Records of Han, Vol. 3
From the year of the Duyou Dayuanxian to the year of the Chongguang Chifenruo, a total of three years.
Grand Progenitor, High Emperor, Part II
Emperor Gao, Fifth Year (Ji Hai, 202 BC)
1 In winter, the tenth month, the King of Han pursued Xiang Yu to Guli and agreed with the King of Qi, Han Xin, and the Chancellor of Wei, Peng Yue, on a date to meet and attack the Chu army. The troops of Han Xin and Peng Yue did not arrive on time, and the Chu army attacked the Han army, inflicting a major defeat on the Han forces. The King of Han again fortified his camp and held it, saying to Zhang Liang, "The feudal lords do not follow my orders. What is to be done?" Zhang Liang replied, "The Chu army is about to be defeated, but Han Xin and Peng Yue have not yet been granted their fiefs. It is entirely reasonable that they have not come. If Your Majesty can share the empire with them, you can summon them immediately. The enfeoffment of Han Xin as King of Qi was not Your Majesty’s original intention, and Han Xin himself is not secure in his position. Peng Yue originally pacified the land of Liang. At first, because of Wei Bao, Your Majesty appointed Peng Yue as Chancellor. Now Wei Bao is dead, and Peng Yue also hopes to be made a king, but Your Majesty has not yet made a decision. If you now grant Peng Yue the area from the north of Suiyang to Gucheng, and grant Han Xin the area from the east of Chen County to the sea, Han Xin’s home is in the lands of Chu, and his intention is to regain his native place. If Your Majesty can promise these lands to the two of them, letting them each fight for their own, then the Chu army will be easy to defeat." The King of Han followed Zhang Liang’s advice. Then Han Xin and Peng Yue both led their armies to join the rendezvous.
In the eleventh month, Liu Jia crossed the Huai River to the south, surrounded Shouchun, and sent someone to induce the Grand Marshal of Chu, Zhou Yin, to surrender. Zhou Yin betrayed Chu, used the troops of Shu to massacre the people of Liu, mobilized the army of Jiujiang to welcome Qing Bu, and together in their march they massacred the people of Chengfu, then followed Liu Jia to join the rendezvous.
In the twelfth month, King Xiang reached Gaixia. His troops were few and his provisions were exhausted. He engaged the Han army but could not win, so he withdrew into his camp. The Han army and the armies of the feudal lords surrounded him in layers. King Xiang heard the Han armies singing Chu folk songs on all sides at night and was greatly startled, saying, "Has the Han army already taken all of Chu? Why are there so many Chu people?" Then he rose in the night, drank wine in his tent, sang a sorrowful song with great emotion, and tears streamed down his face. His attendants also wept, and none could look up at him. Then King Xiang mounted his fine horse named Zhui. Eight hundred or more brave cavalrymen from his command followed him. That night, they broke through the encirclement and galloped southward. At dawn, the Han army discovered this and ordered the cavalry commander Guan Ying to lead five thousand cavalry in pursuit. King Xiang crossed the Huai River, and only a little over a hundred cavalrymen could keep up with him. When he reached Yinling, he lost his way and asked a farmer for directions. The farmer deceived him, saying, "Go left." King Xiang went left and became trapped in a large marsh, so the Han army caught up with them.
King Xiang then led his troops eastward and reached Dongcheng, where he had only twenty-eight cavalrymen left. The pursuing Han cavalry numbered several thousand. King Xiang, judging that he could not escape, said to his cavalrymen, "I have raised an army until now for eight years, fought over seventy battles, and never been defeated. Thus I have dominated the empire. But today I am trapped here. This is Heaven destroying me; it is not a fault in my use of arms. Today I am determined to fight to the death. I wish to fight a swift and decisive battle for you gentlemen. I will certainly break through the encirclement, cut down a general, chop down a flag, and win three times in a row, so that you gentlemen will know it is Heaven destroying me, not a fault in my use of arms." Then he divided his cavalry into four groups, facing in four directions. The Han army surrounded them in several layers. King Xiang said to his cavalrymen, "I will cut down one enemy general for you." He ordered the four groups of cavalry to charge down, agreeing to meet in three places east of the mountain. Then King Xiang gave a great shout and galloped down. The Han army scattered in all directions, and he cut down one Han general. At this time, the Cavalry Lieutenant Yang Xi pursued King Xiang. King Xiang glared at him and shouted, and Yang Xi, both man and horse terrified, retreated several li. King Xiang met his cavalry in three places. The Han army did not know where King Xiang was, so they divided their forces into three parts and surrounded them again. King Xiang then galloped off, cut down another Han Colonel, and killed dozens or a hundred men. He gathered his cavalry again, having lost only two men. Then he said to his cavalrymen, "How is it?" The cavalrymen all admired him and said, "Just as Your Majesty said!"
Then King Xiang wanted to cross the Yangzi River eastward. The Wujiang ferry master had his boat moored at the bank, waiting. He said to King Xiang, "Though Jiangdong is small, its territory is a thousand li across, and its people number in the hundreds of thousands. It is enough to make you a king. I beg Your Majesty to cross quickly! Now only I have a boat. When the Han army arrives, there will be no way to cross." King Xiang laughed and said, "Heaven is destroying me. What would I do by crossing the river! Moreover, I, Xiang Ji, led eight thousand sons and brothers of Jiangdong westward across the river. Now not one returns. Even if the fathers and elders of Jiangdong pity me and make me their king, how could I have the face to see them? Even if they said nothing, would I, Xiang Ji, not feel ashamed in my heart!" Then he gave his steed Zhui to the ferry master and ordered his cavalrymen all to dismount and walk, fighting with short weapons. Xiang Ji alone killed several hundred Han soldiers, and he himself received over a dozen wounds. Turning his head, he saw the Han Cavalry Commandant Lü Matong and said, "Are you not an old acquaintance of mine?" Lü Matong faced King Xiang, pointed to him, and said to the Cavalry Lieutenant Wang Yi, "This is King Xiang!" King Xiang then said, "I have heard that the King of Han has offered a reward of a thousand jin of gold and a fief of ten thousand households for my head. I will do you the favor." Then he cut his own throat and died. Wang Yi cut off King Xiang’s head. The other cavalry trampled each other in fighting over King Xiang’s body, killing several tens of men among themselves. In the end, Yang Xi, Lü Matong, and the Gentlemen of the Palace Lü Sheng and Yang Wu each obtained a part of King Xiang’s body. The five men put the corpse together, and the parts matched, so they divided the original reward equally. The five were all enfeoffed as marquises.
All the lands of Chu were pacified. Only Lu did not surrender. The King of Han led the empire’s armies and intended to massacre the city of Lu. When he reached the foot of the city walls, he still heard the sounds of stringed instruments and chanting. Because Lu was a state that upheld ritual and righteousness and could die for its lord in loyalty and duty, he then showed the head of King Xiang to the fathers and elders of Lu, and Lu surrendered. The King of Han buried King Xiang at Gucheng with the rites due to a Duke of Lu. He personally mourned for him, wept bitterly, and then left. None of the branches of the Xiang clan were executed. He enfeoffed Xiang Bo and three others all as marquises and granted them the surname Liu. The people who had been captured and taken to Chu were all returned to their homes.
The Grand Historian says: Xiang Yu rose from the common people. In three years, he led the five feudal lords to destroy Qin, divided the empire, and enfeoffed kings and marquises. All orders were issued by Xiang Yu. Though his kingship did not end well, there has been no one like him since ancient times! When Xiang Yu turned his back on Guanzhong and longed for Chu, exiled the Righteous Emperor, and set himself up as king, resenting the feudal lords for betraying him—this was difficult! He boasted of his own military achievements, followed only his personal cleverness, and did not imitate the ancients. He thought that the enterprise of a hegemon-king depended on using force to rule the empire. In five years, he finally lost his state, died at Dongcheng, and still did not realize or blame himself. He even said, "Heaven is destroying me; it is not a fault in my use of arms." Was this not absurd!
Yang Xiong’s Model Sayings: Someone asked, "When the Chu army was defeated at Gaixia and about to die, he said, ‘It is Heaven’s will!’ Was this indeed the case?" The reply: "The King of Han could fully employ the strategies of many men, and the strategies of many men could fully employ the strength of many men. The King of Chu detested the strategies of many men and only exhausted his own strength. He who can employ the strength of others wins; he who only exhausts his own strength loses. What does Heaven’s will have to do with this!"
2 The King of Han returned with his army and reached Dingtao. He rode into the camp of the King of Qi, Han Xin, and took command of his army.
3 The King of Linjiang, Gong Wei, refused to surrender. The King of Han sent Lu Wan and Liu Jia to attack and capture him.
4 In spring, the first month, the King of Qi, Han Xin, was transferred to be King of Chu, ruling over the area north of the Huai River, with his capital at Xiapi. The Chancellor of Wei and Marquis of Jiancheng, Peng Yue, was enfeoffed as King of Liang, ruling over the former territory of Wei, with his capital at Dingtao.
5 An edict said: "The army has not been allowed to rest for eight years, and the myriad people have suffered deeply. Now the great affairs of the world have been completed. I pardon all criminals below the death penalty throughout the realm."
6 The feudal kings all submitted memorials requesting that the King of Han be honored as the Emperor. On the day jiàwǔ of the second month, the King of Han ascended the imperial throne north of the Si River. He changed the title of the king's consort to Empress, and the heir apparent to Crown Prince; he posthumously honored his deceased mother as Lady Zhaoling. An edict said: "The former King of Hengshan, Wu Rui, led the armies of the Hundred Yue, assisted the feudal lords, and destroyed the violent Qin, rendering great merit; the feudal lords established him as king, but Xiang Yu seized his lands and called him the Lord of Fan. Now I enfeoff Wu Rui as the King of Changsha." It also said: "The former King of Yue, Wu Zhu, for generations maintained the sacrifices of the Yue state; the Qin seized his lands, leaving his altars of state without sacrifice. When the feudal lords attacked the Qin, Wu Zhu personally led the troops of Minzhong to assist in destroying the Qin, but Xiang Yu deposed him and did not enfeoff him. Now I enfeoff him as the King of Minyue, to rule over the region of Minzhong."
7 The Emperor journeyed westward and established his capital at Luoyang.
8 In summer, in the fifth month, the soldiers were all demobilized and returned home.
9 An edict said: "In the past, the common people sometimes gathered in the mountains, forests, lakes, and marshes, without being registered in the household records. Now that the world is settled, I order them each to return to their home counties, to restore their former ranks, fields, and houses; the officials are to instruct and admonish them with the laws and proclamations, distinguishing right from wrong, informing the people, and they must not whip or insult the military officers and soldiers; those with ranks above the Seventh Grand Master are all to be granted fiefs, and those below the Seventh Grand Master are all to be exempted from the taxes and corvée of themselves and their families, and are no longer to serve."
10 The Emperor held a banquet in the Southern Palace of Luoyang. The Emperor said: "Marquises and generals, do not conceal anything from me; all speak your true thoughts. What is the reason I possess the world? What is the reason Xiang lost it?" Gao Qi and Wang Ling replied: "Your Majesty, when you send someone to attack a city or seize land, you grant it to that person, sharing benefits with the world; Xiang Yu was not like this—he harmed those with merit and suspected the worthy—this is the reason he lost the world." The Emperor said: "You know only one aspect, not the other. In strategizing within the tent and deciding victory a thousand miles away, I am not as good as Zifang; in guarding the state, comforting the people, supplying provisions, and ensuring the supply routes are not cut, I am not as good as Xiao He; in commanding a million troops, winning battles and taking every attack, I am not as good as Han Xin. These three are all outstanding men among men, and I was able to employ them—this is the reason I gained the world. Xiang Yu had one Fan Zeng but could not employ him—this is the reason I captured him." The assembled officials all felt convinced and satisfied.
When Han Xin arrived in Chu, he summoned the old woman who had washed silk floss and given him food in earlier days, and rewarded her with a thousand pieces of gold. He summoned the young man who had once insulted him and made him crawl between his legs, and appointed him as a commandant, telling the generals and ministers: "This is a stalwart. When he insulted me, could I not have killed him? But killing him would have been without reason, so I endured it and achieved today's success."
11 After Peng Yue accepted the Han enfeoffment, Tian Heng feared execution, and together with over five hundred of his followers, fled into the sea and dwelt on an island. The Emperor considered that Tian Heng and his brothers had originally pacified the lands of Qi, and most of the worthy men of Qi had attached themselves to them; now they remained in the sea, and if not appeased, they might cause trouble in the future. So he sent envoys to pardon Tian Heng's crimes and summon him to court. Tian Heng declined, saying: "I once boiled Your Majesty's envoy Li Yiji alive, and now I hear his younger brother Li Shang is a Han general; I am terrified and dare not accept the summons. I beg to remain as a common man, staying on the island." When the envoys reported this, the Emperor issued an edict to the Commandant of the Palace, Li Shang, saying: "The King of Qi, Tian Heng, is about to arrive. If any of his men or attendants dare to disturb or offend him, they shall suffer execution of their entire clan!" Then he again sent envoys with a tally, fully informing Tian Heng of the edict to Li Shang, and said: "If Tian Heng comes, at best he can be enfeoffed as a king, at worst as a marquis; if he does not come, I will send troops to execute him!"
Tian Heng then set out for Luoyang in a postal carriage with two of his retainers. When they were still thirty li from Luoyang, they reached the post station at Shixiang. Tian Heng took leave of the envoys, saying: "A subject, when about to see the Son of Heaven, should first bathe and change clothes." He then stopped there, and said to his retainers: "I once faced south as a king alongside the King of Han; now the King of Han has become the Son of Heaven, while I am a fugitive captive, facing north to serve him as a subject—this shame is already great enough. Moreover, I once boiled another man's elder brother, and now I must serve the same lord shoulder to shoulder with that man's younger brother; even if he fears the imperial edict and dares not act against me, how can I not feel shame in my heart? The reason Your Majesty wishes to see me is merely to look upon my appearance. Now if I cut off my head and send it thirty li at full speed to Luoyang, my appearance will not yet be completely changed, and it can still be viewed." He then committed suicide, and ordered his retainers to carry his head, following the envoys in a swift ride to the capital to report. The Emperor said: "Alas! Rising from commoners, three brothers became kings in succession—how could they not be worthy?" He shed tears for him, and appointed his two retainers as Commandants; he dispatched two thousand soldiers and buried Tian Heng with the rites of a king. After the burial, the two retainers dug a pit beside Tian Heng's tomb and both committed suicide to follow him into the underworld. When the Emperor heard of this, he was greatly shocked. He considered the retainers of Tian Heng all worthy, and the remaining five hundred were still on the island; so he sent envoys to summon them. When the envoys arrived, those people, hearing that Tian Heng had died, also all committed suicide.
12 Formerly, the Chu man Ji Bu served as a general under Xiang Yu, and had repeatedly surrounded and humiliated the Emperor. After Xiang Yu's destruction, the Emperor offered a reward of a thousand pieces of gold for Ji Bu's capture; anyone who harbored or concealed him would be punished with execution of their three clans. Ji Bu then shaved his head, put on an iron collar, disguised himself as a slave, and sold himself to the Zhu family. Zhu Jia knew in his heart that he was Ji Bu, so he bought him and placed him in his estate, then personally went to Luoyang to see the Duke of Teng, Xiahou Ying, and persuaded him, saying: "What crime has Ji Bu committed? A subject serves his own lord to the best of his ability—this is simply fulfilling his duty. Can all of Xiang Yu's subordinates be killed? Now the Emperor has just gained the world, yet pursues a single man out of personal resentment—why is he so lacking in magnanimity? Moreover, with Ji Bu's worth, if the Han pursues him so urgently, he will either flee north to the Xiongnu or south to Nanyue. To hate a stalwart and thereby aid an enemy state—this is the very reason Wu Zixu flogged the corpse of King Ping of Chu. Sir, why not seize an opportunity to speak to the Emperor?" The Duke of Teng, when the time was right, spoke to the Emperor according to Zhu Jia's meaning. The Emperor then pardoned Ji Bu, summoned him to court, and appointed him as a Gentleman. Zhu Jia from then on never saw Ji Bu again.
Ji Bu's half-brother by the same mother, Ding Gong, had also served as a general under Xiang Yu, and had once pursued and surrounded the Emperor west of Pengcheng. When they came to close combat, the Emperor was in dire straits, and turned to Ding Gong, saying: "Why should two worthy men make things difficult for each other?" Ding Gong then withdrew his troops. After Xiang Yu's destruction, Ding Gong came to pay homage. The Emperor paraded Ding Gong before the army, saying: "Ding Gong, as a subject of Xiang Yu, was not loyal—he is the one who caused Xiang Yu to lose the world." Then he executed him, saying: "Let future generations of subjects not imitate Ding Gong."
Minister Sima Guang says: From the time when Gaozu of Han raised troops in Feng and Pei, he gathered heroes and recruited defectors and rebels, and these were already numerous. Yet after he ascended the imperial throne, only Ding Gong was executed for disloyalty—why was this? Because the circumstances of seizing the empire and preserving its achievements are different. When many heroes were contending, the common people had no fixed ruler, and it was proper to accept those who came to submit. But when one has become the Son of Heaven, within the four seas there are none who are not subjects. If the principles of righteousness are not made clear to illuminate the world, causing every subject to harbor divided loyalties in pursuit of personal gain, how can the state long endure in peace? Thus, by making a decisive judgment based on great righteousness, the whole world clearly understands that a subject who is unfaithful has no place to hide. And one who harbors private motives and shows petty kindness, even if he once saved one’s life, is still not pardoned for the sake of great righteousness. By killing one man, he made ten thousand tremble in fear. Was his consideration of matters not far-reaching? That his descendants enjoyed the throne for over four hundred years was indeed fitting!
A man from Qi, Lou Jing, was going to garrison Longxi. When passing through Luoyang, he removed the crossbar from his cart, wore a sheepskin coat, and sought an audience with the emperor through a man from Qi, General Yu. General Yu wanted to change his clothes for finer ones, but Lou Jing said, “If I wear silk, I will go in silk; if I wear coarse cloth, I will go in coarse cloth. I dare not change my clothes.” So General Yu went in and reported to the emperor. The emperor summoned him and questioned him. Lou Jing said, “Your Majesty has established the capital at Luoyang—do you wish to rival the Zhou dynasty in prosperity?” The emperor said, “Yes.” Lou Jing said, “Your Majesty’s way of seizing the empire is different from that of the Zhou. The ancestors of the Zhou, from the time Hou Ji was enfeoffed at Tai, accumulated virtue and good deeds, passing through more than ten generations. By the time of Tai Wang, Wang Ji, Wen Wang, and Wu Wang, the feudal lords naturally submitted, and thus they destroyed Yin Shang and became the Son of Heaven. When Cheng Wang ascended the throne, the Duke of Zhou assisted him and built Luoyang, considering it the center of the world, where the feudal lords came from all directions to pay tribute and report, with equal distances. With virtue, it was easy to become king; without virtue, it was easy to perish. So when the Zhou was flourishing, the world was harmonious and united, and the feudal lords and the four barbarians all submitted and served, coming to pay tribute and report. When it declined, none in the world came to court, and the Zhou could not control them—this was not only because its virtue was shallow, but also because its power had weakened. Now Your Majesty, raising troops from Feng and Pei, swept through Shu and Han, pacified the Three Qins, and fought with Xiang Yu at Xingyang and Chenggao—seventy great battles and forty small ones. This caused the brains and blood of the people to smear the ground, and the bones of fathers and sons to lie exposed in the wilderness, countless in number. The sound of weeping has not yet ceased, and the wounded have not yet healed. Yet you wish to compare this with the prosperity of King Cheng and King Kang of Zhou—I privately think it is unsuitable. Moreover, the land of Qin is backed by mountains and encircled by rivers, with four strategic passes as barriers. In sudden emergencies, a million troops can be raised at once. Relying on the old foundations of Qin and utilizing its extremely fertile lands, this is what is called a ‘heavenly granary.’ Your Majesty should enter the Hangu Pass and establish the capital there. Even if disturbances arise east of the mountains, the old territory of Qin can be held intact. When contending with others, if you do not seize their throat and press their back, you cannot achieve complete victory. Now Your Majesty occupies the old territory of Qin—this is to seize the world’s throat and press its back.” The emperor consulted the assembled ministers, who were all from east of the mountains. They vied to say: “The Zhou ruled for several hundred years, but Qin perished in the second generation. Luoyang has Cheng’gao to the east, Xiao and Mianchi to the west, backs onto the Yellow River, and faces the Yi and Luo Rivers—its natural defenses are sufficient to rely on.” The emperor asked Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang said: “Although Luoyang has these defenses, its central area is narrow, only a few hundred li, with poor soil, and it is exposed to attack from all four sides—this is not a place for waging war. Within the passes, to the left are the Xiao Mountains and the Hangu Pass, to the right are the Long Mountains and the land of Shu, with fertile fields stretching over a thousand li. To the south are the riches of Ba and Shu, to the north are the benefits of the Hu pastures. Relying on three sides for defense, only the eastern side is used to control the feudal lords. When the feudal lords are peaceful, the Yellow and Wei Rivers can transport goods from all over the world westward to supply the capital. When the feudal lords rebel, one can sail downstream, sufficient to transport troops and grain. This is what is called a ‘thousand-li metal city’ and a ‘heavenly granary.’ Lou Jing’s words are correct.” That very day, the emperor set out westward and established the capital at Chang’an. He appointed Lou Jing as a gentleman attendant, with the title Fengchun Jun, and bestowed on him the surname Liu.
Zhang Liang had always been frail and ill. After accompanying the emperor into the passes, he practiced the art of guiding and stretching, abstained from grains, and stayed behind closed doors. He said: “My family served as chancellors of Han for generations. When Han was destroyed, I did not begrudge ten thousand in gold and property, seeking revenge for Han against the powerful Qin, shaking the world. Now, with a three-inch tongue, I have become the teacher of the Son of Heaven, enfeoffed as a marquis of ten thousand households—this is the highest rank a commoner can attain, and it is enough for me. I wish to abandon worldly affairs and follow Master Red Pine to wander.”
Minister Sima Guang says: Life and death are like the inevitable alternation of night and day. From ancient times to the present, there has never been anyone who could transcend and live alone forever. With Zhang Liang’s clear understanding of principles, he was fully capable of knowing that immortals are false and deceptive. Yet he wished to follow Master Red Pine to wander—his wisdom can thus be known. The threshold of merit and rank is the most difficult matter for a subject to handle. What Gaozu praised was no more than the Three Heroes. The Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin, was executed, and Xiao He was also imprisoned—was this not because their merit was high and their fame full, yet they did not know when to stop? Therefore, Zhang Liang feigned interest in immortals, abandoned worldly matters, regarded merit and fame as external things, and set aside glory and profit. This is called ‘preserving one’s wisdom and life,’ and Zhang Liang achieved it.
In the sixth month, on the renchen day, a general amnesty was granted.
In the autumn, the seventh month, the King of Yan, Zang Tu, rebelled. The emperor personally led the army to campaign against him.
The King of Zhao, Zhang Er, and the King of Changsha, Wu Rui, both died.
In the ninth month, Zang Tu was captured. On the renzi day, the Grand Commandant, Marquis of Chang’an, Lu Wan, was made King of Yan. Lu Wan’s family lived in the same village as the emperor, and Lu Wan was born on the same day as the emperor. The emperor favored Lu Wan, and none of the ministers dared to hope for such treatment, so he was especially enfeoffed as king.
A former general of Xiang Yu, Li Ji, rebelled. The emperor personally led the army to defeat him.
In the intercalary ninth month, the Changle Palace was built.
The general of Xiang Yu, Zhongli Mei, had always been on good terms with the King of Chu, Han Xin. After Xiang Yu’s death, he fled to Han Xin. The Han emperor resented Zhongli Mei and, hearing he was in Chu, issued an edict ordering Chu to arrest him. When Han Xin first arrived at his fief, he toured the counties under his jurisdiction, and when he went out or came in, he had soldiers arrayed.
Han Gao Di, sixth year (Gengzi, 201 BCE).
In winter, the tenth month, someone submitted a memorial accusing the King of Chu, Han Xin, of plotting rebellion. Gaozu asked the various generals what to do, and they all said: “Send troops immediately and bury the scoundrel alive!” Gaozu remained silent. He then asked Chen Ping. Chen Ping said: “The one who submitted the memorial says Han Xin is plotting rebellion—does Han Xin know about this?” Gaozu said: “He does not.” Chen Ping said: “Compared to the state of Chu, are Your Majesty’s elite troops stronger?” Gaozu said: “They are not superior.” Chen Ping said: “Among Your Majesty’s generals, is there any whose military skill surpasses Han Xin’s?” Gaozu said: “None can match him.” Chen Ping said: “Now the troops are not as elite as Chu’s, and the generals cannot compare with Han Xin. If you send troops to attack him, this will force him to fight, and I privately consider this dangerous for Your Majesty.” Gaozu said: “Then what should be done?” Chen Ping said: “In ancient times, the Son of Heaven had the practice of making inspection tours and meeting with the feudal lords. Your Majesty should simply go out, pretending to tour the Yunmeng Marsh, and meet the feudal lords at Chen County. Chen County is on the western border of Chu. Han Xin, hearing that the Son of Heaven is traveling for friendly purposes, will by custom think there is no trouble and will come to greet you in the suburbs. When he greets you, Your Majesty can seize him—this is something a single strong man can accomplish.” Gaozu thought this correct, so he sent envoys to notify the feudal lords to meet at Chen County, saying: “I will tour the Yunmeng Marsh to the south.” Gaozu then set out afterward.
When the King of Chu, Han Xin, heard this news, he grew suspicious and afraid, not knowing what to do. Someone advised Han Xin, saying, "If you kill Zhongli Mo and go to see the Emperor, the Emperor will surely be pleased, and there will be no disaster." Han Xin followed this advice. In the twelfth month, the Supreme Ancestor met the feudal lords at Chen County. Han Xin, carrying Zhongli Mo's head, went to see the Supreme Ancestor. The Supreme Ancestor ordered his warriors to bind Han Xin and place him in a following carriage. Han Xin said, "It is indeed as people say: 'When the cunning hare is dead, the hunting dog is boiled; when the soaring birds are gone, the good bow is stored away; when the enemy state is broken, the counsellor perishes.' Now that the world is pacified, I was destined to be boiled!" The Supreme Ancestor said, "Someone has accused you of plotting rebellion." Thereupon he placed Han Xin in shackles and sent him back to the capital under escort, and then granted a general amnesty.
Tian Ken congratulated the Supreme Ancestor, saying, "Your Majesty has captured Han Xin and now governs the Guanzhong region. The land of Qin is strategically advantageous, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with favorable terrain; from there, deploying troops against the feudal lords is like pouring water from a high rooftop. As for the land of Qi, to the east it has the riches of Langya and Jimo, to the south the impregnable Tai Mountains, to the west the barrier of the Zhuo River, and to the north the benefits of the Bohai Sea. Its territory spans two thousand li in both length and width, with a million soldiers bearing halberds—this is the eastern Qin. Unless it is Your Majesty’s own son or younger brother, no one should be made King of Qi." The Supreme Ancestor said, "Excellent!" and rewarded him with five hundred jin of gold.
When the Supreme Ancestor returned and reached Luoyang, he pardoned Han Xin and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Huaiyin. Han Xin knew that the Han Emperor feared and detested his abilities, so he often claimed illness and did not attend court or follow on expeditions. At home, he was always downcast and ashamed to be ranked with the Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, and the Marquis of Yingyin, Guan Ying. Once he visited General Fan Kuai, who knelt to welcome and see him off, addressing him as a subject, saying, "How could the King deign to visit me here!" When Han Xin left, he laughed and said, "In this life, I end up mixed in with the likes of Fan Kuai!"
The Supreme Ancestor once leisurely discussed with Han Xin how many troops each of the generals could command. The Supreme Ancestor asked, "How many troops can someone like me lead?" Han Xin said, "Your Majesty can lead no more than one hundred thousand." The Supreme Ancestor said, "What about you?" Han Xin said, "For me, the more the better." The Supreme Ancestor laughed and said, "If the more the better, how did you end up captured by me?" Han Xin said, "Your Majesty cannot lead troops but is skilled at commanding generals, which is why I, Han Xin, was captured by Your Majesty. Moreover, Your Majesty is what is called bestowed by Heaven, not something human effort can achieve."
On the day Jiashen, the tally tokens were first split, and the various meritorious officials were enfeoffed as chehou. Xiao He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zan, and the revenues from his fief were uniquely the largest. The meritorious officials all said, "We have worn armor and wielded sharp weapons; some have experienced over a hundred battles, others at least several dozen engagements. Now Xiao He, without any sweat-and-blood merit, merely handled documents and offered opinions, yet his rank is above ours—why is this?" The Supreme Ancestor said, "Do you all know about hunting? In hunting, it is the dogs that chase and catch the beasts and hares, but it is the person who releases the leash and points out where the beasts are. Now you all can only capture the running animals, so your merit is like that of a hunting dog. As for Xiao He, he releases the leash and points out the direction, so his merit is like that of the hunter." The assembled ministers dared say nothing more. Zhang Liang, as a strategist, also had no combat merit. The Supreme Ancestor let him choose thirty thousand households in the land of Qi as his fief. Zhang Liang said, "In the beginning, I rose from Xiapi and met Your Majesty at Liu County—this was Heaven giving me to Your Majesty. Your Majesty adopted my plans, and by luck they sometimes hit the mark. I wish only to be enfeoffed at Liu County; that is enough. I dare not accept a fief of thirty thousand households." Thereupon Zhang Liang was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Liu. Chen Ping was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Huyou. Chen Ping declined, saying, "This is not my merit." The Supreme Ancestor said, "I used your strategies to defeat the enemy; if that is not merit, what is?" Chen Ping said, "If not for Wei Wuzhi, how could I have been employed?" The Supreme Ancestor said, "A man like you can truly be said not to forget his roots!" Then he also rewarded Wei Wuzhi.
Because the world had just been pacified, his sons were young, and his brothers were few, the Supreme Ancestor took warning from the fall of the Qin dynasty due to its isolation, and wanted to extensively enfeoff members of his own clan to stabilize and govern the realm.
In spring, on the day Bingwu of the first month, the territory of the King of Chu, Han Xin, was divided into two kingdoms. Fifty-three counties east of the Huai River were given to his cousin, General Liu Jia, who was established as the King of Jing. The thirty-six counties of Xue Commandery, Donghai, and Pengcheng were given to his younger brother, Wenxin Lord Liu Jiao, who was established as the King of Chu. On the day Renzi, the fifty-three counties of Yunzhong, Yanmen, and Dai Commandery were given to his elder brother, Yixin Lord Liu Xi, who was established as the King of Dai. The seventy-three counties of the commanderies of Jiaodong, Jiaoxi, Linzi, Jibei, Boyang, and Chengyang were given to his son born of an earlier concubine, Liu Fei, who was established as the King of Qi, and all people who could speak the Qi dialect were assigned to the state of Qi.
Because King Han Xin of Han was talented and brave, and his enfeoffed territory bordered Gong County and Luoyang to the north, pressed against Wan County and Ye County to the south, and had Huaiyang to the east—all places where the realm's elite troops were stationed—the Supreme Ancestor changed the thirty-one counties of Taiyuan Commandery into the Kingdom of Han, relocated King Han Xin to the area north of Taiyuan to defend against the Xiongnu, and made Jinyang the capital. King Han Xin of Han submitted a memorial saying, "The Kingdom of Han borders the frontier, and the Xiongnu invade repeatedly. Jinyang is too far from the border, so I request that the capital be moved to Mayi." The Supreme Ancestor agreed.
After the Supreme Ancestor had enfeoffed over twenty major meritorious officials, the rest competed day and night over their merits without a decision, and they did not receive enfeoffments. The Supreme Ancestor was at the Southern Palace in Luoyang, and from the covered walkway he saw the various generals often sitting in groups of twos and threes on the sandy ground, talking. The Supreme Ancestor said, "What are they talking about?" The Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang, said, "Does Your Majesty not know? They are plotting rebellion!" The Supreme Ancestor said, "The world has just been settled; why would they rebel?" The Marquis of Liu said, "Your Majesty rose as a commoner and relied on these men to seize the realm. Now Your Majesty has become the Son of Heaven, yet those enfeoffed are all Your Majesty's close friends and favorites, while those executed are those Your Majesty usually resented. Now the military officials are calculating their merits and believe that the land of the realm is insufficient to enfeoff everyone. These men fear that Your Majesty cannot enfeoff them all, and they also worry that suspicions about their past faults will lead to execution, so they gather together and plot rebellion." The Supreme Ancestor then became worried and said, "What should be done?" The Marquis of Liu said, "Among those Your Majesty most hates in life, and whom all the ministers know, who is the most prominent?" The Supreme Ancestor said, "Yong Chi has an old grudge against me; he often troubled and humiliated me. I want to kill him, but because of his many merits, I cannot bear to." The Marquis of Liu said, "Now quickly enfeoff Yong Chi first, and then the ministers will all feel secure at heart." Thereupon the Supreme Ancestor held a banquet and enfeoffed Yong Chi as the Marquis of Shifang. He also urgently pressed the Chancellor and the Recorder of Merit to assess the merits and carry out the enfeoffments. After the ministers finished drinking, they all said happily, "Even Yong Chi has been enfeoffed as a marquis; we have nothing to worry about!"
Your servant, Sima Guang, says: Zhang Liang, as a strategist of the Supreme Ancestor, was treated as a trusted confidant and should have spoken of everything he knew. How could it be that, upon hearing of the generals' rebellion, he waited until the Supreme Ancestor personally saw them whispering among themselves before telling him? This is probably because the Supreme Ancestor had just won the realm and often carried out executions and rewards based on his own likes and dislikes, sometimes harming public justice, so the ministers often felt dissatisfied and fearful. Thus Zhang Liang used this incident to offer loyal advice, in order to change the Supreme Ancestor's heart, so that the ruler would have no fault of partiality, the subjects would have no acts of suspicion and plotting, the state would have no troubles, and the benefits would extend to later generations. A man like Zhang Liang can truly be said to have been skilled in remonstrance.
After all the marquises had been enfeoffed, an edict was issued to determine the order of merit for the eighteen principal contributors. Everyone said: "Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Can, suffered seventy wounds, captured cities and seized territories, and his merits are the greatest; he should be ranked first." The Gentleman of the Palace, Marquis of Guannei, E Qianqiu, submitted a memorial saying: "The discussion of the ministers is all mistaken. Although Cao Can has merits in field battles and capturing territories, this is only a matter of a single moment. Your Majesty contended with the Chu army for five years, with losses of troops, desertions of soldiers, and Your Majesty often escaped from difficulties many times. Yet Xiao He constantly sent troops from Guanzhong to fill the vacancies. Without an edict from Your Majesty summoning them, tens of thousands of soldiers could assemble. Instances where Your Majesty's provisions were cut off also occurred many times. Moreover, the army had no ready grain, and Xiao He transported supplies from Guanzhong, providing food without ever lacking. Although Your Majesty has lost the Shandong region many times, Xiao He could always preserve Guanzhong, awaiting Your Majesty. This is a merit for ten thousand generations. Now, even if there were no Cao Can and a hundred others like him, what would Han lack? And if Han gained them, it would not necessarily rely on them to be preserved. Why then wish to use a merit of a single moment to overshadow a merit of ten thousand generations? Xiao He should be first, and Cao Can second." Emperor Gao said: "Excellent!" Thereupon he granted Xiao He the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes when ascending the hall, and of not having to walk quickly when entering the court. Emperor Gao said: "I have heard that one who recommends worthy men should receive the highest reward. Although Xiao He's merits are high, they became more evident through the explanation of Lord E." Accordingly, based on E Qianqiu's original fief, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anping. On this day, all of Xiao He's father, sons, brothers, and more than ten others were enfeoffed, each with a fief; and an additional two thousand households were granted to Xiao He.
Emperor Gao returned to Yueyang.
Summer, fifth month, on the day bingwu, the Grand Duke was honored as the Supreme Emperor.
Initially, the Xiongnu feared the Qin dynasty and had migrated northward for over ten years. After the Qin fell, the Xiongnu gradually crossed southward over the Yellow River. The Chanyu Touman had a crown prince named Maodun. Later, he had a favored consort who bore a younger son, and Touman wished to make him crown prince. At this time, the Donghu were powerful and the Yuezhi were flourishing, so Touman sent Maodun as a hostage to the Yuezhi. Soon after, Touman attacked the Yuezhi fiercely, and the Yuezhi wanted to kill Maodun. Maodun stole a fine horse from the Yuezhi, rode it, and escaped back. Touman considered him brave and ordered him to command ten thousand cavalry.
Maodun then made whistling arrows and trained his cavalry in archery. He ordered: "Where my whistling arrow strikes, if anyone does not follow and shoot with full force, they will be beheaded!" Maodun then shot his own fine horse with the whistling arrow, and next shot his own beloved wife. Those nearby who dared not shoot were all beheaded. Finally, he shot the Chanyu's fine horse with the whistling arrow, and all those nearby followed in shooting. Thus Maodun knew these men could be used. He followed Touman on a hunt, shot Touman with the whistling arrow, and his men all shot along with the arrow. Thus he killed Touman, and executed his stepmother, younger brother, and all the ministers who did not obey his commands. Maodun established himself as Chanyu.
When the Donghu heard that Maodun had succeeded to the throne, they sent an envoy to Maodun, saying: "We wish to obtain the thousand-li horse of Touman's time." Maodun consulted his ministers, and all said: "This is a treasured horse of the Xiongnu; it cannot be given!" Maodun said: "When dealing with a neighboring state, how can one begrudge a single horse?" Thereupon he gave the horse to the Donghu. Not long after, the Donghu again sent an envoy to Maodun, saying: "We wish to obtain one of the Chanyu's consorts." Maodun again consulted those nearby, and all said angrily: "The Donghu are lawless, actually coming to ask for a consort! Please attack them!" Maodun said: "When dealing with a neighboring state, how can one begrudge a single woman?" Thereupon he gave his beloved consort to the Donghu. The Donghu king became even more arrogant. Between the Donghu and the Xiongnu there was a stretch of abandoned land, uninhabited, over a thousand li in circumference, with each side living on its border and setting up lookout posts. The Donghu sent an envoy to Maodun, saying: "This abandoned land, we wish to take possession of it." Maodun consulted his ministers, and some said: "This is wasteland; giving it to them is permissible, or not giving it is also permissible." Then Maodun flew into a rage, saying: "Land is the foundation of the state; how can it be given to them?" Those who had said it could be given were all beheaded. Maodun mounted his horse and ordered: "In the state, anyone who dares to be late in setting out will be beheaded!" Thereupon he made a surprise attack on the Donghu. The Donghu had initially despised Maodun and were unprepared; thus Maodun destroyed the Donghu.
After returning, he then attacked westward, drove away the Yuezhi, and southward annexed Loufan, the White Goat King of Henan, and then invaded Yan and Dai territories, recovering all the former Xiongnu lands seized by Meng Tian, as well as the old Han border fortifications south of the Yellow River, reaching as far as Zhaona and Fushi. At this time, the Han army was locked in stalemate with Xiang Yu, and the Central Plains were exhausted by war; therefore Maodun was able to grow powerful, commanding over three hundred thousand soldiers capable of drawing bows, and his prestige subdued all states.
In autumn, the Xiongnu besieged King Xin of Han at Mayi. King Xin of Han sent envoys many times to the Xiongnu to seek a peace settlement. Han sent troops to his rescue. The court suspected that King Xin of Han had repeatedly sent private envoys and had two minds, so it sent someone to reprimand him. King Xin of Han, fearing execution, surrendered Mayi to the Xiongnu in the ninth month. Xiongnu Maodun took advantage of this to lead troops southward across Gouzhu Mountain, attacked Taiyuan, and reached Jinyang.
Emperor Gao abolished all the cumbersome Qin rituals and laws, replacing them with simplified practices. The ministers drank and vied for merit in their cups; when drunk, some shouted wildly, drew their swords, and hacked at pillars. Emperor Gao grew increasingly disgusted with this. Shusun Tong advised Emperor Gao, saying: "Those Confucian scholars are hard to work with in founding and advancing, but they can be worked with in preserving achievements. I wish to summon the Confucian scholars from Lu and, together with my disciples, to establish court rituals." Emperor Gao said: "Will it be too difficult?" Shusun Tong said: "The music of the Five Emperors each differed, and the rites of the Three Kings were not the same. Ritual is something that is modulated and adorned according to the times and human feelings. I wish to adopt somewhat the ancient rites, mixing them with those of the Qin dynasty to formulate them." Emperor Gao said: "You may try to do it, but make it easy to understand, and consider what I can manage to formulate."
Thereupon Shusun Tong, by imperial command, summoned over thirty Confucian scholars from Lu. Two Confucian scholars from Lu refused to go, saying: "You have served nearly ten masters, all by flattering them to your face to gain favor and prominence. Now the world has just been pacified; the dead have not yet been buried, and the wounded have not yet recovered, yet you wish to revive rites and music. The foundation for the rise of rites and music is laid after a hundred years of accumulated virtue. We cannot bear to do what you do. Go away, and do not defile us!" Shusun Tong laughed and said: "You are truly vulgar Confucians, who do not understand the changes of the times." Thereupon he went westward with the thirty men he had summoned, along with learned men from Emperor Gao's side and over a hundred of his disciples, and they practiced rituals in the wilderness with ropes and straw. After more than a month, Shusun Tong said to Emperor Gao: "You may come and observe them." Emperor Gao had them perform the rituals and said: "I can manage this." Thereupon he ordered the ministers to study and practice them.
Seventh year of Emperor Gao (Xinchou, 200 BCE)
Winter, tenth month, the Changle Palace was completed, and the feudal lords and ministers all came to pay court. Before dawn, the Master of Ceremonies, who was in charge of ritual, directed the ceremonies, leading everyone by order into the palace gate, where they lined up on the east and west sides. Guarding officials stood along the steps, and those arranged in the courtyard all held weapons, with banners fluttering. At this time, the emperor issued the order to clear the way, and rode in his carriage out from the inner chambers. The Master of Ceremonies led the feudal lords and kings down to officials of six hundred piculs, who came forward in order to offer congratulations; none were not shaken with awe and filled with reverence. When the ceremonies were complete, the formal feast was set. All those who sat in attendance in the hall bowed their heads; they rose in order of rank to offer toasts. After the wine had circulated nine times, the Master of Ceremonies said, "Remove the wine." The imperial censor enforced the law, and those who acted improperly were led out. Throughout the entire court assembly and drinking, no one dared to shout loudly or act improperly. Then Emperor Gao said: "Today I finally know the dignity of being emperor!" Thereupon he appointed Shusun Tong as Grand Master of Ceremonies and rewarded him with five hundred catties of gold.
Back then, after the First Emperor of Qin unified the world, he collected the rituals of the six states, selecting those parts that exalted the sovereign and restrained the ministers to retain. By the time Shusun Tong established the rituals, he made slight additions and reductions, but for the most part adhered to the old Qin system, from the emperor’s title down to the auxiliary officials, palace structures, and official titles, with few changes. His writings were later recorded together with the laws and decrees, stored in the offices of the legal officials. The Legalists did not transmit them, and none among the common people or ministers mentioned them any longer.
Your servant Sima Guang says: This thing called ritual—how vast it is! Applied to an individual, then movement and stillness have standards, and all virtues are complete; applied to a family, then internal and external are distinguished, and the nine clans are harmonious; applied to a village, then seniority and youth have order, and customs and teachings are excellent; applied to a state, then ruler and minister have hierarchy, and governance is accomplished; applied to the world, then feudal lords submit, and laws and discipline are upright; how could it merely be spread on mats and seats, used at gates and in courtyards, so that with it there is no chaos! With Gaozu’s intelligence, he praised upon hearing Lu Jia’s words and sighed upon seeing Shusun Tong’s rituals; yet the reason he could not compare with the sage kings of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties lay in his fault of not studying. At that time, if he had obtained a great Confucian to assist him, using ritual to govern the world, would his achievements have stopped there? What a pity that Shusun Tong’s capacity was so small! He merely stole the dregs of ritual to cling to the vulgar, cater to the times, and gain favor; thus he caused the former kings’ rituals to sink into oblivion and fail to revive, even to this day—is this not heartbreaking? Therefore, Yang Xiong mocked him, saying: “In former times, there was a great minister of Lu, whose name is lost to history. Someone asked: ‘How great was he?’ The answer said: ‘Shusun Tong wanted to establish the rituals of ruler and minister, so he summoned Confucians to Lu, but two of them could not be brought.’ The questioner said: ‘If so, then did Confucius, traveling through the states and deploying his abilities among the feudal lords, do wrong?’ The answer said: ‘Confucius deployed his abilities for his own use. If one abandons his own principles to follow others, even if he has the compass and square, the plumb line and measuring cord, how can they be used!’” Yang Xiong’s words were truly excellent! How would those great Confucians be willing to ruin their own compass and square, plumb line and measuring cord, to pursue temporary fame and merit!
Gaozu personally led an army to attack the King of Han, Xin, routing his forces at Tongti and beheading his general Wang Xi. The King of Han, Xin, fled to the Xiongnu; Manqiu Chen, Wang Huang, and others of Bairen established a descendant of Zhao, named Zhao Li, as king, gathered the scattered and defeated soldiers of the King of Han, Xin, and together with the King of Han, Xin, and the Xiongnu, plotted to attack Han. The Xiongnu sent the Left and Right Worthy Kings leading over ten thousand cavalry, encamping with Wang Huang and others south of Guangwu, all the way to Jinyang. The Han army attacked them; the Xiongnu always retreated in defeat, but soon gathered again, and the Han army pursued with victory. It happened that the weather was severely cold, with heavy snow; two or three out of ten soldiers had their fingers frostbitten.
Gaozu was stationed at Jinyang. Hearing that Modu was at Daigu, he wanted to attack him. He sent men to reconnoiter the Xiongnu; Modu hid all the strong soldiers and fat horses and cattle, showing only the old and weak people and scrawny livestock. The ten groups of envoys sent all returned, saying that the Xiongnu could be attacked. Gaozu again sent Liu Jing as envoy to the Xiongnu; before he returned, Han mobilized the entire 320,000 troops to pursue northward, crossing Mount Gouzhu. Liu Jing returned and reported: “When two states are attacking each other, they should naturally flaunt their strengths and display their advantages. Now when I went there, I only saw the weak and old; this is surely a deliberate showing of weakness, laying an ambush to seek advantage. I believe the Xiongnu cannot be attacked.” By then the Han army had already set out. Gaozu was angry, cursed Liu Jing, saying: “You captive from Qi, you got an office by your glib tongue, and now you dare to spout nonsense to obstruct my army!” He then put Liu Jing in shackles and imprisoned him at Guangwu.
Gaozu arrived first at Pingcheng; the army had not yet all gathered. Modu sent out 400,000 elite cavalry, surrounding Gaozu at Baideng for seven days; the Han army, inside and out, could not aid each other or supply food. Gaozu adopted Chen Ping’s secret plan, sending an envoy secretly with lavish gifts to bribe the Yanzhi. The Yanzhi said to Modu: “Two rulers should not besiege each other. Even if you obtain Han territory, the Chanyu cannot ultimately dwell there. Moreover, the Han ruler has the protection of the spirits; the Chanyu, please consider carefully!” Modu had agreed to rendezvous with Wang Huang and Zhao Li, but their troops did not come; suspecting they had colluded with Han, he opened one corner of the encirclement. It happened that a heavy fog fell; men sent by Han came and went, but the Xiongnu did not notice. Chen Ping requested that the crossbowmen, each with two arrows nocked, face outward, and charge straight out through the opened corner. Gaozu broke out of the encirclement and wanted to gallop; the Grand Coachman, Lord Teng, insisted on a slow pace. When they reached Pingcheng, the main Han army also arrived, and the Xiongnu cavalry then lifted the siege and departed. Han also withdrew its troops, ordering Fan Kuai to stay and pacify the Dai region.
Gaozu arrived at Guangwu, pardoned Liu Jing, and said: “I did not adopt your advice, and thus was besieged at Pingcheng; I have already executed the previous ten groups of envoys.” He then enfeoffed Liu Jing with two thousand households as a Marquis within the Pass, with the title of Marquis of Jianxin. Gaozu passed south through Qu’ni and said: “What a magnificent county! In all my travels under heaven, I have seen only Luoyang and this place like this.” He then transferred Chen Ping’s fief to Qu’ni, granting him the entire county’s tax revenues. Chen Ping, accompanying Gaozu on campaigns, had devised six extraordinary stratagems, each time increasing his fief.
3 In the twelfth month, Gaozu returned to the capital, passing through Zhao. The King of Zhao, Zhang Ao, observed the rites of a son-in-law with great respect, but Gaozu sat with his legs sprawled out, insulting him arrogantly. The Chancellor of Zhao, Guan Gao, Zhao Wu, and others were all furious, saying: “Our king is truly a weak and incompetent king!” They then urged the King of Zhao: “Throughout the realm, heroes arose together; those with ability became kings first. Now our king serves the emperor with utmost respect, yet the emperor is discourteous; allow us to kill him on your behalf!” Zhang Ao bit his finger until it bled, saying: “How can you utter such erroneous words! My ancestors lost their state, and relying on the emperor, it was restored; the favor extends to descendants; every bit is the emperor’s merit. I hope you will speak no more of this!” Guan Gao, Zhao Wu, and others said to each other: “It is indeed our fault. Our king is a loyal and generous man, unwilling to betray kindness; moreover, we are too proud to suffer insult. Now the emperor insults our king, so we want to kill him; why must we implicate the king! If the matter succeeds, credit goes to the king; if it fails, we will bear the blame ourselves!”
4 The Xiongnu attacked Dai. The King of Dai, Liu Xi, abandoned his fief and fled back alone; he was pardoned and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Heyang. On the Xinyou day, the emperor’s son Liu Ruyi was established as the King of Dai.
5 In spring, the second month, Gaozu arrived at Chang’an. Xiao He oversaw the construction of the Weiyang Palace. Gaozu saw that the palace was extremely magnificent, became very angry, and said to Xiao He: “The realm is in turmoil, we have labored in warfare for many years, success or failure is still unknown; why have you built the palace so excessively!” Xiao He said: “The realm is not yet settled, so we can take the opportunity to complete the palace. Moreover, the Son of Heaven takes the four seas as his home; without grandeur, it is insufficient to display authority, and it cannot allow future generations to surpass it.” Gaozu then became pleased.
Your servant Sima Guang says: Emperors and kings take benevolence and righteousness as their beauty, take virtue and morality as their authority; it is unheard of to use palaces to awe the world. When the realm is not yet settled, one should restrain oneself and practice frugality to relieve the people’s urgent needs; yet instead, palaces are given priority—how can this be called understanding what is essential! In ancient times, Yu the Great lived in humble palaces, while Jie of Xia built extravagant Qinggong. Founders and transmitters of the way, practicing frugality personally to set an example for descendants, their later generations still fell into excess; how much more so if they set an example of extravagance! He even said, “cannot allow future generations to surpass it”—is this not absurd! By the time of Emperor Wu of Han, it ultimately exhausted the realm with palaces; this was surely not without the precedent set by the Marquis of Zuo (Xiao He)!
6 Gaozu moved the capital from Yueyang to Chang’an.
7 The office of the Imperial Clan Steward was established to manage the imperial clan and ancestral house in proper order.
8 In summer, the fourth month, the High Ancestor traveled to Luoyang.