Records of Han, Vol. 5
From the year Jiayin (187 BCE) to the year Guiwei (179 BCE), a total of ten years.
Empress Dowager Gao
First Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Jiayin, 187 BCE)
1 In winter, the Empress Dowager wished to enfeoff members of the Lü clan as kings and asked the Right Chancellor Wang Ling about it. Wang Ling said: "The High Emperor once killed a white horse and swore an oath: 'If anyone not of the Liu clan becomes king, the whole realm shall join in attacking him.' Now to enfeoff the Lü as kings violates this covenant." The Empress Dowager was displeased and then asked the Left Chancellor Chen Ping and the Grand Commandant Zhou Bo. The two replied: "When the High Emperor pacified the realm, he enfeoffed members of the Liu clan as kings. Now that the Empress Dowager presides over the court and administers affairs, to enfeoff members of the Lü clan as kings is entirely permissible." The Empress Dowager was pleased, and the court adjourned. Wang Ling reproached Chen Ping and Zhou Bo, saying: "When we swore the blood oath with the High Emperor, were you not present? Now the High Emperor has passed away, and the Empress Dowager, a female sovereign, wishes to enfeoff the Lü as kings. You indulge her in violating the covenant—what face will you have to see the High Emperor in the underworld?" Chen Ping and Zhou Bo replied: "In disputing face to face at court, we are not your equal. But in preserving the state and securing the future of the Liu descendants, you are not our equal." Wang Ling had no reply. On the day Jiazi of the eleventh month, the Empress Dowager appointed Wang Ling as the Grand Tutor of the Emperor, which in reality stripped him of his chancellorship. Wang Ling then claimed illness, resigned, and returned home.
Thereupon, the Empress Dowager appointed Left Chancellor Chen Ping as Right Chancellor, and appointed the Marquis of Biyang, Shen Yiji, as Left Chancellor. Shen Yiji was not to handle government affairs but was ordered to supervise palace matters, acting like the Prefect of the Palace Gentlemen. Shen Yiji had long been favored by the Empress Dowager, and all high ministers and officials conducted government business through him.
The Empress Dowager bore a grudge against Zhao Yao for having previously advised King Yin of Zhao, and she had Zhao Yao punished.
The Grand Administrator of Shangdang, Ren Ao, had once served as a prison warden in Pei County and had shown kindness to the Empress Dowager; therefore, she appointed him as Imperial Secretary.
The Empress Dowager further posthumously honored her father, Lü Gong, the Marquis of Linsi, as King Xuan, and her elder brother, Lü Ze, the Marquis of Zhou Lü and Martial, as King Dao Wu, intending this as the beginning of enfeoffing members of the Lü clan as kings.
2 In spring, the first month, the laws on the three extermination punishments and the prohibition against seditious speech were abolished.
3 In summer, the fourth month, Princess Yuan of Lu died. Her son, Zhang Yan, was enfeoffed as King of Lu, and the princess was posthumously granted the title Empress Dowager Yuan of Lu.
4 On the day Xinmao, Liu Shan, a nominal son of Emperor Xiaohui, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangcheng; Liu Chao as Marquis of Zhi; and Liu Wu as Marquis of Huguan.
The Empress Dowager wished to enfeoff Lü members as kings, so she first enfeoffed nominal sons of Emperor Xiaohui: Liu Qiang as King of Huaiyang, and Liu Buyi as King of Hengshan. She then sent the Senior Messenger Zhang Shi to hint at this to the ministers. The ministers accordingly requested that the eldest son of King Dao Wu, Lü Tai, the Marquis of Feng, be enfeoffed as King of Lü, and that the Ji'nan Commandery of Qi be ceded to form the state of Lü.
5 On the day Bingshen of the fifth month, a fire broke out in the Cong Terrace of the Zhao palace.
6 In autumn, peach and plum trees blossomed.
Second Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Yimao, 186 BCE)
1 In winter, the eleventh month, Lü Tai, King Su of Lü, died.
2 In spring, the first month, on the day Yimao, an earthquake occurred; in Qiang Circuit and Wu Du Circuit, a mountain collapsed.
3 In summer, the fifth month, on the day Bingshen, Liu Yingke, son of King Yuan of Chu, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Shangpi; and Liu Zhang, son of King Daohui of Qi, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhuxu. He was ordered to enter the palace to serve as a palace guard, and the daughter of Lü Lu was given to him in marriage.
4 On the day Bingxu, the last day of the sixth month, a solar eclipse occurred.
5 In autumn, the seventh month, Liu Buyi, King Ai of Hengshan, died.
6 The eight-zhu coin was first put into circulation.
7 On the day Guichou, Liu Shan, Marquis of Xiangcheng, was established as King of Hengshan and renamed Liu Yi.
Third Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Bingchen, 185 BCE)
1 In summer, the Yangzi and Han Rivers overflowed, flooding more than four thousand households.
2 In autumn, stars appeared during the daytime.
3 The Yi and Luo Rivers overflowed, flooding more than sixteen hundred households. The Ru River overflowed, flooding more than eight hundred households.
Fourth Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Dingsi, 184 BCE)
1 In spring, the second month, on the day Guiwei, Liu Tai, a nominal son of Emperor Xiaohui, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping.
2 In summer, the fourth month, on the day Bingshen, the Empress Dowager enfeoffed her younger sister, Lü Xu, as Marquis of Linguang.
3 The Young Emperor gradually grew up and learned that he was not the biological son of the Empress. He then spoke out, saying: "How can the Empress kill my mother and claim me as her son? When I grow up, I will stage a coup!" When the Empress Dowager heard this, she imprisoned him in the Yong Alley, claiming that the emperor was ill, and that none of his attendants could see him. The Empress Dowager said to the assembled ministers: "Now the emperor has been ill for a long time without recovery, and his mind is disordered. He cannot succeed to the throne and govern the realm. He should be replaced." The ministers all kowtowed and said: "The Empress Dowager, for the sake of the people of the realm, and in her deep concern for the ancestral temples and altars of state, acts with far-reaching wisdom. We kowtow and accept the decree." Thereupon, the Young Emperor was deposed and secretly killed. On the day Bingchen of the fifth month, Liu Yi, King of Hengshan, was established as emperor and renamed Liu Hong. The year was not designated as the first year of his reign, because the Empress Dowager personally administered the affairs of the realm. The Marquis of Zhi, Liu Chao, was appointed King of Hengshan.
4 In this year, Cao Zhu, Marquis of Pingyang, was appointed Imperial Secretary.
5 The relevant officials requested that the market trade and ironware trade with Nanyue be prohibited. Zhao Tuo, King of Nanyue, said: "The High Emperor established me as king and allowed mutual exchanges of envoys and goods. Now the Empress Dowager listens to slanderous ministers, treats the barbarians differently, and cuts off the flow of goods. This must be the scheme of the King of Changsha, who wants to rely on the Central Plains to destroy Nanyue, then annex Nanyue's territory and proclaim himself king, seeking merit for himself."
Fifth Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Wuwu, 183 BCE)
1 In spring, Zhao Tuo proclaimed himself Emperor Wu of Nanyue, raised troops to attack Changsha, breached several counties, and then withdrew.
2 In autumn, the eighth month, Liu Qiang, King Huai of Huaiyang, died. Liu Wu, Marquis of Huguan, was established as King of Huaiyang.
3 In the ninth month, cavalry from Hedong and Shangdang were conscripted and stationed in Beidi.
4 For the first time, it was ordered that garrison soldiers be changed annually.
Sixth Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Jiwei, 182 BCE)
1 In winter, the tenth month, the Empress Dowager deposed Lü Jia, King of Lü, because of his arrogance and dissipation. In the eleventh month, Lü Chan, younger brother of Lü Tai, King Su, was established as King of Lü.
2 In spring, stars appeared during the daytime.
3 In summer, the fourth month, on the day Dingyou, a general amnesty was granted to the realm.
4 Liu Xingju, younger brother of Liu Zhang, Marquis of Zhuxu, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongmou and also entered the palace to serve as a guard.
5 The Xiongnu invaded Didao and attacked Ayang.
6 The five-fen coin was first put into circulation.
7 Zhang Ao, Marquis of Xuanping, died and was posthumously granted the title King Yuan of Lu.
Seventh Year of Empress Dowager Gao (Gengshen, 181 BCE)
1 In winter, the twelfth month, the Xiongnu invaded Didao and captured more than two thousand people.
2 In spring, the first month, the Empress Dowager summoned Liu You, King You of Zhao. Liu You had married a daughter of the Lü clan as his queen, but he did not love her and favored other concubines. The Lü daughter, in anger, left and slandered him to the Empress Dowager, saying: "The King of Zhao says, 'How can the Lü clan become kings? After the Empress Dowager's death, I will certainly attack them.'" The Empress Dowager therefore summoned the King of Zhao. When he arrived, she placed him in a hostel, refused to see him, and ordered guards to surround and watch him, giving him no food. When some of his retainers secretly brought him food, they were arrested and punished. On the day Dingchou, the King of Zhao starved to death. He was buried in a commoner's grave near the graves of the people of Chang'an.
3 On the day Jichou, a solar eclipse occurred, and it became dark during the daytime. The Empress Dowager was greatly distressed and said to those around her: "This is because of me!"
4 In the second month, Liu Hui, King of Liang, was transferred to become King of Zhao, and Lü Chan, King of Lü, was transferred to become King of Liang. The King of Liang did not go to his fief but served as the Grand Tutor of the Emperor.
5 In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Dingsi, Liu Tai, Marquis of Pingchang, was established as King of Jichuan.
6 The daughter of Lü Xu was the wife of Liu Ze, General and Marquis of Yingling. Liu Ze was a cousin of Gaozu. A man from Qi, Tian Sheng, lobbied on his behalf to the Senior Messenger Zhang Qing, saying: "The Lü have been enfeoffed as kings, but the ministers are not entirely convinced. Now the Marquis of Yingling, Liu Ze, is the eldest among the Liu clan. If you now speak to the Empress Dowager and recommend that he be enfeoffed as a king, the position of the Lü kings will be even more secure." Zhang Qing entered the palace and spoke to the Empress Dowager, who thought it correct. She then ceded the Langye Commandery of Qi and enfeoffed Liu Ze as King of Langye.
7 After Prince Zhao Liu You was moved to the state of Zhao, he was unhappy. The Empress Dowager established the daughter of Lü Chan as his queen, and all the queen’s attendant officials were members of the Lü clan. They monopolized power, secretly spied on the Prince of Zhao, and the prince could not act as he pleased. The Prince of Zhao had a favored concubine, and the queen sent someone to poison her with wine. In the sixth month, the Prince of Zhao, overcome with grief and anger, committed suicide. When the Empress Dowager heard of this, she considered that the prince had abandoned the rituals of the ancestral temple for the sake of a woman, and she abolished his line of succession.
8 At this time, the younger members of the Lü clan monopolized power and acted arbitrarily. Zhu Xu Hou Liu Zhang, twenty years old, full of vigor and strength, resented that members of the Liu clan could not obtain positions. Once he entered the palace to attend a banquet with the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager ordered Liu Zhang to serve as the wine steward. Liu Zhang himself requested: “I am a descendant of a general; please allow me to enforce the rules of the army in serving the wine.” The Empress Dowager said: “It is permitted.” When the wine was at its height, Liu Zhang requested to sing the “Song of Plowing the Fields,” and the Empress Dowager agreed. Liu Zhang sang: “Plow deep and sow densely, leave the seedlings sparse; if it is not of the same kind, remove it with the hoe!” The Empress Dowager remained silent. After a while, one of the Lü clan members became drunk and fled from the feast. Liu Zhang pursued him, drew his sword, killed him, and then returned, reporting: “One person fled the feast; I carefully enforced military law and killed him!” Those around the Empress Dowager were greatly startled, but because she had already permitted him to enforce military law with the wine, they could not punish him, and so the feast ended. From then on, the younger members of the Lü clan all feared Zhu Xu Hou, and even the high ministers also attached themselves to him. As a result, the power of the Liu clan grew stronger.
Chen Ping worried about the Lü clan’s monopoly of power, but his strength was insufficient to stop them, and he feared that disaster might involve him. Once, while living at leisure, he was deeply thinking. Lu Jia came to visit, entered directly and sat down, but Chen Ping did not notice. Lu Jia said: “Thinking so deeply!” Chen Ping said: “What do you guess I am thinking about?” Lu Jia said: “You have already reached the pinnacle of wealth and honor, with no desires left. Yet you still have worries—nothing more than concern about the Lü clan and the young emperor.” Chen Ping said: “That’s right! What should be done about it?” Lu Jia said: “When the world is at peace, attention should be paid to the chancellor; when the world is in turmoil, attention should be paid to the supreme general. If the general and the chancellor are harmonious and unified, then the scholars will attach themselves; even if the world has upheavals, power will not be divided. For the sake of the state, the key lies in the hands of the two of you. I have often thought of speaking to Grand Marshal Zhou Bo, but he jokes with me and does not take my words seriously. Why don’t you make close friends with the Grand Marshal, forming a deep bond?” Then he devised several strategies for Chen Ping to deal with the Lü clan. Chen Ping adopted his plans, used five hundred gold pieces to offer birthday congratulations to Zhou Bo, and prepared lavish feasts. The Grand Marshal reciprocated in the same manner. The two formed a deep bond, and the Lü clan’s conspiracies increasingly weakened. Chen Ping gave Lu Jia one hundred male and female slaves, fifty carriages, and five million cash for his living expenses.
9 The Empress Dowager sent an envoy to inform the Prince of Dai, Liu Heng, wanting to move him to be the Prince of Zhao. The Prince of Dai declined, willing to guard the borders of Dai. The Empress Dowager then established her elder brother’s son, Lü Lu, as the Prince of Zhao, and posthumously honored Lü Lu’s father, Jiancheng Kang Hou Lü Shize, as Zhao Zhao Wang.
10 In the ninth month, Prince Yan Ling Wang Liu Jian died. He had a son born to a beautiful woman, and the Empress Dowager sent someone to kill him. The state of Yan was abolished.
11 The Marquis of Longlü, Zhou Zao, was sent to lead troops to attack Southern Yue.
Eighth Year of Empress Gao (Xinyou, 180 BCE)
1 Winter, tenth month, on the Xinchou day, Lü Tong, the Prince of Dongping and son of Lü Su Wang, was established as the Prince of Yan, and Lü Tong’s younger brother, Lü Zhuang, was established as the Marquis of Dongping.
2 In the third month, the Empress Dowager performed a ritual to ward off calamities and seek blessings. On her return journey, passing through the Zhi Way, she saw something like a blue dog that grabbed at her armpit, then suddenly disappeared. Divination was performed on this matter, and it was said: “The ghost of Prince Zhao Ruyi is causing trouble.” The Empress Dowager subsequently fell ill from the injury to her armpit.
Because her grandson, the Prince of Lu, Zhang Yan, was young and orphaned, in the summer, fourth month, on the Dingyou day, Zhang Ao’s two sons from a former wife, Zhang Chi and Zhang Shou, were established as the Marquis of Xindu and the Marquis of Lechang respectively, to assist the Prince of Lu. Also, Zhong Da Ye Zhe Zhang Shi was established as the Marquis of Jianling, because he had advised the Empress Dowager to establish members of the Lü clan as princes, as a reward.
3 The Yangzi and Han Rivers overflowed, flooding over ten thousand households.
4 In the autumn, seventh month, the Empress Dowager became gravely ill. She then ordered the Prince of Zhao, Lü Lu, to serve as Supreme General, stationed in the Northern Army, and the Prince of Liang, Lü Chan, to be stationed in the Southern Army. The Empress Dowager admonished Lü Chan and Lü Lu, saying: “The Lü clan has been established as princes, and the high ministers are not convinced in their hearts. If I die, and the emperor is young, the high ministers may rebel. You must firmly hold the army, guard the palace, and on no account go to the funeral, to avoid being controlled by others!” On the Xinsi day, the Empress Dowager died. Her last edict proclaimed a general amnesty, appointed the Prince of Liang, Lü Chan, as Chancellor of State, and established Lü Lu’s daughter as the empress. After the Empress Dowager was buried, the Left Chancellor, Shen Yiji, was appointed as the Grand Tutor of the emperor.
5 The Lü clan wanted to rebel, but feared the high ministers, such as Jiang Hou Zhou Bo and Ying Yin Hou Guan Ying, and so did not dare to act. Zhu Xu Hou Liu Zhang, because he had married Lü Lu’s daughter, knew of their conspiracy. He secretly sent someone to tell his elder brother, the Prince of Qi, Liu Xiang, wanting the Prince of Qi to raise troops and march west, while Zhu Xu Hou and Dong Mou Hou Liu Xingju would act as internal allies in the capital, to eliminate the Lü clan and establish the Prince of Qi as emperor. The Prince of Qi then secretly plotted with his uncle, Si Jun, the Lang Zhong Ling Zhu Wu, and the Zhong Wei Wei Bo to raise troops. The Chancellor of Qi, Zhao Ping, did not comply. In the eighth month, on the Bingwu day, the Prince of Qi wanted to send someone to kill the Chancellor. When the Chancellor heard of this, he mobilized troops and surrounded the prince’s palace. Wei Bo deceived Zhao Ping, saying: “The king wants to raise troops, but there is no imperial tiger tally as verification. And you, Chancellor, surrounding the palace is entirely correct. I request to lead the troops to guard the king on your behalf.” Zhao Ping believed him. After Wei Bo gained control of the troops, he surrounded the Chancellor’s residence, and Zhao Ping committed suicide. Thereupon, the Prince of Qi appointed Si Jun as Chancellor, Wei Bo as General, and Zhu Wu as Nei Shi, and mobilized all the troops within the state.
The Prince of Qi sent Zhu Wu east to deceive the Prince of Langya, Liu Ze, saying: “The Lü clan has rebelled. The Prince of Qi is raising troops, wanting to march west and eliminate them. The Prince of Qi considers himself young and inexperienced in military affairs, and is willing to entrust the entire state to you, Great King. Great King, you have been a general since the time of Emperor Gao. Please, Great King, come to Linzi to discuss important matters with the Prince of Qi.” The Prince of Langya believed him, and rode swiftly west to Linzi to see the Prince of Qi. The Prince of Qi then detained the Prince of Langya, and ordered Zhu Wu to fully mobilize the troops of Langya state and take command of them. The Prince of Langya advised the Prince of Qi, saying: “You, Great King, are the direct eldest grandson of Emperor Gao, and ought to be established as emperor. Now the various high ministers are hesitant and have not yet come to a decision. And I, Liu Ze, am the oldest in the Liu clan; the high ministers are already waiting for me to make a decision. Now that you detain me, it is of no use. It would be better to let me enter the pass to discuss the important matters.” The Prince of Qi considered this correct, and added extra carriages to send the Prince of Langya off. After the Prince of Langya departed, the Prince of Qi raised troops and marched west to attack Jinan. He sent letters to the various princes, stating the crimes of the Lü clan, wanting to raise troops to eliminate them.
When Chancellor of State Lü Chan and others heard of this, they sent Ying Yin Hou Guan Ying to lead troops to attack the Prince of Qi. When Guan Ying reached Xingyang, he planned, saying: “The Lü clan holds heavy troops in the Guanzhong region, wanting to harm the Liu clan and establish themselves as emperors. If I now defeat the Qi army and report back, that would increase the Lü clan’s resources.” So he halted and stationed his troops at Xingyang, sending envoys to inform the Prince of Qi and the other princes, forming an alliance with them, waiting for the Lü clan to make their move, and then eliminating them together. When the Prince of Qi heard of this, he withdrew his troops to the western border and waited for the agreed time.
Lü Lu and Lü Chan wanted to rebel, but within they feared the likes of Jiang Hou and Zhu Xu Hou, and without they feared the armies of Qi and Chu, and also worried that Guan Ying might betray them. They wanted to wait until Guan Ying’s army had joined with the Qi army before acting, and so they hesitated.
At this time, the Prince of Jichuan, Liu Tai, the Prince of Huaiyang, Liu Wu, the Prince of Changshan, Liu Chao, and the Prince of Lu, Zhang Yan, were all young and had not gone to their states, residing in Chang’an. The Prince of Zhao, Lü Lu, and the Prince of Liang, Lü Chan, each led troops stationed in the Southern and Northern Armies. These were all members of the Lü clan. The titled lords and all the officials could not secure their own lives.
The Grand Commandant, the Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, was unable to gain control of the military forces. The Marquis of Qüzhou, Li Shang, was old and often ill, and his son Li Ji was on good terms with Lü Lu. The Marquis of Jiang then conspired with Chancellor Chen Ping, sending men to kidnap Li Shang and forcing his son Li Ji to go and deceive Lü Lu, saying: "The High Emperor and Empress Dowager Lü together pacified the empire. The nine kings established from the Liu clan and the three kings established from the Lü clan were all decided upon by the great ministers, and these matters have been announced to the feudal lords, all of whom considered them appropriate. Now the Empress Dowager has passed away, and the emperor is young. Yet you, bearing the seal of the King of Zhao, do not hasten to your fief to guard it but instead serve as the Supreme General, leading troops and remaining here, arousing suspicion among the great ministers and feudal lords. Why not return the general's seal, hand over the army to the Grand Commandant, ask the King of Liang to return the chancellor's seal, form a covenant with the great ministers, and then proceed to your fief? In this way, the troops of Qi will surely withdraw, the great ministers will be at ease, and you can rule over a fief of a thousand li in peace and security, reaping benefits for ten thousand generations." Lü Lu believed this and considered the plan excellent, wishing to hand over the army to the Grand Commandant. He sent a report to Lü Chan and the elders of the Lü clan. Some thought it advantageous, others thought it not, and the plan remained undecided.
Lü Lu trusted Li Ji and often went out hunting and sightseeing with him. Once, passing by the home of his aunt, Lü Xu, she became enraged and said: "As a general, you abandon the army—now the Lü clan has no place to stand!" She then brought out all her pearls, jade, and precious treasures and scattered them in the courtyard, saying: "Do not keep these for others to watch over!"
On the morning of the day Gengshen in the ninth month, the Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Zhu, acting as Imperial Secretary, went to visit Chancellor Lü Chan to discuss affairs. The Prefect of the Palace Guard, Jia Shou, returned from a mission to Qi and took the opportunity to reproach Lü Chan, saying: "Your Majesty did not hasten to your fief earlier—now even if you wish to go, can you still do so?" He then fully informed Lü Chan of how Guan Ying had allied with Qi and Chu to exterminate the Lü clan and urged Lü Chan to enter the palace quickly. The Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Zhu, overheard most of these words and hurriedly ran to report to the Chancellor and the Grand Commandant.
The Grand Commandant wished to enter the Northern Army but could not gain entry. The Marquis of Xiangping, Ji Tong, was in charge of the imperial talismans, so the Grand Commandant ordered him to take the talismans and falsely issue an imperial edict, thereby allowing the Grand Commandant to enter the Northern Army. The Grand Commandant then ordered Li Ji and the Superintendent of Guests, Liu Jie, to first go and persuade Lü Lu, saying: "The emperor has sent the Grand Commandant to act as commander of the Northern Army, intending for you to proceed to your fief. Quickly return the general's seal and depart; otherwise, disaster is imminent." Lü Lu, believing that Li Ji would not deceive him, untied his seal and handed it to the Superintendent of Guests, transferring the army to the Grand Commandant. By the time the Grand Commandant reached the Northern Army, Lü Lu had already left. The Grand Commandant entered the military gate and issued an order to the troops: "Those who support the Lü clan, bare your right arm; those who support the Liu clan, bare your left arm!" All the soldiers in the army bared their left arms, and thus the Grand Commandant took control of the Northern Army. However, the Southern Army still remained. Chancellor Chen Ping then summoned the Marquis of Zhu Xu, Liu Zhang, to assist the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant ordered the Marquis of Zhu Xu to guard the military gate and ordered the Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Zhu, to tell the Commandant of the Palace Guards: "Do not allow Chancellor Lü Chan to enter the palace gate."
Lü Chan, unaware that Lü Lu had already left the Northern Army, entered the Weiyang Palace, intending to start a rebellion. When he reached the palace gate, he could not enter and paced back and forth. The Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Zhu, fearing they might not prevail, hurriedly ran to inform the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant, still worried that they could not defeat the Lü clan, dared not openly declare their intent to exterminate them, so he said to the Marquis of Zhu Xu: "Quickly enter the palace to defend the emperor!" The Marquis of Zhu Xu requested troops, and the Grand Commandant gave him over a thousand soldiers. The Marquis of Zhu Xu entered the Weiyang Palace gate and saw Lü Chan in the palace courtyard. By dusk, he attacked Lü Chan, who fled. At that moment, a great wind arose, causing Lü Chan's attendants to panic, and none dared to resist. The Marquis of Zhu Xu pursued Lü Chan and killed him in the latrine of the Palace of the Gentlemen of the Household. After killing Lü Chan, the emperor ordered a eunuch to take a talisman and commend the Marquis of Zhu Xu. The Marquis of Zhu Xu wanted to seize the talisman, but the eunuch refused. The Marquis of Zhu Xu then rode in the same chariot with him, using the talisman as proof to gallop through and kill the Commandant of the Changle Palace, Lü Gengshi. Then he returned, galloped into the Northern Army, and reported to the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant rose, bowed to the Marquis of Zhu Xu in congratulations, and said: "My only concern was Lü Chan. Now that he is dead, the empire is settled!" He then sent men to arrest all males and females of the Lü clan, young and old, and behead them. On the day Xinyou, Lü Lu was arrested and beheaded, Lü Xu was beaten to death with clubs, and men were sent to kill the King of Yan, Lü Tong, and depose the King of Lu, Zhang Yan. On the day Wuchen, the King of Jichuan, Liu Tai, was transferred to be King of Liang. The Marquis of Zhu Xu, Liu Zhang, was sent to inform the King of Qi of the extermination of the Lü clan and to have him withdraw his troops.
Guan Ying, stationed at Xingyang, heard that Wei Bo had originally been the one to incite the King of Qi to raise troops, so he sent a messenger to summon Wei Bo and interrogated him. Wei Bo said: "When a house is on fire, where is the time to first inform the elders before putting it out?" He then stepped back and stood, trembling with his legs, appearing terrified and speechless, saying nothing else. General Guan looked at him carefully for a moment, laughed, and said: "People say Wei Bo is brave, but he is merely a reckless and mediocre fellow—what can he accomplish?" Thus, he released Wei Bo. Guan Ying's army also withdrew from Xingyang.
Ban Gu comments: During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, everyone in the empire believed that Li Ji had betrayed his friend. What is called betraying a friend refers to seeing profit and forgetting righteousness. But Li Ji's father was a meritorious minister and had been kidnapped. Although he destroyed Lü Lu to stabilize the state, from the perspective of righteousness, preserving both the ruler and his father was also acceptable.
The various great ministers secretly conspired together, saying: "The Young Emperor, as well as the King of Liang, the King of Huaiyang, and the King of Changshan, are not the true sons of Emperor Xiaohui. Empress Dowager Lü, using deception, pretended they were someone else's sons, killed their mothers, raised them in the rear palace, and had Emperor Xiaohui treat them as his sons, establishing them as emperor and feudal kings to strengthen the Lü clan. Now the Lü clan has been completely eliminated, but if these people grow up and come to power, we will all be exterminated. It is better to choose the most worthy among the feudal kings to establish as emperor." Someone said: "The King of Qi is the eldest grandson of the High Emperor and can be established as emperor." The great ministers all said: "The Lü clan, due to their status as maternal relatives, were vicious and nearly endangered the ancestral temples, disrupting the meritorious ministers. Now the King of Qi's maternal uncle, Si Jun, is a fierce man like a tiger. If we establish the King of Qi as emperor, we will repeat the mistakes of the Lü clan. The King of Dai is the eldest surviving son of the current High Emperor, benevolent, filial, generous, and kind. The Dowager Empress of the Bo clan is cautious and virtuous. Moreover, establishing the eldest is inherently in accordance with reason, especially since the King of Dai is known throughout the empire for his benevolence and filial piety!" So they secretly sent men to summon the King of Dai.
The King of Dai consulted his attendants. Langzhong Ling Zhang Wu and others said: "The ministers of Han are all former generals of the late Emperor Gao, well-versed in military affairs, and full of schemes and deceptions. Their intentions certainly go beyond what they now show; they were simply in awe of the late Emperor and Empress Lü's authority. Now that they have executed the Lü clan and have just carried out a great slaughter in the capital, they use the pretense of welcoming Your Highness, but in truth they are not to be trusted. We hope Your Highness will plead illness and not go, in order to observe how the situation develops." Zhongwei Song Chang advanced and said: "The deliberations of the ministers are all wrong. When Qin lost the Way, feudal lords and heroes rose up together. Countless thousands thought they could gain the empire, yet in the end the one who ascended the throne was of the Liu clan. The world had despaired of anyone else—this is the first point. The late Emperor Gao enfeoffed his sons and younger brothers as kings, their territories interlocking like dogs' teeth to constrain each other. This is what is called a clan as firm as a rock. The world submitted to their strength—this is the second point. After the Han was established, it abolished the harsh governance of Qin, simplified laws, and spread kindness and benefits. Every man was at ease and hard to shake—this is the third point. With the authority of Empress Lü, she established three members of the Lü as kings and monopolized power arbitrarily. Yet the Grand Marshal, with a single tally, entered the Northern Army and shouted once, and the soldiers all bared their left arms to support the Liu and betray the Lü, ultimately destroying them. This was Heaven's gift, not something human strength could achieve. Now, even if the ministers wanted to rebel, the common people would not be driven by them. Could their partisans act in unison? At present, within the court there are relatives like the Marquis of Zhu Xu and the Marquis of Dongmou; outside, there are strong feudal states like Wu, Chu, Huaiyang, Langya, Qi, and Dai. Now, of the late Emperor Gao's sons, only the King of Huainan and Your Highness remain. Your Highness is the elder, and your reputation for wisdom, sagely virtue, benevolence, and filial piety is known throughout the world. Therefore, the ministers are following the world's heart in wishing to welcome and establish Your Highness. Your Highness need not doubt." The King of Dai reported this to the Empress Dowager and discussed it. Still hesitating, he divined, and obtained a pattern of great horizontal lines on the tortoise shell. The diviner interpreted it: "The great horizontal lines are clear and bright; you shall become a Heavenly King, glorifying the foundation like Qi of the Xia." The King of Dai said: "I am already a king; what other king is there?" The diviner said: "What is called a Heavenly King is the Son of Heaven." Thereupon the King of Dai sent his mother's younger brother, Bo Zhao, to meet with the Marquis of Jiang. The Marquis of Jiang and the others explained in detail the intention to welcome the King of Dai. Bo Zhao returned and reported: "It is indeed trustworthy; there is nothing to doubt." The King of Dai then smiled and said to Song Chang: "It is exactly as you said."
Then the King of Dai ordered Song Chang to ride in the same carriage with him, while Zhang Wu and six others traveled by post carriage, accompanying him to Chang'an. When they reached Gaoling, they stopped to rest. The King sent Song Chang ahead on horseback to Chang'an to observe the situation. Song Chang arrived at the Wei Bridge, where officials from the Chancellor down all came to welcome him. Song Chang returned and reported. The King of Dai rode to the Wei Bridge, where the assembled ministers knelt and performed the ritual of subject. The King of Dai descended from his carriage and returned the bow. Grand Marshal Zhou Bo stepped forward and said: "I wish to request a private conversation." Song Chang said: "If it is public business, speak openly; if it is private business, a king has no private affairs." The Grand Marshal then knelt and presented the seal and tally of the Son of Heaven. The King of Dai declined, saying: "Let us discuss this at the residence of the King of Dai."
On the day Jiyou of the last month of the ninth month, the King of Dai arrived at Chang'an and stayed at the residence of the King of Dai. The assembled ministers followed him to the residence. Chancellor Chen Ping and others knelt again and said: "Liu Hong and the others are not the sons of Emperor Xiaohui; they are not fit to serve the ancestral temple. Your Highness is the eldest son of the late Emperor Gao and is suitable to be the heir. We hope Your Highness will ascend the throne as Son of Heaven." The King of Dai faced west and declined three times, then faced south and declined twice, after which he ascended the throne as Son of Heaven. The assembled ministers stood in order according to ritual.
The Marquis of Dongmou, Liu Xingju, said: "In the execution of the Lü clan, I had no merit; allow me to clear the palace." Thereupon he entered the palace with the Grand Coachman, the Marquis of Teng, Lord Ying, and approached the Young Emperor, saying: "You are not a son of the Liu clan; you should not be established as Emperor!" He then turned and waved his hand, ordering the guards holding halberds to the left and right to put down their weapons and leave. A few refused to put down their weapons. The Eunuch Director Zhang Shi told them, and they also put down their weapons. Lord Ying then summoned the imperial carriage, loaded the Young Emperor, and took him out. The Young Emperor said: "Where do you intend to take me?" Lord Ying said: "Go out and stay outside the palace." He placed him in the Shaofu. Then they used the imperial ceremonial carriage to go to the residence of the King of Dai to welcome him, reporting: "The palace has been carefully cleared." The King of Dai entered the Weiyang Palace that evening. Ten palace guards with halberds guarded the Duan Gate, saying: "The Son of Heaven is inside; who are you to enter?" The King of Dai then informed the Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal went and explained, and the ten palace guards all put down their weapons and left. The King of Dai then entered. That night, he appointed Song Chang as General of the Guards to pacify the Southern and Northern Armies; he appointed Zhang Wu as Langzhong Ling to patrol the palace. The relevant officials went separately to the residence and executed the Kings of Liang, Huaiyang, Hengshan, and the Young Emperor. Emperor Wen returned to the main hall and sat down. That night, he issued an edict granting a general amnesty.
Emperor Taizong, the Filial and Cultured Emperor, Part One
The First Year of Emperor Wen's Reign (Renxu Year, 179 BCE)
1 Winter, tenth month, day Gengxu, moved the King of Langya, Liu Ze, to be King of Yan; established the son of the King of Zhao You, Liu Sui, as King of Zhao.
2 Chen Ping pleaded illness and resigned. Emperor Wen questioned him. Chen Ping said: "During the late Emperor Gao's time, Zhou Bo's merit was less than mine. When it came to executing the Lü clan, my merit was also less than Zhou Bo's. I wish to yield the position of Right Chancellor to Zhou Bo." Eleventh month, day Xinsi, Emperor Wen appointed Chen Ping as Left Chancellor, Grand Marshal Zhou Bo as Right Chancellor, and General-in-Chief Guan Ying as Grand Marshal. The lands of Qi and Chu that the Lü clan had seized were all returned to them.
3 When evaluating the merits of executing the Lü clan, those from Right Chancellor Zhou Bo downward received increases in their fiefs and grants of gold, each according to their rank. The Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, after court, walked out quickly, his manner very proud. Emperor Wen treated him with great respect and often saw him off with his eyes. Langzhong, the man of Anling, Yuan Ang, admonished, saying: "The Lü clan acted perversely; the great ministers together executed them. At that time, the Chancellor was Grand Marshal and held military authority; he happened to meet with the opportunity for success. Now the Chancellor seems to have a proud demeanor toward his lord, yet Your Majesty is deferential. The lord and subject have lost their proper ritual. I privately think Your Majesty should not do this!" Later, when attending court, Emperor Wen was more solemn, and the Chancellor became more reverent.
4 Twelfth month, an edict said: "Laws are the standards for governing a state. Now, when those who have violated the law have already been convicted, yet their innocent parents, wives, children, siblings, are to be implicated and enslaved—I do not approve! Abolish the enslavement and all laws of collective punishment."
5 Spring, first month, the relevant officials requested that the heir apparent be established early. Emperor Wen said: "Since I am lacking in virtue, even if I cannot broadly seek a wise, sage, and virtuous man in the world and yield the empire to him, yet to speak of establishing the heir apparent in advance is to increase my lack of virtue. Let it be postponed for now!" The relevant officials said: "Establishing the heir apparent in advance is to emphasize the ancestral temple and the altars of soil and grain, and not to forget the empire." Emperor Wen said: "The King of Chu is my uncle; the King of Wu is my elder brother; the King of Huainan is my younger brother—are these not already established? Now if I do not select them, but say I must establish a son, people will think I have forgotten the wise and virtuous and only favor my own son. This is not the way to be concerned for the empire!" The relevant officials insisted, saying: "In ancient times, the Yin and Zhou dynasties established their states and enjoyed peace for over a thousand years because they used this method. Establishing the heir must be a son—this tradition has long existed. The late Emperor Gao pacified the empire and became the Grand Ancestor; his descendants succeeded him without interruption. Now to abandon the one who should be established and select another from among the feudal lords and the imperial clan is not the late Emperor Gao's intention. It is inappropriate to reconsider. Your son Liu Qi is the eldest, pure and kind-hearted. We request that he be established as heir apparent." Emperor Wen then agreed.
6 In the third month, the mother of the heir apparent, née Dou, was established as empress. The empress was a native of Guanjin County in Qinghe Commandery. She had a younger brother named Dou Guangguo, styled Shaojun, who had been kidnapped as a child and passed through over ten households. Hearing that Lady Dou had been made empress, he submitted a letter stating his circumstances. Emperor Wen summoned him, questioned and verified the facts, and after confirming the truth, generously bestowed upon him fields, a residence, and gold. He lived in Chang’an together with his elder brother Dou Changjun. The Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, and General Guan Ying said, “Our survival or death hangs on these two men. They come from humble origins, and we must choose teachers and guests for them; otherwise, if they emulate the Lü clan, great disaster will follow!” So they selected men of integrity and conduct to associate with them. Dou Changjun and Dou Shaojun from then on became modest and retiring gentlemen, not daring to act arrogantly toward others because of their high status.
7 An edict was issued to provide relief and loans to widowers, widows, orphans, the elderly living alone, and the destitute. It also ordered: “For those aged eighty and above, monthly gifts of grain, meat, and wine shall be given; for those ninety and above, additional gifts of silk and floss. When gifts are to be distributed from official grain stores, the chief magistrate of the county shall personally inspect, and the county deputy or commandant shall deliver them; for those under ninety, the village officials and clerks shall deliver them. The two-thousand-stone officials shall send supervisory clerks to inspect, and those who are remiss shall be disciplined.”
8 Prince Yuan of Chu, Liu Jiao, died.
9 In summer, the fourth month, earthquakes occurred in the states of Qi and Chu. Twenty-nine mountains collapsed on the same day, and floodwaters burst forth and overflowed.
10 At that time, someone presented a thousand-li horse. Emperor Wen said, “When the Son of Heaven travels, the phoenix-banner leads ahead, the attendant carriages follow behind. On auspicious days, we travel fifty li per day; when the army marches, it covers thirty li per day. If I ride a thousand-li horse, where would I go alone first?” So he returned the horse, gave the presenter travel expenses, and then issued an edict saying: “I do not accept gifts. Order the regions not to seek tribute items for presentation.”
11 Emperor Wen had already extended benevolence to all under Heaven, and the feudal lords and the barbarian tribes from all directions, near and far, were harmonious and pleased. He then assessed the merits of those who had come with him from Dai to Chang’an, enfeoffing Song Chang as the Marquis of Zhuangwu.
12 Emperor Wen grew increasingly familiar with state affairs. At court, he asked the Right Chancellor, Zhou Bo, “How many cases are judged annually throughout the realm?” Zhou Bo apologized, saying he did not know. Wen then asked, “What are the annual revenues and expenditures of grain and money?” Zhou Bo again apologized, saying he did not know, feeling fearful and ashamed, his sweat soaking his back. Wen then questioned the Left Chancellor, Chen Ping. Chen Ping said, “There are officials in charge.” Wen asked, “Who are the officials in charge?” Chen Ping replied, “If Your Majesty inquires about judging cases, you may ask the Commandant of Justice; if you ask about grain and money revenues, you may ask the Minister of Agriculture.” Wen said, “If each has its own responsible official, then what is it that you are in charge of?” Chen Ping apologized, saying, “Your Majesty does not consider me unworthy and has made me chancellor. The chancellor’s duty is: upward, to assist the Son of Heaven, regulate yin and yang, and accord with the four seasons; downward, to bring all things to their proper place; externally, to pacify the barbarian tribes and feudal lords; internally, to make the people attached, and to ensure that the high officials and ministers are each able to fulfill their offices.” Wen then praised him, saying it was good. The Right Chancellor was greatly ashamed, and after leaving the court, he reproached Chen Ping, saying, “Why did you not teach me how to answer earlier?” Chen Ping laughed and said, “You are in the position of chancellor; do you not know your own duties? Moreover, if Your Majesty were to ask about the number of thieves in Chang’an city, would you force yourself to answer?” Then the Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, knew that his ability was far inferior to Chen Ping’s. Not long after, someone advised Zhou Bo, saying, “You have extinguished the Lü clan, established the King of Dai as emperor, and your prestige shakes all under Heaven. Now you have received generous rewards and occupy an honored position; if you stay long, disaster will befall you.” Zhou Bo also felt his own danger, so he pleaded illness and resigned, requesting to return the chancellor’s seal. The emperor agreed. In autumn, on the day Xinsi of the eighth month, the Right Chancellor Zhou Bo was dismissed, and the Left Chancellor Chen Ping alone served as chancellor.
13 Initially, the Marquis of Longlü, Zhou Zao, attacked Nanyue, but encountered intense heat and humidity. Plague spread among the soldiers, and the army could not cross the mountains. After more than a year, when Empress Dowager Lü died, the troops withdrew. Zhao Tuo then used the army’s might and wealth to bribe Minyue, Xi’ou, and Luoyue, making them submit and become his vassals. Nanyue stretched east to west over ten thousand li. Zhao Tuo rode in a yellow-canopied carriage, displayed the left-streamer banner, called himself Emperor, and equated himself with Han.
Emperor Wen then set up a guard village for Zhao Tuo’s parents’ graves in Zhending, offering sacrifices at the proper seasons each year; he summoned his brothers, gave them high offices, and bestowed lavish gifts to show favor. He also sent Lu Jia as an envoy to Nanyue, presenting a letter to Zhao Tuo, which said: “I am the son of a concubine of the High Emperor, sent far away to serve as a vassal in the northern land of Dai. The roads are long, information is blocked, and I am dull and simple, never having written to you. The High Emperor passed away, and the Filial Hui Emperor died; Empress Dowager Lü personally handled court affairs, but unfortunately fell ill, and the Lü clan took advantage of the disorder. Relying on the merit of the ministers, they have already been completely extinguished. Because the kings, marquises, and officials were unwilling to abandon me, I could not avoid ascending the throne. Now I have been enthroned. Not long ago, I heard that you wrote to the general, the Marquis of Longlü, seeking your close brothers and requesting the dismissal of the two generals in Changsha. I have, according to your letter, dismissed the general, the Marquis of Boyang; your close brothers in Zhending I have sent people to console, and I have repaired your ancestors’ graves. Some days ago, I heard that you raised troops on the border, constantly causing harm. At that time, Changsha suffered hardship, and Nan Commandery was especially severe. Even for your Nanyue state, could it alone gain profit? It would certainly kill many soldiers, harm good generals and officials, make other men’s wives widows, other men’s children orphans, other men’s parents lonely and helpless, gaining one place while losing ten. I cannot bear to do this. I wished to delineate the interlocking borders between the two states, and questioned the officials, who said: ‘This is the land the High Emperor used to separate Changsha.’ I cannot change it arbitrarily. Now, gaining your land would not make the state larger; gaining your wealth would not make the state richer. The region south of the Five Ranges, you may govern yourself. Nevertheless, you call yourself Emperor. Two emperors stand together, but there is no envoy to communicate between them—this is contention. Contention without yielding is not what a virtuous person would do. I wish to join with you in casting aside past enmities, and from now on, exchange envoys, as in former times.”
When Lu Jia arrived in Nanyue, the King of Nanyue, Zhao Tuo, was terrified, kowtowed and confessed his guilt, expressing his willingness to obey the clear edicts of the Han Dynasty, to serve as a vassal for a long time, and to present tribute and fulfill his duties. He then issued an order to his state, saying: "I have heard that two heroes cannot stand together, and two wise men cannot coexist at the same time. The Emperor of Han is a wise and enlightened Son of Heaven. From now on, abolish the imperial title, the yellow-canopied carriage, and the left-tasseled banner." So he wrote a letter, saying: "The great chief of the barbarians, your old servant, Zhao Tuo, risking death, bows twice and submits a letter to Your Majesty the Emperor: I, your old servant, was a former official of Nanyue. The High Emperor graciously granted me, your servant Zhao Tuo, a seal and appointed me the King of Nanyue. When Emperor Xiaohui ascended the throne, out of righteousness he could not bear to sever ties, and the gifts bestowed upon your old servant were very generous. When Empress Dowager Gao governed, she made distinctions against the barbarians and issued an order saying: 'Do not give the barbarians of Nanyue gold, iron, farm tools, horses, cattle, or sheep. Even if given, only give males, not females.' Your old servant, living in a remote place, found that the horses, cattle, and sheep had grown old. Believing that the sacrifices were insufficient and that I had committed a capital offense, I sent the Intendant Fan, the Commandant Gao, and the Censor Ping, three envoys in succession, to submit a memorial of apology, but none of them returned. I also heard by rumor that the graves of my parents had been destroyed and that my brothers and clan had been executed. The officials together deliberated, saying: 'Now, within, we cannot rise up under Han; without, we cannot enhance our own status.' Therefore, I changed my title to emperor and called myself emperor within my own state, not daring to bring harm to the world. When Empress Dowager Gao heard of this, she became greatly angry, stripped Nanyue of its title, and cut off all diplomatic exchanges. Your old servant secretly suspected that the King of Changsha had slandered and framed me, so I raised troops to attack his borders. Your old servant has lived in the land of Yue for forty-nine years, and now I have grandsons. Yet, rising early and sleeping late, I cannot rest easy on my mat, I eat without knowing the flavor, my eyes do not look upon beautiful sights, and my ears do not listen to the sounds of bells and drums—all because I cannot serve the Han Dynasty. Now, Your Majesty has graciously taken pity, restored my original title, and reopened diplomatic relations with Han as before; even if your old servant dies, my bones will not rot. I change my title and dare no longer call myself emperor!"
14. King Ai of Qi, Liu Xiang, died.
15. Emperor Wen heard that the Grand Administrator of Henan Commandery, Wu Gong, had the best governance in the empire, so he summoned him to court and appointed him as Commandant of Justice. Wu Gong recommended Jia Yi of Luoyang. Emperor Wen summoned Jia Yi and appointed him as an Erudite. At that time, Jia Yi was in his twenties. Emperor Wen admired his broad literary talent and, within a year, promoted him irregularly to the position of Grand Palace Grandee. Jia Yi requested a revision of the calendar, a change of ceremonial colors, a determination of official titles, and the revival of rites and music, in order to establish the institutions of the Han Dynasty and alter the laws of the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Wen, being modest, did not have time to implement these.
Emperor Wen's Second Year (Gui Hai, 178 BC)
1. In winter, the tenth month, the Marquis of Qu Ni, Chen Ping, died.
2. Emperor Wen issued an edict ordering all marquises to return to their respective fiefs. Those holding official positions or specially permitted to remain by edict were to send their heirs to the fiefs.
3. On the Yi Hai day of the eleventh month, Zhou Bo again became Chancellor.
4. On the Gui Mao day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. Emperor Wen issued an edict, saying: "All ministers should reflect on my faults and the shortcomings of what I have seen and heard, and I request that you inform me. Also, recommend worthy, upright, and outspoken persons who can directly remonstrate, to correct my inadequacies." He then separately instructed officials at all levels to reduce corvée labor and expenses to benefit the people, and to abolish the General of the Palace Guard. Only enough horses from the existing stock of the Grand Equerry were to be kept for use, and the rest were to be allocated to postal stations.
Jia Shan, a cavalryman of the Marquis of Yingyin, submitted a memorial discussing the way of order and chaos, saying:
"I have heard that things struck by thunder are inevitably shattered and broken; things pressed by a weight of ten thousand jun are inevitably crushed and destroyed. Now, the majesty of a ruler is not merely thunder; the weight of his power is not merely ten thousand jun. Even if he opens a path to seek remonstrance, receives it with a gentle countenance, adopts the advice and honors the remonstrator, scholars still fear and dare not speak their minds fully; how much more so if he indulges his desires, acts tyrannically, and hates to hear of his own faults! If he intimidates them with majesty and suppresses them with power, even if one had the wisdom of Yao and Shun or the courage of Meng Ben, how could he avoid being broken? In this way, the ruler cannot hear of his own faults, and the state becomes endangered.
"In ancient times, the Zhou Dynasty had about eighteen hundred states. The people of the nine provinces supported eighteen hundred rulers. The rulers had surplus wealth, and the people had surplus strength; thus, songs of praise arose. The First Emperor of Qin used the people of eighteen hundred states to support himself alone. The people were exhausted and could not bear his corvée labor; their wealth was drained and could not satisfy his demands. It was only one person's body, and what he used to support himself was nothing more than the pleasures of racing, hunting, and archery, yet the empire could not supply it. The First Emperor calculated his own merits and virtues, believing that his descendants would continue for endless generations. Yet, only a few months after his death, the empire attacked him from all directions, and his ancestral temple was extinguished. The First Emperor was in the midst of extinction but was unaware of it—why? Because no one in the empire dared to tell him. Why did no one dare to tell him? Because he lacked the way of caring for the elderly, had no ministers as guides or aides, drove away those who criticized government affairs, and killed scholars who directly remonstrated. Therefore, flatterers and those who curried favor, comparing his virtues, deemed him more worthy than Yao and Shun; examining his achievements, they deemed him greater than Tang and King Wu. The empire had already collapsed, yet no one told him.
"Now, Your Majesty has ordered the empire to recommend worthy and upright scholars. The people of the empire are all delighted, saying: 'The way of Yao and Shun and the achievements of the Three Kings are about to be revived.' The scholars of the empire are all pure and sincere, ready to receive virtuous governance. Now, upright scholars are all at court; moreover, you have selected the worthy among them, appointed them as Attendants and various officials, and go racing and hunting with them, going out two or three times a day. I fear that the court will become lax, and the various officials will neglect their duties. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have personally striven to treat the empire generously, economizing expenditures and caring for the people, judging cases fairly and relaxing punishments. There is no one in the empire who is not pleased. I have heard that when officials in the region east of the mountains issue edicts, even the elderly, weak, and disabled, leaning on their staffs, go to listen, hoping to live a little longer and not die, so that they might see the success of virtuous governance and transformation. Now, the achievements are just being established, and the reputation is just becoming illustrious. The four quarters look up with admiration and submit in allegiance. Yet, heroic ministers and upright scholars are daily engaged with you in hunting and archery, chasing rabbits and catching foxes, thereby damaging the great enterprise and cutting off the hopes of the empire. I privately grieve over this. In ancient times, great ministers were not allowed to participate in feasts and amusements, so that they could concentrate on their duties and improve their moral integrity. Then, none of the ministers would dare not to rectify their own conduct, cultivate their character, and exhaust their strength to conform to the overall plan. Scholars cultivate their character at home, yet it is ruined at the court of the Son of Heaven. I privately feel sorrow for them. When Your Majesty feasts and amuses with your ministers, and discusses state affairs with great ministers and upright scholars at court, amusement does not lose its joy, court sessions do not lose their proper etiquette, and discussions do not lose their strategies—this is the great affair of governing the state."
Emperor Wen praised and adopted his advice.
Whenever Emperor Wen held court, if Lang officials or attending officials presented memorials, he never failed to stop his carriage to receive their opinions. If the opinions were unusable, he set them aside; if usable, he adopted them, and never failed to praise them.
Emperor Wen ascended the mountain from Baling and wanted to gallop westward down the steep slope. The Chief of the Palace Gentlemen, Yuan Ang, rode his horse alongside the emperor's carriage, reached out, and pulled on the reins. Emperor Wen said: "Is the general afraid?" Yuan Ang said: "I have heard that 'one who has a thousand pieces of gold in his house does not sit under the eaves.' A wise ruler does not place himself in danger or rely on luck. Now, Your Majesty drives six fine horses at full speed down a steep slope. If the horses are startled and the carriage is damaged, even if Your Majesty thinks lightly of himself, how can you face the Temple of Gaozu and the Empress Dowager?" Emperor Wen then stopped.
Lady Shen, whom Emperor Wen favored, often sat on the same mat as the empress within the palace precincts. When they took their seats in the Lang Office, Yuan Ang pulled Lady Shen’s mat backward. Lady Shen grew angry and refused to sit; Emperor Wen also became angry, rose, and returned to the palace. Yuan Ang then stepped forward and admonished, saying, “I have heard that ‘when the honored and the base have their proper order, then superiors and inferiors are harmonious.’ Now Your Majesty has already established an empress; Lady Shen is merely a concubine. How can a concubine and the principal wife sit on the same mat! Moreover, if Your Majesty favors her, bestow generous gifts upon her. Acting thus for Lady Shen’s sake is precisely what harms her. Has Your Majesty not seen the calamity of the ‘human pig’?” Thereupon Emperor Wen was pleased, summoned Lady Shen and informed her of this matter. Lady Shen rewarded Yuan Ang with fifty catties of gold.
Jia Yi admonished Emperor Wen, saying:
“Guanzi says: ‘When granaries are full, the people know propriety; when clothing and food are sufficient, the people know honor and disgrace.’ That the people could be well governed when their clothing and food are insufficient has never been heard of from ancient times to the present. The ancients said: ‘If one farmer does not plow, someone will thereby suffer hunger; if one woman does not weave, someone will thereby suffer cold.’ The production of goods is limited by time, but their use has no limit, so goods will inevitably be exhausted. In ancient times, those who governed the world were extremely meticulous and exceedingly thorough, so their stores were sufficient to rely upon. Now those who abandon agriculture and turn to crafts and commerce are many—this is the greatest calamity under Heaven! Extravagant customs grow daily—this is the greatest affliction under Heaven! The calamity and affliction openly prevail, yet no one stops them; the fate of the state is about to collapse, yet no one saves it. Those who produce are few, while those who consume are many—how can the wealth of the world not be exhausted?
Since the founding of the Han dynasty, nearly forty years have passed, yet the public and private stores are still a cause for distress. If the farming season passes without rain, the people become anxious and fearful; if the year’s harvest fails, they beg to sell their ranks and children. These matters have already reached our ears—where is there a world in such peril that the sovereign is not alarmed?
Times of famine and plenty alternate; this is the natural order. Even Yu and Tang of Xia suffered them. If, unfortunately, a great drought occurs across two or three thousand li, with what will the state provide relief? If suddenly there is an emergency at the border, and an army of hundreds of thousands or millions is raised, with what will the state supply them? When war and drought come together, the world’s resources are utterly depleted. The strong gather in gangs to attack and plunder; the weak and aged exchange their children to gnaw their bones. Government measures are not fully implemented; those in distant places who harbor treacherous ambitions will rise up together to contend. Only then, in panic, do we plan to deal with them—is it not too late! Stores and reserves are the key to the survival or fall of the world. If grain is abundant and wealth is surplus, what undertaking cannot succeed! If used for attack, they can capture; if used for defense, they can hold firm; if used for battle, they can prevail. In pacifying enemies and attracting distant peoples, what could not be drawn near!
Now, if the people are driven to return to agriculture, all attached to the fundamental occupation, and if everyone in the world is made to seek a livelihood by their own labor, so that those engaged in crafts, commerce, and idle wandering turn to farming, then stores will be sufficient and the people will live in peace. It was possible to make the world wealthy and stable, yet such a fearful state has been brought about—I privately regret this for Your Majesty!”
Emperor Wen was moved by Jia Yi’s words. In the spring, on the day dinghai of the first month, he issued an edict to open the imperial field, personally plowing it to set an example for the people of the world.
In the third month, the relevant officials requested that imperial princes be enfeoffed as feudal kings. An edict was issued first to make Liu Pijiang, the youngest son of King You of Zhao, the King of Hejian; Liu Zhang, the Marquis of Zhuxu, the King of Chengyang; Liu Xingju, the Marquis of Dongmou, the King of Jibei; then to make the imperial prince Liu Wu the King of Dai, Liu Can the King of Taiyuan, and Liu Yi the King of Liang.
In the fifth month, an edict said: “In ancient times, when governing the world, the court set up banners for presenting good counsel and wooden boards for criticizing government affairs, in order to open the way of governance and attract those who offer remonstrance. Now the laws include the crime of slandering the court and spreading seditious rumors; this causes all officials to dare not speak their minds fully, and the sovereign has no way to know his own faults. By what means will distant worthy men be attracted! Abolish these laws!”
In the ninth month, an edict said: “Agriculture is the foundation of the world, the reliance by which the people live. Yet some among the people do not attend to the fundamental occupation but pursue secondary pursuits, so their livelihoods cannot be sustained. I am concerned about this, so this year I personally led the officials to encourage agriculture as a means to urge the people. I specially grant the people of the world a remission of half the land tax for this year.”
King Jing of Yan, Liu Ze, died.