and could not reply; he removed his cap and apologized. The empress dowager said: "Marquis of Xindu Mang, formerly as Grand Marshal escorted the late emperor's bier and is skilled in precedent—I order Mang to assist you." Dong Xian kowtowed: "Exceedingly fortunate!" The empress dowager sent a messenger post-haste to summon Wang Mang. An edict to the Masters of Writing placed under Wang Mang all issuance of military tallies and seals, officials' memorials, Palace Attendants of the Yellow Gates, and Guard Corps troops. Wang Mang, acting on the empress dowager's intent, had the Masters of Writing impeach Dong Xian for failing to attend personally to the emperor's medicine during his illness, and forbade Xian from entering the palace guard quarters; Xian did not know what to do and went to the palace gate bareheaded and barefoot to apologize. On jiwei, Wang Mang had an usher read the empress dowager's edict at the gate to dismiss Xian, saying, "Xian is young and inexperienced; as Grand Marshal he does not accord with popular sentiment—surrender the Grand Marshal's seal and cord and retire to your residence!" That same day Xian and his wife both committed suicide; the family, in panic, buried him by night. Wang Mang suspected a feigned death. The responsible officials memorialized to open Xian's coffin, examine the corpse in prison, and bury it there. The grand empress dowager issued an edict: "Let the high ministers nominate one fit to be Grand Marshal." Wang Mang had formerly been Grand Marshal and resigned to avoid the Ding and Fu clans; the people praised him as worthy, and as a close kinswoman of the grand empress dowager—from Grand Minister of Education Kong Guang down—the whole court nominated Wang Mang. Only Forward General He Wu and Left General Gongsun Lu counseled together, holding that "in the times of Emperors Hui and Zhao, maternal kin—the Lü, Huo, and Shangguan—held power and nearly endangered the state; now Emperors Xiaocheng and Xia'ai in succession left no heir; it is time to select a close kinsman as a young sovereign—it is not fitting to let maternal kin and great ministers hold power. Let near and distant be interlaced—this serves the state's interest." Thereupon Wu nominated Gongsun Lu for Grand Marshal, and Lu likewise nominated Wu. On gengshen the grand empress dowager herself appointed Wang Mang Grand Marshal and head of Masters of Writing affairs.

太皇太后與莽議立嗣。安陽侯王舜，莽之從弟，其人修飭，太皇太后所信愛也，莽白以舜為車騎將軍。秋，七月，遣舜與大鴻臚左咸使持節迎中山王箕子以為嗣。

The grand empress dowager and Wang Mang deliberated on establishing an heir. Marquis of Anyang Wang Shun, Wang Mang's younger cousin, was a man of cultivated deportment whom the grand empress dowager trusted and loved; Wang Mang had Shun appointed Commandant of Cavalry. In autumn, the seventh month, she sent Shun with Grand Herald Zuo Xian, bearing credentials, to welcome the King of Zhongshan's son Jizi as heir.

莽又白太皇太后，詔有司以皇太后前與女弟昭儀專寵錮寢，殘滅繼嗣，貶為孝成皇后，徙居北宮。又以定陶共王太后與孔鄉侯晏同心合謀，背恩忘本，專恣不軌，徙孝哀皇后退就桂宮，傅氏、丁氏皆免官爵歸故郡，傅晏將妻子徙合浦。獨下詔褒揚傅喜曰：「高武侯喜，姿性端愨，論議忠直，雖與故定陶太后有屬，終不順指從邪，介然守節，以故斥逐就國。《傳》不雲乎：『歲寒然後知松柏之後凋也。』其還喜長安，位特進，奉朝請。」喜雖外見褒賞，孤立憂懼；後復遣就國，以壽終。莽又貶傅太后號為定陶共王母，丁太后號曰丁姬。莽又奏董賢父子驕恣奢僭，請收沒入財物縣官，諸以賢為官者皆免。父恭、弟寬信與家屬徙合浦，母別歸故郡巨鹿。長安中小民歡嘩，鄉其第哭，幾獲盜之。縣官斥賣董氏財，凡四十三萬萬。賢所厚吏沛朱詡自劾去大司馬府，買棺衣，收賢屍葬之。莽聞之，以它罪擊殺詡。莽以大司徒孔光名儒，相三主，太后所敬，天下信之，於是盛尊事光，引光女婿甄邯為侍中、奉車都尉。諸素所不說者，莽皆傅致其罪，為請奏草，令邯持與光，以太后指風光。光素畏慎，不敢不上之；莽白太后，輒可其奏。於是劾奏何武、公孫祿互相稱舉，皆免官，武就國。又奏董宏子高昌侯武父為佞邪，奪爵。又奏南郡太守毋將隆前為冀州牧，治中山馮太后獄，冤陷無辜，關內侯張由誣告骨肉，中太僕史立、泰山太守丁玄陷人入大辟，河內太守趙昌譖害鄭崇，幸逢赦令，皆不宜處位在中土，免為庶人，徙合浦。中山之獄，本立、玄自典考之，但與隆連名奏事；莽少時慕與隆交，隆不甚附，故因事擠之。紅陽侯立，太后親弟，雖不居位，莽以諸父內敬憚之，畏立從容言太后，令己不得肆意，復令光奏立罪惡：「前知定陵侯淳于長犯大逆罪，多受其賂，為言誤朝。後白以官婢楊寄私子為皇子，眾言曰：『呂氏少帝復出。』紛紛為天下所疑，難以示來世，成襁褓之功。請遣立就國。」太后不聽。莽曰：「今漢家衰，比世無嗣，太后獨代幼主統政，誠可畏懼。力用公正先天下，尚恐不從；今以私恩逆大臣議，如此，群下傾邪，亂從此起。宜可且遣就國，安後復徵召之。」太后不得已，遣立就國。莽之所以脅持上下，皆此類也。

Wang Mang again reported to the grand empress dowager; an edict charged that the empress dowager had formerly monopolized favor with her younger sister the Brilliant Companion, destroying the succession, and demoted her to Empress of Emperor Xiaocheng, moving her to the North Palace. Moreover, because the grand empress dowager of the King of Dingtao and Marquis of Kongxiang Yan had conspired together, turned their backs on grace and forgot their roots, and acted willfully beyond the norm, Empress of Emperor Xia'ai was moved back to Gui Palace; the Fu and Ding clans were all stripped of office and rank and returned to their home commanderies, and Fu Yan took wife and children to exile in Hepu. Alone an edict praised Fu Xi, saying, "Marquis of Gaowu Fu Xi—his bearing is upright and sincere, his discourse loyal and straight; though he had kinship with the former grand empress dowager of Dingtao, in the end he would not follow cues and join the wicked, but stood apart in guarding integrity, and for this was driven out to his state. Does not the Analects say, 'Only when the year grows cold do we know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither.' Let Xi return to Chang'an, with rank as Special Advancement and attendance at court audiences." Though Xi outwardly received praise and reward, he stood alone in worry and fear; later he was again sent to his state and died of old age. Wang Mang further demoted Grand Empress Dowager Fu's title to Mother of the King of Dingtao and Grand Empress Dowager Ding's title to Lady Ding. Wang Mang also memorialized that Dong Xian father and son were arrogant, willful, extravagant, and overstepping, requesting confiscation of their goods for the state treasury, and that all who had held office through Xian be dismissed. His father Gong, younger brother Kuanxin, and household were exiled to Hepu; his mother separately returned to her home commandery Julu. The common people of Chang'an rejoiced and clamored, went to his residence to weep, and nearly seized his goods as loot. The state treasury sold off the Dong clan's property, totaling four hundred thirty million cash. An official whom Xian had favored, Zhu Xu of Pei, impeached himself and left the Grand Marshal's office, bought coffin and shroud, collected Xian's corpse, and buried him. Wang Mang heard of it and had Xu beaten to death on another charge. Because Grand Minister of Education Kong Guang was a famed Confucian who had served three sovereigns, was revered by the empress dowager, and was trusted throughout the realm, Wang Mang greatly honored Guang and brought in Guang's son-in-law Zhen Han as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Commandant Who Conducts the Carriages. All whom he had long disliked, Wang Mang piled on their crimes, drafted memorials, had Han carry them to Guang, and by the empress dowager's intent gave Guang a hint. Guang was by nature fearful and cautious and dared not fail to submit them; Wang Mang reported to the empress dowager, and she always approved the memorials. Thereupon he impeached He Wu and Gongsun Lu for mutually nominating each other; both were dismissed from office, and Wu returned to his state. He also memorialized that Dong Hong's son Marquis of Gaochang Wu's father had been fawning and wicked, and stripped the rank. He also memorialized that Nanyang Administrator Wujiang Long, when formerly Governor of Jizhou, handled the prison case of Grand Empress Dowager Feng of Zhongshan and wrongfully trapped the guiltless; Marquis Within the Passes Zhang You falsely accused kin; Palace Steward Shi Li and Taishan Administrator Ding Xuan trapped men into capital punishment; Henei Administrator Zhao Chang slandered Zheng Chong—they had all luckily met amnesty edicts, yet none ought to hold position in the central lands; they were dismissed as commoners and exiled to Hepu. In the Zhongshan prison case, Li and Xuan had themselves directed the examinations; Long had only joined his name in the memorial; Wang Mang in youth had admired and sought friendship with Long, but Long did not greatly attach himself—therefore Wang Mang used the affair to squeeze him out. Marquis of Hongyang Li, the empress dowager's uterine younger brother, though he held no office, Wang Mang inwardly respected and feared him as an elder uncle of the clan, fearing that Li might speak at ease to the empress dowager and prevent his acting as he pleased; he again had Guang memorialize Li's crimes: "He formerly knew that Marquis of Dingling Chunyu Chang had committed treason yet received many bribes from him and spoke on his behalf, misleading the court. Later he reported that a palace slave woman Yang Ji had a private son made crown prince; the multitude said, 'The Young Emperor of the Lü clan has come forth again.' The clamor made him an object of doubt throughout the realm; it is hard to show posterity and accomplish the merit of nurturing an infant sovereign. I request that Li be sent to his state." The empress dowager would not heed it. Wang Mang said, "Now the House of Han declines; in succession there is no heir; the empress dowager alone acts for the young sovereign in governing the state—this is truly something to fear. Even if you exert fairness before all under Heaven, I still fear they will not follow; now to go against the great ministers' counsel out of private grace—if it is like this, the ranks below will lean wicked and disorder will rise from it. It is fitting for the time being to send him to his state; when all is secure afterward, summon him back." The empress dowager had no choice and sent Li to his state. The means by which Wang Mang coerced and controlled those above and below were all of this kind.

於是附順莽者拔擢，忤恨者誅滅，以王舜、王邑為腹心，甄豐、甄邯主擊斷，平晏領機事，劉秀典文章，孫建為爪牙。豐子尋、秀子棻、涿郡崔發、南陽陳崇皆以材能幸於莽。莽色厲而言方，欲有所為，微見風采，黨與承其指意而顯奏之。莽稽首涕泣，固推讓，上以惑太后，下用示信於眾庶焉。

Thereupon those who attached themselves and followed Wang Mang were promoted; those who resisted in resentment were destroyed; Wang Shun and Wang Yi were made his inner core, Zhen Feng and Zhen Han directed decisive strikes, Ping Yan oversaw secret affairs, Liu Xiu managed documents, and Sun Jian served as claws and teeth. Feng's son Xun, Xiu's son Fen, Cui Fa of Zhuo Commandery, and Chen Chong of Nanyang—all by talent and ability found favor with Wang Mang. Wang Mang's countenance was stern while his words were upright; when he wished to act on something, he slightly showed a hint of intent, and his faction received his meaning and openly memorialized it. Wang Mang kowtowed, wept, and firmly declined—above to sway the empress dowager, below to show trustworthiness to the common people.

八月，莽復白太皇太后，廢孝成皇后、孝哀皇后為庶人，就其園。是日，皆自殺。

In the eighth month Wang Mang again reported to the grand empress dowager to demote Empress of Emperor Xiaocheng and Empress of Emperor Xia'ai to commoners and send them to their mausoleum parks. That day both committed suicide.

大司空彭宣以王莽專權，乃上書言：「三公鼎足承君；一足不任，則覆亂美實。臣資性淺薄，年齒老眊，數伏疾病，昏亂遺忘，願上大司空、長平侯印綬，乞骸骨歸鄉里，俟寘溝壑。」莽白太后策免宣，使就國。莽恨宣求退，故不賜黃金、安車、駟馬。宣居國數年，薨。

Grand Minister of Works Peng Xuan, because Wang Mang monopolized power, submitted a memorial, saying, "The Three Dukes are like a tripod's legs bearing the sovereign; if one leg cannot bear its load, the tripod overturns and the fine substance is spoiled. Your subject's nature is shallow, my years are old and dim, I am repeatedly ill, muddled and forgetful—I wish to surrender the Grand Minister of Works and Marquis of Changping's seal and cord, beg my old bones to return home, and await burial in ditch and gully." Wang Mang reported to the empress dowager to dismiss Xuan by edict and send him to his state. Wang Mang resented that Xuan had sought to withdraw, and therefore did not grant him gold, a comfort carriage, or four horses. Xuan dwelt in his state several years and died.

班固贊曰：薛廣德保縣車之榮，平當逡巡有恥，彭宣見險而止，異乎苟患失之者矣！戊午，右將軍王崇為大司空，光祿勳東海馬宮為右將軍，左曹、中郎將甄豐為光祿勳。

Ban Gu's encomium says: Xue Guangde preserved the honor of hanging up his carriage; Ping Dang hesitated with a sense of shame; Peng Xuan saw peril and stopped—how different from those who clutch at gain and fear loss! On wuwu, Right General Wang Chong was made Grand Minister of Works, Household Minister of the Imperial Clan Ma Gong of Donghai was made Right General, and Left Censor and Palace Gentleman Zhen Feng was made Household Minister of the Imperial Clan.

九月，辛酉，中山王即皇帝位，大赦天下。

In the ninth month, on xinyou, the King of Zhongshan assumed the imperial throne and proclaimed a general amnesty.

平帝年九歲，太皇太后臨朝，大司馬莽秉政，百官總己以聽於莽。莽權日盛，孔光憂懼，不知所出，上書乞骸骨；莽白太后，帝幼少，宜置師傅，徙光為帝太傅，位四輔，給事中，領宿衛、供養，行內署門戶，省服御食物。以馬宮為大司徒，甄豐為右將軍。冬，十月，壬寅，葬孝哀皇帝於義陵。

Emperor Ping was nine years old; the grand empress dowager held court; Grand Marshal Wang Mang wielded government; the hundred officials gathered their affairs to heed Wang Mang. Wang Mang's power daily grew; Kong Guang was anxious and fearful and did not know what course to take; he submitted a memorial begging to retire; Wang Mang reported to the empress dowager that the emperor was young and it was fitting to set up tutors; Guang was moved to be the emperor's Grand Tutor, with rank among the Four Supports, Gentlemen Attendant Within the Yellow Gates, overseeing night guards and maintenance, conducting inner-palace gates and doors, and inspecting clothing and food for the imperial person. Ma Gong was made Grand Minister of Education and Zhen Feng Right General. In winter, the tenth month, on renyin, Emperor Xia'ai was buried at Yiling.

孝平皇帝上

Emperor Ping, Part One

春，正月，王莽風益州，令塞外蠻夷自稱越裳氏重譯獻白雉一、黑雉二。莽白太后下詔，以白雉薦宗廟。於是群臣盛陳莽功德，致周成白雉之瑞，周公及身在而托號於周，莽宜賜號曰安漢公，益戶疇爵邑。太后詔尚書具其事。莽上書言：「臣與孔光、王舜、甄豐、甄邯共定策；今願獨條光等功賞，寢置臣莽，勿隨輩列。」甄邯白太后下詔曰：「『無偏無黨，王道蕩蕩。』君有安宗廟之功，不可以骨肉故蔽隱不揚，君其勿辭！」莽復上書固讓數四，稱疾不起。左右白太后，「宜勿奪莽意，但條孔光等，莽乃肯起。」二月，丙辰，太后下詔；「以太傅、博山侯光為太師，車騎將軍、安陽侯舜為太保，皆益封萬戶。左將軍、光祿勳豐為少傅，封廣陽侯。皆授四輔之職。侍中、奉車都尉邯封承陽侯。」四人既受賞，莽尚未起。群臣復上言：「莽雖克讓，朝所宜章，以時加賞，明重元功，無使百僚元元失望！」太后乃下詔：「以大司馬、新都侯莽為太傅，干四輔之事，號曰安漢公，益封二萬八千戶。」於是莽為惶恐，不得已而起，受太傅、安漢公號，讓還益封事，云：「願須百姓家給，然後加賞。」群臣復爭，太后詔曰：「公自期百姓家給，是以聽之，其令公奉賜皆倍故。百姓家給人足，大司徒、大司空以聞。」莽復讓不受，而建言褒賞宗室群臣。立故東平王雲太子開明為王；又以故東平思王孫成都為中山王，奉孝王后；封宣帝耳孫信等三十六人皆為列侯；太僕王惲等二十五人皆賜爵關內侯。又令諸侯王公、列侯、關內侯無子而有孫若同產子者，皆得以為嗣；宗室屬未盡而以罪絕者，復其屬；天下令比二千石以上年老致仕者，參分故祿，以一與之，終其身。下及庶民鰥寡，恩澤之政，無所不施。

In spring, the first month, Wang Mang influenced Yizhou to have the barbarians beyond the passes who called themselves the Yuechang clan present tribute through repeated translation—one white pheasant and two black pheasants. Wang Mang reported to the empress dowager to issue an edict offering the white pheasant to the ancestral temple. Thereupon the ministers greatly set forth Wang Mang's merit and virtue, saying he had brought the auspice of the white pheasant of King Cheng of Zhou; the Duke of Zhou while still alive entrusted the Zhou title to another—Wang Mang ought to be granted the title Lord Who Pacifies Han, with increased households, fiefs, and noble lands. The empress dowager issued an edict the Masters of Writing to prepare the matter in detail. Wang Mang submitted a memorial, saying, "Your subject together with Kong Guang, Wang Shun, Zhen Feng, and Zhen Han jointly settled the policy; now I wish to set forth only Guang and the others' merits for reward, and set aside your subject Wang Mang—do not place me in the same rank." Zhen Han reported to the empress dowager to issue an edict, saying, "'Without partiality, without faction—the kingly way is vast and broad. You, sir, have the merit of securing the ancestral temples—you cannot because of kinship cover and hide it without proclaiming it; pray do not decline!" Wang Mang again submitted memorials firmly declining four times and claimed illness, refusing to rise. Those at his side reported to the empress dowager, "It is fitting not to thwart Wang Mang's intent but only to set forth Kong Guang and the others—then Wang Mang will be willing to rise." In the second month, on bingchen, the empress dowager issued an edict; "Grand Tutor and Marquis of Boshan Guang is made Grand Preceptor; Commandant of Cavalry and Marquis of Anyang Shun is made Grand Guardian—both with increased enfeoffment of ten thousand households. Left General and Household Minister of the Imperial Clan Feng is made Junior Tutor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Guangyang. All are granted the duties of the Four Supports. Attendant-in-Ordinary and Commandant Who Conducts the Carriages Han is enfeoffed as Marquis of Chengyang." The four men having received reward, Wang Mang had still not risen. The ministers again submitted, saying, "Though Wang Mang can decline, the court ought to make manifest it; reward him in season, clarify and honor the primary merit—do not let the hundred officials and the common people be disappointed!" The empress dowager thereupon issued an edict: "Grand Marshal and Marquis of Xindu Wang Mang is made Grand Tutor, overseeing the affairs of the Four Supports, with the title Lord Who Pacifies Han, and increased enfeoffment of twenty-eight thousand households." Thereupon Wang Mang acted in alarm and fear, rose because he had no choice, received the Grand Tutor and Lord Who Pacifies Han titles, and declined returning the matter of increased enfeoffment, saying, "I wish to wait until the people's households are provided for, and only then add reward." The ministers again contended; the empress dowager issued an edict, "The lord himself set the term that the people's households be provided for—therefore I heed it; let all the lord's stipends and gifts be doubled from before. When the people's households are provided for and men are full, the Grand Minister of Education and Grand Minister of Works shall report it." Wang Mang again declined and would not accept, but memorialized to praise and reward the imperial clan and the ministers. He established the former King of Dongping Yun's heir Kaiming as king; and again made the former King of Dongping Siyi's grandson Chengdu King of Zhongshan to serve Empress Xiaohou; he enfeoffed Emperor Xuan's great-great-grandsons Xin and thirty-six others all as ranked marquises; Grand Coachman Wang Yun and twenty-five others were all granted rank as marquises within the passes. He also ordered that feudal lords, kings and dukes, ranked marquises, and marquises within the passes who had no sons but had grandsons or sons of the same mother might all take them as heirs; For imperial clansmen whose lines were not yet exhausted but had been cut off for crime, their lines were restored; Throughout the realm, officials at the rank of 2,000 bushels and above who retired on account of old age were given one-third of their former salary for life. Down to commoners, widowers and widows—policies of grace and favor were applied everywhere.

莽既媚說吏民，又欲專斷，知太后老，厭政，乃風公卿奏言：「往者吏以功次遷至二千石，及州部所舉茂材異等吏，率多不稱，宜皆見安漢公。又，太后春秋高，不宜親省小事。」令太后下詔曰：「自今以來，唯封爵乃以聞，他事安漢公、四輔平決。州牧、二千石及茂材吏初除奏事者，輒引入，至近署對安漢公，考故官，問新職，以知其稱否。」於是莽人人延問，密緻恩意，厚加贈送，其不合指，顯奏免之，權與人主侔矣。

Wang Mang, having already won over officials and the people, also wished to monopolize decisions; knowing the Empress Dowager was old and weary of government, he prompted the excellencies and ministers to memorialize, "In the past officials promoted by merit to 2,000 bushels, and the outstanding-talent and exceptional-grade officers recommended by provinces and departments, mostly did not measure up—all ought to be presented to the Duke of Anhan. Moreover, the Empress Dowager's years are advanced and she ought not personally examine minor matters." He had the Empress Dowager issue an edict: "From now on, only enfeoffments and titles are to be reported to Us; other matters are peacefully decided by the Duke of Anhan and the Four Assistants. Provincial governors, 2,000-bushel officials, and outstanding-talent officers newly appointed who came to report were immediately brought in to the nearby office to face the Duke of Anhan, who examined their former offices and questioned their new duties to learn whether they measured up." Thereupon Mang questioned each person at length, secretly showing favor, and richly bestowed gifts; those who did not suit his purpose he openly memorialized to dismiss—his power was on a par with the ruler's.

置羲和官，秩二千石。

He established the office of Minister of the Sun (Xihe), rank 2,000 bushels.

夏，五月，丁巳朔，日有食之。大赦天下。公卿以下舉敦厚能直言者各一人。

In summer, the fifth month, on dingsi the new moon, there was an eclipse of the sun. A general amnesty was proclaimed for the realm. From excellencies and ministers downward, each recommended one person who was sincere and substantial and able to speak frankly.

王莽恐帝外家衛氏奪其權，白太后：「前哀帝立，背恩義，自貴外家丁、傅，橈亂國家，幾危社稷。今帝以幼年復奉大宗為成帝后，宜明一統之義，以戒前事，為後代法。」六月，遣甄豐奉璽綬，即拜帝母衛姬為中山孝王后。賜帝舅衛寶、寶弟玄爵關內侯。賜帝女弟三人號曰君，皆留中山，不得至京師。

Wang Mang feared the emperor's maternal clan the Weis would seize his power; he told the Empress Dowager, "When the former Emperor Ai was enthroned, he turned his back on grace and righteousness, exalted his maternal clans the Ding and Fu, bent and troubled the state, and nearly endangered the altars of state. Now the emperor in his tender years again continues the great lineage as successor to Emperor Cheng; the meaning of unified succession ought to be made clear, to warn against the former affair and set a law for later generations." In the sixth month, he dispatched Zhen Feng bearing the seal and sash to invest the emperor's mother Lady Wei as Empress Dowager of Xiaowang of Zhongshan. He granted the emperor's uncle Wei Bao and Bao's younger brother Xuan noble rank within the passes. He granted the emperor's three younger sisters the title of lordess; all were kept at Zhongshan and could not come to the capital.

扶風功曹申屠剛以直言對策曰：「臣聞成王幼少，周公攝政，聽言下賢，均權布寵，動順天地，舉措不失；然近則召公不說，遠則四國流言。今聖主始免襁褓，即位以來，至親分離，外戚杜隔，恩不得通。且漢家之制，雖任英賢，猶援姻戚，親疏相錯，杜塞間隙，誠所以安宗廟，重社稷也。宜亟遣使者征中山太后，置之別宮，令時朝見，又召馮、衛二族，裁與冗職，使得執戟親奉宿衛，以抑患禍之端。上安社稷，下全保傅。」莽令太后下詔曰：「剛所言僻經妄說，違背大義。」罷歸田裡。

Fufeng Merit Officer Shentu Gang, in a frank policy response, said, "Your servant has heard that when King Cheng was young, the Duke of Zhou acted as regent—heeding counsel, lowering himself to the worthy, evening out power and spreading favor, his movements accorded with Heaven and Earth and his conduct did not err; yet near at hand the Duke of Shao was displeased, and far off the four states spread slander. Now the sage sovereign has only just left swaddling clothes; since his accession, his closest kin have been separated, maternal kin walled off and isolated, and familial grace cannot flow through. Moreover Han's institutions, though employing outstanding worthies, still rely on affinal kin—near and distant interwoven, blocking gaps—truly so as to secure the ancestral temple and safeguard the altars of state. [Your Majesty] ought urgently to dispatch envoys to summon the Empress Dowager of Zhongshan, place her in a separate palace with regular audiences; also summon the Feng and Wei clans, give them only supernumerary posts, enable them to bear halberds and personally serve in night guard, to check the beginnings of disaster and calamity. Above to secure the altars of state, below to complete the protection of the tutors." Wang Mang had the Empress Dowager issue an edict: "What Gang said is heterodox classicism and reckless talk, violating the great meaning." He was dismissed and returned to his fields.

丙午，封魯頃公之八世孫公子寬為褒魯侯，奉周公祀；封褒成君孔霸曾孫均為褒成侯，奉孔子祀。

On bingwu, he enfeoffed the eighth-generation descendant of Duke Qing of Lu, the lord's son Kuan, as Marquis of Baolu, to maintain sacrifices to the Duke of Zhou; he enfeoffed the great-grandson Jun of Marquis of Baocheng Kong Ba as Marquis of Baocheng, to maintain sacrifices to Confucius.

詔：「天下女徒已論，歸家，出雇山錢，月三百。復貞婦，鄉一人。大司農部丞十三人，人部一州，勸農桑。」

Edict: "Female convicts throughout the realm who have been sentenced are sent home and given mountain-hire money of three hundred per month. Taxes were restored for chaste wives, one per district. Thirteen clerks of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, each assigned to one province, to encourage agriculture and sericulture."

秋，九月，赦天下徒。

In autumn, the ninth month, convicts throughout the realm were pardoned.

春，黃支國獻犀牛。黃支在南海中，去京師三萬里。王莽欲耀威德，故厚遺其王，令遣使貢獻。

In spring, the state of Huangzhi presented a rhinoceros. Huangzhi lay in the southern sea, thirty thousand li from the capital. Wang Mang wished to display prestige and virtue; therefore he richly sent gifts to its king and had him dispatch envoys to present tribute.

越巂郡上黃龍游江中。太師光、大司徒宮等咸稱「莽功德比周公，宜告祠宗廟。」大司農孫寶曰：「周公上聖，召公大賢，尚猶有不相說，著於經典，兩不相損。今風雨未時，百姓不足，每有一事，群臣同聲，得無非其美者？」時大臣皆失色。甄邯即時承製罷議者。會寶遣吏迎母，母道病，留弟家，獨遣妻子。司直陳崇劾奏寶，事下三公即訊。寶對曰：「年七十，悖眊，恩衰共養，營妻子，如章。」寶坐免，終於家。

Yuexi Commandery reported a yellow dragon swimming in the river. Grand Tutor Guang, Grand Minister of the Masses Gong, and others all said, "Mang's merit and virtue equal the Duke of Zhou; he ought to announce sacrifice at the ancestral temple." Grand Minister of Agriculture Sun Bao said, "The Duke of Zhou was a supreme sage and the Duke of Shao a great worthy—yet they still had mutual displeasure, recorded in the classics, and neither was harmed. Now wind and rain are not timely and the people are in want—whenever there is one affair the ministers speak in one voice; might there not be someone who is not praising his true merits?" At the time the great ministers all changed color. Zhen Han immediately received the imperial command and dismissed those in deliberation. It happened that Bao sent an official to welcome his mother; his mother fell ill on the road and stayed at his younger brother's house—he sent only his wife and children. Director of Justice Chen Chong impeached Bao; the matter was sent down to the Three Excellencies for immediate inquiry. Bao replied, "Age seventy, confused and dim—family grace has faded in joint nurture; I looked after wife and children, as in the impeachment." Bao was convicted and dismissed; he ended his days at home.

帝更名衎。

The emperor's name was changed to Kan.

三月，癸酉，大司空王崇謝病免，以避王莽。夏，四月，丁酉，左將軍甄豐為大司空，右將軍孫建為左將軍，光祿勳甄邯為右將軍。立代孝王玄孫之子如意為廣宗王，江都易王孫盱台侯宮為廣川王，廣川惠王曾孫倫為廣德王。紹封漢興以來大功臣之後周共等皆為列侯及關內侯，凡百一十七人。郡國大旱，蝗，青州尤甚，民流亡。王莽白太后，宜衣繒練，頗損膳，以示天下。莽因上書願出錢百萬，獻田三十頃，付大司農助給貧民。於是公卿皆慕效焉，凡獻田宅者二百三十人，以口賦貧民。又起五里於長安城中，宅二百區，以居貧民。莽帥群臣奏太后，言：「幸賴陛下德澤，間者風雨時，甘露降，神芝生，蓂莢、朱草、嘉禾，休征同時並至。願陛下遵帝王之常服，復太官之法膳，使臣子各得盡歡心，備共養！」莽又令太后下詔，不許。每有水旱，莽輒素食，左右以白太后，太后遣使者詔莽曰：「聞公菜食，憂民深矣。今秋幸孰，公以時食肉，愛身為國！」

In the third month, on guiyou, Grand Minister of Works Wang Chong resigned citing illness, to avoid Wang Mang. In summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, Left General Zhen Feng became Grand Minister of Works, Right General Sun Jian became Left General, and Household Master of the Heir Zhen Han became Right General. He established Ruoyi, son of the great-grandson of King Xiao of Dai, as King of Guangzong; Gong, grandson of King Yi of Jiangdu and Marquis of Xutai, as King of Guangchuan; and Lun, great-grandson of King Hui of Guangchuan, as King of Guangde. He continued enfeoffments for descendants of great merit subjects since Han's rise—Zhou Gong and others—all as ranked marquises and marquises within the passes, one hundred seventeen in all. Commanderies and states suffered great drought and locusts; Qing province was especially severe, and the people wandered away in exile. Wang Mang told the Empress Dowager she ought to wear plain silk and reduce her meals somewhat, to show the realm. Mang thereupon submitted a memorial wishing to contribute one million in cash and offer thirty qing of fields to the Grand Minister of Agriculture to help supply the poor. Thereupon the excellencies and ministers all imitated him; in all two hundred thirty persons offered fields and residences, distributing to the poor by household count. He also built wards within Chang'an city—two hundred compounds—to house the poor. Mang led the assembled ministers to memorialize the Empress Dowager, saying, "Fortunately relying on Your Majesty's virtuous grace, recently wind and rain have been timely, sweet dew has fallen, divine fungi have grown, mingqia pods, vermilion grass, and good grain—all auspicious omens have arrived together at once. We wish Your Majesty to follow emperors' and kings' regular dress, restore the Grand Provisioner's statutory meals, and enable your subjects each to fulfill shared nurture!" Mang also had the Empress Dowager issue an edict—not permitting it. Whenever there was flood or drought, Mang would eat only vegetables; those about him reported to the Empress Dowager; the Empress Dowager sent an envoy to edict Mang, "We have heard the Duke eats vegetables—his concern for the people is deep. This autumn the grain is fortunately ripe; the Duke ought to eat meat in season—cherish your body for the state's sake!"

六月，隕石於巨鹿二。

In the sixth month, meteorites fell at the two Julu districts.

光祿大夫楚國龔勝、太中大夫琅邪邴漢以王莽專政，皆乞骸骨。莽令太后策詔之曰：「朕愍以官職之事煩大夫，大夫其修身守道，以終高年。」皆加優禮而遣之。

Household Grandee Gong Sheng of Chu and Palace Counselor Bing Han of Langye, because Wang Mang monopolized government, both begged to retire. Mang had the Empress Dowager issue written edicts to them: "We pity that official duties have troubled the great counselors; let the great counselors cultivate body and guard the Way to complete their high years." Both were given added honorable rites and sent away.

梅福知王莽必篡漢祚，一朝棄妻子去，不知所之。其後，人有見福於會稽者，變姓名為吳市門卒雲。

Mei Fu knew Wang Mang would surely usurp Han's mandate; one morning he abandoned wife and children and left—none knew whither. Afterward someone saw Fu at Kuaiji; he had changed his name and become a gate guard at Wu market—or so it is said.

秋，九月，戊申晦，日有食之，赦天下徒。

In autumn, the ninth month, on the last day wushen, there was an eclipse of the sun; convicts throughout the realm were pardoned.

遣執金吾候陳茂諭說江湖賊成重等二百餘人皆自出，送家在所收事。重徙雲陽，賜公田宅。

He dispatched Commandant of the Convoy of Metals Chen Mao to persuade bandits on rivers and lakes—Cheng Zhong and more than two hundred others—all came forth of themselves; they were sent to their home districts to receive judgment. Zhong was moved to Yunyang and granted public fields and a residence.

王莽欲悅太后以威德至盛，異於前，乃風單于令遣王昭君女須卜居次雲入侍太后，所以賞賜之甚厚。

Wang Mang wished to please the Empress Dowager with prestige and virtue surpassing the former; he prompted the Chanyu to send Wang Zhaojun's daughter Xubu Juci Yun to attend the Empress Dowager—the rewards and gifts for this were very rich.

車師後王國有新道通玉門關，往來差近，戊己校尉徐普欲開之。車師後王姑句以當道供給使者，心不便也。普欲分明其界，然後奏之，召姑句使證之；不肯，系之。其妻股紫陬謂姑句曰：「前車師前王為都護司馬所殺，今久系必死，不如降匈奴！」即馳突出高昌壁，入匈奴。又去胡來王唐兜與赤水羌數相寇，不勝，告急都護，都護但欽不以時救助。唐兜困急，怨欽，東守玉門關；玉門關不內，即將妻子、人民千餘人亡降匈奴。單于受，置左谷蠡地，遣使上書言狀，曰：「臣謹已受。」詔遣中郎將韓隆等使匈奴，責讓單于；單于叩頭謝罪，執二虜還付使者。詔使中郎將王萌待於西域惡都奴界上。單于遣使送，因請其罪；使者以聞。莽不聽，詔會西域諸國王，陳軍斬姑句、唐兜以示之。乃造設四條，中國人亡入匈奴者，烏孫亡降匈奴者，西域諸國佩中國印綬降匈奴者，烏桓降匈奴者，皆不得受。遣中郎將王駿、王昌、副校尉甄阜、王尋使匈奴，班四條與單于，雜函封，付單于，令奉行；因收故宣帝所為約束封函還。時莽奏令中國不得有二名，因使使者以風單于，宜上書慕化，為一名，漢必加厚賞。單于從之，上書言：「幸得備籓臣，竊樂太平聖制。臣故名囊知牙斯，今謹更名曰知。」莽大說，白太后，遣使者答諭，厚賞賜焉。

The kingdom of Rear Cheshi had a new road connecting to Yumen Pass—travel was somewhat nearer; the Wuji garrison commandant Xu Pu wished to open it. The king of Rear Cheshi, Jugu, because the road lay in his territory for supplying envoys, was ill-disposed in his heart. Pu wished to clarify the boundaries first, then memorialize; he summoned Jugu to testify; Jugu refused and was imprisoned. His wife Guzi said to Jugu, "Formerly the king of Front Cheshi was killed by the protector-general's major; now if you are long imprisoned you will surely die—better to submit to the Xiongnu!" Immediately he galloped out through Gaochang's wall and entered the Xiongnu. Also the king of Hulai, Tang Dou, and the Chishui Qiang repeatedly raided each other; he could not prevail and reported emergency to the protector-general; Protector-General Dan Qin did not rescue in time. Tang Dou, pressed hard, resented Qin and went east to hold Yumen Pass; Yumen Pass would not admit him; he immediately led his wife, children, and more than a thousand people to flee and submit to the Xiongnu. The Chanyu received them, settled them in Left Guli's territory, and sent an envoy with a memorial stating the facts: "Your subject has respectfully received them." An edict dispatched Gentleman of the Palace Han Long and others as envoys to the Xiongnu to reproach the Chanyu; the Chanyu kowtowed and begged pardon, seized the two fugitives and returned them to the envoys. An edict had Palace Gentleman Wang Meng wait at the border of Wudunu in the Western Regions. The Chanyu sent envoys to deliver them and thereby asked their offense; the envoys reported it. Mang would not hear it; an edict assembled the kings of the Western Region states, displayed the army, and beheaded Jugu and Tang Dou to show them. He then fashioned four articles: Han subjects who fled into the Xiongnu, Wusun who surrendered to the Xiongnu, Western Region states wearing Han seals and cords who surrendered to the Xiongnu, and Wuhuan who surrendered to the Xiongnu—all might not be received. He dispatched Palace Gentlemen Wang Jun and Wang Chang, assistant commandants Zhen Fu and Wang Xun as envoys to the Xiongnu, promulgated the four articles to the Chanyu, sealed them mixed in a casket, delivered them to the Chanyu, and ordered compliance; and thereupon took back the sealed covenant the former Emperor Xuan had made. At the time Mang memorialized that the Central States might not have two names; he therefore had envoys prompt the Chanyu that he ought to submit a memorial admiring transformation and take one name—Han would surely add rich rewards. The Chanyu followed; his memorial said, "Fortunately able to serve as a border subject, your subject privately delights in the sagely system of great peace. Your subject's former name was Nangzhiyasi; now he respectfully changes his name to Zhi." Mang was greatly pleased; he told the Empress Dowager and dispatched envoys to reply and instruct, with rich rewards and gifts.

莽欲以女配帝為皇后以固其權，奏言：「皇帝即位三年，長秋宮未建，掖廷媵未充。乃者國家之難，本從無嗣，配取不正，請考論《五經》，定取後禮，正十二女之義，以廣繼嗣，博采二王后及周公、孔子世、列侯在長安者適子女。」事下有司，上眾女名，王氏女多在選中者，莽恐其與己女爭，即上言：「身無德，子材下，不宜與眾女並采。」太后以為至誠，乃下詔曰：「王氏女，朕之外家，其勿采。」庶民、諸生、郎吏以上守闕上書者日千餘人，公卿大夫或詣廷中，或伏省戶下，鹹言：「安漢公盛勳堂堂若此，今當立後，獨奈何廢公女，天下安所歸命！願得公女為天下母！」莽遣長史以下分部曉止公卿及諸生，而上書者愈甚。太后不得已，聽公卿采莽女。莽復自白：「宜博選眾女。」公卿爭曰：「不宜采諸女以貳正統。」莽乃白：「願見女。」

Mang wished to marry his daughter to the emperor as empress to secure his power; he memorialized, "The emperor has been on the throne three years; the Palace of Everlasting Autumn has not been established, and the secondary consorts of the inner palace are not filled. Recently the state's difficulty sprang fundamentally from lack of heir; the match was not correct—please examine and discuss the Five Classics, fix the ritual of taking a successor, rectify the meaning of the twelve women, to broaden continuation of the line, and broadly gather eligible sons and daughters of the two kings' lines, the Duke of Zhou's and Confucius's clans, and ranked marquises in Chang'an." The matter was sent to the relevant offices; the names of many women were submitted—Wang clan women were mostly among those selected; Mang feared they would compete with his daughter and immediately submitted, "This body lacks virtue; my daughter's talents are low; she is not fit to be gathered with the multitude of women." The Empress Dowager considered this utmost sincerity; she thereupon issued an edict: "Wang clan women are Our maternal kin—let them not be gathered." Commoners, academicians, and gentlemen-attendants upward guarded the palace gate and submitted memorials—more than a thousand per day; excellencies, ministers, and grandees either came to the court or prostrated beneath the provincial gate, all saying, "The Duke of Anhan's magnificent merit is thus; now when he ought to establish a successor line, alone why discard the Duke's daughter—whither shall the realm turn for its mandate! We wish to obtain the Duke's daughter as mother of the realm!" Mang dispatched chief clerks and below in sections to enlighten and stop the excellencies and academicians—but those submitting memorials grew all the more. The empress dowager had no choice but to let the chief ministers put Wang Mang's daughter back in the selection. Wang Mang again memorialized on his own behalf: "Many girls ought to be selected broadly." The chief ministers argued: "It is not fitting to select many girls and divide the legitimate succession." Wang Mang then memorialized: "I ask to present my daughter for viewing."

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