Liu Xie, known as Emperor Xian of Han, was the son of Emperor Ling of Han. His mother, Consort Wang, was killed by Empress He. In April of the sixth year of the Zhongping era, Emperor Liu Bian ascended the throne, and Liu Xie was titled as the King of Bohai, which was later changed to the King of Chenliu.
On the Jiashu day in September, the nine-year-old Liu Xie became the emperor. He moved the empress dowager to Yong'an Palace, declared a general amnesty, and changed the era name from "Zhaoning" to "Yonghan." On the Bingzi day, Dong Zhuo assassinated Empress Dowager He.
Initially, Dong Zhuo appointed six palace attendants and six yellow gate attendants. He also ordered each household of officials and yellow gate attendants to send a representative to serve as a court official to fill the positions vacated by eunuchs and serve the emperor in the palace.
On the Yixu day, Dong Zhuo appointed Liu Yu as Grand Marshal, himself as Grand Commandant, and gained the powers of the axe and the Tiger Guards. On the Bingxu day, Yang Biao was appointed Minister of Works; on the Jiawu day, Huang Wan was appointed Minister of the Treasury. Later, envoys were sent to offer sacrifices to the late Grand Tutor Chen Fan and Grand General Dou Wu.
On the Yisi day in October, Empress Lingsi's burial took place. The Baibo army in the Hedong region revolted, and Dong Zhuo dispatched Niu Fu to quell the rebellion. On the Guiyou day in November, Dong Zhuo self-appointed as Prime Minister. On the Wuxu day in December, Huang Wan was elevated to Grand Commandant, Yang Biao to Minister of the Treasury, and Xun Shuang to Minister of Works. Dong Zhuo also abolished the Commandant of Fufeng, established the Han'an Protectorate, and abolished the era names of Guangxi, Zhaoning, and Yonghan, restoring the sixth year of Zhongping.
In the first month of the Chuping era, various counties in Shandong rose up in arms against Dong Zhuo. On the day of Xinhai, a general amnesty was declared. On the day of Guiyou, Dong Zhuo killed the King of Hongnong. Dongjun also faced incursions from the Baibo army. On the day of Yihai in the second month, Grand Commandant Huang Wan and Minister of Works Yang Biao were dismissed. On the day of Gengchen, Dong Zhuo killed the Chief of the City Gates Wu Qiong and the Commander of the Army Zhou Bi, appointing Zhao Qian as Grand Commandant and Wang Yun as Minister of Works. On the day of Dinghai, Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang'an, forcing the people of Luoyang to relocate to Guanzhong, while he stationed himself at Bigui Park. On the day of Renchen, an unusual sight of a white rainbow piercing the sun appeared.
On the day of Yisi in the third month, the Emperor's entourage arrived in Chang'an and took residence at Weiyang Palace. On the day of Jixu, Dong Zhuo set fire to the palaces and homes in Luoyang. On the day of Wuwu, Dong Zhuo killed the Grand Tutor Yuan Wei and the Grand Protector Yuan Ji, exterminating their entire families. In May, Minister of Works Xun Shuang passed away.
In June of the year 189 AD, Zhong Fu was appointed as Minister of Works. However, this period of relative peace was short-lived, as several officials including Grand Herald Han Rong, Minister of Finance Yin Xiu, Commandant of the Capital Hu Muban, Chief Architect Wu Xiu, and Chief of the Cavalry Wang Gui were captured and killed by General Yuan Shu and Prefect of Henei Wang Kuang in the Guandong region, with only Han Rong managing to escape. As for Dong Zhuo, he found the five-zhu coins impractical and ordered the minting of small coins, resulting in significant hardship for the populace. In the winter of that year, on the day of Gengxu in the eleventh month, an unusual celestial event unfolded as the stars Zhenxing, Yinghuo, and Taibai converged in the constellation Weisu, signifying that a major event was imminent.
In the court, someone submitted a memorial claiming that the four emperors, Emperor He of Han, Emperor An of Han, Emperor Shun of Han, and Emperor Huan of Han, did not have much merit and did not deserve to be honored as ancestors; Empress Gong Huai of Han, Empress Jing Yin of Han, and Empress Gong Min of Han were also not legitimate empresses, not deserving of the title of empress, suggesting that their titles should be revoked. The emperor approved it with a single character: "permit." On this side, Sun Jian was also not idle; he first killed the Inspector of Jingzhou, Wang Rui, and then got rid of the Prefect of Nanyang, Zhang Zi, killing them with ruthless efficiency.
In January of the year 190 AD, a general amnesty was declared across the land, offering the common people some relief. In February, Dong Zhuo proclaimed himself Grand Tutor, amassing tremendous power. Yuan Shu sent Sun Jian to fight against Dong Zhuo's general Hu Zhen; the battle occurred at Yangren, and Hu Zhen was defeated miserably. Dong Zhuo, in a fit of anger, even began to excavate the imperial tombs in Luoyang, completely losing all sense of decency. In April, Dong Zhuo moved to Chang'an, officially taking control of the court. On June 6th, an earthquake occurred in Chang'an, possibly a divine warning to Dong Zhuo. In July, the Minister of Works, Zhong Fu, was relieved of his duties, and a man from Jinan, Chunyu Jia, took his place; the Grand Commandant, Zhao Qian, was also dismissed, and the Minister of Ceremonies, Ma Rixi, became the new Grand Commandant. In September, the legendary Chiyou Banner was reported in Jiaoxiu and Kangxiu, heightening people's anxiety. On October 20th, Dong Zhuo executed the Commandant of Wei, Zhang Wen, further solidifying his grip on power. In November, the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou rebelled, attacking Mount Tai, where the Administrator of Mount Tai, Ying Shao, defeated them; the Yellow Turban Army then went to Bohai, stirring up trouble, only to be soundly defeated by Gongsun Zan in Dongguang. In the same year, a strange event occurred in Changsha, where a person who had been dead for several months astonishingly came back to life, truly remarkable.
In the first month of the year 191 AD, there was another general amnesty. Yuan Shu sent Sun Jian to attack Liu Biao, but Sun Jian ended up dying in battle, a renowned general had fallen. Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan fought at Jieqiao, suffering a devastating defeat. In the fourth month, Dong Zhuo was finally killed, his entire family exterminated, thus removing a great threat to the people. The Minister of Works, Wang Yun, took over the government and sent the envoy Zhang Zhong to Shandong to pacify the people. However, the turmoil of war was far from over, as the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou killed the Inspector of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, while Cao Cao won a significant victory over the Yellow Turbans at Shouzhang.
On Dingshen day in the fifth month, the court issued a general amnesty. A few days later, on Dingwei day, Huangfu Song was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long! Dong Zhuo's followers Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji rebelled, launching a direct attack on the capital Chang'an. In the sixth month, the city of Chang'an fell! Officials such as Zhong Fu, Lu Xu, Zhou Huan, Cui Lie, and Wang Qi all died in battle, with tens of thousands of commoners also perishing! Li Jue and the others proclaimed themselves as generals. On Jiwu day, the court issued another general amnesty, which seemed to be of little use. Li Jue even killed the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Huang Wan, exterminating his entire family; a few days later, on Jiazi day, he killed the Minister of Works, Wang Yun, exterminating his entire family. On Bingzi day, Zhao Qian was appointed as the new Minister of Works, replacing Wang Yun.
In the seventh month of the year, on Gengzi day, Ma Midi was appointed as Grand Tutor, while also overseeing the Secretariat's affairs.
In August, the court sent Ma Ridi and Taipu Zhao Qi to various places to pacify the people and stabilize the situation. Huangfu Song was promoted to Grand Commandant, while Zhao Qian stepped down as Minister of the Masses. In September, Li Jue appointed himself General of Chariots and Cavalry, Guo Si as Rear General, Fan Chou as Right General, and Zhang Ji as General Who Pacifies the East. Zhang Ji was also sent to Hongnong to station there. On Jia Shen day that month, Chunyu Jia became Minister of the Masses, and Yang Biao became Minister of Works, both overseeing the affairs of the Secretariat.
By the end of the year, in December, Huangfu Song resigned from the position of Grand Commandant. Zhou Zhong took over as Grand Commandant, also overseeing the Secretariat.
In the spring of the following year, on Jia Yin day in the first month, there was a solar eclipse. On Ding Mao day, the court once again issued a general amnesty.
In March, Yuan Shu assassinated Chen Wen, the Inspector of Yangzhou, and seized control of the Huainan region. Outside the Xuanping Gate of Chang'an City, a house on the city wall inexplicably collapsed. On Gui You day in May, strangely, there were no clouds in the sky, yet thunder rumbled!
In June, there was a strong wind in the Fufeng area, with hailstorms, and Mount Hua split apart! Grand Commandant Zhou Zhong was dismissed, and Zhu Jun took over as Grand Commandant, also overseeing the affairs of the Secretariat. A rebel named Que Xuan appeared in Xiapi, proclaiming himself emperor! There was heavy rain in June that year. The court sent imperial censor Pei Mao to inspect prisons and reduce sentences for minor offenders. On Xin Chou day in June, a celestial dog appeared in the sky and moved in the northwest direction.
On September 15, over forty scholars were examined. Those who performed well became junior officials, those with average scores became attendants to the Crown Prince, and those who failed went back home to farm. The emperor issued an edict saying, "Confucius once said, 'To learn without thinking is futile.' Without regular review, what is learned will be forgotten. Many old scholars, in their sixties, leave their hometowns and travel around just to make a living, unable to practice their expertise. They have been studying since childhood but have gained nothing in old age, only able to return home to farm, bidding farewell to glory and wealth. This troubles me greatly! Let those who fail the exams serve as attendants to the Crown Prince!"
In October, the Imperial Academy held a ceremony, and the emperor personally went to Yongfu City Gate to join in the festivities, bestowing various gifts upon officials ranked below doctor, with differing amounts. On Xinchou day, Beijing experienced an earthquake, and a comet appeared in the sky. Sikong Yang Biao was removed from his post, and Taichang Zhao Wen took over his position and became the Sikong. Gongsun Zan killed the Grand Marshal Liu Yu. On Xinchou day in December, there was another earthquake! Sikong Zhao Wen was also dismissed from office, and on Yisi day, Weiwei Zhang Xi became the new Sikong. That year, Prince Rong of Langya died. In the first month of the first year of Xingping, on the eighth day, there was a general amnesty, and the reign title was changed to Xingping. On the eleventh day of the first month, the emperor held a coronation ceremony and officially came of age. On the ninth day of the second month, the emperor posthumously honored his birth mother Wang as Empress Linghuai. On the twelfth day of the first month, the empress was reburied at Wenzhao Tomb. On the fifteenth day of the first month, the emperor went to plow the fields. In March, Han Sui, Ma Teng, Guo Si, and Fan Chou fought at Changpingguan, with Han Sui and Ma Teng losing, and Left General Liu Fan and former Governor of Yizhou, Zhong Shao, were killed in battle. On June 3rd, four counties in Hexi, Liangzhou were carved out to create Yongzhou. An earthquake struck on the fourth, followed by another on the fifth! On the night of June 27th, there was a solar eclipse! The emperor took refuge in the main hall, suspended military operations, and suspended all government affairs for five days. That year also saw a locust plague. On July 8th, Grand Commandant Zhu Jun was dismissed from office. On July 14th, Taichang Yang Biao became the Grand Commandant and also took charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.
Heaven is blind; the Guanzhong region has been experiencing drought since April, and it's been really severe! The emperor is anxious, moving out of the main hall to pray for rain, and even releasing prisoners from jail to reduce their sentences. At that time, food prices were shockingly high, with a bushel of rice costing fifty thousand coins, and beans and wheat costing twenty thousand coins per bushel. The common people had nothing to eat, turning on each other, and the streets were littered with bones, a sight too horrific to bear. The emperor sent the Imperial Censor Hou Wen to bring rice and beans from Taicang to make porridge for the starving people, but even after a whole day of cooking, the death toll did not decrease. The emperor suspected that officials were hoarding disaster relief supplies, so he personally tested the porridge in front of the throne and discovered the corruption. He then sent the Palace Attendant Liu Ai to interrogate those officials. As a result, high-ranking officials, including those above the Minister of Works, rushed to the palace to apologize and requested a thorough investigation of Hou Wen. The emperor issued an edict saying, "I cannot bring myself to punish Hou Wen severely, so he shall be given fifty strokes of the cane." After that, the drought situation slowly began to improve.
In August, the Qiang people in Fengyi revolted, raiding everywhere, but Guo Si and Fan Chou defeated them. In September, mulberries grew on the mulberry trees, allowing the common people to finally have something to eat. The Minister of Works Chunyu Jia was dismissed. In October, during the winter, the gate of Chang'an city collapsed unexpectedly. The emperor appointed the Guard Commander Zhao Wen as the Minister of Works, tasked with overseeing the Secretariat's affairs. In December, Anding and Fufeng counties were carved out, and Xingping County was established. That year, Liu Yao, the Inspector of Yangzhou, clashed with Sun Ce, a subordinate of Yuan Shu, in Qu'e, but Liu Yao was defeated, allowing Sun Ce to seize Jiangdong. Grand Tutor Ma Midi passed away in Shouchun.
On the first day of the first lunar month of the second year, the emperor granted a pardon. In the second month, Li Jue killed Fan Chou and fought with Guo Si again. In the third month, Li Jue took the emperor captive to his camp and set fire to the imperial palace. In the fourth month, the emperor named Lady Fu empress. On the same day, Guo Si attacked Li Jue, with arrows striking the palace gates. That day, Li Jue took the emperor to Beiwu. It was a year of severe drought! In the fifth month, Li Jue declared himself Grand Marshal. In the sixth month, Zhang Ji came from Shan County to mediate between Li Jue and Guo Si. In the seventh month, the emperor was finally able to head east. Guo Si declared himself General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yang Ding as Rear General, Yang Feng as General of Xingyi, and Dong Cheng as General of Anji, and they all escorted the emperor. Zhang Ji was appointed General of the Household Cavalry and was stationed in Shan County. In the eighth month, the emperor arrived in Xinfeng.
On the seventeenth day of the tenth month of the year 196, Guo Si sent his general Wu Xi to set fire to the emperor's quarters at night and threatened the emperor. Yang Ding and Yang Feng fought Guo Si and defeated him. On the nineteenth day, the emperor fled to Huayin and camped out in the fields for the night. That night, a red light appeared in the sky above the Purple Palace. Zhang Ji rebelled once more and joined forces with Li Jue and Guo Si.
Not long after, on the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month, Li Jue and Guo Si pursued the emperor again, and a battle broke out at Dongjian, resulting in a disastrous defeat for our army. Several high-ranking officials and officers were killed in action. On the twenty-sixth day, the emperor fled to Caoyang and spent the night in the fields. Yang Feng and Dong Cheng gathered the leaders of the White Wave Army, Hu Cai, Li Le, Han Xian, and the Xiongnu Prince of the Left, Gobai, to meet the emperor and engaged Li Jue and his forces in battle, defeating them.
On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Gengchen, the emperor's procession was finally able to move on. However, Li Jue and his men caught up, leading to a crushing defeat for our forces. The women in the palace were killed and their belongings looted, and officials such as Tian Fen and Zhang Yi died in battle. The emperor fled to Shan County, crossing the Yellow River under the cover of night. On the Yihai day, the emperor arrived in Anyi.
In the same year, Yuan Shao sent the general Qu Yi to confront Gongsun Zan at Baoqiu, resulting in a major defeat for Gongsun Zan's army.
In 196 AD, on the Guichou day of the first month of the Jian'an era, the emperor held a sacrificial ceremony to the heavens outside Anyi, announced a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Jian'an. In the second month, Han Xian attacked General Dong Cheng.
On the Yiwu day in the sixth month of summer, the emperor arrived in Wenxi. On the Jiazi day in the seventh month of autumn, the emperor's procession reached Luoyang and took residence in the former eunuch Zhao Zhong's estate. On the Dingchou day, the emperor performed a sacrifice to the heavens outside the city and announced a general amnesty. On the Jimao day, the emperor went to the Temple of Heaven to perform a sacrifice.
In August of the year 196 AD, Emperor Xian of Han was finally able to move into the Southern Palace Yang'an Hall, which brought some stability. A few days later, Zhang Yang was appointed as Grand Marshal, Han Xian as Grand General, and Yang Feng as Cavalry General. At that time, the imperial palace lay in ruins, and officials had to hide among the remnants, wearing thorns as clothes. The regional warlords maintained their own armies, and supplies could not reach the court, resulting in starvation among the officials. By the end of September 196, Cao Cao was appointed as the Colonel Director and also in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat. Upon taking office, he immediately executed officials including Tai Chong and Feng Shuo. He also appointed Dong Cheng as General of the Supporting State and bestowed titles upon Fu Wan and thirteen others, posthumously appointing Ju Jun as the Prefect of Hongnong. Shortly after, the capital was relocated to Xuchang. Shortly after, Emperor Xian of Han visited Cao Cao's camp.
In September 196, the Grand Marshal Yang Biao and Minister of State Zhang Xi were dismissed from their positions. By November 196, Cao Cao himself became Minister of State and also concurrently held the position of Cavalry General, making all officials subject to his authority. In the spring of 197, Yuan Shu unexpectedly proclaimed himself emperor! Not long after, Yuan Shao also proclaimed himself Grand General. In the summer of 197, there was a locust plague; in the autumn, the Han River flooded. That year, the whole country suffered from a severe famine, with even reports of cannibalism emerging in the Jianghuai region. Yuan Shu also executed Chen Wang Chong. Sun Ce, however, sent tribute.
In April 197, the court sent Pei Mao and Duan Wei to suppress Li Jue, leading to the destruction of Li Jue's entire clan. At this time, Lu Bu rebelled. In November 197, Zhang Yang was killed by bandits. In December, Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu in Xuzhou and killed him. In March 198, Yuan Shao attacked Gongsun Zan and captured him. Dong Cheng was appointed as Cavalry General. In June 198, Yuan Shu died. That year, the court also established the positions of Left and Right Masters of Writing. It was said that a strange event occurred in Wuling, where a woman revived after being dead for 14 days!
In January 199, Dong Cheng, Wang Fu, Zhong Ji, and others received a secret decree from Emperor Xian of Han to assassinate Cao Cao, but the plan was exposed. Cao Cao immediately killed Dong Cheng and the others, executing their families. In July 199, Emperor Xian of Han appointed Prince Feng as King of Nanyang, but soon after, King Feng passed away. In September 199, there was a solar eclipse. Emperor Xian of Han ordered the Three Excellencies to recommend two filial individuals each, as well as one each from the Nine Ministers, Commandants, Prefects, and Magistrates. Everyone submitted their petitions openly.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fought at Guandu, where Yuan Shao was defeated and fled in disgrace.
On the day of Xinhai in the winter month of October, a comet appeared above Daliang. "In the winter of October Xinhai, a comet appeared above Daliang." This was an ominous sign! Donghai King Zhi also passed away. "Donghai King Zhi passed away." That year, Sun Ce died, and his brother Sun Quan took over the family business. "In that year, Sun Ce died, and his brother Quan inherited his family business."
On the first day of the second month in the second year, there was a solar eclipse. "In the sixth year of spring, on the first day of the second month, there was a solar eclipse." Two years later, Yuan Shao also passed away. "In the seventh year of summer, on the fifth day of the fifth month, Yuan Shao passed away." That year, the country of Yudian sent a large elephant as tribute. "The country of Yudian presented a trained elephant." Even more surprisingly, in Yuecheng, some men changed their gender. "In that year, men in Yuecheng turned into women." On the day of Jisi in the eighth year of winter, the court officials welcomed winter in the northern suburbs and resumed the Eight-Row Dance. "In the eighth year of winter, on the day of Jisi, the court officials welcomed winter in the northern suburbs and resumed the Eight-Row Dance." A Sizhi official was established to oversee the Zhongdu officials. "The Sizhi official was established to supervise the Zhongdu officials."
In the eighth month of autumn in the ninth year, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shang, pacified Jizhou, and took on the role of governor there. "In the ninth year of autumn, on the eighth month of Wuyin, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shang, pacified Jizhou, and became the governor of Jizhou." In October of winter, the comet appeared above Dongjing again. "In winter of October, a comet appeared above Dongjing." At the end of the year, Cao Cao rewarded officials below the rank of San Gong with gold and silk, varying by rank. "In December, officials below the rank of San Gong were rewarded with gold and silk, each with different rewards. From then on, rewards were given every three years as a regular practice."
In the first month of the tenth year of the era, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Qingzhou and had him killed. "In the tenth year of spring, in the first month, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Qingzhou and killed him." In April, the bandit Zhang Yan from Moshan surrendered along with his followers. "In the fourth month of summer, the bandit Zhang Yan from Moshan surrendered with his men." In September, Cao Cao rewarded a group of very poor officials with gold and silk. "In the autumn of September, officials who were especially poor were rewarded with gold and silk, each with different rewards."
In the eleventh year, in the first month, a comet appeared in the Northern Dipper. In March, Cao Cao defeated Gao Gan in Bingzhou and took him captive. In July, Zhang Meng, the Administrator of Wuwei, killed Handan Shang, the Inspector of Yongzhou. That year, the son of the former Prince of Langya, Xi, was established as the Prince of Langya, and the eight vassal states—Qi, Beihai, Fuling, Xiapi, Changshan, Ganling, Jibei, and Pingyuan—were abolished.
In the eighth month of the twelfth year, Cao Cao achieved a decisive victory over the Wuhuan in Liucheng and killed their leader, Tadun. In the winter, on the day of Xinmao in October, a comet appeared in the Pheasant Tail. On the day of Yisi, the Yellow Turban bandits killed Yun, the King of Jinnan. In November, Gongsun Kang, the Administrator of Liaodong, killed Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi.
In the thirteenth year of the reign, the Minister Zhao Wen was dismissed. In June, the court abolished the positions of the Three Excellencies, establishing the Prime Minister and Grand Historian, with Cao Cao taking on the role of Prime Minister. In July, Cao Cao marched south to attack Liu Biao. In August of that year, the Court Official Xi Lu was appointed as the Grand Historian, and on that day, Cao Cao executed Minister Kong Rong and exterminated his entire family. In the same month, Liu Biao passed away, and his son Liu Cong succeeded him, then Liu Cong surrendered Jingzhou to Cao Cao. In the winter, on the first day of October, there was a solar eclipse. Later, Cao Cao led his troops by water to attack Sun Quan. However, he was defeated by Sun Quan's general Zhou Yu at Wulin and Chibi. In the winter of 184 AD, Jingzhou experienced an earthquake. In the spring of 185 AD, on the first day of February, there was a solar eclipse. In the autumn of 186 AD, on the ninth day of September, Cao Cao fought against Han Sui and Ma Chao at Weinan, defeating them and pacifying the Guanxi region. That year, the King of Zhao issued a pardon. In the summer of 187 AD, on the twenty-ninth day of May, Cao Cao killed the Commandant Ma Teng, wiping out his entire family. On the last day of June, there was another solar eclipse. In July, the Wei River and Ying River flooded, along with a locust plague. In August, Ma Chao captured Liangzhou and killed the Inspector Wei Kang. On the ninth day of September, Cao Cao appointed his sons Cao Xi as the King of Jiyin, Cao Yi as the King of Shanyang, Cao Ju as the King of Jibei, and Cao Dun as the King of Donghai. In December, there were unusual celestial phenomena associated with the Five Princes.
In the first month of the year 188 AD, Cao Cao restored the division of the Nine Provinces as outlined in the "Tribute of Yu." On the bingshen day in May of that summer, Cao Cao proclaimed himself Duke of Wei and accepted the nine tributes. That year had particularly heavy rainfall. Prince Gui of Zhao was relocated to Boling and granted the title of King of Boling. That year, the planets Suixing, Zhenxing, and Yinghuo all moved to the Taiwei Constellation, and Prince Cao He of Pengcheng passed away.
In the summer of 189 AD, there was a severe drought in April. Rain only began to fall in May. Liu Bei defeated Liu Zhang and took control of Yizhou. In October of that winter, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to suppress Song Jian and captured him at Fuhan. On the dingmao day in November, Cao Cao executed Empress Fu and wiped out her entire family along with two princes.
In the first month of the year 190 AD, Cao Cao named Lady Cao Empress. Cao Cao also granted titles to all men in the realm, one rank each, with the possibility of gaining two ranks for filial piety, brotherly love, and diligent farming. He also rewarded officials of lower ranks with grain, varying according to their ranks. In July, Cao Cao conquered Hanzhong and Zhang Lu surrendered.
In the summer of 191 AD, Cao Cao declared himself King of Wei on the jiawu day in April. On the first day of May, there was a solar eclipse. In July, the Southern Chanyu of the Xiongnu came to pay tribute to Cao Cao. That year, Cao Cao executed King Cao Xi of Langye and abolished his principality.
In the summer of 192 AD, the Chancellor and Military Strategist Hua Xin was appointed Grand Commandant. In the winter, a comet appeared in the northeast. That year, a plague broke out.
In the first month of 193 AD, the Minister of Works Geng Ji and the Director of the Secretariat Wei Huang rose in rebellion to kill Cao Cao, but failed and their entire families were wiped out. In March, a comet appeared in the east.
On the last day of February in 194 AD, there was a solar eclipse. In May of that summer, Liu Bei took control of Hanzhong. On the gengzi day in July, Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong. In August, the Han River flooded.
In November, Sun Quan took over Jingzhou.
On the seventh day of the first month in 220 AD, Cao Cao passed away, and his son Cao Pi succeeded him as King of Wei.
On the first day of the second month, there was a solar eclipse.
In March, the era name was changed to Yankang.
In the same year on October 27th, Emperor Xian of Han abdicated, and Cao Pi declared himself emperor, officially taking the throne. Emperor Xian of Han was titled Duke of Shanyang, granted a fiefdom of ten thousand households, ranking above the princes. He was not required to refer to himself as a subject when addressing the court, did not have to kneel when receiving imperial edicts, and could use the emperor's chariots, horses, and attire for worshiping heaven, earth, and ancestral temples. The ancestor worship rituals remained the same as those practiced during the Han Dynasty, and he lived in Zhuolu City in Shanyang. Emperor Xian of Han's four sons, who were originally princes, were all demoted to marquises.
The following year, Liu Bei declared himself emperor in Shu, and Sun Quan also declared himself king in Wu, thus the realm was completely divided into three kingdoms.
On March 20th, 222 AD, Duke of Shanyang Emperor Xian of Han passed away. From his abdication to his death, a total of fourteen years had passed, and he was 54 years old when he died. He was posthumously titled Emperor Xiaoxian. On August 27th, following the imperial rites of the Han Dynasty, he was buried in Chanling, with a magistrate assigned to oversee the tomb.
Emperor Xian of Han's son, the Crown Prince, died early, and his grandson Sun Kang succeeded him, ruling for fifty years until his death in 280 AD. His son Sun Jin succeeded him for four years until his death in 284 AD. Sun Jin's son Sun Qiu succeeded him for twenty years, and during the Yongjia period, he was killed by barbarians, thus bringing an end to the lineage of the Duke of Shanyang.
The book says that the ding, although small, is very heavy, and therefore considered a treasure by the gods, and cannot be taken or moved casually. The Han Dynasty is now like a person running with a ding, which likely reflects the inevitable decline of the country's fortunes! The heavens have long been tired of the rule of the Han Dynasty, so what blame can be placed on the Duke of Shanyang?
In summary: Emperor Xian of Han was born in troubled times, and he was caught up in the chaos of the country. The four-century foundation of the Han Dynasty came to an end, and Emperor Xian of Han ultimately became the last ruler of a fallen dynasty.
