Annals of Han, Volume 14
From the year Zhao Yang Xie Qie (98 BC) to the year Yan Feng Dun Zang (87 BC), a total of twelve years.
Emperor Xiao Wu the Generous, Part Six
Tian Han Year 3 (Gui Wei, 98 BC)
1. Spring, second month: Wang Qing committed a crime and committed suicide. The Commandant of the Guards, Du Zhou, was appointed Imperial Censor.
2. The government monopoly on the sale of alcoholic beverages began.
3. Third month: The Emperor traveled to Mount Tai, had a feng-shan altar built, performed sacrifices in the Bright Hall, and there received the account registers submitted from various regions. On the return journey, he performed sacrifices at Mount Chang and buried a dark jade tablet. The alchemists who waited for the immortals and those who went to sea to seek Mount Penglai had all failed to produce results, yet Gongsun Qing still used the footprints of a giant to argue his case. The Son of Heaven grew even more weary of the alchemists' bizarre and pedantic talk, yet he still kept them in his favor without cutting off relations, hoping to encounter a true immortal. From then on, among the alchemists, those who discussed immortals and sacrifices became more numerous, yet their effectiveness was also evident for all to see.
4. Summer, fourth month: A great drought occurred. A general amnesty was granted to the empire.
5. Autumn: The Xiongnu invaded Yanmen Commandery. The Grand Administrator was executed and his body exposed for the crime of cowardice and timidity.
Tian Han Year 4 (Jia Shen, 97 BC)
1. Spring, first month: The Emperor received the feudal kings in the Sweet Springs Palace.
2. Conscripts were levied from seven categories of criminals (the Seven Categories of Exiles) along with brave soldiers. General Ershi, Li Guangli, was sent with 60,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry, departing from Shuofang Commandery. Colonel of the Strong Crossbow, Lu Bode, led over 10,000 men to rendezvous with General Ershi. Mobile Corps General Han Yue led 30,000 infantry, departing from Wuyuan Commandery. General Yinyu, Gongsun Ao, led 10,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry, departing from Yanmen Commandery. When the Xiongnu heard of this, they moved all their families and supplies far away to the north of the Yuwu River. The Chanyu himself led 100,000 troops drawn up in battle array on the south bank of the Yuwu River to engage General Ershi's army. General Ershi's army broke off contact and withdrew, having fought continuously with the Chanyu for over ten days. Mobile Corps General Han Yue achieved no results. General Yinyu Gongsun Ao engaged the Left Worthy King, was unsuccessful, and also withdrew.
At that time, the Emperor had sent Gongsun Ao deep into Xiongnu territory to welcome Li Ling. Gongsun Ao's army returned without any success, so he reported: "I captured a prisoner who said that Li Ling is teaching the Chanyu military drill to prepare against the Han army. That is why I had no gains." The Emperor then ordered Li Ling's entire family executed. Shortly afterward, he learned the truth: it was Li Xu, a Han general who had surrendered to the Xiongnu, not Li Ling. Li Ling sent someone to assassinate Li Xu. The Great Yanzhi wanted to kill Li Ling, but the Chanyu hid him in the north. After the Great Yanzhi died, Li Ling returned. The Chanyu married his daughter to Li Ling, established him as the Right King of the Army, and he, along with Wei Lü, both became honored and powerful. Wei Lü was often at the Chanyu's side; Li Ling lived outside and only entered the palace for discussions on important matters.
3. Summer, fourth month: The Emperor's son Liu Bo was established as the King of Changyi.
Tai Shi Year 1 (Yi You, 96 BC)
1. Spring, first month: Gongsun Ao was sentenced to death by waist-cutting for his wife's involvement in the witchcraft curse case.
2. Powerful and wealthy families from various commanderies and kingdoms were relocated to Maoling.
3. Summer, sixth month: A general amnesty was granted to the empire.
4. This year, the Qiedihou Chanyu of the Xiongnu died. He had two sons: the elder was the Left Worthy King, the younger was the Left Great General. The Left Worthy King did not arrive in time, and the nobles, believing he was ill, instead established the Left Great General as the Chanyu. When the Left Worthy King heard of this, he did not dare to advance. The Left Great General sent someone to summon the Left Worthy King and offered to yield the throne to him. The Left Worthy King declined on the grounds of illness. The Left Great General persisted in his request, saying: "If you unfortunately die, then you can pass the Chanyu title to me." The Left Worthy King agreed and was thus established as the Chanyu, who was the Hulugu Chanyu. He appointed the Left Great General as the Left Worthy King. Several years later, the Left Worthy King died of illness. His son, Xianxian Chan, could not inherit the position and was instead made the Sun King. The Chanyu established his own son as the Left Worthy King.
Tai Shi Year 2 (Bing Xu, 95 BC)
1. Spring, first month: The Emperor traveled to the Huizhong Palace.
2. Du Zhou died. The Grand Master of the Palace, Bao Shengzhi, was appointed Imperial Censor.
3. Autumn: A drought occurred.
4. The Grand Master of the Palace in Zhao, Bai Gong, memorialized, requesting permission to dig a canal to divert water from the Jing River. The canal began at Gukou and ended at Yueyang, emptying into the Wei River. It was two hundred li long and irrigated over 4,500 qing of farmland. It was therefore named the Bai Canal. The common people benefited from it.
Tai Shi Year 3 (Ding Hai, 94 BC)
1. Spring, first month: The Emperor traveled to the Sweet Springs Palace. Second month: He traveled to Donghai Commandery, where he caught a red goose. He traveled to Langya Commandery, performed a sacrifice to the Sun God at Cheng Mountain, climbed Mount Zhifu, sailed on the sea, and then returned.
2. This year, the Emperor's son Liu Fuling was born. Liu Fuling's mother was a woman from Hejian, Consort Zhao, who resided in the Gouyi Palace. She was pregnant for fourteen months before giving birth. The Emperor said: "I have heard that in ancient times, Yao was also born after fourteen months. Now the Lady Gouyi is the same." He therefore named the gate of the palace where she lived the "Gate of Yao's Mother."
Your servant Sima Guang says: As a ruler, not a single action or word can be taken lightly. What is conceived in the mind will inevitably be manifested externally, and no one in the empire will be unaware of it. At this time, the Empress and the Heir Apparent were both safe and sound, yet naming the gate of the Gouyi Palace the "Gate of Yao's Mother" did not conform to proper titles and status. Therefore, treacherous individuals speculated on the Emperor's intentions, knowing that he had a particular fondness for his youngest son and wished to establish him as his successor. Thus, they conceived the intention to harm the Empress and the Heir Apparent, eventually leading to the disaster of the witchcraft curse. How lamentable!
3. A man from Zhao, Jiang Chong, served as the Prefect of the Water Office. Initially, Jiang Chong was a retainer of King Jing Su of Zhao. He offended the King's son, Liu Dan, and fled. He then went to the court and exposed the secret private affairs of the Zhao Heir Apparent, who was consequently deposed. The Emperor summoned Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong was tall and imposing in appearance, and his clothing and adornments were light and elegant. The Emperor found him extraordinary. When he discussed affairs of state with him, he was very pleased. From then on, Jiang Chong gained favor and was appointed as the Directorial Emissary of the Embroidered Coat, tasked with supervising imperial relatives and close ministers who were extravagant and exceeded regulations. Jiang Chong conducted investigations and impeachments without any avoidance. The Emperor believed him to be loyal and upright, and everything he said conformed to the Emperor's wishes. Once, when accompanying the Emperor to the Sweet Springs Palace, he encountered the Heir Apparent's messengers riding in carriages on the imperial thoroughfare. Jiang Chong turned them over to the judicial officials for punishment. When the Heir Apparent heard of this, he sent someone to apologize to Jiang Chong, saying: "It is not that I begrudge the carriages and horses; I truly do not want the Emperor to hear of this matter, as it reflects my lack of proper instruction and restraint. I hope the Lord Jiang will forgive him." Jiang Chong did not listen and reported the matter to the throne. The Emperor said: "This is how a subject should act!" Jiang Chong was greatly trusted, and his authority shook the capital.
Tai Shi Year 4 (Wu Zi, 93 BC)
1. Spring, third month: The Emperor traveled to Mount Tai. On the Renwu day, he performed a sacrifice to the Supreme Emperor in the Bright Hall, with his ancestor Gao Zu as his companion, and there received the account registers from various regions. On the Guiwei day, he performed a sacrifice to Emperor Jing the Filial in the Bright Hall. On the Jiashen day, he had a feng-shan altar built. On the Bingxu day, he performed the shan ceremony at Mount Shi. Summer, fourth month: He traveled to Buji County. Fifth month: He returned and traveled to the Jianzhang Palace, where he granted a general amnesty to the empire.
2. Winter, tenth month, on the Guihai day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
3. Twelfth month: The Emperor traveled to Yong County and performed sacrifices to the Five Emperors. He then traveled west, reaching Anding Commandery and Beidi Commandery.
Zheng He Year 1 (Ji Chou, 92 BC)
1. Spring, first month: The Emperor returned and traveled to the Jianzhang Palace.
2. Third month: Liu Pengzu, King of Zhao, died. Liu Pengzu had married Nao Ji, the favorite of King Yi of Jiangdu, and she bore him a son, who was known as the Nao Son. At that time, Nao Ji's elder brother was a eunuch in the Han court. The Emperor summoned him and asked: "What kind of person is the Nao Son?" He replied: "This person has many desires." The Emperor said: "If his desires are too many, he is not suitable to be a ruler and govern the people." He then asked about the Marquis Wushi, Liu Chang, and the reply was: "He has no faults, but also no good reputation." The Emperor said: "Then that is sufficient." He then sent an envoy to establish Liu Chang as the King of Zhao.
3. Summer: A great drought occurred.
4 The emperor was residing at the Jianzhang Palace when he saw a man carrying a sword entering the Zhonglonghua Gate. Suspecting he was not ordinary, he ordered his arrest. The man discarded the sword and fled; the pursuers failed to capture him. The emperor was enraged and executed the gatekeeper. In winter, in the eleventh month, he mobilized cavalry from the three auxiliary districts for a massive search of the Shanglin Park, closed the gates of Chang’an for a thorough search, and did not lift the order until after eleven days. Thus began the affair of witchcraft.
5 Gongsun He, the Chancellor, had a wife named Junru, who was the elder sister of Empress Wei, and because of this, Gongsun He was favored. Gongsun He’s son, Gongsun Jingsheng, succeeded his father as Grand Coachman. He was arrogant, extravagant, and did not observe the laws, illegally appropriating 19 million cash from the Northern Army’s military funds. When the matter was discovered, he was imprisoned. At that time, the court had issued an urgent edict for the arrest of the great knight-errant Zhu Anshi of Yangling. Gongsun He himself requested to pursue and capture Zhu Anshi to redeem Gongsun Jingsheng’s crime, and the emperor granted this. Later, Zhu Anshi was indeed captured. Zhu Anshi laughed and said, “The Chancellor’s calamity will extend to his entire clan!” He then submitted a memorial from prison, accusing Gongsun Jingsheng of illicit relations with the Princess of Yangshi, and that when the emperor was about to go to the Ganquan Palace, Gongsun Jingsheng had a shaman bury wooden puppets along the imperial chariot road to curse the emperor with malicious language.
In the second year of Zhenghe (Gengyin, 91 BCE)
1 In spring, in the first month, Gongsun He was arrested and imprisoned. When the case was investigated, both father and son died in prison, and their clan was exterminated. Liu Qumao, the Grand Administrator of Zhuojun, was appointed Left Chancellor and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Peng. Liu Qumao was a son of the Prince Jing of Zhongshan.
2 In summer, in the fourth month, a great wind arose, overturning roofs and breaking trees.
3 In the intercalary month, the Princess of Zhuyi, the Princess of Yangshi, and Wei Kang, the son of the empress’s younger brother and the Marquis of Changping, were all executed for the crime of witchcraft.
4 The emperor traveled and visited the Ganquan Palace.
5 Initially, when the emperor was twenty-nine years old, he fathered the Heir Apparent Li, and he loved him greatly. When the heir apparent grew up, his nature was benevolent, generous, gentle, and cautious. The emperor found his abilities insufficient and unlike himself. Meanwhile, his favored Consort Wang gave birth to a son, Liu Hong; Consort Li Ji gave birth to sons Liu Dan and Liu Xu; and Consort Li gave birth to a son, Liu Bo. The favor shown to the empress and the heir apparent gradually diminished, and they often felt uneasy. The emperor perceived this and said to General-in-Chief Wei Qing, “The affairs of the Han house are still in their early stages, and moreover, the Four Barbarians invade and insult the Central Plains. If I do not change the system, later generations will have no model; if I do not send out troops to punish them, the realm cannot be pacified. Doing so inevitably makes the common people toil. If later generations again do as I have done, they will repeat the downfall of the Qin dynasty. The heir apparent is steady, dignified, fond of tranquility, and will surely be able to bring peace to the realm, leaving me without worry. When seeking a ruler who will uphold the established laws, who is more capable than the heir apparent? I have heard that the empress and the heir apparent have uneasy thoughts—can this truly be so? You may clearly convey my meaning to them.” The General-in-Chief kowtowed in gratitude. When the empress heard of this, she removed her hairpins and earrings and begged to be punished. The heir apparent often remonstrated with the emperor about his campaigns against the Four Barbarians. The emperor laughed and said, “I take on these hardships and leave the ease to you—is that not acceptable?”
Whenever the emperor traveled, he often entrusted affairs of the rear to the heir apparent and internal palace affairs to the empress. If any decisions were made, he would be informed of the most important results upon his return, and he had no objections, sometimes not even examining them. The emperor was strict in applying the law, mostly employing harsh and severe officials. The heir apparent was generous and often redressed unjust cases. Although he gained the people’s affection, the legal officials were displeased. The empress, fearing that this would eventually lead to disaster, often warned the heir apparent that he should pay attention to the emperor’s intentions and not arbitrarily decide to release or be lenient with criminals. When the emperor heard of this, he considered the heir apparent correct and the empress wrong. Among the officials, those who were generous and magnanimous attached themselves to the heir apparent, while those who were harsh and severe slandered him. The wicked and treacherous officials mostly formed cliques and pursued private interests, so the heir apparent received few praises and many slanders. After Wei Qing died, the officials no longer had the support of relatives by marriage, and they vied to frame the heir apparent.
The emperor was distant from his sons, and the empress rarely saw him. Once, the heir apparent went to pay respects to the empress and stayed for a long time before coming out. The Yellow Gate Attendant Su Wen reported to the emperor, saying, “The heir apparent was playing with the palace women.” The emperor then increased the number of palace women in the heir apparent’s household to two hundred. When the heir apparent later learned of this, he harbored resentment against Su Wen. Su Wen, along with the lesser Yellow Gate Attendants Chang Rong, Wang Bi, and others, constantly spied on the heir apparent’s faults and then reported them to the emperor with embellishments. The empress gnashed her teeth in hatred and urged the heir apparent to request that the emperor execute Su Wen and his group. The heir apparent said, “As long as I commit no faults, why fear Su Wen and his ilk? The emperor is wise and will not believe evil sycophants; there is no cause for worry.” The emperor once felt slightly unwell and sent Chang Rong to summon the heir apparent. Chang Rong returned and said, “The heir apparent has a joyful expression on his face.” The emperor remained silent. When the heir apparent arrived, the emperor observed his expression and found traces of weeping, yet he pretended to smile and speak cheerfully. The emperor found this strange; upon secretly investigating, he learned the truth and then executed Chang Rong. The empress was also skilled at self-protection, avoiding suspicion, and although she had long lost favor, she was still treated with courtesy.
At that time, alchemists and numerous spirit mediums gathered in the capital, most of them using heterodox arts to delude people, doing all sorts of unpredictable things. Female mediums moved within the palace, teaching the consorts how to avoid calamities, and burying wooden figurines for sacrifice in every room. Out of jealousy, resentment, and mutual cursing, they accused one another, claiming that these were curses against the emperor, constituting high treason. The emperor was enraged, and the consorts of the rear palace who were killed, along with implicated officials, numbered several hundred. The emperor’s mind had already become suspicious. Once, while napping during the day, he dreamed of several thousand wooden figurines wielding clubs and trying to strike him. The emperor awoke in terror, and from then on felt unwell, suffering from mental confusion and forgetfulness. Jiang Chong considered himself to have a grudge against the heir apparent and the Wei clan. Seeing the emperor aged, he feared that after the emperor’s death, the heir apparent would have him executed. Therefore, he seized the opportunity to create trouble, claiming that the emperor’s illness was caused by witchcraft. The emperor then appointed Jiang Chong as an envoy to investigate witchcraft cases. Jiang Chong led Hu shamans to dig up the ground searching for wooden figurines, and captured those who practiced witchcraft or performed nighttime sacrifices to spy on spirits. They stained the ground to leave traces, then arrested and interrogated them, using red-hot iron tongs to burn and torture them, forcing them to confess. The common people in turn falsely accused one another of practicing witchcraft, and the officials impeached them for high treason. From the capital and the three auxiliary districts down to the commanderies and kingdoms, those who died as a result of being implicated numbered in the tens of thousands.
At this time, the emperor was advanced in age and suspected that everyone around him was practicing witchcraft to curse him; whether guilty or innocent, no one dared to plead their case. Since Jiang Chong understood the emperor’s intentions, he used the words of the Hu shaman Tan He, saying, “There is a miasma of witchcraft in the palace; if it is not removed, the emperor’s illness will never improve.” The emperor then sent Jiang Chong into the palace, and into the provincial offices, where he destroyed the imperial seat and dug up the ground searching for witchcraft objects. He also sent the Marquis of Andao, Han Shuo, the Imperial Clerk Zhang Gan, the Yellow Gate Attendant Su Wen, and others to assist Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong first interrogated the less favored consorts of the rear palace, then in order proceeded to the palaces of the empress and the heir apparent. They dug up the ground so thoroughly that it was crisscrossed with trenches, leaving no place for the heir apparent or the empress to even set up their beds. Jiang Chong said, “The wooden figurines obtained in the heir apparent’s palace are especially numerous, and there is also a silk scroll with writings that are grossly treasonous; this should be reported to the emperor.” The heir apparent was greatly frightened and consulted his Junior Tutor Shi De. Shi De, fearing that as the tutor he would be executed along with the heir apparent, said to him, “Previously, the former Chancellor and his son, the two princesses, and the Wei clan have all been convicted for this. Now that the witchcraft and the envoy’s excavations have produced evidence, it is unknown whether the witches deliberately placed them or if they truly exist, and we cannot clear ourselves. You could issue a false imperial edict using the tally to arrest Jiang Chong and his group, imprison them, and thoroughly investigate their treacherous activities. Moreover, the emperor is ill at the Ganquan Palace, and requests from the empress and your household officials have received no reply. Whether the emperor is alive or dead is still unknown, yet the treacherous officials are so rampant—does the heir apparent not think of the matter of Fusu of Qin?” The heir apparent said, “As a son, how could I presumptuously kill anyone? It would be better to return and confess my guilt, hoping to be fortunate and acquitted.” The heir apparent prepared to go to the Ganquan Palace, but Jiang Chong pressed him urgently. The heir apparent had no plan left and thus followed Shi De’s scheme.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the renwu day, the Crown Prince sent retainers disguised as envoys to arrest Jiang Chong and his associates. The Marquis of Andao, Han Shuo, suspected the envoys were fraudulent and refused to accept the imperial decree; the retainers killed Han Shuo. The Crown Prince personally oversaw the execution of Jiang Chong, cursing him: “You slave of Zhao! Was it not enough that you previously disrupted the royal house of Zhao, setting father and son against each other? Now you come again to disrupt our father and son!” He also burned the shaman from the Hu to death in the woods.
The Crown Prince sent his retainer Wuqie, holding an imperial tally, to enter the Changqiu Gate of the Weiyang Palace at night. Through the palace woman Yihua, he reported to the Empress, mobilized chariots and horses from the imperial stable to carry archers, retrieved weapons from the armory, and summoned the guards of the Changle Palace. The city of Chang’an fell into chaos, with rumors spreading that the Crown Prince had rebelled. Su Wen escaped and managed to return to the Ganquan Palace, reporting the Crown Prince’s unlawful actions. The Emperor said: “The Crown Prince must be afraid and, resenting Jiang Chong and the others, has caused this incident.” Thereupon he sent an envoy to summon the Crown Prince. The envoy dared not enter the city and returned to report: “The Crown Prince’s rebellion has already succeeded; he wanted to kill me, but I escaped.” The Emperor was greatly angered. The Chancellor, Liu Qumao, upon hearing of the incident, fled in haste, losing his official seal and ribbon. He sent his Senior Scribe on a relay carriage to urgently report. The Emperor asked: “What is the Chancellor doing?” The reply came: “The Chancellor is keeping it secret and dares not raise troops.” The Emperor said angrily: “The matter is already widely known—what secrecy is there! The Chancellor lacks the demeanor of the Duke of Zhou. Would the Duke of Zhou not have executed Guanshu and Caishu?” Thereupon he bestowed on the Chancellor an edict sealed with the imperial jade seal, saying: “Capture and kill the rebels; rewards and punishments are established. Use oxcarts as shields; do not engage in close combat, so as not to kill too many soldiers! Close the city gates tightly; do not let the rebels escape!” The Crown Prince announced to the officials: “The Emperor is gravely ill at the Ganquan Palace; I suspect there is treachery. Treacherous ministers intend to create chaos.” The Emperor then set out from the Ganquan Palace, arrived at the Jianzhang Palace west of the city, and issued an edict summoning troops from the counties near the Three Adjuncts. He placed officials below the rank of two thousand shi under command, with the Chancellor as the supreme commander. The Crown Prince also sent envoys with forged imperial decrees to pardon all prisoners in the government offices of Chang’an. He ordered the Junior Tutor Shi De and the retainer Zhang Guang, among others, to lead them separately. He sent the Chang’an prisoner Ruhou, holding an imperial tally, to summon the Hu cavalry from Changshui and Xuanqu, and they all prepared for action. The Attendant Ma Tong was on a mission to Chang’an; he seized the opportunity to pursue Ruhou, telling the Hu: “The tally is forged; do not obey him!” Thereupon he beheaded Ruhou and led the cavalry into Chang’an. He also mobilized boatmen and placed them under the Grand Herald Shangqiu Cheng. Initially, the Han imperial tally was pure red. Because the Crown Prince held a red tally, it was changed to add a yellow tassel to the red tally as a distinction.
The Crown Prince set up his chariot south of the North Army camp gate of the Weiyang Palace, summoned the Protector of the North Army, Ren An, and gave him an imperial tally, ordering him to raise troops. Ren An bowed and accepted the tally, but after entering the camp, he closed the gates and did not come out. The Crown Prince led his troops away, driving tens of thousands of people from the four markets to the west gate of the Changle Palace. There he encountered the Chancellor’s army. They fought for five days, with tens of thousands killed, and blood flowed into the ditches like rivers. The common people all said the Crown Prince had rebelled, so the crowd did not side with him, while the forces siding with the Chancellor gradually grew.
On the gengyin day, the Crown Prince’s army was defeated. He fled south to the Fu’ang City Gate. The Colonel of the Capital, Tian Ren, was in charge of closing the city gate. He considered that the Crown Prince and the Emperor were father and son and did not want to press too hard, so the Crown Prince managed to escape through the gate. The Chancellor wanted to execute Tian Ren. The Censor-in-Chief, Bao Shengzhi, said to the Chancellor: “The Colonel of the Capital is an official of two thousand shi rank. You should first request permission; how can you execute him arbitrarily?” The Chancellor then released Tian Ren. When the Emperor heard of this, he was furious. He imprisoned Bao Shengzhi and interrogated him, saying: “The Colonel of the Capital released a rebel. The Chancellor executed him according to law. On what grounds did you, Grand Master, arbitrarily stop it?” Bao Shengzhi, terrified and distressed, committed suicide. The Emperor issued an edict sending the Director of the Imperial Clan, Liu Chang, and the Commandant of the Capital, Liu Gan, to take a written order and confiscate the Empress’s seal and ribbon. The Empress committed suicide. The Emperor considered Ren An an old official. Seeing the rebellion break out, he wanted to sit by and watch the outcome, siding with whoever won, harboring duplicity. Ren An was executed by waist-cutting along with Tian Ren. The Emperor, because Ma Tong had captured Ruhou, because the Chang’an commoner Jing Jian had followed Ma Tong to capture Shi De, and because Shangqiu Cheng had fought fiercely and captured Zhang Guang, enfeoffed Ma Tong as the Marquis of Chonghe, Jing Jian as the Marquis of De, and Shangqiu Cheng as the Marquis of Du. Among the Crown Prince’s retainers, those who had entered and exited the palace gates were all implicated and executed. Those who had followed the Crown Prince in raising troops were punished for treason by execution of their entire clans. The officials and soldiers who had been coerced into participating were all exiled to Dunhuang Commandery. Because the Crown Prince was still at large, garrisons were established at all city gates.
The Emperor was extremely angry. The assembled officials were anxious and fearful, not knowing what to do. The Elder of Hujuan County, Linghu Mao, submitted a memorial, saying: “I have heard that the father is like Heaven, the mother like Earth, and children like all living things. Therefore, when Heaven is peaceful and Earth stable, all things can flourish and grow; when the father is kind and the mother loving, children can be filial. Now the Crown Prince is the legitimate heir of the Han dynasty, succeeding to the eternal foundation, embodying the entrustment of the ancestors, and in terms of kinship is the Emperor’s true legitimate son. Jiang Chong was nothing but a commoner, a base subject from the marketplace. Your Majesty employed him heavily, and he, by imperial command, pressured the Crown Prince, fabricating treacherous schemes. A host of evil men intertwined, blocking the path between relatives. The Crown Prince, when advancing, could not see Your Majesty; when retreating, was harassed by rebellious ministers. Alone and bearing grievances, with no place to appeal, unable to contain his pent-up rage, he rose up and killed Jiang Chong. Then, in fear, he fled. A son borrowing his father’s troops is merely for self-preservation and to avoid harm. I privately believe he had no rebellious intent. The Book of Odes says: ‘The buzzing flies alight on the fence. A gentle and kind lord should not listen to slander. Slander has no end, disturbing the four quarters.’ In former times, Jiang Chong slandered and caused the death of the Crown Prince of Zhao, and no one in the world was unaware of it. Your Majesty, without examining the matter, deeply blamed the Crown Prince’s fault, vented great anger, mobilized a great army to pursue him, with the Three Dukes personally commanding. The wise dare not speak, the eloquent dare not remonstrate. I privately feel pain over this! I hope Your Majesty will relax your mind and comfort your spirit, slightly examine those close to you, not worry about the Crown Prince’s faults, immediately stop the troops, and not let the Crown Prince remain long in flight! I harbor a sincere heart and risk death to speak these words, awaiting punishment at the Jianzhang Palace!” When the memorial was presented, the Son of Heaven was somewhat moved, but he had not yet publicly announced a pardon for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince fled eastward to Hu County and hid in Quanjiuli. The host’s family was poor and often supported the Crown Prince by selling shoes. The Crown Prince had an old acquaintance in Hu County. Hearing that this man was wealthy, he sent someone to summon him, and thus the hiding place was discovered. On the xinhai day of the eighth month, officials surrounded the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, realizing he could not escape, entered a room, closed the door, and hanged himself. Zhang Fuchang, a man from Shanyang who was then a soldier, kicked open the door. Li Shou, the County Scribe of Xin’an County, ran forward, embraced the Crown Prince, and cut him down. The host then fought to the death, and the two Imperial Grandsons also died together. The Emperor, grieving for the Crown Prince, enfeoffed Li Shou as the Marquis of Yu and Zhang Fuchang as the Marquis of Ti.
Initially, the Emperor had established the Bowang Garden for the Crown Prince, allowing him to associate with retainers and indulging his preferences. Therefore, among the retainers, many offered heterodox teachings.
Your servant Sima Guang says: In ancient times, sage and enlightened kings, when educating the Crown Prince, selected upright, honest, and virtuous people to serve as his Guardian, Tutor, and teachers and friends, allowing him to associate with them from morning to night. With no one improper around him and nothing unrighteous in his daily activities, even then there were cases where he indulged in depravity and fell into disaster. Now, however, he was allowed to associate with retainers himself and indulge his preferences. Upright people are hard to approach, while flatterers are easy to please. This is indeed the common nature of ordinary people. No wonder the Crown Prince did not come to a good end!
6 On the guihai day, an earthquake occurred.
7 In the ninth month, Shangqiu Cheng became Censor-in-Chief.
8 Liu Yan, the youngest son of King Jing of Zhao, was established as the King of Pinggan.
9 The Xiongnu invaded Shanggu and Wuyuan, killing and capturing officials and commoners.
Third Year of the Zhenghe Reign (Xinmao Year, 90 BCE)
1 Spring, the first month. The Emperor traveled and visited Yong County, then arrived at Anding and Beidi.
2 The Xiongnu invaded Wuyuan and Jiuquan, killing two Commandants. In the third month, Li Guangli was sent to lead 70,000 men from Wuyuan, Shangqiu Cheng led 20,000 men from Xihe, and Ma Tong led 40,000 cavalry from Jiuquan to attack the Xiongnu.
3 Summer, the fifth month. A general amnesty was granted to all under Heaven.
The Xiongnu Chanyu, learning that the Han army had mobilized in great force, moved all his supplies northward to the Zhiju River. The Left Virtuous King drove his people across the Yuwu River for six or seven hundred li and settled at Mount Douxian. The Chanyu himself led his elite troops across the Guqie River. When Shangqiucheng’s army arrived, they pursued along remote paths but saw no enemy and withdrew. The Xiongnu sent a great general and Li Ling with over thirty thousand cavalry to pursue the Han army. After skirmishing back and forth for nine days, they reached the Punu River. The Xiongnu, finding themselves at a disadvantage, withdrew their troops. Matong’s army reached Mount Tian. The Xiongnu sent the great general Yanqu with over twenty thousand cavalry to intercept the Han army. Seeing the Han forces were strong, they led their troops away. Matong suffered no losses but gained no victories. At this time, the Han feared that the Jushi would intercept Matong’s army, so they sent the Marquis of Kailing, Cheng Mian, to lead troops from the six kingdoms of Loulan, Weili, and Weixu to surround Jushi. They captured the king of Jushi and his people and then returned. After the Ershi General left the frontier, the Xiongnu sent the Right Grand Commandant and Wei Lü with five thousand cavalry to intercept the Han army at the Fuyang Jushan Gorge. The Ershi General defeated them, pursued the fleeing remnants in victory to Madame Fan’s city. The Xiongnu fled, and none dared to resist.
Initially, when the Ershi General set out on the campaign, the Chancellor Liu Qumao saw him off at the Wei Bridge. Li Guangli said, “I hope you, my lord, will soon petition to establish the Prince of Changyi as the heir apparent. If he becomes emperor, what worries will you have in the future?” Liu Qumao agreed. The Prince of Changyi was the son of the Ershi General’s sister, Consort Li. The Ershi General’s daughter was the wife of Liu Qumao’s son, so they together wished to establish the Prince of Changyi. At this time, the Prefect of the Inner Palace, Guo Rang, reported, “The Chancellor’s wife has cursed the Emperor and together with the Ershi General has prayed and sacrificed, wishing to make the Prince of Changyi emperor.” Upon investigation, the crime was deemed high treason. In the sixth month, an edict was issued to parade Liu Qumao through the streets in a food cart, then execute him by waist-cutting at the Eastern Market. His wife and children were beheaded and their heads displayed on Huayang Street. The Ershi General’s wife and children were also arrested. When the Ershi General heard this, he was anxious and fearful. His subordinate Hu Yafu, who had also joined the army to avoid punishment, urged him, saying, “Your wife and family have been taken by the authorities. If you return, any slight misstep will land you in prison. Once north of the Zhiju River, will you ever see them again?” The Ershi General thus hesitated and decided to penetrate deep into enemy territory to seek merit. He then marched north to the Zhiju River. The enemy had already left. The Ershi General sent the Protector Army with twenty thousand cavalry to cross the Zhiju River. They encountered the Left Virtuous King and the Left Great General with twenty thousand cavalry. They fought for an entire day. The Han army killed the Left Great General, and the enemy suffered many casualties. The Chief Scribe of the army, together with the Marquis of Huiqu, the Commandant of Juesui, plotted, saying, “The General harbors treacherous intentions and wants to endanger the army to gain merit. He will surely fail.” They planned to arrest the Ershi General together. When the Ershi General learned of this, he killed the Chief Scribe and led the army back, reaching Mount Yanran. The Chanyu, knowing that the Han army was exhausted, personally led fifty thousand cavalry to intercept and attack the Ershi General. Both sides suffered many casualties. At night, the Xiongnu dug a trench several feet deep in front of the Han army and then attacked fiercely from the rear. The Han army fell into great disorder, and the Ershi General surrendered. The Chanyu, knowing he was a great Han general, gave him his daughter in marriage and honored and favored him above Wei Lü. His clan was then exterminated.
5 In autumn, there was a plague of locusts.
6 In the ninth month, Gongsun Yong, the former magistrate of Chengfu County, and his client Hu Qian and others rebelled. Hu Qian falsely claimed to be a Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, saying he was ordered to oversee the arrest of bandits. Huaiyang Grand Administrator Tian Guangming detected this, raised troops, arrested, and executed him. Gongsun Yong wore embroidered robes and rode in a carriage drawn by four horses to the city of Yu. The Commandant of Yu, Wei Buhai, and others killed him. Wei Buhai and three others were enfeoffed as marquises.
7 Officials and common people who accused each other of witchcraft were, upon investigation, often found to be baseless. The Emperor gradually came to realize that the Crown Prince had acted out of fear and had no other intent. At this time, the Attendant of the Gaomi Shrine, Tian Qianqiu, submitted an urgent memorial pleading for the Crown Prince, saying, “A son playing with his father’s weapons deserves a flogging. What crime does the Emperor’s son commit for killing someone by mistake? I once dreamed that a white-haired old man taught me these words.” The Emperor was greatly awakened. He summoned Tian Qianqiu and said to him, “Matters between father and son are difficult for others to clarify. Only you understand that it was not as it seemed. This is the spirit of the Gaozu Temple who sent you to instruct me. You should be my assistant.” He immediately appointed Tian Qianqiu as Grand Herald and exterminated Jiang Chong’s entire clan. He burned Su Wen to death at the Heng Bridge. As for those who had raised weapons against the Crown Prince at Quanjiuli, the one initially appointed as Grand Administrator of Beidi was later also executed along with his clan. The Emperor pitied the Crown Prince’s innocence, so he built the Palace of Yearning for the Son and erected the Terrace for Gazing and Hoping for Return at Hu County. When the world heard of this, all were grieved.
Fourth year of the Zhenghe reign (Renchen year, 89 BCE)
1 Spring, first month. The Emperor traveled east to Lai Province, facing the sea, intending to sail into the sea to seek the immortal mountains. The assembled officials remonstrated, but the Emperor did not listen. However, a great wind darkened the sky, and the sea surged and boiled. The Emperor remained for over ten days but could not board the tower ship, so he returned.
2 Second month, Dingyou day. In Yong County, there was no cloud, but thunder sounded three times, and two meteorites fell, black as ink.
3 Third month. The Emperor cultivated grain at Juzhu. On his return, he visited Mount Tai and repaired the seal. On Gengyin day, he performed sacrifices in the Bright Hall. On Guisi day, he performed the Shan sacrifice at Shiqu, receiving the assembled officials. The Emperor then said, “Since I ascended the throne, my actions have been reckless and perverse, causing the people of the world distress and suffering. Regret is too late. From now on, all things that harm the people or waste the empire’s resources shall cease.” Tian Qianqiu said, “The alchemists who speak of immortals are many, yet they have achieved nothing evident. I request that they all be dismissed and sent away.” The Emperor said, “The Grand Herald speaks rightly.” He then dismissed all the alchemists who had been waiting for the immortals. Thereafter, whenever the Emperor spoke to his officials, he would sigh, “In the past, I was foolish and confused, deceived by the alchemists. Where in the world are there immortals? It is all falsehood! Moderating food and drink, taking medicines—these can only slightly reduce illness.” Summer, sixth month. He returned and visited Ganquan.
4 Dingsi day. He appointed the Grand Herald Tian Qianqiu as Chancellor and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Fumin. Tian Qianqiu had no other talents, nor had he rendered any meritorious service. He had only awakened the Emperor with a single statement and within a few months became Chancellor and was enfeoffed as a marquis—this had never happened in the world before. Yet he was honest and resourceful, and he performed his office ably, surpassing the chancellors before and after him.
Previously, the Commandant of Agricultural Grains, Sang Hongyang, together with the Chancellor and the Imperial Clerk, submitted a memorial saying: "East of Luntai there are over five thousand qing of irrigable fields. Garrison troops may be sent to cultivate them, with three colonels appointed to manage them separately, planting various grains. From Zhangye and Jiuquan, cavalry acting as provisional majors may be sent to conduct reconnaissance. Among the common people, those who are robust and daring enough to migrate may be recruited to go where the fields are, expanding the irrigated land. Gradually, beacon towers and fortifications should be built, extending westward to connect the city walls, thereby deterring the Western Regions and assisting the Wusun." The Emperor then issued an edict, deeply recounting his past regrets, saying: "Previously, the relevant offices requested an increase of thirty cash per person in the poll tax to support border defense expenses. This would only worsen the hardships of the elderly, the weak, and the orphaned. Now they again request sending troops to cultivate fields at Luntai. Luntai lies over a thousand li west of Jushi. Earlier, when the Kai Ling Marquis attacked Jushi, though victorious and having subdued the king of Jushi, due to the great distance and lack of provisions, several thousand men died of starvation on the road. How much more so for a place further west! In times past, I was unwise. Because the Military Marquis Hong memorialized that 'the Xiongnu bound the front and rear legs of their horses and placed them beneath the city walls, galloping and proclaiming, "Chinese, we give you horses,"' and also because Han envoys had been long detained without return, I therefore dispatched the Ershi General to lead an expedition, hoping thereby to increase the prestige of the envoys. In ancient times, the high ministers and great officers participated in deliberations, consulting the yarrow stalks and turtle shells for divination; if it was inauspicious, no action was taken. Previously, I circulated the letter about the bound horses broadly among the Chancellors, Imperial Clerks, Two-thousand-stone officials, great officers, court gentlemen, and literary scholars, even showing it to commandery and dependent-state commandants. All said, 'The enemy binding their own horses is highly inauspicious!' Some thought, 'They wish to display strength; those who are deficient show others what they have in abundance.' The court astrologers, grand historians, astronomers, observers of portents, and the chief diviner, using turtle shells and yarrow stalks, all divined that it was 'auspicious—the Xiongnu will surely be defeated; such an opportunity will not come again.' They also said: 'When the northern expedition's generals march, they will surely prevail at Fushan. The hexagrams show that among the generals, the Ershi General is most auspicious.' Therefore, I personally dispatched the Ershi General to march on Fushan, ordering him not to advance too deeply. Now, both the plans and the hexagrams have turned out contrary. The Chonghe Marquis captured Xiongnu scouts and only then learned that 'binding the horses was a Xiongnu curse ritual against military actions.' The Xiongnu often say, 'Han is vast, but cannot endure hunger and thirst; lose one wolf, and a thousand sheep will scatter.' Previously, the Ershi General was defeated, with soldiers dead, captured, or scattered. The grief has always been in my heart. Now they again request distant cultivation at Luntai and the building of beacon towers and tunnels. This would harass and weary the empire, not a way to benefit the people—I cannot bear to hear it! The Grand Herald and others also propose to recruit convicts to return Xiongnu envoys, clearly promising marquisates as rewards to exact vengeance and vent anger. This is something even the Five Hegemons would not do. Moreover, when the Xiongnu capture Han defectors, they often lift them up and search them, asking what they know—how could such a scheme be carried out? The urgent matter now is to prohibit harsh cruelty, stop arbitrary levies and taxes, devote effort to the agricultural foundation, and restore the horse-replacement exemption order, thereby replenishing deficiencies and ensuring no lack of military preparedness. Let commandery and kingdom officials of the Two-thousand-stone rank each submit their methods for raising horses and their plans for supplementing border defenses, reporting them along with the annual account books."
From then on, no more military campaigns were launched. Tian Qianqiu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Fumin, to signify the nurturing of the people, with thoughts of enrichment and sustenance. Zhao Guo was also appointed Commandant of Agricultural Grains. Zhao Guo was able to implement the alternate-field method; his plowing and weeding implements were all convenient and ingenious. He used them to instruct the people, achieving greater grain harvests with less labor, and the people found them convenient.
Your servant Sima Guang comments: The empire has indeed never lacked talent! Emperor Wu was fond of achievements among the four barbarian tribes, and brave, sharp, and fearless men filled the court, expanding territories and broadening borders, meeting every expectation. Later, when he turned to nurturing the people and emphasizing agriculture, men like Zhao Guo taught the people plowing and weeding, and the people also benefited from his efforts. This is because the same ruler's personal interests and preferences differed, and talented men responded accordingly. If Emperor Wu had also possessed the magnanimity of the Three Kings to bring about the governance of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, would he have lacked ministers of the Three Dynasties?
5 In autumn, on the Guiyou day of the eighth month, a solar eclipse occurred.
6 Wei Lü, jealous of the Ershi General's favor, took advantage of the Xiongnu Chanyu's mother, the Yanzhi, falling ill. Wei Lü instructed a Hu shaman to say: "The former Chanyu is angry, saying, 'The Hu, when sacrificing in times of war, used to say that obtaining the Ershi General would be used for the earth altar sacrifice—why is it not done?'" Thereupon, they arrested the Ershi General. The Ershi General cursed, saying, "When I die, I will surely destroy the Xiongnu!" Then they slaughtered the Ershi General as a sacrifice.
Houyuan first year (Guisi, 88 BCE)
1 Spring, the first month. The Emperor traveled to and stayed at Ganquan, offering sacrifices to Taiyi; then he went to Anding.
2 Liu Bo, the King Ai of Changyi, died.
3 In the second month, a general amnesty was granted throughout the empire.
4 Summer, the sixth month. Shangqiu Cheng died by suicide for committing the crime of cursing and praying for harm.
5 Initially, the Palace Attendant and Prefect of the Carriage Riders, Ma Heluo, had a close relationship with Jiang Chong. After the Crown Prince Wei raised troops, Ma Heluo's younger brother, Ma Tong, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Chonghe for his valiant efforts in battle. Later, the Emperor exterminated Jiang Chong's clan and partisans, and Ma Heluo and his brothers, fearing implication, then plotted rebellion. The Palace Attendant and Commandant of the Equerries, Jin Midi, observed that their intentions were unusual, grew suspicious, and secretly investigated their movements, attending court with them. Ma Heluo also sensed Jin Midi's suspicions, and thus for a long time, the plot was not carried out. At this time, the Emperor traveled to and stayed at the Lingguang Palace. Jin Midi, being slightly ill, lay in his lodge. Ma Heluo, together with Ma Tong and his younger brother Ma Ancheng, forged an imperial edict and went out at night, killing the envoys and raising troops. The next morning, before the Emperor had risen, Ma Heluo entered from outside without reason. Jin Midi, while going to the latrine, felt a sudden unease and immediately went inside, sitting beneath the inner chamber door. After a while, Ma Heluo, hiding a white blade in his sleeve, came up from the eastern wing. Seeing Jin Midi, his expression changed. He ran toward the bedchamber, trying to enter, but in his haste, he collided with a precious zither and fell. Jin Midi was thus able to seize Ma Heluo and loudly shouted, "Ma Heluo is rebelling!" The Emperor, startled, rose. The attendants drew their swords to fight, but the Emperor, fearing they might accidentally injure Jin Midi, stopped them from fighting. Jin Midi threw Ma Heluo down the palace steps, and he was captured and bound. A thorough investigation followed, and all confessed their crimes and were punished.
6 Autumn, the seventh month. An earthquake occurred.
7 Liu Dan, the King of Yan, considered himself next in line to be Crown Prince. He submitted a memorial requesting entry into the palace to serve as a guard. The Emperor, angered, executed his envoy at the northern gate. Furthermore, for the crime of harboring fugitives, three counties—Liangxiang, Anci, and Wen'an—were stripped from his fief. From then on, the Emperor detested Liu Dan. Liu Dan was eloquent, intelligent, and learned. His younger brother, Liu Xu, the King of Guangling, was strong and brave. But both acted without restraint and had many faults, so the Emperor did not establish either of them.
At that time, the son of Lady Gouyi, Liu Fuling, was several years old. He was robust and tall, with much intelligence. The Emperor considered him extraordinary and loved him, intending in his heart to establish him. But because the child was young and his mother young, he hesitated for a long time. He wished to use a great minister to assist him. Examining the various ministers, only the Chief of the Equerries and Grand Master of the Palace, Huo Guang, was loyal and trustworthy enough to bear great responsibility. The Emperor then had the Yellow Gate attendant paint a picture of the Duke of Zhou receiving the feudal lords while carrying King Cheng on his back and gave it to Huo Guang. A few days later, the Emperor reproached Lady Gouyi. The lady removed her hairpins and earrings and kowtowed. The Emperor said, "Take her away! Send her to the Palace of the Weaving House prison!" The lady looked back, and the Emperor said, "Go quickly! You cannot live!" Finally, she was given death. Soon after, the Emperor, at leisure, asked those around him, "What do people outside say?" The attendants replied, "People say, 'He is about to establish her son, so why remove his mother?'" The Emperor said, "Indeed. This is not something you foolish people can understand. The reason states have been thrown into chaos from ancient times to the present is because the ruler is young and the mother is in her prime. A female ruler, living alone and arrogant, indulgent and licentious, no one can restrain her. Have you not heard of Empress Lü? Therefore, she had to be eliminated first."
Houyuan second year (Jiawu, 87 BCE)
1 Spring, the first month. The Emperor received the feudal lords at the Ganquan Palace. In the second month, he went to the Wuzuo Palace in Zhouzhi.
The emperor was gravely ill. Huo Guang, weeping, asked, “If Your Majesty should encounter misfortune, who should succeed?” The emperor said, “Have you not understood the meaning of that earlier painting? Establish the youngest son, and you shall act as the Duke of Zhou.” Huo Guang knocked his head on the ground and declined, saying, “Your servant is inferior to Jin Midi!” Jin Midi also said, “Your servant is a foreigner, inferior to Huo Guang; moreover, this would cause the Xiongnu to despise the Han dynasty!” On the day Yichou, an edict was issued establishing Liu Fuling as the Crown Prince; he was then eight years old. On the day Bingyin, Huo Guang was appointed Grand Marshal and General-in-Chief, Jin Midi as Chariot and Cavalry General, and Supervisor of the Imperial Household Shangguan Jie as General of the Left. They received the testamentary edict to assist the young lord. Additionally, the Colonel of Grain Transport Sang Hongyang was appointed Imperial Censor. All received their appointments kneeling before the bed in the bedchamber. Huo Guang had entered and left the palace for over twenty years, serving as Chariot Attendant when outside and attending the emperor’s side within, always cautious and meticulous, never committing an error. By nature he was calm and careful; each time he entered or left, or descended the palace gate, his steps and pauses were fixed at set positions. The Court Gentlemen and Supervisors of the Retinue secretly observed him, and he never deviated by a fraction. Jin Midi, at the emperor’s side, did not cast his eyes askance for decades. The emperor bestowed palace ladies upon him, but he dared not approach them. The emperor wished to take his daughter into the rear palace, but he refused. He was so loyal and cautious that the emperor found him especially remarkable. Jin Midi’s eldest son was the emperor’s plaything boy, whom the emperor greatly loved. Later, the boy grew up and became indiscreet; from the palace hall he frolicked with the palace women. Jin Midi happened to see this, detested his licentiousness, and then killed the boy. When the emperor heard of it, he was furious. Jin Midi knocked his head on the ground, confessed his crime, and detailed the circumstances of killing the boy. The emperor was deeply grieved, shedding tears for it; soon afterward, he revered Jin Midi in his heart. Shangguan Jie initially gained favor through his talent and strength, serving as Prefect of the Weiyang Stable. The emperor had once been unwell; when he recovered and saw the horses, most were thin. The emperor was greatly angered and said, “Does the Prefect of the Stable think I will not see the horses again?” He wanted to hand him over to the officials for punishment. Shangguan Jie knocked his head and said, “Your servant heard that the Sacred Body was unwell, and day and night I was anxious, my mind truly not on the horses.” Before he finished speaking, several streams of tears flowed down. The emperor thought he cared for him, and therefore drew him close, making him a Palace Attendant, gradually promoting him to Supervisor of the Imperial Household. These three men were all long favored and trusted by the emperor, so he specially promoted them and entrusted them with the affairs of the succession. On the day Dingmao, the emperor passed away at the Five Palace; he was encoffined in the Front Hall of the Weiyang Palace.
Emperor Wu of Han was intelligent and decisive, skilled in employing men, and executed the law without leniency. The son of Princess Longlü, Zhaoping Jun, had married the emperor’s daughter, Princess Yian. When Princess Longlü was gravely ill, she used a thousand catties of gold and ten million copper coins to purchase in advance a pardon for Zhaoping Jun’s capital crimes; Emperor Wu agreed. After Princess Longlü died, Zhaoping Jun grew increasingly arrogant. Drunk, he killed the Princess’s tutor and was imprisoned. The Commandant of Justice, because he was the son of a princess, reported the matter to Emperor Wu. The attendants and close officials all pleaded for Zhaoping Jun, saying, “Earlier he also paid the redemption price, and Your Majesty consented.” Emperor Wu said, “My sister was old when she had this single son, and on her deathbed she entrusted him to me.” Thereupon he wept for this, sighing for a long time, then added, “The law was established by the Former Emperor. To distort the Former Emperor’s law for the sake of my sister—what face would I have to enter the Gaomiao Temple? Moreover, this would betray the myriad people below.” So he approved the Commandant of Justice’s memorial, unable to stop his grief. The attendants and close officials were also saddened. The Court Gentleman for Consultation Dongfang Shang stepped forward to offer congratulations, saying, “I have heard that a sage king in governing the state rewards without avoiding enemies and punishes without sparing close kin. The Book of Documents says: ‘Be neither partial nor partisan; the kingly way is broad and level.’ These two points are what the Five Emperors valued, and what the Three Kings found difficult to achieve. Your Majesty has now practiced them—how fortunate for the realm! I, Dongfang Shang, raise my cup, risk death, and bow twice, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years!” Emperor Wu was initially angry at Dongfang Shang, but then considered his words excellent and appointed him a Palace Attendant.
Ban Gu’s commentary reads: The Han dynasty inherited the evils of successive dynasties. Emperor Gao brought order out of chaos; Emperors Wen and Jing devoted themselves to nurturing the people. As for examining ancient ritual institutions, there were still many deficiencies. Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Wu, with outstanding distinction, abolished the Hundred Schools, honored the Six Classics, and then broadly consulted talents from within the seas, selecting the most outstanding among them, and together with them established achievements. He founded the Imperial Academy, revised the suburban sacrifice rituals, corrected the calendar, determined the celestial numbers, harmonized pitch pipes and music, composed poetry and music, performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices, sacrificed to the hundred spirits, continued the line of the Zhou dynasty, and issued proclamations and literary works, all radiant and worthy of record, so that later generations could follow the great foundation and possess the vestiges of the Three Dynasties. With such great talent and bold strategy as Emperor Wu’s, if he had not altered the reverent frugality of Emperors Wen and Jing to aid the people, even what the Book of Songs and Book of Documents praise could not surpass it!
Your servant Sima Guang says: Emperor Wu of Han exhausted his desires to the utmost, applied punishments heavily, levied taxes harshly, extensively built palaces and halls within, frequently campaigned against the four directions without, believed in spirits and prodigies, toured without restraint, and exhausted the people, driving them to become bandits. In these respects, he was no different from the First Emperor of Qin. Yet Qin perished for these reasons, while Han flourished—this was because Emperor Wu could honor the way of the Former Kings, knew what to adhere to, accepted loyal remonstrances, detested being deceived and hoodwinked, delighted in worthy men without tiring, was strict in rewards and punishments, and in his later years was able to correct his errors, entrusting the succession to the right persons. This is why, though he had the faults that caused Qin’s downfall, he was able to avoid Qin’s calamity!
On the day Wuchen, the Crown Prince succeeded to the imperial throne. The emperor’s sister, Princess Eyi, supported the emperor within the palace. Huo Guang, Jin Midi, and Shangguan Jie jointly managed the affairs of the Department of State Affairs. Huo Guang assisted the young ruler; all government orders issued from him, and the realm longed to hear of his demeanor. There was once a strange occurrence in the palace. One night, the various officials startled one another. Huo Guang summoned the Court Gentleman in charge of the imperial seals, wanting to take the emperor’s seal. The Court Gentleman refused to give it up. Huo Guang tried to seize it by force. The Court Gentleman pressed his hand on his sword and said, “My head can be taken, but the seal cannot be given to you!” Huo Guang considered him correct. The next day, an edict was issued promoting this Court Gentleman two ranks. No one among the crowd did not praise Huo Guang.
In the third month, on the day Jiazi, the Filial and Martial Emperor was interred in the Maoling Mausoleum.
In summer, the sixth month, a general amnesty was granted under heaven.
In autumn, the seventh month, a comet appeared in the east.
The Prince of Jibei, Liu Kuan, committed a crime due to beastly conduct and killed himself.
In winter, the Xiongnu invaded Shuofang Commandery, killing and plundering officials and commoners. The court mobilized troops to station at Xihe. The General of the Left, Shangguan Jie, patrolled the northern border.