Emperor Xiaohui, whose birth name was Liu Zhao, was the fourth son of Emperor Zhang of Han, Liu Zhi. His mother was Lady Liang, who died from grief after being wronged by Empress Dou. Empress Dou later raised Liu Zhao as her own son. In the seventh year of Jianchu, Liu Zhao was appointed as Crown Prince.
On the Renchen day in the second month of the second year of the Zhanghe era, ten-year-old Liu Zhao ascended to the throne as Emperor. He honored the Empress as Empress Dowager, who governed on his behalf. On the Dingyou day of the third month, he renamed Huaiyang State to Chen State, and Chu Commandery to Pengcheng State, merged Xiping Commandery into Runan Commandery, and restored Liu'an Commandery to Lujiang Commandery. In accordance with the late Emperor's edict, Xiping Prince Liu Xian was granted the title of King of Chen, while Liu Gong received the title of King of Pengcheng. On the Guimao day, Emperor Xiaozhang was laid to rest in Jingling. On the Gengxu day, the Empress Dowager issued a decree:
The late Emperor was both wise and virtuous, inheriting and promoting the ancestral virtues, bringing peace and prosperity to the world. Now that the Emperor is still young and lonely, I intend to assist him in handling state affairs. With powerful vassal states as barriers on the outside and court officials managing state affairs on the inside, the Emperor need only be humble and prudent in accepting assistance from all. However, in times of consolidation, there is a need for a chief minister to participate in decision-making. Douxian, my own brother, is exceptionally loyal and filial, having been highly esteemed by the late Emperor, and appointed to assist the Emperor according to tradition. However, despite his continual modesty and reluctance, his attitude remains unchanged. He is currently serving the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, as well as overseeing palace security, with many responsibilities already; therefore, he should not be burdened with state matters.
General Deng Biao, born into a distinguished family with outstanding achievements, declined high-ranking positions three times. He is admired by all, making him the foremost among virtuous men. The late emperor praised him and intended to use him as a role model. Now Deng Biao is wise and strong, and is a respected elder statesman. Appoint him as the Grand Tutor and grant him the title of Marquis of Guannei, and allow him to oversee matters of the Imperial Secretariat. All officials should follow his commands, so that I can manage palace affairs without worry. Ah! Ministers, you must motivate all officials to fulfill their responsibilities, serve the people, and govern the country with a calm demeanor, which is in line with my intentions!
In the year of Xin-You, officials of the court reported: "Emperor Xiaozhang (Han Zhangdi) has achieved great success, his virtue and grace are widely known, he cares about the suffering of the people, and values agricultural production. His civil rule is prosperous, his military achievements are outstanding, and the people of the world are all loyal to him; there is no one who does not obey. His achievements are incomparably great; no one can compare. As the 'Odes of Zhou' says: 'In the pure and grand ancestral temple, the appearance is solemn and dignified.' It is requested to honor him as the solemn ancestor and perform the dance of 'Wu De'." The emperor approved. On the Gui-Hai day, the kings of Chen, Pengcheng, Lecheng, Xiapi, and Liang set out for their respective fiefdoms.
On the Bing-Zi day of the fourth month of summer, the emperor held a ceremony at the high ancestral temple. On the Ding-Chou day, ceremonies were held at the temple of the founding ancestor.
On the day of Wuyin, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Previously, Emperor Xiaowu (Han Wudi), in order to campaign against the Xiongnu and Nanyue, once held the state monopoly on salt and iron to raise military funds. Since the reign of Emperor Guangwu, although the Xiongnu did not invade, they were again subdued during the Yongping period. After the previous emperor (Han Zhangdi) ascended the throne, he focused on recovery, but still planned ahead, remained vigilant, consulted historical records, and restored the monopoly on salt and iron, intending to prepare for unforeseen circumstances and defend the border. However, many officials were ineffective and frequently acted contrary to the previous emperor's wishes. The previous emperor was very displeased with this, so he decreed that the prohibition on the salt and iron monopoly in the commanderies and counties be lifted, allowing the people to freely smelt and forge and cast metal, pay taxes to the government, and follow the old rules. You must convey my will to the provincial governors and officials of two thousand piculs, implement the imperial decree, strive to promote education and moral values, announce to the world, and make them understand my intentions."
In May, the capital suffered from a drought. The emperor issued a decree appointing Huan Yu, the Prefect of Changle, to serve as a lecturer in the palace.
On the day of Yihai in the tenth month of winter, the Grand Commandant Dou Xian was appointed as General of the Chariots and Cavalry to attack the Northern Xiongnu.
The Parthian envoy presented a lion and a Phupu (a rare bird).
In the first year of Yongyuan, on the day of Jia Chen in the spring of the third month, it was stipulated for the first time that after the appointment of Lang officials by the court, they could hold positions such as Cheng and Wei, with the same rank as before.
In June, General of the Chariots and Cavalry Dou Xian marched out from the Jilu Pass, General of Liaodong Deng Hong marched out from the Wuyang Pass, and the Southern Chanyu led his forces out from Manyigu to engage in a major battle with the Northern Xiongnu at Jiluo Mountain, achieving a decisive victory and pursuing them to the Sigu Bidi Sea. Dou Xian then ascended Yanran Mountain, etched his achievements in stone, and returned. The Northern Chanyu sent his brother, King Yewenyudi, to present tribute.
On Yiwei day in the seventh month of autumn, a landslide struck Mount Kuaiji.
In the year X (leap month Bingzi), the emperor issued a decree saying, "The Xiongnu have rebelled and plagued us for so long. Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, our army won a great victory, completely vanquishing these despicable Xiongnu and thoroughly wiping out their strongholds. From now on, we no longer have to worry about them, and our borders are peaceful for miles on end! This isn’t something a simple emperor like me can pull off alone! Ministers, as per usual practice, thoroughly investigate the merits, commend those who have made great contributions, and record this great victory!"
Next, on Gengshen of the ninth month, the emperor promoted the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Dou Xian, to Grand General, and the Chief Commandant Liu Shang succeeded Dou Xian's position, becoming the General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the winter month of October, the emperor ordered a reduction in penalties and corvée labor across the nation, to allow everyone to concentrate on building military camps. Those who were exiled to the border, even if their sentences were not yet complete, could head back home to farm. On Gengzi of that same month, Prince Yan of Fuling passed away. That year, there were many floods in various places across the country.
In the second year, in the spring month of the first month, the emperor issued a general amnesty, ushering in peace across the land. In the second month, there was a solar eclipse. On the day Jihai, the court reinstated the commandants of Xihe and Shang Commanderies. In the summer month of May, the emperor carved out Taishan Commandery to establish Jibei Kingdom; and split off Lecheng, Zhuo Commandery, and Bohai Commandery to establish Hejian Kingdom. On the day Bingchen, the emperor named his brother Shou as King of Jibei, Kai as King of Hejian, Shu as King of Chengyang, and posthumously appointed the son of the late King of Huaiyang, Wei, as King of Changshan. The emperor also rewarded officials from court ministers to assistant historians with rewards that varied in amount. On the day Jiwei, the emperor dispatched Deputy Commandant Yan Pan to take on the Northern Xiongnu, capturing the Yiwulu area. On the day Dingmao, the emperor posthumously appointed the son of the late King of Qi, Huang, as King of Qi, and the son of the late King of Beihai, Mu, as King of Beihai.
The kings of the two capitals of the Cheshir sent their sons to the court as attendants. The State of Yuezhi sent troops to attack the Grand Historian of the Western Regions, Ban Chao, but they were defeated and surrendered. In the sixth month, on Xinmao day, the King of Zhongshan passed away. In the seventh month of autumn, the Grand General Dou Xian stationed his troops in Liangzhou. In September, envoys from the Northern Xiongnu came to the court to pay tribute. In the winter month of October, the Emperor sent the Commandant of the Central Army, Ban Gu, to deliver a message to the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu. At the same time, the King of Left Valley, Li Shizi, led troops from Jilu Pass, laid siege to the Northern Xiongnu north of the He Yun River, achieved a great victory, and defeated the Northern Xiongnu soundly.
On the first day of the first month in 89 BC, which was a Jiazi day, the Emperor held a coronation ceremony and officially came of age. The court rewarded the princes, dukes, generals, officials of rank above 2000 stones, marquises, and imperial descendants with gold who attended the court assembly in the capital; rewarded the military commanders, officials, and attendants with cloth and silk; and rewarded the common people with titles, food, and textiles according to their circumstances, and the whole country held a nationwide celebration for five days! In each county, prisoners sentenced to death were allowed to redeem their sentences with a certain amount of silk, and even fugitives were given different sentences based on their circumstances. On the seventeenth day of the first month, a Gengchen day, the capital also celebrated by distributing one bolt of cloth per two households.
In the second month, the Grand General Dou Xian sent the Commandant of the Left, Geng Kui, to lead troops to Ju Yan Pass, besieged the Northern Xiongnu Chanyu at Jinwei Mountain, decisively defeated them, and even captured the Chanyu's mother, Empress E.
On the eighth day of the sixth month, which was a Xinmao day, the Emperor honored the Empress Dowager's mother, Princess Biyang, with the title of Grand Princess. On the tenth day of the sixth month, which was a Xinchou day, the Prince of Fuling, Zhong, passed away.
On the tenth day of October, it was a Guiwei day, and the emperor went to Chang'an for an inspection. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The Northern Xiongnu have been defeated, many Xiongnu kings have surrendered, and various countries in the Western Regions have sent envoys with gifts to show submission. Isn't this the continuation of the wisdom and glory of our ancestors? I miss and long to return to Chang'an day and night. Therefore, I will reward all officials of the rank of two thousand shi or higher who pass through the area, as well as the elderly and officials, with money and goods, with specific amounts depending on the situation; for widows, widowers, orphans, the disabled, and those unable to support themselves, each will receive three hu of grain."
On the tenth day of November, it was a Guimao day, and the emperor performed sacrifices at the ancestral temple and then at eleven tombs. The emperor issued another decree saying, "The meritorious ministers of our ancestor, Xiao He and Cao Shen, are well-known for their everlasting fame. However, Cao Shen's descendant, the Marquis of Rongcheng, has no heir. Standing at the east gate of Changling, looking at the tombs of Xiao He and Cao Shen, I am deeply moved as I think of their achievements. Rewarding loyal and righteous individuals is a practice that remains the same throughout history. Send envoys to offer sacrifices of animals for them, and let the Grand Herald find Cao Shen's close relatives to inherit titles, honor ancestors, and commend their achievements."
In December, the court restored the positions of Protector-General of the Western Regions, Cavalry Commandant, and Infantry Commandant. On the seventeenth day of December, it was a Gengchen day, and the emperor returned from Chang'an and reduced the sentences of the accompanying convicts by five months each.
In the second year (88 BCE), in the first month, the Right King of Wugu Li among the Northern Xiongnu declared himself Chanyu and sent envoys to request surrender. The court sent the Grand General and Left Colonel Geng Kui with the emperor's seal and ribbon.
On the tenth day of the third month, it was a Guichou day, and the Minister of Works Yuan An passed away. On the fourteenth day of the intercalary month, it was a Dingchou day, and Ding Hong, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, was appointed Minister of Works.
On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, it was a Bingchen day, and the Grand General Dou Xian returned to the capital in triumph.
On the first day of the sixth month, Wuxu day, a solar eclipse occurred. On Bingchen day, earthquakes struck in thirteen counties nationwide. Dou Xian secretly plotted a rebellion. On Gengshen day, the emperor went to the Northern Palace. The emperor ordered the arrest of Dou Xian's accomplices: Captain Guo Huang of She Sheng, Guo Huang's son, Chamberlain for the Imperial Carriage Guo Ju, Guard Commander Deng Die, and Deng Die's brother, Infantry Captain Deng Lei. They were all imprisoned and ultimately perished. The emperor sent an envoy to retrieve Dou Xian's General seal and insignia, permitting Dou Xian and his brothers, Dou Du and Dou Jing, to return to their hometown. They all took their own lives after returning home. That summer was truly unfortunate, plagued by drought and locusts. On the sixth day of the seventh month, Jichou day, Grand Commandant Song You, who was entangled with Dou Xian, also committed suicide. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Xinhai day, Minister of Works Ren Wei died. On Guichou day, Minister of Agriculture Yin Mu became the Grand Commandant and took charge of the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. On Dingsi day, the emperor rewarded court officials, even the lowest-ranking ones, with money and food in varying amounts. On the sixth day of the tenth month, Jihai day, Grandee of the Imperial Clan Liu Fang became Minister of Works. On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month, Renchen day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "This year, due to severe damage from drought and locust plague, those with less than a quarter of the usual harvest are exempt from paying land rent and fodder; those with less than a full harvest will pay taxes based on actual yield." The barbarians in Wuling, Lingling, and Lizhong regions rebelled; the Shuofang Qiang tribe attacked Jincheng again, resulting in both internal and external strife. On the second day of the first month of the fifth year, Yihai day, the emperor conducted sacrifices to the Five Emperors at the Mingtang, then ascended the Lingtai to gaze at celestial phenomena. He then declared a general amnesty. On Wuzi day, Prince Qiancheng Kang died. On Xinmao day, the emperor conferred the title of "Long Live" upon Prince Guangzong.
On the seventh day of the second lunar month, the emperor ordered the relevant authorities to reduce the number of horses in the palace and gardens in Liangzhou. The palaces, orchards, Shanglin Garden, and Guangcheng Garden near the capital were all handed over to the poor, allowing them to gather food and hunt freely without taxation. On Dingwei, the emperor decreed, "Last year's autumn harvest of wheat was not good, out of concern that the common people would go hungry. You must report the number of those who are especially impoverished and unable to support themselves. In the past, the reports from local officials about the poor often described those who were ragged and struggling to survive, while the wealthy and powerful profited from their plight. This time, I want to thoroughly verify the circumstances outlined in the decree and find ways to help them, but these officials cannot assist directly; instead, they are recruiting people everywhere, making it impossible for them to farm, thereby adding to the people's distress. If such a mistake occurs again, officials of the rank of 2000 stones and above will be held primarily responsible!" On Jiayin, the Grand Tutor Deng Biao died. On Wuwu, a significant earthquake struck Longxi.
On the day of Wu Zi in March, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Selecting talents is the foundation of governing the country. The assessment of talent must begin at the local level. However, the recommendations from officials in various counties and commanderies are not being properly vetted. Therefore, the previous emperor had issued a clear order to allow them to be tried out in their positions before being formally appointed. Those with outstanding virtues who do not need to go through a trial period in their positions must also submit a separate memorial. However, since the issuance of this order, nine years have passed, and not a single official of the rank of two thousand shi has seriously implemented it, acting according to their whims, with the Inspector of Liang and the provincial governors looking the other way. Now, a new decree of amnesty has been issued, emphasizing this order once again. In the future, those who violate it will be severely punished. Officials do not need to worry about the issue of selection, and inspectors do not need to worry about not finding any issues. This is not just a problem of the prefectures and counties, so many officials are not suitable candidates, and the common people have been deceived and harmed by unscrupulous individuals as a result of the law not being enforced!" On Geng Yin, the emperor sent envoys to investigate the situation of the poor people in various places, clear out redundant staff, and open granaries to provide relief to the people of more than thirty commanderies. On Ren Zi in April, the brother of Prince Fuling, Fang, was named Prince Fuling. In June, during Ding You, hail fell in various regions. On Xin You in September, Prince Guangzong passed away without any sons, so his kingdom was also abolished. The Chanyu of the Xiongnu, Yu Chujian, rebelled, and the emperor sent Zhonglang Jiang Ren Shang to suppress him and pacify the situation. On Ren Wu, the emperor ordered all counties to encourage the common people to grow vegetables to supplement food supplies. The ponds owned by the government allowed the common people to collect from them without paying rent or taxes for two years. On Xin Wei in October, the Grand Commandant Yin Mu passed away. On Yi Chou in November, the Grand Minister Zhang Pu succeeded as the Grand Commandant. In this year, the army from Wuling commandery defeated the rebellious tribes, forcing them to surrender. The Protector-General of the Qiang, Guan You, launched a campaign against the Shuodang Qiang, who subsequently fled. The Southern Chanyu of the Xiongnu, Anguo, rebelled and was killed by Xi, the Marquis of Gudu.
In the first month of the sixth year, envoys from the minority ethnic groups on the border of Yongchang Commandery presented a rhinoceros and an elephant as tribute. On the day of Jimao, the Minister of Works Ding Hong passed away. In the second month, the Emperor sent officials to distribute relief grain and funds to the impoverished people in Sanhe, Yanzhou, Jizhou, and Qingzhou. Marquis of Xuyang, Ma Guang, committed suicide. On the day of Dingwei, Liu Fang was promoted to Minister of Works, and Zhang Fen was appointed Minister of Ceremonies.
On the seventh day of the third month, the Emperor ordered that all the provinces and commanderies where refugees passed through must provide them with food, and anyone caught selling food to them would not be taxed. Moreover, refugees who wished to return home to farm would be exempted from land rent and taxes for a year. On the twenty-third day of the third month, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "My abilities are limited, and I have inherited the great achievements of my predecessor. Now, natural disasters are frequent, and the occurrences of droughts and floods are erratic. The Jizhe region is suffering from severe famine, with the people displaced. However, I have not heard any viable suggestions or strategies to solve this problem. I lie awake at night, and I am extremely anxious. Officials are not fulfilling their duties, the people's lives are unstable, relevant departments are not sympathetic to the people, but instead are harsh and obstructive in handling public affairs, hindering the people from getting things done. This is not in line with the will of heaven and the practice of saving the people. I want to find loyal and upright talents to help me make up for my shortcomings. Therefore, I command the Three Grand Officials, the Central Officials of Two Thousand Stones, the Two Thousand Stones, as well as the prefects and local officials of each county to recommend a virtuous and upright person who dares to speak out and offer advice. They should search extensively among the people and bring them to my court. I will carefully listen to their opinions." The Emperor personally conducted the examination and selected officials.
In April, the leader of the Qiang tribe on the border of Shu commandery surrendered to the court. In May, Prince Chengyang, Shu, passed away without a son, leading to the abolition of the Chengyang Kingdom. On the seventh day of June, it was decreed that criminals were to be kept in prison all day. In July, the capital city suffered from a drought. The emperor ordered the reduction of penalties for officials and prisoners in the capital, releasing all those with sentences of less than five months. On the twenty-fifth day of July, the emperor inspected the Luoyang Temple, examined prisoners, and rectified wrongful cases. The magistrate of Luoyang was imprisoned as punishment, while the Prefect of Justice and the Intendant of Henan were demoted. It started to rain before the emperor returned to the palace.
The Protector General of the Western Regions, Ban Chao, achieved a great victory over Yanqi and Yuli, killing their kings. Since then, various countries in the Western Regions have submitted to the court, with over fifty countries offering tribute. The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Anguo's subordinates, led by Fenghou, rebelled and escaped beyond the borders. On the ninth day of September, the court appointed Palace Attendant Deng Hong as the acting General of Chariots and Cavalry, ordering him, along with the Chief of the Cavalry Feng Zhu, the General of the Marches to Liaodong Zhu Hui, and the Colonel of the Xiongnu Du Chong, to quell Fenghou. In November, Colonel Ren Shang, the Protector of the Wuhuan, led Wuhuan and Xianbei troops to defeat Fenghou, with Feng Zhu sending troops to pursue and defeat him again.
The court ordered the transfer of Bohai commandery to the jurisdiction of Jizhou. The Xuzhong tribes in Wuling commandery rebelled but were suppressed by the commandery troops.
In the first month of spring in the seventh year of the era, General Deng Hong of Chariots and Cavalry, General Zhu Hui of the Marches, and Colonel Du Chong of the Xiongnu were all arrested and eventually died.
Next is the first day of April in summer, when a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor summoned all the ministers and asked them whether this was a good or bad omen. He also had generals, doctors, imperial historians, envoys, scholars, court officials, and other officials present in the court to express their opinions and submit memorials. The emperor decreed, "The country's leaders are not wise, the social climate is poor, politics are in disarray, and the common people are suffering. Heaven has shown signs to warn us. I reflect deeply on various matters, and the essence of the Five Confucian Relationships is tolerance. Therefore, we will continue with the existing system and select talents through recommendations of filial and incorrupt individuals. Relevant departments must carefully select thirty court officials who are generous, strategic, and capable of managing local areas." After the selection, these officials were dispatched to various locations as county magistrates and prefects.
On a certain day in May, the country of Qiancheng was renamed to Yue'an. In June, Prince Pei passed away. On a day in July, the ground split open in Yiyang County. In September, the capital city was struck by an earthquake.
In the eighth year of the era, on a day in February, Lady Yin was appointed empress. The emperor also promoted all men in the country by two ranks, while those who were elderly, filial, fraternal, and diligent in farming were promoted by three ranks. Ordinary people without status or name, as well as refugees, were promoted by one rank if they sought rewards. Widowers, widows, orphans, elderly individuals living alone, and the disabled who were too poor to survive each received five measures of grain.
On a day in April, the faction of King Lecheng was eliminated. The next day, the emperor ordered aid for the impoverished in four counties of Bingzhou. In May, a locust plague struck Henan and Chenliu counties. The rebellious King Youwenyudu of the Southern Xiongnu burned, killed, and looted indiscriminately. In July, General Duliang Pangfen and Captain Fengzhu of the Yueqi led troops to hunt down and kill King Youwenyudu. The King of Cheshi also revolted, but was defeated by his predecessor.
One day in August, the emperor held a drinking ceremony. The emperor ordered that the prisoners detained in various counties and states across the country have their death sentences commuted to exile, and they were sent to Dunhuang to serve as guards. Those who committed major crimes of rebellion were sent to perform hard labor in the silkworm room, while women were sent to the palace for hard labor. Other criminals, from those sentenced to less than death to corrupt officials and fugitives, could pay for their redemption, with specific rules for redemption.
In September, the capital city was struck by a locust plague. Officials and common people discussed it, mostly placing the blame on local officials. The emperor said, "This unusual phenomenon of a locust plague likely didn’t occur without reason. When disasters occur in the world, the responsibility lies with me alone. Those who only blame their subordinates are not helping me at all. I worry day and night about how to quell this disaster. In the past, King Yan of Chu was troubled even in the absence of disasters, and King Cheng faced an unfavorable wind during a city sacrifice. How can I address my shortcomings to avert disasters? All officials must work hard to do their jobs well; senior officials such as provincial governors and county magistrates must carefully handle cases, deal with wrongful cases, show compassion for widows, orphans, and the vulnerable, and seriously consider the causes of disasters and locust plagues." On Gengzi day, the court established Guangyang County.
On Yichou day in October, Prince Beihai Wei was involved in a crime and took his own life. On Xinhai day in December, Prince Chen Xian passed away. On Dingsi day, the South Palace's Xuan Palace caught fire.
Next year in the first month, the barbarians and envoys from the Shan State in the Yongchang border will pay tribute. On the day of Gengchen in the third month, an earthquake occurred in Longxi. On the day of Guisi, King Kang of Jinan passed away. The Chief Historian of the Western Regions, Wang Lin, defeated the king of Cheshi and killed him. On the day of Dingmao in the fourth month, the son of the Party was appointed as the King of Lecheng. In June, locusts and drought occurred simultaneously. On the day of Wuchen, the Emperor issued a decree: "This year's autumn harvest has been destroyed by locusts. All taxes, corvée labor, and fodder are exempted. Any losses will be accounted for based on the actual circumstances. The remaining places that need to pay taxes will also have their taxes reduced by half. The income from mountains and forests, and the fish catch from ponds, will be used to relieve the people, and no additional taxes will be collected." In July, swarms of locusts flew over the capital. In August, the Xianbei invaded Feiru, and the Governor of Liaodong, Jieshen, was imprisoned and later executed. On the day of Xin Si in the intercalary month, Empress Dowager Dou passed away. On Bing Shen, Empress Zhangde was laid to rest. The Shangdang Qiang attacked Longxi, killing local officials. The court dispatched General Liu Shang and Captain Zhao Shi to quell the uprising, eventually defeating them. On the day of Gengshen in September, Minister Liu Fang was dismissed and subsequently took his own life. On the day of Jiazi, Empress Liang was posthumously revered as Empress Dowager. On the day of Yixu in October, Empress Liang was reinterred at Xiling. On the day of Guimao in November, Lu Gai of Henan was appointed Minister of Works. On the day of Bingyin in December, Minister of Works Zhang Fen was dismissed. On the day of Renshen, Han Leng was appointed as Minister of Works. On the day of Jichou, the court restored the position of the Ruolu Prison Official.
In the spring of 10 BCE, in March, on the Renxu day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Dikes and canals are meant to conform to geography and clear obstructions. However, they are now neglected and not being taken seriously. Provincial governors and officials with ranks of 2,000 stones, you must clear the river channels according to the actual situation. Do not mobilize troops and cause disturbances to the people at will; otherwise, you will be severely punished." In March of that year, the emperor issued a decree on water conservancy, emphasizing the importance of water conservancy construction and warning officials not to slack off.
In the summer of that year, in May, the capital was hit by a major flood. The situation was dire.
In the autumn of that year, on the Jisi day in July, Sikong Han Leng died.
On the Bingzi day in August, Taishan Chao Kan, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, subsequently took over as Sikong.
On the Gengxu day in September, the court reinstated the position of Linxi officials.
In the winter of that year, in October, several states experienced heavy rain.
In December, notable leaders of the Shuodangqiang tribe came to pay tribute along with their people.
On the Wuyin day, Prince Liang Chang passed away.
In the spring of 9 BCE, in February, the court dispatched envoys to assess the disaster areas and assist those affected, allowing them to fish and hunt in the mountains, forests, and waters without paying taxes. In February of that year, the court sent people to inspect the disaster areas and help the affected people, allowing them to fish and hunt in the mountains, forests, and waters without paying taxes.
On the Bingwu day, the court ordered that prisoners in the counties and states, the elderly, the weak, and women, have their sentences reduced by half; those who had not served more than three months were all released to return home and return to farming. The court also granted sentence reductions to prisoners, reducing the sentences of the elderly, weak, and women by half, and releasing those who had not served for a long time directly back home.
In the summer of that year, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the court issued a general amnesty. On the sixth day of the fourth month, the court also restored the office of Right Colonel. In the autumn of that year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Officials and the general populace have exceeded their limits, valuing death over life, which led to the establishment of the old regulations. Lately, high-ranking officials and court officials refuse to comply, and supervising officials also neglect their duties. Moreover, merchants and the general populace have forgotten the laws and regulations, with extravagant goods circulating in large quantities. If officials make mistakes, they must be addressed first; as for merchants and the general populace, the laws must be declared first, so as not to mistreat the poor just to enforce the law." In July of that year, the emperor issued another decree criticizing officials and the general populace for not following the laws, urging the strengthening of the rule of law while also being careful not to mistreat the people. In the spring of 8 BC, in the second month, the White Wolf and other minority tribes outside Mao Niu Jiao surrendered to the court. The court waived grain taxes for the people in disaster-stricken counties and allowed the poor, widows, orphans, those who cannot fend for themselves, and refugees to fish and hunt in ponds to supplement their diets. The court also waived taxes in disaster-stricken areas and provided assistance to the poor, allowing them to fish in ponds to improve their livelihoods.
In the third month of the year of Bing Shen, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In recent years, the annual harvests have been poor, and the common people are starving and struggling to get by. Last winter, there was no snow in the capital city, and this spring, the rainfall has been scarce. The common people are displaced and hungry everywhere. I am deeply troubled and at a loss for what to do. 'Looking up to the heavens, what have the people done wrong?' My trusted ministers are my aides, but so far, they have not come up with a way to pacify the people. I have ordered officials several times to select capable officials, but there has been no improvement. Those officials are greedy and oppressive, only seeking fame and shifting their responsibilities onto subordinates while abusing their power. Therefore, when orders are given, bad deeds occur; when prohibitions are issued, fraudsters appear. They twist legal provisions, intentionally complicate matters, deceive people with flowery language, and the people suffer. This makes me furious! You ministers fail to properly discern right from wrong; how do you intend to bear responsibility? When disasters strike, it is the common people who suffer! If we unite, perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope. Therefore, I have decided to confer two ranks of nobility to every man in the country, three ranks to the elderly, filial, fraternal, and those who cultivate the fields, and one rank to destitute refugees without status; for widows, orphans, the disabled, and the destitute, three measures of grain will be distributed to each person.
On Ren Zi, an order was issued to distribute three bolts of cloth to each scholar, student, and disciple. In the fourth month, the southern tribes in Xianglin rebelled, and the county soldiers defeated them. In the intercalary month, the court provided aid to the impoverished, distributing food to the impoverished people in Dunhuang, Zhangye, Wuyuan, and other areas. On Wu Chen, a landslide struck Zigui. In the sixth month, Wuyang experienced severe flooding, and the court distributed three measures of grain to the most severely affected impoverished people. On Xin Hai of the seventh month, a solar eclipse occurred. On Wu Wu of the ninth month, Grand Commandant Zhang Pu was relieved of his post; on Bing Yin, Minister of Agriculture Zhang Yu was appointed Grand Commandant."
In November, the envoys of the kingdoms of Monqi and Doule in the Western Regions came to pledge allegiance, and the emperor rewarded their kings with a golden seal and a purple ribbon. That year, the Shuodang Qiang people rebelled again. In the thirteenth year, in the first month of the Dingchou year, the emperor went to the Eastern Pavilion, reviewed books and classics, and extensively selected talented people to serve as officials. In February, Prince Rencheng passed away. On the day of Bingwu, the court provided aid to the poor, widows, and the sick and elderly in Zhangye, Juyan, Shuofang, Rinan, and other places. In August, the emperor ordered aid and seeds to be provided to the people in the Lin region who had lost the ability to cultivate, and gave grain to the poor. On the day of Jihai, the Shengzhuang Gate of the Northern Palace caught fire. The Protectorate of Qiang, Zhou Wei, defeated the Shuodang Qiang, and it rained in Jingzhou. In September, the emperor decreed, "The climate in Jingzhou has been bad in recent years, and this year there has been a lot of rain, causing great disasters. Although some places still have decent harvests, most areas have poor yields. I deeply worry about the people's food problem! Therefore, this year, all land rents and fodder drafts in the world will be reduced by half; those that should be exempted will be handled according to previous rules. The food that the poor borrowed for planting should no longer be pursued." In November of the winter, envoys from the Kingdom of Anxi presented a lion and a very large wine cup as tribute. On the day of Bingchen, the emperor decreed, "The populations of Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou are already small, and border defense is heavy. There are not enough competent officials, and it is difficult to promote them. The most important thing in appeasing the minority ethnic groups on the border is to put people first. Therefore, border counties with a population exceeding 100,000 will recommend one qualified official every year; those with less than 100,000 will recommend one every two years; and those with less than 50,000 will recommend one every three years." The Xianbei attacked the right Beiping and broke into Yuyang, where the Prefect of Yuyang successfully defeated them. On the day of Wuchen, Lu Gong, the Gentleman of the Palace Guards, was removed from office. On the day of Dingchou in December, Lu Gong became the Minister of Works. On the day of Xinmao, the Wu Man rebelled, launching an attack on Nanchun. In the second month of the fourteenth year of his reign, on the day of Yimao, the Prince of Donghai passed away.
Xihai County was renovated, and the Commandant from Jincheng in the west was reassigned there to garrison. On the Wuchen day of the third month, the Emperor went to Biyong to offer sacrifices, hold archery events, and issue a general amnesty. In the fourth month of summer, the Emperor sent envoys to urge the Jingzhou army to attack the Wu barbarians, who subsequently surrendered. On the day of Gengchen, the Emperor provided relief to refugees and the poor in Zhangye, Juyan, Dunhuang, Wuyuan, Hanyang, Kuaiji, and other regions, distributing different amounts of food. On the day of Dingwei in the fifth month, the position of Chief of the Xianglin Army was created. On the day of Xinmao in the sixth month, the Emperor deposed Empress Yin, and her father, Tejin Gang, committed suicide. On Jiayin day in the seventh month of autumn, the Emperor issued a decree exempting Xianglin County from taxes, rents, and fodder for two years. On Renzi day, Prince Changshan passed away. That autumn, heavy rain fell across the three provinces. On Jiashen day in the tenth month of winter, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "This year, excessive rainfall in Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou has severely affected agricultural production. In areas where the disaster has exceeded forty percent, half of the taxes and fodder will be exempted; in areas where the disaster is less severe, exemptions will be determined based on actual conditions." On Xinmao day, Lady Deng was appointed Empress. On Dingyou day, the Minister of Works, Chao Kan, was relieved of his duties. On Guimao day in the eleventh month, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Xu Fang, was appointed as Minister of Works. That year, the position of County Officials in the prefectures was restored. On Yiwu day in the leap month of the fifteenth year, the Emperor issued a decree stating that if refugees wished to return to their hometowns but lacked food, they would receive food and medicine along the way; those who did not wish to return would not be forced. In the second month, the court ordered loans to be issued to the poor in Yingchuan, Runan, Chenliu, Jiangxia, Liangguo, and Dunhuang.
On the first day of April, a solar eclipse occurred. On the seventh day of May, a strong wind swept through Nanyang. In June, the court ordered widows and widowers to fish in the ponds, exempting them from two years of taxes. On the third day of July, Wang Cuo of Jinan died. The court reinstated the Iron Official position in Gu'an County. On the seventh day of September, the emperor went on a southern tour, accompanied by Prince Qing of Qinghe, Prince Shou of Jibei, and Prince Kai of Hejian. The emperor bestowed rewards of money and cloth of varying amounts to officials, commoners, and centenarians along the journey. That autumn, several states experienced rain.
On the seventh day of October, the emperor went to Zhanling to perform sacrificial rites at the ancestral residence. On the thirteenth day of October, the emperor offered sacrifices at the garden temple, summoned the royal family to the ancestral residence for entertainment and rewards. On the eighteenth day of October, the emperor visited Yunmeng and returned only after reaching the banks of the Han River. On the first day of November, the emperor's procession returned to the palace, rewarding accompanying officials and court ministers with money and cloth, in varying amounts. On the twentieth day of December, Prince Yu of Langye died.
Officials reported that during the summer solstice, Yin energy began to rise, resulting in withered weeds, allowing for the handling of minor matters. That year, the court began to lessen penalties in each county according to conditions observed during the winter solstice.
On the fifth day of the first month of the sixteenth year, the court ordered the distribution of seeds and food to landowners unable to farm due to poverty. On the sixth day of February, the court prohibited the brewing and sale of alcohol due to several years of excessive rainfall in Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Jizhou, causing severe crop damage. In April, officials from the Three Departments were sent to these four states to provide funds for hiring oxen for poor landowners lacking plows. On the seventh day of May, Prince Shang of Zhao died.
In July, there was a drought. On July 18th, the emperor ordered, "Now that the autumn crops are about to mature, they are facing a drought. Dark clouds aren't gathering, and rain isn't falling. I suspect that the officials are cruel, not spreading grace, arbitrarily arresting innocent people, and imprisoning good people. All prisoners with doubts in the law should not be executed, to align with the natural order of autumn. Investigate the harsh officials carefully and punish them severely." On July 21st, Minister Lu Gong was dismissed. On July 29th, Grand Minister Zhang Pu became the Minister. On July 30th, the court ordered that this year's national land rent and fodder should be reduced by half; areas severely affected by disasters should be exempt from taxes. The poor do not need to repay any loans, seeds, food, land rent, or fodder they received. On August 7th, Minister Zhang Pu died. In the XX year of the emperor's reign, on the day of Xinmao in October, Xu Fang was appointed as Minister, and Chen Chong was appointed as Minister of Works. These are changes in official positions in the court, which have little to do with us common people. On the day of Jichou in November, the emperor went to Goushi to play, climbed Baiyue Mountain, and then rewarded officials and attendants with some cloth, with each person receiving varying amounts. It is said that the Northern Xiongnu also sent envoys to pay tribute, signaling their submission. In December, the court reestablished the positions of Commanders for Liaodong and Liaoxi. In the first year of Yuanxing, on the day of Wuwu in January, the emperor summoned officials from several departments in the palace, selected seventy-five individuals for roles such as envoys, chiefs, and ministers. That year, Gaojuli still threatened our border areas. By the day of Gengwu in April, there was a general amnesty, and the emperor changed the era to "Yuanxing." Members of the royal family who were removed from their positions due to mistakes also had their status restored. On the day of Guiyou in May, a land cracking disaster struck Yongzhou. In September, Geng Kui, the Governor of Liaodong, successfully defeated the Mo people.
On the twelfth day of the twelfth month in the year of Xinyou, the emperor died in the Zhangde Hall at the age of twenty-seven. The emperor's son, Long, was named crown prince. The court granted a two-level title to every man in the world, and three levels to the elderly, those who are filial, fraternal, and hardworking. Commoners and refugees without titles were each granted a one-level title; and those who were widowed, orphaned, disabled, or poor were also given three hu of grain each.
Since Dou Xian's execution, the emperor took personal charge of state affairs. Whenever disasters or unusual events occurred, he would convene the ministers to discuss matters and attentively listen to their opinions. In total, there were eighty-one auspicious signs, but the emperor humbly claimed that he lacked the virtues and kept these matters confidential. Previously, lychees and longans were sent as tribute from the South Sea, with relay stations set up every ten li, and people arranged every five li to relay them, which was incredibly arduous and led to many deaths along the way. At that time, Tang Qiang, the magistrate of Linwu County, which borders the South Sea, submitted a report to the emperor detailing the situation. The emperor ordered, "Rare foods sent as tribute from afar were originally intended for sacrificial offerings at ancestral temples. If casualties occur during transportation, it contradicts the fundamental principle of caring for the people. From now on, we will no longer accept tributes from the South Sea." Since then, this burdensome and costly tribute was abolished.
Historical records state: from the revival of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Yongyuan era, although the court's policies varied between leniency and strictness, overall, it remained relatively stable, resulting in a growing population and expanding cultivated land. Whenever the court dispatched troops to the frontier, the northern Xiongnu region would become deserted; and as the protectorate expanded westward, they established contact with over forty thousand translators from the Western Regions. Could it be that the governance of the Han Dynasty surpassed that of the three previous dynasties, and its strategies were superior to those of the past? Perhaps those rebellions and surrenders followed their own patterns.
Emperor Xiaoshang, whose name was Long, was the son of Emperor He. In the twelfth month of the first year of Yuanxing, on the night of Xinyou, he ascended the throne and became emperor; he was just over a hundred days old at that time. He recognized his mother as the Empress Dowager, who governed the court. The Northern Xiongnu also sent envoys to Dunhuang to pay tribute, showing their submission.
In the spring of the 23rd year, on the day of Xinmao in the first month, Zhang Yu was appointed as the Grand Tutor, and Xu Fang took over as the Grand Commandant, also in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat, to whom all officials listened. The emperor appointed his brother Liu Sheng as the King of Pingyuan. On the day of Guimao, Liang Wei became the Minister of Works.
On the day of Jia Shen in the third month, Emperor Xiaohan was buried in Shenling, with the temple name of Muzong. On the day of Bingxu, Princes Liu Qing of Qinghe, Liu Shou of Jibei, Liu Kai of Hejian, and Liu Zhang of Changshan returned to their respective fiefdoms to govern.
On the day of Gengshen in the fourth month, the court ordered the cancellation of officials not listed in the sacrificial records. The Xianbei invaded Yuyang Commandery, and the Prefect of Yuyang, Zhang Xian, led troops to pursue them, which resulted in his death. On the day of Bingyin, Deng Zhi was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry. The Minister of Works, Chen Chong, passed away.
On the day of Xinmao in the fifth month, the Empress Dowager issued an edict saying, "The emperor is still young and has taken on such great responsibility. I will assist him with state affairs for now, but I am constantly worried and unsure of what to do. I firmly believe that the key to governing the country is in educating the people rather than relying on punishment. We should follow the path of moderation, show mercy widely, and start anew with the people. Therefore, there will be a general amnesty! Since the time of Jianwu, those who were imprisoned, even if pardoned by edict, many have not regained their freedom due to lax enforcement by officials; they shall all now be restored to commoner status!" On the day of Renchen, a landslide occurred in Yuanshan, Hedong.
On the 6th day of the 6th month in the Dingwei year, Yin Qin was appointed as the Minister of Construction. Rain fell across all thirty-seven provinces and counties nationwide. On the 7th day of the same month, the emperor issued a decree, stating: "Since the beginning of summer, there has been continuous rain and abnormal weather that could lead to disasters. I have been anxious day and night, unsure of the cause. Historically, the Xiahou clan practiced frugality and simplicity, as Confucius said, 'I have done no wrong.' Now, we have just experienced a funeral and encountered abnormal weather. To address this situation, I have decided to reduce the lavish attire and gourmet food of institutions like the Imperial Household, the Imperial Academy, the Imperial Kitchen, and the Inner Bureau."
In the X year of the reign of Emperor Dingmao, the emperor instructed the Minister of Education, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of the Household: "My abilities are limited, and I can only govern the country with the help of all of you. I toil day and night, worried that I might let everyone down. To govern effectively, we must first address internal matters before tackling external ones. From the Jianwu period to the present, it has been more than eighty years, with the number of palace maids on the rise and palaces growing larger. There are also royal family members who have lost their property due to crimes, yet they still bear the royal title, which is truly unfortunate! Now, I have released them all, including the palace maids in the imperial gardens, allowing them to become commoners to relieve their burdens. Officials at all levels, as well as slaves from counties, marquisates, and noble families surnamed Liu, and those who are tired, old, and weak, are required to report their names honestly and accurately."
After a few months, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the emperor issued another order to the Inspector of the Capital and various provincial governors, saying, "The heavens have sent disasters upon us because of our improper governance of the country. Recently, some counties have experienced floods, affecting the autumn harvest. The court is filled with self-blame, anxiety, and fear. However, those counties, in order to gain a good reputation for a bountiful harvest, have concealed the disaster, exaggerated the cultivated land area, ignored the plight of the displaced, falsely inflated the population figures, covered up thieves, let criminals go unpunished, appointed incompetent officials, unfairly selected candidates, permitted corrupt officials to act with impunity, and caused suffering to the people. The governors turn a blind eye to this, shelter their subordinates, utterly disregard divine will, and do not care about the life and death of the people. This reliance on luck must come to an end. From now on, I will hold you accountable. All officials must thoroughly investigate the disaster situation and waive their land taxes and forage fees."
On the ninth day of the eighth month, the emperor died. On the eleventh day of the tenth month, the emperor's body was laid to rest in the Chongde Hall. The emperor reigned for two years. He was remembered: "Emperor Xiaohe was steady and strong-willed, upholding the teachings of his forebears. Wang He, the emperor, issued orders from the depths of his heart to combat evil. He suppressed the appearance of auspicious symbols, showcasing his virtuous nature. Unfortunately, he died young and was unable to govern the world well."
