Book of Han, Volume 47
《Zizhi Tongjian》Volume 55 [Han Records, Volume 47] From the year of Fengzhi, the year of the Hare, to the year of Roushe, the year of the Goat, a total of three years.
In the Zhongxiao Emperor Huan's seventh year of Yanxi (Jiachen, 164 AD).
Spring, second month, Bingxu day. The Marquis of Kangxiang, Zhong, Huang Qiong, passed away. Near death, he submitted a memorial saying: "Your servant has heard that the Way of Heaven detests fullness and esteems humility and restraint. Thus the Five Emperors and Three Kings all established their teachings based on the Way and dared not act arbitrarily. Your servant received great favor from the late emperor and further obtained special treatment from Your Majesty, occupying the position of the Three Dukes, yet I could not uphold the guiding principles or correct faults, truly being guilty of offenses. When Your Majesty first ascended the throne, you cited lessons from previous dynasties in your edicts, speaking of the policies of Emperor Xiaowen and the late emperor, yet now these have not been implemented. Currently, high officials in the court compete to offer precious treasures; local officials and magistrates compete to extort the people, exchanging gifts among themselves, appointing their own associates, enforcing strict laws, and imposing heavy taxes. Between Heaven and Earth, calamities and anomalies occur frequently; the people are displaced and scattered; the state treasury is empty. This is probably due to Your Majesty’s excessive leniency and failure to see clearly. I hope Your Majesty will earnestly consider the words of your ministers, adopt the warnings from the ‘Hongfan’ chapter of the Book of Documents, so that the worthy may be employed and governance may become clear. Then the realm will be exceedingly fortunate!" After the memorial was submitted, the emperor did not adopt it.
Third month, Guihai day. A meteorite fell in Mei County.
Summer, fifth month, Jiashen day. Grand Commandant Yang Bing passed away. Yang Bing was by nature pure and frugal, with few desires. He once said of himself: "I have three things that do not confuse me: wine, women, and wealth." After Yang Bing’s death, the court appointed his son Yang Ci as a Gentleman of the Interior.
Autumn, seventh month. A solar eclipse occurred.
Eighth month, Yichou day. Minister of the Masses Yu Yan was dismissed from office, and Commandant of the Guards Liu Kuan was appointed Minister of the Masses. Liu Kuan was the son of Liu Qi.
Winter, tenth month. The emperor visited Chang’an and performed sacrifices at the Zhangling Mausoleum. Renxu day. The emperor returned to the palace.
Eleventh month. The emperor visited Guangcheng Park for a hunting expedition.
Spring, second month, Bingxu day. The Marquis of Kangxiang, Zhong, Huang Qiong, passed away. When he was about to be buried, renowned scholars from near and far came to mourn, numbering six or seven thousand. Initially, Huang Qiong taught at home, and Xu Zhi once consulted him on the general meaning of the classics. After Huang Qiong became prominent, Xu Zhi no longer associated with him. At this time, Xu Zhi went to offer condolences, presented sacrificial wine, wept, and then left, with no one knowing who he was. The assembled scholars questioned the funeral director, who said: "Earlier, a scholar came to mourn, wearing coarse cloth garments, weeping with great sorrow. I do not recall his name." The group said: "He must be Xu Ruzi." They then selected Mao Rong of Chenliu, known for his eloquence, to pursue him on a light horse and caught up with him on the road. Mao Rong bought wine and meat for him, and Xu Zhi ate and drank with him. Mao Rong asked about state affairs, but Xu Zhi did not answer. When he asked about farming, Xu Zhi then responded. Mao Rong returned and told the group about this. Someone said: "Confucius said: ‘If one can speak with a person and does not speak with him, one loses the person.’ Then Xu Ruzi, did he not lose the person?" Guo Tai of Taiyuan said: "That is not correct. Xu Ruzi’s character is pure and lofty; when hungry, he cannot be given food; when cold, he cannot be given clothing. Yet he drank wine and ate meat for Jiwei because he already knew Jiwei was a worthy man. His not answering about state affairs is because his wisdom could reach it, but his simplicity could not."
Guo Tai had broad learning and was skilled in conversation. Initially, he traveled to study in Luoyang, but people at that time did not know him. Fu Rong of Chenliu, upon meeting him, was amazed and astonished, and then recommended him to Li Ying, the Intendant of Henan. Li Ying met him and said: "I have seen many people, but none like Guo Linzong. His intelligence and insight are penetrating and clear; his elegance, precision, profundity, and breadth are such that in the present day of China, few can compare with him." He then formed a friendship with him, and from then on, Guo Tai’s fame shook the capital. Later, he returned to his hometown, and scholar-officials saw him off at the Yellow River, with several thousand carriages. Li Ying alone took the same boat with Guo Tai to cross the river, and the assembled guests looked at them as if they were immortals. Guo Tai was naturally skilled at recognizing people’s worth, delighted in praising and instructing scholars, and traveled through commanderies and states. Mao Rong, over forty years old, was plowing in the fields. While sheltering from the rain under a tree with his peers, the others all sat casually, but Mao Rong alone sat upright, even more respectful. Guo Tai saw this and found it remarkable, so he requested lodging. The next day, Mao Rong killed a chicken and prepared a meal. Guo Tai thought it was for him, but Mao Rong gave half to his mother to eat, stored the remaining half, and himself ate coarse vegetables with the guest. Guo Tai said: "You are truly virtuous, far surpassing ordinary people! I, Guo Linzong, still reduce the offerings of three meats to entertain guests, but you do this—truly, you are my friend." He rose, bowed to him, and urged him to follow and study. Mao Rong ultimately became a person of noble virtue. Meng Min of Julu, staying as a guest in Taiyuan, was carrying an earthenware pot that fell and broke. He did not turn his head back but walked away. Guo Tai saw this and asked him why. Meng Min replied: "The pot is already broken; what use is looking at it?" Guo Tai considered him to have decisive judgment, conversed with him, understood his virtuous character, and then urged him to travel and study. Meng Min thus became famous in his time. Shen Tu Pan of Chenliu came from a poor family and worked as a lacquerer. Yu Cheng of Yanling, when young, served as a gatekeeper in the county office. Guo Tai saw them and considered them exceptional, and later they both became renowned scholars. The rest, some came from butchers or wine sellers, some from soldiers, and many became famous through Guo Tai’s praise and promotion.
The boy Wei Zhao of Chen state sought Guo Tai, saying: "A teacher of classics is easy to encounter, but a teacher of humanity is difficult to find. I hope to stay by your side, to serve you by sweeping and sprinkling." Guo Tai agreed. Once, Guo Tai was unwell and ordered Wei Zhao to make porridge. When the porridge was ready and presented to him, Guo Tai scolded him, saying: "Making porridge for an elder without sincerity and respect—it is inedible!" He threw the bowl to the ground. Wei Zhao made porridge again and presented it, and Guo Tai scolded him again. This was repeated three times, but Wei Zhao’s expression did not change. Guo Tai then said: "At first, I only saw your outward appearance; from now on, I know your true heart!" He then treated him as a friend and was kind to him. Zuo Yuan of Chenliu was a student in the commandery school. Because he violated the law, he was dismissed. Guo Tai met him on the road, set out wine and food to comfort him, and said to him: "In the past, Yan Zhuo Ju was a great robber of Liangfu, and Duan Gan Mu was a great market trader of Jin, yet they ultimately became loyal ministers of Qi and famous worthies of Wei. Qu Boyu and Yan Hui still could not be without faults—how much more so for others! Never bear resentment; only examine yourself!" Zuo Yuan accepted his words and left. Someone criticized Guo Tai for not breaking off relations with evil people. Guo Tai said: "If a person is not benevolent, to hate them too excessively will cause trouble." Later, Zuo Yuan suddenly harbored resentment again and gathered followers, intending to take revenge on those students. That very day, Guo Tai was in the school. Zuo Yuan, ashamed of having violated his earlier words, then desisted and left. Later, the matter was exposed, and everyone thanked and admired Guo Tai. Someone asked Fan Pang: "What kind of person is Guo Linzong?" Fan Pang said: "He dwells in seclusion without betraying family ties, remains steadfast without cutting himself off from the world. The Son of Heaven cannot make him a minister, and the feudal lords cannot befriend him. I know nothing else." Guo Tai was once recommended as "Youdao" but did not take the position. Song Chong of the same commandery had long admired his virtue and believed that since the founding of the Han dynasty, no one comparable to him had been seen. He once urged Guo Tai to take office. Guo Tai said: "I observe the celestial signs at night and examine human affairs by day. What Heaven is about to abandon cannot be sustained by human strength. I will spend my days in leisure." Yet he still moved about the capital, teaching and guiding without ceasing. Xu Zhi wrote a letter admonishing him, saying: "When a great tree is about to fall, it cannot be held up by a single rope. Why are you so busy and restless, with no time for peace?" Guo Tai, realizing this, said: "I reverently receive this instruction and regard it as my teacher."
Huang Yun of Jiyin was renowned for his outstanding talent. Guo Tai met him and said, “Your abilities surpass those of ordinary men, enough to achieve great things. After the age of forty, your fame will become prominent. However, at that time, you should exercise deep self-restraint; otherwise, you will lose it!” Later, Situ Yuan Wei wanted to seek a wife for his niece. When he saw Huang Yun, he sighed and said, “To obtain such a son-in-law would be sufficient.” Hearing this, Huang Yun divorced his wife. His wife requested a great gathering of relatives and clan members to bid farewell, then in the midst of the crowd, she rolled up her sleeves and enumerated fifteen of Huang Yun’s hidden scandals, after which she departed. Because of this, Huang Yun was abandoned by the people of his time. Initially, Huang Yun and Jin Wenjing of Hanzhong both relied on their talents and were famous far and wide, refusing to accept official summons. They pretended to be treating illnesses in the capital and did not associate with guests. Dukes, ministers, and high officials sent their disciples to inquire about their health morning and evening; lang officers and clerks crowded at their door but still could not see them. Those summoned by the Three Dukes often consulted them, and based on their praise or blame, decided whether to employ them or not. Fu Rong said to Li Ying, “These two men have no professional reputation, yet they pose as heroes, causing dukes and ministers to attend their illnesses and royal officials to sit at their door. I fear their heterodox ways will corrupt great principles, with empty fame not matching reality. They especially deserve scrutiny.” Li Ying agreed with him. From then on, the fame of these two gradually declined, their guests gradually diminished, and within ten days, they fled in shame and regret. Later, they were both abandoned due to offenses. Qiu Xiang of Chenliu was virtuous, pure, and reserved; no one in his village understood him. At the age of forty, he served as the Chief of Pu Pavilion. Among the common people was a man named Chen Yuan, who lived alone with his mother. His mother went to Qiu Xiang to accuse Chen Yuan of unfilial behavior. Qiu Xiang was startled and said, “I recently passed by Chen Yuan’s house; the courtyard was tidy, and he plowed and sowed at the proper times. This is not an evil person; it must be that education has not reached him yet. Madam, you raised an orphan as a widow, toiling through hardship until old age. How can you, in a moment of anger, abandon the toil of many years? Moreover, if you raise another’s orphan and cannot make him successful, if the dead have knowledge, how will you face the deceased after a hundred years?” The mother wept and rose. Qiu Xiang then personally went to Chen Yuan’s house, expounded to him the principles of human relations and filial piety, and enlightened him with the principles of fortune and misfortune. Chen Yuan was moved and ultimately became a filial son. Wang Huan, the Magistrate of Kaocheng and a native of Henei, appointed Qiu Xiang as a Registrar and said to him, “I heard that at Pu Pavilion, you transformed Chen Yuan without punishment. Are you somewhat lacking the ambition of a hawk or falcon?” Qiu Xiang replied, “I consider the hawk and falcon inferior to the phoenix, so I did not act that way.” Wang Huan said, “The thicket of brambles is not where the phoenix perches; a hundred li of land is not the path for a great sage.” He then supported Qiu Xiang with one month’s salary and sent him to the Imperial Academy. Guo Tai and Fu Rong successively visited him and stayed overnight. The next morning, Guo Tai rose, descended from his bed, and bowed to him, saying, “You are my teacher, not my friend.” After completing his studies, Qiu Xiang returned to his hometown. Even when idle at home, he always straightened his clothes. His wife and children served him as they would a strict father. When his wife and children had faults, he would remove his cap and blame himself. They would apologize and reflect on their faults in the courtyard; only after he put his cap back on would they dare to enter the hall. Throughout, there was never any sign of joy, anger, or unusual expression in his voice or face. He refused official summons and died at home.
In the third month, on the Guihai day, a meteorite fell in Hu County. In the summer, the fifth month, on the Jichou day, hail fell in the capital. The Inspector of Jingzhou, Du Shang, recruited various barbarian tribes to attack Ai County. They defeated the enemy greatly, with tens of thousands surrendering. The old bandits of Guiyang, Bu Yang and Pan Hong, and others fled deep into the mountains. Du Shang pursued them for several hundred li, breached three of their camps, and captured a large amount of treasure. The followers of Bu Yang and Pan Hong were still numerous. Du Shang wanted to attack them, but the soldiers were proud and wealthy, lacking fighting spirit. Du Shang considered that if he delayed, they would not fight, and if he pressured them, they would surely desert. So he announced, “Bu Yang and Pan Hong have been bandits for ten years, skilled in offense and defense. Now with few troops, it is not easy to attack. We should wait until all the troops levied from the commanderies have arrived, then join forces to attack.” He ordered the army to allow the soldiers to go hunting. The soldiers were delighted, and everyone, young and old, went out. Du Shang then secretly sent trusted men to set fire to the camp, burning all the accumulated treasure. When the hunters returned, none did not weep. Du Shang comforted each one, deeply blaming himself, and then said, “The wealth of Bu Yang and others is enough to enrich several generations. You simply are unwilling to join forces. What is there to mind about this small loss?” All the men were angry and eager to fight. Du Shang ordered the horses to be fed well and the soldiers to eat their fill. Early the next morning, they directly attacked the bandits’ camp. Bu Yang, Pan Hong, and others, thinking their camp was secure, did not prepare. The government troops, taking advantage of their momentum, broke through and pacified the bandits. Du Shang led the campaign for three years, and all the bandit groups were pacified. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Youxiang.
In the winter, the tenth month, on the Renyin day, the Emperor made a southern inspection tour. On the Gengshen day, he arrived at Zhangling. On the Wuchen day, he arrived at Yunmeng, approached the Han River, and on the return journey, arrived at Xinye. At that time, the carriages of the dukes, ministers, and noble relatives numbered in the tens of thousands, and the costs and labor for requisitions were incalculable. Hu Teng of Guiyang, an Attendant Official of the Escort, submitted a memorial, saying: “The Son of Heaven has no precedent for going abroad. Wherever the imperial carriage reaches is the capital. I request that the Inspector of Jingzhou be ranked equal to the Colonel of the Sili, and I consider myself equal to the Chief of All Officials.” The Emperor followed his advice. From then on, discipline was strict, and no one dared to disturb the commanderies and counties arbitrarily. When the Emperor was in Nanyang, those around him all conspired for profit. Edicts appointed many men as lang officers. Grand Commandant Yang Bing submitted a memorial, saying: “The stars gathered in Taiwei are called the Lang positions. When entering court, they guard and attend; when going out, they govern the people. Your Majesty should cut off the affection you cannot bear to end the path of seeking personal desires.” Then the edicts appointing lang officers were stopped.
The Colonel-Protector of the Qiang, Duan Jiong, attacked the Dangjian Qiang and defeated them. On the Xinchou day of the twelfth month, the emperor returned to the palace. The Regular Attendants, the Marquis of Ruyang, Tang Heng, and the Marquis of Wuyuan, Xu Huang, both died. Initially, the Palace Attendant Kou Rong, a great-grandson of Kou Xun, was by nature proud and aloof, associating with few, and thus incurred the resentment of those favored by power. The son of Kou Rong's cousin married the emperor's younger sister, the Elder Princess of Yiyang, and the emperor also took his grand-niece into the rear palace. The emperor's attendants resented him even more, so they jointly slandered him, accusing him of crimes. He and his clan were dismissed from office and sent back to their native commandery. Officials, currying favor with the emperor's wishes, pressed him ever more urgently. Kou Rong, fearing he could not escape, went to the court to plead his case. Before he arrived, the Inspector Zhang Jing pursued and accused Kou Rong of leaving his border without authorization. The emperor issued an edict to arrest him. Kou Rong fled and hid for several years. When a general amnesty occurred, he was still not absolved of his crimes. With time passing and his circumstances becoming desperate, he submitted a memorial while in flight, saying: "Your Majesty governs the heavens and orders all things, acting as father and mother to the people. All those who have teeth from birth receive your grace. Yet I, your subject, and my brothers alone, for no crime, have been pushed aside by ministers who monopolize power, and jointly framed by petty men like bluebottle flies, causing Your Majesty to overlook the kindness of a compassionate mother and unleash the anger of one who throws aside his shuttle. Cruel and fawning officials set up nets and compete to advance, as if rushing toward an enemy. Their punishments extend even to the dead, and they dig up graves, seeking to ensure that the stern court inflicts excessive penalties. Therefore, I dare not violate the Heavenly Majesty and have secretly fled into the mountains and forests, awaiting Your Majesty to extend divine hearing, open unique insight, save those who can be saved, and rescue a life about to drown. I never expected that accumulated anger would not subside with spring and summer, nor accumulated resentment slacken with the passing years. Thus, they sped couriers on postal routes, proclaiming far and near. Harsh documents are more biting than frost and snow. Those pursuing me exhaust every road; those chasing me wear out every track. Even if the state of Chu offered a reward for capturing Wu Yuan, or the Han dynasty pursued Ji Bu, it could not surpass this. Since I was punished, I have passed through three amnesties and two redemptions. Crimes without evidence are sufficient to be absolved. Yet Your Majesty's hatred of me deepens daily, and the relevant officials pursue me ever more vigorously. If I stop, I am destroyed; if I move, I become a fugitive captive. Living in hiding, I am a poor man; dying in the end, I become a wronged ghost. The sky is vast, yet I have nothing to cover myself; the earth is thick, yet I have nothing to support myself. Treading on solid ground, I feel the fear of sinking; being far from high walls, I suffer the worry of being crushed. If I have committed great evil and heinous crimes, enough to expose my corpse in the wilderness and undergo the knife and saw, Your Majesty should make my crimes public to resolve the doubts of public discussion. I wish to enter the capital's gates and sit upon the stone of the court, letting the Three Locust Trees and Nine Thorn Trees judge my crimes. But the palace gates are ninefold, and pitfalls are set step by step. Lift a foot, and I touch the net; move, and I trip on the rope. I cannot reach before the ten-thousand-chariot sovereign, and there is no hope of being believed forever. Alas! What meaning is there in living long! A loyal subject kills himself to relieve the ruler's anger; a filial son sacrifices his life to soothe his parents' resentment. Thus, the great Shun did not avoid the dangers of plastering the granary or dredging the well, and Prince Shensheng did not refuse the slander of the concubine Li. How dare I forget this principle and not end myself to relieve the court's anger! I beg to take responsibility upon myself, hoping Your Majesty will spare the lives of my brothers, so that my family may have a few descendants, thereby extending Your Majesty's grace of forgiveness. Dying, I state my feelings; on the verge of death, I shed tears of blood!" The emperor, upon reading the memorial, became even angrier. He then had Kou Rong executed, and the Kou clan from then on declined and was ruined.
[The Middle of Emperor Huan of Han, Yanxi reign, eighth year (Yisi, AD 165)]
Spring, first month. The Emperor Huan sent the Regular Attendant Zuo Guan to Ku County to offer sacrifices to Laozi.
The King of Bohai, Liu Kui, by daily conduct was sinister and eccentric, often arrogant and transgressive, not adhering to the law. The Colonel of the Northern Army, Chen Liu native Shi Bi, submitted a sealed memorial, saying: "I have heard that the Son of Heaven, toward his relatives, although his favor is deep, must still display majesty; although their status is noble, must still restrain them with ritual propriety. Only then can the way of harmony arise and the grace of flesh-and-blood bonds be fulfilled. I have privately heard that the King of Bohai, Liu Kui, has gathered outside a crowd of frivolous and fierce lawless men, and inside is sunk in wine, sex, and pleasure. His comings and goings have no regularity. Those who dwell with him are all sons cast off by their families and ministers banished by the court. There will surely be an incident like that of Yang Sheng or Wu Bei. The officials of the commandery and state dare not impeach or expose him; the Grand Tutor and the Chancellor are also unable to assist or correct him. Your Majesty, mindful of brotherly affection, cannot bear to stop him. I fear that if this continues, disaster will spread and the harm it causes will be even greater. I beg that my memorial be made public, proclaimed to the hundred officials, and that the law be applied fairly. After the law is decided and the crimes determined, then issue an edict of leniency that cannot bear to punish. If the ministers insist on applying the law, then afterward grant a slight pardon. In this way, the sagely court will have no slander of harming kinship, and the King of Bohai can enjoy the good fortune of his fief. Otherwise, I fear that a great prison case is about to arise." The Emperor Huan did not adopt his advice. Liu Kui indeed plotted improperly. The relevant officials requested his deposition. The Emperor Huan issued an edict demoting him to the King of Yingtao, granting him only the tax revenue of one county.
On the Bingshen day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. The Emperor Huan issued an edict ordering the dukes, ministers, and commandants to recommend worthy, excellent, and upright scholars.
A fire broke out in the Qianqiu Wansui Hall.
Hou Lan, the Regular Attendant, had an elder brother named Hou Can, who served as Inspector of Yi Province. He was cruel and corrupt, accumulating bribes amounting to hundreds of millions in cash. The Grand Commandant Yang Bing submitted a memorial requesting that Hou Can be brought to the capital in a prison cart. Hou Can committed suicide on the way. Examining his carriages, there were more than three hundred, all filled with gold, silver, brocade, and silk. Yang Bing then submitted another memorial, saying: "I have examined the old statutes. Eunuchs originally were only to serve within the palace, responsible for night watches. Now they receive excessive favor, hold power, and manipulate authority. Those who attach themselves to them are praised and recommended through official business; those who oppose them are found opportunities to be slandered. Their dwellings rival those of princes and dukes; their wealth rivals that of the state. Their food and drink are extremely luxurious; their servants and concubines wear nothing but silk and brocade. Hou Lan's younger brother, Hou Can, was greedy and cruel, his crimes extremely great, and he brought about his own destruction. Hou Lan knows well that his own guilt is deep; he must harbor suspicion and fear. I foolishly believe that Hou Lan should no longer be allowed near Your Majesty. In the past, Duke Yì of Qi punished the father of Bing Chufu with castration and took the wife of Yan Zhi, yet had these two men ride in the same chariot, which ultimately led to the Bamboo Grove disaster. Hou Lan should be promptly dismissed and cast out to a place of tigers and jackals. For a man like this, grace is not enough to pardon him. I beg that he be removed from office and sent back to his native commandery." After the memorial was submitted, the Imperial Secretary summoned Yang Bing's subordinate officer for questioning, saying: "The establishment of offices and the assignment of duties each has its own area of responsibility. The Three Dukes handle matters outside the court; the Censor-in-Chief supervises within the court. Now you have overstepped your office to memorialize about a close attendant official. On what classic or Han system do you base this? Please state your reasons openly and specifically!" Yang Bing sent his subordinate to reply, saying: "The Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals says: 'In removing the ruler's evil men, one must exert all one's strength.' Deng Tong was remiss and discourteous, and Shen Tujia summoned and reprimanded him. Emperor Wen interceded on his behalf, asking for leniency. Under Han precedent, the office of the Three Dukes had no duties they could not oversee." The Imperial Secretary could not press the matter further. The Emperor Huan, forced by circumstances, ultimately dismissed Hou Lan from his post. The Colonel of the Capital Police, Han Yan, then took the opportunity to memorialize about Zuo Guan's crimes, as well as those of Zuo Guan's elder brother, the Grand Coachman, the Marquis of Nanxiang, Zuo Cheng, who had used influence in commanderies and states, gathered wealth, and committed misdeeds. His guests were unrestrained and encroached upon officials and commoners. Zuo Guan and Zuo Cheng both committed suicide. Han Yan also memorialized about the crimes of the elder brother of the Regular Attendant Ju Yuan, the Chancellor of Pei State, Ju Gong, for accepting bribes. Ju Gong was sent in a prison cart to the Commandant of Justice. Ju Yuan went to prison to confess his guilt and returned the seal and ribbon of the Marquis of Dongwu. The Emperor Huan issued an edict demoting him to the Marquis of Duxiang. Those who inherited titles from Shan Chao, Shan Huang, Shan Heng, and others were all demoted to marquises of villages. Those among their sons and younger brothers who had been enfeoffed were all stripped of their titles and fiefs. Liu Pu and others were demoted to marquises within the passes; Yin Xun and others were also stripped of their titles.
The Emperor Huan's rear palace had many favored concubines. The palace women numbered five or six thousand, and the servants employed were twice that number again. Empress Deng, relying on her noble status, was arrogant and jealous. She and the favored Consort Guo slandered each other. On the Guihai day, the Emperor Huan deposed Empress Deng, sending her to the Baoshi. Empress Deng ultimately died of depression. The Grand Administrator of Henan, Deng Wanshi, and the Tiger-Ben General of the Palace, Deng Hui, were both imprisoned and executed.
The Colonel-Protector of the Qiang, Duan Jiong, attacked the Hanjie Qiang and defeated them.
On the Xinsi day of the third month, a general amnesty was granted to the empire.
Yang Yuanqun, a prominent clan member of Wanling, retired from his post as Grand Administrator of Beihai and returned home. He was notoriously corrupt and had a tarnished reputation. Even the ingeniously constructed privy in the commandery office was dismantled and loaded onto a cart to be taken home. Li Ying, the Intendant of Henan, submitted a memorial to investigate his crimes. Yang Yuanqun bribed the eunuchs, and in the end, Li Ying was falsely accused and convicted. Shan Chao’s younger brother, Shan Qian, served as Grand Administrator of Shanyang. He was imprisoned for crimes, and Feng Gun, the Commandant of Justice, beat him to death. The eunuchs formed factions and jointly fabricated charges, submitting urgent memorials falsely accusing Feng Gun. The Regular Attendants Su Kang and Guan Ba forcibly seized the finest fields and estates across the empire. Prefectural and commandery officials dared not question them. Liu You, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, issued documents to various regions, confiscating these properties according to the statutes. Emperor Huan, enraged, sentenced Liu You, Li Ying, and Feng Gun to hard labor at the Left School.
In the summer, on the Jiayin day of the fourth month, a fire broke out in the bedchamber of the Anling funerary park.
On the Dingsi day, Emperor Huan issued an edict to dismantle all improperly established sacrificial sites in the commanderies and kingdoms, retaining only the shrine of Wang Huan at Luoyang and the shrine of Zhuo Mao at Mi County.
On the Bingxu day of the fifth month, Grand Commandant Yang Bing died. Yang Bing was a man of pure integrity with few desires. He once said, “I have three things that do not delude me: wine, women, and wealth.”
After Yang Bing’s death, the worthy and upright scholar Liu Yu of Guangling, whom he had recommended, arrived at the capital and submitted a memorial stating: “Eunuchs should not be enfeoffed with lands in competition with one another, nor should they be allowed to establish heirs and inherit titles. Furthermore, favored women are accumulated in great numbers, idling in the palace, consuming grain, harming living beings, and wasting the state’s resources. Additionally, residences are built ceaselessly, exhausting every ingenious design, with mountains quarried and stones carved under harsh coercion. In the prefectural and commandery offices, each official evaluates his own performance, and instances of corruption and bribery all become bait for officials. The common people suffer hardship and distress, joining the ranks of bandits, whereupon the government dispatches troops to punish their crimes. Impoverished people sometimes sell their own heads to seek rewards; fathers and brothers slaughter one another, while wives and children witness their kin being dismembered. Moreover, Your Majesty delights in secret excursions to the homes of favored ministers, privately visiting the residences of favored eunuchs. Their guests engage in trade, and their influence blazes like fire, so that they act with tyranny and license, stopping at nothing. I hope Your Majesty will broaden the path of remonstrance and advice, widely draw lessons from previous dynasties, distance yourself from fawning and evil persons, and abandon the licentious music of Zheng and Wei. Then governance will achieve harmony, and virtue will summon auspicious winds.” Emperor Huan issued a special edict to summon Liu Yu and inquire about portents of calamity. Those in power wanted Liu Yu to speak ambiguously, so they changed the subject to other matters for examination. Liu Yu again answered with his whole heart, writing over eight thousand characters, with words even more earnest than before. He was appointed a Gentleman Consultant.
Soldiers of Jing Province, led by Zhu Gai, rebelled and, together with the Guiyang bandits Hu Lan and others, again attacked Guiyang. Grand Administrator Ren Yin abandoned the city and fled, and the rebels swelled to several tens of thousands. They then turned to attack Lingling. Grand Administrator Chen Qiu of Xiapi held the city in defense. Lingling was low-lying and damp, with walls made of timber, and the commandery was in a state of panic. Subordinate officials suggested that Chen Qiu send his family to safety. Chen Qiu angrily said, “I, the Grand Administrator, hold the imperial tally and accept the mandate to govern this commandery. How could I care for my wife and children and ruin the state’s authority? Anyone who speaks thus again shall be beheaded!” He then made large wooden crossbows, used feathered lances as arrows, and fired them with mechanisms, inflicting many casualties on the rebels. The rebels dammed the river to flood the city. Chen Qiu then used the terrain within the city to divert the river and flood the rebels in turn. The two sides held out for over ten days, and the rebels could not take the city. At that time, Du Shang had been recalled to the capital. Emperor Huan issued an edict appointing Du Shang as General of the Gentlemen of the Household, leading over twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to rescue Chen Qiu. He mobilized troops from various commanderies to jointly attack, defeating the rebels decisively, beheading over three thousand of Hu Lan and his followers, and then appointed Du Shang as Inspector of Jing Province. Grand Administrator of Cangwu, Zhang Xu, was captured by the rebels. He and Ren Yin were both recalled to the capital and sentenced to death by public exposure in the marketplace. The remnants of Hu Lan’s band fled south to Cangwu. Zhang Pan, the Inspector of Jiaozhi, defeated them, and the rebels returned to Jing Province’s borders. Du Shang, fearing he would be held responsible, falsely submitted a memorial claiming that Cangwu bandits had entered Jing Province. The court then summoned Zhang Pan and handed him over to the Commandant of Justice for interrogation. Before the confession was verified, a general amnesty occurred. Zhang Pan, however, refused to leave the prison and instead held his fetters even more tightly. The jailer said to Zhang Pan, “The imperial favor is vast, yet you refuse to come out. Why is this?” Zhang Pan said, “I held the position of a regional official and was wronged by Du Shang, suffering in prison. Matters have truth and falsehood; the law has right and wrong. I am truly innocent; the amnesty cannot absolve me of this charge. If I swallow my anger and accept a pardon to escape, I will forever bear the shame of being insulted. Alive, I would be an evil official; dead, I would be a malicious ghost. I request that Du Shang be summoned to the Commandant of Justice to confront me face to face over right and wrong, which will suffice to distinguish truth from falsehood. If Du Shang is not summoned, I will bury my bones beneath the prison railing and will not leave in vain, bearing this injustice!” The Commandant of Justice reported this to the throne. Emperor Huan issued an edict summoning Du Shang. When Du Shang arrived at the Commandant of Justice, he was at a loss for words, confessed his guilt, and submitted to punishment, but was pardoned due to his prior merits.
In the intercalary month, on the Jiawu day, a fire broke out at the Shuoping Office in the Southern Palace.
Duan Jiong defeated the Western Qiang, advanced in relentless pursuit, and maneuvered through mountain valleys from spring to autumn, not a single day without battle. The Qiang captives were finally scattered. In total, 23,000 heads were taken, tens of thousands were captured, and over ten thousand tribes surrendered. Duan Jiong was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Duxiang.
In autumn, in the seventh month, Emperor Huan appointed the Grandee Secretary Chen Fan as Grand Commandant. Chen Fan deferred to Grand Master of Ceremonies Hu Guang, Gentleman Consultant Wang Chang, and the convict Li Ying, but Emperor Huan did not agree. Wang Chang was Wang Gong’s son. He had previously served as Grand Administrator of Nanyang and resented the numerous noble and powerful families there. Upon taking office, he governed with severity. When leading clans violated the law, he sometimes sent officials to demolish their houses, cut down their trees, fill in their wells, and level their stoves. Chief Clerk Zhang Chang submitted a bamboo slip of remonstrance, saying: “Men like Wen Weng, Zhao Fu, and Zhuo Mao all governed with gentle and lenient policies, leaving fine reputations that have been passed down through the ages. Demolishing houses and cutting down trees—these actions are excessively harsh and severe. Although you wish to punish the wicked, it is difficult to make your name known far and wide. Nanyang is an old capital, a marquisate in the metropolitan area. Its gardens, tumuli, and temples originate from Zhangling; three empresses were born in Xinye. Since the restoration under Emperor Guangwu, meritorious ministers and generals have flourished generation after generation. In my humble opinion, diligently applying punishments is not as good as bestowing virtue; vigorously investigating evil is not as good as treating the worthy with courtesy. When Shun employed Gao Yao, the unkind kept their distance. Transforming the people lies in virtue, not in the use of punishment.” Wang Chang deeply accepted his advice and changed to a policy of lenient governance, and moral transformation flourished greatly.
On the Wuchen day of the eighth month, an order was first issued to levy a tax of ten cash per mu from those who owned fields in the commanderies and kingdoms.
On the Dingwei day of the ninth month, an earthquake occurred in the capital.
In winter, in the tenth month, Minister of Works Zhou Jing was dismissed. The Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu Mao was appointed Minister of Works. Liu Mao was Liu Kai’s son.
Langzhong Dou Wu was a great-grandson of Dou Rong. He had a daughter who was a Noble Lady. The palace woman Tian Sheng was favored by Emperor Huan, who intended to establish her as empress. Colonel of the Sili School, Ying Feng, submitted a memorial saying: “The position of the empress mother is of utmost importance, relating to the rise and fall of the state. When the Han dynasty established Zhao Feiyan as empress, it led to the severance of the line of succession. Your Majesty should reflect on the virtue of the consort sought in the ‘Guan Ju’ ode, and keep far from the five taboos.” Grand Commandant Chen Fan also considered that the Tian family was of humble origin, while the Dou family was a good lineage, and he argued very firmly. Emperor Huan, compelled by circumstances, on the Xinsi day, established the Noble Lady Dou as empress. He appointed Dou Wu as Tejin, Colonel of the City Gates, and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Huaili.
On the Renzi day of the eleventh month, a fire broke out at the Yellow Gate North Office.
Chen Fan repeatedly memorialized that Li Ying, Feng Gun, and Liu You had suffered injustice, requesting that they be pardoned and their ranks and offices elevated. He spoke over and over, his words earnest and sincere, even to the point of weeping; but Emperor Huan did not listen. Ying Feng submitted a memorial saying: “Loyal and worthy ministers and brave generals are the core and backbone of the state. I have observed that the penal laborers under the Left School, Feng Gun, Liu You, and Li Ying, exposed and denounced evil ministers and punished them according to law. Your Majesty, without clear investigation, accepted slanderous accusations without distinction, thereby causing loyal ministers to share the same crime as great villains. From spring to winter, they have received no pardon. Those near and far who have seen and heard this all sigh over it. The key to establishing governance lies in remembering merits and forgetting faults. Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han pardoned Han Anguo from among the convicts, and Emperor Xuan of Han summoned Zhang Chang from exile. Feng Gun previously led campaigns against the Man and Jing tribes, with merits comparable to those of Yin Jifu; Liu You repeatedly served in supervisory posts, displaying a character that neither feared the powerful nor bullied the weak; Li Ying established his reputation in Youzhou and Bingzhou, and left a legacy of grace in the position of Colonel of Dulyang. Now the borders on three sides are stirring with unrest, and the imperial army has yet to be invigorated. I request that Li Ying and the others be pardoned to prepare against unforeseen events.” After the memorial was submitted, Emperor Huan then completely remitted their punishments. After a long time, Li Ying was again appointed Colonel of the Capital Police. At that time, the Younger Attendant Zhang Rang’s younger brother Zhang Shuo served as the magistrate of Yewang County. He was greedy and cruel, lawless, and fearing Li Ying’s authority, fled back to the capital, hiding in a hollow pillar in his brother’s house. Li Ying, aware of this, led his officers and soldiers to break the pillar, seize Zhang Shuo, and deliver him to the Luoyang prison. After recording his confession, he immediately executed him. Zhang Rang complained to Emperor Huan of the injustice, and Emperor Huan summoned Li Ying, reproaching him for executing without first requesting permission. Li Ying replied: “In the past, when Confucius served as the Minister of Justice in Lu, he killed Shao Zhengmao seven days after taking office. Now I have been in office for ten days, and I privately feared committing an error by delaying, but I did not expect to be punished for acting swiftly. I am fully aware of my crime, and my death is imminent. I only request that I be allowed five more days to eliminate the chief villains, and then return to suffer the punishment of the boiling cauldron—this is my lifelong wish.” Emperor Huan said nothing more, turned to Zhang Rang and said, “This is your brother’s fault; what wrong has the Colonel of the Capital Police done?” He then let Li Ying leave. From then on, all the Yellow Gate Attendants and Palace Attendants were reverent and cautious, holding their breath, and did not dare to leave the palace even on their days off. Emperor Huan, puzzled, asked them why, and they all kowtowed and wept, saying, “We fear Colonel Li.” At that time, the court grew increasingly chaotic, with laws and discipline decaying and lax, yet Li Ying alone maintained his integrity and decisiveness, priding himself on his reputation. Among the scholars, those whom he accepted and met with were called “ascending the dragon’s gate.”
Liu Kuan, the Administrator of Donghai, was summoned to be Prefect of the Masters of Writing. Liu Kuan was the son of Liu Qi. He had served as Grand Administrator in three commanderies, was gentle and benevolent, and often lenient. Even in moments of haste and urgency, he never showed a harsh expression or severe words. When officials or commoners committed faults, he only punished them with a whip made of rushes, merely to humiliate them, and never inflicted harsh torture. Whenever he saw elders, he consoled them with words about farming and village matters; when he saw youths, he encouraged them with the principles of filial piety and fraternal duty. People were all willingly influenced and transformed.
Emperor Xiaohuan Zhong, Yanxi ninth year (Bingwu, 166 AD).
Spring, first month, first day, Xinyou. A solar eclipse occurred. The emperor issued an edict commanding the Three Dukes and commanderies and kingdoms to recommend persons of utmost filial piety. Xun Shuang, recommended by Grand Minister of Ceremonies Zhao Dian, replied in the policy examination: “In ancient times, the sages established the middle way between heaven and earth and called it ritual. Among all rituals, the marriage ritual is primary. The yang essence is pure and able to give, the yin body is yielding and able to transform. Using ritual to harmonize music, to regulate and channel the qi of yin and yang, thus one can enrich the auspiciousness of descendants and attain the blessing of longevity. By the end of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, there was debauchery without restraint, yang qi exhausted above, yin qi blocked below. Therefore, the Duke of Zhou cautioned: ‘In those times, there were none who lived long.’ The Zuo Commentary says: ‘Cutting off the foot to fit the shoe—who says he is foolish? Why compare with such a one, pursuing desires and losing his body?’ This is truly painful. I have privately heard that the palace women in the rear number five to six thousand, and beyond them are the officials and attendants, all wastefully plundering the wealth of innocent commoners to support useless women. The people are impoverished outside, and yin and yang are blocked within, thus disturbing the harmonious qi, causing calamities and anomalies to appear repeatedly. In my ignorance, I believe that those palace women who have not yet been favored by the emperor should all be sent out to marry. This would truly be a great blessing for the state.” The emperor issued an edict appointing him a Gentleman of the Palace. The Metropolitan Commandery and Yuzhou suffered famine, with the dead numbering four or five out of ten, and some entire families perished.
The emperor issued an edict summoning Zhang Huan to serve as Grand Minister of Agriculture, and appointed Huangfu Gui as acting Colonel of Dulyang. Huangfu Gui, considering that he had held successive high positions, wished to decline and retire. He repeatedly submitted memorials claiming illness, but was not heeded. It happened that a friend’s coffin was being transported, and Huangfu Gui crossed the border to welcome it. He then secretly had a retainer inform the Inspector of Bingzhou, Hu Fang, that Huangfu Gui had left his camp without authorization, and that he should be impeached quickly. Hu Fang said, “Weiming (Huangfu Gui’s style name) wishes to avoid official positions and career, so he is provoking me. I should cherish talent for the court; how could I fulfill the schemes of this young man?” So he did not pursue the matter.
Summer, fourth month. The Yellow River in Jiyin, Dongjun, Jibei, and Pingyuan became clear. Minister over the Masses Xu Yu was dismissed; fifth month, Tai Chang Hu Guang was appointed Minister over the Masses. Gengwu day, the emperor personally performed sacrifices to Laozi at the Zhuolong Palace, using colored woolen fabrics as altar decorations, vessels inlaid with pure gold, setting up a canopy seat, and using the music of the suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. The Xianbei, hearing that Zhang Huan had left, induced the Southern Xiongnu and Wuhuan to rebel together. Sixth month, the Southern Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei entered the border fortifications from multiple routes, raiding and plundering the nine border commanderies. Autumn, seventh month, the Xianbei again entered the border, enticing the Eastern Qiang to swear covenants and curses with them. Then the Shenmi of Shang Commandery and the Xianling of Anding Commandery, along with other tribes, together invaded Wuwei and Zhangye, causing great suffering along the border. The emperor issued an edict again appointing Zhang Huan as Colonel Protecting the Xiongnu, with the salary of a Nine Minister to oversee the three provinces of Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou, as well as the Dulyang and Wuhuan camps, and also to examine the abilities and defects of the Inspectors and officials with salaries of 2000 bushels.
At first, when the emperor was the Marquis of Liwu, he studied with Zhou Fu of Ganling. After he ascended the throne, he promoted Zhou Fu to be a Master of Writing. At that time, Fang Zhi of the same commandery, who was the Grand Administrator of Henan, had a reputation at court. The villagers composed a ballad saying: “The rule of the realm is Fang Bowu; obtaining an official seal through a teacher is Zhou Zhongjin.” The guests of the two families mocked and speculated against each other, gradually establishing factions and forming enmity. From then on, Ganling had a northern and southern division, and the discussions of partisans began from this time. The Grand Administrator of Runan, Zong Zi, appointed Fan Pang as his Merit Officer; the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Cheng Jin, appointed Cen Zhi as his Merit Officer. Both fully trusted them, allowing them to praise good deeds and correct errors, purifying the government offices. Fan Pang was especially upright and resolute, hating evil as if it were his personal enemy. Fan Pang’s nephew, Li Song, had always been without virtue. The Middle Regular Attendant Tang Heng entrusted him to Zong Zi, who appointed him as an official; Fan Pang suppressed the document and did not summon him. Zong Zi, in anger, beat the clerk Zhu Ling, who looked up and said: “Fan Pang is pure and just. Today I would rather die under the whip than allow Fan Pang to be violated.” Only then did Zong Zi stop. Among the commandery’s middle ranks and below, none did not resent him. Thus, the two commanderies composed a ballad saying: “The Grand Administrator of Runan is Fan Mengbo; Nanyang’s Zong Zi only signs and seals; the Grand Administrator of Nanyang is Cen Gongxiao; Hongnong’s Cheng Jin only sits and hums.”
The students of the Imperial Academy numbered over thirty thousand. Guo Tai and Jia Biao of Yingchuan were their leaders. Together with Li Ying, Chen Fan, and Wang Chang, they praised and esteemed each other. A saying in the school buildings went: “The model of the realm is Li Yuanli; not fearing the strong and violent is Chen Zhongju; the outstanding talent of the realm is Wang Shumao.” Thus, within and outside the court, people followed the trend, competing to esteem the evaluation of character. From the Three Dukes down, none did not fear their critical discussions, and they hurriedly put on their shoes to visit them.
In Wan County there was a wealthy merchant named Zhang Fan, who had connections with the imperial harem and was skilled at carving exquisite trinkets. He repeatedly bribed eunuchs with valuables, thereby obtaining a prominent position and abusing his power to act tyrannically. Cen Zhi and the chief of thieves, Zhang Mu, urged Cheng Jin to arrest Zhang Fan and his associates; soon after, they encountered an amnesty, but Cheng Jin ultimately executed him, arrested his clan and guests, killed over two hundred people, and only then reported to the court. The Junior Attendant Zhao Jin of Jinyang, greedy, tyrannical, and unrestrained, became a great scourge to the county. The Grand Administrator of Taiyuan, Liu [missing character] of Pingyuan, sent the commandery clerk Wang Yun to pursue and capture him, and also killed him after the amnesty. Thereupon, the Central Regular Attendant Hou Lan had Zhang Fan’s wife submit a petition to plead innocence, and the eunuchs took the opportunity to slander and frame Cheng Jin and Liu [missing character]. The Emperor was enraged, summoned Cheng Jin and Liu [missing character], and imprisoned them both. The relevant officials, currying favor, submitted a memorial stating that Cheng Jin and Liu [missing character] deserved execution and public display.
The Grand Administrator of Shanyang, Zhai Chao, appointed the commandery man Zhang Jian as the Eastern Inspector of the Commandery. Hou Lan’s home was in Fangdong, where he oppressed the people. Hou Lan’s mother died and returned home, and he built a grand tomb. Zhang Jian submitted a memorial impeaching Hou Lan’s crimes, but Hou Lan intercepted it, so the memorial never reached the throne. Zhang Jian then destroyed Hou Lan’s tomb and residence, confiscated his property, and detailed his situation in a report, which again failed to reach the Emperor. Xu Huang’s nephew, Xu Xuan, served as the Prefect of Xiapi and was especially violent and cruel. He once sought the daughter of the former Grand Administrator of Runan, Li Hao, but failed to obtain her, so he led officials and soldiers to Li’s home, carried the girl away in a cart, and amused himself by shooting her to death with arrows. The Chancellor of Donghai, Huang Fu of Runan, heard of this, arrested Xu Xuan’s family, and interrogated them all, regardless of age. The subordinates below the chief clerk strongly remonstrated, but Huang Fu said, “Xu Xuan is a traitor to the state. If I kill him today and am sentenced to death tomorrow, it will be enough to close my eyes!” He then sentenced Xu Xuan to death by public exposure and displayed his corpse. Thereupon, the eunuchs appealed their grievances to the Emperor, who was enraged. Zhai Chao and Huang Fu were both sentenced to shaving and wearing the cangue, and were sent to labor at the Right Workshop.
The Grand Commandant Chen Fan and the Minister of Works Liu Mao jointly remonstrated, requesting leniency for the crimes of Cheng [missing character], Liu [missing character], Zhai Chao, and Huang Fu; the Emperor was displeased. The relevant officials impeached them, and Liu Mao dared not speak further. Chen Fan then submitted a memorial alone, saying: “Now bandits and enemies are outside, which is a disease of the limbs; the internal governance is not orderly, which is a calamity of the heart and vitals. I cannot sleep peacefully at night nor eat to satiety, truly worried that your Majesty’s close attendants grow increasingly, loyal words grow increasingly distant, internal calamities gradually accumulate, and external disasters are deepening. Your Majesty rose from among the marquises to inherit the throne. A common household with a million in property still feels ashamed if descendants lose their ancestral legacy; how much more so when your Majesty’s estate encompasses the empire, inherited from the former emperors—can you be indolent and belittle yourself! If you truly do not cherish yourself, should you not consider the toil and hardship with which the former emperors obtained the empire! Previously, the five marquises of the Liang clan poisoned the entire realm; Heaven opened the sage’s intent, and they were captured and executed. The discussions of the world expected some stability; the mirror is not far, and the overturned cart is like yesterday, yet the power of close associates again fans and colludes with each other. The Junior Attendant Zhao Jin, the great villain Zhang Fan, and others, indulging in greed and cruelty, flatter your Majesty’s attendants. The former Grand Administrator of Taiyuan, Liu [missing character], and the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Cheng [missing character], corrected and executed them. Although after the amnesty they should not have been killed, examining their sincerity lay in removing evil—what resentment do they deserve from your Majesty! But petty men gain power, delude the sage’s hearing, and thus cause Heaven’s majesty to become angry, inevitably applying punishment and demotion—this is already excessive, let alone heavy penalties causing them to submit to the law and die! Furthermore, the former Grand Administrator of Shanyang, Zhai Chao, and the Chancellor of Donghai, Huang Fu, upheld public duty without bending, hating evil like enemies. Zhai Chao confiscated Hou Lan’s property; Huang Fu executed Xu Xuan’s crimes; both suffered punishment without pardon or leniency. Hou Lan’s tyranny—confiscating his property was already fortunate; Xu Xuan’s crimes—death was insufficient to atone. Previously, the Chancellor Shen Tu Jia summoned and rebuked Deng Tong; the Prefect of Luoyang, Dong Xuan, humiliated the princess; yet Emperor Wen complied with the request, and Emperor Guangwu bestowed heavy rewards; no one heard of these two ministers being executed for acting on their own authority. Now the group of eunuchs at your Majesty’s side, loathing harm to their own faction, recklessly collude, leading to such punishment and condemnation. When they hear my words, they will surely cry and complain again. Your Majesty should deeply cut off and block the source of close associates’ involvement in governance, bring in and accept scholars from the Secretariat and the court bureaus, select those pure and noble, and dismiss and demote the fawning and evil. If this is done, Heaven will be harmonious above, Earth will be harmonious below; auspicious omens—how could they be far off!” The Emperor did not adopt his advice. The eunuchs therefore hated Chen Fan even more; when it came to elections and submitted memorials, they always used imperial edicts to reprimand and reject them. Many officials below the chief clerk thus incurred blame, but because Chen Fan was a famous minister, they dared not harm him.
Xiang Kai of Pingyuan submitted a memorial to the court, saying: “I have heard that Heaven does not speak, but uses celestial patterns to establish instruction. I privately observe that the Grand Subtlety and the seats of the Five Emperors in the Heavenly Court, and the penal stars Venus and Mars shine within them; according to divination, this is inauspicious for the Son of Heaven. They also enter together the chambers and heart mansions, and the pattern indicates no heirs. In the winter before last, there was a great cold, freezing birds and beasts to death, harming fish and turtles; the leaves of bamboo and cypress by the city walls were injured and withered. I have heard my teacher say: ‘When cypress is injured and bamboo withers, within two years, the Son of Heaven will be affected.’ Now, since spring and summer, there have been successive frosts, hail, great rains, and thunder and lightning; this is the response to your Majesty’s exertion of authority and favor, and the urgency of punishment. The Grand Administrator of Taiyuan, Liu [missing character], and the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Cheng [missing character], were determined to eradicate evil; those they executed all conformed to human hearts. Yet your Majesty accepted the eunuchs’ slanderous words and far away subjected them to arrest and interrogation. The three dukes submitted memorials begging mercy for Liu [missing character] and others; they were not adopted or examined but instead severely reprimanded. Ministers concerned for the state will henceforth keep their mouths shut. I have heard that killing the innocent and executing worthy men brings calamity extending to three generations. Since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have frequently carried out executions and punishments; the Liang, Kou, Sun, and Deng clans were all wiped out, and those implicated in crimes are more than that number. Li Yun submitted a memorial—an enlightened lord should not be taboo; Du Zhong begged for death—indeed, he wished to awaken the sacred court; yet they were not pardoned or forgiven but were both cruelly killed. All under Heaven knows their injustice. Since the founding of the Han dynasty, there has been no such rejection of remonstrance, execution of the worthy, and excessive use of punishment as now. Previously, King Wen had only one wife and bore ten sons; now there are thousands of palace women, but no one has heard of childbirth. You should cultivate virtue and reduce punishment to extend the blessing of the ‘Many Offspring’ ode. Examining from the Spring and Autumn period onward, and among ancient emperors and kings, there has never been a case of the Yellow River becoming clear. I believe the Yellow River represents the position of the feudal lords. Clear belongs to yang; turbid belongs to yin. The river should be turbid but instead becomes clear—this is yin wanting to transform into yang, the feudal lords wanting to become emperor. In the ‘Changes of Jing Fang’ it says: ‘When the river water is clear, under Heaven there is peace.’ Now Heaven manifests anomalies, Earth spews portents, and among men there are plagues; these three appear together, and the Yellow River becomes clear—like in the Spring and Autumn period when the unicorn appeared when it should not have, and Confucius recorded it as an anomaly. I hope your Majesty will grant me a moment of leisure, allowing me to speak my words fully.” The memorial was presented, but no heed was paid.
More than ten days later, he again submitted a memorial, saying: "I have heard that King Zhou of Yin was fond of women, and therefore Daji appeared; Lord Ye was fond of dragons, and a real dragon roamed in his courtyard. Now the Yellow Gate Attendants and Regular Attendants are men who have undergone castration. Your Majesty bestows affection and courtesy upon them, doubling your favor. If there is no sign of an heir to the throne, could it not be because of this? I have also heard that temples to the Yellow Emperor and Laozi, as well as to the Buddha, have been established in the palace. These teachings are pure and empty, advocating non-action, cherishing life and abhorring killing, reducing desires and eliminating extravagance. Yet now Your Majesty's cravings and desires remain unchecked, and your punishments and executions exceed reason. This both violates their Way—how then could you obtain their blessings? The Buddha did not stay under the mulberry tree for three nights, not wishing to long nurture feelings of love and attachment; such was his utmost sincerity. By holding to this oneness, he was able to attain the Way. Now Your Majesty possesses licentious women and beauties, exhausting the loveliness of the world, and indulges in sweet and rich foods, exhausting the delicacies of the world—how can you hope to emulate the Yellow Emperor and Laozi!" When the memorial was submitted, he was immediately summoned to the palace, and an edict was issued ordering the Master of Documents to interrogate him. Xiang Kai said: "In ancient times, there were no eunuchs. Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty, in his later years, frequently visited the rear palaces, and thus they were first established." The Master of Documents, currying favor with the emperor's intent, submitted a memorial: "Xiang Kai does not use correct language and reasoning but violates the principles of the classics, falsely citing astral phenomena to suit his private opinions, slandering His Majesty and deceiving the truth. We request that he be handed over to the Commandant of Justice to determine his crime and be arrested and sent to the Luoyang prison." The emperor, because Xiang Kai's words, though vehement and earnest, all pertained to the regular patterns of celestial phenomena, did not execute him; nonetheless, he sentenced him to penal servitude. Since the Yongping era, although subjects and commoners had studied the Buddhist teachings, the Son of Heaven had not been fond of them. By the time of the present emperor, he began to devoutly believe and favor them, often personally offering sacrifices and prayers. From this time on, the Buddhist Dharma gradually flourished, and thus Xiang Kai spoke of it.
The Master of Tallies, Cai Yan of Runan, and the Gentleman Consultant, Liu Yu, submitted a memorial to rescue Cheng □ and Liu □ Zhi, their words extremely vehement and stern; they too were convicted and dismissed from office. Cheng □ and Liu □ Zhi ultimately died in prison. Cheng □ and Liu □ Zhi had always been upright and resolute, versed in the classics, and renowned in their time, so the world lamented their fate. Cen Zhi and Zhang Mu fled into hiding and thereby escaped death. When Cen Zhi was on the run, his relatives and friends vied to shelter him; only Jia Biao closed his gate and refused to take him in, and people at the time resented him for it. Jia Biao said: "The Zuo Zhuan says, 'Watch the time and act, so as not to bring trouble upon later generations.' Gongxiao [Cen Zhi's style name] brought disaster upon himself by threatening his lord, creating his own fault. Since he had already reached the point where he could not take up arms to resist, how could I be expected to harbor and hide him?" Thereupon everyone admired his judicious rectitude. Jia Biao had previously served as the Chief of Xinqi County. The common people were impoverished, and most did not raise their children; Jia Biao strictly established regulations, making the killing of infants equivalent to the crime of murder. South of the city, robbers killed someone; north of the city, a woman killed her child. Jia Biao went out to investigate. The clerks wanted to take him to the south of the city, but Jia Biao angrily said: "Robbers harming people—this is a common occurrence; a mother harming her child—this violates Heaven's Way!" He then drove his carriage northward and verified the woman's crime. When the robbers south of the city heard of this, they also bound their own hands and surrendered. Within a few years, the number of people raising children was counted in the thousands. They all said: "These were born because of Father Jia." And they all named their sons Jia.
Zhang Cheng of Henei was skilled in wind-angle divination. He calculated and divined that an amnesty was forthcoming and instructed his son to kill someone. The Colonel-Director of Retainers, Li Ying, hastened to arrest him, but shortly thereafter an amnesty was issued, and Zhang Cheng was released. Li Ying became even more furious and ultimately tried and executed him. Zhang Cheng had long used his arts to cultivate relations with the eunuchs, and the emperor had repeatedly consulted his divinations. The eunuchs instructed Zhang Cheng's disciple, Laoxiu, to submit a memorial, accusing "Li Ying and others of nurturing wandering scholars from the Grand Academy, forming associations with students from various commanderies, driving each other on, forming cliques and factions, slandering the court, and confounding customs." Thereupon the Son of Heaven was enraged, issued an edict to the commanderies and kingdoms to arrest the partisans, and proclaimed it to the world, commanding them to be universally reviled. The case went through the Three Bureaus. The Grand Commandant, Chen Fan, refused, saying: "Those now being investigated are all men of reputation throughout the empire, loyal ministers concerned for the state. Even if such men had committed faults ten generations ago, they should still be pardoned. How can they be arrested and tortured when their crimes are not clearly established?" He refused to sign. The emperor became even angrier and thus confined Li Ying and others to the Yellow Gate North Prison. The confessions implicated many, including the Grand Coachman, Du Mi of Yingchuan, the Censor-in-Chief, Chen Xiang, as well as Chen Shi and Fan Pang, over two hundred people in total. Some had fled and were not captured; all were offered rewards for their arrest, and envoys were sent out in an unending stream. Chen Shi said: "If I do not enter prison, the multitude will have no one to rely on." So he went and surrendered himself to imprisonment. When Fan Pang arrived at the prison, the jailer said to him: "All those who are imprisoned for crimes must sacrifice to Gao Yao." Fan Pang said: "Gao Yao was an upright minister of antiquity. If he knows that Fan Pang is innocent, he will plead my case before the Lord of Heaven; but if I am guilty, what benefit would there be in sacrificing to him?" The others therefore also desisted. Chen Fan again submitted a memorial, vehemently remonstrating. The emperor, averse to his harsh words, and on the grounds that Chen Fan had improperly appointed and employed personnel, issued an edict dismissing him from office.
At that time, those arrested and implicated in the party case were all renowned worthies of the empire. The General Who Crosses the Liao, Huangfu Gui, considering himself a hero of the Western Provinces, was ashamed not to be included, and so submitted a memorial himself, saying: "I formerly recommended the former Grand Minister of Agriculture, Zhang Huan, and thereby became attached to the partisans. Moreover, when I was formerly sentenced to hard labor at the Left School, the Grand Academy student Zhang Feng and others submitted a memorial pleading my case—this was to be attached to by the partisans. I should therefore be convicted." The court knew of this but did not pursue it. Du Mi had always been equal in reputation and conduct to Li Ying, and people at the time called them Li and Du; thus they were arrested together. Du Mi had formerly served as the Chancellor of Beihai. During a spring inspection tour, he arrived at Gaomi and saw Zheng Xuan serving as a village bailiff. Recognizing his exceptional talent, he immediately summoned and appointed him to a post in the commandery, then sent him to study, and he ultimately became a great scholar. Later, Du Mi retired and returned home. Whenever he visited the Prefect or Chief, he often made various requests and entrustments. A man from the same commandery, Liu Sheng, had also retired and returned home from Shu Commandery, closing his gate and receiving no visitors, interfering in nothing. The Grand Administrator, Wang Yu, said to Du Mi: "Liu Jiling is a man of pure integrity; many of the high officials have recommended him." Du Mi, knowing that Wang Yu was provoking him, replied: "Liu Sheng held the position of a Grandee and was treated as an honored guest, yet knowing good men he did not recommend them, and hearing of evil deeds he did not speak of them. He concealed the truth and cherished himself, like a cicada in winter—he is a guilty man. Now I recommend those who are virtuous and resolute, and I expose those who violate the Way and lose their integrity, enabling your Excellency’s rewards and punishments to be appropriate and your good reputation to spread—is this not a contribution of one part in ten thousand?" Wang Yu was ashamed and impressed, and treated him with even greater respect.
In the ninth month, the Glorious Attendant of the Palace Guard, Zhou Jing, was appointed Grand Commandant. The Minister of Works, Liu Mao, was dismissed. In winter, the twelfth month, the Glorious Attendant of the Palace Guard, Xuan Feng of Runan, was appointed Minister of Works. The Colonel of the Elite Cavalry, Dou Wu, was appointed Colonel of the City Gates. While Dou Wu was in office, he frequently summoned famous scholars, was personally incorruptible, hated evil, and accepted no gifts or bribes. The clothing and food of his wife and children were barely sufficient. Whatever he received as rewards from the two palaces, he distributed entirely to the students of the Grand Academy and gave as alms to the poor. Therefore, the people's praise and allegiance turned toward him.
The Xiongnu and Wuhuan, upon hearing of Zhang Huan’s arrival, all successively came to surrender, totaling two hundred thousand people. Zhang Huan executed only the chief culprits and pacified and accepted the rest. Only the Xianbei withdrew beyond the border and departed. The court worried that Tanshihuai could not be subdued, and sent an envoy bearing a seal and ribbon to enfeoff him as a king, wishing to make peace and form a marital alliance. Tanshihuai refused to accept it and instead increased his raids and plundering. He divided his territory into three parts: from east of Youbeiping eastward to Liaodong, connecting the twenty-odd settlements of Fuyu and Huimo, as the Eastern Division; from west of Youbeiping westward to Shanggu, the twenty-odd settlements, as the Central Division; and from west of Shanggu westward to Dunhuang and Wusun, the twenty-odd settlements, as the Western Division. He appointed chieftains to govern each of them.