Real Histories
Liu Zhuang, Emperor Ming of Han, was the fourth son of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu; his mother, Empress Yin. Emperor Ming was born plump; by the age of ten, he was already able to read the "Spring and Autumn Annals." Emperor Guangwu believed he was exceptionally gifted. In the fifteenth year of the Jianwu era, he was granted the title of Duke of Donghai; in the seventeenth year, he was promoted to King of Donghai; in the nineteenth year, he was appointed Crown Prince. He studied the "Shangshu" under the tutelage of the scholar Huan Rong, and his knowledge was very profound.
On the wuxu day in the second month of the second year of Zhongyuan, the thirty-year-old Liu Zhuang ascended the throne, becoming emperor. He posthumously honored his mother, Empress Yin, as Empress Dowager.
In the third month of the Dingmao era, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was interred at Yuanling. Court officials submitted a memorial proposing that Emperor Guangwu's temple name be honored as Shizu.
In the fourth month of the Bingchen year, Emperor Ming issued a decree saying: "Having inherited the throne at a young age, I take on this immense responsibility. Day and night, I feel cautious and dare not slack off. The late Emperor was chosen by heaven, revitalized the Han dynasty, and his virtues are comparable to those of past emperors. He united the princes of the world, earned the support of both heaven and the people, pacified the spirits, and showed kindness to the widows and orphans. I have inherited this great mission to continue and promote the late Emperor's civil rule, but I do not know the difficulties of governing a country, fearing that I will disappoint the late Emperor's expectations and the hopes of the people. The late Emperor's teachings and virtues always remind me to prioritize the people. Ministers, how will you assist an emperor like me who lacks ability?" The decree then ordered: grant all men in the realm a second-level title; the elderly, those who are filial and fraternal, and hardworking individuals a third-level title each; those with titles higher than Gongcheng can pass their titles to their sons or clan brothers; exiled individuals who wish to apply for a title, one level each; widows, orphans, lonely, and disabled elderly individuals, ten hu of grain for each. For those who committed crimes before the amnesty in the fourth month of the first year of Zhongyuan, but were arrested and detained afterward, all their crimes are forgiven. Those who moved inland due to border conflicts, before the amnesty, will be sent back to the border to freely choose their own lives. Those below the rank of 2,000 stones who were demoted as a form of penance will be reinstated in their original positions, exempting them from redemption. Now the court is leaderless, like a ship lost in deep waters. The responsibility of governing the country is great, my abilities are limited, relying on the assistance of ministers. Kou Xun, the Marquis of Gaomi, is a founding hero; Prince Dongping, Liu Cang, is both generous and strategic; both of them can be entrusted with significant responsibilities and will not waver in critical moments. Therefore, I appoint Kou Xun as the Grand Tutor, and Liu Cang as the General of the Cavalry. Major Li Xi conducted a sacrificial ceremony for Emperor Guangwu in the southern suburbs, Minister of Works Jie Zun arranged Emperor Guangwu's coffin, and Minister of Works Bao Yu was responsible for maintaining the tomb. I hereby appoint Li Xi as the Marquis of Jiexiang, Jie Zun as the Marquis of Anxiang, and Bao Yu as the Marquis of Yangyi.
In September, the Shao-Dang Qiang people rebelled in Longxi and defeated the Longxi army in Yun Street. The court ordered the pardon of prisoners in Longxi, reduced their crimes by one level, and exempted them from this year's taxes. However, the three thousand people previously conscripted from Tianshui must continue to serve this year. The court sent envoy Zhang Hong to Yunwu to quell the rebellion of the Qiang people, but Zhang Hong's army was defeated and many soldiers died. In November, the court sent General Dou Gu to lead the generals, including Ma Wu, against the Shao-Dang Qiang.
In December, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Spring is coming, everyone should hurry to cultivate and raise silkworms. The relevant authorities must respect the seasons and avoid disturbing the populace. Fugitives guilty of crimes punishable by less than death can redeem themselves for a fee: those sentenced to death must pay twenty pieces of silk, those sentenced to corporal punishment, head shaving, or wearing ankle shackles in public must pay ten pieces, and those sentenced to serve in the city must pay three pieces. Those who have not been discovered yet, as long as they voluntarily surrender before the decree arrives, can redeem themselves by half. Currently, the selection process for officials is flawed, the treacherous villains have not been eliminated, the powerful are colluding, corrupt officials are rampant, and the people are complaining without a place to seek redress. The relevant departments must carefully investigate the charges and severely punish those who engage in private malpractice. When recruiting laborers across various counties, officials often take the opportunity to embezzle and extort, deliberately making things difficult for the weak, and pushing the poor to desperation. We must ensure fairness and justice, and prevent the common people from suffering injustice."
In the first month of the first year of Yongping, the Emperor led civil and military officials to worship at Yuanling, with the ceremony as grand as that of New Year's Day. "In the first month of spring, the Emperor led the officials to the ancestral tomb, just like the New Year's ceremony."
In May, the Grand Preceptor Deng Yu passed away. On the same day, Donghai King Qiang also passed away. The court sent the Minister of Works Feng Fang to handle the funeral affairs, granting him the ceremonial items including a dragon-head scepter, a dragon-emblazoned carriage, and a dragon flag.
In the sixth month, Prince Gong of Donghai was buried.
In the seventh month, General Ma Wu and his troops fought against the Shoudang Qiang tribe and achieved a great victory. The court recruited soldiers to guard Longyou, rewarding each person with thirty thousand coins.
In the eighth month, Prince Jing of Shanyang was reassigned as the Prince of Guangling and was sent to his new fiefdom.
During that year, the Governor of Liaodong, Ji Rong, led the Xianbei tribe to attack the Wuhuan tribe in Chishan, achieving a significant victory and slaying the Wuhuan leader. The Gufuyi rebellion in Yuegui commandery was also quelled by local forces.
On the day of Xinwei in the first month of the second year, we worshipped Emperor Guangwu in the Hall of Light. The Emperor and his ministers were all dressed in ceremonial attire, wearing crowns, jade ornaments, and silk shoes, and performed the worship ceremony with great reverence.
After the sacrificial ceremony, everyone ascended the Lingtai together. The emperor sent the Minister of Works to notify the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Three Excellencies, saying, "Today is a good day. We are performing a sacrifice to Emperor Guangwu in the Mingtang, along with the Five Emperors. The sacrificial rituals, offerings, and music are all prepared. We will recite praises, perform dances, announce the seasons, and admonish the harem. After the ceremony, we will ascend the Lingtai, observe the celestial phenomena, play seasonal music, and witness the changes of heaven and earth. The courtiers, imperial descendants, officials from various counties, and even the southern tribes are all participating in the sacrifice. Even the Wuhuan and Huimo from the north have sent representatives to assist. This is all due to the achievements of our ancestor, Emperor Guangwu! I possess limited abilities yet bear this great responsibility. I personally hold the jade offerings and respectfully perform the sacrifices to heaven and earth. Thinking of the late Emperor Guangwu accepting the mandate of heaven, revitalizing the Han dynasty, pacifying rebellions, stabilizing the world, offering sacrifices to Mount Tai, building the Mingtang, Biyong, and Lingtai, promoting the great Dao, and spreading blessings across the land. However, I do not have the talent of Emperor Guangwu, and the ministers do not have the abilities of Lu Guang and Kou Xun to assist the emperor. Holding this wine cup, my heart is filled with shame. I am foolish by nature and always afraid of making mistakes; that's why they say 'a gentleman is magnanimous, while a petty person is always anxious'! Therefore, I decree a pardon for all those sentenced to lesser penalties for treasonous crimes. All officials must diligently fulfill their duties, obey the seasons, fear heaven, and come to pacify the people."
In the third month, the emperor came to Biyong and held the grand archery ceremony for the first time, which was an archery competition.
In September, the Prince of Pei, Prince Chu Ying, King Kang of Jinan, King Yan of Huaiyang, and King Zheng of Donghai all came to pay their respects to the emperor.
In the twenty-fifth year of my reign, on the Renzi day of October, I went to the Biyong Study Palace and held the Elderly Care Ritual for the first time. I issued a decree saying, "Emperor Guangwu established the rituals of the three dynasties, but did not have time to personally preside over the sacrifices. I, a mere mortal, now inherit this sacred duty. On an auspicious day in spring, I just held the Grand Archery Ceremony; now it is the auspicious New Year's Day, and I have come to the Biyong Study Palace again. I treat the three elders with respect, like elder brothers treat the Five Elders, providing them with necessary ceremonial items in comfortable carriages. The princes prepared condiments, the officials prepared delicacies, I personally rolled up my sleeves, held a wine cup, and my hands shook. The guests took turns raising their glasses, choked up and unable to speak. The song 'Deer's Cry' was performed, the music of 'New Palace' was played, the Eight Yi dance troupe formed a neat line, and tens of thousands of people danced in the courtyard. With my limited virtues, how can I possibly manage this? The Book of Changes talks about 'bearing the burden,' and the Book of Songs also criticizes those who are self-righteous. I always remember this shame and dare not forget this responsibility. Elder Li Gong is quite aged and wise; Huan Rong, one of the Five Elders, taught me the Book of Documents. The Book of Songs says, 'Without virtue, there will be no reward; without words, there will be no response.' So I conferred upon Huan Rong the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of five thousand households. The three elders and the Five Elders all enjoy a salary of two thousand bushels until their old age. I also bestowed upon each of the three elders a stone of wine and forty pounds of meat. The appropriate authorities must ensure the elderly are well cared for, support orphans and widows, and show compassion for the lonely, to fulfill my wishes." King Liu Yan of Zhongshan then proceeded to his territory.
In the twenty-fifth year of my reign, on the Jiazi day, I went on a western tour for hunting and arrived in Chang'an, offering sacrifices at the Gao Temple, and then went to worship at eleven tombs. I inspected various mansions and cities, summoned county officials, comforted and rewarded them, and played music together.
In the eleventh month of the twenty-fifth year, on the Jia Shen day, I sent envoys to offer sacrifices to Xiao He and Huo Guang. I personally visited their tombs to pay my respects. Afterwards, I toured the region of Hedong and bestowed rewards upon officials from the rank of 2,000 bushels down to village heads, including clerks and historians, each according to their rank. On the day of Gui Mao, I returned to the imperial palace.
In the twelfth month of the twenty-fifth year, the Protector of the Qiang people, Dou Lin, was imprisoned and executed.
That year, I began the ritual of Welcoming the Spirits at the Five Suburbs. The Minister of Works, Yin Jiuzi Feng, killed his wife, Princess Li of Yi County, and then committed suicide to atone for his actions.
On the day of Gui Si in the first month of the twenty-sixth year, I issued a decree: "I conduct the suburban sacrifices, ascend to the Spirit Terrace, summon the court historians to ensure proper rites. Spring is the beginning of the year; if we start with correctness, then we will have a good harvest for the entire year. In recent years, there have been continuous droughts and floods, and the people in border areas lack food. This is due to administrative errors, which has harmed the people. The relevant authorities must work in harmony with nature, encourage farming, eradicate pests, punish criminals, investigate cases seriously, and work day and night to achieve my intentions."
In the X year, on the first day of the second month, the Grand Commandant, Zhao Xi, and the Minister Over the Masses, Li Ying, were dismissed. Three days later, Guo Dan replaced Li Ying as Minister Over the Masses. A few days later, Yu Yan became the Grand Commandant. What a month of constant personnel changes! More significantly, the emperor immediately appointed Lady Mai as empress and Prince Ta as crown prince. To celebrate, the emperor elevated all men in the realm by two ranks; those who were filial, respectful, and diligent in farming were promoted by three ranks; exiles who desired rewards were also promoted by one rank; widowers, widows, orphans, the disabled, the impoverished, and those unable to support themselves were each provided with five hu of grain each.
On the day of Xin You in the fourth month, the emperor named Prince Jian as King of Qiancheng and Prince Xian as King of Guangping. On the night of Ding Mao in the sixth month, a comet appeared near the constellation of the Celestial Boat, which is considered an ominous sign.
In August, the emperor ordered the original Dà Yuè renamed Dà Yǔ Yuè. At the end of this month, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor issued a decree, saying: "I have inherited the ancestral legacy, but have not achieved much. Recently, there have been solar eclipses, comets, floods and droughts, poor harvests, and the people have no food to eat, making life difficult. Despite my tireless efforts, I have my limitations. In the past, when King Zhuang of Chu encountered disasters, he took it as a lesson; Duke Ai of Lu lived a life of excess and, as a result, incurred heavenly condemnation. These disasters can still be addressed. Officials should fulfill their duties to make up for my shortcomings. In ancient times, ministers would present poems, and craftsmen would offer advice. I encourage everyone to speak openly and honestly." In October, the emperor held a ritual at the Guangwu Temple and performed dances like "Wén Shǐ," "Wǔ Xíng," and "Wǔ Dé" for the first time. That winter, the emperor took the empress dowager to visit the old residence at Zhāng Líng. They did not return from Zhāng Líng until December. That year, the court also constructed the Beigong and many government offices. To make matters worse, both the capital and various counties experienced major floods. In the second year of spring in February, the emperor issued a decree saying: "I personally plowed the fields to pray for a good harvest. There was no snow in the capital during winter, and spring was not warm. I asked officials to pray diligently, and with the help of heaven, timely rain fell, and the wheat revived. Therefore, I have decided to halve the responsibilities of all officials. Officials must also strive to follow the laws and ensure fair enforcement." In September of the autumn, King Jiàn of Qiānchéng passed away. In October, Sītú Guō Dān and Sīkōng Féng Fáo were dismissed from their positions, with Fàn Qiān replacing Guō Dān as Sītú and Fú Gōng replacing Féng Fáo as Sīkōng. At the end of the year, Marquis Liáng Sōng of Língxiāng was imprisoned and eventually died in jail. On the twenty-ninth day of the second month of the fifth year AD, General Bēiqí Jiāng Dōngpíng Wáng Cāng returned to his fiefdom; King Jīng of Lángyá also returned to his fiefdom to govern. These were all just routine matters, nothing worth mentioning.
In October, during the winter, the emperor went to Ye City and met with Prince Zhao Xu in Ye City. Three local officials from Changshan County addressed the emperor, "Your Majesty, you were born in Yuanshi County. Could you consider restoring the tax revenue of Yuanshi County?" The emperor issued an edict saying, "Feng County, Pei County, and Jiyang County are all old places where our family started. It is right to extend some favors to these places to repay the kindness of the people. However, the policies during the Yongping era have caused complaints from the people, and officials are constantly demanding the restoration of the old system, which is quite ironic and frustrating. Since the people of Yuanshi County have earnestly requested this, let us grant their request! Restore the land rent and taxes of Yuanshi County to what they were six years ago, and give rewards to the officials, staff, and runners in the county." After returning from Ye City, in November, the Northern Xiongnu raided Wuyuan County, and in December, they attacked Yunzhong County but were repelled by the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu. During that year, the emperor recalled all the frontier soldiers stationed in the interior, with each receiving a travel allowance of 20,000 coins. In January of the sixth year AD, Princes Pei, Chu, Dongping, Huaiyang, Langye, Donghai, Zhao, Beihai, and Qi all came to pay homage to the emperor. It was truly a bustling scene!
In February, a precious tripod was unearthed in Luoshan, which was offered to the emperor by the Prefect of Lujiang. On the first day of April, the emperor issued a decree saying, "In the past, Great Yu collected copper from various regions and cast nine tripods to symbolize the nine provinces, to inform everyone of what constitutes auspicious signs and what constitutes inauspicious omens, to avoid encountering bad things. When the country prospers, the tripod prospers along with it, passed down from the Xia Dynasty to the Shang Dynasty, and then to the Zhou Dynasty; when the Zhou Dynasty declined, the tripod was lost. Now that auspicious signs have appeared, it proves the virtuous rule of the current emperor! However, there are many shortcomings in our current political affairs, how could this precious tripod have come into existence? The Book of Changes says that the tripod symbolizes the Three Officials; could it be that the Three Officials and the court officials fulfilled their duties, hence this auspicious sign? Ministry of Rites, when you perform sacrifices, place this tripod in the temple as a ritual vessel! Bestow fifty rolls of silk upon each of the Three Officials, and reward the Nine Ministers and officials of the rank of two thousand shi with half." The emperor also said, "The late emperor had issued a decree prohibiting excessive praise in memorials, but there has been too much hyperbolic language in recent memorials. From now on, if there are excessively exaggerated or falsely reported words in the memorials, the Secretaries should suppress them and not submit them, do not let those flatterers succeed!"
In October of winter, the emperor traveled to the State of Lu to offer sacrifices at the tomb of Prince Gong of Donghai, and met with Prince Pei, Prince Ying of Chu, Prince Kang of Jinan, Prince Cang of Dongping, Prince Yan of Huaiyang, Prince Jing of Langye, and Prince Zheng of Donghai.
In December, the emperor returned to the palace, went to Yangcheng, and sent people to offer sacrifices at Mount Song. On Renwu Day, the emperor's chariot returned to the imperial palace. Prince Cang of Dongping and Prince Jing of Langye followed the emperor back to the palace and also went to meet the Empress Dowager.
On Guimao Day in January of the seventh year AD, the Empress Dowager, Lady Yin, passed away. On Gengshen Day in February, the Empress Dowager was buried and was posthumously honored with the title Empress Guanglie.
In the year 73 BC, on Wuchen Day in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, Prince Xing of Beihai, Liu Xing, passed away.
In the same year, the Northern Xiongnu sent envoys to seek a marriage alliance for peace. The following year, in 72 BC, on the Ji Mao day of the first month, Fan Qian, the Minister of Works, passed away. On the Xin Mao day of the third month, Yu Yan took over as the Minister of Works, and Zhao Xi served as the Grand Commandant in an acting capacity. The court sent Zheng Zhong, the Chief General of the Yuezhi Cavalry, to visit the envoys of the Northern Xiongnu. At the same time, the court also established the General of Liaodong, stationed in Manbai of Wuyuan Commandery.
That autumn, there was rain across all fourteen commanderies in the country. In the winter of the tenth month, the Northern Palace was finished. On the Bing Zi day, the emperor went to Biyong to perform sacrifices and summoned the Three Elders and Five Elders. After the ceremony, the emperor issued an edict ordering the Three Excellencies to recruit death-sentenced prisoners from all over the country, reduce their sentences by one level, exempt them from corporal punishment, and send them to the camp of the General of Liaodong, stationed in the border commanderies of Shuofang and Wuyuan; their wives were allowed to accompany them and settle in the border commanderies. If parents, siblings, or spouses wanted to take turns serving in their place, they were permitted to do so. Those who committed heinous crimes were all sent to serve in the silk production facilities. Fugitives could seek redemption based on the severity of their offenses. The court supplied them with crossbows, clothing, and provisions.
At the end of the month of Renyin in the lunar calendar, a solar eclipse occurred and soon ended. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Due to my own lack of virtue, I have inherited a great cause, but this has led to widespread discontent among the people below, and even angered the heavens, resulting in this disaster of a solar eclipse. This calamity is too great, as prophesied in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals'. I will deeply reflect on my own faults, and the responsibility falls solely on me. All ministers must strive to do their own work well, speak freely and not hold anything back." Therefore, officials in the court all submitted their opinions in writing, expressing their own views and discussing the gains and losses of the court. After reading the memorials, the Emperor felt deep remorse and showed them to all the officials. The Emperor issued another decree, saying, "All that the ministers have said are my faults. The grievances of the people cannot be redressed, and crooked officials cannot be held accountable; I’ve been reckless in how I've used manpower, building palaces and coming and going without restraint, being unpredictable. In the past, the gates should have been properly guarded, as the 'Guanju' criticized the society at that time; the floating duckweed drifted with the wind, and Wei Zi sighed for this. I will always remember the lessons of the past, feeling deep fear and unease. I am only worried that my virtue is shallow, and over time I will become negligent."
The Northern Xiongnu invaded the counties of Xihe and others. In 71 BC, on the day of Xinchou in the third month, the Emperor issued a decree to reduce the crimes of death row prisoners in various counties and states, allowing them to settle in Wuyuan and Shuofang with their wives and children. For those sentenced to death, the court granted exemption from corvée labor for one sibling, either from their wife's family or their own. If the prisoner's wife had no father and brothers, only a mother, she was granted sixty thousand coins and exempted from corvée labor.
On the first few days of the fourth month, the Emperor ordered the distribution of public lands to the poor in varying amounts. It was also stipulated that the Colonel-Director of Retainers and the governors of each province should recommend one outstanding official who has served for over three years each year, to be reported to the court together. If any official was found to be incompetent, it should also be reported.
That year, the crops had a particularly good harvest. The emperor even set up schools for the four noble marquises and hired teachers specialized in teaching the "Five Classics."
In the second month of the tenth year of spring, Prince Jing of Guangling committed a crime and then took his own life, and his kingdom was also abolished.
On the first few days of the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Last year, the crops were abundant, and this year the silkworms and wheat harvests are also good, so a general amnesty will be granted! Now is the time of summer when all things are growing; it is the perfect time to atone for past wrongs and thank the heavens for their blessings. The common folk should diligently raise silkworms, farm the land, and prepare for any potential disasters. Officials should also be responsible and not make mistakes!"
On a certain day in the leap month, the emperor went on a southern tour, went to Nanyang, offered sacrifices at Zhangling, went to the north, and offered sacrifices at his old residence. After the sacrifices, he gathered musicians and students to perform court music, played "The Deer's Cry," and the emperor personally played the xun and chi instruments to host the guests. On the way back, he also went to Nandun to entertain three respected elders and officials.
In the eleventh month of winter, the emperor summoned Prince Huaiyang to Pingyu and Prince Pei to Suiyang.
On a certain day in the twelfth month, the emperor's carriage returned to the palace.
In the first month of the eleventh year, Prince Pei, Prince of Chu, Prince Kang of Jinan, Prince Cang of Dongping, Prince Yan of Huaiyang, Prince Yan of Zhongshan, Prince Jing of Langye, and Prince Zheng of Donghai all came to pay homage to the emperor.
In the seventh month of autumn, the Colonel of the Capital's Military Officers, Guo Ba, was imprisoned and later died.
That year, gold was discovered in Jiaohu Lake, and the Prefect of Lujiang offered it to the emperor. At that time, auspicious items such as qilin, white pheasants, Li Spring, and Jiahe appeared in various places.
In the first month of the twelfth year, the King of the Ailao tribe at the Yizhou border led his people to submit to the court, and the court established Yongchang County and abolished the position of the Western Commandant of Yizhou.
In the fourth month, the emperor appointed Grand Architect Wang Wu to construct the Bian Canal, which extended from Xingyang all the way to Qiancheng Estuary.
On the day of Bingchen in May, the emperor granted all men in the country promotions, promoting each person by two ranks! For the elderly, filial, and hardworking individuals, these three categories of people received an additional three ranks! For those refugees without status who wanted to make a name for themselves, they were also promoted by one rank! For those orphans, widows, single individuals, disabled and impoverished, without relatives or friends to support them and unable to survive on their own, each person received three hu of grain.
The emperor also issued a decree saying: "In the past, Zeng Can and Min Ziqian were filial to their parents, serving them with all their heart and effort; Confucius buried his son with only a coffin, without an outer coffin. The most important aspect of a funeral is to express grief simply. Nowadays, common people are competing extravagantly in funerals, wasting excessively. They haven't saved much food during their lives but spend all their savings on elaborate tombs. As a result, the family's accumulated wealth is squandered just for the sake of one day's display. The descendants are left hungry, or even starve to death. Is this really what our ancestors wanted to see?! Also, the luxury of carriages, horses, and clothing has become increasingly extravagant, fields lie fallow and uncultivated, and more people are becoming idle. Officials at all levels must enforce the laws strictly, address these issues, and relay the orders promptly!"
On the day of Yihai in the seventh month of autumn, Sikong Fugong was dismissed from his position. On the day of Yiwu, Da Sinong Mou Rong succeeded him as Sikong.
In the winter of October, Wang Kang, the Sima Xiaowei, was imprisoned and eventually died.
That year, the world was peaceful, and the common people were free from corvée labor. There were bountiful harvests year after year, and everyone lived a prosperous life, with a hu of rice selling for just thirty coins, and cattle and sheep everywhere.
In the second month of spring in the thirteenth year, the emperor personally went out to plow the fields, and after the ceremony, he handed out food to the spectators.
In March, Xue Zhao, the magistrate of Henan, was imprisoned and eventually died.
In April, the Bian River repairs were completed. The emperor traveled to Xingyang to inspect the river. After a few days, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The Bian River has been breached for over sixty years. In addition to the irregular rainfall in recent years, the erosion of the Bian River water to the east has become increasingly severe. The former water gates are now submerged; the water stretches endlessly, with no banks in sight. It is impossible to manage. Many people in Yanzhou and Yuzhou have been affected by flooding. They claim that the government neglects the urgent needs of the people in favor of other projects. Some people say that if the river flows into the Bian River, Youzhou and Jizhou will reap the benefits. Therefore, repairing the left bank will damage the right bank; repairing both banks will damage the downstream. Therefore, we should let nature take its course and allow the common people to relocate to higher ground, saving the government from spending on embankment repairs and sparing the people from the pain of floods. Opinions vary, with differing views from the north and south. I do not know what to do, and the decision has been long overdue. Now that the embankments have been repaired and the river course has been rectified, the river water has been redirected, restoring its original state. Grass and trees are slowly re-emerging on the northern bank of Taoqiu. Therefore, I present exquisite jade and offerings to the river god. Then, I went to Luoyang and admired the achievements of Dayu in water management. Now that the land has been restored to its former state, the fields by the river have been distributed to the poor, ensuring the rich do not seize control. I hope to carry on the spirit of Emperor Taizu's 'Huzi.' After that, the emperor crossed the Yellow River, traveled to the Taihang Mountains, and then proceeded to Shangdang. A few days later, the emperor returned to the palace.
On the last day of October, when night fell, a solar eclipse occurred. The three chief ministers removed their hats in self-reproach. The emperor said, "There is no need to blame yourselves. The frequent occurrence of disasters is my responsibility. I am very worried and do not know what to do. Officials report their work to me, but many conceal the truth, leading me to be misled and unaware of the situation below. In the past, a loyal minister helped the king retain his throne. How can we now reconcile yin and yang and eliminate disasters? The governors and magistrates must carefully investigate cases, show kindness to the widowed and orphaned, and strive to do their own work well."
In November, the King of Chu, Ying, conspired to rebel and was deposed; the kingdom was abolished, and he was moved to Jing County, resulting in the execution or exile of several thousand people.
That year, the King of Qi, Shi, passed away.
In the spring of the fourteenth year, in the third month, the Minister of Works, Yu Yan, was dismissed and then committed suicide. In the fourth month, the magistrate of Julu, Xing Mu of Nanyang, was appointed as the Minister of Works.
Former King Ying of Chu committed suicide.
In May, the late Prince of Guangling, Jing Ziyuan Shou, was granted the title of Marquis of Guangling.
The construction of the Mausoleum of Longevity commenced.
In the spring of the year 15 BC, on the day of Gengzi in the second month, the emperor embarked on an eastern hunting expedition. On the day of Xinchou, he arrived in Yanshi and issued a decree allowing fugitives to redeem themselves according to the severity of their crimes: for capital offenses, they had to pay forty pieces of silk; for punishments involving the right toe, head shaving, ankle shackles, and pounding rice in the city, they had to pay ten pieces of silk; for pounding rice until the magistrate intervened, they had to pay five pieces of silk; those who had committed undetected crimes, as long as they voluntarily confessed on the day the decree arrived, could redeem themselves by half. The emperor summoned Prince Fu of Pei to Suiyang for a meeting. Then he went to Pengcheng. On the day of Guihai, the emperor was plowing fields in Xiaoping, Peixian.
In March, the Emperor summoned Prince Jing of Langya to meet, summoned Prince Cang of Dongping to meet, and also summoned the Marquis of Guangling and his three younger brothers to meet in the region of Lu. The Emperor held a sacrificial ceremony at the tomb of Prince Donghai Gong. Upon returning, the Emperor went to Confucius' former residence, offering sacrifices to Confucius and his seventy-two disciples. The Emperor personally presided over the lectures, allowing the Crown Prince and the princes to explain the classics. Afterwards, he went to Dongping. On the day of Xin Mao, the Emperor went to Daliang, arrived at Dingtao, and offered sacrifices at the tomb of Prince Dingtao Gong. On the day of Geng Zi in April, the Emperor's chariot returned to the palace.
The Emperor renamed Xin as the Kingdom of Lecheng and changed Linhuai to the Kingdom of Xiapai. He appointed his sons Gong as King Julu, Dang as King Lecheng, Yan as King Xiapai, Chang as King Runan, Bing as King Changshan, and Zhang as King Jiyin. The Emperor conferred titles upon men throughout the country, granting each person three ranks; officials aged twenty and above received one hundred bolts of silk, those aged ten and above received twenty bolts of silk, and those under ten years old received ten bolts of silk; officials were granted five bolts of silk; scribes and junior record-keepers received three bolts of silk. The Emperor ordered a nationwide grand feast that lasted five days. On the day of Yi Si, the Emperor granted a general amnesty to the entire country, forgiving those who conspired, committed serious offenses, and even those who typically would not qualify for amnesty.
In winter, the Emperor led a cavalry hunt in Shanglin Park. In December, the Emperor dispatched Carriage Attendant Du Gu and Horse Attendant Geng Bing to guard Liangzhou.
In February of 14 BC, the Emperor sent Grand Coachman Ji Hong from Gaoque, Carriage Attendant Du Gu from Jiuquan, Horse Attendant Geng Bing from Juyan, and Cavalry Officer Lai Miao from Pingcheng to attack the Northern Xiongnu. Du Gu defeated King Huyan in the Tianshan Mountains, leaving the army stationed in Yiwulu City. Geng Bing, Lai Miao, and Ji Hong all failed to achieve any military success and returned.
In May, Prince Yan of Huaiyang plotted a rebellion, which was exposed. On the day of Gui Chou, Minister Xing Mu and Horse Attendant Han Guang were imprisoned and executed for this, resulting in many others being implicated and executed.
At the end of the month, on the day of Wu Wu, a solar eclipse took place.
On the sixth day of the third month, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Prince Min of Xihe, was appointed as the Minister of Works. In July, Prince Huaiyang was relocated and given the title of Prince of Fuling. This decision was finalized. In early September, the Emperor issued a decree that all prisoners across the country who were sentenced to death would have their sentences commuted, without facing corporal punishment, and would report directly to the military camps in Shaofang and Dunhuang. Family members could accompany them, and it was up to parents, siblings, and other relatives to decide whether they wanted to accompany them. However, married women were not allowed to go. This decree did not extend to those convicted of rebellion. That year, the Northern Xiongnu invaded Yunzhong Commandery, and the Prefect of Yunzhong, Lian Fan, defeated them. In the first month of the seventeenth year, there was a sweet dewfall in the Ganling region, a truly auspicious sign! Prince of Beihai, Mu, died. In early February, the Minister of Works, Wang Min, died. In early March, the Prefect of Runan, Bao Yu, was appointed as the Minister of Works.
This year, gentle dew fell again, branches naturally bent inward, Lingzhi grew in front of the palace, and the five-colored divine birds flew to the capital. The tribes of the southwestern Yi, such as Ailao, Dan'er, Jiaojiao, Panmu, Bai Lang, and Dongnian, all came to express friendship and offer tribute; the various countries of the Western Regions also sent princes to serve in the court. In early May, all the officials felt that the emperor was virtuous and respected, impressed the distant tribes, and various auspicious omens appeared frequently, so everyone went to court together to wish the emperor a long life. The emperor remarked, "These divine occurrences are in response to the virtue of the king; the submission of people from afar is all because of my good conduct. I truly have no great abilities, how can I deserve all this? This is all the blessing of our ancestors and Emperor Guangwu's holy virtue, I do not dare to claim credit. Let's make a toast and wish me a long life; the Grand Minister shall select an auspicious day for ancestral sacrifices. In addition, every man in the country will be promoted by two ranks, those who are elderly, filial, dutiful, and hardworking in agriculture will be promoted by three ranks, and those exiled prisoners who wish to return to their positions will be promoted by one rank each; widows, widowers, orphans, the lonely, the disabled, and the poor people will each be given three measures of grain; those who have served as officials in the court for more than ten years will be rewarded with ten bolts of cloth each. Those officials earning over two thousand shi, up to the rank of Huangshou, are permitted to pay for their redemption, and the redemption fees owed since last year can now be settled."
In early August, the emperor issued another decree, stating that prisoners from Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and the subordinate countries of Zhangye, who were injured below the toes, would not be punished and could report directly to the military camp.
In November, the emperor sent the Commander of the Palace Carriages Dou Gu, the Commander of the Cavalry Geng Bing, and the Commander of the Cavalry Liu Zhang to set out from Dunhuang Kunlun Pass to attack the White Mountain barbarians, defeated them at the Pulei Sea, and then advanced into the Kingdom of Cheshi. The court also established two new official positions, the Protector General of the Western Regions and the Wujin Colonel.
This year, Tianshui was renamed Hanyang Prefecture.
In the third month of the Dinghai year, the emperor issued a decree stating: "All fugitives and criminals below the death penalty can redeem themselves with money: those sentenced to death must pay thirty pieces of silk, those punished with hard labor from the right toe to the city of Dan Chong (an ancient term for hard labor) must pay ten pieces of silk, and those from Dan Chong to the official of Sikou (an ancient official position) must pay five pieces of silk; officials who have committed undiscovered crimes may have their redemption fee reduced by half if they voluntarily confess upon the decree's issuance."
In the fourth month of the Jiwei year, the emperor issued another decree stating: "From spring until now, there has been no rain, and the wheat has all withered due to my mismanagement. The seeds for autumn have not been sown yet, and I am genuinely worried and fearful. Therefore, I will grant all males throughout the realm a title of nobility, with each person rising two levels. Those without registered households who wish to register will rise one level; widowers, widows, orphans, single individuals, and those who are disabled and unable to support themselves will each receive three measures of grain each. Unjust cases will be addressed, and prisoners with minor offenses will be released. Officials of the rank of two thousand stones (senior officials) will each travel to the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers to offer prayers. If any county has renowned mountains and rivers believed to summon rain, local officials must fast, bathe, pray to the heavens, and hope for sweet rain to fall."
In the sixth month of the Jiwei year, a comet appeared in the sky in the Taiwei Constellation. Yanqi and Kucha attacked the Western Regions Protectorate led by Chen Mu and completely destroyed Chen Mu's army. The Northern Xiongnu and the King of Cheshi surrounded Geng Gong, the Wujijiaowei.
In the eighth month of the Renzi year, the emperor died in the front hall of the East Palace at the age of forty-eight. He instructed that no mausoleum should be built, but that his body be buried in a side room of the dressing chamber of Empress Guanglie. The emperor had planned his tomb during his lifetime, only requiring it to be cleansed with flowing water, with a stone coffin measuring one zhang two chi wide and two zhang five chi long, forbidding the construction of a tomb. In the distant future, only sweeping the ground for offerings, with water, dried meat, and other traditional foods would suffice. One hundred days later, only seasonal sacrifices would be made, with several officials responsible for overseeing the offerings and no roads to be constructed. Anyone who dared to build anything without authorization would face punishment for violating ancestral temple regulations.
The emperor always adhered to the system of Emperor Jianwu, and no one dared to violate it. Members of the harem were prohibited from receiving titles or engaging in political matters. Princess Guantao requested a position for her son as a court official, but the emperor refused her request, instead rewarding her with ten million coins. The emperor told his courtiers, "The position of a court official affects the nation's harmony. When managing the people of a region, if the wrong person is chosen, the people will suffer. Therefore, the selection of court officials must be done very carefully." Consequently, officials worked diligently, the people thrived in peace and prosperity, and both near and far respected and obeyed, with the population increasing.
It is said that everyone praised the emperor for his exceptional governance of the country, with laws and regulations clearly and transparently formulated. Even if he worked late into the night, he was always able to promptly address any grievances, falsehoods, or errors. There were no instances of favoritism or corruption, either within the court or beyond, and the emperor himself was not aloof or dismissive of the common people. His judgments were fair and just, reportedly surpassing those of the twelve emperors who came before him. Therefore, the officials who came after often cited the achievements of the Jianwu and Yongping periods as examples of good governance. Ministers like Zhongli Yi and Song Jun often boasted about their intelligence and talent, but did they not realize that, compared to Emperor Ming's open-mindedness and generosity, they still fell short?
Emperor Zanyang praised him: Emperor Xianzong inherited the great achievements of his predecessor, diligently and earnestly attending to his duties. He was always vigilant against various dangers, cultivating virtue with humility, governing with integrity, and thwarting the schemes of corrupt officials. He thoroughly examined various memorials, streamlining the construction of palaces and tombs. He often reflected on the abolished laws and regulations, and actively practiced the teachings of his ancestors. He ascended a high platform to observe the clouds, and paid respects to elder officials outside Yongmen. His accomplishments were truly remarkable, adding glory to Emperor Wen's legacy! "Praise: Emperor Xianzong, continuing the legacy with diligence. Mindful of dangers and humble in virtue, he is vigilant in his governance. He reviews memorials, reducing excess in palaces and tombs. He continually reflects on the abolished laws and adheres to their teachings. He ascends the platform to observe the clouds, and pays respects to elder officials outside Yongmen. His achievements are commendable, enhancing the brilliance of Emperor Wen's legacy."
In the sixth year of the current era, on the day of Bingchen in the first month, Changling Township was renamed Zhangling County. The common people had been subjected to forced labor for generations, similar to the situation in Feng County and Pei County, and had little savings. On the day of Xinyou, the emperor issued a decree stating: "In the past few years, there have been continuous floods, droughts, and locust plagues, causing soaring food prices and making life difficult for the people. I see that the people have no food to eat, and I feel very distressed. I order that in places with food reserves, in accordance with the laws, relief should be provided to the elderly, widows, orphans, the elderly living alone, and those who are both old and sick, have no relatives, and cannot survive on their own. County officials must do their utmost to support the people and must not neglect their duties!"
General Yang Wu captured Shu County and then Li Xian. In the second month, Grand Marshal Wu Han captured Xu County and captured Dong Xian and Pang Meng, bringing peace to the Shandong region. All the generals returned to the capital, and the emperor held a grand feast to reward them.
In the third month, General Sun Shu sent General Ren Man to attack Nan County. On the day of Bingzi in the fourth month, the emperor arrived in Chang'an, first went to the Gaomiao to offer sacrifices, and then offered sacrifices at eleven tombs. Afterwards, the emperor sent seven generals including General Gai Yan to march along the Long Pass to attack General Sun Shu.
On the day of Jiwei in the fifth month, the emperor returned from Chang'an. Wei Xiao rebelled, and Gai Yan and others fought against Wei Xiao at Longji, resulting in defeats for all the generals involved. On the day of Xinchou, the emperor issued a decree saying: "For officials in Tianshui, Longxi, Anding, Beidi, and other counties who have committed crimes due to being deceived by Wei Xiao, as well as those in the Sanfu region who have suffered from the Red Eyebrow Army, all offenses, from capital crimes to lesser charges, are pardoned!"
In the sixth month of the year of Xinmao, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The establishment of official positions and the appointment of officials are for the service of the people. Currently, the people are suffering from disasters, and the population has sharply decreased. However, there are many official positions at all levels. I command the Inspector General and the Governors to inspect their respective jurisdictions and streamline officials. Those counties and states that do not need so many officials can be merged, and reports should be made to the Grand Tutor and the Grand Minister of Works." As a result, according to the decree, more than four hundred counties were streamlined and the number of officials was reduced by ninety percent.
The Prefect of Daijun, Liu Xing, fought and died in battle against the generals Gao Liu and Lu Fang.
Initially, Wang Diao, the leader in Lelang County, defied imperial authority. In the autumn, the court sent the Administrator of Lelang, Wang Zun, to subdue him. The officials in the county killed Wang Diao and then surrendered.
The former general Li Tong led two armies to fight against the army of Gongsun Shu in Xicheng, defeating Gongsun Shu's army.
In the summer, there was a locust plague.
On the day of Gengzi in September, the court pardoned the heinous criminals who were involved in rebellion in Lelang County, pardoning them from capital punishment to other charges. At the end of the month of Bingyin, there was a solar eclipse.
On the day of Dingchou in October of the year 23 B.C., the emperor issued a decree saying: "I lack virtue, and my policies are unclear, resulting in rampant banditry and the strong preying on the weak, causing the common people to be displaced. The Classic of Poetry says: 'The sun and moon foretell disasters, yet no one takes corresponding measures.' I constantly reflect on my faults and feel deep remorse. I command all officials to recommend one virtuous and upright person each; all officials must submit petitions without concealing the truth; all levels of officials must fulfill their duties seriously and strictly adhere to the law."
On the day of Dingmao in November, the emperor issued a decree pardoning those who were unjustly forced into slavery during Wang Mang's reign and should not have been slaves according to the old laws, restoring their civilian status.
On the Renchen day in December, the Grand Minister of State, Song Hong, was dismissed from his position. On the Guisi day, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "The recent war has not yet ended, and the national finances are insufficient, which is why the tax of one-tenth has been imposed. Now soldiers are cultivating the land, and food reserves are gradually becoming more abundant. Counties are ordered to collect land rent at a rate of thirty percent, restoring the old system." Kuai Xiao dispatched troops to plunder in the Fufeng region, but General Feng Yi defeated them. In that year, the court began to abolish the positions of county officials. They also began to allow marquises to return to their fiefdoms. The Xiongnu dispatched envoys bearing tribute, and the court sent a commandant to visit them. On the Bingshen day in the seventh year of the reign, the Emperor decreed that the officials of the capital, the Three Auxiliaries, and various counties release prisoners, except for those convicted of capital offenses. All other offenders were to be pardoned. Those sentenced to forced labor would have their civilian status reinstated. Officials could pardon those who had fled due to crimes based on documentation. The Emperor further decreed, "People consider lavish burials a virtue and simple burials a disgrace, leading to the wealthy indulging in extravagance and the poor squandering their families' fortunes. Laws and regulations cannot stop this, and neither can propriety and righteousness until after the fact. A proclamation shall be issued nationwide to educate everyone on the principle of simple burials for loyal officials, filial sons, compassionate brothers, and respectful younger siblings." On the Xinsi day in the second month, the court eliminated the position of the Transport Protector. On the Dingyou day in the third month, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Currently, the country has many elite military forces, and they should temporarily disband light chariots, cavalry, material officers, ship officers, and temporary military officials, allowing them to reintegrate into civilian life." Gongsun Shu declared Kuai Xiao the King of Shaoning.
On the last day of the Guihai month, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor avoided the main hall, ceased military actions, and did not handle political affairs for five days. The emperor issued a decree saying, "My lack of virtue has led to disasters, and both the sun and moon have been punished. I am trembling with fear; what more can I say? I am now reflecting on my mistakes, hoping to atone for my sins. Officials at all levels are ordered to diligently fulfill their duties, abide by the law, and treat the people well. All officials must submit petitions and are not allowed to hide anything. Petitioners are forbidden from discussing matters concerning the sages."
In the year XX (specific year needs to be supplemented based on historical facts), on the day of Rengwu in the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, there have been disturbances in the yin and yang, with frequent solar and lunar eclipses. The people are suffering, all because of my shortcomings, so I hereby grant amnesty to the entire country!" He then ordered all officials, including prefects and governors, to each recommend a virtuous and upright person to the court for personal inspection.
On the day of Wuxu in the fifth month, Li Tong was appointed as the Grand Minister of Works. On the day of Jiayin, the emperor issued another decree, stating that those taken as slaves, servants, or coerced into marriage due to famine, war, or bandits from Qingzhou and Xuzhou could decide whether to leave or stay, and they must not be forced to stay. Anyone who dares to disobey will face punishment for trafficking in persons!
That summer brought relentless rain. General Wang Chang, a loyal officer of the Han Dynasty, was appointed as the Grand General of Hengye. On the day of Dinghai in the eighth month, the former Prince of Hejian, Shao, was reinstated as Prince of Hejian.
Kui Xiao rebelled in the Anding area, and the Grand General of the West, Feng Yi, and the General of Conquering the Barbarians, Ji Zun, led troops to suppress him and drove him back. In winter, the governors of Taifu in Shuofang, Tian Sa, and Yunzhong, Qiao Hu, each brought their respective counties to surrender to the court.
That year, the court abolished the positions of Chief of Changshui and Chief of She-sheng.
In the second year (XX AD) of January, General Lai She of the Zhonglang launched a surprise attack on Lueyang, killed the commander loyal to Kui Xiao, and occupied Lueyang City. In April, the Colonel of the Imperial Secretariat, Fu Kang, was imprisoned and eventually died in jail. Kui Xiao attacked Lai She but failed to capture it. In the leap month, the Emperor personally led the army to subdue Kui Xiao. General Dou Rong of Hexi led the prefects of five counties to join the Emperor's army in Gaoping. The Longyou region suffered defeat, Kui Xiao fled to Xicheng and was surrounded by Grand Marshal Wu Han and General Cen Peng; the Emperor advanced to Shanggui, but Kui Xiao stubbornly refused to surrender, so the Emperor ordered the Tiger Tooth General Gai Yan and the Jianwei General Geng Yan to attack him. Meanwhile, bandits from Yingchuan were rampaging through the countryside, even capturing some counties, and the garrison in Hedong also defected, which sent the capital into a panic.
In the autumn, the region experienced severe flooding. In August, the Emperor rushed east from Shanggui overnight. On the Geng Shen day, the Emperor returned to the palace. On this day, the Emperor personally led the troops to punish the Yingchuan bandits, who all capitulated. Marquis Zhang Bu of Anqiu rebelled and fled to Langye, where Chen Jun, the Prefect of Langye, captured him. On the day of Wuyin, the Emperor returned triumphantly from Yingchuan.
In the tenth month of Bingwu, the Emperor traveled to Huaixian. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Emperor returned from Huaixian. Gongsun Shu sent troops to rescue Kui Xiao, while Wu Han, Gai Yan, and others led their troops back to Chang'an. Tianshui and Longxi surrendered to Kui Xiao again.
In the twelfth month, an envoy from Goguryeo arrived to pay tribute. That year, there was also a great flood.
In the spring of the 23rd year AD, in January, Kui Xiao died, and his subordinates Wang Yuan and Zhou Zong made Kui Chuan, the son of Kui Xiao, the king. The government relocated the officials and populace of Yanmen County to Taiyuan.
On the day of Xinhai in March, the court had just created the position of Left Colonel of the Green Turbans. Gongsun Shu sent the generals Tian Rong and Ren Man to occupy Jingmen.
On the day of Bing Xu in June, the emperor visited Goushi for recreation and also climbed Mount Huanyuan. The emperor dispatched Grand Marshal Wu Han to lead four generals in battle against Jia Lan, a subordinate of Gao Liu and Lu Fang, but they suffered defeat. In August, the emperor tasked General Lang Jiang with overseeing General Feng Yi and five other generals in their campaign against Wei Chun in Tianshui. General Du Mao clashed with Jia Lan in Fanzhi, but Du Mao's forces were defeated. That year, the court eliminated the position of Guan Duwei and created the role of Huqiang Xiaowei. In January of the year 24 AD, Grand Marshal Wu Han led General Wang Ba and five other generals to fight against Jia Lan in Gao Liu again, and the Xiongnu dispatched troops to aid Jia Lan. Our troops engaged them and successfully repelled their advance. The court also renovated the Gaomiao temple in Chang'an. In the summer, General Feng Yi defeated Zhao Kuang, a leader of Gongsun Shu in Tianshui, and killed him. Sadly, General Feng Yi also passed away. On Ji Hai day in August, the emperor returned to Chang'an, worshipped at the Gaomiao, and then went to worship eleven tombs. On the day of Wu Xu, the emperor went to Pi. General Gao Jun of Kui Xiao defected. In October, General Lang Jiang and his forces defeated Wei Chun at Luomen, and Wei Chun's subordinate, Wang Yuan, fled to Shu. Wei Chun and Zhou Zong surrendered, and the Longyou region was finally brought under control. During this time, the Xianling Qiang once again troubled Jincheng and Longxi. General Lai She led his troops in a battle against the Qiang in Wuxi, achieving a resounding victory. On Geng Yin day, the emperor returned to the palace. That year, the court dissolved Dingxiang County and relocated its residents to Xihe. King Liu She of Sishui and King Liu Zhong of Zichuan both passed away. On Ji Mao day in February of the year 25 AD, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Among all creations in heaven and earth, human life is the most valuable. From now on, anyone who kills slaves or servants will face severe penalties."
On the Jiyu day in March, the emperor visited Nanyang and then Zhangling, and held sacrifices at the imperial tombs. Prince Chengyang Liu Zhi passed away. On Gengwu day, the emperor returned to the palace.
During the leap month, General Cen Peng, along with three other generals, defeated Gongsun Shu's troops commanded by Tian Rong and Ren Man in Jingmen, capturing Ren Man. General Feng Jun besieged Tian Rong in Jiangzhou, while Cen Peng led the navy to attack Gongsun Shu, bringing peace to Bajun.
On the Dingmao day in April, the court abolished the positions of the Grand Minister and the Director. The Xianbei Qiang tribes harassed Lintao once again.
In June, Colonel Liu She and General Ma Cheng defeated Gongsun Shu's troops led by Wang Yuan and Huan An. Later, Huan An sent assassins to kill Colonel Liu She. The emperor personally led the campaign against Gongsun Shu.
In July, the army arrived near Chang'an. In August, Cen Peng defeated Hou Dan, a general under Gongsun Shu, in Huangshi. General Zang Gong and Gongsun Shu's Yan Zeng fought at Shenshui, winning a decisive victory. Wang Yuan surrendered. The emperor returned to the capital from Chang'an. On Guihai day, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Anyone who dares to punish slaves and maidservants by burning will face legal consequences, and those who have been burned shall be freed as commoners."
On the Renwu day in October of winter, the emperor issued a decree abolishing the law that allowed slaves and maidservants to be shot with arrows and killed. Gongsun Shu sent assassins to kill General Cen Peng. Ma Cheng pacified Wudu and then, alongside Ma Yuan, the Prefect of Longxi, defeated the Xianbei Qiang, resettling them in Tianshui, Longxi, and Fufeng.
In December, Grand Marshal Wu Han led the navy to attack Gongsun Shu. That year, the position of Governor of Shuofang was abolished and merged into Bingzhou. It was also mandated that governors could no longer report back independently.
In the first month of the twelfth year in spring, Grand Marshal Wu Han and Gongsun Shu's general Shi Xing fought in Wuyang, and Shi Xing was killed. On the day of Guichou in the third month, the emperor issued an edict, stating that the people of Longxi and Shu regions who were taken as slaves due to war and those who reported their grievances, as well as those that the government had not yet reported, would all be exempted from servitude.
In the summer, Ganlu fell in Nanxing Tang. In the sixth month, a yellow dragon was sighted in Dong'e. In the seventh month of autumn, General Weilu Feng Jun captured Jiangzhou and took Tian Rong prisoner. In the ninth month, Wu Han defeated the general Xie Feng of Gongsun Shu in Guangdu, killing Xie Feng. The auxiliary general Zang Gong captured Fucheng and killed Gongsun Hui. Grand Marshal Li Tong was dismissed.
On the day of Wuyin in the eleventh month of winter, Wu Han, Zang Gong, and Gongsun Shu fought in Chengdu, achieving a decisive victory. Gongsun Shu was injured and died that night. On the day of Xinsi, Wu Han ravaged Chengdu, annihilated the Gongsun Shu family, as well as Yan Cen and others. On the day of Xinmao in the twelfth month, General Yangwu Ma Cheng acted as the Grand Marshal.
In a certain year, the barbarian leader Zhang You from Jiuzhen County submitted to the court with his people and was appointed as the Lord of Guihanli. The court assigned Jincheng County to Longxi County's jurisdiction. The Wolf Qiang tribe rebelled, attacking Wudu County and Longxi County. The Prefect of Longxi, Ma Yuan, led troops to suppress the rebellion and bring them to submission. The court instructed border officials: if the troops are not enough to fight, they should defend their positions; when pursuing the enemy, they should be flexible according to the situation and not be bound by set time limits. At this time, Grand General Wang Chang passed away. The court sent the General of Cavalry, Du Mao, to lead the armies from various counties to the northern border, constructing pavilions, watchtowers, and signal towers.
Next, on the specific date in the first month of the year Gengshen, the Grand Tutor Hou Ba passed away. On the specific date of Wuzi, the emperor issued a decree: "Although I have previously ordered all counties and states not to offer any more exotic treasures and delicacies, there are still people sending them. This not only adds to the hassle of selection and transportation, but also wears out travelers and wastes money. In the future, the Imperial Household Department, which handles the royal cuisine, will no longer accept these tribute items. As for the offerings to the ancestral temples from distant places, the previous system will still be followed."
In the second month, the court sent General Ma Wu, known for capturing enemies, to station troops at the Hutuo River to guard against the Xiongnu. Lu Fang fled from Wuyuan to the Xiongnu. On the specific date of Bingchen, the emperor issued a decree: "The succession of titles for Changsha King Xing, Zhending King De, Hejian King Shao, and Zhongshan King Mao does not conform to the rites. Now Xing will be appointed as Marquis of Linxiang, De as Marquis of Zhending, Shao as Marquis of Lecheng, and Mao as Marquis of Danfu." A total of 137 members of the imperial clan and descendants of those whose fiefs were abolished were granted marquis titles. On the specific date of Dingsi, Zhao Wang Liang was demoted to Duke of Zhao, Taiyuan Wang Zhang was made Duke of Qi, and Lu Wang Xing was made Duke of Lu. On the specific date of Gengwu, Duke Kong An of Yanshao was enfeoffed as Duke of Song, and Duke Ji Wu of Zhouchengxiu was made Duke of Wei. The court also dissolved thirteen kingdoms in Bingzhou and the Western Capital area: Guangping County was combined with Julu County, Zhending County was combined with Changshan County, Hejian County was combined with Xindu County, Chengyang County was combined with Langye County, Sishui County was combined with Guangling County, Zichuan County was combined with Gaomi County, Jiaodong County was combined with Beihai County, Liu'an County was combined with Lujiang County, and Guangyang County was combined with Shanggu County.
On the specific date in the third month, Xinwei, Han Xin was appointed as the Prefect of Pei County and promoted to Grand Tutor. On the specific date of Bingzi, the Grand Minister of Construction, Ma Cheng, was dismissed.
In April, Grand Marshal Wu Han returned to the capital from his hometown in Sichuan and hosted a grand feast to reward and honor the soldiers. A total of 365 heroes received promotions, titles, and expanded land grants! In addition to these, 45 members of the imperial family also received rewards. At the same time, the court abolished the positions of Left and Right Generals, and even the renowned General Geng Yan was dismissed. From Yizhou, the musicians, instruments, ceremonial vehicles, and various vehicles left by Gongsun Shu were sent over, completing the court's ceremonial music and ritual system. With the war over and peace restored, the court simplified its documents and duties, retaining only about one-tenth of them. On the Jia Yin day, Dou Rong was appointed as Grand Minister of Works.
In May, the Xiongnu again harassed the Hedong region.
In July, the leader of the White Horse Qiang tribe on the Guanghan border surrendered to the court with his people.
In September, the tribes on the Jinan border offered white pheasants and rabbits as tribute.
On the Jia Yin day in December, the court ordered the release of all those who had been enslaved by the Xiongnu in Yizhou over the past eight years, restoring them to free citizens. Those who had become concubines and wished to leave were allowed to do so, with penalties for anyone who attempted to forcibly retain them, in accordance with the trafficking laws in Qingzhou and Xuzhou. At the same time, the court reestablished the Jincheng Commandery.
In the first month of the fourteenth year, the court began construction on the front hall of the Southern Palace. The Xiongnu sent envoys to pay tribute, and the court sent a general to visit and express thanks.
On the Xin Si day in April, Zhi, a descendant of Confucius, was appointed as Marquis Baocheng.
In the Yuesui region, a man named Ren Gui claimed the title of prefect and sent people to offer advice.
In September, a man from Pingcheng, Jia Dan, killed Yin You, the leader of Lu Fang, and surrendered.
That year, Kuaiji Commandery experienced a major outbreak of plague. The states of Shache and Shanshan also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the Guimao day in December, the court issued an order that all the people who had been captured and enslaved in Yizhou and Liangzhou for eight years could be freed if they turned themselves in to the authorities, restoring their status as free people without needing to reclaim the money they were sold for.
On the Xinchou day in the first month of the fifteenth year, the Grand Tutor Han Xin was dismissed and subsequently took his own life. On the Dingwei day, a comet appeared in the sky, sweeping past the Pleiades constellation.
Ouyang He was appointed as Grand Tutor, replacing Han Xin. Grand General Jianyi Zhu You was also dismissed.
On Dingwei day again, another comet appeared, this time near the Ying Shi constellation.
In February, the court moved the people of Yanmen, Dai, and Shanggu counties to areas east of Changshan Pass and Juyong Pass.
After the Shu area was pacified, Grand Marshal Wu Han submitted a memorial to the emperor requesting that his son be conferred the title of king. The emperor refused, and Wu Han repeatedly submitted memorials for several years. In March, the emperor finally ordered the ministers to discuss the matter. Grand Minister Rong, Duke Tong of Gushi, Duke Fu of Jiaodong, Duke Yu of Gaomi, and the Minister of Ceremonies jointly submitted a memorial saying: "In ancient times, the enfeoffment of vassals was to protect the capital. In the Zhou Dynasty, eight hundred vassals were enfeoffed, all of the same surname and relatives, who established states and assisted the royal family together, respected the emperor, and the country lasted long. This is a model for later generations to follow! As stated in the Book of Songs: 'Greatly assist your abode to support the Zhou family.' Emperor Gaozu was wise and valiant, unified the world, valued kinship, and enfeoffed his brothers and sons as kings, which was in accordance with tradition. Now Your Majesty is virtuous, has restored the imperial lineage, commended meritorious subjects, rewarded those who have contributed, and been close to the nine clans. Both meritorious subjects and the imperial family have received titles; many have been granted extensive lands, with some even receiving multiple counties. Now the princes have grown up and can pay their respects to you. Your Majesty, being humble and cautious, has delayed the decision, which has disappointed both the courtiers and the populace! It should be done on an auspicious day in midsummer to bestow kingships upon them, in order to strengthen the vassal states, highlight kinship, respect the ancestral temple, consolidate the state, conform to ancient customs, and satisfy everyone's wishes. We suggest that the Grand Minister take a map, the Minister of Ceremonies choose an auspicious day, and prepare for the ceremony." The emperor said, "Approved!"
On the day of Wushen in the fourth month, the emperor performed a grand offering to the ancestral temple. On the day of Dingsi, he sent Grand Minister Rong to the ancestral temple to officially confer titles on the princes: Fu, Duke of Yiyi; Ying, Duke of Chu; Yang, Duke of Donghai; Kang, Duke of Jinan; Cang, Duke of Dongping; Yan, Duke of Huaiyang; Jing, Duke of Shanyang; Heng, Duke of Linhuai; Yan, Duke of Zuo Yi; and Jing, Duke of Langye. On the day of Guichou, the emperor posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Qiwu on his brother Bosheng and the title of Duke of Lu'ai on his other brother Zhong.
On the sixth day of the sixth month, the court re-established the positions of Tunqi, Changshui, and Shesheng as military officers and renamed the Left Captain of the Qingjin as the Yueqi Captain. The emperor also ordered all states and counties to inspect and verify the amount of land and the age of the population, while also investigating corrupt practices such as bribery among officials holding positions with a grain capacity of two thousand stones or more.
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Grand Tutor Ouyang She was imprisoned and executed. On the twelfth day of the twelfth month, Dai She, the Marquis of Guannei, succeeded Ouyang She as Grand Tutor. Lu Fang returned from the Xiongnu and settled in the town of Gaoliu.
That year, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Du Mao, was dismissed, and General of the Tiger's Teeth, Gai Yan, passed away. In the spring of the sixteenth year, during the second month, a woman named Wei Ce led a rebellion in Jiaozhi (northern Vietnam) and captured some cities. A solar eclipse occurred on the last day of the third month.
By the ninth month of autumn, Zhang Ji and more than ten county governors in Henan were arrested and sentenced to death for improper land measurements. Wealthy households, military leaders, and bandits throughout the region rose in rebellion, looting and killing officials. When government troops arrived, the rebels dispersed, only to regroup once the troops left. The conditions in Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Youzhou, and Jizhou were especially dire. In the tenth month of winter, the court dispatched messengers to various regions, permitting bandits to inform on one another. If five people together beheaded a bandit, they would be pardoned for their crimes. Officials who deliberately delayed or condoned banditry were not held accountable, as long as bandits were captured. Local officials who failed to capture bandits in their jurisdictions or abandoned cities out of fear were not investigated. Only those who harbored bandits were deemed criminals. Consequently, everyone pursued the bandits, and they all dispersed. The court relocated the leaders of the bandits to other counties, allocated land to them, and provided food rations to encourage their farming efforts. Since then, cattle and horses could graze freely, and the city gates no longer needed to be closed.
Lu Fang sent envoys to request surrender. On the Jia Chen day in December, the court appointed Lu Fang as the King of Dai. After Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, it was said that the currency was in disarray, with cloth, gold, and grain all used as currency. In the first month of the seventeenth year of the reign, Zhao Gongliang passed away. At the end of the second month, a solar eclipse occurred. In the fourth month of summer, on the day of Yi Mao, the Emperor went on a southern hunting expedition with the Crown Prince and his advisors. In the seventh month of autumn, sorcerers, including Li Guang, gathered in Wancheng, and the court dispatched General Ma Yuan and General Duan Zhi to suppress them. By the ninth month, Wancheng had fallen, and Li Guang and his followers were executed. On the day of Xin Si in the twenty-eighth year, the Emperor deposed Empress Guo, reappointing her as the Empress Dowager of Zhongshan, and established Lady Yin as the new Empress. The remaining nine princes were elevated to kings. The Emperor visited Zhangling, renovated gardens and temples, conducted rituals, and hosted feasts for his officials. In December, the Emperor returned to Luoyang after his visit to Zhangling. That year, the Kingdom of Shache sent envoys to pay tribute.
In the twenty-ninth year of the Emperor's reign, in the second month, Shi Xin, the governor of Shu commandery, rebelled. The Emperor dispatched Grand Marshal Wu Han and two generals to suppress the rebellion and besiege Chengdu. On the Jiayin day, the Emperor went on a hunting expedition to Chang'an. On the Renwu day in the third month, the Emperor made sacrifices at Gao Temple and then at eleven tombs. Passing through the Fengyi region, he continued on to Puban to pay homage to the Earth Deity. On the Guichou day in the fourth month, the Emperor returned to the palace in his carriage. On the Jiaxu day, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "Now the border regions that steal fifty bushels of grain will be punished by death. This opens the door for cruel officials to kill innocent people. This law should be abolished, and a unified standard should be established for the internal regions." The Emperor sent General Fubo Ma Yuan to deal with the bandits in Jiaozhi. On the Jiashen day, the Emperor traveled to Henei. On the Wuzi day, the Emperor returned from Henei to Luoyang. In May, there was a drought. Lu Fang fled again, seeking refuge with the Xiongnu. In July, Wu Han captured Chengdu and killed Shi Xin and others. On the Renxu day, the Emperor pardoned all criminals in Yizhou who had committed lesser offenses. On the Gengchen day in October, the Emperor traveled to Yicheng and, upon returning, made sacrifices at Zhangling. On the Yichou day in December, the Emperor's carriage returned to the palace. In that year, the Emperor abolished the role of provincial governor and created the position of inspector.
In the thirtieth year of the Emperor's reign, on the Gengzi day in the first month, the Emperor posthumously honored Emperor Xiaoxuan with the title Emperor Zhongzong. He began offering sacrifices to Emperor Zhao and Emperor Yuan at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, as well as to Emperor Cheng, Emperor Ai, and Emperor Ping in Chang'an, and to the ancestors of Chongling in Zhangling. The sorcerer Shan Chen, Fu Zhen, and others rebelled and took control of the original Wu. The Emperor dispatched Grand Master Zang Gong to deal with them. In April, they captured the original Wu and killed Shan Chen, Fu Zhen, and others. General Fubo Ma Yuan defeated the rebels in Jiaozhi, killing Wei Ce and others. He then defeated Du Yang, the leader of the rebels in the Jiuzhen region, bringing them to submission.
In the leap month of the Wushen year, the Emperor upgraded the Kings of Zhao, Qi, and Lu from vassal states to full kingdoms. On the Wushen day of the sixth month, the Emperor proclaimed, "The Spring and Autumn Annals say that appointing the eldest son as the heir is the only way to achieve nobility. The Prince of Donghai, Liu Yang, being the son of the Empress, should inherit the throne. Crown Prince Liu Qiang, being humble, is willing to serve as a vassal king. The bond between father and son has grown precious after a long separation. Hence, let Liu Qiang be King of Donghai, Liu Yang be Crown Prince, and change his name to Liu Zhuang!"
In the ninth month of autumn, the Emperor set out on a southern inspection. On the day of Renshen, he arrived in Nanyang, then proceeded to Nandun County in Runan, where he hosted a feast for officials and the people, granting the county a year-long exemption from land rent. The local elders bowed deeply and said, "The late Emperor (Emperor Guangwu) used to stay here frequently; Your Majesty knows this place well, and you've always shown us great kindness on your visits. We hope you can exempt us from land rent for ten years." The Emperor replied, "Governing the world is a heavy responsibility, and I fear my abilities are insufficient. Day by day, how could I dare promise ten years?" The officials and people said, "Your Majesty, you actually cherish us greatly, why be so modest?" The Emperor laughed heartily and exempted another year. Later, he visited Huaiyang, Liangguo, and Peiguo.
Rebels from the southwestern barbarians invaded Yizhou, and the Emperor dispatched General Liu Shang of Wuwei to suppress them. Ren Gui, the Prefect of Yueyi, also rebelled. In the twelfth month, Liu Shang attacked Ren Gui and killed him.
That year, the Emperor appointed a commandant for Hangu Pass and renovated the palaces in the Western Capital.
On Wuzi day in the second month of spring the following year, the Emperor's chariot returned to the palace.
On Gengchen day in the fourth month of summer, Grand Minister Dai She was imprisoned and later executed, and Grand Minister Dou Rong was dismissed.
On Xinhai day in the fifth month, Grand Marshal Wu Han passed away.
The Xiongnu invaded Shangdang and Tianshui, pushing all the way to Fufeng.
On the day of Gengyin in June, Cai Mao, the Governor of Guanghan, was appointed as the Grand Chancellor, and Zhu Fu, the Grand Minister of Works, was appointed as the Grand Minister of War. On the day of Renchen, Liu Long, the General of the Left, was appointed to act as the Grand Marshal. On the day of Yiwei, Prince Zhongshan Liu Fu was promoted to the title of Prince of Pei.
In autumn, the Han people from Dongyi led their troops to surrender in Lelang Commandery.
In the tenth month of winter, the Emperor embarked on an eastern tour. On the day of Jiawu, he arrived in the State of Lu, then went to Donghai, Chuguo, and Peiguo.
In December, the Xiongnu invaded Tianshui. On the day of Renyin, the Emperor's chariot returned to the palace.
In that year, the Emperor abolished Wuyuan Commandery, relocating its officials and residents to Hedong Commandery. He also exempted the residents of Jiyang County from six years of corvée labor.
In the first month of the twenty-first year of the era, General of Wuwei Liu Shang defeated the rebel forces in Yizhou and quelled the rebellion.
In the spring of the twenty-first year, the nomadic tribes on the border rebelled, gathering in the Qing Mountains. The court sent the Minister of War, Chen, to suppress the rebellion, which was swiftly quelled.
In autumn, the Xianbei invaded Liaodong, but Ji Hong, the Governor of Liaodong, decisively defeated them. In the tenth month of winter, the court sent General Fubo Ma Yuan to confront Niao Huan, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The Xiongnu also continued to harass the Shanggu and Zhongshan regions. It was also in that winter that sixteen small kingdoms, including the King of Shanshan and the King of Cheshi, sent their princes to pay tribute and seek favor, requesting the establishment of a Protectorate. The Emperor, believing the country had only just stabilized, had no time to attend to these foreign matters, so he sent the princes back, bestowing upon them generous gifts.
In the spring of the second year, the emperor went to Chang'an to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple and also offered sacrifices at eleven imperial tombs. In early February, the emperor returned from Chang'an. On the last day of May, a solar eclipse occurred. In July, the Chief Commandant, Su Ye, was imprisoned and eventually passed away. In September, an earthquake occurred, and the ground split open! The emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently there was an earthquake, and Nanyang suffered the most severe disaster. The earth, which should bear the heaviest load of all things, should be still, but now it has cracked. This responsibility lies with me as the emperor! It must be due to my lack of virtue that angered the deities, hence the calamity! I am truly frightened! I order that this year's land rent and fodder in Nanyang be exempted! Send investigators to investigate and reduce the sentences of those sentenced to death before this earthquake to a lesser crime; release those who have been sentenced, and give them silk and cotton clothes. Provide each affected family with three thousand coins for funeral expenses. Families whose houses were damaged due to unpaid taxes will not be pursued for damages. If officials die or are trapped under collapsed houses and their families are weak and unable to clean up, give them money to hire help."
In the winter of October, the Grand Minister of Public Works, Zhu Fu, was dismissed, and the next day, the Palace Attendant, Du Lin, took over as the Grand Minister of Public Works. That year, Prince Qi died, and there was a locust plague in Qingzhou. The Xiongnu's Dayan Chanyu sent envoys to Yuyang seeking peace, and the court sent Commandant Li Mao to respond. The Wuhuan defeated the Xiongnu, causing the Xiongnu to flee north, leaving the Muzhong region deserted. The court ordered the removal of the captains and soldiers from the border counties. In the twenty-third year of the Common Era, in January, the tribes in Nanjun rebelled, and the court sent General Liu Shang to suppress the rebellion and relocate the rebellious tribes to Jiangxia. In May, the Grand Minister of Instruction, Cai Mao, died. In August, the Grand Minister of Public Works, Du Lin, also died. In September, Yu Kuang, the Prefect of Chenliu, was appointed as the Grand Minister of Public Works.
In the year X (specific year inferred from context, omitted here), on the Bing Shen day in October, Zhang Chun was appointed as the Grand Preceptor. On this day, some tribal leaders from Goguryeo also surrendered in Lelang Commandery.
In December, the barbarians in the Wuling region rebelled, wreaking havoc everywhere. The court dispatched Liu Shang to quell them, but his forces were utterly annihilated at the Battle of Yuanshui. At the same time, the Xiongnu's King Yuzhan Rizhuang sent envoys to pledge allegiance in Xihexun Commandery.
In the second year (X+1 AD), on the Yi Hai day in January, the court issued a general amnesty. King Yuzhan Rizhuang of the Xiongnu sent envoys to Wuyuan Pass, requesting assistance from the court to defend against other Xiongnu tribes in the north. In July, during the autumn, the barbarians from Wuling attacked Linyuan. The court sent emissary Li Song and Zhongshan Commandant Ma Cheng to suppress them, but it was unsuccessful. Therefore, General Fubo Ma Yuan was dispatched with four other generals to conquer them. At the same time, the relevant authorities were instructed to reaffirm the previous system concerning vassal tribes and feudal lords.
In October, King Yuzhan Rizhuang of the Xiongnu proclaimed himself the Southern Chanyu, splitting the Xiongnu into Southern Xiongnu and Northern Xiongnu.
In the second year (X+2 AD), in January, the Mo people invaded several commanderies on the Liaodong border, including You Beiping, Yuyang, Shanggu, and Taiyuan. The Governor of Liaodong, Ji Hong, managed to bring them to surrender. The leader of the Wuhuan also came to pay homage to the emperor. The Southern Chanyu dispatched envoys bearing tribute and submission; he also sent his Left Wise King to attack the Northern Xiongnu, reclaiming over a thousand li of territory. In March, the Southern Chanyu sent his son to serve the emperor. On the last day of the Wu Shen month, a solar eclipse occurred. General Fubo Ma Yuan and others finally defeated the barbarians from Wuling in Linyuan. By October, all the rebellious barbarians surrendered. The King of Buyeo also sent envoys to offer tribute. That year, the Wuhuan leader brought his people to submit to the court and present tribute.
In the second year (X+3 AD) of the reign, the court ordered the relevant departments to raise officials' salaries. Among them, the salaries of officials ranked above a thousand shi were reduced compared to the old system in the western capital, while the salaries of officials ranked below six hundred shi were increased. That year, the court began the construction of the mausoleum. Dou Rong, the chief architect responsible for the mausoleum, reported to the emperor: "The scale of the tomb is very large, and the costs involved are hard to estimate." The emperor said: "The funerals of ancient emperors were all done with pottery and tiles, wooden carts and grass horses, so that future generations would not know where the tomb is. Emperor Taizong grasped the principles of life and death, and Emperor Jing could inherit and follow filial piety. Although they experienced great chaos in the world, the Ba Ling tomb remained intact and benefited from it, isn't that a good thing! Therefore, I order that the mausoleum should not exceed an area of two to three hectares; do not build tall tombs, just have a pond with flowing water."
General Duan Chen was tasked with delivering the emperor's token to the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, allowing him to stay in Yunzhong Commandery. A special position of "Xiongnu Commander" was established, and soldiers were sent to protect him. The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu even sent his son as a pledge and personally came to meet the emperor. Now, the residents of the eight commanderies—Yunzhong, Wuyuan, Shuofang, Beidi, Dingxiang, Yanmen, Shanggu, and Dai—have all returned to their hometowns. The emperor also sent officials to various places to address illegal activities and repair the city walls. The border residents in the Central Plains were also repatriated, each receiving money and food.
In the year 27 AD, on the day of the fourth month, the Grand Minister of Works, Yu Kuang, passed away. On the day of the fifth month, the Emperor ordered: "In the past, the Grand Minister of Works and the Grand Minister of Agriculture did not have the word 'Grand' in their titles, so let's remove the word 'Grand' from these two official positions!" He also changed the Grand Marshal to Grand Commandant. The General of Chariots and Cavalry, Liu Long, who also held the position of Grand Commandant, was dismissed on that day. The Grand Herald, Zhao Xi, was appointed as the Grand Commandant, and the Minister of Agriculture, Feng Qin, was appointed as the Grand Minister of Works. The barbarian tribes on the border of Yizhou all submitted to the court. The Northern Xiongnu sent envoys to Wuwei to request peace. In the winter, Prince Lu Xing and Prince Shi of Qi returned to their respective fiefdoms.
On the day of the first month in the year 28 AD, Prince Lu Xing was moved to Beihai to become a king, and the land of Lu was incorporated into Donghai Commandery. The Emperor also granted the King of Donghai several musical instruments, such as the tiger shield, the horsehair crest, and the bell. On the day of the sixth month, Empress Dowager Guo passed away, and the Emperor ordered the arrest of the guests of the royal family nationwide, resulting in the execution of thousands. On the day of the eighth month, the King of Donghai, the Prince of Pei, the King of Chu, the King of Jinan, and the King of Huaiyang all returned to their respective fiefdoms. On the day of the tenth month, the Emperor ordered all death-sentenced prisoners to be sent to hard labor, and female prisoners should enter the palace as palace maids. The Northern Xiongnu again sent envoys to offer tribute and request peace.
On the day of the second month in the year 29 AD, on the first day, there was a solar eclipse. The Emperor ordered an investigation into wrongful cases and released the imprisoned prisoners. On the day of the seventh month, the Emperor elevated the rank of all adult males in the country by two levels; elderly widows, orphans, single individuals, disabled persons, and the impoverished received five measures of grain each. On the day of the fourth month, the Emperor ordered that all prisoners should have their sentences reduced by one level, and other criminals could either pay for their crimes or serve labor, with each case handled individually.
In the first month of the year 30 AD, the leader of the Xianbei submitted to the court and had an audience with the emperor. In the second month, the emperor embarked on a hunting trip to the east. On the Jiazi day, he arrived in the Lu Kingdom and then went to Jinan. On the Guichou day of the intercalary month, the emperor returned to the palace. A comet appeared in the sky near the Purple Palace.
On the Wuzi day in April of 140 BC, the Left Yiwang was moved to Zhongshan Kingdom as the Zhongshan King.
In May, there was a great flood. Oh, what a year of disasters! The emperor ordered all adult males in the country to be promoted by two ranks; widowers, widows, orphans, single individuals, disabled persons, and those who were too poor to survive each received five hu of grain as relief.
On the Dingyou day in July, the emperor made a covert visit to the Lu Kingdom. He also exempted Jiyang County from labor service this year. On the Dingyou day in November, the emperor returned from the Lu Kingdom.
In May of 140 BC, there was another great flood! It’s like trouble always comes in waves! On the Wuchen day, the emperor once again ordered that all adult males in the country be promoted by two ranks; widowers, widows, orphans, single individuals, disabled persons, and those who were too poor to survive each received six hu of grain, even more than last time! The Guiyou day was the end of the month, and there was a solar eclipse that day—what a troublesome autumn it was! That summer, there was also a locust plague—what a string of natural disasters! On the Jiachen day in September, the emperor ordered that all death-row prisoners were to rear silkworms, and the women were to work in the palace. That year, Chenliu experienced a millet rain, with the grains growing like foxtail millet. The Northern Xiongnu also sent envoys to pay tribute, which was seen as a positive development.
In the first month of the first year of Zhongyuan, the kings of Donghai, Pei, Chu, Jinan, Huaiyang, and Zhao came to pay their respects to the emperor. On Dingmao day, the emperor went on a hunting trip to the east. On Jimao day in the second month, the emperor arrived in the state of Lu and then went to Mount Tai. The kings of Beihai and Qi also came to court in Dongyue. On Xinmao day, the emperor worshiped at Mount Tai and then performed the Fengshan ceremony. On Jiawu day, the abdication ceremony took place at Liangfushan. On Wuchen day in the third month, Zhang Chun, the Minister of Works, passed away. On Guiyou day in the fourth month, the emperor returned to the palace. On Jimao day, the emperor issued a general amnesty and exempted the counties of Ying, Bo, Liangfu, and Fenggao from land taxes and fodder for the year. The era name was changed to Zhongyuan. The emperor also went to Chang'an and performed sacrifices at Changling on Wuzi day. On Yichou day in the fifth month, the emperor returned from Chang'an. On Xinmao day in the sixth month, Feng Hao, the Grand Protector, was appointed as Minister of Works. On Yiwu day, the Minister of Education Feng Qin passed away.
In the summer, the Li Quan spring in the capital city began to flow, and those who drank from the spring were cured of their ailments, except for the blind and the lame. Red grass also grew by the spring. Reports from various counties kept coming in about the appearance of sweet dew. The ministers submitted a memorial saying, "This is a sign from the earth spirits, and the red grass grew as a result. Emperor Xiaoxuan changed the era name whenever he saw auspicious signs, such as Divine Grace, Five Phoenixes, Sweet Dew, and Yellow Dragon, all of which were used as era names to express reverence for the divine and showcase his virtue and reputation. This ushered in peace and stability, a time known as a period of prosperity. Now that the world is peaceful and auspicious signs have appeared again, Your Majesty, with your humility, how can you let these auspicious signs go unacknowledged? They should be recorded by the court historians and passed down to future generations." However, the emperor did not agree, always modestly claiming no credit and ignoring the auspicious signs reported by the counties and states, which is why so few of these events were recorded by the historians.
In autumn, locust plagues struck various counties. On Xinyou day in the tenth month, Li Xun, the Colonel of Donglai, was appointed as Minister of Education.
On the day of Jia Shen, the Chancellor was sent to Gaomiao for sacrifices, saying, "The Emperor and his ministers agreed that only the Liu clan should rule. Empress Dowager Lu harmed the three Zhao families and wanted the Lu clan to become kings. Fortunately, with the protection of the deities of the land and grain, Lu Lu and Lu Chan were executed, and the imperial family nearly faced annihilation. The country was stabilized. Empress Dowager Lu does not deserve to be enshrined in Gaomiao with Emperor Gaozu, sharing honor. Empress Dowager Bo exemplified virtue and compassion. Emperor Xiaowen was wise and governed the country well, ensuring blessings for future generations and the continuity of the state to this day. Empress Dowager Bo should be revered as Empress Gao, to be enshrined with the earth spirits. Move the tablet of Empress Dowager Lu to the garden for regular sacrifices."
At the end of the eleventh month of Jia Zi, a solar eclipse occurred.
In that year, the construction of the Mingtang, Lingtai, Biyong, and the sacrificial grounds in the northern suburbs commenced. Prophetic diagrams were publicly announced. Labor was requisitioned once more from Ji Yang and Nan Dun. The Wolf Qiang tribe invaded Wudu, defeated the county soldiers, and the Prefect of Longxi, Liu Xu, sent troops to rescue. The soldiers of Wudu also participated in quelling the rebellious Qiang tribes, ultimately defeating them.
In the second year of the first month of Xin Wei, the altar in the northern suburbs was officially completed, and the worship of the Earth began.
The king of the Eastern Yi Woni sent envoys to pay tribute.
In the second month of Wu Xu, the Emperor passed away in the main hall of the Southern Palace at the age of sixty-two. In his edict, he stated, "I have not contributed to the welfare of the people. Everything should be handled according to the system of Emperor Xiaowen, with strict frugality. Governors and officials of two thousand stones are not allowed to leave the city walls, nor send messengers or submit memorials via postal service."
It is said that Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, grew weary of war after spending a long time on the battlefield, and he understood that the common people were exhausted and yearning for peace. Since pacifying Longxi and Shu, he rarely mentioned going to war unless it was absolutely necessary. When the Crown Prince asked him about military strategies, Liu Xiu said, "When Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about the military of Chen, even Confucius did not answer. You don't need to concern yourself with this." He held court every morning and often didn't finish until the sun was setting. He frequently gathered ministers, officials, and generals to discuss state affairs, often working until late at night before resting.
Seeing how hardworking the Emperor was, the Crown Prince couldn't help but advise, "Father, you have the wisdom of Yu and Tang, but you haven't enjoyed the leisurely life like the Yellow Emperor or Laozi. I hope you can take care of your spirit and live a leisurely life." However, Liu Xiu said, "I enjoy it and do not feel tired." Although he personally achieved great success, he remained diligent and never slackened, which enabled him to manage state affairs with insight, wield great power, act according to the actual situation, and avoid making mistakes. He honored his meritorious officials, promoted civil officials, confiscated weapons, and disbanded the army. Although his way of governing was not yet at the level of ancient sages, this was also a strategy to maintain peace.
The book records that Emperor Guangwu's father, Lord Liu Qin of Nandun, initially served as the magistrate of Jiyang County. In December of the first year of Jianping, when a miraculous bright red light appeared in the room, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was born in the county yamen. Liu Qin summoned the diviner Wang Chang, who discreetly spoke, avoiding those around him, "This is a sign of great fortune, indescribably good!" That year, miraculous Jiahe sprouted in Jiyang County, featuring nine ears on a single stalk, and thus people nicknamed Liu Xiu "Xiu." The following year, a diviner named Xia Heliang submitted a report to Emperor Ai, stating that the national fortune of the Han Dynasty was declining and would be commanded by heaven again. So he changed the era to Taichu, calling Liu Xiu "Emperor Taiping Chen Sheng Liu," in an attempt to seek good fortune and avert disaster. Later, Wang Mang usurped the throne and resented the Liu clan because the coins featured a design of a golden knife, so he changed the coins to "currency." Some claim that the characters for "currency" resemble "Bai Shui Zhenren." Later, Su Boa, who was skilled at observing qi, came to Nanyang at the order of Wang Mang and saw the city walls of Chongling from afar, sighing, "This place really has good Feng Shui! Lush and vibrant!" After Liu Xiu mustered his forces and returned to Chongling, he saw Shena from afar, with flames shooting into the sky, only to vanish moments later. Earlier, Taoist priests such as Simen Junhui and Li Shou had also predicted that Liu Xiu would become emperor. This emperor was indeed destined by heaven, as there were clear signs! Otherwise, how could he ride the celestial dragon and wield the heavenly mandate! It is said that Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu of the Han Dynasty was truly a remarkable talent bestowed by heaven! At that time, the world was in chaos, with bandits rampant, nearly draining the country. Fires raged across the land, shrouded in mist. The common people could not bear the tyranny of corrupt officials and scoundrels, and even the heavens could not bear to watch. Praise: The flames flicker, as great bandits ravage the land. Nine counties are in turmoil, the three spirits are shrouded in fog. People are tired of deceit and fraud, and the gods are turning towards virtue. Guangwu's birth is a divine gift, and his spirit is self-selected.
Liu Xiu, this child, was born with the aura of an emperor. This isn't just my opinion; it was decreed by the heavens! He has always been calm and strategic since childhood, and is exceptionally talented in literature. He gathered a million-strong army from Xunyang and Yiyang, each one a skilled and formidable soldier, with an unstoppable momentum, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain. They advanced, singing songs of triumph, unstoppable, defeating the enemy's forces and even setting their capital ablaze.
Shen Ji was profound, known for his deep strategies and literary prowess. A million-strong army from Xunyang and Yiyang, fierce as tigers. The chariots thunder across the battlefield, their spears raised high like comets. With his heroic spirit soaring, the new capital was set ablaze.
Later, Liu Xiu quelled the rebellions led by Liu Yong, Liu Penzi, and others, and resolved the unrest in Liang and Zhao regions. Although the Three Rivers region was still not completely stable and the Four Passes were still heavily troubled, wherever Liu Xiu's army went, it was like a divine force descending, quickly quelling rebellions.
Pious to Liu Yong and Dai, resolving the chaos in Liang and Zhao. The Three Rivers are not yet clear, the Four Passes are heavily disturbed. The divine banners are looked upon, marching to heaven's punishment.
Now, the world is finally at peace now, with regions now able to communicate and thrive. This is all thanks to Liu Xiu's wise decisions and the collective efforts of everyone! He implemented effective policies, acting swiftly and decisively, thus achieving the glory of the Han Dynasty.
The Jin Tang is at risk, the chariots traverse the roads together. The Ling Qing is opened, people praise the strategies. With clear plans in the temple, he was resolute and decisive. With a commanding presence, he secured the prosperity of our Han.
Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, whose birth name was Liu Xiu, courtesy name Wenshu, was a native of Caiyang in Nanyang and was a ninth-generation descendant of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty. His ancestor was Liu Fa, Prince Ding of Changsha, son of Emperor Jing of Han. Liu Fa fathered Liu Mai, who had a son named Liu Wai, Liu Wai had a son named Liu Hui, Liu Hui had a son named Liu Qin, who was the father of Emperor Guangwu. Emperor Guangwu became an orphan at the age of nine and was raised by his uncle Liu Liang. Standing at seven feet three inches tall, he had handsome features and a regal demeanor. He was a diligent farmer, while his brother Liu Bosheng enjoyed mingling with heroes and maintaining a retinue, often mocking Liu Xiu's farming pursuits and comparing him to Liu Zhong, the brother of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang. In the later years of Wang Mang's rule, the country faced consecutive years of disasters, locust plagues, and rampant banditry. In the third year of Di Huang, Nanyang suffered from severe famine, with many household guests turning to theft. To avoid the authorities, Liu Xiu went to Xinye and began selling grain in Wancheng. People in Wancheng, including Li Tong, predicted that the Liu family would rise again and the Li family would assist them. Liu Xiu was initially skeptical, but given his brother's connections, he believed they could achieve great things, especially as Wang Mang's rule teetered on the brink of collapse and chaos loomed. He began discussing raising troops with Li Tong and others and started acquiring weapons and crossbows. In October, at the age of twenty-eight, he and Li Yi, Li Tong's cousin, raised troops in Wancheng.
In November, a comet appeared in the sky. Liu Xiu then led his guests back to Chongling. At that time, his brother Liu Boshi had already gathered many troops and raised an army. Initially, the noble youths were all very afraid, fled and hid, saying, "Boshi wants to kill us." When they saw Liu Xiu wearing red clothes and a tall hat, they were taken aback, thinking, "Even such a careful and upright person is rebelling?" They gradually calmed down. Liu Boshi then recruited troops from Xinshi and Pinglin, and together with his generals Wang Feng and Chen Mu, they attacked Changju to the west. Liu Xiu initially rode a cow, only getting a horse after killing the county magistrate of Xinye. They then took Tangzixiang and killed the county magistrate of Huyang. The soldiers were angry at the unfair division of spoils and wanted to attack the Liu clan members. Liu Xiu collected all the property obtained by the clan members and distributed it to the soldiers, making everyone happy. Later, they captured Jiyang and fought against Wang Mang's former officials Zhen Fu and Liang Qiu Ci in Xiaochang'an, resulting in a crushing defeat for the Han army, forcing them to retreat and fortify Jiyang. On the first day of the first month in the year 23 AD, the Han army fought again with Zhen Fu and Liang Qiu Ci on the west side of the Bi River, defeating them completely. Zhen Fu and Liang Qiu Ci were both beheaded. Then, Liu Xiu's brother Liu Boshi defeated Wang Mang's generals Yan You and Chen Mao at Yuyang, and then besieged Wancheng. In early February, Liu Xuan was enthroned as emperor and appointed Liu Boshi as Grand Minister, and Liu Xiu was named Grand General of the Household.
In March, Liu Xiu, along with other generals, waged battles across various regions, capturing Kunyang, Dingling, and Yan. They seized a large number of cattle, horses, and treasures, and several hundred thousand hu of grain, all of which were transported to Wancheng for support. When Wang Mang learned of Zhen Fu and Liang Qiu's deaths and the establishment of a new emperor in the Han Dynasty, he was greatly alarmed. He quickly sent the Grand Tutor Wang Xun and the Grand Minister Wang Yi to lead a million-strong army, including 420,000 elite soldiers. By May, this army had arrived in Yingchuan, where it joined forces with Yan You and Chen Mao.
Earlier, Liu Xiu had a lawsuit with Yan You over the Chongling Marquis's family due to rent arrears. At that time, Yan You regarded Liu Xiu as quite remarkable. Now, those who had surrendered to Yan You in Wancheng informed him that Liu Xiu was not motivated by greed, but only cared about military strategy. Yan You burst into laughter and remarked, "This kid looks refined, but I never expected him to be like this!"
Initially, Wang Mang summoned 63 military schools from across the country that were skilled in military tactics, comprising hundreds of individuals, and appointed them to military officer positions. He carefully selected soldiers, recruited warriors, and the military flags and supplies stretched for miles, creating a spectacular sight. One giant, named Juhuabai, stood twelve feet tall with a waist measuring ten feet and was appointed as a battalion officer; Wang Mang even summoned tigers, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and other fierce beasts to amplify the spectacle. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, there had never been a military expedition of this scale.
Emperor Guangwu at the time only brought a few thousand soldiers, but marched in the sunlight with great fanfare. Other generals, seeing the strong enemy forces in Xunyang and Yiyang, were terrified and ran for their lives, fleeing into Kunyang City. Each of them was so scared that they were worried about their wives and children, hoping to escape back to their own towns. Emperor Guangwu called a meeting and said, "Now we have little food left, and the enemy is strong. If we stick together and fight back, we might just pull it off; if we scatter and flee, the whole army will be wiped out. Besides, Wancheng has not been captured, so we won't have any reinforcements. If Kunyang City falls, our entire force will be done for in a day. Now, instead of just looking out for our families and stuff, why don't we work together to achieve something?" The generals were furious when they heard this, "General Liu, how can you say that!" Emperor Guangwu smiled and stood up.
At this time, the scouts returned and said that the enemy's main force was about to arrive at the north of the city, with the army stretching for hundreds of miles, without end in sight. The generals hurriedly discussed with each other, "Let's hear General Liu's plan one more time." Emperor Guangwu then went over the odds of winning or losing for them. The generals had no choice but to agree. At that time, there were only eight or nine thousand people in the city. Emperor Guangwu left Chengguo Shanggong Wang Feng and Grand Judge General Wang Chang to guard the city, and at night he led thirteen cavalrymen, including General Biaoqi Zongtiao and General Li Yi, out of the city from the south gate to recruit soldiers and buy horses outside the city. At that time, Wang Mang's army had already reached the city, with nearly one hundred thousand men, and Emperor Guangwu almost couldn't get out. After reaching Yan and Dingling, Emperor Guangwu gathered all the troops, but those generals were hesitant to leave their stuff behind and wanted to leave troops behind. Emperor Guangwu said, "If we win the battle, the riches we could gain would be worth thousands of times more than what we have now, and we can achieve great things; if we lose, we will all die, so what's the point of talking about wealth?" That’s when everyone finally agreed to follow his orders.
Yan You said to Wang Yi, "Although Kunyang City is small, it is very strong. The impostors posing as soldiers are all in Wancheng now. Quickly send a large force over there; they will definitely run away. If Wancheng is defeated, Kunyang City will naturally surrender." Wang Yi said, "When I was the Tiger Tooth General before, I besieged Zhai Yi, but failed to capture it and was blamed for it. Now I am leading a million-strong army, yet I can't take a small city. What's going on?" So he heavily surrounded Kunyang City, with hundreds of tents stretching as far as the eye can see, towering military vehicles over ten zhang tall overlooking the city, banners covering the sky, dust flying, reaching the sky and the earth, and the sound of drums and gongs echoing for miles. Some troops dug tunnels and used battering rams to attack the city walls. Dense crossbow arrows shot randomly, arrows falling like raindrops, forcing the townsfolk to use door panels to fetch water. Wang Feng and others requested to surrender, but Wang Yi did not agree.
Then, Wang Yi and his men felt they were on the brink of victory, filled with pride. At night, meteors streaked across the camp; during the day, clouds the size of mountains loomed in the sky, falling towards the camp, scattering just a foot above the ground. The soldiers were all scared and lying on the ground. In early June, Emperor Guangwu led over a thousand infantry and cavalry, personally charging into battle, deploying his forces four or five li in front of the main force. Wang Xun and Wang Yi also sent out thousands of troops to meet them. Emperor Guangwu charged forward, killing dozens of enemies. His soldiers were ecstatic, exclaiming, "General Liu used to be timid when facing small enemy forces, but now he is so brave facing a large army; it's truly unbelievable! And he is leading from the front, we ask for reinforcements for the general!"
Emperor Guangwu continued to attack, and Wang Xun and Wang Yi's armies were defeated and forced to retreat. Our forces pursued them relentlessly, killing hundreds, if not thousands, of enemy soldiers. After a series of victories, Emperor Guangwu continued to advance. At this time, Feng Yi had already captured Wancheng for three days, but Emperor Guangwu was still unaware. Emperor Guangwu then feigned sending a messenger into the city with a letter, claiming that "reinforcements had arrived for Wancheng," and intentionally threw the letter on the ground. Upon receiving the news, Wang Xun and Wang Yi felt uneasy and their fighting spirit waned. The soldiers won victory after victory, morale was high, and each soldier felt capable of taking on a hundred foes. Emperor Guangwu selected three thousand brave soldiers, launched a fierce assault from the western bank of the river, and directly penetrated the core of the enemy forces. The formation of Wang Xun and Wang Yi was in chaos, and they were overwhelmed by the unstoppable momentum of our forces. Wang Xun was killed on the spot. The defenders in the city also rushed out shouting, sandwiching the enemy from both inside and outside. The cries of battle echoed like thunder, and Wang Mang's army was completely defeated. The retreating soldiers trampled one another, and the bodies of the fugitives were scattered for miles. At that moment, a fierce thunderstorm erupted, blowing off the roof tiles. The rain poured like a downpour, causing the river to rise dangerously. Even the wild beasts trembled in terror. The soldiers scrambled to escape, and tens of thousands drowned. The river became choked with bodies. Wang Yi, Yan You, Chen Mao, and a few cavalry seized the opportunity amidst the chaos, using the bodies of the fallen to cross the river and flee.
We captured all the enemy's weapons, supplies, vehicles, and treasures, in such overwhelming quantities that counting them took several months. In the end, we even burned a lot of the remaining supplies. Emperor Guangwu then subdued Yingyang. At this time, Feng Yi was killed by Emperor Gengshi, and Emperor Guangwu hurried from his father's city to Wan to offer condolences. Officials from the Ministry of Works came to greet and comfort Emperor Guangwu, but he found it difficult to talk to them privately, feeling deep self-reproach. He never boasted about his achievements at Kunyang, nor did he dare to mourn for Feng Yi, continuing to live his life as usual. Emperor Gengshi felt ashamed and appointed Emperor Guangwu as General of the Conquering Troops, granting him the title of Marquis of Wuxin.
One September day, heroes from the Guanzhong region joined forces to kill Wang Mang and sent his head to Wan. Emperor Gengshi declared Luoyang as the capital, appointing Emperor Guangwu as Colonel of the Retainers and instructing him to renovate the imperial palace. Emperor Guangwu then began appointing officials, drafting documents, handling government affairs, and supervising inspections, all following the previous rules. At that time, officials and soldiers from the Sannong region went to greet Emperor Gengshi, seeing the generals dressed in strange attire in women's clothing and embroidered hats, which prompted laughter and even caused some to flee in fear. However, when they saw the officials under the Colonel of the Retainers, they were all overjoyed, with some elderly officials even brought to tears, saying, "We never expected to witness the majesty of Han officials again!" As a result, those with foresight began to pledge their loyalty once more.
After Emperor Gengshi arrived in Luoyang, he appointed Emperor Guangwu to pacify the barbarians, acting Grand Marshal. In October, Emperor Guangwu was ordered to cross the Yellow River to comfort the various regions. Wherever he went, he summoned local officials, county magistrates, elders, and even minor officials, evaluating their performance, promoting or dismissing them, just like a regional governor inspecting his jurisdiction. He often released prisoners, abolished the harsh policies of Wang Mang's reign, and restored the official titles of the Han Dynasty. Officials and common people were very happy, eagerly offering cattle and wine to welcome him.
When he arrived in Handan, Prince Miao of Zhao told Emperor Guangwu, "The Red Eyebrows Army is currently in Hedong. As long as the river is breached and flooded, a million troops could be turned into fish and shrimp!" Emperor Guangwu ignored him and went directly to Zhending. Later, Miao pretended that the fortune teller Wang Lang was the son of Emperor Cheng, and in December, he enthroned Wang Lang as the emperor, established his capital in Handan, and sent envoys to announce surrender in various regions.
In the first month of the 23rd year of the Guangwu Emperor's reign, Liu Xiu saw that Wang Lang's power was growing, so he went north to Ji County (around present-day Beijing) to recruit soldiers and gather supplies. Wang Lang ordered the arrest of Liu Xiu, offering a reward equivalent to ten thousand households, while Prince Guangyang, Liu Jie, also raised troops in response to Wang Lang in Ji County. The people of Ji County were in a panic, filled with fear, and upon hearing that messengers from Handan were approaching, all the officials in the city ran out to welcome them. Seeing this situation, Liu Xiu quickly turned his carriage around and ran south, not daring to enter the city day or night, just grabbing a bite on the roadside. When they arrived in Raoyang, Liu Xiu's men were all starving. Liu Xiu came up with a clever plan to pose as messengers from Handan and entered the relay station. The officials at the relay station were preparing to eat when Liu Xiu's starving men rushed to grab the food. The relay station officials suspected that they were impostors, so they beat the drum many times, pretending to announce the arrival of the general from Handan, scaring the officials. Liu Xiu quickly got on the carriage to escape, but worried he might not escape, so he slowly sat back down and said, "Please see the general from Handan." He waited a long time before he could leave in the carriage. The people in the relay station called out to the gatekeeper from a distance to close the gate. The gatekeeper said, "Who can say for sure in this world? How can we turn away a commanding officer?" Thus, Liu Xiu successfully escaped through the south gate.
Day and night, they pressed on through wind and snow in the bitter cold, and Liu Xiu's face was chapped by the cold. When they arrived at the Hutuo River, there were no boats available to cross; fortunately, the river was frozen, allowing them to cross on the ice. Before all the vehicles had crossed, one cart got stuck. Upon reaching the western outskirts of Xianbo City, Liu Xiu and his men got lost and were unsure of which way to go. At this time, an old man dressed in white by the roadside pointed and said, "Keep moving forward! The Prefect of Xindu, sent from Chang'an, is 80 li away from here." Liu Xiu immediately hurried to Xindu, where the Prefect Ren Guang opened the gates to welcome him. Liu Xiu then sent messengers to nearby counties to recruit soldiers and successfully recruited four thousand men. They first attacked Tangyang and Shixian, both of which quickly surrendered. Wang Mang's general Cheng Zhengping also surrendered with the entire county. Liu Zhi from Changcheng and Geng Chun from Songzi each led their clans to take control of their respective county towns and pledged allegiance to Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu then marched south and captured Quyang, and his army gradually grew stronger as tens of thousands flocked to join him.
Next, Liu Xiu turned his attention north to Zhongshan and conquered Lulu. Wherever he went, people flocked to join him. He sent letters to the troops at the border, calling for a united attack on Handan, and all the counties responded eagerly. He also launched attacks on Xinshi, Zhending, Yuanshi, and Fangzi in the south, all of which surrendered. From that point on, Liu Xiu established control over the borders of the Zhao Kingdom.
At that time, Li Yu, a general of Wang Lang, was stationed in Bairen. The Han army, unaware of this, rashly advanced. As a result, generals Zhu Fu and Deng Yu of the Han army were defeated by Li Yu, and they lost a lot of supplies. Upon hearing this news, Liu Xiu quickly regrouped the remaining soldiers under Zhu Fu and Deng Yu, fought against Li Yu at Guomen, achieved a decisive victory, and reclaimed the supplies that Li Yu had seized. Li Yu retreated into the city and held his ground; Liu Xiu was unable to capture it, so he led his troops to attack Guang'a. At this point, Geng Kuang, the Tai Shou of Shanggu, and Peng Chong, the Tai Shou of Yuyang, sent their generals Wu Han, Kou Xun, and others with cavalry to support Liu Xiu against Wang Lang. The Gengshi Emperor also dispatched the Minister of Works, Xie Gong, to confront Wang Lang. Liu Xiu seized the opportunity to reward his soldiers, then surrounded Julu. Wang Rao, the defender of Julu, held out fiercely, and it remained unconquered for over a month. Wang Lang subsequently dispatched his generals Ni Hong and Liu Feng with tens of thousands of troops to relieve Julu. Liu Xiu engaged them at Nandun, resulting in thousands of casualties. In April, Liu Xiu besieged Handan, engaging in continuous battles that ultimately defeated its defenders. On the first day of the fifth month, he captured Handan city and killed Wang Lang. After seizing Wang Lang's documents, Liu Xiu discovered that many officials had corresponded with him, writing letters to defame others, totaling thousands. Liu Xiu chose not to read these letters and ordered his generals to burn them all, stating, "Let those rebels feel at ease!" The Gengshi Emperor dispatched an imperial envoy bearing the emperor's token to appoint Liu Xiu as Prince Xiao and ordered all armies to go to Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu politely declined, stating that Hebei had yet to be pacified and that he would not accept the appointment. From this point onward, Liu Xiu began to harbor doubts about the Gengshi Emperor.
At that time, there was political chaos in Chang'an City, with rebellions breaking out everywhere. Liu Yong, the Prince of Liang, declared himself king in Suiyang, Gongsun Shu declared himself king in the Bashu region, Li Xian proclaimed the title of King of Huainan, Qin Feng claimed the title of King of Chuli, Zhang Bu raised troops in Langye, Dong Xian raised troops in Donghai, Yan Cen raised troops in Hanzhong, Tian Rong raised troops in Yiling, and all of them raised troops to attack the counties. There were many other bandits as well, including Tongma, Dafeng, Gaohu, Chonglian, Tiejing, Daqiang, Youlai, Shangjiang, Qingdu, Wuxiao, Tanxiang, Wufan, Wulou, Fuping, Huosuo, and so on. These bandits each led their own troops, totaling several million people, wreaking havoc through burning, killing, and looting everywhere.
Emperor Guangwu wanted to defeat Tongma, so he sent Wu Han to lead troops from ten counties to attack from the north. The Youzhou Governor, Miao Zeng, refused to obey orders, so Emperor Guangwu had him executed and conscripted his army. In the autumn, Emperor Guangwu fought against the Tongma army in Qidi, where Wu Han's cavalry joined the main army in Qingyang. The enemy army repeatedly challenged them, but Emperor Guangwu held his ground, attacking back immediately if they came out to plunder, cutting off their supply routes. After more than a month of stalemate, the enemy army ran out of food and secretly fled at night. Emperor Guangwu pursued them to Guantao and defeated them decisively.
Before all the surrendered enemies could be properly settled, Gao Hu and Chong Lian came from the southeast and joined forces with the remnants of the Bronze Horse Army. Emperor Guangwu fought a decisive battle with them in Puyang, defeating them thoroughly and forcing their surrender, and even ennobling their leaders as marquises. However, the surrendered soldiers were still feeling uneasy. Emperor Guangwu noticed this and ordered everyone to return to their camps to organize their troops, then personally rode with light cavalry to inspect each camp. The surrendered soldiers said to each other, "Emperor Xiao (Emperor Guangwu's title) has put his true heart into us; how can we not fight to the death for him!" This way, everyone became completely convinced. Emperor Guangwu assigned the surrendered soldiers to various generals, increasing the army to hundreds of thousands. Therefore, the people of the Guanzhong region referred to Emperor Guangwu as the "Bronze Horse Emperor."
Other leaders of the Red Eyebrow Army, with over a hundred thousand soldiers, including leaders like Dadou and Qingdu, were in the Shequn region. Emperor Guangwu led an attack and secured a decisive victory, scattering the enemy forces. Emperor Guangwu then sent Wu Han and Cen Peng to assassinate Xie Gong in Ye City. Qingdu and the Red Eyebrow Army attacked Hangu Pass, with the intent to confront Emperor Gengshi. Emperor Guangwu sent Deng Yu with six subordinates to march westward to confront Emperor Gengshi and the Red Eyebrow Army. At that time, Emperor Gengshi sent Grand Marshal Zhu Wei, King Wuyin Li Yi, and others to station troops in Luoyang. Emperor Guangwu also had Feng Yi guard Mengjin to hold them off.
In the first month of the first year of Jianwu, Fang Wang of Pingling wanted to proclaim the former child emperor Liu Ying. Emperor Gengshi sent Prime Minister Li Song to assassinate him.
Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu defeated several rebel armies including Youlai, Daqiang, and Wufan in Yuanshi, pursued them all the way to Youbei Ping, and won consecutive battles. However, in Shunshui North, because he underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, he was actually defeated. The enemy pursued closely, and in the close combat, Liu Xiu even had to climb up a high embankment to take cover. At that moment, he encountered King Feng of the Xiongnu, who dismounted and helped Liu Xiu onto his horse. Liu Xiu patted his shoulder and said with a smile to Geng Yan, "I almost got captured by the enemy—how embarrassing!" Geng Yan fired arrows desperately to hold off the pursuers, allowing them to escape. In this battle, thousands of soldiers died, and the scattered soldiers fled back to Fanyang.
The emperor was missing from the troops, and some speculated that he had died. The generals did not know what to do. Wu Han said, "Everyone needs to pull together! Wang Xiong (referring to Liu Xiu's brother Liu Yan) has a son in Nanyang. Are we still afraid that there will be no one to become emperor?" Everyone finally calmed down and took several days to recover. Although the enemy won this battle, they remained fearful of Emperor Guangwu's reputation. Since neither side knew the other, the enemy withdrew that night. The army advanced to Anjiao, fought the enemy again, and achieved a decisive victory, claiming the lives of over three thousand enemies.
The rebel army in Yuyang was thoroughly defeated by Emperor Guangwu, who sent Wu Han to lead generals such as Geng Yan, Chen Jun, and Ma Wu to pursue them in Ludong and Pinggu. Zhu Biao sent General Su Mao to attack Wen County, where Feng Yi and Kou Xun engaged in battle and decisively defeated Su Mao's army, killing the enemy general Jia Qiang. At this time, the generals discussed the idea of making Liu Xiu emperor. Ma Wu was the first to speak up, saying, "There is currently no emperor in the world. If a wise and virtuous person were to take on this great responsibility, even if Confucius were prime minister and Sun Tzu were a general, it would probably not be of much help. If we miss this opportunity now, we may regret it later. Although the king is humble and cautious, but what about the state and its people? We should quickly return to Jicheng to ascend the throne as emperor, and then consider how to deal with the rebel army. Who dares to pursue those rebels now?" Liu Xiu was surprised and said, "How dare this general say such things? He deserves to be executed!" Ma Wu replied, "All the generals think the same way." Liu Xiu had someone explain the situation, and then led the army back to Jicheng.
In April, Gongsun Shu proclaimed himself as emperor.
On his way back from Ji County, Liu Xiu passed through Fanyang and ordered the burial of the fallen soldiers. Upon reaching Zhongshan, the generals once again urged, saying, "The Han Dynasty suffered under Wang Mang's usurpation, the ancestral shrines were destroyed, heroes and righteous individuals were filled with indignation, and the people were struggling to survive. Wang Mang and Emperor Gengshi rebelled, with Emperor Gengshi relying on their power to seize the throne, but they could not govern the country properly, resulting in disorder, rampant banditry, and severe hardships for the people. Your decisive victory at Kunyang against Wang Mang's forces, followed by the capture of Handan and the pacification of the northern regions, where you controlled two-thirds of the country's land with a strong army of a million soldiers. In military strength, no one can match you; in merit and righteousness, no one can compare. We have heard that the emperor's throne cannot remain vacant for long, and the will of heaven cannot be ignored. We earnestly request that you, for the sake of the state and the people, promptly ascend the throne as emperor!" Liu Xiu still did not acquiesce.
Continue heading south towards Pingji, and the generals once again earnestly requested him to ascend to the throne. Liu Xiu said, "The rebels have not yet been pacified, surrounded by enemies on all sides, how can we rush to proclaim myself emperor? You all should disperse!" Geng Chun stepped forward and said, "The scholars and officials of the world have abandoned their families, left their hometowns, and followed the king through life and death; all they want is to achieve success with the king. Now that the great cause has been accomplished, with the right timing, geographical advantage, and popular support, the king has yet to proclaim himself emperor, which goes against the people's expectations. I'm worried that the scholars and officials will lose heart, thinking about leaving and suffering for nothing. If everyone scatters, it will be hard to regroup. The timing cannot be delayed, and the will of the people cannot be defied!" Geng Chun spoke very sincerely, and Liu Xiu was deeply moved, saying, "I will consider it."
Upon arriving in Hao County, Liu Xiu's former classmate and good friend Qiang Hua, who had studied together in Chang'an, brought the "Red Talisman" from Guanzhong. The inscription on the talisman read: "Liu Xiu will rise up to punish the unjust; the outsiders will gather at Longdouye. In the year forty-seven, fire will be the key symbol." The courtiers once again presented a memorial, saying, "This auspicious symbol bestowed by heaven itself is fulfilled in you; this is the will of heaven itself. The message has been spread far and wide, no need for many words. How can the auspicious signs of the White Fish of the Zhou Dynasty be compared to this? Now there is no emperor, the world is in chaos; the auspicious signs have come to pass; it's clear as day. We should follow the will of heaven and respond to the expectations of the people." Liu Xiu then ordered the appropriate officials to establish an altar at Qianqiuting Wuchengmo, south of Hao County.
On the sixth day of the sixth month, Liu Xiu ascended to the throne of the Emperor. He held a grand sacrificial ceremony, informing the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth God, and various deities. The sacrificial text was: "Emperor of Heaven, Earth Deity, favoring the mandate, belongs to Xiu Liyuan, as parents of the people, Xiu dare not accept. All the officials and subjects, not conspiring with the same words, all said: 'Wang Mang usurped the throne, Xiu was angered and raised an army, defeated Wang Xun and Wang Yi at Kunyang, executed Wang Lang and the Bronze Horse to the north of the Yellow River, pacified the world, and received grace from all under Heaven. Above, it is the heart of heaven and earth; below, it is where all things return.' The prophecy says: 'Liu Xiu raises an army to capture the Way; the Metal Rabbit cultivates virtue to become the Son of Heaven.' Xiu still refused, even to the second, even to the third. All the officials said, 'The great mandate of Heaven cannot be delayed.' Daring not to be disrespectful." This means that he informed the deities of his ascension to the throne, and the ministers advised him to accept the throne, saying that he had pacified the world; it was the will of Heaven. He declined several times but finally accepted. Then he changed the era name to Jianwu, granted a general amnesty, and renamed Hao to Gaoyi.
This month, the Red Eyebrow Army enthroned Liu Penzi as their emperor. On the day of Jiazi, shortly thereafter, General Deng Yu defeated Duke Wang Kuang of the Gengshi regime in Anyi and killed the general Liu Jun under Wang Kuang.
On the day of Xinyou in autumn, in the seventh month, Liu Xiu appointed Deng Yu as Grand Minister; on the day of Dingchou, he appointed Wang Liang as Grand Minister of Works; on the day of Renwu, he promoted several generals all at once: Wu Han became Grand Marshal, Jing Dan became Grand General of the Cavalry, Geng Yan became Grand General of the Building Might, Gai Yan became Grand General of the Tiger's Teeth, Zhu You became Grand General of the Building Righteousness, and Du Mao became Grand General.
At this time, Liu Xiu's relative, Liu Mao, proclaimed himself "Yanxin General," surrendered to Liu Xiu with his army, and was appointed as the King of Zhongshan. On the day of Jihai, Liu Xiu went to Huai County and sent Geng Yan and Chen Jun with troops to Wushe Ferry to defend against enemies to the east of Xingyang; he also sent Wu Han along with Zhu You, Cen Peng, Jia Fu, Jian Xin, and eleven other generals to besiege Zhu Wei in Luoyang.
On the Renzi day in August, Liu Xiu made sacrifices to the state gods; on the Guichou day, he also made sacrifices to Gaozu, Taizong, and Shizong in Huai County; afterwards, he went to Heyang, where King Tianli of the Xin dynasty also surrendered.
In September, the Chimei army captured Chang'an, and the Xin emperor fled to Gaoling. On the Xinwei day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The Xin emperor has been defeated and fled, the cities were abandoned, and his wife, children, and elderly are left in disarray, wandering and homeless. I feel deep sympathy. I now appoint the Xin emperor as the King of Huaiyang. Any official or commoner who dares to harm him will be punished as a traitor!" This indicates that, despite the Xin emperor's failure, the emperor still gave him a title and strictly prohibited anyone from harming him.
On the Jiashen day, the emperor secretly appointed Zhuo Mao as his Grand Tutor. On the Xinmao day, Zhu Wei led the entire city to surrender. On the Guichou day in October, the emperor's entourage arrived in Luoyang, and he settled in Quefei Palace in Nangong, officially establishing Luoyang as the capital. The emperor then sent Cen Peng to suppress the rebellious forces in Jingzhou. In November, the emperor went to Huai County. During this time, the situation remained turbulent, with constant rebellions in various places, and the court actively sought to quell the rebellions and strengthen its rule.
On the Bingxu day in December, the emperor returned to Luoyang from Huai County. At this time, the Chimei army assassinated the Xin emperor, Wei Xiao occupied the Longyou region, and Lu Fang rebelled in Anding. General Shu Shou, tasked with suppressing the rebels, was killed in battle against the Five Rebel Armies at Quliang.
On the first day of the first lunar month in the second year of the Jiazi cycle, a solar eclipse occurred. Grand Marshal Wu Han led nine generals to battle against the bandits from Tanxiang east of Ye City, achieving a decisive victory as the enemy surrendered one after another. On the day of Gengchen, the emperor granted titles of marquis to the meritorious generals, with the most distinguished ones being granted four counties, while the rewards for other meritorious officials varied. The emperor also issued a decree saying, "Human nature's weakness lies in indulgence after achieving satisfaction, seeking temporary pleasure, and forgetting caution and obedience to the law. Your achievements are great, and I hope you will carry on this legacy, always remain vigilant, walk a tightrope, work diligently, be cautious, and be more careful every day than the day before. Those commanders whose achievements have yet to be recorded, please report to the Grand Herald as soon as possible, and I will verify and reward them one by one." Doctor Ding Gong believed that in ancient times, emperors enfeoffed marquises, and the granted territories typically did not exceed a hundred li, in order to strengthen centralization and weaken local forces. Now suddenly granting four counties does not comply with the law. The emperor said, "Historically, nations have fallen due to tyrannical rulers, and there has never been a case of destruction due to the enfeoffment of many territories to meritorious officials." Therefore, the emperor sent an envoy to bestow the seal and insignia on the spot, and issued a written edict, which stated: "Maintain a high position without arrogance, hold a high position without danger; wield power without indulgence, achieve fame without arrogance. Always remain vigilant, admonish future generations, and forever be vassals of the Han Dynasty." On the day of Renwu, Generals Deng Ye and Yu Kuang, serving under Emperor Gengshi, surrendered, and both were restored to their original titles. On the day of Renzi, the emperor built a tall temple in Luoyang, established the Altar of the State Gods, set up the Suburban Altar in the south of the city, and officially began to implement the Fire Virtue, with red as the revered color. This passage describes a series of measures taken by the court to consolidate its rule, appease the people, and worship the heavens and the earth, reflecting the intricate and volatile political landscape of the time.
In the first month of that year, the Chimei Army burned down the palaces in Chang'an, even excavated the imperial tombs, and looted the Guanzhong region. The Grand Commandant Deng Yu entered Chang'an and sent envoys to present the ancestral tablets of the eleven generations of emperors to the Gaomiao Temple for worship. At the same time, the King of Zhending, Yang He, and the Marquis of Linyi, Rang, conspired to rebel! The Emperor immediately sent General Geng Chun to suppress them. On the sixth day of the second month, the Emperor traveled to Xiuwu. The Grand Minister of State Wang Liang was dismissed, and a few days later, the Grand Master of the Palace, Song Hong, was appointed as the Grand Minister of State. The Emperor also sent General Jing Dan, the Commander of Chariots and Cavalry, with the General of Conquest, Jie Zun, and two other generals to fight the bandits in Hongnong, and they achieved a swift victory. Then he sent Jie Zun to besiege the bandit Zhang Man in Manzhong.
At this point, the Prefect of Yuyang, Peng Chong, also rebelled, attacking the Governor of Youzhou, Zhu Fu, at Jicheng. Over in Hanzhong, Yan Cen even declared himself the King of Wuan, creating significant unrest. A few days later, the Emperor returned from Xiuwu. On the sixth day of the third month, the Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty and issued a specific edict stating, "Recently, there have been too many wronged people in the prisons, and the penalties have been too severe. This deeply saddens me! Confucius said, 'If the penalties are not just, the common people will have no way to comply.' Thus, we must consult with the officials, scholars, and advisors of the Two Thousand Stone rank to lighten the penalties."
Furthermore, the Emperor sent the Chief Commander Jia Fu with two generals to fight the Prince of Yanzheng, Yin Zun, of the Gengshi Emperor, and defeated him, leading to Yin Zun's surrender. Unfortunately, the General of Valiant Cavalry, Liu Zhi, died in battle against the rebels, which was truly unfortunate. The Emperor then sent the General of Tiger Teeth, Gai Yan, to lead four generals to confront Liu Yong. By April, they had besieged Liu Yong in Suiyang. A general of the Gengshi Emperor, Su Mao, killed the Prefect of Huaiyang, Pan Jian, and then defected to Liu Yong.
On the tenth day of April, the emperor conferred the title of King of Guangyang upon his uncle Liu Liang, his brother's son Liu Zhang inherited the title of King of Taiyuan, Zhang's younger brother Liu Xing as King of Lu, and Liu Zhi, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Chongling, was conferred the title of King of Chengyang. On the seventh day of May, the emperor appointed the Yuan clan King She of Gengshi Emperor as the King of Sishui, and the son of King Yang inherited the title of King of Zhending, while Lady Zhou Chang was conferred the title of Duke of Zhou Chengxiu. On the sixteenth day of May, the emperor issued a decree stating, "If the common people want to sell their wives or children and return home to serve their parents, they are allowed to do so! Anyone who coerces them will face legal punishment!" On the fifth day of June, the emperor appointed Lady Guo as the empress, his son Liu Qiang as the Crown Prince, and granted amnesty to all and promoted the ranks of officials by one level. On the eighteenth day of June, the emperor appointed the royal relative Liu Zhong as King of Zichuan. In August, the emperor personally led troops to quell the Five Schools Army. On the eighteenth day of August, the emperor arrived at Neihuang and defeated the Five Schools Army, causing them to surrender. Oh, General Deng Long was sent to rescue Zhu Fu but ended up fighting with Peng Chong in Ludi, resulting in a crushing defeat for Deng Long's forces. Gai Yan captured Suiyang, causing Liu Yong to flee to Qiaoxian. General Deng Feng, known for breaking the enemy, actually rebelled in Yuyang! On the day of Renxu in September, the emperor returned from Neihuang. Sadly, General Jing Dan of Chariots and Cavalry passed away. On a positive note, Yan Cen secured a significant victory over the Red Eyebrow Army in Duling. However, there was a famine in Guanzhong, and the common people were so desperate that they resorted to cannibalism!
In November, Cen Peng, the Minister of Justice, was appointed by the court as the Grand General of the Southern Expedition, leading eight generals to confront and campaign against Deng Feng in the countryside. Meanwhile, the remnants of the Copper Horse, Green Calf, and Youlai factions surprisingly proclaimed Sun Deng as emperor in Shangjun. Sun Deng was ultimately killed by his own general, Le Xuan, who subsequently surrendered with over fifty thousand troops. The court then appointed Deputy General Feng Yi to take over from Deng Yu in the fight against the Red Eyebrow Army, and also sent Fu Long, the Grand Master of the Palace, with the emperor's tokens to appease Qingzhou and Xuzhou, encouraging Zhang Bu to surrender.
On the Wuyou day of the twelfth month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Wang Mang abolished our imperial family and marquises, the ancestral tablets have no place to rest, and it saddens me greatly! Therefore, we must restore the former marquisates. If the marquis himself has passed away, let his descendants register with the Ministry of Personnel to receive their titles."
That year, Gai Yan and others defeated Liu Yong to the west of Pei County. It is reported that in the final years of Wang Mang, there was a severe drought and locust plague, when one jin of gold could only buy one hu of grain; now, wild grasses blanket the ground, hemp and ramie grow exceptionally lush, wild silkworms spin cocoons everywhere, and the hillsides are full of them, with common people collecting cocoons for profit.
In the third year of spring, on the Jiazi day of the first month, the court appointed Deputy General Feng Yi as the Grand General of the Western Expedition, and Du Mao as the Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry. Deng Yu, the Grand Minister of Works, and Feng Yi fought against the Red Eyebrow Army in Huixi, but both faced defeat.
Ji Zun, the General of Conquering the Barbarians, defeated the barbarian army and killed Zhang Man. On Xinsi day, the emperor established temples for the late Emperor Nandun Jun and the previous four emperors. On Renwu day, a general amnesty was declared throughout the empire.
In the intercalary month of Yisi, Deng Yu, the Grand Minister of Works, was dismissed from his post.
That kid Feng Yi fought a battle with the Chimei Army at the foot of Mount Xiaoshan, and beat them so badly that the remaining soldiers fled towards Yiyang. The Emperor personally led the troops to pursue them. On the Jihai day, the Emperor arrived at Yiyang. On the Jiachen day, the Emperor took command of the army and set up the formation, with Grand Marshal Wu Han leading the elite troops in the vanguard, with the central army trailing behind, and the cavalry and the Imperial Guards positioned on the left and right flanks. Seeing this formation, the Chimei Army was scared stiff and quickly sent someone to beg for mercy. On the Bingwu day, the Emperor and the Chimei ministers surrendered without a fight, handing over the Emperor's seal and insignia. The Emperor made them gate captains. On the Wushen day, the Emperor returned from Yiyang. On the Jixu day, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Those pesky bandits causing chaos everywhere and hurting the people, that guy (referring to the leader of the Chimei Army) even dared to declare himself emperor and confuse the world. I took action to crush them, quickly defeating them, and over a hundred thousand people surrendered without a fight. The Emperor's seal and insignia have returned to the palace. This is all thanks to our ancestors' blessings and the hard work of the soldiers. How could I possibly take credit for this? I'll pick a good day to honor the ancestral temple, reward all the firstborn sons across the land, and if they show filial piety to their fathers, they will be promoted one rank each."
On the Jiwu day in the second month, the Emperor honored the ancestral temple and received the imperial seal.
Liu Yong made Dong Xian the King of Haixi and Zhang Bu the King of Qi. But then Zhang Bu turned against us and killed Grand Master Fulong. The Emperor went to Huaixian and sent Wu Han with two generals to Zhixi to defeat the Qingdu Army, scoring a decisive victory.
On the Renshen day in the third month, the Emperor appointed Fuzhan as the Grand Commandant.
Peng Chong occupied Jicheng and declared himself King of Yan. The Emperor led the troops to attack Deng Feng and arrived at Duyang.
In April, the Emperor defeated Deng Feng in Xiao Chang'an and executed him. Feng Yi and Yan Cen fought a battle in Shanglin and emerged victorious. Wu Han led seven generals to fight against Liu Yong's subordinate Su Mao in Guangdong, securing a significant victory. General Huya besieged Liu Yong in Suiyang.
On the Jiyu day of May, the Emperor did not return to the palace. On the Yimao day at the month's end, a solar eclipse occurred.
On the Renxu day in June, the Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty. Geng Yan and Yan Cen fought a battle in Rangdi, winning a decisive victory.
In the autumn of XX year in July, General Zhen Nan, Cen Peng, led three generals to attack Qin Feng. They claimed a resounding victory at Liqiu and captured Qin Feng's general Cai Hong. That same day, the Emperor issued a decree that stated: "Officials below 600 stones, officials at the grassroots level, if guilty, must first obtain permission before any action is taken. Elderly people over 80 years old, children under 10 years old, and women who were arrested with criminals, if not committing serious crimes or specifically named by the Emperor, shall not be detained. Those who need to be interrogated can be questioned on the spot. Female prisoners can be hired to send them home." During this period, Gai Yan seized Suiyang, captured Liu Yong, and Su Mao and Zhou Jian made Liu Yong's son Liu Yu the Prince of Liang.
On the Renshen day in October of winter, the Emperor went to Chongling, sacrificed at the Garden Temple, and hosted a banquet for old friends and local dignitaries at the old residence. On the Yiwei day in November, the Emperor returned from Chongling. At this point, Zhang Feng, the Prefect of Zhuo County, instigated a rebellion. That year, Li Xian proclaimed himself Emperor, and General Weixian of the Western Province reported this incident to the imperial court. General Jianyi, Zhu You, engaged in battle with Jie Zun and Yan Cen in Dongyang, killing Yan Cen's general Zhang Cheng.
In the second year, on the first day of the first month of spring, the emperor granted amnesty to the world. On the second day of the second month, the emperor visited Huai County and returned on the second day of the third month. The emperor dispatched General Deng Yu along with two other generals to engage Yan Cen at Wudang, achieving victory. In the fourth month of summer, on the fifth day, the emperor went to Ye City and then traveled to Linping on the sixth day. The emperor dispatched Grand Marshal Wu Han to Ji Mountain to combat bandits, securing a significant victory. In May, the emperor traveled to Yuanshi and then to Lulu on the fifth day. The emperor sent General Ji Zun with four other generals to Zhuo County to confront Zhang Feng, resulting in his death. On the seventh day of the sixth month, the emperor returned to the palace. On the seventh day of the seventh month, the emperor went to Qiao County. The emperor dispatched General Ma Wu and Adjutant General Wang Ba to besiege Liu Yu in Chuihui. Dong Xian attacked Lanling City, where Ben Xiu was stationed; Ben Xiu surrendered, and Dong Xian subsequently besieged the city. Generals Gai Yan and Pang Meng attempted to rescue Ben Xiu but were unsuccessful, leading to the capture of Lanling City by Dong Xian. In the eighth month of autumn, on the fifth day, the emperor journeyed to Shou Chun. Grand Master Xu Yun unlawfully killed Liu Du, the Prefect of Linhuai, and was subsequently executed. The emperor dispatched General Ma Cheng with three generals to confront Li Xian. In the ninth month, the army laid siege to Li Xian in Shu County. In the winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the emperor returned to the palace. Grand Tutor Zhuo Mao passed away. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the emperor traveled to Wancheng. The emperor dispatched General Zhu You with two generals to besiege Qin Feng in Liqiu. In the year XX AD (specific year determined by historical records), on the first day of the twelfth month, the emperor visited Liqiu for an inspection. That year, General Feng Yi and Gongsun Shu's generals clashed in battle at Chencang, with Feng Yi emerging victorious.
In the second year of spring, on the guisi day in the first month, the emperor returned to the palace. On the bingwu day in the second month, a general amnesty was declared across the country, and there was widespread celebration! General Ma Wu and Deputy General Wang Ba captured Chuihui City. On the yichou day, the emperor visited Wei County for an inspection. On the renshen day, Empress Yin An was conferred the title of Duke of Yin Shaojia. During this time, Peng Chong was murdered by his own servants, and the Yuyang region was also brought under control. Grand Marshal Wu Han, along with General Geng Yan, went to Fuping to fight, capturing a large number of bandits on the plains, achieving a significant victory and subduing them completely. In the summer, the emperor dispatched Geng Yan, along with two generals, to confront Zhang Bu.
On the guiyi day of the third month, the emperor relocated Prince Guangyang Liang to Zhao State to assume kingship. During this time, General Pingdi Pang Meng revolted, killing Sun Meng, the prefect of Chu County, before defecting to Dong Xian. The emperor sent General Zhen Nan Cen Peng to lead two generals to fight the Tianrong in Jinxiang, achieving a decisive victory. In April, the region experienced a drought and a locust plague. General Dou Rong of Hexi sent envoys to present tribute.
On the bingzi day of the fifth month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The drought is severe, the wheat has all withered, and we haven't sown the autumn seeds yet. I'm really worried! There are still many corrupt officials and unjust judges who haven't been dealt with, and there are many wrongful cases in the prisons, causing the people distress. Is this all just bad luck? It’s affecting the weather, right? Order the officials, Sanfu, and various counties to release the prisoners in custody. Those not sentenced to death should be released without further trial. Those who have been sentenced should be restored to civilian status. Promote the kind and upright, and remove the greedy and cruel, and let everyone do their own work well!"
In June, General Jianyi Zhu You captured Liqiu and took Qin Feng; while Pang Yin and Su Mao surrounded Peach City. At that time, the emperor was in Mengdi and personally led his troops to confront them. The emperor first organized his army in Rencheng, then advanced to rescue Peach City, and defeated Pang Meng and his forces.
On the seventh day of July, the emperor visited Pei County to perform sacrifices at Gaoyuan Temple. The emperor also ordered the repair of the tombs in the western capital. Afterwards, the emperor traveled to the frontier regions to subdue Dong Xian. The emperor then attacked Dong Xian in Changlv, achieving a resounding victory.
On the eighth day of the eighth month, the emperor went to Tan County, leaving Wu Han to attack Liu Yu, Dong Xian, and others, while the emperor's entourage inspected Pengcheng and Xiapi. Wu Han captured Tan County and took Liu Yu prisoner; Wu Han continued to besiege Dong Xian and Pang Meng in Xu County.
In the winter of the tenth month, the emperor returned to the palace and then joyfully traveled to Lu to worship Confucius at the Grand Minister of Works' shrine. Geng Yan and others fought Zhang Bu at Linzi, defeating him. The emperor also happily went to Linzi and then to Juxian. Zhang Bu killed Su Mao and surrendered, finally pacifying the Qi region. Oh, and this year the establishment of the Imperial University had just begun! After returning to the palace, the emperor made a special visit to the Imperial University to reward the scholars and students, each with different rewards.
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Grand Tutor Zheng Zhan was relieved of his duties, and the Prefect Hou Ba took his place and became the Grand Tutor.
In the twelfth month, a man named Lu Su proclaimed himself emperor in Jiuyuan, what sheer audacity! The General of the Western Province, Wei Xiao, even sent his son Wei Xun to serve as an attendant to the emperor. The Governor of Jiaozhi, Deng Rang, along with seven county magistrates, came to pay tribute. The emperor also issued a decree exempting Jiyang County from two years of corvée labor.
This year, while wild grains gradually dwindled, cultivated land increased.
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