Book of Han, Volume 30
Wang Mang's Tianfeng second year (Yi Hai, 15 AD)
Spring, second month: A general amnesty was granted throughout the empire.
A rumor spread among the people that a yellow dragon had fallen dead in the Yellow Mountain Palace. Tens of thousands of commoners rushed to see it. Wang Mang detested this, arrested the onlookers, and traced the source of the rumor, but could not discover it.
The Chanyu Xian had already made peace and intermarriage with the Han dynasty and requested the return of his son's corpse. Wang Mang intended to send an envoy to return it, but fearing that the Chanyu Xian harbored resentment and would kill the envoy, he arrested the former general Chen Qin, who had originally advocated killing the attendant, and executed him on other charges. Wang Mang selected the eloquent scholar Wang Xian of Jinan as the great envoy. Summer, fifth month: Wang Mang also sent the Peace-and-Marriage Marquis Wang She together with Wang Xian and others to escort the Right Kitchen-Wei-Xi King back to his country, and incidentally returned the coffins of the previously beheaded attendant Deng and of the various nobles and their retinues. The Chanyu sent the son of Yun and the son of Dang, the Great-Quli-She, and others to the border to welcome them. Wang Xian reached the Chanyu's court, set forth Wang Mang's majesty and virtue, and Wang Mang also bestowed large quantities of gold, silver, and precious objects on the Chanyu. Taking the opportunity, he urged the Chanyu to change his title, renaming the Xiongnu "Gongnu" (Tribute Slaves) and the Chanyu "Shanyu" (Good at [ruling]), granting a seal and ribbon, and enfeoffing Guduhou Dang as Hou'an Gong and Dang's son She as Hou'an Hou. The Chanyu coveted Wang Mang's gold and wealth, so he reluctantly complied, but his raids and plunder continued as before.
Wang Mang believed that once the institutions were fixed, the empire would naturally be at peace. Therefore he devoted his entire mind to geography, the regulation of rites, the making of music, and the study of doctrines conforming to the Six Classics. The high ministers entered the palace at dawn and left at dusk, debating year after year without reaching a decision. They had no time to hear lawsuits involving grievances or to handle the urgent affairs of the common people. County magistrates who had been vacant for years were managed by acting or concurrent officials, all of whom were greedy and cruel, growing worse day by day. The Zhonglang generals and Embroidered-Robe Law Enforcement officers stationed in the commanderies and kingdoms all relied on their authority to impeach and denounce one another. Furthermore, the subordinates of the Eleven Dukes were distributed throughout the regions, supervising agriculture and sericulture, promulgating the seasonal ordinances, and examining various memorials and reports. The officials' carriages and canopies were in constant sight, crisscrossing the roads. They summoned officials and commoners, arrested witnesses, and the commanderies and counties levied taxes, engaged in mutual bribery, and confused black and white. Many people came to the court to lodge complaints. Wang Mang, seeing that he had formerly seized the Han dynasty's power by personally controlling affairs, now devoted himself to personally overseeing all matters. The relevant departments merely accepted orders and sought to avoid blame. Various treasuries—for precious objects, coinage, grain, and the like—were all managed by eunuchs. When officials or commoners submitted sealed memorials, eunuchs and close attendants opened and read them, and the Masters of Writing were not allowed to know their contents. He guarded against his subordinates to this extreme. He also delighted in altering institutions, so that orders were numerous. Those who should have carried them out always had to request instructions before acting, resulting in contradictions and confusion. Wang Mang often worked by lamplight until dawn, yet still could not finish. The Masters of Writing therefore committed fraud, suppressed matters, and did not handle them. Those who submitted memorials and awaited replies might not leave for years. Prisoners held in commanderies and counties were only released when a general amnesty occurred. Garrison soldiers were unable to be rotated for as long as three years. Grain prices were constantly high. There were over two hundred thousand frontier troops, all dependent on government supplies for food and clothing. Wuyuan and Dai commanderies suffered especially. The common people turned to banditry, thousands forming a single gang, roving and attacking neighboring commanderies. Wang Mang sent the Bandit-Catching General Kong Ren to lead troops and join with the commanderies and counties in attacking them. It took over a year to pacify them.
North of Handan, heavy rain fell. Floods burst forth, water reaching several zhang in depth, drowning several thousand people.
Wang Mang's Tianfeng third year (Bing Zi, 16 AD)
Spring, second month: On the yiyou day, an earthquake occurred, accompanied by heavy snow. The Guan region suffered especially severely, with snow reaching a zhang in depth. Bamboo and cypress trees withered in some places. The Grand Minister of Works Wang Yi submitted a memorial, requesting retirement due to the earthquake. Wang Mang did not permit it, saying: "The earth has 'movement' and 'shaking.' Shaking is harmful; movement is not. The Spring and Autumn Annals records earthquakes. The Appended Remarks of the Book of Changes says the Kun trigram governs stillness. Movement and stillness, opening and closing—from these the ten thousand things are born." He delighted in self-justification in this manner.
Before this, because the institutions had not yet been completed, from the dukes and marquises down to the minor officials, no one received salaries. Summer, fifth month: Wang Mang issued an edict saying: "I have encountered the calamity of Yang Nine and the disaster of Bai Six. The state's resources are insufficient, and the people are restless and disturbed. From the dukes and ministers downward, the monthly salary has been only ten zeng of cloth, two bolts, or sometimes one bolt of silk. Whenever I think of this, I cannot help but grieve. Now the calamity has passed. Although the state treasuries are not yet full, they can generally provide a little. Beginning on the gengyin day of the sixth month, official salaries shall be issued according to the regulations." The Four Assistants, dukes, ministers, grandees, and officers, down to the Charioteers and Servitors, comprised fifteen ranks. The Servitors' salary was sixty-six hu per year, increasing gradually by grade. At the top, the Four Assistants received ten thousand hu. Wang Mang further said: "In ancient times, when the harvest was bountiful, rituals were increased; when there were calamities, they were reduced, sharing the people's joys and sorrows. At the year-end accounting, a comprehensive calculation is made. If the empire is fortunate and has no calamities, the food of the Grand Provisioner shall include all varieties. If there are calamities, the food shall be reduced by a proportion of ten percent. From the Eleven Dukes, Six Directors, and Six Ministers downward, each is assigned to oversee a province, commandery, or state, and is responsible for its calamities. Their salaries shall also be reduced by a proportion of ten percent. For the Gentlemen-in-Attendance, Followers, and capital officials whose salaries are disbursed from the Capital Treasury, the reduction shall follow the standard of the Grand Provisioner's food. I hope that superiors and subordinates will be of one mind, encourage and promote agriculture, and settle the people." Wang Mang's institutions were so minute that assessment and calculation could not be carried out. Officials ultimately received no salaries, and each then used his office to commit crimes and accept bribes to support himself.
On the wuchen day, the western bank of Changping Pass collapsed, blocking the Jing River. The water could not flow freely and changed course northward. The assembled officials congratulated [Wang Mang], considering this to be what the River Chart called "using earth to fill water"—an omen of the Xiongnu's destruction. Wang Mang then sent the Shepherd of Bing Province, Song Hong, and the Commandant of Mobile Cavalry, Ren Meng, and others to lead troops to attack the Xiongnu, reaching the border and encamping.
Autumn, seventh month: On the xinyou day, a fire broke out at the Baccheng Gate.
On the wuzi day, which was the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. A general amnesty was granted throughout the empire.
The Pacifying Man General Feng Mao attacked the Gouting. Of the soldiers, six or seven out of ten died from epidemic diseases. Taxes were levied on the people, taking five out of every ten parts. Yi Province was drained empty, yet the attack could not succeed. Feng Mao was recalled, imprisoned, and died in prison. Winter: The Ning Shi General Lian Dan and the Shepherd of Yongbu, Shi Xiong, were sent instead. They massively mobilized cavalry from Tianshui and Longxi, and one hundred thousand officials and commoners from Guanghan, Ba, Shu, and Qianwei, plus two hundred thousand transport troops, to attack the Gouting. Upon arrival, they killed several thousand. Later, military grain supplies repeatedly failed to arrive, and the soldiers became hungry and fell ill. Wang Mang summoned Lian Dan and Shi Xiong back to the capital. Lian Dan and Shi Xiong wished to increase requisitions, secure victory, and then return, so they again levied heavy taxes. The Grand Warden of Jiudu, Feng Ying, refused to supply them, submitting a memorial saying: "Since the southwestern tribes rebelled, nearly ten years have passed. The commanderies and counties have resisted without cease. Then Feng Mao was employed, temporarily implementing expedient measures. South of the Boda Road, the mountains are steep, the waters deep, and the forests dense. Feng Mao drove the people in large numbers to dwell in distant places. The expenses amounted to hundreds of millions. Of the officials and soldiers, seven out of ten died from poisonous vapors. Now Lian Dan and Shi Xiong, fearing they cannot fulfill their promises, have set a date to mobilize troops and grain from all commanderies. They again squeeze the people, taking four out of every ten parts, emptying and ruining Liang Province. In the end, military merit cannot be achieved. It would be better to withdraw the troops, establish agricultural colonies, and openly set rewards." Wang Mang was greatly angered and dismissed Feng Ying from office. Later he came to his senses and said: "Feng Ying perhaps should not be excessively blamed." So he reappointed Feng Ying as the Commander-in-Chief of Changsha. The Yuesui barbarian Rengui also killed the Grand Warden Meigen and set himself up as the King of Qiong Valley.
Zhai Yi's partisan Wang Sunqing was captured. Wang Mang ordered the Grand Physician, the Imperial Workshop, and skilled butchers to dissect his body, measure the five viscera, and use bamboo skewers to trace his blood vessels, learning their origins and endpoints, saying that this could be used to treat illness.
In this year, Wang Mang sent Grand Envoy General of the Five Majesties Wang Jun, Protector General of the Western Regions Li Chong, and Commandant of the Wuji Garrison Guo Qin as envoys to the Western Regions. The various kingdoms all came out to the outskirts to welcome them and dispatched troops to escort provisions. Wang Jun intended to attack them. The king of Yanqi feigned surrender but secretly gathered forces to prepare defenses. Wang Jun and his men led over seven thousand troops from Shache and Qiuci, dividing into several columns, and ordered Guo Qin and Assistant Commander He Feng to lead a separate contingent behind them. Wang Jun and his men entered Yanqi, where Yanqi’s ambushing forces intercepted Wang Jun, while the troops of Gumo, Fengli, and Weixu acted as turncoats, turning back to jointly attack Wang Jun and his men, killing them all. Guo Qin and He Feng arrived later at Yanqi; Yanqi’s army had not yet returned. Guo Qin launched an attack, killing their old and weak, and returned from Cheshi into the frontier passes. Wang Mang appointed Guo Qin as General Who Pacifies the Outer Regions, enfeoffing him as the Beard-Cutter Marquis, and He Feng as the Barbarian-Collecting Marquis. Li Chong gathered the remaining troops and retreated to defend Qiuci. By the time Wang Mang failed, Li Chong died in battle, and the Western Regions were thus cut off from the Central Plains.
In the fourth year of the Tianfeng era of Wang Mang (Dingchou, 17 AD), summer, sixth month, Wang Mang re-granted the sacred soils to the feudal lords at the Bright Hall, personally laying out a desk adorned with patterned stone, displaying jingmao grass and soils of four colors, and offering sacrifices to Mount Tai, the Grand Altar of Soil, the Earth Sovereign, the ancestors, and the ancestresses, before issuing and granting them. Wang Mang loved empty talk and admired ancient methods, granting many titles to people, but his nature was truly stingy. He used the excuse that the geographical divisions had not been determined, so initially he only granted the sacred soils to appease those who had received enfeoffments.
Autumn, eighth month, Wang Mang personally went to the Southern Suburb to cast a Majestic Dipper, made of five-stone copper, shaped like the Big Dipper, two feet five inches long, intending to use it to suppress the various armies. After it was cast, he ordered the Director of Fate to carry it on his back. When Wang Mang traveled, it was placed in front; when he returned to the palace, it was placed beside his throne.
Wang Mang established the post of Xihe Life Officials to supervise the Five Equalisations and the Six Controls. In each commandery, there were several such officials, all appointed from wealthy merchants. They rode post-horses to seek profits, spreading throughout the empire. They colluded with commandery and county officials in fraudulent activities, setting up numerous empty account books, leaving the treasuries unfilled, and the common people became even more distressed. In this year, Wang Mang again issued an edict reiterating the Six Controls, establishing statutes and prohibitions for each control, with the death penalty for those who violated them. Cunning officials and unscrupulous commoners joined in extortion, and the people found no peace. Furthermore, all those owning slaves, from the Upper Dukes downward, were uniformly levied, with each slave costing 3,600 cash, causing even greater suffering throughout the empire. The Minister of Revenue Feng Chang admonished regarding the Six Controls, and Wang Mang, enraged, dismissed Feng Chang from his post.
The laws and decrees were numerous and harsh; the people could hardly move without violating prohibitions, leaving them unable to engage in farming and sericulture. Corvée labor was heavy, and droughts and locust plagues followed one after another, while lawsuits remained prolonged and undecided. Officials used harshness and cruelty to establish authority, leveraging Wang Mang’s prohibitions to encroach upon and exploit the common people. The wealthy could not protect themselves either, and the poor had no means to survive. Consequently, they rose up in droves to become bandits, relying on mountainous and marshy strongholds. Officials could not capture them and even shielded them, allowing the bandit forces to gradually spread and grow larger. Linhuai man Guatian Yi and others occupied Changzhou in Kuaiji; Langya woman Lü Mu gathered several thousand followers, killed the magistrate of Haiqu County, and entered the sea as pirates, with their numbers gradually increasing to over ten thousand. Jing Province suffered famine; the people entered wilderness marshes, digging water chestnuts to eat, and fought over them. Xin City men Wang Kuang and Wang Feng mediated disputes among them and were thus elected as leaders, commanding several hundred followers. Subsequently, fugitives from all over, such as Nanyang man Ma Wu, Yingchuan men Wang Chang and Cheng Dan, all went to join them. Together, they attacked the scattered settlements and hid in the Lülin Mountains. Within a few months, their followers reached seven or eight thousand. Additionally, Nan Commandery man Zhang Ba and Jiangxia man Yang Mu rose up at the same time as Wang Kuang, each with followers numbering ten thousand. Wang Mang sent envoys to pardon the bandits. The envoys returned and said, “After the bandits disband, they often regroup. When asked why, they say: ‘We are distressed by the cumbersome and harsh laws and prohibitions; we cannot move freely. The fruits of our hard labor are insufficient to pay taxes and tributes. If we close our doors and keep to ourselves, we are implicated by neighbors secretly minting coins or hoarding copper, and corrupt officials use this to harass us.’ The people, having no way out, all rise up to become bandits.” Wang Mang, enraged, dismissed the envoys. Some envoys, following his wishes, said, “The people are arrogant and cunning and deserve execution,” or said, “This is merely the turn of fate; they will soon be eliminated.” Wang Mang then became pleased and immediately promoted them.
In the fifth year of the Tianfeng era of Wang Mang (Wuyin, 18 AD), spring, first month, on the first day, a fire broke out at the southern gate of the Northern Army.
Wang Mang appointed the Grand Minister of Works’ Aide Fei Xing as Governor of Jing Province. Fei Xing had an audience, and Wang Mang asked him about his strategy upon taking office. Fei Xing replied, “The people of Jing and Yang provinces mostly rely on mountain and marsh strongholds, making a living by fishing and gathering firewood. Recently, the state implemented the Six Controls system, imposing taxes on mountains and marshes, harming and depriving the people of their livelihoods. Coupled with successive years of severe drought, the people are starving and impoverished, thus becoming bandits. When I arrive, I wish to clearly inform the bandits to return to their fields, lend them oxen, seeds, and grain, and relax their taxes and rents, hoping to dissolve and pacify them.” Wang Mang, enraged, dismissed Fei Xing from his post.
Officials throughout the empire, lacking salaries, all engaged in illegal profiteering; commandery governors and county magistrates amassed fortunes of a thousand catties of gold. Wang Mang then investigated, from the second year of the Shijiangu era when the Hu barbarians disrupted China, all military officials and border officials of the rank of Grand Master and above who had illegally increased their wealth, confiscating four-fifths of all property in their households to fund border emergencies. Officials from the ducal bureaus rode post-horses throughout the empire, investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials. Garrison officials informed on their generals, and slaves informed on their masters, intending to curb malfeasance, but corruption became even more severe.
Wang Mang’s grandson, Gongchong Gong Wang Zong, committed suicide after being discovered for privately painting his portrait, wearing the robes and crown of the Son of Heaven, and carving three seals. Wang Zong’s elder sister, Wang Fang, was the wife of General of the Guard Wang Xing. She committed suicide along with Wang Xing after cursing her mother-in-law and killing a servant to silence her.
In this year, Yang Xiong died. Initially, during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, Yang Xiong served as a Gentleman, working in the Yellow Gate, alongside Wang Mang and Liu Xiu. In the early years of Emperor Ai, he served alongside Dong Xian. Wang Mang and Dong Xian later became the Three Dukes, with power surpassing that of the sovereign; everyone they recommended was promoted without exception, yet Yang Xiong passed through three reigns without advancement. By the time Wang Mang usurped the throne, Yang Xiong, due to his age and seniority, was transferred to the post of Grand Master. He was indifferent to fame and wealth, loved the ancient way, and delighted in studying the path of the sages, hoping to achieve renown in later ages through his writings. Thus, he composed the Tai Xuan to synthesize the principles of Heaven, Earth, and humanity. He also saw that the various philosophers, each relying on their own wisdom, argued with one another, mostly slandering the sages and presenting bizarre, far-fetched, and sophistical arguments to disturb the world. Although they had some minor cleverness, they ultimately undermined the great Way and confused the people, causing them to be mired in what they heard without recognizing their errors. Therefore, when people questioned Yang Xiong, he often answered with legal standards, producing the Fa Yan (Model Sayings). He devoted himself to inner cultivation and did not seek external fame; contemporaries all ignored him. Only Liu Xiu and Fan Xun respected him, while Huan Tan considered him unmatched. Julu man Hou Ba served him as a teacher. Grand Minister of Works Wang Yi and Minister of Palace Revenues Yan You, upon hearing of Yang Xiong’s death, said to Huan Tan, “You once praised Yang Xiong’s writings—can they be passed down to later generations?” Huan Tan replied, “They will certainly be transmitted, but you and I will not live to see it. People generally despise the near and value the distant; they saw that Yang Xiong’s salary, rank, and appearance were unimpressive, so they belittle his works. In former times, Laozi wrote the Dao De Jing in two chapters, denouncing benevolence and righteousness and criticizing ritual learning, yet later those who liked it considered it superior to the Five Classics. From Emperors Wen and Jing of Han down to Sima Qian, this view prevailed. Now Yang Xiong’s writings are extremely profound in literary meaning, and his arguments do not deviate from the sages’ Way. Therefore, they will surely surpass the various philosophers!”
Fan Chong of Langye raised an army in Ju County, with a following of over a hundred men, and then moved into Mount Tai. Because of Fan Chong’s bravery, various bandit groups came to join him, and within a year his followers reached over ten thousand. Fan Chong’s fellow villager Pang An, along with Xu Xuan, Xie Lu, and Yang Yin of Donghai, each raised troops, totaling several tens of thousands, and they led their forces to follow Fan Chong. Together they attacked Ju County but failed to capture it, then turned to plundering between Qingzhou and Xuzhou. There was also Diao Zidu of Donghai, who raised troops and raided Xuzhou and Yanzhou. Wang Mang dispatched envoys to summon troops from commanderies and kingdoms to attack them, but they could not prevail.
The Wulei Chanyu died, and his younger brother, the Left Worthy Prince Yu, succeeded him, taking the title Huyedushidaogao Ruodi Chanyu. After Yu ascended, greedy for rewards, he sent the Great Ququ She and the son of Yimoju Yun’s sister, the Xidu King, together to Chang’an to offer tribute. Wang Mang dispatched the Heqin Marquis Wang Xi to meet with She and the others at the Zhilu fortress, where they met with Yun and Xubu Dang; then, using military force, he coerced Yun and Dang and brought them to Chang’an. Yun and Dang’s young son escaped from the fortress and returned to the Xiongnu. When Dang arrived in Chang’an, Wang Mang appointed him the Xubu Chanyu, intending to raise a large army to support his installation, but the troop deployments were untimely. The Xiongnu, growing even more enraged, simultaneously raided the northern border.
Wang Mang promulgated the sixth year of the Tianfeng era (ji mao, corresponding to 19 CE).
In spring, seeing that bandits were numerous, Wang Mang ordered the Grand Astrologer to calculate a calendar for thirty-six thousand years, changing the reign title every six years, and announced it to the empire. He issued an edict claiming that he should become an immortal like the Yellow Emperor, hoping thereby to deceive and dazzle the people and eliminate the bandits. Everyone laughed at him.
For the first time, the “New Music” was presented at the Bright Hall and the Grand Temple.
The Genshi General Lian Dan attacked Yizhou but could not prevail. The Yi people of Yizhou, Dong Can, Ruo Dou, and others, raised troops and killed the commandery governor. The Yuexi Yi people, Da Mou, also rebelled, killing and plundering officials and commoners. Wang Mang recalled Lian Dan to the capital and instead sent the Grand Sima Protector of the Army Guo Xing and the Yongbu Governor Li Ye to attack the Man Yi, Ruo Dou, and others, while the Grand Tutor’s Uncle Shishu Xi was responsible for clearing out the bandits on the rivers and lakes. Meanwhile, Xiongnu border incursions grew more severe, so Wang Mang extensively recruited all able-bodied adult males in the empire, as well as death-row convicts and slaves of officials and commoners, calling them “Pig Rushes” and “Boar Braves,” to serve as elite troops. He levied a tax on all officials and commoners throughout the empire, taking one-thirtieth of their property, and all silk fabrics were transported to Chang’an. He ordered that all officials from the dukes and ministers down to those with yellow seals in the commanderies and counties must maintain military horses, with the number varying according to rank, and the officials then passed the burden onto the people. He also widely recruited those with extraordinary skills that could be used to attack the Xiongnu, promising exceptional appointments; those who submitted memorials with advantageous strategies numbered in the tens of thousands. Some claimed they could cross rivers without boats, linking horses to ferry a million troops. Some said they need not carry a single peck of grain, but by taking medicine, the entire army would not go hungry. Some claimed they could fly a thousand li in a day to spy on the Xiongnu; Wang Mang tested them, taking large bird wings to make two wings, gluing feathers to head and body, and pulling them with rings and cords—they flew a few hundred paces before falling. Wang Mang knew they were useless but, seeking to gain a reputation for valuing talent, appointed them all as Army Managers, granting them chariots and horses, awaiting departure. Earlier, when Wang Mang wanted to lure Xubu Dang, the Grand Minister Yan You admonished him, saying: “Xubu Dang is in the right division of the Xiongnu; his troops do not invade the border, and he always reports the Chanyu’s movements to China—this is a great help on the frontier. Now, if we bring him and settle him on Gao Street in Chang’an, he is merely a Hu person; it would be more beneficial to leave him among the Xiongnu.” Wang Mang did not listen. After Xubu Dang was brought, Wang Mang wanted to send Yan You and Lian Dan to attack the Xiongnu, giving them both the surname Zheng, calling them the Two Zheng Generals, and ordered them to kill Chanyu Yu and install Xubu Dang in his place. The army set out from the Heng Stable west of Chang’an but had not yet departed. Yan You, always resourceful and strategic, opposed Wang Mang’s campaigns against the four barbarians, and had repeatedly remonstrated without being heeded. When the expedition was about to set out, at a court assembly, Yan You insisted: “The matter of the Xiongnu can be set aside for now; first worry about the bandits east of the mountains.” Wang Mang, enraged, dismissed Yan You from his office by edict.
The Grand Minister’s History Officer, Fan Sheng of Dai Commandery, submitted a memorial to Wang Yi, saying: “I, Fan Sheng, have heard that a son is filial by not being criticized by his parents, and a minister is loyal by not criticizing his sovereign. Now everyone praises the court as sage and says that you, Duke, are enlightened. By ‘enlightened’ is meant seeing nothing hidden; by ‘sage’ is meant hearing nothing concealed. Now the affairs of the empire are as bright as the sun and moon, as loud as thunder, yet the court says it does not see them, and you, Duke, say you do not hear them—then to whom can the people cry out to Heaven! If you, Duke, know what is right but do not speak, your fault is small; if you know the truth but follow orders, your fault is great. On these two counts, you, Duke, cannot escape blame, and it is fitting that the empire’s resentment should gather upon you. The court worries most about distant peoples not submitting, but I, Fan Sheng, worry most about the discontent of those nearby. Now every action contradicts the times, and every affair goes against reason; we race along the ruts of overturned chariots and follow in the footsteps of failed endeavors—the later it is, the stranger it becomes; the later it is, the more frightening. At the beginning of spring, distant corvée labor is imposed; wild vegetables cannot satisfy hunger, fields lie fallow and unplowed, grain prices soar, a hu reaching several thousand cash; officials and commoners are plunged into fire and water—these are no longer the people of the state. If this continues, then the Hu and Mo will guard the palace gates, and the bandits of Qingzhou and Xuzhou will appear within the tent curtains. I, Fan Sheng, have one saying that can relieve the empire’s inverted plight and rescue the people from their urgent distress; but it cannot be conveyed in a letter—I request an audience to state my views fully.” Wang Yi did not heed him.
The Yiping Lian rate Tian Kuang submitted a memorial stating that the commanderies and counties had falsely reported the people’s property, and Wang Mang again levied a one-thirtieth tax. Considering Tian Kuang loyal and concerned for the state, he advanced him to the rank of Earl and granted him two million cash, but the people all cursed him. The people of Qingzhou and Xuzhou mostly abandoned their homes and fled, the old and weak dying on the roads, while the strong joined the bandit ranks.
The Suye Lian rate Han Bo submitted a memorial saying: “There is an extraordinary man, ten feet tall and ten spans in girth, who came to my office, saying he wished to exert himself to attack the Hu captives, calling himself Great Wu Ba, originating from the region southeast of Penglai, northwest of Wucheng, and by the sea of Zhaoru. A light cart could not carry him, nor could three horses pull him. That very day, I used a large cart drawn by four horses, set up a tiger banner, and carried Great Wu Ba toward the court. He sleeps with a drum as a pillow and eats with iron chopsticks—this is Heaven’s means to assist the Xin dynasty. I hope Your Majesty will have a large suit of armor, a high chariot, and the garments of the brave warriors Meng Ben and Xia Yu made, and dispatch one general and a hundred tiger warriors to meet him on the road. If the capital gates cannot accommodate him, they should be dismantled and enlarged, to display this to all the Man Yi and to awe and pacify the empire.” Han Bo’s intention was to use these words to satirize Wang Mang. When Wang Mang heard it, he detested it, kept Great Wu Ba at his station in Xinfeng, changed his surname to Jumu, claiming it was an omen of the hegemon’s mandate from Empress Wenmu. He summoned Han Bo, imprisoned him, and on charges of saying what should not be said, executed him in the marketplace.
East of the Pass, years of famine and drought followed one another; Diao Zidu’s party gradually grew, reaching sixty to seventy thousand men.
Wang Mang’s first year of the Dihuang era (geng chen, corresponding to 20 CE).
Spring, first month, on the yi wei day, a general amnesty was granted throughout the empire. The reign title was changed to Dihuang, following the thirty-six-thousand-year calendar reign title.
Wang Mang issued an edict saying: “Now that the army is on the march, anyone who dares to make noise or break the law shall be immediately judged and beheaded, without waiting for the proper season!” Thus, during spring and summer, people were beheaded in the marketplaces, and the people were terrified, only daring to exchange glances when meeting on the roads.
Wang Mang, seeing that there were many bandits everywhere and wishing to suppress them, issued another edict saying: "My first imperial ancestor, the Yellow Emperor, pacified the world. He personally commanded the army as Supreme General, established a Grand General in the center, and appointed five Grand Commanders in the regions, from Grand Generals down to officers and soldiers, totaling seven hundred and thirty-eight thousand nine hundred men, with thirteen million five hundred thousand soldiers. I have received the writings of the prophetic mandate, examined the precedents of former dynasties, and will gradually complete these arrangements." Thereupon, he established the positions of Front, Rear, Left, Right, and Central Grand Commanders, and bestowed upon everyone from the provincial governors down to the district magistrates the titles of Grand General, Lieutenant General, Colonel, and Commandant. Envoys traveling by relay carriage passed through the commanderies and kingdoms, nearly ten groups each day. The granaries had no ready grain to supply them; when relay carriages and horses were insufficient, they requisitioned vehicles and horses from the roads, taking them from the people.
In autumn, the seventh month, a great wind damaged the Wanglu Hall. Wang Mang issued an edict saying: "On the day renwu, at dusk during the hour of shen, there was a calamity of great wind and thunderous rain that tore off roofs and uprooted trees. I was greatly terrified; prostrating myself in thought for ten days, my confusion was finally dispelled. Previously, the prophetic writings established Wang An as the King of Xin Qian, and Wang Lin at Luoyang as the Unifier, holding the title of Tongyi Yang Wang. Those who discussed it said: 'Wang Lin at Luoyang as the Unifier means he occupies the central land to serve as the line of succession for the Xin dynasty; he should be established as the Heir Apparent.' After this, Wang Lin was long ill, and although he recovered, he had not yet fully regained his health. Wang Lin has an elder brother yet is called the Heir Apparent, so his title is not proper. Reflecting on my reign since I ascended the throne, yin and yang have not been harmonious, grain production has declined, the barbarians have encroached upon the Central States, bandits have arisen in rebellion, and the people are fearful and unsettled, not knowing where to turn. Deeply considering these faults, they stem from the impropriety of titles. Now I establish Wang An as the King of Xin Qian, and Wang Lin as the Tongyi Yang Wang."
Wang Mang also issued an edict saying: "Exalt the yellow color, and degrade the red. Command the gentlemen-in-waiting and the attendants to all wear crimson robes."
The diviners who observed the qi and practiced fortune-telling mostly said there were omens for construction projects. In the ninth month, on the day jiashen, Wang Mang built nine ancestral temples south of the city of Chang'an. The temple of the Yellow Emperor was forty zhang square and seventeen zhang high; the other temples were half that scale, and the scale was extremely grand. He broadly summoned all the artisans under heaven, as well as officials and commoners who contributed money and grain according to righteousness to assist the work, and they thronged the roads without end. He exhausted the skills of all craftsmen; the cost of the project was several million, and tens of thousands of laborers died.
In this month, there was a great rain that lasted for over sixty days.
A man from Julu named Ma Shiqiu and others plotted to raise troops from Yan and Zhao to kill Wang Mang. Wang Dan, an aide to the Grand Minister of Works, discovered this and reported it. Wang Mang sent the Grand Minister of Works’ officials to pursue and punish the conspirators; they implicated several thousand local heroes from the commanderies and kingdoms, all of whom were executed. Wang Dan was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Fuguo.
Because those who privately minted coins were executed, and those who criticized or resisted the precious currency were exiled to the remote border regions, the number of lawbreakers was so great that they could not all be punished. Thus, Wang Mang relaxed the law: those who privately minted spring coins would have their wives and children confiscated as government slaves; officials and neighbors who knew of such activities but failed to report them would suffer the same punishment; those who criticized or resisted the precious currency would be sentenced to hard labor for one year if they were commoners, and officials would be dismissed from office.
Grand Tutor Ping Yan died, and he was replaced by Yu Yu Tang Zun as Grand Tutor. Tang Zun said: "The state is empty, and the people are poor; the fault lies in excessive extravagance." Thereupon, he himself wore short clothes with small sleeves, rode a mare and a cart made of firewood, spread a straw mat, and used earthenware vessels for eating and drinking. He also gave these items to the high officials. When he went out and saw men and women not walking separately, Tang Zun personally descended from his cart and used a red cloth banner symbolizing punishment, wetting it to stain their clothes. Wang Mang was delighted when he heard this and issued an edict warning the high officials: "Think of emulating him." He enfeoffed Tang Zun as the Marquis of Pinghua.
A man from Runan named Zhi Yun, well-versed in astronomy and calendrical calculations, believed that the Han dynasty would surely receive the mandate again. He submitted a memorial advising Wang Mang: "Heaven has shown warnings, intending to make Your Majesty awaken and withdraw to the position of a subject. If you obtained the world from Heaven, and return it to Heaven, this can be said to know Heaven’s mandate!" Wang Mang was enraged, imprisoned Zhi Yun in the imperial prison, and after a winter, he was released upon a general amnesty.
The second year of Wang Mang’s Dihuang reign (Xinsi, 21 AD).
Spring, the first month. Wang Mang’s wife died, and her posthumous title was Empress Xiaomu. At first, because Wang Mang had repeatedly killed her sons, Wang Mang’s wife cried until she became blind. Wang Mang had the Heir Apparent Wang Lin live in the palace to care for her. A maidservant named Yuan Bi, who attended Wang Mang’s wife, was favored by Wang Mang, and Wang Lin also had an illicit affair with her. Fearing that the matter would be exposed, they plotted together to kill Wang Mang. Wang Lin’s wife, Liu Yin, the daughter of National Tutor Liu Xiu, was skilled in observing celestial phenomena and told Wang Lin that there would be a funeral in the palace. Wang Lin was pleased, thinking that the plot would succeed. Later, when he was demoted to Tongyi Yang Wang and moved to live in an outer residence, he became even more anxious and fearful. It happened that Wang Mang’s wife fell seriously ill, and Wang Lin wrote to her, saying: "The Emperor is extremely strict toward his descendants. Previously, the eldest grandson and the middle grandson both died at the age of thirty. Now I, Wang Lin, have just turned thirty, and I am truly afraid that if I cannot secure the safety of the central palace, I will not know where I will die!" When Wang Mang visited his wife’s illness and saw this letter, he was furious. Suspecting that Wang Lin harbored malicious intent, he did not allow him to attend the funeral. After the burial, he arrested Yuan Bi and others and interrogated them. They confessed to the adultery and the murder plot in full. Wang Mang wanted to keep it secret, and the envoy he sent to investigate, the Director of the Ministry of Works, was killed and buried in the prison; his family did not know where he died. He gave Wang Lin poison, but Wang Lin refused to drink it and stabbed himself to death. He also issued an edict to the National Tutor, saying: "Wang Lin originally did not understand celestial signs; the matter began with Liu Yin." Liu Yin also committed suicide.
In this month, the new King of Xin Qian, Wang An, died of illness. At first, when Wang Mang was a marquis and returned to his state, he favored the attendants Zeng Zhi and Huai Neng, who bore him sons Wang Xing and Wang Kuang. Both were left in the state of Xin Du because their status was unclear. After Wang An died, Wang Mang sent envoys with royal carriages to bring back Wang Xing and Wang Kuang. He enfeoffed Wang Xing as the Duke of Gongxiu and Wang Kuang as the Duke of Gongjian.
A diviner named Wang Kuang said to the Grand Administrator of Wei Cheng, Li Yan: "The Han dynasty should revive, and the Li family will assist it." Thereupon, he created a prophetic book for Li Yan, totaling over one hundred thousand characters. When the matter was exposed, Wang Mang had them both executed.
Wang Mang sent the Grand Master Yizhong Jing Shang and the Resurgent General Hugang Wang Dang to lead troops to attack the bandits in Qingzhou and Xuzhou, and the National Tutor Hezhong Cao Fang to assist Guo Xing in attacking Gouting. They could not achieve victory. The army was unrestrained, and the people became even more distressed.
Wang Mang also transported grain and cloth from across the world to Xihe, Wuyuan, Shuofang, and Yuyang, each commandery receiving millions of measures, intending to use them to attack the Xiongnu. Xubu Dang died of illness, and Wang Mang married his own daughter to Xubu Dang’s son, Hou’an Gong She, treating him with great honor and favor, ultimately planning to raise troops to establish him as the Chanyu. It happened that Wang Mang failed, and Xubu She also died.
In autumn, frost killed the bean crops. A great famine occurred east of the Pass, and locust plagues appeared.
After Wang Mang relaxed the law on private coinage, the number of lawbreakers increased even more. In addition, neighbors were implicated and confiscated as government slaves. Men were transported in prison carts, and women walked, with iron chains around their necks, sent to the Zhongguan in Chang’an, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Upon arrival, their couples were separated and re-paired. Six or seven out of ten died from hardship and suffering.
A man from Shanggu named Chu Xia volunteered to persuade Gua Tian Yi to surrender. Before Gua Tian Yi could surrender, he died. Wang Mang sought his corpse, buried it, built a tomb and a shrine for him, and gave him the posthumous title of Guaning Shangnan.
In the intercalary month, on the day bingchen, a general amnesty was declared.
A gentleman-in-waiting named Yang Chengxiu presented a prophetic mandate, saying that an empress should be established. He also said: "The Yellow Emperor became a celestial immortal by marrying one hundred and twenty women." Wang Mang then sent forty-five each of the Zhongsan Grandees and the Messengers, to travel across the world and widely collect the names of virtuous women from the villages to report.
Wang Mang detested the spirit of the Han Gao Temple. He sent Tiger Guard warriors into the Gao Temple, where they drew their swords and slashed in all directions, smashed the doors and windows with axes, whipped the walls with peach wood soup and a whip soaked in vermilion, and had the Light Chariot Commandant live inside.
In this year, Qin Feng of Nan Commandery gathered a multitude of nearly ten thousand people; also, Chi Zhaoping, a woman from the plains, gathered several thousand people in the dangerous regions along the Yellow River. Wang Mang summoned his ministers to inquire about strategies for capturing the bandits, and they all said: "These people are merely prisoners of Heaven, walking corpses, whose lives hang by a thread." The former General of the Left, Gongsun Lu, was summoned to participate in the discussions. Gongsun Lu said: "The Grand Astrologer, Zong Xuan, who is in charge of astrology and the calendar, observing climatic changes, has turned ominous signs into auspicious ones, disrupting celestial patterns and misleading the court. The Grand Tutor, Marquis Pinghua, Tang Zun, has adorned falsehoods to steal fame and position, harming the sons of others. The National Mentor, Marquis Jiaxin, Liu Xiu, has inverted the Five Classics, corrupted the teacher’s methods, and caused scholars to be confused. The Mingxue Nan, Zhang Han, and the Marquis Dili, Sun Yang, promoted the well-field system, causing the people to abandon their land and property. The Xihe, Lu Kuang, established the Six Controls to oppress industry and commerce. The Marquis Shuofu, Cui Fa, has flattered and pleased the ruler, preventing the conditions below from reaching above. These people should be executed to appease the world!" He also said: "The Xiongnu cannot be attacked; we should pursue peace and marriage. I fear that the troubles of the Xin dynasty lie not with the Xiongnu, but within the borders." Wang Mang was enraged and had the Tiger Guard escort Gongsun Lu out, but he somewhat adopted his advice, demoting Lu Kuang to the post of Wuyuan Zuozheng, because of the people's resentment and slander. The Six Controls system was not solely created by Lu Kuang; Wang Mang sent him away to calm public opinion.
Initially, the people of various regions, driven by hunger and cold, rose up as bandits, gradually gathering together, often hoping that when the harvest improved they would return to their villages. Although their numbers reached tens of thousands, they did not dare to attack cities or towns, but roamed around plundering food, seeking only to be fed each day. The local officials, governors, and commandery administrators often died in the chaotic fighting, but not intentionally killed by the bandits. Yet Wang Mang never understood the reason for this.
In this year, the Inspector of Jingzhou mobilized twenty thousand elite troops to attack the Green Woods bandits. The bandit leaders, such as Wang Kuang, led their forces to meet them at Yundu, heavily defeating the Inspector of Jingzhou’s army, killing several thousand, and capturing all military supplies. The Inspector of Jingzhou wanted to return north, but the bandit general Ma Wu and others intercepted him, hooking the carriage’s mudguard and killing his attendant, but ultimately they did not dare to kill the Inspector himself. The bandits then captured Jingling, turned to attack Yundu and Anlu, plundered women extensively, and retreated into the Green Woods mountains, their numbers reaching over fifty thousand, and the provinces and commanderies could not subdue them.
Furthermore, a subordinate of the Grand Marshal was sent on an inspection tour to Yuzhou and was captured by bandits, who then sent him to the county office. After returning, the subordinate reported the situation in detail in a memorial. Wang Mang was enraged, imprisoned him, believing he was lying and deceiving, and then issued an edict reprimanding the Seven Dukes, saying: "The duty of officials is to govern. Spreading virtue, displaying kindness, and nurturing the people—this is the way of benevolence. Suppressing the powerful, supervising the wicked, arresting and executing bandits—this is the principle of righteousness. But now it is not so. When bandits arise, they cannot be captured immediately, and they form gangs to intercept and rob imperial envoys. Officials who manage to escape then recklessly say: ‘I asked the bandits, “Why do you do this?” The bandits said, “Because of poverty.” Then the bandits released me.’ Now the common talk among the world is mostly like this. Only those who violate the law out of poverty and hunger, forming large groups for banditry or small thefts and burglaries—these are but two types. But now they form conspiracies in groups of hundreds or thousands—this is great rebellion and disorder. Can it be said to be caused by hunger and cold? The Seven Dukes should sternly admonish the ministers, zuozheng, lianshuai, and shuyin, to carefully nurture the good people and quickly suppress the bandits! If any do not unite in hatred against the wicked and treacherous bandits, but instead recklessly say they are driven by hunger and cold, arrest them immediately and hold them accountable for their crimes!" Thereupon, the ministers became even more terrified, and no one dared to speak of the bandit situation again. The provinces and commanderies could not dispatch troops on their own, and thus the bandits became even more uncontrollable.
Only the Lianshuai of Yiping, Tian Kuang, was always courageous. He mobilized over forty thousand people aged eighteen and above, issued them weapons from the armory, and carved a stone covenant. Fan Chong and others, upon hearing this, did not dare to enter his jurisdiction. Tian Kuang submitted a memorial impeaching himself. Wang Mang rebuked Tian Kuang, saying: "Without receiving a tiger tally, you have dispatched troops on your own—this is playing with military power, and the crime is delaying military supplies. But because Tian Kuang claims he will surely capture the bandits, I will not punish you for now." Later, Tian Kuang requested to lead troops beyond his borders to attack the bandits, and he was invincible wherever he went. Wang Mang sent an imperial edict ordering Tian Kuang to concurrently oversee the affairs of the Inspectorates of Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Tian Kuang submitted a memorial saying: "When bandits first arose, the roots were small, and local officials and the Five-Man groups could capture them. The fault lies in the superiors not taking it to heart; the commanderies deceive the provinces, and the provinces deceive the court. When there are actually one hundred, they report ten; when there are actually one thousand, they report one hundred. The court overlooks this and does not immediately supervise and punish, so it spreads to the entire province or commandery. Only then do they dispatch generals and commanders, send out numerous envoys, and layer supervision and urging. The commanderies and counties exhaust themselves serving the higher officials, dealing with interrogations, feasting together, and preparing supplies to avoid execution, leaving no time to worry about the bandits or handle official business. The generals and commanders cannot personally lead the officials and troops; when they fight, they are defeated by the bandits, and the morale of the officials and troops gradually wanes, wasting the people’s resources in vain. Previously, by good fortune, an amnesty was issued, and the bandits wanted to disperse. But some people instead intercepted and attacked them, and they, in fear, fled into the mountains and valleys, spreading the word among themselves. Therefore, the bandits who surrendered from the commanderies and counties all became even more frightened, fearing they would be deceived and eliminated. Taking advantage of the famine, they were easily stirred up, and within ten days their numbers increased to over a hundred thousand. This is the reason the bandits have multiplied. Now, east of Luoyang, the price of rice is two thousand cash per shi. I have privately seen the edict wanting to dispatch the Grand Preceptor and the Gengshi General. These two are capable and important ministers, but they have many followers, and the supplies along the way will be exhausted. If they have few followers, it will not be enough to awe distant places. We should quickly select officials below the level of provincial governors and commandery administrators, clarify rewards and punishments, and gather the scattered villagers. For small states without cities or walls, move the old and weak into the large cities, store up grain, and combine forces for defense. When bandits come to attack the cities, they will not be able to take them. Wherever they pass, there will be no food, and they will inevitably be unable to gather. In this way, if we pacify them, they will surely surrender; if we attack them, they will surely be destroyed. Now, sending out more generals and commanders in vain only deeply troubles the commanderies and counties, making them worse than the bandits. We should recall all the envoys from various places to allow the commanderies and counties to rest. Entrust me, Tian Kuang, with handling the bandits in the two provinces, and I will surely pacify them." Wang Mang feared and disliked Tian Kuang, secretly sent someone to replace him, and dispatched an envoy to bestow an imperial edict on Tian Kuang. When the envoy arrived and saw Tian Kuang, he ordered the replacement to oversee his army, sent Tian Kuang west to Chang’an, and appointed him as Grand Master of the Palace Guard. After Tian Kuang left, Qi region was thus lost.
In the third year of Wang Mang’s Dihuang reign (Renwu, 22 AD),
Spring, first month: The Nine Temples were completed, and the spirit tablets were installed. Wang Mang went to pay homage. His grand carriage was drawn by six horses, with five-colored feather fabric woven into dragon patterns, attached to the horses’ horns, three feet long. He also constructed a nine-layered canopy, eight zhang and one chi high, mounted on a four-wheeled cart. Those pulling the cart all shouted "Ascend to immortality." When Wang Mang went out, he had this cart lead the way. The hundred officials privately discussed: "This resembles a funeral cart, not an immortal object."
Second month: Fan Chong and others killed Jing Shang.
In the Guandong region, cannibalism occurred.
Summer, fourth month: Wang Mang dispatched the Grand Preceptor Wang Kuang and the Gengshi General Lian Dan to march east to attack the various bandits. Initially, Fan Chong and others’ following had gradually grown strong, and they mutually agreed: "Those who kill shall be executed; those who injure shall compensate for the wound." Among them, the highest rank was called Sanlao, next Congshi, and then Zushi. When they heard that the Grand Preceptor and the Gengshi General were coming to attack, fearing that their followers would be mixed with Wang Mang’s troops, they all dyed their eyebrows red to identify each other, and thus were called the "Red Eyebrows." Wang Kuang and Lian Dan combined elite troops of over one hundred thousand, and wherever they passed, they indulged in plunder. The eastern people composed a folk song for this: "Better to meet the Red Eyebrows than to meet the Grand Preceptor! The Grand Preceptor is still tolerable, but the Gengshi General will take my life!" It ultimately turned out as Tian Kuang had said. Wang Mang also sent many Senior Grand Masters and Court Gentlemen to separately instruct the people to boil herbs and trees into a paste, but the paste was inedible, and instead increased trouble and waste.
The greenwood bandits encountered a plague, and nearly half of them died, so they scattered and went their separate ways. Wang Chang and Cheng Dan went west into Nan Commandery, calling themselves the "Xiajiang Army"; Wang Kuang, Wang Feng, Ma Wu, and their affiliated followers Zhu Wei and Zhang Ang went north into Nanyang, calling themselves the "Xinshi Army." They all styled themselves generals. Wang Mang sent the Minister of the Army, Sun Ren, to deploy in Yuzhou, and the Minister of Revenue, Yan You, and the Minister of Rites, Chen Mao, to attack Jingzhou, each bringing over a hundred officials and soldiers, riding post-chaise horses to their stations to recruit troops. Yan You said to Chen Mao: "Sending generals without giving them the tally of authority, requiring them to request orders before acting—this is like tying up a good dog and ordering it to catch prey."
Locusts flew in from the east, blotting out the sky and covering the sun.
Refugees entering the Guanzhong region numbered in the hundreds of thousands, so relief officials were appointed to distribute grain, but the imperial envoys supervising them colluded with minor officials to embezzle the grain, and seven or eight out of ten died of starvation. Previously, Wang Mang had sent the Yellow Gate Attendant Wang Ye to oversee the markets and trade in Chang'an, seizing goods from the people at low prices, causing great resentment. Wang Ye presented the savings as his own achievement and was granted the title of Attached City Marquis. When Wang Mang heard about the famine in the city, he asked Wang Ye about it. Wang Ye said: "They are all refugees." He then bought coarse rice and meat stew from the market, brought them into the palace to show Wang Mang, and said: "The city residents all eat like this." Wang Mang believed him.
In autumn, the seventh month, the Xinshi bandit Wang Kuang and others attacked Sui County; Chen Mu and Liao Zhan from Pinglin gathered over a thousand men, calling themselves the "Pinglin Army," to respond to them.
Wang Mang issued an edict rebuking Lian Dan, saying: "The granaries are empty, the treasuries are empty—this is cause for anger, cause for battle! The general, entrusted with the state's heavy responsibility, if he does not die in the wilderness on the battlefield, he cannot repay the favor or fulfill his duty!" Lian Dan was terrified. That night, he summoned his subordinate Feng Yan and showed him the edict. Feng Yan then urged Lian Dan, saying: "Zhang Liang, because of his service to the Han for five generations, struck at Qin Shi Huang at Bolangsha. Your ancestor was a loyal minister of the Han; with the rise of the Xin dynasty, worthy men do not submit. Now the realm is in chaos and collapse, and the people's hearts long for the virtue of the Han, more than the longing for the Duke of Shao in the Book of Odes; what the people sing of and love, Heaven will surely follow. For the general's sake, I suggest you station troops to hold a large commandery, pacify the officials and soldiers, sharpen your integrity, accept heroes and bold men, consult loyal and wise plans, bring benefit to the state, and remove harm from the people—then blessings and emoluments will flow endlessly, and achievements will shine without decay. Why must you have the entire army annihilated in the Central Plains, die in the wilderness, ruin your achievements and lose your reputation, and bring shame upon your ancestors?" Lian Dan did not listen. Feng Yan was the great-grandson of the Left General Feng Fengshi.
In winter, Suolu Hui of Wuyan County and others raised troops to rebel against the city and join the bandits. Lian Dan and Wang Kuang attacked and captured the city, beheading over ten thousand people. Wang Mang sent a Palace Attendant with the imperial seal and letter to commend Lian Dan and Wang Kuang, advancing their ranks to dukes; he also rewarded over ten meritorious officials and soldiers. Dong Xian, a colonel of a separate detachment of the Red Eyebrows, had tens of thousands of men in Liang Commandery, and Wang Kuang wanted to attack him. Lian Dan believed that since they had just captured a city, the soldiers were exhausted and weary, and they should rest the troops and conserve their strength. Wang Kuang did not listen, advanced alone with his army, and Lian Dan followed. They fought at Chengchang, were defeated, and Wang Kuang fled. Lian Dan sent an aide to take his seal of office and tally to Wang Kuang, saying: "A child can flee; I cannot!" He then stopped and died in battle. Colonel Ruyun, Wang Long, and over twenty others fought separately; when they heard of it, they said: "Lord Lian is dead—for whom do we live?" They charged into the bandit ranks and all died. The State General Ai Zhang personally requested to pacify Shandong, and Wang Mang sent him eastward with haste to join forces with the Grand Tutor Wang Kuang. He also sent the General-in-Chief Yang Jun to guard Aocang; the Minister of Education Wang Xun led over a hundred thousand men to garrison Luoyang and guard the Southern Palace; the Grand Commandant Dong Zhong trained troops and practiced archery in the central army’s northern barracks. The Grand Minister of Works Wang Yi concurrently managed the duties of the three ducal ministers.
Initially, Liu Fa, Prince Ding of Changsha, fathered Liu Mai, the Marquis of Chunjie; Liu Mai fathered Liu Xiongqu, the Marquis of Dai; Liu Xiongqu fathered Liu Ren, the Marquis of Kao. Because the southern region was low-lying and damp, Liu Ren was transferred to Baimai Township in Nanyang Commandery, where he moved with his clan and relatives. After Liu Ren died, his son Liu Chang inherited the title; but just as Wang Mang usurped the throne, the fief was abolished. The younger son of Marquis Jie of Chunjie, Liu Wai, served as the Grand Administrator of Yulin; Liu Wai fathered Liu Hui, the Commandant of Julu; Liu Hui fathered Liu Qin, the Magistrate of Nandun. Liu Qin married the daughter of Fan Zhong of Huyang and had three sons: Liu Yan, Liu Zhong, and Liu Xiu. The three brothers lost their father young and were raised by their uncle Liu Liang. Liu Yan was strong-willed, generous, and possessed great integrity; ever since Wang Mang usurped the Han dynasty, he was often indignant and harbored plans to restore the Han altars, not managing family property but pouring out his wealth to befriend heroes and bold men from across the realm. Liu Xiu had a high nose bridge and a full forehead, and he was fond of farming. Liu Yan often mocked him, comparing him to Liu Zhong, the elder brother of Han Gaozu. Liu Xiu’s elder sister Liu Yuan was the wife of Deng Chen of Xinye. Liu Xiu once visited the man Cai Shaogong of Rang County with Deng Chen; Cai Shaogong was versed in prophetic charts and said, "Liu Xiu should become the Son of Heaven." Someone asked: "Is it the National Tutor Liu Xiu?" Liu Xiu joked, "How do you know it’s not me?" Everyone present burst into laughter; only Deng Chen was secretly pleased.
Li Shou of Wancheng was fond of astrology, calendrical calculations, and prophetic writings, serving as Wang Mang’s Master of the Imperial Clan. He once said to his son Li Tong: "The Liu family should revive, and the Li family will assist them." When the Xinshi Army and Pinglin Army rose, Nanyang Commandery was in turmoil. Li Tong’s cousin Li Yi said to Li Tong: "Now all directions are in chaos, and the Han should revive. Among the Liu clan in Nanyang, only Liu Bosheng and his brothers spread kindness and can accommodate others; they can be plotted with for great affairs." Li Tong laughed and said: "This is exactly my thought!" Just then, Liu Xiu came to Wancheng to sell grain; Li Tong sent Li Yi to welcome Liu Xiu and meet with him, then detailed the prophetic writings, formed a bond with him, and settled on a plan. Li Tong wanted to seize the opportunity during the autumn inspection of the material officers and cavalry on the day of the beginning of autumn to capture the Front Team Grand Administrator Zhen Fu and the Deputy Administrator Liang Qiuci, thereby rallying the masses, and have Li Yi and Liu Xiu return to Chunjing to raise troops in response.
So Liu Yan summoned the various heroes and deliberated, saying: "Wang Mang is cruel and tyrannical, and the people are in disarray. Now with successive years of drought and war rising on all sides, this is truly the time for Heaven to destroy him, the moment to restore Gaozu’s imperial enterprise and stabilize the realm for ten thousand generations!" All agreed with him. They then dispatched trusted retainers to the various counties to raise troops, while Liu Yan himself mobilized the youths of Chunjing. The various families were all terrified, fleeing and hiding, saying: "Bosheng is bringing death upon us!" But when they saw Liu Xiu wearing a red robe and a tall hat, they were startled and said: "Even this cautious and honest man is doing this!" Then they gradually calmed down. In total, they gathered seven or eight thousand youths, deployed and arranged the retainers, and called themselves "Pillar of Heaven Commandery." Liu Xiu was twenty-eight years old at the time. Li Tong had not yet acted when the conspiracy leaked, and he fled; his father Li Shou and family members implicated were executed, sixty-four in total. Liu Yan sent his clansman Liu Jia to recruit the Xinshi Army and Pinglin Army, and together with their leaders Wang Feng and Chen Mu, they attacked Changju to the west; then they advanced to capture Tangzi Township and killed the Lake Yang Commandant. When distributing spoils in the army, things were unequal, and the men became resentful, wanting to turn against the Liu clan. Liu Xiu collected the goods obtained by his own clan and distributed them all, and the men then became pleased. Next, they captured Jiyang, and Li Yi and Deng Chen both came with their retainers to join.
Yan You and Chen Mao defeated the Xiajiang Army. Cheng Dan, Wang Chang, Zhang Ang, and others gathered their scattered troops and entered Lousi, plundering in the Zhongshan and Longshan areas, and their forces revived. They led their army to engage the Jingzhou Governor at Shangtang and thoroughly defeated the Jingzhou Governor’s forces.
In the eleventh month, a comet appeared in the constellation of Zhang.
Liu Yan wanted to attack Wancheng, and arrived at Xiaochang'an Ju, where he engaged Zhen Fu and Liangqiu Ci in battle. At that time, a heavy fog filled the sky, and the Han army suffered a great defeat. Liu Xiu escaped alone on horseback, encountered his younger sister Boji, and shared his horse with her as they fled. Pressing onward, they met his elder sister Liu Yuan, and he urged her to mount the horse. Liu Yuan waved her hand and said, "Go quickly! You cannot save me. Do not let us all die here!" Just then, the pursuing troops arrived; Liu Yuan and her three daughters all perished. Liu Yan's younger brother Liu Zhong, along with several dozen clan members who had followed him, also died. Liu Yan regrouped his forces and retreated to hold Jiyang. Zhen Fu and Liangqiu Ci, riding on their victory, left their supplies at Lanxiang, led a hundred thousand elite troops south across the Huangchun River, reached the Bi River, and set up camp between the two rivers, breaking the bridges behind them to show they had no intention of retreating. When the Xinshi troops and Pinglin troops saw that the Han army had been repeatedly defeated and that Zhen Fu and Liangqiu Ci's main force had arrived, they each intended to disperse and leave. Liu Yan was deeply worried. Just then, over five thousand Xiàjiāng troops arrived at Yiqiu. Liu Yan immediately went with Liu Xiu and Li Tong to their camp and said, "We wish to see one of the worthy generals of Xiàjiāng to discuss important matters." The troops recommended Wang Chang. Liu Yan met with Wang Chang and persuaded him of the benefits of alliance. Wang Chang suddenly realized and said, "Wang Mang is cruel and tyrannical; the people long for the Han dynasty. Now that the Liu clan is reviving, this is the true ruler. I truly wish to step forward and serve you, to assist in achieving great merit." Liu Yan said, "If the great undertaking succeeds, how would I dare to claim the merit alone!" Then he formed a deep bond with Wang Chang and departed. When Wang Chang returned, he reported the details to the other generals, Cheng Dan and Zhang Ang. Cheng Dan and Zhang Ang, relying on their large number of troops, said, "Since we, as men of valor, have risen up, each should be his own leader. Why should we be controlled by others?" Wang Chang then slowly persuaded their commanders, saying, "Wang Mang is harsh and cruel, constantly losing the people's support. The people sing and recite, longing for the Han dynasty—this has not been just a day or two. That is why we have been able to rise up because of this. What the people resent, heaven abandons; what the people long for, heaven assists. To launch a great undertaking, one must accord with the people's will below and align with heaven's will above; only then can merit be achieved. If one relies on strength and boldness, indulges emotions and acts recklessly, even if one gains the empire, one will surely lose it again. Consider the power of the Qin dynasty and Xiang Yu—they still met destruction. How much more so for us, commoners gathered in the marshes, to act in this way? That is the path to ruin. Now, the entire Liu clan of Nanyang has risen in arms. Observing those who come to discuss matters, they all have deep plans and long-term considerations; they are talents fit for kings or ministers. Allying with them will surely achieve great merit—this is heaven blessing us!" Though the Xiàjiāng generals were stubborn and lacked foresight, they had always respected Wang Chang. They all apologized, saying, "Without General Wang, we would have nearly fallen into unrighteousness!" Immediately, they led their troops to join forces with the Han army, as well as the Xinshi and Pinglin troops. Thus, all the units united with one heart, and their morale soared even higher. Liu Yan feasted his soldiers grandly, established a covenant, allowed the troops to rest for three days, and divided the army into six divisions. On the last day of the twelfth month, he secretly sent troops to launch a night attack, storming and seizing Lanxiang, capturing all the supplies there.