Table of the Marquises since the Jianyuan Period, Eighth

The Grand Historian says: The Xiongnu severed the peace and kinship relations, attacking the border fortifications along the route; the Minyue launched unauthorized attacks, and the Dong'ou begged to surrender. These two barbarian groups took turns violating the border, precisely when the great Han dynasty was flourishing. From this, it can be seen that the meritorious ministers received enfeoffments equal to those of their ancestors. Why is this said? Since the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents praised the Three Dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou for "striking down the Rong and Di, and punishing Jing and Chu," the Grand Historian says: Duke Huan of Qi crossed the state of Yan to attack the Mountain Rong; King Wuling of Zhao, relying on the small state of Zhao, subdued the Chanyu; Duke Mu of Qin, employing Baili Xi, dominated the Western Rong; and the rulers of Wu and Chu, as feudal lords, subjugated the Hundred Yue. How much more so now, when All under Heaven is unified, a sage emperor sits above, possessing both civil and martial abilities, sweeping across the world, internally stabilizing the myriad people—could it be that they would sit idly without waging campaigns on the borders? From then on, they dispatched troops northward to punish the powerful Hu, southward to slay the strong Yue, and the officers and soldiers received rewards in due order.

In the era of Emperor Xiaowu, the realm was beset with affairs. To the south, he punished the Ou and Yue; to the north, he attacked the Chanyu. The Marquis of Changping led the army out, and the Champion Marquis served as the vanguard. The Marquis of Shuyang surrendered the city, and the Marquis of Linzhai breached Panyu. The Marquis of Bolu was the foremost chancellor, and the Marquis of Pingjin was a great scholar. They wore golden seals and tied purple ribbons. After the reign of Emperor Zhao, the merits and favors showed no difference. Regrettably, the writing ceased here, and Master Chu supplemented these records.