Biographies of the Princes of Huainan and Hengshan, Number 58
The Prince of Huainan, Li Chang, was the youngest son of Emperor Gaozu of Han. His mother was originally a concubine of Zhao Wang Zhang Ao. In the eighth year of Gaozu (199 BCE), when Gaozu passed through the state of Zhao on his way from Dongyuan, Zhao Wang Zhang Ao presented this concubine to Gaozu. The Prince of Li’s mother received Gaozu’s favor and became pregnant. Zhao Wang Zhang Ao dared not take her back into his palace, so he built a separate residence for her to live in. When the rebellion of Guan Gao and others in Bairen County was discovered, Zhao Wang Zhang Ao was implicated and arrested; his mother, brothers, and concubines were all taken into custody and imprisoned in Henei Commandery. The Prince of Li’s mother was also imprisoned. She told the jailer, “I once received the emperor’s favor and am now pregnant.” The jailer reported this to the emperor. The emperor was then angry with the Prince of Zhao and did not heed the plea of the Prince of Li’s mother. The Prince of Li’s mother’s younger brother, Zhao Jian, then sought help through Biyang Hou, Shen Yiji, from Empress Lü. Empress Lü was jealous and refused to speak for her, and Biyang Hou did not exert himself to intervene. When the Prince of Li’s mother gave birth to the Prince of Li, she became resentful and committed suicide. The jailer carried the Prince of Li and presented him before the emperor. The emperor regretted his actions and had Empress Lü raise him, and buried the Prince of Li’s mother in Zhending. Zhending was the hometown of the Prince of Li’s mother, where her family had lived for generations.
In the eleventh year of Gaozu (196 BCE), in the seventh month, the Prince of Huainan, Qing Bu, rebelled. Gaozu established his son, Liu Chang, as the Prince of Huainan, ruling over Qing Bu’s original territory, comprising four commanderies in total. Gaozu personally led the army to defeat and kill Qing Bu, and the Prince of Li then ascended to his position. Having lost his mother at an early age, the Prince of Li had always depended on Empress Lü. Thus, during the reigns of Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Lü, he managed to survive without suffering harm, but he harbored a deep resentment against Biyang Hou, though he dared not act on it. When Emperor Xiaowen first ascended the throne, the Prince of Huainan considered himself closest to the emperor and became arrogant and unruly, repeatedly failing to observe the laws. Emperor Wen, out of familial affection, often pardoned and forgave him. In the third year of Emperor Xiaowen (177 BCE), the Prince of Huainan came to court and behaved very insolently. He followed the emperor to the imperial hunting grounds and rode in the same carriage, often addressing the emperor as “Elder Brother.” The Prince of Li was very strong and could lift a large tripod. He then went to visit Biyang Hou. When Biyang Hou came out to see him, he immediately took an iron mallet from his sleeve and struck Biyang Hou, then ordered his attendant, Wei Jing, to cut off his neck. The Prince of Li then galloped to the palace gate, stripped off his upper garments, exposed his body, and confessed, saying, “My mother should not have been implicated and punished for the Zhao affair. At that time, Biyang Hou had the ability to plead for her before Empress Lü but did not exert himself—this is the first crime. Zhao Wang Ruyi and his mother were innocent, yet Empress Lü killed them, and Biyang Hou did not argue against it—this is the second crime. Empress Lü enfeoffed members of the Lü clan as princes, intending to endanger the Liu clan’s rule, and Biyang Hou did not resist—this is the third crime. I have, on behalf of the realm, executed the treacherous minister Biyang Hou and avenged my mother. Now I prostrate myself before the palace gate, awaiting punishment.” Emperor Xiaowen pitied his sentiments and, out of familial affection, did not punish him but pardoned the Prince of Li. At that time, Empress Dowager Bo, the heir apparent, and the various officials all feared the Prince of Li. Consequently, after returning to his state, the Prince of Li became even more arrogant and unrestrained, failing to observe the laws of Han. When going out or entering, he cleared the roads and imposed strict prohibitions, issued commands imitating the imperial style, established his own laws, and conducted himself on par with the Son of Heaven.
In the sixth year of Emperor Xiaowen (174 BCE), the Prince of Li ordered the man Dan and seventy others, along with the heir apparent of Jipu Hou Chai Wu, Chai Qi, to secretly plot a rebellion with forty large chariots at Gukou County, and sent envoys to Minyue and the Xiongnu. The matter was discovered. The court investigated the case and sent an envoy to summon the Prince of Huainan to the capital. The Prince of Huainan arrived at Chang’an.
“The Chancellor, Minister Zhang Cang; the Director of Guests, Minister Feng Jing; the Acting Superintendent of the Imperial Secretariat, the Director of the Imperial Clan, Minister Yi; the Commandant of Justice, Minister He; and the Commandant for Catching Thieves, Minister Fu, risking death, submit: The Prince of Huainan, Liu Chang, has abandoned the laws of the former emperor, refused to follow the Son of Heaven’s edicts, and has had no limits on his dwelling’s scale. He made yellow silk carriage covers and imperial carriages, imitating the Son of Heaven’s style when going out and entering. He arbitrarily established his own laws and did not adopt the laws of Han. In appointing officials, he used his Langzhong Chun as Chancellor, gathered and accepted people from various states of Han and those who had committed crimes and fled, hiding them and letting them reside, providing them with homes and wives, giving them wealth, rank, salaries, and fields and residences. Some ranks even reached Guan Nei Hou, with salaries of two thousand shi. These were things he should not have granted, and he intended to plot something. The Grand Master Dan, the commoner Kaizhang, and seventy others, along with the heir apparent of Jipu Hou, Chai Qi, secretly plotted rebellion, intending to endanger the ancestral temple and altars of state. They sent Kaizhang to secretly inform Liu Chang and conspire with him, to have Minyue and the Xiongnu send troops. Kaizhang went to Huainan to see Liu Chang. Liu Chang sat and spoke with him many times, set up a household for him, married him to a wife, and supported him with a salary of two thousand shi. Kaizhang sent a message to Dan, saying that he had already reached an agreement with the Prince of Huainan. Chun sent an envoy to report to Dan and the others. The officials discovered the matter and sent the Chief of Chang’an, Qi, and others to arrest Kaizhang. Liu Chang hid him and refused to hand him over, conspiring with the former Commandant, Jian Ji, to kill Kaizhang to silence him. They prepared a coffin, burial clothes, and a shroud for Kaizhang, and buried him in Feiling Yi, deceiving the officials by saying, ‘We do not know where he is.’ They then falsely piled up a mound and erected a marker on it, saying, ‘Kaizhang is dead; buried here below.’ Furthermore, Liu Chang personally killed one innocent person; ordered officials to try and then kill six innocent people; to exempt fugitives from the death penalty, he falsely arrested fugitives to substitute for them; arbitrarily convicted people, with those not reported or impeached being imprisoned and sentenced to wall-building or grain-pounding—fourteen people; pardoned criminals, including eighteen who had committed capital crimes, and fifty-eight below the level of wall-building and grain-pounding; granted ranks to others, from Guan Nei Hou down—ninety-four people. Previously, when Liu Chang was ill, Your Majesty worried about him and sent an envoy with a letter and dried dates. Liu Chang refused to accept the gift and would not come out to see the envoy. Some people from the Southern Sea region living in Lujiang Commandery rebelled, and Huainan’s officials and soldiers went to attack them. Your Majesty, because the people of Huainan were poor, sent an envoy to give Liu Chang five thousand bolts of silk to reward the hardworking officials and soldiers. Liu Chang refused to accept the gift, falsely claiming, ‘There are no hardworking people.’ The man of the Southern Sea, Wang Zhi, submitted a letter and presented a jade disc to the emperor. Jian Ji arbitrarily burned the letter and did not report it to the emperor. The officials requested to summon and punish Jian Ji. Liu Chang refused to send him, falsely claiming, ‘Jian Ji is ill.’ Chun also asked Liu Chang for permission to enter the court for an audience. Liu Chang angrily said, ‘Do you want to leave me and attach yourself to Han?’ Liu Chang should be sentenced to execution in the marketplace. We and the others request that the law be applied.”
Emperor Wen issued an edict, saying, “I cannot bear to impose punishment on the Prince of Huainan. Please discuss this with the marquises and officials of two thousand shi.”
“We, Minister Zhang Cang, Minister Feng Jing, Minister Yi, Minister Fu, and Minister He, risking death, submit: We have carefully consulted with the marquises and officials of two thousand shi, including Minister Ying and forty-three others. All say, ‘Liu Chang has not observed the laws and systems, has not followed the Son of Heaven’s edicts, has secretly gathered partisans and rebels, has generously supported fugitives, and intends to plot something.’ We and the others have deliberated and request that the law be applied.”
Emperor Wen issued an edict, saying, “I cannot bear to impose punishment on the Prince of Huainan. Pardon Liu Chang from the death penalty and depose him from his princely rank.”
“We, Minister Zhang Cang and others, risking death, submit: Liu Chang has committed a great capital crime. Your Majesty, unable to bear applying the law, has mercifully pardoned him and deposed him from his princely rank. We and the others request that he be placed at Qiong Post in Yandao County, Shu Commandery, with his sons and mother accompanying him to live there. The county shall build houses for him and supply grain, firewood, vegetables, salt, fermented beans, cooking utensils, eating utensils, mats, and bed mats. We and the others, risking death, make this request, and further request that this decision be announced to the realm.”
Emperor Wen issued an edict, saying: “Supply him with five catties of meat and two pecks of wine each day. Allow the ten favored beauties and talented women he previously favored to accompany him and live there. Other matters are approved as requested.”
All those who had conspired in the rebellion were executed. The court then dispatched the King of Huainan in a covered, curtained prison cart, ordering each county along the route to transport him in succession. At that time, Yuan Ang admonished Emperor Wen, saying: “Your Majesty has always indulged the King of Huainan and did not appoint a strict Grand Tutor or Chancellor for him, which is why things have come to this. Moreover, the King of Huainan has a fierce temper; suddenly subjecting him to such humiliation, I fear he may fall ill and die on the road from exposure to mist and dew. Then Your Majesty would acquire a reputation for killing your own brother—what can be done about that?” Emperor Wen replied: “I merely intend to make him suffer a little hardship; now I will have him brought back.” The officials in the counties along the route responsible for transporting the King of Huainan did not dare to break the seals on the prison cart. The King of Huainan then said to his attendants: “Who said that your father is a brave man? How can I be considered brave! Because of my arrogance, I could not hear of my own faults, and so I have come to this state. When a man lives in this world, how can he be so depressed and joyless?” Thereupon he refused to eat and died. When they reached Yong County, the magistrate of Yong County broke the seals on the prison cart and reported the King of Huainan’s death to the court. Emperor Wen wept very sorrowfully and said to Yuan Ang: “I did not listen to your advice, and in the end I have lost the King of Huainan.” Yuan Ang said: “Since things have come to this, there is nothing to be done; I hope Your Majesty will ease your mind.” Emperor Wen asked: “What should be done now?” Yuan Ang said: “Only by executing the Chancellor and the Imperial Secretary can you make amends to the world, and then it will be acceptable.” Emperor Wen immediately ordered the Chancellor and the Imperial Secretary to arrest and interrogate the officials in the counties along the route who had transported the King of Huainan without breaking the prison cart’s seals and who had not supplied food and attendants, and all were sentenced to execution in the marketplace. Thereupon, the King of Huainan was buried in Yong County with the rites befitting a marquis, and thirty households were established to guard his tomb.
In the eighth year of Emperor Wen’s reign (172 BCE), the Emperor took pity on the King of Huainan. The king had four sons, all only seven or eight years old, so he enfeoffed his son Liu An as the Marquis of Fuli, his son Liu Bo as the Marquis of Anyang, his son Liu Ci as the Marquis of Yangzhou, and his son Liu Liang as the Marquis of Dongcheng.
In the twelfth year of Emperor Wen’s reign (168 BCE), the common people composed a ballad singing of the King of Huainan, Li the Severe: “A foot of cloth can still be sewn; a peck of grain can still be husked. But two brothers cannot tolerate each other.” When Emperor Wen heard this, he sighed and said: “Yao and Shun exiled their own flesh and blood, and the Duke of Zhou killed Guan Shu and Cai Shu, yet all the world praised them as sagely. Why is that? Because they did not harm public righteousness for private feelings. Could it be that the world thinks I coveted the King of Huainan’s territory?” Thereupon he transferred King Xi of Chengyang to the former territory of the King of Huainan, posthumously honored the King of Huainan as Li the Severe, established a tomb park, and restored the rites and regulations of a feudal prince.
In the sixteenth year of Emperor Wen’s reign (164 BCE), Emperor Wen moved King Xi of Huainan back to his original Chengyang. The Emperor, pitying that the King of Huainan, Li the Severe, had abandoned the laws, acted improperly, and caused his own loss of his state and early death, then enfeoffed his three sons: the Marquis of Fuli, Liu An, as the King of Huainan; the Marquis of Anyang, Liu Bo, as the King of Hengshan; and the Marquis of Yangzhou, Liu Ci, as the King of Lujiang. They all regained the territories from the time of Li the Severe, and the land was divided into three parts. The Marquis of Dongcheng, Liu Liang, had previously died and left no descendants.
In the third year of Emperor Jing’s reign (154 BCE), the seven states of Wu and Chu rebelled. The envoy of the King of Wu came to Huainan, and the King of Huainan wanted to raise troops to respond. His Chancellor said: “If Your Majesty insists on raising troops to respond to the King of Wu, I am willing to serve as a general.” The King of Huainan then handed over military command to the Chancellor. Once the Chancellor of Huainan had taken control of the troops, he held the city in defense, did not obey the King of Huainan’s orders, and instead served the Han dynasty; the Han also sent the Marquis of Qucheng with troops to rescue Huainan, and thus Huainan was preserved. The envoy of the King of Wu came to Lujiang, but the King of Lujiang refused to respond and instead maintained relations with the Yue. The envoy of the King of Wu came to Hengshan, and the King of Hengshan held his city firmly, showing no disloyalty. In the fourth year of Emperor Jing’s reign (153 BCE), Wu and Chu had been defeated. The King of Hengshan went to court, and Emperor Jing considered him loyal and reliable, so he comforted him, saying: “The southern region is low-lying and damp.” He then transferred the King of Hengshan to Jibei to reward him. When the King of Hengshan died, he was given the posthumous title of King Zhen. The King of Lujiang bordered the Yue and frequently exchanged envoys with them, so he was transferred to be the King of Hengshan, ruling the region north of the Yangtze. The King of Huainan retained his original territory unchanged.
The King of Huainan, Liu An, enjoyed reading and playing the zither; he did not like hunting, horse racing, or dog fighting. He also wanted to secretly bestow kindness and soothe the people, making his good reputation known throughout the world. He constantly resented his father, King Li’s, death and always wanted to rebel, but simply lacked the opportunity. In the second year of the Jianyuan era (139 BCE), the King of Huainan went to court in the capital. He had long been on good terms with the Marquis of Wu’an, Tian Fen, who was then Grand Commandant. Tian Fen went to Baling to welcome the King of Huainan and said to him: “Now the Emperor has no heir. Your Majesty is a direct grandson of Emperor Gao and practices benevolence and righteousness, known to all under Heaven. If the Emperor should suddenly pass away, besides Your Majesty, who else should be established as Emperor?” The King of Huainan was greatly pleased and heavily bestowed gold and silver goods on the Marquis of Wu’an. He secretly cultivated guests, soothed the people, and began plotting rebellion.
In the sixth year of the Jianyuan era (135 BCE), a comet appeared, and the King of Huainan found it strange. Someone advised him, saying: “When the forces of Wu rose up, a comet appeared, no more than a few feet long, yet it caused bloodshed for a thousand li. Now the comet stretches across the entire sky; there will be a great war throughout the world.” The King of Huainan thought in his heart that the Emperor had no heir, and if a change occurred in the world, the feudal lords would struggle among themselves, so he intensified the manufacture of weapons and siege equipment, accumulated money, and bribed and bestowed gifts on commandery and state lords, wandering scholars, and extraordinary talents. Those eloquent debaters skilled in devising strategies fabricated absurd rumors and flattered the King of Huainan. The King of Huainan was delighted and rewarded them with much money, and his intention to rebel grew increasingly stronger.
The King of Huainan had a daughter named Liu Ling, who was intelligent and eloquent. The King of Huainan loved Liu Ling and often gave her much money, sending her to secretly spy in Chang’an and cultivate relations with the Emperor’s close attendants. In the third year of the Yuanshuo era (126 BCE), the Emperor bestowed on the King of Huainan a low table and a staff, granting him permission not to attend court audiences. The King of Huainan’s queen was named Tu, and the King deeply favored her. The queen gave birth to the heir apparent, Liu Qian, who married the daughter of the Princess of Xiucheng, the Empress Dowager’s granddaughter. The King of Huainan, planning and preparing instruments of rebellion, feared that the heir apparent’s wife would learn of it and leak internal secrets, so he discussed with the heir apparent and had him pretend not to love her, not sharing the same bed for three months. The King of Huainan then feigned anger at the heir apparent, confined him, and made him share a room with his wife for three months, but the heir apparent never approached her. The heir apparent’s wife requested to leave, so the King of Huainan submitted a memorial apologizing and sent her back. Queen Tu, the heir apparent Liu Qian, and daughter Liu Ling enjoyed the King of Huainan’s favor, monopolized state power, seized the farmland and residences of the people, and arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned people.
In the fifth year of Yuanshuo (124 BCE), the Crown Prince studied swordsmanship, believing himself unmatched. Hearing that Langzhong Lei Bei was highly skilled with the sword, he summoned him for a contest. Lei Bei repeatedly declined, but in the match he accidentally wounded the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince grew angry, and Lei Bei became terrified. At that time, those willing to enlist in the military could go directly to the capital. Lei Bei thus expressed his desire to fight vigorously against the Xiongnu. Crown Prince Liu Qian repeatedly spoke ill of Lei Bei before the King of Huainan. The King of Huainan ordered the Langzhong Ling to reprimand and dismiss Lei Bei from his post, intending to warn others. Lei Bei then fled to Chang’an and submitted a memorial to clear himself. The Emperor issued an edict referring the matter to the Tingwei and the Henan Commandery. The Henan Commandery tried the case and sought to arrest the Crown Prince of Huainan. The King of Huainan and his queen discussed not handing over the Crown Prince, intending to raise troops in rebellion, but they hesitated, undecided for over ten days. Just then, an edict arrived ordering the Crown Prince to be tried locally. At this time, the Chancellor of Huainan, angered that the Magistrate of Shouchun had detained the Crown Prince and not followed the arrest warrant, impeached him for "disrespect." The King of Huainan used this to request the Chancellor to handle the matter, but the Chancellor refused. The King sent someone to submit a complaint against the Chancellor, and the matter was referred to the Tingwei for trial. The investigation implicated the King of Huainan. The King sent men to secretly monitor the Han court’s high officials. The high officials requested the arrest and punishment of the King of Huainan. The King, fearing exposure, Crown Prince Liu Qian plotted, saying: "If Han envoys come to arrest you, Father King, you can have men dressed as guards, holding halberds, stand in the courtyard. If there is trouble by your side, stab them. I will also send men to assassinate the Commandant of Huainan, and then raise troops—it will not be too late." At that time, the Emperor did not approve the high officials' request but instead sent Yin Hong, the Commandant of the Central Region, to interrogate the King of Huainan locally. When the King heard that a Han envoy was coming, he made preparations according to the Crown Prince’s plan. After the Commandant arrived, the King observed his calm demeanor; he only questioned the matter of dismissing Lei Bei. The King, thinking there was no great trouble, did not act. The Commandant returned and reported the situation to the Emperor. The high officials handling the case said: "The King of Huainan, Liu An, obstructed Lei Bei and others from fighting vigorously against the Xiongnu and abandoned the clear imperial edict; he should be sentenced to death by public execution." The Emperor refused. The high officials requested the removal of his title; the Emperor refused. They requested the reduction of five commanderies; the Emperor reduced two. He sent Commandant Yin Hong to pardon the King of Huainan's crime and punish him by reducing his territory. When the Commandant entered Huainan’s borders, he announced the pardon. The King initially heard that the Han high officials had requested his death and did not yet know of the territory reduction. Upon hearing that a Han envoy was coming, he feared arrest and plotted with the Crown Prince to assassinate the envoy as before. But when the Commandant arrived and offered congratulations, the King thus did not act. Later, he lamented: "I practiced benevolence and righteousness, yet my territory was reduced—how shameful!" However, after the reduction, his plans for rebellion intensified. When envoys came from Chang’an, if they spun false rumors, saying the Emperor had no sons and the Han court was unstable, he rejoiced. If they said the Han court was well governed and had sons, he grew angry, considering it false and untrue.
Day and night, the King of Huainan, together with Wu Bei, Zuo Wu, and others, examined maps and deployed the routes for military advances. The King said: "The Emperor has no crown prince. Once the Emperor dies, the court officials will surely summon the King of Jiaodong, or otherwise the King of Changshan. The feudal lords will contend among themselves—how could I not prepare? Moreover, I am the grandson of Gaozu and have personally practiced benevolence and righteousness. His Majesty has treated me generously, so I can endure him. But after his death, how could I face north and serve those young brats as a vassal!"
The King of Huainan sat in the Eastern Palace, summoned Wu Bei, and plotted together, saying: "General, please step forward." Wu Bei, disheartened and lost, said: "The Emperor has been magnanimous and pardoned the Great King. How can the Great King speak such words of ruin again! I have heard that Wu Zixu remonstrated with the King of Wu, and the King of Wu did not listen, so Wu Zixu said: 'I will now see the elk and deer playing on Gusu Terrace.' Now I, too, will see the palace overgrown with brambles, and dew wetting my clothes." The King of Huainan grew angry, imprisoned Wu Bei's parents, and held them for three months. He then summoned Wu Bei again and said: "Has the General agreed to my plan?" Wu Bei said: "No, I have only come to devise a plan for the Great King. I have heard that one with acute ears can hear soundless voices, and one with sharp eyes can see formless things; thus the sage succeeds in every undertaking. In former times, King Wen made one move and his merit shone for a thousand generations, ranked among the Three Dynasties. This is what is meant by acting in accord with Heaven's will, so that the world's people followed him without prior agreement. This is something visible over a thousand years. As for the Qin dynasty of a hundred years ago, and the recent Wu and Chu, these too suffice to illustrate the principle of a state's survival or ruin. I dare not avoid the execution Wu Zixu suffered; I hope the Great King will not be as deaf to advice as the King of Wu was. In former times, the Qin dynasty cut off the Way of the sages, killed scholars, burned the Odes and Documents, abandoned ritual and righteousness, exalted deceit and violence, abused penal laws, and transported grain from the coast to the West River. At that time, men toiled at farming yet could not even eat chaff and husks; women wove cloth yet could not cover their bodies. They sent Meng Tian to build the Great Wall, stretching east and west for several thousand li, with troops exposed year-round often numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and those who died could not be counted; corpses lay strewn for a thousand li, blood flowed into rivers, the people’s strength was exhausted, and among ten households, five wanted to rebel. They also sent Xu Fu to the sea to seek immortals and extraordinary things. Xu Fu returned and fabricated a story, saying: 'I saw the great god of the sea, and the god asked: "Are you the envoy of the Western Emperor?" I answered: "I am." "What have you come to seek?" I said: "I hope to obtain medicine for prolonging life." The god said: "Your Qin king’s ceremonial offerings are too meager; you may see the medicine but not take it." Then he led me southeast to Penglai Mountain, where I saw a palace made of lingzhi fungus, with an envoy whose complexion was bronze and form dragon-like, its light shining up to the sky. Then I bowed twice and asked: "What tribute should be offered?" The sea god said: "If you present fine boys and girls and skilled artisans, you may obtain it."' The First Emperor of Qin was overjoyed and sent three thousand boys and girls, along with seeds of the five grains and various craftsmen, to set out. Xu Fu found a plain with a great marsh, proclaimed himself king there, and never returned. Thus the people grieved and longed for home, and among ten households, six wanted to rebel. They also sent Wei Tuo to cross the Five Ridges and attack the Hundred Yue. Wei Tuo knew that the Central Plain was utterly exhausted, so he proclaimed himself king there and never returned. He sent a memorial requesting that thirty thousand women without husbands be conscripted to mend clothes for the soldiers. The First Emperor approved fifteen thousand. Thus the people’s hearts turned away, the realm crumbled, and among ten households, seven wanted to rebel. A retainer said to the Gaozu Emperor: 'The time is ripe.' The Gaozu Emperor said: 'Wait a little longer; a sage will arise in the southeast.' Within a year, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose in revolt. The Gaozu Emperor raised troops from Feng and Pei. With one call, countless people across the realm responded without prior agreement. This is what is meant by seizing the moment and the crack, and acting when Qin was collapsing. The people longed for him as they long for rain in a drought. Thus he emerged from the ranks of common soldiers and became the Son of Heaven, his merit surpassing the Three Kings, his grace flowing for endless generations. Now the Great King sees only how easily the Gaozu Emperor gained the realm; why does he not look at the recent Wu and Chu? That King of Wu was granted the title of Libationer for the Liu clan, was specially excused from court attendance, governed the people of four commanderies, with territory stretching several thousand li in circumference. Inland, he smelted copper to cast coins; to the east, he boiled seawater to make salt; upstream, he took timber from Jiangling to build boats, each boat carrying as much as several dozen carts from the Central Plain. His state was wealthy, his population numerous. He bribed the feudal lords, the imperial clan, and high ministers with pearls, jade, gold, and silk, only the Dou clan he did not bribe. The plan was set, the scheme completed, and he raised troops to march west. Yet he was defeated at Daliang, beaten at Hufu, fled east, reached Dantu, was captured by the Yue people, died, and his state perished, becoming a laughingstock for the world. Why did the forces of Wu and Chu, strong as they were, not succeed? Truly because they violated Heaven’s Way and did not know the timing! Now the Great King’s troops do not amount to a tenth of Wu or Chu’s, and the peace of the world is ten thousand times greater than in the days of Qin. I hope the Great King will follow my plan. If the Great King does not follow my plan, I now see that the Great King’s affair will certainly not succeed, and the words will have leaked out first. I have heard that Weizi, passing through his former state, grieved and thus composed the Song of the Wheat, lamenting that the King of Zhou did not employ Prince Bigan. Thus Mencius said: 'The King of Zhou was honored as the Son of Heaven, yet in death he was not even equal to a common man.' This is because the King of Zhou had long cut himself off from the world; it was not that the world abandoned him only at his death. Now I, too, privately grieve for the Great King, who abandons the dignity of a lord of a thousand chariots and will certainly receive a decree ordering his death, dying before the assembled ministers, dying in the Eastern Palace." When Wu Bei had spoken thus, his breath choked in his chest and could not expand; tears filled his eyes and flowed down. He then rose, stepped on the stairs, and walked out.
The King of Huainan had a concubine-born son named Liu Buhai, who was the eldest, but the King of Huainan did not favor him, and the queen and the crown prince did not treat him as a son or elder brother. Liu Buhai had a son named Liu Jian, who was exceptionally talented and spirited, often resenting that the crown prince did not treat his father as an elder brother. He also resented that at that time, all feudal princes could enfeoff their sons as marquises, except for the King of Huainan, who had only two sons—one being the crown prince, while Liu Jian’s father could not be enfeoffed. Liu Jian secretly made connections, wanting to accuse the crown prince so that his father could replace him. When the crown prince learned of this, he repeatedly arrested and tortured Liu Jian. Liu Jian, knowing in detail the crown prince’s plot to murder the Han central commandant, had his associate, Zhuang Zhi of Shouchun, present a letter to the Son of Heaven in the sixth year of the Yuanshuo era, saying: "Poisonous medicine is bitter to the mouth but benefits the illness; loyal words are harsh to the ear but benefit conduct. Now, Liu Jian, the grandson of the King of Huainan, is of high talent. The queen of Huainan, Tu, and her son, the crown prince Liu Qian, constantly hate and persecute Liu Jian. Liu Jian’s father, Liu Buhai, is without fault, yet he has been arbitrarily arrested multiple times, with intent to kill him. Liu Jian is still alive and can be summoned for interrogation; he knows in detail the hidden affairs of the King of Huainan." After the letter was submitted, the emperor referred the matter to the Commandant of Justice, who then passed it to the Henan Commandery for trial. At that time, the grandson of the former Marquis of Piyang, Shen Qing, was on good terms with the Chancellor Gongsun Hong and harbored resentment that the King of Li of Huainan had killed his grandfather. He vigorously slandered the King of Huainan’s affairs before Gongsun Hong, who then suspected the King of Huainan of plotting rebellion and thoroughly investigated the case. The Henan Commandery interrogated Liu Jian, and his testimony implicated the crown prince of Huainan and his partisans. The King of Huainan, worried about this, wanted to start a rebellion and asked Wu Bei: "Is the Han court well governed or chaotic?" Wu Bei said: "The realm is well governed." The King of Huainan, displeased, said to Wu Bei: "On what grounds do you say the realm is well governed?" Wu Bei said: "I have privately observed the court’s administration: the righteousness between ruler and minister, the affection between father and son, the distinction between husband and wife, the order of elder and younger—all conform to reason. The emperor’s actions follow ancient laws, and customs and principles are without flaw. Wealthy merchants carrying heavy goods travel throughout the realm, and roads are unobstructed everywhere, so the way of trade flows smoothly. Nanyue has submitted, the Qiang and Bo come to pay tribute, the Dong'ou have surrendered, Changyu has been expanded, Shuofang has been opened up, and the Xiongnu have had their wings broken and feathers damaged, losing support and unable to revive. Though it may not yet match the great peace of antiquity, it can still be called well governed." The King of Huainan grew angry, and Wu Bei apologized, saying he deserved death. The King of Huainan then said to Wu Bei: "If there is war east of the mountains, Han will surely send the Grand General to lead troops to control the east of the mountains. What kind of person do you think the Grand General is?" Wu Bei said: "A man I associate with, Huang Yi, followed the Grand General on a campaign against the Xiongnu. After returning, he told me: 'The Grand General treats officials with courtesy and soldiers with kindness; all are happy to serve him. He rides horses up and down hills as if flying, and his talent is outstanding.' I believe his ability is such, and he has led troops in battle many times, making him hard to oppose. Also, the Attendant Censor Cao Liang returned from a mission to Chang'an and said that the Grand General’s orders are strict, he is brave in facing the enemy, and he often takes the lead. During rest, if a well has not yet been dug, he waits until all soldiers have drunk before he drinks. When the army withdraws, he crosses the river only after all soldiers have crossed. Gold and silk bestowed by the Empress Dowager he distributes entirely to the officers. Even famous generals of antiquity could not surpass him." The King of Huainan remained silent.
The King of Huainan, seeing that Liu Jian had already been summoned for interrogation, feared that the secret affairs of his state would be exposed and wanted to start a rebellion. Wu Bei again considered it difficult, so the king asked Wu Bei again: "Do you think the King of Wu was right or wrong in raising his troops?" Wu Bei said: "I think he was wrong. The King of Wu reached the pinnacle of wealth and honor, but acted improperly, died at Dantu, his head and feet separated, and not one of his descendants survived. I heard that the King of Wu greatly regretted it. I hope the great king will carefully consider this and not do what the King of Wu regretted." The King of Huainan said: "A man can die for a single word. Moreover, how could the King of Wu understand rebellion? The Han generals passed through Chenggao in a single day, over forty of them. Now, if I send Lou Huan to first block the entrance to Chenggao, Zhou Bei to take the army of Yingchuan and block the roads of Huanyuan and Yique, and Chen Ding to mobilize the troops of Nanyang and hold Wuguan, the Henan Grand Administrator would be left only with Luoyang—what is there to worry about? However, to the north there are also Linjin Pass, Hedong, Shangdang, Henei, and Zhao. People say: 'Block the entrance to Chenggao, and the realm cannot pass.' By occupying the strategic points of Sanchuan and rallying the troops east of the mountains, what do you think of this plan?" Wu Bei said: "I see only harm in it, not fortune." The King of Huainan said: "Zuo Wu, Zhao Xian, and Zhu Jiao all think it is fortunate, that nine out of ten things will succeed. Only you see harm and no fortune—why?" Wu Bei said: "The great king’s ministers and close favorites who ordinarily can command the people have all been imprisoned in the imperial prison; the rest are of no use." The King of Huainan said: "Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had no land to stand on, gathered a thousand men in Daze Township, raised their arms and shouted, and the whole realm responded. When they marched west to Xi, their troops reached one million two hundred thousand. Now, though my state is small, I can get over a hundred thousand able-bodied soldiers, not just conscripts, but men holding drill bits and thornwood spears. Why do you say there is harm and no fortune?" Wu Bei said: "In the past, the Qin dynasty was tyrannical and lawless, harming the realm. It raised ten-thousand chariot armies, built the Epang Palace, collected more than half the taxes, conscripted the poor from the left side of the lanes, so that fathers could not comfort sons, elder brothers could not care for younger brothers. With harsh decrees and severe punishments, the people suffered as if being boiled. The common people all craned their necks in hope, tilted their ears to listen, wailed in grief to heaven, beat their chests in resentment against the emperor. Thus, when Chen Sheng shouted, the whole realm responded. Now, the current emperor rules the realm, unifies the four seas, universally cherishes the people, and bestows kindness and virtuous favor. Before his mouth has spoken, his voice is faster than thunder; before his commands are issued, his teachings operate like a spirit; as soon as he thinks in his heart, his authority shakes ten thousand li. The lower orders follow the upper, like shadows following forms or echoes responding to sounds. Moreover, the Grand General’s ability is not comparable to that of Zhang Han or Yang Xiong. The great king compares this to Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, but I think it is inappropriate." The King of Huainan said: "If it is as you say, then can we not succeed by luck?" Wu Bei said: "I have a foolish plan." The King of Huainan said: "What is it?" Wu Bei said: "At present, the feudal lords have no dissenting hearts, and the people have no grievances. The Shuofang Commandery has vast fields with abundant water and grass, but the people relocated there are not enough to fill it. My foolish plan is to forge a petition from the Chancellor and the Censor, ordering the relocation of the realm’s heroes, knights-errant, and those guilty of crimes punishable by shaving the beard or above, pardoning them from their crimes, and those with property of five hundred thousand cash or more, moving their families to Shuofang, sending many armored troops, and strictly setting a meeting date. Also forge prison documents from the Left and Right Departments of the Capital and the Shanglin Park Central Office, arresting the crown princes and favored ministers of the feudal lords. In this way, the people will become resentful, and the feudal lords will become fearful. Then send eloquent persuaders to follow up with persuasion, and perhaps we may gain a one-in-ten chance?" The King of Huainan said: "This plan is feasible. Nevertheless, I think it does not need to go this far." So the King of Huainan ordered his official slaves to enter the palace and forge the imperial seal, as well as the seals of the Chancellor, Censor, Grand General, military officials, officials of two-thousand-bushel rank, and the commandants and clerks of the capital offices, along with the seals of the Grand Administrators and Commandants of neighboring commanderies, the credentials of Han envoys, and the caps of judges, preparing to carry out Wu Bei’s plan. He sent someone to feign a crime and travel west to serve the Grand General and Chancellor; once the troops were raised, he would send someone to assassinate the Grand General Wei Qing, then persuade the Chancellor to surrender, as easily as lifting a cloth cover.
The King of Huainan wished to mobilize the troops within his state but feared that his chancellor and the two-thousand-bushel officials would not obey. The King of Huainan plotted with Wu Bei to first kill the chancellor and the two-thousand-bushel officials; they would pretend that a fire had broken out in the palace, and when the chancellor and the two-thousand-bushel officials came to extinguish the fire, they would kill them as soon as they arrived. The plan had not yet been decided, and he also considered sending someone dressed in the clothes of a pursuer of thieves, carrying an urgent document with feathers attached, coming from the east, shouting, "The armies of Nanyue have invaded the border," hoping to take the opportunity to raise troops. He then sent men to Lujiang and Kuaiji to pretend to be pursuers of thieves, but they had not yet set out. The King of Huainan asked Wu Bei, saying, "If I raise troops and march west, the feudal lords will surely respond to me; if no one responds, what then?" Wu Bei said, "If we seize Hengshan to the south and attack Lujiang, possess the boats of Xunyang, hold the city of Xiazhui, assemble at the port of Jiujiang, block the entrance to Yuzhang, defend with strong crossbows facing the river to prevent the armies of Nan Commandery from coming south, seize Jiangdu and Kuaiji to the east, and make contact with the powerful Yue people to the south, we can stubbornly defend ourselves between the Yangzi and Huai Rivers, and still be able to delay for some time." The King of Huainan said, "Good, there is no better plan than this. If the situation becomes urgent, we will flee to the land of Yue."
At that time, the Commandant of the Court submitted the confession of Prince Liu Jian, which implicated the heir apparent of Huainan, Liu Qian, to the emperor. The emperor sent the Assistant of the Commandant of the Court, taking the opportunity to appoint him as the Commandant of Huainan, to arrest the heir apparent. When he arrived at Huainan, the King of Huainan heard of it and plotted with the heir apparent to summon the chancellor and the two-thousand-bushel officials, intending to kill them and then raise troops. He summoned the chancellor, and the chancellor came; the Inner Scribe made an excuse of going out and declined. The Commandant said, "I have received an imperial edict to serve as an envoy, and I cannot see the King of Huainan." The King of Huainan considered that killing only the chancellor while the Inner Scribe and Commandant did not come would be useless, so he dismissed the chancellor. The King of Huainan hesitated, and the plan was not settled. The heir apparent considered that his crime was plotting to assassinate the Han Commandant, and those who conspired with him were already dead; thinking that there was no evidence, he said to the King of Huainan, "Among the ministers, those who can be used are all already imprisoned. Now there is no one sufficient to conspire in a great matter. If Your Majesty raises troops at an inopportune time, I fear it will not succeed. I am willing to submit to arrest." The King of Huainan also wished to stop temporarily, so he agreed to the heir apparent. The heir apparent then attempted suicide, but did not die. Wu Bei surrendered himself to the officials and then informed against the King of Huainan regarding the rebellion, and the entire course of the rebellion was exactly as described.
The officials then arrested the heir apparent and the queen, surrounded the palace, and thoroughly searched for guests within the state of Huainan who had participated in the rebellion. After obtaining evidence of the rebellion, they reported it to the court. The Son of Heaven handed the matter over to the high officials for trial. Those implicated in the rebellion of the King of Huainan, including marquises, two-thousand-bushel officials, and prominent men, totaled several thousand, and all were executed according to the severity of their crimes. The King of Hengshan, Liu Ci, was the younger brother of the King of Huainan and should have been implicated and arrested. The relevant department requested that the King of Hengshan be arrested. The Son of Heaven said, "Each feudal lord takes his own state as his foundation and should not be implicated with others. Let them go together with the feudal lords and marquises to the Chancellor and the feudal lords to assemble and deliberate." The King of Zhao, Liu Pengzu, the Marquis Rang, and forty-three others deliberated and all said, "The King of Huainan, Liu An, is guilty of great treason; the facts of his rebellion are clear, and he should be sentenced to death." The King of Jiaoxi, Duan, advised, saying, "The King of Huainan, Liu An, abandoned the laws, acted wickedly, harbored deceit, disturbed the world, deluded the common people, betrayed the ancestral temple, and fabricated evil rumors. The Spring and Autumn Annals say, 'A minister or son must not have rebellious intentions; if he has rebellious intentions, he should be executed.' Liu An's crime is greater than rebellion; the situation of rebellion was already determined. I, Duan, have seen his letters, tallies, seals, maps, and other clear and conclusive evidence of great treason. His crime is extreme and he should be executed according to law. As for the officials within his state of two hundred bushels and above, and those of equivalent rank, as well as the close relatives and favored ministers who did not participate in the rebellion, because they failed to instruct and stop him, they should all be dismissed from office and stripped of their ranks, reduced to common soldiers, and never again be allowed to serve as officials. Those who were not officials should each redeem their death sentence by paying two catties and eight taels of gold. This will make Liu An's crime manifest, so that all under heaven clearly know the duty of ministers and sons, and dare not again have evil or rebellious thoughts." The Chancellor Gongsun Hong, the Commandant of the Court Zhang Tang, and others reported this to the emperor. The emperor sent the Director of the Imperial Clan, holding a tally, to try the King of Huainan. Before the Director of the Imperial Clan arrived, the King of Huainan, Liu An, cut his own throat and died. The queen, Tu, the heir apparent, Liu Qian, and all those who participated in the rebellion were executed and their families exterminated. The Son of Heaven, because Wu Bei had often praised the virtues of Han in his speeches, wished to spare his life. The Commandant of the Court, Zhang Tang, said, "Wu Bei was the first to plot the rebellion for the King of Huainan; his crime cannot be pardoned." So Wu Bei was executed. The state of Huainan was abolished and made into Jiujiang Commandery.
The King of Hengshan, Liu Ci, had three children with his queen, Chengshu: the eldest son, Liu Shuang, was established as heir apparent; the second son, Liu Xiao; and a daughter, Liu Wucai. He also had a concubine, Xu Lai, who bore four children, and a beauty, Jue Ji, who bore two sons. The King of Hengshan and the King of Huainan, being brothers, blamed and resented each other over matters of etiquette, and their relationship was discordant. When the King of Hengshan heard that the King of Huainan was preparing tools for rebellion, he also secretly made friends with guests to prepare for a response, fearing that he would be swallowed up by the King of Huainan.
In the sixth year of the Yuanguang era, the King of Hengshan went to court. His receptionist, Wei Qing, possessed technical skills and wished to present a memorial to serve the Son of Heaven. The King of Hengshan was greatly angered, deliberately impeached Wei Qing for a capital crime, and forced him to confess under torture. The Inner Scribe of Hengshan considered this wrong and refused to try the case. The King of Hengshan sent someone to submit a memorial accusing the Inner Scribe. When the Inner Scribe was interrogated, he said that the King of Hengshan was in the wrong. The King of Hengshan also repeatedly encroached on others' fields and destroyed others' graves to expand his own fields. The relevant department requested that the King of Hengshan be arrested and tried. The Son of Heaven did not approve, but only appointed officials of two hundred bushels and above for him. The King of Hengshan therefore resented this and plotted with Xi Ci and Zhang Guangchang, seeking men who understood military strategy and astronomy, who day and night urged the King of Hengshan to secretly plan rebellion.
After Queen Consort Chengshu died, Xu Lai was established as queen. Jue Ji was also favored at the same time. The two were jealous of each other, and Jue Ji slandered Queen Xu Lai before the crown prince, saying: "Xu Lai sent a maidservant to use witchcraft to kill the crown prince's mother." The crown prince harbored resentment against Xu Lai. Xu Lai's elder brother came to Mount Heng, and the crown prince drank with him, then stabbed the queen's brother with a knife. The queen was angry and resentful, repeatedly slandering the crown prince before the King of Mount Heng. The crown prince's younger sister, Wu Cai, was divorced and sent home, then committed adultery with a slave and also with a retainer. The crown prince repeatedly reproached Wu Cai, who grew angry and stopped associating with him. When the queen heard this, she treated Wu Cai kindly. Wu Cai and her second elder brother, Liu Xiao, had lost their mother young and depended on the queen, who pretended to love them, joining them in slandering the crown prince. The King of Mount Heng therefore repeatedly flogged the crown prince.
In the fourth year of Yuanshuo, someone stabbed the queen's stepmother. The King of Mount Heng suspected the crown prince had ordered it and flogged him. Later, when the King of Mount Heng fell ill, the crown prince often claimed to be sick and did not attend to him. Liu Xiao, the queen, and Wu Cai slandered the crown prince, saying: "The crown prince is not actually ill; he claims to be sick but his face shows joy." The King of Mount Heng was enraged and wanted to depose the crown prince, establishing his younger brother Liu Xiao in his place. The queen knew the King of Mount Heng was determined to depose the crown prince, and she also wanted to depose Liu Xiao at the same time. The queen had a maidservant skilled in dance whom the King of Mount Heng favored. The queen wanted this maidservant to commit adultery with Liu Xiao to defile him, intending to depose both brothers and establish her own son Liu Guang as heir instead of the crown prince. Crown Prince Liu Shuang learned of this and, thinking that the queen had slandered him endlessly, wanted to commit adultery with her to silence her. When the queen was drinking, the crown prince stepped forward to toast her, seized the opportunity to embrace the queen's thigh, and demanded to sleep with her. The queen was furious and told the King of Mount Heng. The King of Mount Heng then summoned the crown prince and wanted to bind and flog him. The crown prince knew the king often wanted to depose him and establish Liu Xiao, so he said to the King of Mount Heng: "Liu Xiao commits adultery with your charioteer, and Wu Cai commits adultery with a slave. Your Majesty, please take care to eat well, for I am going to submit a memorial to expose this." Thereupon he turned his back on the King of Mount Heng and left. The king sent men to stop him, but no one could detain him, so he personally drove a chariot to pursue the crown prince. The crown prince spoke wildly and recklessly, and the King of Mount Heng put him in fetters and confined him in the palace. Liu Xiao grew increasingly favored. The King of Mount Heng considered Liu Xiao exceptionally talented, so he bestowed on him the king's seal, titled him general, had him reside in a residence outside the palace, gave him much money, and recruited retainers. Those who came to join him vaguely knew that the King of Huainan and the King of Mount Heng had rebellious plans, and they urged them on day and night. The King of Mount Heng then sent Liu Xiao's retainers, Jiu He from Jiangdu and Chen Xi, to manufacture war chariots and arrows, carve the imperial jade seal of the Son of Heaven, and the seals of generals, ministers, and military officers. The King of Mount Heng day and night sought brave men like Zhou Qiu, repeatedly citing strategies from the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu to bind his followers. The King of Mount Heng did not dare emulate the King of Huainan in seeking the position of the Son of Heaven; he only worried that if the King of Huainan raised troops, he would annex his own fief. He thought that after the King of Huainan marched west, he would raise troops to pacify and occupy the region between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers. Such was his expectation.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Yuanshuo, the King of Mount Heng was to enter court. When passing through Huainan, the King of Huainan spoke with him as brothers, set aside past grievances, and agreed on the implements for their joint rebellion. The King of Mount Heng then submitted a memorial claiming illness, and the Son of Heaven sent a decree allowing him not to come to court.
In the middle of the sixth year of Yuanshuo, the King of Mount Heng sent someone to submit a memorial requesting the deposition of Crown Prince Liu Shuang and the establishment of Liu Xiao as crown prince. When Liu Shuang heard this, he sent his trusted follower Bai Ying to Chang'an to submit a memorial, exposing Liu Xiao's manufacture of war chariots and arrows and his adultery with the king's charioteer, intending to ruin Liu Xiao. Bai Ying arrived in Chang'an but was arrested before he could submit the memorial, and was imprisoned for the case of the King of Huainan's rebellion. When the King of Mount Heng heard that Liu Shuang had sent Bai Ying to submit a memorial, he feared that Bai Ying would reveal the state's secret matters, so he submitted a memorial counter-accusing Crown Prince Liu Shuang of committing an unpardonable crime, deserving execution by exposure in the marketplace. The matter was handed over to the commandery of Pei for trial.
In the winter of the first year of Yuanshou, relevant ministers and high officials went to the commandery of Pei to arrest those connected with the King of Huainan's rebellion but failed to capture them. Instead, they caught Chen Xi at the home of Liu Xiao, the King of Mount Heng's son. The officials impeached Liu Xiao as the principal offender for harboring Chen Xi. Liu Xiao thought that Chen Xi had repeatedly plotted rebellion with the King of Mount Heng and feared he would expose him. Hearing that the law stipulated that those who confessed first could be exempted from punishment, and suspecting that the crown prince had sent Bai Ying to submit a memorial exposing the matter, Liu Xiao confessed first, exposing Jiu He, Chen Xi, and others involved in the rebellion. The Commandant of Justice tried and verified the case, and the ministers requested the arrest of the King of Mount Heng for trial. The Son of Heaven said: "Do not arrest him." He sent the Commandant of the Palace, Sima An, and the Grand Herald, Li Xi, to interrogate the King of Mount Heng, who truthfully confessed everything. The officials surrounded and guarded the king's palace. The Commandant of the Palace and the Grand Herald returned and reported the situation. The ministers requested that the Director of the Imperial Clan and the Grand Herald jointly try the King of Mount Heng with the commandery of Pei. When the King of Mount Heng heard this, he cut his own throat and died. Liu Xiao, because he had first confessed to rebellion, was exempted from punishment, but for committing adultery with the King of Mount Heng's favored maidservant, he was executed by exposure in the marketplace. Queen Xu Lai, for using witchcraft to kill the former queen Chengshu, and Crown Prince Liu Shuang, because the King of Mount Heng had accused him of unfilial conduct, were both executed by exposure in the marketplace. All those connected with the King of Mount Heng's rebellion were exterminated to the third degree. The Kingdom of Mount Heng was abolished and changed into the Commandery of Mount Heng.
The Grand Historian says: What the Book of Songs says—"Strike the Rong and Di, punish Jing and Shu"—is truly fitting! The Kings of Huainan and Mount Heng were close kin, holding a thousand li of territory and enfeoffed as feudal lords, yet they did not devote themselves to observing the duties of a vassal to assist the Son of Heaven. Instead, they harbored evil schemes and plotted rebellion, leading to the successive destruction of their kingdoms over two generations. Neither died a good death, becoming a laughingstock to all under Heaven. This was not only the fault of these feudal lords; it was also caused by the shallow local customs and the gradual influence of their subordinates. The people of the Jing-Chu region are fierce and brave, swift and fond of fighting, and delight in rebellion—this has been recorded since ancient times.