Annals of Han, Volume 8
From the year Dinghai (the fourth year of the Qiangyu Dayuanxian cycle) to the year Gengzi (the seventh year of the Shangzhang Kuntun cycle), a total of fourteen years.
Emperor Xiaojing (Part Two)
Third Year of the Former Period of Emperor Jing (Dinghai, 154 BC)
1 In winter, the tenth month, Liang King Liu Wu came to court. At that time, the emperor had not yet established a crown prince. While drinking with the Liang King, he said in a relaxed manner, "After my hundred thousand autumns and ten thousand years, I will pass the throne to you." The Liang King declined with thanks, and although he knew it was not sincere, he was very pleased inwardly. Empress Dowager Dou felt the same. Zhan Shi Dou Ying raised a cup of wine and presented it to the emperor, saying, "The realm is the realm of Gaozu. The succession from father to son is the Han system. How can the emperor pass it to the Liang King!" From then on, Empress Dowager Dou harbored a grudge against Dou Ying. Dou Ying then claimed illness and resigned from office; Empress Dowager Dou removed Dou Ying's name from the gate registry, forbidding him from attending court or paying respects. The Liang King therefore became even more arrogant.
2 In spring, the first month, on the day Yisi, a general amnesty was granted to the realm.
3 A comet appeared in the west.
4 A fire broke out in the Eastern Palace at Luoyang.
5 Initially, during the time of Emperor Xiaowen, the crown prince of Wu came to court and was allowed to drink and play chess with the imperial crown prince. The Wu crown prince, while playing chess, disputed over the moves and was disrespectful in demeanor; the imperial crown prince picked up the chessboard and struck the Wu crown prince, killing him. The court sent his coffin back to the Wu state for burial. When the coffin arrived in Wu, the Wu King angrily said, "The realm is one family. If he died in Chang'an, he should be buried in Chang'an. Why send him back for burial!" He then sent the coffin back to Chang'an for burial. From this point, the Wu King gradually lost his propriety as a vassal, claiming illness and not coming to court. The court knew it was because of his son and detained, interrogated, and questioned the Wu envoys; the Wu King became very afraid and began plotting rebellion. Later, the Wu King sent someone to perform the autumn court audience in his place. Emperor Wen again questioned the envoy, who replied, "The Wu King is actually not ill; the Han court has detained and punished several batches of envoys, and the Wu King, being fearful, therefore claims illness. As the saying goes, 'It is unlucky to see the fish in clear water.' I hope Your Majesty can forgive his past faults and give him a chance to reform." Thereupon, Emperor Wen pardoned the Wu envoys and sent them back, and bestowed upon the Wu King a small table and a staff, indicating he was old and could be excused from court attendance. The Wu King, having been absolved of guilt, gradually abandoned his rebellious intentions. Nevertheless, within his state, because of its copper mines and salt pans, the people paid no taxes; when soldiers performed corvée labor, they were always paid a fair price; each year he regularly visited and rewarded talented individuals; when officials from other commanderies and states came to arrest fugitives, the Wu King openly obstructed them and did not hand them over. This continued for over forty years.
Chao Cuo repeatedly submitted memorials pointing out the Wu King's faults, arguing that his territory could be reduced. Emperor Wen, being lenient, could not bear to punish him, and so the Wu King grew increasingly arrogant. When Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Chao Cuo advised the emperor, saying, "When Gaozu first pacified the realm, his brothers were few and his sons were young and weak, so he enfeoffed numerous clansmen of the same surname on a large scale: Qi had over seventy cities, Chu had over forty cities, and Wu had over fifty cities; by enfeoffing three collateral sons, he divided away half the realm. Now the Wu King, because of the earlier incident with the crown prince, harbored a grudge, feigned illness and did not come to court. According to ancient law, he should have been executed. Emperor Wen could not bear it and instead bestowed on him a small table and a staff; his kindness was extremely profound. He should have reformed his ways, but instead grew more arrogant and self-satisfied, mining copper from the mountains, boiling seawater to make salt, and enticing fugitives from the realm to plot rebellion. Now, if we reduce his territory, he will rebel; if we do not, he will also rebel. If we reduce it, he will rebel quickly, and the harm will be small; if we do not, he will rebel slowly, and the harm will be great." The emperor ordered the dukes, marquises, and imperial clansmen to deliberate together; none dared to object. Only Dou Ying argued, and thus a rift arose between him and Chao Cuo. When Chu King Liu Wu came to court, Chao Cuo took this opportunity to say, "Last year, during the mourning period for Empress Dowager Bo, Liu Wu committed adultery in the mourning hut; I request that he be executed." The emperor issued an edict pardoning him from the death penalty but reducing his territory by Donghai Commandery. In the previous year, the Zhao King committed a crime, and his Changshan Commandery was reduced; Jiao Xi King Liu Ang, for illegal acts concerning the sale of noble titles, had six of his counties reduced.
The court ministers were then discussing reducing the territory of Wu. The Wu King, fearing that his territory would be endlessly reduced, therefore initiated a rebellion. He considered that among the vassal kings, none was worthy of conspiring with him. Hearing that the Jiao Xi King was brave and fond of military affairs, and that all the vassal kings feared him, he sent Senior Counselor Ying Gao to persuade the Jiao Xi King, saying, "Now the emperor employs treacherous ministers and heeds slanderous villains, encroaching upon and weakening the vassal kings, with punishments becoming increasingly severe day by day. As the saying goes, 'Licking chaff leads to eating rice.' Wu and Jiao Xi are famous vassal states; once the court becomes aware of them, they will not be able to remain at ease. The Wu King has had an internal illness and has not been able to attend court to pay respects for over twenty years. He is constantly worried about being suspected and cannot express himself; he shrinks his shoulders and folds his feet, still fearing he will not be forgiven. I have privately heard that the Great King has committed an offense concerning the sale of titles. What I have heard about the reduction of vassals' territories does not warrant such a penalty; I fear this will not end merely with territorial reductions." The Jiao Xi King said, "There is such a matter. What do you intend to do?" Ying Gao said, "The Wu King considers himself to have the same worries as the Great King and wishes to follow the times, adhere to reason, and sacrifice himself to eliminate calamity for the realm. Do you think this is acceptable?" The Jiao Xi King said in alarm, "How dare I do such a thing! Although the emperor is severe, I would merely die; how could I not serve him!" Ying Gao said, "The Imperial Censor, Chao Cuo, has bewildered the Son of Heaven and encroached upon the vassal kings; everyone in the court resents him, and the vassal kings all have intentions of rebellion—human affairs have reached their extreme. A comet has appeared, and locusts have arisen—this is an opportunity that comes once in ten thousand generations. Moreover, worry and hardship are precisely the reasons for sages to arise. The Wu King, internally under the pretext of executing Chao Cuo, and externally following behind the Great King, will traverse the realm; wherever he goes, all will submit; wherever he points, all will be conquered; none will dare disobey. If the Great King is fortunate enough to consent to a single word, then the Wu King will lead the Chu King to capture Hangu Pass, hold Xingyang and the grain stores at Aocang, block the Han army, construct camps, and await the Great King. If the Great King is fortunate enough to arrive, then the realm can be united, and the two lords can divide the realm—would that not be excellent!" The Jiao Xi King said, "Good!" Ying Gao returned and reported to the Wu King. The Wu King, still worried that he might not be decisive, went himself as an envoy to Jiao Xi to meet and make an agreement in person. Some among the Jiao Xi ministers who heard of the Jiao Xi King's plan admonished him, saying, "The lands of the vassal kings together amount to less than two-tenths of the Han realm, yet you would rebel and cause the Empress Dowager worry—this is not a good plan. Now serving one emperor is still not easy; if the matter succeeds, the two lords will contend with each other, and the calamity will be even greater." The Jiao Xi King did not listen and then sent envoys to make agreements with Qi, Zichuan, Jiaodong, and Jinan; all of them agreed.
In the beginning, the Prince of Chu, Yuan, was fond of study. Together with Shen Gong, Mu Sheng, and Bai Sheng of Lu, he followed Fuqiu Bo in studying the Book of Songs. After he became Prince of Chu, he appointed these three men as Palace Gentlemen. Mu Sheng did not like wine. Whenever Prince Yuan held a banquet, he would always prepare sweet wine for Mu Sheng. After his son, Prince Yi, and his grandson, Prince Wu of Chu, succeeded to the throne, they also prepared it at first, but later they forgot. Mu Sheng withdrew from the feast and said, "It is time to leave! The sweet wine is no longer prepared; the prince’s heart has grown lax. If I do not leave, the men of Chu will put me in the cangue in the marketplace." Thereupon he feigned illness and took to his bed. Shen Gong and Bai Sheng urged him to get up, saying, "Do you not remember the virtue of the former prince? Now the present prince has momentarily failed in a small courtesy—why must you go to such lengths?" Mu Sheng replied, "The Book of Changes says: 'To know the signs—is this not divine? Signs are the subtle beginnings of change, the first manifestations of good or ill fortune. The noble man sees the signs and acts, without waiting for a full day.' The former prince treated us three with courtesy because the Way was present. Now that he neglects this, he has forgotten the Way. How can one dwell long with a man who has forgotten the Way? Is this merely a matter of petty ceremony?" So he pleaded illness and resigned his post, leaving. Only Shen Gong and Bai Sheng remained.
Prince Wu of Chu gradually became dissolute and cruel. His Grand Tutor, Wei Meng, composed a poem to remonstrate with him, but Wu would not listen. Wei Meng also left and settled in the land of Zou. Because his territory was being reduced, Prince Wu colluded with the Prince of Wu and plotted rebellion. Shen Gong and Bai Sheng remonstrated with Wu, who punished them with xumi (forced labor), making them wear red prisoners’ garments and pound grain in the marketplace. The Marquis of Xiu, Liu Fu, sent a messenger to remonstrate with the Prince of Chu. The prince said, "My uncle does not help me. When I raise my army, I will attack my uncle first!" The Marquis of Xiu, afraid, fled with his mother, the Grand Lady, to the capital.
When the edict to reduce the commanderies of Kuaiji and Yuzhang in Wu arrived, the Prince of Wu first raised his army, killing Han officials of the rank of two thousand bushels and below. The kingdoms of Jiaoxi, Jiaodong, Zichuan, Jinan, Chu, and Zhao also rebelled. The Chancellor of Chu, Zhang Shang, and the Grand Tutor, Zhao Yiwu, remonstrated with Prince Wu of Chu, but Wu killed them both. The Chancellor of Zhao, Jiande, and the Governor, Wang Han, remonstrated with Prince Sui of Zhao, but Sui burned them to death. The Prince of Qi later regretted his actions, broke his oath, and fortified his city for defense. The Prince of Jibei’s city walls were damaged and not yet repaired, so his Household Grandee seized and restrained him, preventing him from raising troops. The Prince of Jiaoxi and the Prince of Jiaodong served as commanders, joining with Zichuan and Jinan to attack Qi, besieging Linzi. The Prince of Zhao, Sui, then raised his army and encamped on his western border, intending to join forces with Wu and Chu when they advanced. He also sent envoys north to the Xiongnu to ally with them.
The Prince of Wu mobilized all his troops and issued an order to his kingdom: "I am sixty-two years old and will personally lead the army. My youngest son is fourteen years old and will also march in the vanguard. All men between my age and that of my youngest son are to be conscripted." Thus he gathered more than two hundred thousand men. He sent envoys south to Minyue and Dongyue, and both raised troops to follow him. The Prince of Wu raised his army at Guangling, crossed the Huai River to the west, and merged with the forces of Chu. He sent letters to the feudal lords enumerating the crimes of Chao Cuo, seeking to unite their forces to kill him. Wu and Chu together attacked Liang, broke through Jibi, and killed tens of thousands of men. They advanced with great momentum and sharp ferocity. Prince Xiao of Liang sent a general to meet them, but the Wu-Chu forces defeated two Liang armies, and the Liang soldiers fled in panic. The Prince of Liang then fortified the city of Suiyang for defense.
Earlier, when Emperor Wen was about to die, he cautioned the Crown Prince, saying: "If an emergency arises, Zhou Yafu is truly fit to take command of the army." When news of the Seven Kingdoms’ rebellion arrived, the Emperor appointed the Commandant of the Capital, Zhou Yafu, as Grand Commandant, leading thirty-six generals to attack Wu and Chu. He sent the Marquis of Qizhou, Li Ji, to attack Zhao, and General Luan Bu to attack Qi. He also summoned Dou Ying and appointed him General-in-Chief, stationing him at Xingyang to oversee the campaigns against Qi and Zhao.
Earlier, when Chao Cuo changed the laws in thirty chapters, the feudal lords raised an outcry in opposition. Chao Cuo’s father heard of this and came from Yingchuan. He said to Chao Cuo, "The Emperor has just ascended the throne. You are in power and handle affairs, encroaching upon and weakening the feudal lords, alienating the bonds of kinship. Many mouths are full of resentment. Why do you do this?" Chao Cuo replied, "That is precisely the way it must be. If I do not do this, the Son of Heaven will not be honored, and the ancestral temples will not be secure." His father said, "The House of Liu will be secure, but the House of Chao will be in danger. I am leaving you and going home!" He then took poison and killed himself, saying, "I cannot bear to see disaster fall upon me!" Ten days later, Wu, Chu, and the other five kingdoms all rebelled, using the killing of Chao Cuo as their pretext.
The emperor discussed sending troops with Chao Cuo. Chao Cuo wanted the emperor to personally lead the army on the expedition while he himself remained in the capital; he also said, "The areas around Xu County and Tong County that Wu has not yet captured can be given to Wu." Chao Cuo had long been at odds with Yuan Ang, the chancellor of Wu. Whenever Chao Cuo was present, Yuan Ang would withdraw; whenever Yuan Ang was present, Chao Cuo would also withdraw; the two never spoke in the same hall. By the time Chao Cuo became the Imperial Censor, he sent officials to investigate Yuan Ang for accepting property from the King of Wu, and found him guilty. The emperor issued an edict pardoning him, demoting him to commoner status. When Wu and Chu rebelled, Chao Cuo said to the Chancellor and the Chief Clerk, "Yuan Ang accepted much gold and silver from the King of Wu, deliberately covering for him, saying that the King of Wu would not rebel. Now he has indeed rebelled. I want to request punishment for Yuan Ang; he should know the King of Wu's plans." The Chancellor and Chief Clerk said, "If the matter has not yet erupted, punishing him might cut off the rebellion. Now that the rebel army is advancing westward, what benefit is there in punishing him? Moreover, Yuan Ang should not be involved in the conspiracy." Chao Cuo hesitated. Someone informed Yuan Ang, who became afraid. That night, he went to see Dou Ying and told him the reasons for the King of Wu's rebellion, hoping to appear before the emperor and explain the situation face to face. Dou Ying entered the palace to report, and the emperor summoned Yuan Ang. Yuan Ang entered the palace for an audience; the emperor was just then allocating military provisions with Chao Cuo. The emperor asked Yuan Ang, "Now that Wu and Chu have rebelled, what do you think?" Yuan Ang replied, "Not worth worrying about!" The emperor said, "The King of Wu minted coins from local copper, boiled seawater to make salt, and recruited heroes from all under heaven. He only rose up when his hair turned white. If his plan were not foolproof, how could he have acted? Why do you say he can accomplish nothing?" Yuan Ang replied, "It is true that the King of Wu has the benefit of copper and salt, but where could he recruit heroes? If the King of Wu could truly recruit heroes, they would only assist him in doing what is righteous, and he would not rebel. Those he has recruited are all riffraff, fugitives, and counterfeiters, so they entice each other into rebellion." Chao Cuo said, "Yuan Ang's analysis is very good." The emperor said, "What strategy should be set?" Yuan Ang replied, "I request that the attendants be dismissed." The emperor dismissed everyone else, but Chao Cuo remained. Yuan Ang said, "What I am about to say, no subject should know." So the emperor dismissed Chao Cuo. Chao Cuo hurriedly withdrew to the eastern wing, deeply resentful. Finally, the emperor asked Yuan Ang, who replied, "Wu and Chu have exchanged letters, saying that Emperor Gao divided the realm and enfeoffed his sons and brothers with their own territories. Now the traitorous minister Chao Cuo has arbitrarily demoted the feudal lords and stripped them of their lands, and for this they have rebelled, intending to march west together to kill Chao Cuo, then restore their original territories and withdraw their troops. The only solution now is to execute Chao Cuo, send an envoy to pardon the seven states of Wu and Chu, and restore their original lands. Then the armies can be withdrawn without bloodshed." The emperor then fell silent for a long time, then said, "But what is the actual truth? I would not begrudge one man to apologize to the world." Yuan Ang said, "This is my foolish plan; I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully!" So the emperor appointed Yuan Ang as Grand Master of Ceremonies and secretly made preparations to depart. More than ten days later, the emperor ordered Chancellor Qingzhai, Commandant Jia, and Chief Judge Ou to impeach and memorialize against Chao Cuo: "He did not extol the emperor's virtue and good faith, but sought to alienate the masses of officials and the common people. He also wanted to give cities to Wu, lacking the rites of a subject, committing great treason and perversion of the Way. Chao Cuo should be executed by waist-cutting, and his parents, wife, children, and siblings, old and young, should all be publicly executed." The emperor issued the order: "Approved." Chao Cuo knew nothing of it. On the day of Renzi, the emperor sent the Commandant to summon Chao Cuo, tricking him into riding in a chariot on a tour of the market streets. Chao Cuo, wearing his court robes, was executed in the Eastern Market. The emperor then sent Yuan Ang, together with Liu Tong, the Marquis of De, who was the King of Wu's nephew and a member of the imperial clan, as envoys to Wu.
Deng Gong, the Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace, serving as a Colonel, submitted a memorial discussing military affairs. When he saw the emperor, the emperor asked him, "You have come from the army. Have you heard that Chao Cuo is dead? Have Wu and Chu withdrawn their troops?" Deng Gong said, "The King of Wu has plotted rebellion for decades. He was angered by the reduction of his lands, and used the execution of Chao Cuo as a pretext; his true intention was not about Chao Cuo. Moreover, I fear that from now on, the scholars of the world will shut their mouths and dare not speak again." The emperor said, "Why is that?" Deng Gong said, "Chao Cuo feared that the feudal lords would become too powerful to control, so he requested to reduce their lands to honor the court. This was a benefit for ten thousand generations. The plan had just been implemented when he suffered capital punishment. Internally, it blocks the mouths of loyal ministers; externally, it avenges the feudal lords. I privately think that Your Majesty's action is inadvisable." The emperor then sighed deeply and said, "You speak well. I too regret it!"
When Yuan Ang and Liu Tong reached Wu, the armies of Wu and Chu had already attacked the fortifications of Liang. Liu Tong, being a relative, first went in for an audience to advise the King of Wu, urging him to kneel and receive the imperial edict. When the King of Wu heard that Yuan Ang had come, he knew that Yuan Ang intended to persuade him, and laughed, saying, "I have already become the Eastern Emperor; whom must I bow to?" He refused to see Yuan Ang, but detained him in the army, wanting to force him to serve as a general. Yuan Ang refused. The King of Wu sent men to surround and guard him, intending to kill him. Yuan Ang found an opportunity to escape and returned to report.
Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu said to the emperor, "The Chu soldiers are fierce and swift, difficult to engage head-on. I wish to abandon Liang to them, cut off their supply route, and only then can they be subdued." The emperor agreed. Zhou Yafu traveled in six relay carriages, intending to assemble the army at Xingyang. When he set out and reached Bashang, Zhao She of the common people advised Zhou Yafu, saying, "The King of Wu has long been wealthy and has recruited desperadoes for a long time. Now knowing that the General will set out, he will surely place assassins at the strategic passes of Yao Mountain and Mianchi. Moreover, military operations value secrecy. General, why not go from here to the right, pass through Lantian, exit through Wuguan, and reach Luoyang? The difference is no more than one or two days. You will directly enter the arsenal and sound the war drums. When the feudal lords hear of this, they will think the General has descended from heaven." The Grand Commandant followed his plan. When he reached Luoyang, he said joyfully, "The seven states have rebelled. I traveled in relay carriages to get here, never expecting to arrive safely. Now that I hold Xingyang, east of Xingyang there is nothing to worry about." He sent officials to search between Yao Mountain and Mianchi, and indeed discovered Wu's ambush troops. He then requested to appoint Zhao She as Protector of the Army.
The Grand Commandant led his troops northeast, directly toward Changyi. The Wu army attacked Liang with great urgency. Liang sent envoys many times to seek help from the Marquis of Tiao, but the Marquis of Tiao refused. The King of Liang then sent envoys to the emperor to accuse the Marquis of Tiao. The emperor sent someone to order the Marquis of Tiao to rescue Liang, but Zhou Yafu did not comply; he held his fortifications and did not send out his troops. Instead, he sent the Marquis of Gonggao and others to lead light cavalry from the mouth of the Huai and Si Rivers, cutting off the rear of the Wu and Chu armies and blocking their supply route. Liang sent Zhong Dafu Han Anguo and Yu, the younger brother of the Chu Chancellor Shang, as generals. Yu fought fiercely, while Han Anguo acted cautiously, and thus they were able to defeat the Wu army several times. The Wu army wanted to march west, but Liang held its city defenses, and the Wu army dared not advance west. So they turned to attack the Marquis of Tiao's army, meeting at Xiayi, seeking a decisive battle. The Marquis of Tiao held his fortifications and refused to engage. The Wu army ran out of food and the soldiers grew hungry. They challenged the Marquis of Tiao many times, but he never came out. In the Marquis of Tiao's camp, there was a panic at night, with soldiers attacking each other, disrupting even the commander's tent. Zhou Yafu lay down and did not rise; after a while, order was restored. The Wu army charged the southeast corner of the fortifications, but Zhou Yafu sent men to guard the northwest. Soon, the elite troops of Wu indeed charged the northwest, but could not break through. Most of the Wu and Chu soldiers died of starvation or deserted and scattered, so they led their troops in retreat. In the second month, Zhou Yafu sent elite troops in pursuit and heavily defeated the Wu army. The King of Wu, Liu Pi, abandoned his army and fled by night with several thousand stalwart men. The King of Chu, Liu Wu, committed suicide.
At the beginning of the King of Wu's uprising, Tian Lubo, a Wu minister, served as Grand General. Tian Lubo said, "If the army concentrates on advancing west without any other ingenious route, it will be difficult to succeed. I wish to lead fifty thousand men, taking another route along the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, capturing Huainan and Changsha, entering Wuguan, and joining with the Great King. This would also be a clever strategy." The King of Wu's crown prince admonished, saying, "Great King has rebelled in name. This army cannot easily be lent to others, for others may also rebel against the Great King. What then? Moreover, to take sole command of troops on a separate route brings many conflicts of interest; it would only harm oneself!" So the King of Wu did not agree to Tian Lubo's plan.
The young general Huan of Wu advised the King of Wu, saying: “The Wu army consists mostly of infantry, which is advantageous in rugged terrain; the Han army has many chariots and cavalry, which are advantageous in flat terrain. I hope Your Majesty will not attack the cities you pass, but leave them directly and quickly advance westward to seize the arsenal at Luoyang, take the grain from the Ao Granary, rely on the natural barriers of mountains and rivers to command the feudal lords. Even if you do not enter the Pass, the empire will already be pacified. If Your Majesty advances slowly and stops to capture cities, the Han chariots and cavalry will arrive, gallop into the countryside of Liang and Chu, and the matter will fail.” The King of Wu consulted the old generals, who said: “This young man is fit for charging into battle, but what does he know of grand strategy?” So the King of Wu did not adopt Huan’s plan.
The King of Wu monopolized command and personally led the army. Before the army crossed the Huai River, all his retainers were appointed as generals, colonels, commandants, or marshals, except for Zhou Qiu. Zhou Qiu was a man of Xiapi who had fled to Wu, sold wine, and had a bad character; the King of Wu despised him and did not employ him. Zhou Qiu then presented his name card and advised the King of Wu, saying: “Because I have no ability, I cannot serve in the army. I do not dare to request command of troops, but I hope to ask Your Majesty for a Han imperial tally, and I will surely achieve results.” The King of Wu then gave it to him. Zhou Qiu obtained the tally, rode swiftly at night into Xiapi; Xiapi at that time, hearing that Wu had rebelled, had fortified the city for defense. Zhou Qiu arrived at an inn, summoned the county magistrate into a room, had his attendant kill the magistrate on some pretext, then summoned his brothers and the influential local officials he was friendly with and told them: “Wu has rebelled, and its army is about to arrive; slaughtering Xiapi would take no more than the time of a meal. If you surrender now, your families will surely be spared, and those with talent can be enfeoffed as marquises.” These people went out and spread the word, and all of Xiapi surrendered. In one night, Zhou Qiu gained thirty thousand men, sent a messenger to report to the King of Wu, and then led his troops northward to capture cities; by the time they reached Yangcheng, his army had grown to over a hundred thousand, and he defeated the forces of the Yangcheng commandant. Hearing that the King of Wu had fled in defeat, he judged that no one could join him in achieving great deeds, so he led his troops back toward Xiapi. Before he arrived, he died from a boil on his back.
6 On the renwu day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
7 After the King of Wu abandoned his army and fled, the army scattered, gradually surrendering to the Grand Commandant Tiao Hou and the Liang army. The King of Wu crossed the Huai River, fled to Dantu, and retreated to hold Dongyue, with about ten thousand men, gathering fugitive soldiers. The Han court sent people to lure Dongyue with benefits, so Dongyue tricked the King of Wu into coming out to review the troops, then sent a man to stab him to death with a spear, packed his head, and reported it to the court swiftly by relay carriage. The King of Wu’s heir, Liu Ju, fled to Minyue. The Wu-Chu rebellion lasted only three months in total before being completely crushed, and only then did the various generals recognize the correctness of the Grand Commandant’s strategy; but because of this, King Liang developed a grudge against the Grand Commandant.
When the three kings surrounded Linzi, the King of Qi sent Lu Zhong Dafu to appeal to the Son of Heaven for help. The Son of Heaven ordered Lu Zhong Dafu to return and report, telling the King of Qi to hold firm, “The Han army has now defeated Wu and Chu.” When Lu Zhong Dafu arrived, the armies of the three kingdoms had Linzi surrounded in multiple layers, so he could not enter. The generals of the three kingdoms made an oath with Lu Zhong Dafu, saying: “You will say the opposite: ‘The Han army has been defeated; Qi should quickly surrender to the three kingdoms, or it will be sacked.’” Lu Zhong Dafu agreed, then came to the city wall, saw the King of Qi, and said: “The Han army has mobilized a million troops, sent Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu to defeat Wu and Chu, and they are now coming to rescue Qi. Qi must hold firm and not surrender!” The generals of the three kingdoms killed Lu Zhong Dafu. When Qi was first besieged urgently, it had secretly communicated with the three kingdoms and planned, but the agreement was not yet settled; then Lu Zhong Dafu returned from Han, and the Qi ministers again urged the King of Qi not to surrender to the three kingdoms. Just then, Han generals Luan Bu, Marquis Pingyang Cao Qi, and others arrived with their troops and defeated the armies of the three kingdoms. After the siege was lifted, it later became known that Qi had initially conspired with the three kingdoms, and the Han army prepared to move against Qi. King Xiao of Qi, in fear, poisoned himself.
The King of Jiaoxi, the King of Jiaodong, and the King of Zichuan each led their troops back to their states. The King of Jiaoxi, barefoot, sitting on a straw mat, drinking plain water, apologized to the Grand Dowager. His heir, Liu De, said: “When the Han army returns, I have observed them; they are already exhausted. I hope to gather Your Majesty’s remaining troops to attack them! If we cannot win, we can flee into the sea, and it will not be too late.” The King of Jiaoxi said: “My soldiers are all scattered and cannot be used.” Marquis Gonggao Han Tuidang sent a letter to the King of Jiaoxi, saying: “I have been ordered to punish the unrighteous. Those who surrender will have their crimes pardoned and their positions restored; those who do not surrender will be destroyed. How will Your Majesty handle this? I await your decision.” The King of Jiaoxi, bare-chested and kowtowing, came to the Han camp and bowed, saying: “Your servant Liu Ang, in failing to uphold the law carefully, has alarmed the people and caused the general to travel far to this impoverished state. I dare to request the punishment of being chopped into mincemeat!” Marquis Gonggao, holding a golden drum and signal flag, received him and said: “Your Majesty has been troubled by military affairs. I wish to hear how Your Majesty raised troops.” The King of Jiaoxi, kowtowing and kneeling forward, replied: “Now Chao Cuo is the Son of Heaven’s powerful minister, altering the laws of Emperor Gao and encroaching on the lands of the feudal lords. Liu Ang and others deemed him unrighteous and, fearing he would ruin the empire, the seven states raised troops to execute Chao Cuo. Now that we hear Chao Cuo has been executed, Liu Ang and others have carefully disbanded their troops and returned to their states.” The general said: “If Your Majesty thought Chao Cuo was evil, why did you not report it to the Son of Heaven? Without an imperial edict or tiger tally, you raised troops on your own authority to attack a righteous state? From this, it is clear that your intent was not merely to execute Chao Cuo.” He then produced an imperial edict and read it aloud for the King of Jiaoxi, saying: “Let Your Majesty consider it yourself!” The King of Jiaoxi said: “Men like Liu Ang deserve death beyond their crimes!” Then he committed suicide; the Grand Dowager and the heir also died. The King of Jiaodong, the King of Zichuan, and the King of Jinan were all executed.
When General Li’s army reached Zhao, the King of Zhao led his troops back and held out in Handan. Li Ji attacked him but could not capture it in seven months. The Xiongnu, hearing that Wu and Chu had failed, also refused to enter the border. Luan Bu, after defeating Qi, returned, combined his forces, and diverted water to flood the Zhao city. The city walls collapsed, and the King of Zhao then committed suicide.
The Emperor believed that Qi had initially been loyal, and only acted as it did because it was coerced and threatened, so it was not at fault. He summoned and established the heir of King Xiao of Qi, Liu Shou, as the new king—this was King Yi of Qi.
The King of Jibei also wanted to commit suicide, hoping to spare his wife and children. A man of Qi, Gongsun Jue, said to the King of Jibei: “I ask to try for Your Majesty to explain matters to the King of Liang and convey your intent to the Son of Heaven; if my persuasion fails, then it will not be too late to die.” Gongsun Jue then went to see the King of Liang and said: “As for Jibei, it is a place connected to powerful Qi in the east, constrained by Wu and Yue in the south, and threatened by Yan and Zhao in the north. It is a fractured and divided state. Its strategies are insufficient to defend itself, its strength insufficient to repel external enemies, and it has no extraordinary plans to deal with disasters. Although it misspoke in relation to Wu, that was not its true intent. If the King of Jibei had at that time revealed his true stance and shown signs of disobedience, Wu would surely have passed through Qi first, conquered Jibei, summoned Yan and Zhao, and led them. Then the alliance east of the mountains would have been formed without any gaps. Now, the King of Wu united the armies of the feudal lords, drove untrained soldiers westward to contend with the Son of Heaven, but the King of Jibei alone held fast to his integrity and did not surrender. This caused the King of Wu to lose allies and support, so he could only advance step by step alone, until his forces collapsed and he was defeated beyond recovery. This may well have been due to the King of Jibei’s efforts. With tiny Jibei contending against the powerful feudal lords, it is like a lamb or calf opposing tigers and wolves. To hold fast to duty and not yield can be called loyalty and devotion. With such merit and righteousness, yet still being suspected by His Majesty, shrinking shoulders and bowing heads, folding hands and pressing robes, causing people to regret not having surrendered earlier—this is not in the state’s interest. I fear that among the vassal kings, those who hold fast to their duties will become doubtful. I privately estimate that only Your Majesty can pass through the Western Mountains, enter the Changle Palace, reach the Weiyang Palace, roll up your sleeves and speak out in righteous debate. Above, you can preserve a state about to perish; below, you can secure the reputation of comforting the people. Your grace will penetrate to the marrow, and your favor will be bestowed endlessly. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully.” King Xiao of Liang was very pleased, and sent a swift messenger to report to the Son of Heaven. The King of Jibei was thereby spared punishment and was transferred to Zichuan.
The Prince of Hejian's Grand Tutor, Wei Wan, attacked Wu and Chu with merit and was appointed Commandant of the Capital. Wei Wan had served Emperor Wen as a General of the Palace Gentlemen, being honest and cautious without other special abilities. When the Emperor was still the Heir Apparent, he summoned those who served Emperor Wen to drink, but Wei Wan pleaded illness and did not go. As Emperor Wen was about to die, he instructed the Emperor, saying: "Wei Wan is a man of integrity; treat him well." Thus the Emperor also favored and trusted him.
Summer, sixth month, yihai day, an edict was issued: "Officials and common people implicated by the King of Wu, Liu Pi, and others who should be punished, as well as those who fled to the army, are all pardoned." The Emperor wanted to have the son of Liu Guang, the Marquis Ai of De and younger brother of the King of Wu, inherit the Kingdom of Wu, and the son of the King of Chu, Liu Li, inherit the Kingdom of Chu. Empress Dowager Dou said: "The King of Wu was an elder; he should have set a compliant and virtuous example for the imperial clan. Yet he was the first to lead the seven kingdoms in disturbing the realm. Why continue his line?" She did not permit the establishment of a successor for Wu but allowed one for Chu. On yihai day, the King of Huaiyang, Liu Yu, was transferred to be King of Lu; the King of Runan, Liu Fei, was made King of Jiangdu, ruling over the former territory of Wu; the Imperial Clan Secretary, Liu Li, was established as King of Chu; the Emperor's son, Liu Duan, was made King of Jiaoxi, and Liu Sheng was made King of Zhongshan.
Fourth year of the Former Era of Emperor Jing (Wuzi, 153 BCE)
Spring, the passes were reestablished, requiring credentials for passage.
Summer, fourth month, jisi day, the Emperor's son, Liu Rong, was established as the Crown Prince, and Liu Che as the King of Jiaodong.
Sixth month, a general amnesty was granted.
Autumn, seventh month, the King of Linjiang, Liu Kan, died.
Winter, tenth month, on the last day of wuxu, a solar eclipse occurred.
Initially, when the seven kingdoms of Wu and Chu rebelled, the envoy of Wu reached Huainan, and the King of Huainan wanted to raise troops to respond. His Chancellor said: "If Your Majesty must respond to Wu, I am willing to serve as a general." The King of Huainan then entrusted the army to him. Once the Chancellor led the army, he defended the city walls, disobeyed the King of Huainan, and pledged loyalty to Han. The Han court also sent the Marquis of Qucheng to lead troops to rescue Huainan, so it was preserved.
The envoy of Wu reached Lujiang, and the King of Lujiang did not respond but maintained relations with the Yue people. When he reached Hengshan, the King of Hengshan held firm without duplicity. After Wu and Chu were defeated, the King of Hengshan went to court. The Emperor, considering him loyal and trustworthy, comforted him, saying: "The south is low-lying and damp." He transferred him to be King of Jibei as an honor. The King of Lujiang, being near Yue, had repeatedly sent envoys to cultivate ties with Yue, so he was transferred to be King of Hengshan, ruling north of the Yangtze River.
Fifth year of the Former Era of Emperor Jing (Jichou, 152 BCE)
Spring, first month, the city of Yangling was constructed. Summer, people were recruited to move to Yangling, with a grant of 200,000 cash.
A princess was sent to marry the Chanyu of the Xiongnu.
The King of Guangchuan, Liu Pengzu, was transferred to be King of Zhao.
The King of Jibei, Liu Bo, died.
Sixth year of the Former Era of Emperor Jing (Gengyin, 151 BCE)
Winter, twelfth month, thunder and heavy continuous rain occurred.
Initially, when the Emperor was the Heir Apparent, Empress Dowager Bo arranged for a woman from the Bo family to be the Heir's consort. After he ascended the throne, she was established as Empress, but she was not favored. Autumn, ninth month, Empress Bo was deposed.
King Wen of Chu, Liu Li, died.
Initially, the granddaughter of the King of Yan, Zang Tu, named Zang Er, married Wang Zhong of Huaili and gave birth to a son, Wang Xin, and two daughters. After Wang Zhong died, she remarried a man from Changling named Tian, giving birth to sons Tian Fen and Tian Sheng. During Emperor Wen's time, Zang Er's eldest daughter married Jin Wangsun and gave birth to a daughter, Jin Su. Zang Er consulted divination, which said: "Both daughters will become noble." Zang Er then took her daughter back from the Jin family. Jin was angry and refused to sever ties. Zang Er sent the daughter into the Heir Apparent's palace, where she gave birth to a son, Liu Che. While Liu Che was still in his mother's womb, Lady Wang dreamed that the sun entered her bosom.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, the eldest son, Liu Rong, was established as Crown Prince. His mother, Consort Li, was from the state of Qi. The Elder Princess, Liu Piao, wanted to marry her daughter to the Crown Prince. Consort Li, because all the beauties in the harem had gained access to the Emperor through the Elder Princess, was angry and refused. The Elder Princess then wanted to marry her daughter to the son of Lady Wang, Liu Che, and Lady Wang agreed. Because of this, the Elder Princess daily spoke ill of Consort Li and praised the virtues of Lady Wang's son. The Emperor himself also considered Liu Che worthy, and there was the earlier omen of the sun entering the bosom in a dream, so his mind was not settled. Lady Wang knew that the Emperor resented Consort Li, and while his anger was still fresh, she secretly sent someone to urge the Grand Usher to request that Consort Li be established as Empress. The Emperor became angry and said: "Is this something you should say!" Thereupon he investigated and executed the Grand Usher.
Seventh year of the Former Era of Emperor Jing (Xinmao, 150 BCE)
Winter, eleventh month, on jiyou day, the Crown Prince, Liu Rong, was deposed and made King of Linjiang. The Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Dou Ying, vigorously remonstrated but failed, so he claimed illness and resigned. Consort Li died of resentment.
On the last day of gengyin, a solar eclipse occurred.
Second month, Chancellor Tao Qing was dismissed. On yisi day, the Grand Commandant, Zhou Yafu, was made Chancellor. The office of Grand Commandant was abolished.
Summer, fourth month, on yisi day, Lady Wang was established as Empress.
On dingsi day, the King of Jiaodong, Liu Che, was established as the Crown Prince.
This year, the Grand Coachman, Liu She, was appointed Censor-in-Chief, and the Grand Administrator of Jinan, Zhi Du, was appointed Commandant of the Capital.
Initially, when Zhi Du served as a General of the Palace Gentlemen, he was bold in direct remonstrance. Once, when accompanying Emperor Jing to the Shanglin Park, Consort Jia went to the latrine, and suddenly a wild boar charged in. Emperor Jing signaled to Zhi Du to rescue her, but Zhi Du did not move. The Emperor wanted to take a weapon himself to save Consort Jia. Zhi Du knelt before the Emperor and said: "Losing one consort, another can be selected to enter the palace. Does the realm lack someone like Consort Jia? Even if Your Majesty thinks lightly of yourself, what account will you give to the ancestral temple and the Empress Dowager?" The Emperor then turned back, and the wild boar also left. When the Empress Dowager heard of this, she rewarded Zhi Du with a hundred catties of gold, and from then on held him in high regard. As a person, Zhi Du was fierce, strong, upright, and incorruptible. He did not open private letters, did not accept greetings or gifts, and ignored solicitations and pleas. By the time he became Commandant of the Capital, he was the first to enforce harsh laws, applying them without avoiding imperial relatives. The marquises and imperial clan members, upon seeing Zhi Du, would look at him askance and call him the "Blue Falcon."
First Year of the Middle Era of Emperor Jing (Renchen, 149 BCE)
1 Summer, fourth month, on yisi day, a general amnesty was granted.
2 An earthquake occurred. At the former capital of Hengshan, hail fell, with the largest pieces measuring one foot eight inches in diameter.
Second Year of the Middle Era of Emperor Jing (Guisi, 148 BCE)
1 Spring, second month, the Xiongnu invaded Yan.
2 Third month, the King of Linjiang, Liu Rong, was convicted of encroaching upon the vacant land outside the walls of the ancestral temple to build a palace. He was summoned to the Commandant's office for interrogation. The King of Linjiang wanted writing implements to write a letter of apology to the Emperor, but the Commandant of the Capital, Zhi Du, forbade the officials from giving them to him. The Marquis of Weiqi sent someone secretly to provide the King of Linjiang with writing implements. After the King of Linjiang finished writing his letter of apology, he committed suicide. When Empress Dowager Dou heard of this, she was furious, and later used harsh laws to frame Zhi Du and had him executed.
3 Summer, fourth month, a comet appeared in the northwest.
4 The Emperor's son, Liu Yue, was established as King of Guangchuan, and Liu Ji as King of Jiaodong.
5 Autumn, ninth month, on the last day of jiaxu, a solar eclipse occurred.
6 Initially, the King of Liang, Liu Wu, because of his close kinship and merit, was granted the privilege of using the imperial banners. When he traveled, he was accompanied by a thousand chariots and ten thousand horsemen, and the roads were cleared and guarded. The King of Liang trusted Yang Sheng and Gongsun Gui, appointing Gongsun Gui as Commandant. Yang Sheng and Gongsun Gui had many devious schemes, wanting the King of Liang to seek to become the Han heir. When the Crown Prince Li was deposed, the Empress Dowager in her heart wanted to establish the King of Liang as the heir. Once, during a banquet, she said to Emperor Jing: "When the imperial carriage sets out, let the King of Liang be entrusted." Emperor Jing knelt on his mat and straightened up, saying, "Good." After the banquet, Emperor Jing asked various ministers about this. Minister Yuan Ang and others said: "It cannot be done. In former times, Duke Xuan of Song did not establish his son but established his younger brother, thus causing strife that lasted five generations without cease. If one cannot endure small matters, it harms the great principle; therefore, the Spring and Autumn Annals exalts the proper order of succession." From then on, the Empress Dowager's proposal was shelved and not mentioned again. The King of Liang once again submitted a memorial, saying: "I wish to be granted a road capable of accommodating carriages, leading directly to the Changle Palace. I will prepare my own troops and people from Liang to build a covered passage to go to pay court to the Empress Dowager." Yuan Ang and others all advised that this was not permissible.
The King of Liang therefore resented Yuan Ang and the ministers who had participated in the deliberations, and conspired with Yang Sheng and Gongsun Gui to secretly send assassins to kill Yuan Ang and more than ten other ministers who had taken part in the discussions. The assassins were not captured, and at that time the Son of Heaven suspected that the King of Liang was behind it; when the assassins were pursued and arrested, it was indeed confirmed that the King of Liang had ordered it. The Emperor sent Tian Shu and Lü Weizhu to investigate the matter in the state of Liang, and to arrest Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng; Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng hid in the King of Liang’s rear palace. More than ten groups of envoys arrived in Liang, sternly interrogating the two-thousand-stone officials. The Chancellor of Liang, Xuanqiu Bao, and the Neishi, Han Anguo, along with officials below them, conducted a massive search throughout the state, but for over a month they could not capture them. Han Anguo, hearing that Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng were hiding with the King of Liang, entered the palace to see the King, and said tearfully: “When the sovereign is humiliated, the subject should die. The Great King lacks worthy and capable ministers, which is why affairs have become so chaotic. Now that Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng cannot be captured, I beg to resign my office and be put to death!” The King of Liang said: “Why must it come to this?” Han Anguo, with tears streaming down his face, said: “The Great King, judging by your own measure, how does your relationship with the Emperor compare to that of the Prince of Linjiang?” The King of Liang said: “I am not as close as he was.” Han Anguo said: “The Prince of Linjiang was the eldest son and heir apparent; for the fault of a single word, he was deposed and made Prince of Linjiang; and later, because of the matter of the palace wall, he ended up taking his own life in the office of the Commandant of the Capital. Why? Because governing the empire ultimately cannot allow private feelings to disturb public law. Now the Great King holds the rank of a feudal lord, but is misled by the exaggerated and wicked words of evil ministers, violating the Emperor’s prohibitions and disturbing the strict law. The Son of Heaven, for the sake of the Empress Dowager, cannot bear to impose punishment on the Great King; the Empress Dowager weeps day and night, hoping the Great King will reform yourself, yet you remain unaware. If the Empress Dowager were suddenly to pass away, on whom could the Great King rely?” Before he had finished speaking, the King of Liang was bathed in tears, and apologized to Han Anguo, saying: “I will now hand over Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng.” The King of Liang then ordered Gongsun Gui and Yang Sheng both to commit suicide, and delivered their corpses. From then on, the Emperor resented the King of Liang.
The King of Liang, in fear, sent Zou Yang to enter Chang’an, where he met the elder brother of the Empress, Wang Xin, and advised him, saying: “Lord Chang (Wang Xin), your younger sister enjoys the Emperor’s favor, and no one in the rear palace can match her; but many of your actions do not conform to proper conduct. Now, if the matter of Yuan Ang is pursued to the end, and the King of Liang is executed, the Empress Dowager, having no outlet for her anger, will gnash her teeth and look askance at the honored relatives and great ministers. I privately worry for you.” Wang Xin said: “What then should be done?” Zou Yang said: “If Lord Chang can sincerely speak to the Emperor, causing him to cease investigating the King of Liang’s affair, Lord Chang will surely form a firm bond with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager’s deep gratitude to you will be engraved in her bones, and your younger sister will enjoy the favor of both palaces (the Empress Dowager and the Emperor). Your position will then be as secure as a city of metal. In ancient times, Xiang, the younger brother of Shun, daily sought to kill Shun, but when Shun ascended the throne as Son of Heaven, he enfeoffed Xiang at Youbi. The benevolent man, regarding his brothers, does not conceal anger nor remember old grievances; he merely treats them with great affection. Therefore later generations praised him. Use this reasoning to persuade the Son of Heaven, hoping that the King of Liang’s affair will not be reported.” Wang Xin said: “Good.” So he took an opportunity to enter the palace and speak to the Emperor. The Emperor’s anger somewhat subsided.
At this time, the Empress Dowager, worried about the King of Liang, could not eat, and wept day and night without ceasing. Emperor Jing was also troubled by this. Just then, Tian Shu and the others returned from investigating the King of Liang’s affair. When they reached the Bichang Stable, they took fire and burned all the documents of the King of Liang’s case, and came with empty hands to see Emperor Jing. Emperor Jing said: “Is the King of Liang guilty?” Tian Shu replied: “He committed a capital offense. Indeed he did.” Emperor Jing said: “Where is the evidence?” Tian Shu said: “Your Majesty should no longer ask about the King of Liang’s affair.” Emperor Jing said: “Why?” Tian Shu said: “Now, if the King of Liang is not executed, the laws of Han cannot be enforced; if he is executed, the Empress Dowager will not eat or sleep, and this worry will fall upon Your Majesty.” Emperor Jing greatly approved of his words, and sent Tian Shu and the others to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, and said: “The King of Liang knew nothing of this. Those who plotted it were only his favored ministers Yang Sheng, Gongsun Gui, and the like; they have already been executed according to law, and the King of Liang is blameless.” When the Empress Dowager heard this, she immediately rose and sat down to eat, and her emotions calmed.
The King of Liang then submitted a memorial requesting an audience. When he reached the pass, Mao Lan advised the King of Liang to ride in a plain carriage, taking only two horsemen as attendants to enter the pass, and to hide in the garden of the Elder Princess. The Han court sent envoys to welcome the King of Liang, but the King had already entered the pass; his carriages and horses were all left outside, and no one knew where the King was. The Empress Dowager wept, saying: “The Emperor has indeed killed my son!” Emperor Jing was worried and afraid. Then the King of Liang prostrated himself on the executioner’s block outside the palace gate to apologize. The Empress Dowager and Emperor Jing were greatly delighted, wept facing each other, and their relationship was restored as before. They summoned all the King of Liang’s accompanying officials to enter the pass. But Emperor Jing became more distant from the King of Liang, and no longer rode in the same carriage with him. Emperor Jing considered Tian Shu worthy and promoted him to be the Chancellor of Lu.
Zhongyuan 3rd Year of Emperor Jing (Jiawu, 147 BCE)
1 Winter, 11th month: The office of Imperial Censor in the feudal states was abolished.
2 Summer, 4th month: An earthquake occurred.
3 A drought occurred; the sale of wine was prohibited.
4 3rd month, Ding’si day: The imperial prince Liu Cheng was established as the King of Qinghe.
5 Autumn, 9th month: A locust plague occurred.
6 A comet appeared in the northwest.
7 Wuxu day (end of the month): A solar eclipse occurred.
8 Initially, when Emperor Jing deposed Crown Prince Li, Zhou Yafu argued resolutely but did not succeed; Emperor Jing thereafter became distant from him. Moreover, the King of Liang, whenever he came for an audience, often spoke to the Empress Dowager of the faults of the Marquis of Tiao (Zhou Yafu). Empress Dowager Dou said: “The elder brother of the Empress, Wang Xin, may be enfeoffed as a marquis.” Emperor Jing declined, saying: “In the past, the Marquis of Nanpi and the Marquis of Zhangwu were not enfeoffed by the late Emperor (Emperor Wen); it was only after I ascended the throne that they were enfeoffed. Wang Xin cannot yet be enfeoffed.” Empress Dowager Dou said: “Each person acts according to the circumstances of his time. From the time Dou Changjun was alive, he ultimately never obtained a marquisate; after his death, his son Pengzu was able to become a marquis. I deeply regret this! You should quickly enfeoff Wang Xin as a marquis.” Emperor Jing said: “Allow me to discuss it with the Chancellor.” Emperor Jing discussed it with the Chancellor. Zhou Yafu said: “Emperor Gaozu made a covenant: ‘Those who are not of the Liu clan shall not be made kings; those who have no merit shall not be enfeoffed as marquises.’ Now Wang Xin, though he is the elder brother of the Empress, has no merit. To enfeoff him as a marquis would violate the covenant.” Emperor Jing remained silent and desisted. Later, when the Xiongnu king Xu Lu and five others surrendered, Emperor Jing wished to enfeoff them as marquises to encourage later comers. Chancellor Zhou Yafu said: “They betrayed their lord and surrendered to Your Majesty; if Your Majesty enfeoffs them as marquises, on what grounds can you then blame subjects who do not maintain their integrity?” Emperor Jing said: “The Chancellor’s opinion cannot be adopted.” So he enfeoffed all of Xu Lu and the others as liehou. Zhou Yafu then pleaded illness and resigned. 9th month, Wuxu day: Zhou Yafu was dismissed. The Imperial Censor, the Marquis of Tao, Liu She, was appointed Chancellor.
Zhongyuan 4th Year of Emperor Jing (Yiwei, 146 BCE)
1 Summer: A locust plague occurred.
2 Winter, 10th month, Wuwu day: A solar eclipse occurred.
Zhongyuan 5th Year of Emperor Jing (Bingshen, 145 BCE)
1 Summer: The imperial prince Liu Shun was established as the King of Changshan.
2 6th month, Dingsi day: A general amnesty was granted under heaven.
3 A great flood occurred.
4 Autumn, 8th month, Jiyou day: The eastern gate tower of the Weiyang Palace caught fire.
5 9th month: An edict was issued saying: “All cases where there is doubt, even if the punishment is according to law, but the people’s hearts are not convinced, must be re-tried and reported.”
6 An earthquake occurred.
Zhongyuan 6th Year of Emperor Jing (Dingyou, 144 BCE)
1 Winter, 10th month: The King of Liang came for an audience and submitted a memorial requesting to stay, but Emperor Jing did not consent. The King of Liang returned to his state, feeling deeply dispirited.
2 12th month: The titles of offices such as Commandant of Justice and Director of Construction were changed.
3 Spring, 2nd month, Yimao day: The Emperor traveled to Yong and performed the suburban sacrifice at the Five Altars.
4 3rd month: It snowed.
5 In summer, the fourth month, Liu Wu, the King of Liang, died. When Empress Dowager Dou heard of this, she wept with extreme grief and refused to eat, saying, "The Emperor has indeed killed my son!" Emperor Jing, both sorrowful and fearful, did not know what to do. After consulting with the Grand Princess, he divided the state of Liang into five kingdoms and enfeoffed all five of King Xiao's sons as kings: Liu Mai as King of Liang, Liu Ming as King of Jichuan, Liu Pengli as King of Jidong, Liu Ding as King of Shanyang, and Liu Bushi as King of Jiyin. The five daughters of King Xiao were each granted a Tangmu Yi. When this was reported to the Empress Dowager, she became pleased and ate a bit more for Emperor Jing's sake. During King Xiao's lifetime, his wealth amounted to tens of millions. By the time of his death, the treasuries still held over four hundred thousand jin of gold, and other valuables were comparable in quantity.
6 Emperor Jing had already reduced the statutes on flogging, but those who received flogging still could not preserve their lives. Thus, he reduced them again: three hundred strokes were reduced to two hundred, and two hundred strokes were reduced to one hundred. He also set specifications for the flogging rod: the rod was to be five chi long, with a root diameter of one cun, made of bamboo; the tip was to be half a cun thin, and all bamboo joints were to be smoothed. Those to be flogged were struck on the buttocks; after completing one punishment, the executioner was changed. From then on, those who received flogging were able to preserve their lives. However, the death penalty had been made more severe, while lesser punishments were lighter, making it easy for the common people to violate the laws.
7 In the sixth month, the Xiongnu invaded the commandery of Yanmen, reaching Wuquan County, and then entered Shang Commandery, seizing the horses from the imperial horse pastures. Over two thousand officials and soldiers died in battle. Li Guang of Longxi served as the Grand Administrator of Shang Commandery. Once, while leading a hundred cavalrymen on an expedition, he suddenly encountered several thousand Xiongnu cavalry. When the Xiongnu saw Li Guang, they thought he was a decoy, were greatly startled, and climbed a hill to deploy their formation. Li Guang's hundred cavalrymen were all terrified and wanted to flee at full speed. Li Guang said, "We are several tens of li away from our main army. If we flee with just these hundred cavalry, the Xiongnu will pursue and shoot us, and we will all be killed instantly. Now, if we stay put, the Xiongnu will surely think we are decoys sent by our main army and will not dare to attack us." He ordered his cavalry, "Advance!" When they reached about two li from the Xiongnu position, he stopped and ordered, "All dismount and remove your saddles!" His cavalry said, "The enemy is numerous and close; if an emergency arises, what shall we do?" Li Guang said, "Those enemies thought we would flee. Now that we have all removed our saddles, we show that we do not intend to leave, thereby reinforcing their belief that we are decoys." Thus, the Xiongnu cavalry indeed dared not attack. A Xiongnu general on a white horse came out to oversee his soldiers; Li Guang mounted his horse, led a dozen cavalrymen in a swift charge, shot and killed the white-horsed general, then returned to his own cavalry, removed his saddle, and ordered his men to let their horses loose and lie down to rest. By then, it was dusk, and the Xiongnu soldiers remained suspicious and did not dare to attack. At midnight, the Xiongnu also thought that the Han had an ambush nearby, intending to attack them by night, so they all led their troops away. At dawn, Li Guang returned to his main army.
8 In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Xinhai, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
9 Since the death of Du Du, many members of the imperial clan and nobles near the capital had become violent and violated the law. Emperor Jing then summoned Ning Cheng, the Commandant of Jinan Commandery from Nanyang, and appointed him as Zhongwei. Ning Cheng's governance followed Du Du's methods, but he was not as incorruptible. Nevertheless, the imperial clansmen, nobles, and powerful families all trembled in fear.
10 Liu Xi, the King of Chengyang Gong, died.
First Year of Emperor Jing's Later Reign (Wuxu, 143 BCE)
1 In spring, the first month, Emperor Jing issued an edict saying: "Adjudicating cases is a matter of great importance. People differ in wisdom and stupidity, and officials differ in high and low rank. Cases of doubt must be reported to the responsible officials; if the responsible officials cannot decide, they should be transferred to the Tingwei; if a decision is reported and later found to be incorrect, the reporter shall not be considered at fault. The aim is to ensure that those who try cases first seek leniency."
2 In the third month, a general amnesty was granted to all under Heaven.
3 In summer, an order was given allowing the people of the realm to gather and drink for five days, and the people were permitted to sell alcohol.
4 In the fifth month, on the day Bingxu, an earthquake occurred. In Shangyong County, the earthquake lasted for twenty-two days, damaging city walls.
5 In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Bingwu, Chancellor Liu She was dismissed from office.
6 On the day Yisi, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
7 In the eighth month, on the day Renchen, Wei Wan, the Imperial Clerk, was appointed Chancellor, and Zhi Buji of Nanyang, the Commandant of the Guards, was appointed Imperial Clerk. Initially, when Zhi Buji served as a Lang official, a roommate who had gone home on leave mistakenly took another roommate's gold and left. Soon, that Lang official discovered the gold missing and suspected Zhi Buji of stealing it. Zhi Buji apologized and admitted to it, bought gold, and repaid him. Later, the man who had gone home returned and gave back the gold, and the Lang official who had lost the gold was deeply ashamed. For this reason, Zhi Buji was praised as a loyal and generous elder and gradually promoted to Zhong Dafu. Someone slandered Zhi Buji at court, saying he had committed adultery with his sister-in-law. When Zhi Buji heard this, he said, "I have no elder brother." But he ultimately refused to defend himself.
8 Emperor Jing, while in the palace, summoned Zhou Yafu and bestowed food upon him, but only placed a large piece of meat without cutting it and set no chopsticks. Zhou Yafu was displeased and turned to call for the steward to bring chopsticks. Emperor Jing looked at him and said, "Is this not enough for you?" Zhou Yafu removed his cap and apologized to Emperor Jing, who said, "Rise." Zhou Yafu then quickly walked out. Emperor Jing watched him go and said, "This resentful man is not a subject who can be controlled by the future young lord."
Not long after, Zhou Yafu's son, for his father, purchased five hundred sets of armor and shields from the Shangfang office of the Craftsmen, intending them for burial. The hired laborers worked hard but were not paid. Knowing that the items were secretly purchased from official stores, one laborer, out of resentment, submitted a report accusing Zhou Yafu's son, and the matter implicated Zhou Yafu. After the accusation was presented, Emperor Jing handed it to the officials for handling. The officials interrogated Zhou Yafu according to the charges on the document, but Zhou Yafu did not answer. Emperor Jing cursed him, saying, "I do not need your answer!" He summoned him and handed him over to the Tingwei. The Tingwei questioned him, saying, "Does the lord want to rebel?" Zhou Yafu said, "The items I purchased were for burial; how can that be called rebellion?" The official said, "Even if the lord does not want to rebel on the ground, he wants to rebel underground!" The officials intensified their persecution of him. Initially, when the officials arrested Zhou Yafu, he wanted to commit suicide, but his wife stopped him, so he did not die. He was then sent to the Tingwei prison, where he fasted for five days and died from vomiting blood.
9 This year, Liu Bushi, the King of Jiyin Ai, died.
Second Year of Emperor Jing's Later Reign (Jihai, 142 BCE)
1 In spring, the first month, three earthquakes occurred within a single day.
2 In the third month, the Xiongnu invaded Yanmen Commandery. Grand Administrator Feng Jing fought with the Xiongnu and died in battle. The court dispatched war chariots, cavalry, and Cai Gong soldiers to garrison Yanmen Commandery.
3 In spring, because of a poor harvest, it was forbidden for the interior commanderies to feed horses with grain; those who violated this were to have their horses confiscated.
4 In summer, the fourth month, Emperor Jing issued an edict: "Craftsmanship such as carving and painting harms agriculture; weaving brocade and silk ribbons damages women's work. Harm to agriculture is the root of famine, and damage to women's work is the source of cold. Few people can endure hunger and cold without committing wrongdoing. I personally till the fields, and the Empress personally tends silkworms and gathers mulberry leaves, to provide offerings and ceremonial garments for the ancestral temples, setting an example for the realm. I accept no tribute, reduce the expenses of the Grand Kitchen, lighten corvée labor and taxes, desiring that the people of the world devote themselves to farming and sericulture, accumulate savings in normal times, and prepare against disasters. The strong do not rob the weak; the many do not bully the few. Let the elderly live out their years in peace, and young orphans grow up safely. Yet now, sometimes harvests fail, and the people’s food is quite scarce. Where does the fault lie? Perhaps there are deceitful and treacherous persons serving as officials, who trade through bribery and corruption, encroaching upon the people and harming the multitudes. The district magistrates are important officials; they violate the law and join with thieves in robbery—this is truly disgraceful! Now I order the officials of two thousand picul rank to each fulfill their duties; those who are unfaithful or muddled and confused, the Chancellor shall report to the court and request punishment for them. Proclaim this to the world, so that all under heaven understand my intent."
5 In the fifth month, an edict decreed that those with property worth forty thousand cash could be appointed as officials.
6 In autumn, a great drought occurred.
Third Year of the Later Period of Emperor Jing (Gengzi, 141 BCE)
1 In winter, the tenth month, the sun and moon both experienced solar and lunar eclipses, appearing red for five consecutive days.
2 On the last day of the twelfth month, thunder rumbled; the sun appeared purple; the five planets moved in retrograde, lingering in the Taiwei enclosure; the moon crossed the Tian Ting constellation.
3 In spring, the first month, Emperor Jing issued an edict: "Agriculture is the foundation of the state. Gold, pearls, and precious jade neither satisfy hunger when eaten nor provide warmth when worn. Using them as currency obscures their beginning and end. In recent years, harvests have sometimes failed, likely because too many people engage in commerce and crafts, and too few in agriculture. Now I order all commanderies and kingdoms to earnestly encourage the people to devote themselves to farming and sericulture, and to plant many trees, so that they may obtain clothing and food. Officials who conscript people or hire laborers to mine gold, pearls, or precious jade shall be punished for corruption and lawbreaking. Officials of two thousand picul rank who connive in this shall be guilty of the same crime."
4 On the day Jiayin, the Crown Prince underwent his capping ceremony.
5 On the day Jiazi, Emperor Jing passed away in the Weiyang Palace. The Crown Prince ascended the throne at the age of sixteen. He honored the Empress Dowager as Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress as Empress Dowager.
6 In the second month, on the day Guiyou, the Filial and Illustrious Emperor Jing was buried at Yangling. In the third month, Tian Fen, the younger half-brother of the Empress Dowager on her mother’s side, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wu’an, and Tian Sheng as Marquis of Zhouyang.
Ban Gu’s commentary says: Confucius stated: "These common people are the reason the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties were governed by the Way." Truly so! The ills of the Zhou and Qin dynasties lay in their dense legal nets and harsh provisions, yet crime was beyond counting. When the Han dynasty was established, it swept away cumbersome and harsh decrees, allowing the people to rest and recuperate. By the time of Filial Emperor Wen, frugality and reverence were added; Filial Emperor Jing adhered to his forebears’ legacy. Within fifty or sixty years, customs were transformed, and the people became simple and honest. The Zhou dynasty praised Kings Cheng and Kang; the Han dynasty eulogized Emperors Wen and Jing—how admirable!
When the Han dynasty was founded, it inherited the ruinous state of Qin, with heavy labor demands and scarce resources. Even the Son of Heaven could not assemble four horses of matching color, while generals and ministers sometimes rode in oxcarts, and common people had no savings. After the realm was pacified, Emperor Gaozu decreed that merchants could not wear silk or ride in carriages, and increased their taxes to humiliate them. During the reigns of Filial Emperor Hui and Empress Gao, because the world had just stabilized, the restrictions on merchants were relaxed; but merchants’ descendants could still not serve as officials or clerks. The court levied taxes on the people based on officials’ salaries and government expenditures. Revenue from mountains, rivers, parks, ponds, and marketplaces was allocated, from the Son of Heaven down to enfeoffed lords and princesses with Tangmu towns, as their private support, not entering the state’s regular budget. Grain shipped from east of the mountains to supply the capital’s various offices amounted to no more than several hundred thousand piculs annually. Then came the reigns of Filial Emperor Wen and Filial Emperor Jing—they practiced non-action, respect, and frugality, nurturing the people of the realm. Over seventy years, with no major events, as long as floods and droughts did not occur, every household was self-sufficient and prosperous. Granaries in both the capital and border towns were full, and treasuries held surplus wealth. The capital’s coins accumulated to the tens of millions, the strings wearing through and becoming uncountable; the grain in the Grand Granary piled up, old grain atop new, spilling over and rotting until inedible. Horses filled the streets of commoners’ neighborhoods, and in the fields horses gathered in herds; those riding mares were shunned and could not attend gatherings. Gatekeepers ate fine rice and meat; officials’ children grew up to continue in office, and those holding posts took their office names as surnames. Thus everyone valued themselves and feared breaking the law, prioritizing righteousness before considering disgrace. In this era, the legal net was loose, the people were wealthy, and some, relying on their riches, became arrogant and extravagant, even engaging in land annexation. Local strongmen wielded arbitrary power in their villages. The imperial clan, enfeoffed lords, and all below dukes, ministers, and high officials vied in luxury, with houses, chariots, and clothing exceeding proper limits without restraint. When things reach their peak, they decline—this is the natural order of change. From this point on, Filial Emperor Wu indulged in extreme extravagance at home and campaigned against the barbarians abroad, draining the realm’s resources and exhausting its wealth!