1
資治通鑑第036卷
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 36.
2
【漢紀二十八】起昭陽大淵獻，盡著雍執徐，凡六年。
[Han Annals 28] From Zhaoyang Dayuanxian through Zhuoyong Zhixu—six years in all.
3
春，太后遣長樂少府夏侯籓、宗正劉宏、尚書令平晏納采見女。 還，奏言：「公女漸漬德化，有窈窕之容，宜承天序，奉祭祀。」 大師光、大司徒宮、大司空豐、左將軍孫建、執金吾尹賞、行太常事、大中大夫劉秀及太卜、太史令服皮弁、素積，以禮雜卜筮，皆曰：「兆遇金水王相，卦遇父母得位，所謂康強之占，逢吉之符也。」 又以太牢策告宗廟。 有司奏：「故事：聘皇后，黃金二萬斤，為錢二萬萬。」 莽深辭讓，受六千三百萬，而以其四千三百萬分予十一媵家及九族貧者。
In spring the empress dowager sent Chief Steward of Changle Xiahou Fan, Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Hong, and Director of the Masters of Writing Ping Yan to present betrothal gifts and meet the girl. On their return they memorialized: "The duke's daughter has been steeped in moral transformation and has a graceful figure; she ought to receive Heaven's succession and perform the sacrifices." Grand Preceptor Kong Guang, Grand Minister of Works Wang Gong, Grand Minister of Works Wang Feng, General of the Left Sun Jian, Commandant of Cavalry Yin Shang, acting Grand Master of Ceremonies Grandee Liu Xiu, and the Grand Diviner and Grand Astrologer in leather caps and plain layered robes performed the mixed divinations by ritual; all said, "The omen meets metal and water in the king phase; the hexagram shows parents obtaining position—the augury of robust health, the sign of meeting good fortune." They also reported to the ancestral temple with the great offering and written prayer. The responsible offices memorialized: "By precedent, betrothal of an empress required twenty thousand jin of gold—two hundred million cash." Wang Mang deeply declined, accepted sixty-three million, and distributed forty-three million of it among the eleven secondary-clan households and poor among the nine degrees of kin.
4
夏，安漢公奏車服制度，吏民養生、送終、嫁娶、奴婢、田宅、器械之品，立官稷，及郡國、縣邑、鄉聚皆置學官。
In summer the Duke Who Pacifies Han memorialized regulations for carriages and dress, grades for how officials and commoners sustained life, conducted funerals, married, held slaves, owned fields and dwellings, and used implements; established the official grain-altar; and ordered school officers set up in every commandery, state, county, town, and village cluster.
5
大司徒司直陳崇使張敞孫竦草奏，盛稱安漢公功德，以為：「宜恢公國令如周公，建立公子令如伯禽，所賜之品亦皆如之，諸子之封皆如六子。」 太后以示群公。 群公方議其事，會呂寬事起。 初，莽長子宇非莽隔絕衛氏，恐久後受禍，即私與衛寶通書，教衛後上書謝恩，因陳丁、傅舊惡，冀得至京師。 莽白太皇太后，詔有司褒賞中山孝王后，益湯沐邑七千戶。 衛後日夜啼泣，思見帝面，而但益戶邑。 宇復教令上書求至京師，莽不聽。 宇與師吳章及婦兄呂寬議其故，章以為莽不可諫而好鬼神，可為變怪以驚懼之，章因推類說令歸政衛氏。 宇即使寬夜持血灑莽第門，吏發覺之。 莽執宇送獄，飲藥死。 宇妻焉懷子，繫獄，須產子已，殺之。 甄邯等白太后，下詔曰：「公居周公之位，輔成王之主，而行管、蔡之誅，不以親親害尊尊，朕甚嘉之！」 莽盡滅衛氏支屬，唯衛後在。 吳章要斬，磔屍東市門。 初，章為當世名儒，教授尤盛，弟子千餘人。 莽以為惡人黨，皆當禁錮不得仕宦，門人盡更名他師。 平陵雲敞時為大司徒掾，自劾吳章弟子，收抱章屍歸，棺斂葬之，京師稱焉。
Director of Scrutiny Chen Chong had Zhang Chang's grandson Song draft a memorial lavishly praising the Duke Who Pacifies Han's merit and virtue, arguing that "he ought to expand his ducal state as the Duke of Zhou did, establish his sons as Bo Qin was established, grant the same grades in full, and enfeoff his sons like the Six Sons." The empress dowager showed it to the assembled dukes. The dukes were just discussing the matter when the affair of Lü Kuan arose. Earlier Wang Mang's eldest son Wang Yu resented his father's cutting off the Wei clan and feared future calamity; he secretly exchanged letters with Wei Bao and instructed Empress Wei to submit a memorial of thanks, recounting the old wrongs of the Ding and Fu clans, hoping to reach the capital. Wang Mang informed the Grand Empress Dowager; an edict ordered the responsible offices to praise and reward Queen of Zhongshan Xiao, adding seven thousand households to her bath fief. Empress Wei wept day and night, longing to see the emperor's face, yet received only added households and fief. Wang Yu again instructed her to submit a memorial asking to reach the capital; Wang Mang would not hear it. Wang Yu discussed the matter with his teacher Wu Zhang and his wife's elder brother Lü Kuan; Zhang held that Wang Mang could not be remonstrated with yet loved ghosts and spirits—strange portents might startle him—and by extending the analogy urged returning power to the Wei clan. Wang Yu then had Lü Kuan carry blood by night and sprinkle it on Wang Mang's residence gate; officers discovered it. Wang Mang seized Wang Yu and sent him to prison; he drank poison and died. Wang Yu's wife Yan was with child; she was imprisoned, and after she bore the child she was killed. Zhen Han and others informed the empress dowager; an edict was issued: "The duke occupies the Duke of Zhou's position and assists a lord like King Cheng, yet executes punishment as against Guan and Cai, not letting kinship harm what is honored above kin—I greatly commend this!" Wang Mang utterly destroyed the Wei clan's collateral branches; only Empress Wei remained. Wu Zhang was cut in two at the waist; his corpse was quartered at the eastern market gate. Earlier Wu Zhang had been a famous scholar of the age; his teaching flourished especially, with more than a thousand disciples. Wang Mang deemed them a wicked man's faction; all were barred from office, and his students changed their names and took other teachers. Yun Chang of Pingling, then a clerk under the Grand Minister of Works, impeached himself as Wu Zhang's disciple, gathered his teacher's corpse and took it home, coffined and buried him—and the capital praised him.
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莽於是因呂寬之獄，遂窮治黨與，連引素所惡者悉誅之。 元帝女弟敬武長公主素附丁、傅，及莽專政，復非議莽； 紅陽侯王立，莽之尊屬； 平阿侯王仁，素剛直； 莽皆以太皇太后詔，遣使者迫守，令自殺。 莽白太后，主暴病薨； 太后欲臨其喪，莽固爭而止。 甄豐遣使者乘傳案治衛氏黨與，郡國豪傑及漢忠直臣不附莽者，皆誣以罪法而殺之。 何武、鮑宣及王商子樂昌侯安，辛慶忌三子護羌校尉通、函谷都尉遵、水衡都尉茂，南郡太守辛伯等皆坐死。 凡死者數百人，海內震焉。 北海逄萌謂友人曰：「三綱絕矣，不去，禍將及人！」 即解冠掛東都城門，歸，將家屬浮海，客於遼東。
Wang Mang thereupon used the Lü Kuan case to pursue factions to the end, implicating in succession those he had long hated and executing them all. Princess Jingwu Chang, younger sister of Emperor Yuan, had long attached herself to the Ding and Fu clans; when Wang Mang monopolized government she again criticized him; Marquis of Hongyang Wang Li was Wang Mang's honored kin; Marquis of Ping'e Wang Ren was by nature stern and upright; Wang Mang, all under the Grand Empress Dowager's edict, sent envoys to press and guard them until they killed themselves. Wang Mang informed the empress dowager that the princess had died suddenly of violent illness; the empress dowager wished to attend her mourning; Wang Mang firmly contested it and stopped her. Zhen Feng sent envoys by relay post to investigate the Wei faction; commandery and state heroes and Han's loyal upright ministers who would not attach to Wang Mang were all falsely charged and killed. He Wu, Bao Xuan, and Wang Shang's son Marquis of Lechang Wang An; Xin Qingji's three sons—Protector of the Qiang Xin Tong, Commandant of Hangu Pass Xin Zun, Chief of Palace Parks Xin Mao; and Administrator of Nan Commandery Xin Bo—all were sentenced to death. Those who died numbered several hundred; the realm was shaken. Pang Meng of Beihai said to a friend, "The Three Bonds are ended; if we do not leave, calamity will reach others!" He at once removed his cap and hung it on the eastern capital's gate, went home, took his household across the sea, and lodged as a guest in Liaodong.
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莽召明禮少府宗伯鳳入說為人後之誼，白令公卿、將軍、侍中、朝臣並聽，欲以內厲天子而外塞百姓之議。 先是，秺侯金日磾子賞、都成侯金安上子常皆以無子國絕，莽以日磾曾孫當及安上孫京兆尹欽紹其封。 欽謂「當宜為其父、祖立廟，而使大夫主賞祭。」 甄邯時在旁，廷叱欽，因劾奏：「欽誣祖不孝，大不敬。」 下獄，自殺。 邯以綱紀國體，亡所阿私，忠孝尤著，益封千戶。 更封安上曾孫湯為都成侯。 湯受封日，不敢還歸家，以明為人後之誼。
Wang Mang summoned Director of Ceremonial Clarity Zongbo Feng to expound the meaning of being an adopted heir and had dukes, ministers, generals, palace attendants, and court ministers all hear together—wishing inwardly to steel the Son of Heaven and outwardly to silence popular criticism. Earlier Marquis of Di Jin Shang and Marquis of Ducheng Jin Chang had both had their states extinguished for lack of sons; Wang Mang made Midi's great-grandson Jin Dang and Anshang's grandson Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao Jin Qin continue their enfeoffments. Jin Qin said that "Jin Dang ought to establish temples for his father and grandfather and have a grandee preside over Jin Shang's sacrifices." Zhen Han was then at his side; in court he shouted down Jin Qin and memorialized for impeachment: "Jin Qin slandered his ancestor and was unfilial—great irreverence." He was sent to prison and killed himself. Zhen Han, for upholding the statutes and the state's body without partial favoritism and with loyalty and filial piety especially manifest, had his fief increased by a thousand households. Anshang's great-grandson Jin Tang was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Ducheng. On the day Jin Tang received his enfeoffment he dared not return home, to make clear the meaning of being an adopted heir.
8
是歲，尚書令穎川鐘元為大理。 穎川太守陵陽嚴詡本以孝行為官，謂掾、史為師友，有過輒閉閣自責，終不大言。 郡中亂。 王莽遣使征詡，官屬數百人為設祖道，詡據地哭。 掾、史曰：「明府吉征，不宜若此。」 詡曰：「吾哀穎川士，身豈有憂哉！ 我以柔弱征，必選剛猛代； 代到，將有僵仆者，故相吊耳。」 詡至，拜為美俗使者。 徙隴西太守平陵何並為穎川太守。 並到郡，捕鐘元弟威及陽翟輕俠趙季、李款，皆殺之。 郡中震慄。
That year Director of the Masters of Writing Zhong Yuan of Yingchuan became Minister of Justice. Administrator of Yingchuan Yan Xu of Lingyang had originally entered office through filial conduct; he called his clerks and secretaries teacher and friend; when there was fault he shut his gate and blamed himself, and in the end seldom spoke harshly. The commandery was in disorder. Wang Mang sent envoys to summon Yan Xu; several hundred officials and clerks set out a farewell feast; Xu threw himself on the ground weeping. The clerks and secretaries said, "Your Excellency's auspicious summons—this is not fitting." Xu said, "I grieve for the gentlemen of Yingchuan—how could I worry for myself! I am summoned away for being gentle and weak; a stern and fierce man will surely be chosen to replace me; when he arrives there will be those who fall dead—therefore I mourn you." Xu arrived and was appointed Commissioner for Fine Customs. Administrator of Longxi He Bing of Pingling was transferred to be Administrator of Yingchuan. He Bing reached the commandery, arrested Zhong Yuan's younger brother Zhong Wei and the Yangzhai light bravos Zhao Ji and Li Kuan, and killed them all. The commandery was shaken and fearful.
9
春，正月，郊祀高祖以配天，宗祀孝文以配上帝。 改殷紹嘉公曰宋公，周承休公曰鄭公。
In spring, the first month, at the suburban sacrifice Gaozu was paired with Heaven; at the ancestral sacrifice Emperor Wen was paired with the High God. The Duke Who Continues Yin as Jia was renamed Duke of Song; the Duke Who Inherits Zhou's Rest was renamed Duke of Zheng.
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詔：「婦女非身犯法，及男子年八十以上、七歲已下，家非坐不道、詔所名捕，它皆無得系； 其當驗者即驗問。 定著令！」
An edict: "Women who did not personally commit crime, and men over eighty and boys seven and under, unless the household was implicated in unnatural conduct or named in an edict for arrest—in all other cases none may be imprisoned; those who ought to be examined shall at once be examined and questioned. Fix this and inscribe it in the statutes!"
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二月，丁未，遣大司徒宮、大司空豐等奉乘輿法駕迎皇后於安漢公第，授皇后璽紱，入未央宮。 大赦天下。
In the second month, on dingwei, Grand Minister of Works Wang Gong, Grand Minister of Works Wang Feng, and others were sent with the imperial carriage and full regalia to welcome the empress at the Duke Who Pacifies Han's residence, invest her with the empress's seal and ribbon, and enter Weiyang Palace. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
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遣太僕王惲等八人各置副，假節，分行天下，覽觀風俗。
Grand Master of the Stables Wang Yun and eight others, each with a deputy, were granted credentials and dispatched through the realm to survey local customs.
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夏，太保舜等及吏民上書者八千餘人，鹹請如陳崇言，加賞於安漢公。 章下有司，有司請「益封公以新息、召陵二縣及黃郵聚、新野田； 采伊尹、周公稱號，加公為宰衡，位上公，三公言事稱『敢言之』； 賜公太夫人號曰功顯君； 封公子男二人安為褒新侯，臨為賞都侯； 加後聘三千七百萬，合為一萬萬，以明大禮； 太后臨前殿親封拜，安漢公拜前，二子拜後，如周公故事。」 莽稽首辭讓，出奏封事：「願獨受母號，還安、臨印□及號位戶邑。」 事下，太師光等皆曰：「賞未足以直功。 謙約退讓，公之常節，終不可聽。 忠臣之節亦宜自屈，而伸主上之義。 宜遣大司徒、大司空持節承製詔公亟入視事，詔尚書勿復受公之讓奏。」 奏可。 莽乃起視事，止減召陵、黃郵、新野之田而已。
In summer Grand Guardian Shun and others and more than eight thousand officials and commoners who submitted memorials all asked, as Chen Chong had urged, to add rewards to the Duke Who Pacifies Han. The memorial was sent to the responsible offices; they requested "to increase the duke's fief with the two counties Xinxin and Zhaoling and the settlements Huangyou and fields at Xinye; taking the titles of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou, add to the duke the title Prime Minister and Balancer, rank above the Three Dukes, and when the Three Dukes speak on affairs let them say 'I dare to speak'; grant the duke's lady mother the title Merit-Revealing Lady; enfeoff the duke's two sons Wang An as Marquis of Baoxin and Wang Lin as Marquis of Shangdu; add thirty-seven million to the empress's betrothal, making one hundred million in all, to clarify the great rites; the empress dowager at the front hall personally enfeoffed and invested; the Duke Who Pacifies Han bowed before, the two sons bowed after, as in the Duke of Zhou's precedent." Wang Mang bowed his head and declined, then submitted a sealed memorial: "I wish to receive only my mother's title, and return Wang An's and Wang Lin's seals [text damaged], titles, ranks, and household fiefs." The matter was sent down; Grand Preceptor Kong Guang and others all said, "Rewards are not enough to match the merit. Modesty, restraint, and yielding are the duke's constant conduct—this must in the end not be granted. A loyal minister's conduct also ought to bend itself, thereby extending the lord above's righteousness. The Grand Minister of Works and Grand Minister of Works ought to be sent bearing credentials to receive the edict and command the duke to enter at once and attend to affairs; edict the Masters of Writing not again to receive the duke's yielding memorials." The memorial was approved. Wang Mang then rose and attended to affairs, reducing only the fields at Zhaoling, Huangyou, and Xinye.
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莽復以所益納徵錢千萬遺太后左右奉共養者。 莽雖專權，然所以誑耀媚事太后，下至旁側長御，方故萬端，賂遺以千萬數。 白尊太后姊、妹號皆為君，食湯沐邑。 以故左右日夜共譽莽。 莽又知太后婦人，厭居深宮中，莽欲虞樂以市其權，乃令太后四時車駕巡狩四郊，存見孤、寡、貞婦，所至屬縣，輒施恩惠，賜民錢帛、牛酒，歲以為常。 太后旁弄兒病，在外捨，莽自親候之。 其欲得太后意如此。
Wang Mang again took ten million of the added betrothal cash he had received and gave it to those at the empress dowager's side who served her sustenance. Though Wang Mang monopolized power, how he deceived, displayed splendor, and flattered the empress dowager extended down to lateral attendants and chief stewards—expedients by the myriad, bribes and gifts by the tens of millions. He petitioned to honor the empress dowager's elder and younger sisters with the title Lady, all receiving bath fiefs. For this reason those at her side day and night together praised Wang Mang. Wang Mang also knew the empress dowager was a woman weary of dwelling deep in the palace; he wished to please her with diversions to buy her favor—therefore he had her in the four seasons drive in inspection tours of the four suburbs, visit orphans, widows, and chaste wives, and wherever she reached subordinate counties bestow favor, granting the people cash, silks, cattle, and wine—year by year as a constant. A pet boy at the empress dowager's side fell ill and lodged in an outer residence; Wang Mang himself personally attended him. His wish to win the empress dowager's favor went to such lengths.
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太保舜奏言：「天下聞公不受千乘之土，辭萬金之幣，莫不鄉化。 蜀郡男子路建等輟訟，慚怍而退，雖文王卻虞、芮，何以加！ 宜報告天下。」 奏可。 於是孔光愈恐，固稱疾辭位。 太后詔：「太師毋朝，十日一入省中，置幾杖，賜餐十七物，然後歸，官屬按職如故。」
Grand Guardian Shun memorialized: "All under Heaven heard that the duke would not accept lands of a thousand chariots and declined coins of ten thousand gold—none failed to turn and be transformed. The man Lu Jian of Shu Commandery and others ceased their lawsuit and withdrew in shame—even King Wen's repulse of Yu and Rui—how could one add to this! This ought to be reported to all under Heaven." The memorial was approved. Thereupon Kong Guang grew ever more fearful and firmly pleaded illness to resign his post. The empress dowager issued an edict: "The Grand Preceptor need not attend court; once every ten days he may enter the inner palace; armrest and staff shall be set out for him; seventeen kinds of meals shall be granted—then he may return; his officials and clerks perform duties as before."
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莽奏起明堂、辟雍、靈台，為學者築捨萬區，制度甚盛。 立《樂經》； 益博士員，經各五人。 征天下通一藝、教授十一人以上，及有逸禮、古書、天文、圖讖、鐘律、月令、兵法、史篇文字，通知其意者，皆詣公車。 網羅天下異能之士，至者前後千數，皆令記說廷中，將令正乖謬，壹異說雲。
Wang Mang memorialized to raise the Bright Hall, Imperial Academy, and Spirit Terrace and build ten thousand quarters for scholars—the institutions were very grand. He established the Classic of Music; he increased Erudite posts to five for each classic. He summoned from all under Heaven those mastering one art, teaching eleven or more persons, and those possessing lost rites, ancient writings, astronomy, charts and prognostications, pitch pipes and scales, monthly ordinances, military methods, historiographic texts, and script forms who understood their meaning—all to come to the imperial carriage office. He netted the realm's men of unusual ability; those who arrived numbered a thousand or more; all were ordered to record and expound in court, intending to correct errors and unify divergent doctrines.
17
又征能治河者以百數，其大略異者，長水校尉平陵關並言：「河決率常於平原、東郡左右，其地形下而土疏惡。 聞禹治河時，本空此地，以為水猥盛則放溢，少稍自索，雖時易處，猶不能離此。 上古難識，近察秦、漢以來，河決曹、衛之域，其南北不過百八十里。 可空此地，勿以為官亭、民室而已。」 御史臨淮韓牧以為：「可略於《禹貢》九河處穿之，縱不能為九，但為四、五，宜有益。」 大司空掾王橫言：「河入勃海地，高於韓牧所欲穿處。 往者天嘗連雨，東北風，海水溢西南出，浸數百里，九河之地已為海所漸矣。 禹之行河水，本隨西山下東北去。 《周譜》云：『定王五年，河徙。』 則今所行非禹之所穿也。 又秦攻魏，決河灌其都，決處遂大，不可復補。 宜卻徙完平處更開空，使緣西山足，乘高地而東北入海，乃無水災。」 司空掾沛國桓譚典其議，為甄豐言：「凡此數者，必有一是； 宜詳考驗，皆可豫見。 計定然後舉事，費不過數億萬，亦可以事諸浮食無產業民。 空居與行役，同當衣食，衣食縣官而為之作，乃兩便，可以上繼禹功，下除民疾。」 時莽但崇空語，無施行者。
He also summoned several hundred men able to govern the river; where their broad plans differed, Chief Commandant of the Long Water Guan Bing of Pingling said, "The river's breaks usually occur around Pingyuan and Dong commandery; the terrain there is low and the soil loose and poor. I have heard that when Yu governed the river he originally emptied this place, holding that when water was very full it would be released and overflow, and when less it would somewhat seek its own course—though at times he changed location, still he could not leave this. Ancient conditions are hard to verify, but from Qin and Han onward, when the Yellow River broke out in the Cao and Wey region, its north–south shifts stayed within about one hundred eighty li. That zone should be kept empty rather than filled with official posts and private homes." Censor Han Mu of Linhuai proposed reopening channels roughly where the Nine Rivers were described in the Yu Gong: even if not all nine, opening four or five would still help." Chief clerk Wang Heng of the Grand Minister of Works objected: "The river empties toward Bohai, but that terrain is actually higher than Han Mu's proposed cuts. There have been periods of prolonged rain and northeast winds when seawater surged inland for hundreds of li; the old Nine River zone has already been eaten away by the sea. Yu's original river line ran northeast beneath the western mountain front. The Zhou Genealogies say, 'In King Ding's fifth year the river shifted.' So the present course is no longer Yu's original channel. And when Qin attacked Wei, it intentionally breached the river to flood Wei's capital; that cut widened so much it could never be fully repaired. The proper solution is to relocate to more stable terrain and open a fresh course along elevated foothill ground to the northeast sea outlet; only then can major flood disasters be avoided." Huan Tan of Pei, serving as a Works clerk, oversaw the debate and told Zhen Feng: "Among these proposals, at least one is correct; they should be examined and tested rigorously, since outcomes can be predicted in advance. Decide the plan first, then act. Costs should stay within a few hundred million, while also employing idle, landless populations. Whether idle or on labor service, people require food and clothing all the same. If the state feeds and clothes them while employing them in works, both sides benefit—continuing Yu's legacy above and relieving popular hardship below." Under Wang Mang, however, empty theorizing was prized and none of these plans were implemented.
18
群臣奏言：「昔周公攝政七年，制度乃定。 今安漢公輔政四年，營作二旬，大功畢成，宜升宰衡位在諸侯王上。」 詔曰：「可。」 仍令議九錫之法。
The ministers memorialized: "Formerly the Duke of Zhou acted as regent for seven years before institutions were fixed. Now the Duke Who Pacifies Han has assisted government for four years and finished the great works in twenty days—it is fitting to raise him as Regulator-and-Balance, with rank above the feudatory kings." An edict said: "Granted." He still ordered deliberation on the nine bestowals.
19
莽奏尊孝宣廟為中宗，孝元廟為高宗； 又奏毀孝宣皇考廟勿修； 罷南陵、雲陵為縣。 奏可。
Wang Mang memorialized to honor Emperor Xiaoxuan's temple as Middle Ancestor and Emperor Xiaoyuan's temple as High Ancestor; he also memorialized to destroy Emperor Xiaoxuan's temple to his imperial father and not repair it; he abolished Nanling and Yunling as imperial mausoleum districts and reduced them to counties. The memorial was approved.
20
莽自以北化匈奴，東致海外，南懷黃支，唯西方未有加，乃遣中郎將平憲等多持金幣誘塞外羌，使獻地願內屬。 憲等奏言：「羌豪良願等種可萬二千人，願為內臣，獻鮮水海、允谷、鹽池、平地美草，皆予漢民； 自居險阻處為籓蔽。 問良願降意，對曰：『太皇太后聖明，安漢公至仁，天下太平，五穀成熟，或禾長丈餘，或一粟三米，或不種自生，或繭不蠶自成； 甘露從天下，醴泉自地出； 鳳皇來儀，神爵降集。 從四歲以來，羌人無所疾苦，故思樂內屬。』 宜以時處業，置屬國領護。」 事下莽，莽復奏：「今已有東海、南海、北海郡，請受良願等所獻地為西海郡。 分天下為十二州，應古制。」 奏可。 冬，置西海郡。 又增法五十條，犯者徙之西海。 徙者以千萬數，民始怨矣。
Wang Mang believed he had pacified the north, reached overseas in the east, and won the south—only the west lacked a trophy; he therefore sent Gentlemen-of-the-Household Ping Xian and others with gold and silk to lure frontier Qiang into ceding land and seeking inner submission. Ping Xian and others memorialized: "The Qiang leader Liang Yuan and allied tribes number about twelve thousand; they wish to become inner subjects and offer the Xian River Sea, Yungu, the salt pool, level land, and fine pasture—all to Han subjects; they themselves will hold the defiles as a frontier screen. When asked the meaning of Liang Yuan's submission, they replied: 'The Grand Empress Dowager is sage-bright; the Duke Who Pacifies Han is supremely benevolent; the realm is at great peace; the five grains ripen—some stalks stand over a zhang tall, some one grain bears three heads, some crops grow without planting, some cocoons form without silkworms; sweet dew falls from heaven; sweet springs rise from the earth; phoenixes come in measured step; divine sparrows descend and gather. Since the fourth year the Qiang have suffered nothing and therefore yearn to join the inner realm.' They should be settled on their lands in due course and placed under a dependent state with a protector-general." The matter was referred to Wang Mang; he memorialized again: "There are already East Sea, South Sea, and North Sea commanderies; We request to accept the land Liang Yuan and others offer as West Sea commandery. Divide the realm into twelve provinces to match the ancient institutions." The memorial was approved. In winter West Sea commandery was established. He also added fifty legal articles; offenders were banished to West Sea. Those uprooted numbered in the millions; popular resentment began.
21
梁王立坐與衛氏交通，廢，徙南鄭； 自殺。
King Li of Liang was convicted of communicating with the Wei clan, deposed, and banished to Nanzheng; he killed himself.
22
分京師置前輝光、後丞烈二郡。 更公卿、大夫、八十一元士官名、位次及十二州名、分界。 郡國所屬，罷置改易，天下多事，吏不能紀矣。
The capital region was split into Front Splendid Radiance and Rear Upholder of Glory commanderies. He changed the titles and ranks of the Three Ducal ministers, grandees, and eighty-one yuan shi officials, and renamed and redrew the twelve provinces. Commandery and state affiliations were abolished, moved, and renamed; affairs multiplied until officials could no longer keep track.
23
春，正月，祫祭明堂； 諸侯王二十八人，列侯百二十人，宗室子九百餘人，征助祭。 禮畢，皆益戶、賜爵及金帛、增秩、補吏各有差。
In spring, the first month, he performed the he sacrifice at the Bright Hall; twenty-eight feudatory kings, one hundred twenty full marquises, and more than nine hundred imperial clansmen were summoned to assist in the sacrifice. When the rites ended, all received increased household registers, noble ranks, gold and silk, promotions, and official appointments—each according to rank.
24
安漢公又奏復長安南、北郊。 三十餘年間，天地之祠凡五徙焉。
The Duke Who Pacifies Han again memorialized to restore Chang'an's southern and northern suburban sacrifices. Within more than thirty years the sacrifices to Heaven and Earth had been moved five times.
25
詔曰：「宗室子自漢元至今十有餘萬人，其令郡國各置宗師以糾之，致教訓焉。」
An edict said: "Imperial clansmen from Emperor Yuan to the present number more than one hundred thousand; let each commandery and state establish a clan mentor to discipline them and provide instruction."
26
夏，四月，乙未，博山簡列侯孔光薨，贈賜、葬送甚盛，車萬餘兩。 以馬宮為太師。 吏民以莽不受新野田而上書者前後四十八萬七千五百七十二人，及諸侯王公、列侯、宗室見者皆叩頭言：「宜亟加賞於安漢公。」 於是莽上書言：「諸臣民所上章下議者，願皆寢勿上，使臣莽得盡力畢制禮作樂； 事成，願賜骸骨歸家，避賢者路。」 甄邯等白太后，詔曰：「公每見，輒流涕叩頭言，願不受賞； 賞即加，不敢當位。 方製作未定，事須公而決，故且聽公製作； 畢成，群公以聞，究於前議。 其九錫禮儀亟奏！」
In summer, the fourth month, on yiwei, Marquis of Boshan Jian, full marquis Kong Guang died; funeral gifts and the procession were lavish—more than ten thousand carriages. Ma Gong was appointed Grand Preceptor. Commoners and officials who memorialized because Wang Mang refused the Xinye fields totaled four hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred seventy-two; and every feudatory king, duke, full marquis, and clansman who had audience kowtowed and said, "Rewards for the Duke Who Pacifies Han ought to be added at once." Thereupon Wang Mang submitted a memorial: "Of the memorials the ministers and commoners have submitted for deliberation, I wish all to be shelved and not forwarded, so that your servant Mang may exhaust his strength and complete institutions, rites, and music; when the task is done, I wish to retire to my home and clear the road for the worthy." Zhen Han and others reported to the empress dowager; an edict said: "Each time the Duke appears he weeps and kowtows, saying he wishes not to receive reward; if reward is added he dares not accept the rank. While institutions are not yet fixed, affairs must be decided by the Duke; therefore for the present We heed his work; when it is complete, the host of dukes shall report and the prior deliberation shall be concluded. Memorialize the nine bestowals without delay!"
27
五月，策命安漢公莽以九錫，莽稽首再拜，受綠韍，袞冕、衣裳、瑒琫、瑒珌，句履，鸞路、乘馬，龍旂九旒，皮弁、素積，戎路、乘馬，彤弓矢、盧弓矢，左建朱鉞，右建金戚，甲、冑一具，秬鬯二卣，圭瓚二，九命青玉珪二，朱戶，納陛，署宗官、祝官、卜官、史官，虎賁三百人。
In the fifth month, by patent the Duke Who Pacifies Han Wang Mang received the nine bestowals; he kowtowed twice and accepted green knee-guards; dragon robes and court dress; jade scabbard ornaments and special shoes; the phoenix carriage with riding horses; a dragon banner with nine tassels; leather cap and white gaiters; war chariot with riding horses; red and black bows with arrows; a red battle-axe on the left and golden halberd on the right; armor and helmet; ceremonial ale; libation jades; tablets of the nine commands; red doors and inner stair; authority to appoint ritual, invocatory, divinatory, and scribal officers; and three hundred tiger guards.
28
王惲等八人使行風俗還，言天下風俗齊同，詐為郡國造歌謠頌功德，凡三萬言。 閏月，丁酉，詔以羲和劉秀等四人使治明堂、辟雍，令漢與文王靈台、周公作洛同符。 太僕王惲等八人使行風俗，宣明德化，萬國齊同，皆封為列侯。 時廣平相班稚獨不上嘉瑞及歌謠； 琅邪太守公孫閎言災害於公府。 甄豐遣屬馳至兩郡，諷吏民，而劾「閎空造不祥，稚絕嘉應，嫉害聖政，皆不道。」 稚，班婕妤弟也。 太后曰：「不宣德美，宜與言災者異罰。 且班稚後宮賢家，我所哀也。」 閎獨下獄，誅。 稚懼，上書陳恩謝罪，願歸相印，入補延陵園郎； 太后許焉。
Wang Yun and eight others, sent to inspect local customs, returned reporting uniform customs throughout the realm; they forged for commanderies and states songs praising his merit—thirty thousand words in all. In the intercalary month, on dingyou, an edict appointed Director of Astronomy Liu Xiu and four others to oversee the Bright Hall and Biyong, declaring Han matched King Wen's Spirit Terrace and the Duke of Zhou's founding of Luo. Grand Master of the Household Wang Yun and eight others, sent to spread bright virtue abroad, were all enfeoffed as full marquises because the myriad states were declared uniform. At that time Administrator of Guangping Ban Zhi alone did not submit auspicious omens and songs; Administrator of Langye Gongsun Hong reported disasters to the public offices. Zhen Feng sent subordinates post-haste to both commanderies to admonish officials and commoners, and impeached: "Hong fabricated ill omens from nothing; Zhi withheld auspicious responses; both hated and harmed sagely government—all unfilial." Zhi was the younger brother of Lady Ban, imperial consort. The empress dowager said: "One who does not spread virtue and beauty ought to receive a different punishment from one who speaks of disasters. Moreover Ban Zhi comes from a worthy house of the rear palace—I pity him." Gongsun Hong alone was imprisoned and executed. Ban Zhi was afraid; he submitted a memorial apologizing, wishing to return his administrator's seal and enter service as a gentleman of Yangling Park; the empress dowager granted it.
29
莽又奏為市無二賈，官無獄訟，邑無盜賊，野無饑民，道不拾遺，男女異路之制； 犯者象刑。
Wang Mang again memorialized for markets without two prices, offices without lawsuits, towns without bandits, wilds without starving people, roads where nothing was lost, and men and women walking separate paths; offenders to receive symbolic punishments.
30
莽復奏言：「共王母、丁姬，前不臣妾，塚高與元帝山齊，懷帝太后、皇太太后璽綬以葬。 請發共王母及丁姬塚，取其璽綬； 徙共王母歸定陶，葬共王塚次。」 太后以為既已之事，不須復發。 莽固爭之，太后詔因故棺改葬之。 莽奏：「共王母及丁姬棺皆名梓宮，珠玉之衣，非籓妾服。 請更以木棺代，去珠玉衣，葬丁姬媵妾之次。」 奏可。 公卿在位皆阿莽指，入錢帛，遣子弟及諸生、四夷凡十餘萬人，操持作具，助將作掘平共王母、丁姬故塚； 二旬間，皆平。 莽又周棘其處，以為世戒雲。 又隳壞共皇廟，諸造議者泠褒、段猶等皆徙合浦。 征師丹詣公車，賜爵關內侯，食故邑。 數月，更封丹為義陽侯； 月餘，薨。
Wang Mang again memorialized: "The mother of King Gong and Lady Ding, who had not served as proper concubines, had tombs as high as Emperor Yuan's mound and were buried with the Grand Empress Dowager's and Grand Imperial Dowager's seals and cords. We request to open the tombs of the mother of King Gong and Lady Ding and take their seals and cords; move the mother of King Gong back to Dingtao and bury her beside King Gong's mound." The empress dowager thought the matter was already settled and need not be reopened. Wang Mang pressed the point; the empress dowager issued an edict to re-bury them in their former coffins. Wang Mang memorialized: "The coffins of the mother of King Gong and Lady Ding were called imperial chambers, with pearl-and-jade shrouds—not the dress of feudal concubines. We request wooden coffins instead, removal of the pearl-and-jade shrouds, and burial of Lady Ding in the place of a secondary wife." The memorial was approved. "Every Three Ducal minister in office curried Wang Mang's intent, contributed cash and silk, and sent sons, students, and men from the four quarters—more than one hundred thousand in all—with tools to help the Director of Works excavate and level the former tombs of the mother of King Gong and Lady Ding; within twenty days all were leveled. Wang Mang also surrounded the site with thorns as a warning to later ages, it is said. He also destroyed Lord Gong's temple; Ling Bao, Duan You, and others who had framed the earlier proposals were all banished to Hepu. Shi Dan was summoned to the public carriage gate, granted rank as Marquis Within the Passes, and fed from his former fief. Several months later Shi Dan was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang; a little more than a month later he died.
31
初，哀帝時，馬宮為光祿勳，與丞相、御史雜議傅太后謚曰孝元傅皇后。 及莽追誅前議者，宮為莽所厚，獨不及。 宮內慚懼，上書言：「臣前議定陶共王母謚，希指雷同，詭經僻說，以惑誤主上，為臣不忠。 幸蒙灑心自新，誠無顏復望闕廷，無心復居官府，無宜復食國邑。 願上太師、大司徒、扶德侯印綬，避賢者路。」 秋，八月，壬午，莽以太后詔賜宮策曰：「四輔之職，為國維綱； 三公之任，鼎足承君； 不有鮮明固守，無以居位。 君言至誠，不敢文過，朕甚多之。 不奪君之爵邑，其上太師、大司徒印綬使者，以侯就第。」
Earlier, in Emperor Ai's reign, Ma Gong was Palace Chamberlain; with the chancellor and censor he jointly deliberated the posthumous title of Empress Dowager Fu as Empress Xiaoyuan Fu. When Wang Mang pursued punishment of those who had earlier deliberated, Ma Gong was treated generously by Mang and alone was not reached. Ma Gong inwardly felt shame and fear; he submitted a memorial: "Your servant formerly deliberated the title of the mother of King Gong of Dingtao, currying favor and echoing others, twisting the classics with perverse doctrines to mislead the sovereign—your servant was disloyal. Fortunately I have been allowed to renew my heart; truly I have no face to look again toward the court gate, no mind to dwell again in government offices, and no fitness to feed again from a state fief. I wish to submit the seals and cords of Grand Preceptor, Grand Minister of the Masses, and Marquis Who Supports Virtue, clearing the road for the worthy." In autumn, the eighth month, on renwu, Wang Mang by the empress dowager's edict granted Ma Gong a patent: "The duty of the four assistants is the state's sustaining cords; the Three Ducal posts' charge is to bear the ruler like a tripod's three legs; without bright clarity and firm holding, one cannot occupy the post. My lord's words are supremely sincere; you dare not gloss over faults—We greatly approve. We do not strip my lord's rank and fief; send up the envoy with the Grand Preceptor and Grand Minister of the Masses seals and cords, and retire to your mansion as marquis."
32
莽以皇后有子孫瑞，通子午道，從杜陵直絕南山，逕漢中。
Because the empress had an omen of sons and grandsons, Wang Mang opened the Ziwu Meridian Road from Duling straight across the Southern Mountains to Hanzhong.
33
泉陵侯劉慶上書言：「周成王幼少，稱孺子，周公居攝。 今帝富於春秋，宜令安漢公行天子事，如周公。」 群臣皆曰：「宜如慶言。」
Marquis of Quanling Liu Qing submitted a memorial: "When King Cheng of Zhou was young he was called the infant heir; the Duke of Zhou acted as regent. Now the emperor is in the prime of youth; the Lord Who Pacifies Han should be ordered to conduct the Son of Heaven's affairs, like the Duke of Zhou." All the ministers said, "It is fitting to follow Qing's counsel."
34
時帝春秋益壯，以衛後故，怨不悅。 冬，十二月，莽因臘日上椒酒，置毒酒中。 帝有疾，莽作策，請命於泰畤，願以身代，藏策金滕，置於前殿，敕諸公勿敢言。 丙午，帝崩於未央宮。 大赦天下。 莽令天下吏六百石以上皆服喪三年。 奏尊孝成廟曰統宗； 孝平廟曰元宗。 斂孝平，加元服，葬康陵。
At this time the emperor was growing older; because of Empress Wei he bore resentment and was displeased. In winter, the twelfth month, on the La festival Wang Mang presented peppered wine and placed poison in it. The emperor fell ill; Wang Mang composed a prayer-slip, praying at the Great Altar and offering to substitute his own life, hid the slip in the Golden Coffer in the front hall, and charged the lords not to speak of it. On bingwu the emperor died at Weiyang Palace. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. Wang Mang ordered that officials throughout the realm of six hundred bushels and above observe mourning for three years. A memorial was submitted to honor the temple of Emperor Xiaocheng as Unifying Ancestor; the temple of Emperor Ping as Primal Ancestor. Emperor Ping was enshrouded, the capping ceremony was performed, and he was buried at Kangling.
35
班固贊曰：孝平之世，政自莽出，褒善顯功，以自尊盛。 觀其文辭，方外百蠻，無思不服，休征嘉應，頌聲並作； 至乎變異見於上，民怨於下，莽亦不能文也。
Ban Gu's encomium says: In the age of Emperor Ping, government issued from Wang Mang; he praised goodness and displayed merit to aggrandize himself. Observing his literary compositions, the hundred barbarians beyond the borders had no thought but to submit; auspicious omens and blessed responses arose, and songs of praise were composed in unison; yet when anomalies appeared above and popular resentment below, Wang Mang likewise could not ornament it away.
36
以長樂少府平晏為大司徒。
Changlo Palace Chamberlain Ping Yan was made Grand Minister of Education.
37
太后與群臣議立嗣。 時元帝世絕，而宣帝曾孫有見王五人，列侯四十八人。 莽惡其長大，曰：「兄弟不得相為後。」 乃悉征宣帝玄孫，選立之。
The empress dowager and the ministers deliberated on establishing an heir. At this time Emperor Yuan's line was extinct; among Emperor Xuan's great-great-grandsons there were five Kings of Jian and forty-eight ranked marquises. Wang Mang disliked that they had grown up and said, "Brothers may not succeed one another." Thereupon he summoned all Emperor Xuan's great-great-great-grandsons and selected one to establish.
38
是月，前輝光謝囂奏武功長孟通浚井得白石，上圓下方，有丹書著石，文曰：「告安漢公莽為皇帝。」 符命之起，自此始矣。
That month, former Director of Splendid Brightness Xie Ao memorialized that Meng Tong, chief of Wugong, digging a well obtained a white stone, round above and square below, with cinnabar writing on the stone reading, "It announces that the Lord Who Pacifies Han Wang Mang is to be emperor." The rise of mandate-omens began from this.
39
莽使群公以白太后，太后曰：「此誣罔天下，不可施行！」 太保舜謂太后曰：「事已如此，無可奈何。 沮之，力不能止。 又莽非敢有它，但欲稱攝以重其權，填服天下耳」太后心不以為可，然力不能制，乃聽許。 舜等即共令太后下詔曰：「孝平皇帝短命而崩，已使有司征孝宣皇帝玄孫二十三人，差度宜者，以嗣孝平皇帝之後。 玄孫年在襁褓，不得至德君子，孰能安之！ 安漢公莽，輔政三世，與周公異世同符。 今前輝光囂、武功長通上言丹石之符，朕深思厥意，云『為皇帝』者，乃攝行皇帝之事也。 其令安漢公居攝踐祚，如周公故事，具禮儀奏。」 於是群臣奏言：「太后聖德昭然，深見天意，詔令安漢公居攝。 臣請安漢公踐祚，服天子□冕，背斧依立於戶牖之間，南面朝群臣，聽政事； 車服出入警蹕，民臣稱臣妾，皆如天子之制。 郊祀天地，宗祀明堂，共祀宗廟，享祭群神，贊曰『假皇帝』，民臣謂之『攝皇帝』，自稱曰『予』。 平決朝事，常以皇帝之詔稱『制』。 以奉順皇天之心，輔翼漢室，保安孝平皇帝之幼嗣，遂寄托之義，隆治平之化。 其朝見太皇太后、帝皇后皆復臣節。 自施政教於其宮家國采，如諸侯禮儀故事。」 太后詔曰：「可。」
Wang Mang had the assembled lords report it to the empress dowager; the empress dowager said, "This deceives and misleads the realm—it cannot be carried out!" Grand Tutor Wang Shun said to the empress dowager, "The matter has already come to this—nothing can be done about it. To obstruct it, one's strength cannot stop it. Moreover Wang Mang does not dare have other aims—he only wishes to take the title Acting Emperor to weight his authority and subdue the realm, that is all." The empress dowager in her heart did not approve, yet her strength could not control it, and she assented. Shun and the others thereupon had the empress dowager issue an edict, saying, "Emperor Ping died young; we have already sent the responsible officials to summon twenty-three of Emperor Xuan's great-great-great-grandsons, compare who is fitting, and establish a successor to Emperor Ping. The great-great-great-grandsons are in swaddling clothes and cannot attain a gentleman of utmost virtue—who can settle them! The Lord Who Pacifies Han Wang Mang has assisted government through three generations and in a different age matches the Duke of Zhou's tally. Now former Director of Splendid Brightness Ao and Wugong chief Tong report the cinnabar-stone tally; We have deeply pondered its intent—where it says 'to be emperor,' this means to act as regent and conduct the emperor's affairs. Let the Lord Who Pacifies Han occupy the regency and tread the throne, following the Duke of Zhou's precedent; prepare the rites and memorials in full." Thereupon the ministers memorialized, saying, "The empress dowager's sagely virtue is manifest; she deeply perceives Heaven's intent and has issued an edict that the Lord Who Pacifies Han occupy the regency. Your subjects request that the Lord Who Pacifies Han tread the throne, wear the Son of Heaven's robe and cap, stand with the axe-screen at his back between door and window, face south toward the ministers, and hear government affairs; carriage, dress, going out and in with imperial escort; the people and ministers address him as lord and lady—all as in the Son of Heaven's regulations. He sacrifices to Heaven and Earth at the suburbs, honors the Bright Hall, jointly sacrifices at the ancestral temples, offers to the host of spirits; in praise he is called 'Provisional Emperor,' the people and ministers call him 'Acting Emperor,' and he calls himself 'I.' He settles court affairs and regularly uses the Son of Heaven's edict style, calling it 'decree.' Thus to comply with August Heaven's heart, assist and support the House of Han, secure Emperor Ping's young heir, fulfill the meaning of entrustment, and elevate ordered peace. When he attends audience before the grand empress dowager and the emperor's empress, he again observes ministerial deportment. He himself applies government within his palace, household, state fief, and salary lands, following feudal lords' ritual precedents." The empress dowager issued an edict, "Approved."
40
王莽上
Wang Mang, Part One
41
春，正月，王莽祀上帝於南郊，又行迎春、大射、養老之禮。
In spring, the first month, Wang Mang sacrificed to the High God at the southern suburb, and also performed the rites of welcoming spring, the great archery contest, and honoring the aged.
42
三月，己丑，立宣帝玄孫嬰為皇太子，號曰孺子。 嬰，廣戚侯顯之子也。 年二歲； 托以卜相最吉，立之。 尊皇后曰皇太后。
In the third month, on jichou, Emperor Xuan's great-great-great-grandson Ying was established as crown prince, styled Ruzi. Ying was the son of Marquis of Guangqi Xian. He was two years old; on the pretext that divination and physiognomy showed him most auspicious, he was established. The empress was honored as empress dowager.
43
以王舜為太傅、左輔，甄豐為太阿、右拂，甄邯為太保、後承； 又置四少，秩皆二千石。
Wang Shun was made Grand Tutor and Left Support; Zhen Feng was made Grand Support and Right Aid; Zhen Han was made Grand Guardian and Rear Upholder; four Junior ministers were also appointed, all with rank at two thousand bushels.
44
四月，安眾侯劉崇與相張紹謀曰：「安漢公莽必危劉氏，天下非之，莫敢先舉，此乃宗室之恥也。 吾帥宗族為先，海內必和。」 紹等從者百餘人遂進攻宛； 不得入而敗。 紹從弟竦與崇族父嘉詣闕自歸； 莽赦弗罪。 竦因為嘉作奏，稱莽德美，罪狀劉崇：「願為宗室倡始，父子兄弟負籠荷鍤，馳之南陽，豬崇宮室，令如古制； 及崇社宜如亳社，以賜諸侯，用永監戒！」 於是莽大說，封嘉為率禮侯，嘉子七人皆賜爵關內侯； 後又封竦為淑德侯。 長安為之語曰：「欲求封，過張伯松。 力戰鬥，不如巧為奏。」 自後謀反者皆污池雲。 群臣復白劉崇等謀逆者，以莽權輕也； 宜尊重以填海內。 五月，甲辰，太后詔莽朝見太后稱「假皇帝」。
In the fourth month, Marquis of Anzhong Liu Chong and his chancellor Zhang Shao plotted, saying, "The Lord Who Pacifies Han Wang Mang will surely endanger the Liu clan; all under Heaven disapprove, yet none dares rise first—this is the imperial clan's shame. If I lead the clan kindred first, all within the seas will surely join." Shao and more than a hundred followers thereupon advanced to attack Wan; they could not enter and were defeated. Shao's younger cousin Song and Chong's clansman-father Jia went to the palace gate to surrender themselves; Wang Mang pardoned them and did not punish. Song thereupon composed a memorial for Jia, praising Wang Mang's virtue and charging Liu Chong with crimes: "We wish to take the lead for the imperial clan; father, sons, and brothers shall bear baskets and carry spades, hasten to Nanyang, raze Chong's palace and dwellings as in ancient regulations; and Chong's altar of soil ought to be like the Bo altar of soil, granted to feudal lords as an everlasting warning!" Thereupon Wang Mang was greatly pleased; he enfeoffed Jia as Marquis Who Leads Ritual, and Jia's seven sons were all granted rank as marquises within the passes; later he also enfeoffed Song as Marquis of Refining Virtue. Chang'an made a saying of it: "If you seek enfeoffment, pass by Zhang Bosong. Striving in battle is not as good as cleverly composing a memorial." From then on, all who plotted rebellion had their houses turned into cesspools. The ministers again reported that plotters like Liu Chong rebelled because Wang Mang's authority was insufficient; he ought to be further honored to secure all within the seas. In the fifth month, on jiachen, the empress dowager issued an edict that when Wang Mang attended audience before the empress dowager he should be styled "Provisional Emperor."
45
冬，十月，丙辰朔，日有食之。
In winter, the tenth month, on the first day bingchen, there was a solar eclipse.
46
十二月，群臣奏請以安漢公廬為攝省，府為攝殿，第為攝宮。 奏可。
In the twelfth month, the ministers memorialized requesting that the Lord Who Pacifies Han's lodge be called Regent Secretariat, his office Regent Hall, and his residence Regent Palace. The memorial was approved.
47
是歲，西羌龐怙、傅幡等怨莽奪其地，反攻西海太守程永； 永奔走。 莽誅永，遣護羌校尉竇況擊之。
That year, the Western Qiang Pang Hu, Fu Fan, and others resented that Wang Mang had seized their lands and turned to attack Protector of the Western Sea Cheng Yong; Yong fled in haste. Wang Mang executed Yong and sent Protector of the Qiang Dou Kuang to attack them.
48
春，竇況等擊破西羌。
In spring, Dou Kuang and others defeated the Western Qiang.
49
五月，更造貨：錯刀，一直五千； 契刀，一直五百； 大錢，一直五十。 與五銖錢並行，民多盜鑄者。 禁列侯以下不得挾黃金，輸御府受直； 然卒不與直。
In the fifth month, new currency was minted: the inlaid knife, one worth five thousand; the contract knife, one worth five hundred; the large cash, one worth fifty. They circulated together with five-zhu cash, and the people largely counterfeited them. It was forbidden for ranked marquises and below to hold gold; they were to deliver it to the imperial treasury and receive its value; yet in the end they were not given the value.
50
東郡太守翟義，方進之子也，與姊子上蔡陳豐謀曰：「新都侯攝天子位，號令天下，故擇宗室幼稚者以為孺子，依托周公輔成王之義，且以觀望，必代漢家，其漸可見。 方今宗室衰弱，外無強蕃，天下傾首服從，莫能亢扞國難。 吾幸得備宰相子，身守大郡，父子受漢厚恩，義當為國討賊，以安社稷。 欲舉兵西，誅不當攝者，選宗室子孫輔而立之。 設令時命不成，死國埋名，猶可以不慚於先帝。 今欲發之，汝肯從我乎？」 豐年十八，勇壯，許諾。 義遂與東郡都尉劉宇、嚴鄉侯劉信、信弟武平侯劉璜結謀，以九月都試日斬觀令，因勒其車騎、材官士，募郡中勇敢，部署將帥。 信子匡時為東平王，乃並東平兵，立信為天子； 義自號大司馬、柱天大將軍。 移檄郡國，言：「莽鴆殺孝平皇帝，攝天子位，欲絕漢室。 今天子已立，共行天罰！」 郡國皆震。 比至山陽，眾十餘萬。
Dong Commandery Administrator Zhai Yi, son of Fangjin, plotted with his elder sister's son Chen Feng of Shangcai, saying, "The Marquis of Xindu holds the regency of the Son of Heaven's position and commands the realm; therefore he selects a young member of the imperial clan as Ruzi, relying on the Duke of Zhou's assisting King Cheng—yet also to watch and wait; he is sure to replace the House of Han, and the gradual steps can already be seen. Now the imperial clan is weak; abroad there are no strong border princes; all under Heaven crane their necks and submit—none can resist and ward off the state's peril. I am fortunate to stand as a chancellor's son and personally guard a great commandery; father and son have received the Han's great grace—righteousness requires that I campaign for the state against the traitor to settle the altars of soil and grain. I wish to raise troops westward, execute the one who ought not hold the regency, and select an imperial-clan descendant to assist and establish. Suppose the timely mandate is not fulfilled—dying for the state and burying one's name, one may still not be ashamed before the former emperor. Now I wish to launch it—will you follow me?" Feng was eighteen years old, brave and strong, and promised. Yi thereupon joined in plot with Dong Commandery Commandant Liu Yu, Marquis of Yanxiang Liu Xin, and Xin's younger brother Marquis of Wuping Liu Huang; on the ninth month's commandery review day they would behead the magistrate of Guan, press his chariots, cavalry, and skilled soldiers, recruit the brave within the commandery, and deploy generals and commanders. Xin's son Kuangshi was King of Dongping; they merged Dongping's troops and established Xin as Son of Heaven; Yi styled himself Grand Marshal and Pillar-of-Heaven Grand General. He issued a proclamation to the commanderies and states, saying, "Wang Mang poisoned Emperor Ping, holds the regency of the Son of Heaven's position, and wishes to cut off the House of Han. Now the Son of Heaven is established—let us together execute Heaven's punishment!" The commanderies and states were all shaken. By the time they reached Shanyang, their host was more than a hundred thousand.
51
莽聞之，惶懼不能食。 太皇太后謂左右曰：「人心不相遠也。 我雖婦人，亦知莽必以是自危。」 莽乃拜其黨、親：輕車將軍、成武侯孫建為奮武將軍，光祿勳、成都侯王邑為虎牙將軍，明義侯王駿為強弩將軍，春王城門校尉王況為震威將軍，宗伯、忠孝侯劉宏為奮衝將軍，中少府、建威侯王昌為中堅將軍，中郎將、震羌侯竇況為奮威將軍，凡七人，自擇除關西人為校尉、軍吏，將關東甲卒，發奔命以擊義焉。 復以太僕武讓為積弩將軍，屯函谷關； 將作大匠蒙鄉侯逯並為橫懋將軍，屯武關； 羲和、紅休侯劉秀為揚武將軍，屯宛。
Wang Mang heard of it and was alarmed and fearful, unable to eat. The grand empress dowager said to those beside her, "Human hearts are not far apart. Though I am a woman, I too know that Wang Mang will surely endanger himself thereby." Wang Mang thereupon appointed his faction and kin: Light-Carriage General and Marquis of Chengwu Sun Jian as Striving Martial General, Household Minister of the Imperial Clan and Marquis of Chengdu Wang Yi as Tiger's-Fang General, Marquis of Mingyi Wang Jun as Strong Crossbow General, Commandant of Chunwang City Gate Wang Kuang as Quake-Awe General, Director of the Clan and Marquis of Zhongxiao Liu Hong as Striving Assault General, Palace Junior Steward and Marquis of Jianwei Wang Chang as Center Solid General, Palace Gentleman and Marquis Who Quakes the Qiang Dou Kuang as Striving Might General—seven men in all; he himself selected men from west of the passes as colonels and army officers, led eastern-gate armor troops, and issued urgent summons to strike Yi. He again made Grand Coachman Wu Rang Accumulated Crossbow General, stationed at Hangu Pass; Master of Works Marquis of Mengxiang Lu Bing as Crosswise Exertion General, stationed at Wu Pass; Director of Harmonization and Marquis of Hongxiu Liu Xiu as Raise-Martial General, stationed at Wan.
52
三輔聞翟義起，自茂陵以西至汧二十三縣，盜賊並發。 槐裡男子趙明、霍鴻等自稱將軍，攻燒官寺，殺右輔都尉及斄令，相與謀曰：「諸將精兵悉東，京師空，可攻長安。」 眾稍多，至十餘萬，火見未央宮前殿。 莽復拜衛尉王級為虎賁將軍，大鴻臚、望鄉侯閻遷為折衝將軍，西擊明等。 以常鄉侯王惲為車騎將軍，屯平樂館； 騎都尉王晏為建威將軍，屯城北； 城門校尉趙恢為城門將軍； 皆勒兵自備。 以太保、後備、承陽侯甄邯為大將軍，受鉞高廟，領天下兵，左杖節，右把鉞，屯城外。 王舜、甄豐晝夜循行殿中。 莽日抱孺子禱郊廟，會群臣，而稱曰：「昔成王幼，周公攝政，而管、蔡挾祿父以畔。 今翟義亦挾劉信而作亂。 自古大聖猶懼此，況臣莽之斗筲！」 群臣皆曰：「不遭此變，不章聖德！」
When the Three Metropolises heard that Zhai Yi had risen, from Maoling west to Qian—twenty-three counties—bandits erupted together. The men of Huaili Zhao Ming, Huo Hong, and others styled themselves generals, attacked and burned government temples, killed the Commandant of the Right Metropolis and the magistrate of Li, and counseled one another, saying, "The generals' elite troops have all gone east—the capital is empty; Chang'an can be attacked." Their forces gradually grew to more than a hundred thousand; fire was seen before the front hall of Weiyang Palace. Wang Mang again appointed Commandant of the Guard Wang Ji as Tiger-Gallant General and Grand Herald and Marquis of Wangxiang Yan Qian as Breaker-of-Enemy General, to strike west against Ming and others. He made Marquis of Changxiang Wang Yun Commandant of Cavalry, encamped at Pingle Lodge; Commandant of Cavalry Wang Yan Establishing-Power General, encamped north of the city; Colonel of the City Gates Zhao Hui as City-Gate General; all drew up troops for self-defense. He made Grand Tutor, Rear Support, and Marquis of Chengyang Zhen Han Grand General; Han received the battle-axe at the High Temple, commanded all troops under Heaven, staff of authority in the left hand and battle-axe in the right, and encamped outside the city. Wang Shun and Zhen Feng patrolled the palace halls day and night. Wang Mang daily held the Ruzi and prayed at the suburban altars and ancestral temples, assembled the ministers, and said, "In old times King Cheng was young; the Duke of Zhou acted as regent, yet Guan and Cai took up the Duke of Lu's father to rebel. Now Zhai Yi also takes up Liu Xin to raise disorder. From antiquity even great sages still feared this—how much more your servant Mang, a mere grain-measure!" The assembled ministers all said, "Had we not met this change, your sage virtue would not be manifest!"
53
冬，十月，甲子，莽依《周書》作《大誥》曰：「粵其聞日，宗室之俊有四百人，民獻儀九萬夫，予敬以終於此謀繼嗣圖功。」 遣大夫桓譚等班行諭告天下，以當反位孺子之意。
In winter, the tenth month, on jiazi, Wang Mang following the Documents of Zhou composed the Great Announcement, saying, "On the day I heard it, four hundred outstanding men of the imperial clan and ninety thousand commoners presenting models—I respectfully bring to completion this plan to continue the succession and achieve the work." He dispatched Grandees Huan Tan and others to circulate and proclaim to all under Heaven, to accord with the intent of returning the throne to the Ruzi.
54
諸將東至陳留、菑，與翟義會戰，破之，斬劉璜首。 莽大喜，復下詔先封車騎都尉孫賢等五十五人皆為列侯，即軍中拜授。 因大赦天下。 於是吏士精銳遂攻圍義於圉城，十二月，大破之，義與劉信棄軍亡，至固始界中，捕得義，屍磔陳都市； 卒不得信。
The generals eastward reached Chenliu and Zi, joined battle with Zhai Yi, defeated him, and beheaded Liu Huang. Wang Mang was greatly pleased and again issued an edict beforehand enfeoffing fifty-five men including Commandant of Cavalry Sun Xian all as ranked marquises, investing them on the spot in the army. Thereupon he proclaimed a general amnesty for all under Heaven. Thereupon elite officers and soldiers attacked and besieged Yi at Yucheng; in the twelfth month they routed him utterly. Yi and Liu Xin abandoned the army and fled; within the borders of Gushi Yi was captured, his corpse dismembered and exposed in the market of Chen commandery; In the end they did not capture Xin.
55
春，地震。 大赦天下。
In spring there was an earthquake. A general amnesty was proclaimed for all under Heaven.
56
王邑等還京師，西與王級等合擊趙明、霍鴻。 二月，明等殄滅，諸縣息平。 還師振旅，莽乃置酒白虎殿，勞饗將帥。 詔陳崇治校軍功，第其高下，依周制爵五等，以封功臣為侯、伯、子、男，凡三百九十五人，曰「皆以奮怒，東指西擊，羌寇、蠻盜，反虜、逆賊，不得旋踵，應時殄滅，天下鹹服」之功封雲。 其當賜爵關內侯者，更名曰附城，又數百人。 莽發翟義父方進及先祖塚在汝南者，燒其棺柩； 夷滅三族，誅及種嗣，至皆同坑，以棘五毒並葬之。 又取義及趙明、霍鴻黨眾之屍，聚之通路之旁，濮陽、無鹽、圉、槐裡、盩厔凡五所，建表木於其上，書曰：「反虜逆賊䲔鯢。」 義等既敗，莽於是自謂威德日盛，大獲天人之助，遂謀即真之事矣。
Wang Yi and others returned to the capital, went west and joined Wang Ji and others to strike Zhao Ming and Huo Hong. In the second month, Ming and others were exterminated; the various counties grew calm. The army returned and the troops were reviewed; Wang Mang then set wine in the White Tiger Hall and feasted the generals. An edict ordered Chen Chong to examine and rank military merit and, following Zhou institutions' five ranks of nobility, enfeoff meritorious subjects as marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons—three hundred ninety-five in all—stating that all were enfeoffed for the merit of "with angry valor pointing east and striking west, Qiang raiders and barbarian bandits, rebel captives and traitor foes, not giving them time to turn the heel, destroying them as the moment required, and all under Heaven submitting." Those who ought to receive the rank of marquis within the passes had their title changed to Attached-to-the-Wall; again several hundred persons. Wang Mang exhumed Zhai Yi's father Fangjin and ancestral tombs in Runan and burned their coffins; extirpated the three clans, executed down to seed and heirs, until all were buried together in one pit with brambles and the five poisons. He also took the corpses of Yi and the party followers of Zhao Ming and Huo Hong, gathered them beside the highways at five places—Puyang, Wuyan, Yu, Huaili, and Zhouzhi—erected marker timbers above them, and wrote, "Rebel captives and traitor foes, kaimen and jiaoli." After Yi and others were defeated, Wang Mang thereupon deemed his prestige and virtue daily growing, greatly obtaining the aid of Heaven and men, and thus plotted assuming the true imperial title.
57
群臣復奏進攝皇帝子安、臨爵為公，封兄子光為衍功侯； 是時莽還歸新都國，群臣復白以封莽孫宗為新都侯。
The assembled ministers again memorialized to advance the Acting Emperor's sons An and Lin to the rank of duke, and enfeoff his elder brother's son Guang as Marquis of Yangong; At this time Wang Mang had returned to his state of Xindu; the assembled ministers again reported to enfeoff Wang Mang's grandson Zong as Marquis of Xindu.
58
九月，莽母功顯君死。 莽自以居攝踐阼，奉漢大宗之後，為功顯君緦縗弁而加麻環絰，如天子吊諸侯服。 凡壹吊再會； 而令新都侯宗為主，服喪三年雲。
In the ninth month, Wang Mang's mother Lady Gongxian died. Wang Mang, deeming himself in regency treading the throne and serving as successor to Han's great lineage, wore for Lady Gongxian the finest hemp mourning cap with hemp ring and mourning band, as when the Son of Heaven condoles with feudal lords. In all one condolence visit and two assemblies; and ordered Marquis of Xindu Zong to preside, with three years of mourning—or so it is said.
59
司威陳崇奏莽兄子衍功侯光私報執金吾竇況，令殺人； 況為收系，致其法。 莽大怒，切責光。 光母曰：「汝自視孰與長孫、中孫！」 長孫、中孫者，宇及獲之字也。 遂母子自殺，及況皆死。 初，莽以事母、養嫂、撫兄子為名，及後悖虐，復以示公義焉。 令光子嘉嗣爵為侯。
Director of Authority Chen Chong memorialized that Wang Mang's elder brother's son Marquis of Yangong Guang privately informed Commandant of the Convoy of Metals Dou Kuang and had him kill a man; Kuang arrested and imprisoned him and applied the law. Wang Mang was greatly angered and sternly reproached Guang. Guang's mother said, "Do you yourself consider whom you resemble—the elder grandson or the middle grandson!" The elder grandson and middle grandson were the style-names Yu and Huo. Thereupon mother and son committed suicide, and Kuang also died. At first Wang Mang had made a name for serving his mother, nurturing his sister-in-law, and raising his elder brother's sons; afterward he was cruel and perverse, yet again displayed public righteousness. He ordered Guang's son Jia to succeed to the marquisate as marquis.
60
是歲，廣饒侯劉京言齊郡新井，車騎將軍千人扈雲言巴郡石牛，太保屬臧鴻言扶風雍石； 莽皆迎受。 十一月，甲子，莽奏太后曰：「陛下遇漢十二世三七之厄，承天威命，詔臣莽居攝。 廣饒侯劉京上書言：『七月中，齊郡臨淄縣昌興亭長辛當一暮數夢，曰：「吾，天公使也。 天公使我告亭長曰：『攝皇帝當為真。』 即不信我，此亭中當有新井。」 亭長晨起視亭中，誠有新井，入地且百尺。』 十一月，壬子，直建冬至，巴郡石牛，戊午，雍石文，皆到於未央宮之前殿。 臣與太保安陽侯舜等視，天風起，塵冥，風止，得銅符帛圖於石前，文曰：『天告帝符，獻者封侯，』騎都尉崔發等視說。 孔子曰：『畏天命，畏大人，畏聖人之言，』臣莽敢不承用！ 臣請共事神祇、宗廟，奏言太皇太后、孝平皇后，皆稱『假皇帝』； 其號令天下，天下奏言事，毋言『攝』； 以居攝三年為始初； 漏刻以百二十為度； 用應天命。 臣莽夙夜養育隆就孺子，令與周之成王比德，宣明太皇太后威德於萬方，期於富而教之。 孺子加元服，復子明辟，如周公故事。」 奏可。 眾庶知其奉符命，指意群臣博議別奏，以示即真之漸矣。
This year Marquis of Guangrao Liu Jing reported a new well in Qi commandery; Commandant of Cavalry's thousand-man leader Hu Yun reported a stone ox in Ba commandery; and Grand Tutor's subordinate Zang Hong reported a stone at Yong in Fufeng; Wang Mang welcomed and received them all. In the eleventh month, on jiazi, Wang Mang memorialized the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty encountered the three-seven calamity of Han's twelve generations, received Heaven's august mandate, and issued an edict your servant Wang Mang to act as regent. Marquis of Guangrao Liu Jing submitted a memorial saying, "In the seventh month, Xin Dang, chief of Changxing pavilion in Linzi county, Qi commandery, in one evening dreamed repeatedly, saying, "I am the envoy of the Lord on High. The Lord on High sent me to tell the pavilion chief, "The Acting Emperor ought to become the true emperor." If you do not believe me, in this pavilion there ought to be a new well." The pavilion chief rose at dawn and looked in the pavilion—truly there was a new well, more than a hundred feet into the earth." In the eleventh month, on renzi, the winter solstice of the Establishing cycle; the stone ox of Ba commandery; on wuwu, the Yong stone inscription—all arrived before the front hall of Weiyang Palace. Your servant with Grand Tutor Marquis of Anyang Shun and others viewed them; Heaven's wind rose and dust darkened; when the wind stopped, a bronze tally and silk chart were obtained before the stone, the text reading, "Heaven announces the imperial tally; presenters are enfeoffed as marquises"—Commandant of Cavalry Cui Fa and others viewed and explained. Confucius said, "Revere Heaven's mandate, revere great men, revere the sage's words"—how dare your servant Wang Mang fail to receive and employ them! Your servant requests to serve together the spirits and ancestral temple, and in memorials to the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress of Emperor Xiaoping all use the title "Provisional Emperor"; in commanding all under Heaven and in all memorials from the realm, never say "regent"; take the third year of regency as Shichu [Beginning First]; set the clepsydra graduations at one hundred twenty degrees; to accord with Heaven's mandate. Your servant Wang Mang day and night nourished and raised the Ruzi to full stature, making him comparable in virtue to King Cheng of Zhou, proclaiming the Grand Empress Dowager's prestige and virtue to the ten thousand directions, expecting to enrich and then instruct him. When the Ruzi completes capping, restore the son and clarify the sovereign, as in the Duke of Zhou's precedent." The memorial was approved. The common people knew he received the tally-mandate; he directed the assembled ministers to deliberate broadly and submit separate memorials, to show the gradual steps toward assuming the true title.
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期門郎張充等六人謀共劫莽，立楚王。 發覺，誅死。
Palace Guard Gentleman Zhang Chong and five others plotted together to seize Wang Mang and establish the King of Chu. The plot was discovered; they were executed.
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梓潼人哀章學問長安，素無行，好為大言，見莽居攝，即作銅匱，為兩檢，署其一曰「天帝行璽金匱圖」，其一署曰「赤帝璽某傳予黃帝金策書」。 某者，高皇帝名也。 書言王莽為真天子，皇太后如天命。 圖書皆書莽大臣八人，又取令名王興、王盛，章因自竄姓名，凡十一人，皆署官爵，為輔佐。 章聞齊井、石牛事下，即日昏時，衣黃衣，持匱至高廟，以付僕射。 僕射以聞。 戊辰，莽至高廟拜受金匱神禪，御王冠，謁太后，還坐未央宮前殿，下書曰：「予以不德，托於皇初祖考黃帝之後，皇始祖考虞帝之苗裔，而太皇太后之末屬。 皇天上帝隆顯大佑，成命統序，符契、圖文、金匱策書，神明詔告，屬予以天下兆民。 赤帝漢氏高皇帝之靈，承天命，傳國金策之書，予甚示氐畏，敢不欽受！ 以戊辰直定，御王冠，即真天子位，定有天下之號曰新。 其改正朔，易服色，變犧牲，殊徽幟，異器制。 以十二月朔癸酉為始建國元年正月之朔； 以雞鳴為時。 服色配德上黃，犧牲應正用白，使節之旄幡皆純黃，其署曰『新使五威節』，以承皇天上帝威命也。」
Ai Zhang of Zitong studied in Chang'an, was by nature without conduct, and loved grand talk; seeing Wang Mang in regency, he at once made a bronze casket with two slips, inscribing one "Imperial tally of the Lord on High's traveling seal and golden casket chart" and the other "Red Emperor's seal: Mou transmits to Yellow Emperor golden tally book." "Mou" was the personal name of the High Emperor. The writing said Wang Mang was the true Son of Heaven and the Empress Dowager accorded with Heaven's mandate. The charts and writings all listed eight of Wang Mang's great ministers; he also took the auspicious names Wang Xing and Wang Sheng; Zhang secretly inserted his own name—eleven in all—each inscribed with office and rank as assistants. Zhang heard the Qi well and stone ox affairs had been sent down; that very day at dusk he wore yellow robes, carried the casket to the High Temple, and handed it to the Chamberlain. The Chamberlain reported it. On wuchen, Wang Mang went to the High Temple, bowed and received the golden casket divine abdication, donned the king's cap, visited the Empress Dowager, returned and sat in the front hall of Weiyang Palace, and issued a document: "I, lacking virtue, rely on descent from the Yellow Emperor, my august primordial ancestor, and the august founding ancestor Emperor Yu, and am a junior branch of the Grand Empress Dowager. The August Lord on High greatly displayed great aid; the completed mandate's succession was ordered; tallies, charts and writings, golden casket tally books—divine spirits issued an edict and proclaimed, entrusting to me the myriad people of all under Heaven. The spirit of the Red Emperor, the High Emperor of the Han clan, received Heaven's mandate and transmitted the state's golden tally book; I am greatly reverent and fearful—how dare I fail to respectfully receive it! On wuchen, the Establishing day, I don the king's cap, assume the true Son of Heaven's position, and fix the name of possessing all under Heaven as Xin. Let the calendar and new year's day be changed, dress colors altered, sacrifices transformed, emblems and banners made distinct, and vessel regulations different. Take the twelfth month's new moon guiyou as the new moon of the first month of Shijianguo year one; take the cock's crow as the hour. Dress color matching virtue is yellow above; sacrifices responding to the orthodox use white; the yak-tail banners of envoys are all pure yellow, their title reading "Xin envoy Five-Power tally," to receive the August Lord on High's august mandate."
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莽將即真，先奉諸符瑞以白太后，太后大驚。 是時以孺子未立，璽臧長樂宮。 及莽即位，請璽，太后不肯授莽。 莽使安陽侯舜諭指，舜素謹敕，太后雅愛信之。 舜既見太后，太后知其為莽求璽，怒罵之曰：「而屬父子宗族，蒙漢家力，富貴累世，既無以報，受人孤寄，乘便利時奪取其國，不復顧恩義。 人如此者，狗豬不食其餘，天下豈有而兄弟邪！ 且若自以金匱符命為新皇帝，變更正朔、服制，亦當自更作璽，傳之萬世，何用此亡國不祥璽為，而欲求之：我漢家老寡婦，旦暮且死，欲與此璽俱葬，終不可得！」 太后因涕泣而言，旁側長御以下皆垂涕。 舜亦悲不能自止，良久，乃仰謂太后：「臣等已無可言者。 莽必欲得傳國璽，太后寧能終不與邪？」 太后聞舜語切，恐莽欲脅之，乃出漢傳國璽投之地，以授舜曰：「我老已死，如而兄弟今族滅也！」 舜既得傳國璽，奏之； 莽大說，乃為太后置酒未央宮漸台，大縱眾樂。 莽又欲改太后漢家舊號，易其璽綬，恐不見聽； 而莽疏屬王諫欲諂莽，上書言：「皇天廢去漢而命立新室，太皇太后不宜稱尊號，當隨漢廢，以奉天命。」 莽以其書白太后，太后曰：「此言是也！」 莽因曰：「此悖德之臣也，罪當誅！」 於是冠軍張永獻符命銅璧文，言太皇太后當為新室文母太皇太后； 莽乃下詔從之。 於是鴆殺王諫而封張永為貢符子。
As Wang Mang was about to assume the true title, he first presented the various tallies and omens to inform the Empress Dowager; the Empress Dowager was greatly alarmed. At this time, because the Ruzi had not been enthroned, the seal was stored in Changle Palace. When Wang Mang took the throne he requested the seal; the Empress Dowager would not hand it to Wang Mang. Wang Mang sent Marquis of Anyang Shun to explain the intent; Shun was by nature cautious and orderly, and the Empress Dowager had long loved and trusted him. When Shun had seen the Empress Dowager, she knew he came for Wang Mang to seek the seal and angrily cursed him, "Your clan, father and sons, received Han's strength; wealth and honor for generations—yet you have nothing with which to repay. You received the orphan in trust, seized the state when the moment was convenient, and no longer recall grace and righteousness. Men like this—even dogs and pigs will not eat what they leave; can there be brothers like you under Heaven! Moreover, if you yourselves take the golden casket tally-mandate as Xin emperor and change the calendar and dress regulations, you ought also to make a new seal yourselves and transmit it for ten thousand generations—why use this inauspicious seal of a perished state and seek it? I, Han's old widow, morning and evening near death, wish to be buried with this seal—you shall never obtain it!" The Empress Dowager thereupon spoke weeping; the chief attendants beside her and below all shed tears. Shun also grieved beyond controlling himself; after a long while he looked up and told the Empress Dowager, "We your subjects have nothing more to say. Wang Mang surely wishes to obtain the transmission-of-state seal—can Your Majesty in the end refuse to give it?" Hearing Shun's words were pressing, the Empress Dowager feared Wang Mang wished to coerce her; she brought out Han's transmission-of-state seal, cast it to the ground, and gave it to Shun, saying, "I am old and already dying—men like your brothers will now exterminate the clan!" Shun having obtained the transmission-of-state seal, memorialized it; Wang Mang was greatly pleased and set wine for the Empress Dowager at the Jiantai of Weiyang Palace, greatly unleashing all music. Wang Mang also wished to change the Empress Dowager's old Han titles and alter her seal and sash, fearing he would not be heeded; but Wang Mang's distant kinsman Wang Jian wished to flatter Wang Mang and memorialized, "August Heaven has discarded Han and commanded the establishment of the Xin house; the Grand Empress Dowager ought not bear an honorific title but should follow Han's abolition to serve Heaven's mandate." Wang Mang showed the memorial to the Empress Dowager; the Empress Dowager said, "These words are correct!" Wang Mang thereupon said, "This is a minister of perverse virtue; the crime deserves execution!" Thereupon Champion Zhang Yong presented a tally-mandate bronze disk inscription saying the Grand Empress Dowager ought to be Grand Empress Dowager Wenmu of the Xin house; Wang Mang then issued an edict to follow it. Thereupon he poisoned Wang Jian and enfeoffed Zhang Yong as Baron of Tributary-Tally.
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班彪贊曰：三代以來，王公失世，稀不以女寵。 及王莽之興，由孝元後歷漢四世為天下母，饗國六十餘載，群弟世權，更持國柄； 五將、十侯，卒成新都。 位號已移於天下，而元後卷卷猶握一璽，不欲以授莽，婦人之仁，悲矣！
Ban Biao's eulogy says: Since the Three Dynasties, when kings and dukes lost their age, rarely was it not through favor to women. When Wang Mang rose, it was through Empress Xiaoyuan, who across Han's four generations was mother of all under Heaven, enjoyed the state more than sixty years; her brothers held power generation after generation, alternately grasping the state's handle; five generals and ten marquises—at last accomplishing Xindu. The title and position had already shifted to all under Heaven, yet the Yuan Empress earnestly still grasped one seal and would not give it to Wang Mang—womanly kindness, how sad!