Gongsun Hong, from Xue County, Zichuan, Shandong, was known as Ji. When he was young, he worked as a petty jailer in Xue County but made some mistakes and was dismissed. Due to poverty at home, he could only raise pigs by the seaside. He didn't start studying "Spring and Autumn" and other miscellaneous subjects until he was in his forties. He was very filial to his stepmother.
In the first year of the Jianyuan reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the emperor had just ascended the throne and was recruiting talented scholars. At this time, Gongsun Hong was already sixty years old and was summoned as a doctor. He had once been sent to the Xiongnu, but when he returned, his report was unsatisfactory to the emperor. The emperor was very angry and thought he was incompetent, so Gongsun Hong claimed he was ill and retired to return home.
In the fifth year of Yuanguang, the court issued another decree to summon knowledgeable people, and Zichuan State once again recommended Gongsun Hong. Gongsun Hong humbly said to the people in his hometown, "I have been sent on a mission before, but I was dismissed due to my incompetence. I hope you can recommend someone else." The people in his hometown insisted on recommending him, so Gongsun Hong was appointed as the Grand Preceptor. The Grand Preceptor's job was to test the scholars who were summoned, and more than a hundred people answered questions together. Gongsun Hong initially scored poorly, but after the answers were submitted, the emperor picked Gongsun Hong's answer as the best. The emperor summoned him, liked his looks, and appointed him as a doctor. At that time, the court was opening up the road to the southwestern barbarians, establishing prefectures and counties. The people of Bashu were really suffering, so the court sent Gongsun Hong to inspect the area. When he returned, he reported that the southwestern barbarian region wasn't worth the effort and should be given up, but the emperor did not listen to him.
Gongsun Hong was a generous and knowledgeable guy. He often said that a ruler's problem is not being open-minded enough, and a subject's problem is not being frugal enough. He himself wore roughspun clothes and never added meat to his meals. After his stepmother passed away, he mourned for three years. Whenever he attended court meetings, he always laid out the pros and cons, letting the emperor decide, without any arguments.
The emperor observed that he was upright, had strong debating skills, was familiar with grammar and official affairs, and knew how to polish his words and deeds using Confucian thought, which he greatly appreciated. Within two years, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Interior. When Gong Sunhong handled affairs and encountered differing opinions, he would not argue face to face. He once advised the emperor alongside the Chief Commandant Ji An, with Ji An speaking first and Gong Sunhong supplementing afterwards. The emperor was always pleased and adopted their suggestions, causing Gong Sunhong's status to rise steadily. He often discussed matters with the officials, but in front of the emperor, he frequently went against prior agreements and followed the emperor's wishes. Ji An confronted Gong Sunhong directly and said, "People from Qi have a reputation for being shifty. We initially discussed this matter together, but now you have completely gone against it. Isn't this a bit disloyal?" The emperor asked Gong Sunhong. Gong Sunhong replied, "Those who know me will think I am loyal; those who don't know me will think I am disloyal." The emperor sided with Gong Sunhong. Some court favorites often slandered Gong Sunhong, but the emperor valued him even more. In 126 BC, Zhang Ou was dismissed, and Zhang Tang was appointed as the Grand Master of Records, a position overseeing the imperial archives. At that time, the court was pushing its borders in the southwestern Yi region, setting up counties on the eastern coast, and constructing counties in Shuofang to the north. Zhang Tang repeatedly advised the emperor that this was draining the nation's resources and overworking the people, suggesting to stop these actions. The emperor then sent Zhu Maichen and others to debate with Zhang Tang about the benefits of establishing counties in Shuofang. Zhu Maichen and others presented ten reasons, but Zhang Tang could not refute any of them. He modestly said, "I am just a country bumpkin from Shandong and do not understand the benefits of these places. I suggest abandoning the counties in the southwestern Yi and coastal areas and focusing on governing Shuofang." The emperor agreed to his request.
Ji An said, "Zhang Tang holds the position of the three highest-ranking ministers, with a high salary, but he's just putting on an act by wearing coarse clothes!" The emperor then asked Zhang Tang. Zhang Tang explained, "Indeed. Among the nine highest-ranking officials, Ji An has the best relationship with me. But today, he was right to call me out on it in front of everyone. As a three highest-ranking minister, wearing coarse clothes is indeed just for appearances, to make a good impression. Besides, I heard that Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi, living even more lavishly than the ruler himself, and as a result, Duke Huan became powerful, but he also overstepped the bounds of royal propriety. Yan Ying assisted Duke Jing of Qi, with a simple diet and attire; even his concubines did not wear silk, yet Qi was governed well, more austere than the common people. I am now the Grand Secretary, but wearing coarse clothes, it makes no difference whether you're a high official or a lowly clerk. Ji An's words are indeed correct. Without Ji An's honesty, Your Majesty wouldn't have heard this." The emperor, impressed by his humility, valued him even more. Finally, the emperor made Zhang Tang the Prime Minister and conferred upon him the title of Pingjin Marquis.
Zhang Tang was ruthlessly ambitious, outwardly charming but inwardly vicious. Those who had offended him in the past, even if they had a good relationship with him on the surface, he would secretly retaliate against them. He killed Zhu Fuyan and banished Dong Zhongshu to Jiaoxi; all Zhang Tang's doing. He only ate coarse grains and a small amount of meat every day. For those who had helped him in the past, he generously supported them, with little left in his own home. This earned him the respect of scholars.
The King of Huainan and the King of Hengshan rebelled, causing a right royal panic. My illness, you see, is getting worse, and I feel I've been incredibly lucky to get this high-ranking position without earning it. As Prime Minister, I should assist the Emperor well, pacify the country, and ensure that everyone fulfills their duties as subjects. And now the lords are rebelling – it’s all down to me. I'm worried I'll die before I can explain myself to the Emperor. Therefore, I wrote to the Emperor saying: "I have heard that there are five great virtues in the world, and three methods to implement these virtues. The five great virtues are the order of ruler and subject, father and son, brothers, husband and wife, and elder and younger siblings. The three methods are wisdom, benevolence, and courage, which are universal morals used to implement these virtues. So, to be benevolent, seek wisdom, and know shame. Understanding these three methods will teach you how to govern yourself; knowing how to govern yourself will then teach you how to govern others. You can't rule others if you can't rule yourself; this is an unchanging principle for centuries. Your Majesty, you're a good man, deeply pious, and you’re following in the footsteps of the great emperors of old, establishing the rites and music system of the Zhou Dynasty, combining civil and military virtues, promoting talents, and granting official positions based on abilities. As for me, Zhang Hong, with mediocre talent and no significant achievements, Your Majesty promoted me from a common soldier to a marquis, and eventually to the position of Prime Minister. I don't deserve this honour, and I'm not a well man; I might not have long left, making it impossible for me to repay Your Majesty's kindness. So I'm giving back my title and retiring to make way for someone better."
The emperor's reply said: "In ancient times, those who were rewarded for their merits and praised for their virtues, and rulers who focused on civil administration during peace and military achievements during war, have never changed this principle. I've only recently secured the throne, and I'm still finding my feet. Therefore, I'm very careful about who I work with to govern the country. You should understand this principle. A good man rewards good and punishes evil. As long as you work diligently, I've always been watching you. I'm so sorry you're ill – why retire now instead of getting better? There are relatively few matters now, so rest well, take care of your health, and cooperate with the medication." Then the emperor sent me some gifts – food, drink, and cloth. After a few months, my illness improved slightly, and I resumed attending court sessions.
In the second year of Yuanshou, I fell ill and died in office. My son Zhang Du inherited the title of Pingjin Marquis. Zhang Du served as the governor of Shanyang for over a decade, but later he violated the law and was stripped of his marquis title.
Zhu Fu Yan was from Linzi, Shandong. When he was young, he learned the art of strategy from the School of Diplomacy and later began studying the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and various schools of thought. He interacted with scholars in the Qi state but was not treated well. The Confucian scholars in Qi ganged up on him and wouldn't give him a chance. His family was very poor and could not even borrow money. So he tried his luck in Yan, Zhao, and Zhongshan, but it was the same story – no respect, and a hard life.
In the first year of Yuanguang (134 BC), he felt like he was getting nowhere in the vassal states, so he headed to Guanzhong to see General Wei. General Wei recommended him to the emperor several times, but the emperor refused to see him. He was broke and stayed in Guanzhong for a long time, and General Wei's guests got sick of him. So, he wrote directly to the emperor. He submitted his petition in the morning and was summoned to the palace that very evening. He raised nine issues in one breath, eight of which were adopted and made into laws and regulations, while one was to advise the emperor not to attack the Xiongnu. The memorial stated:
"I've heard that wise rulers welcome honest criticism—it broadens their perspective. Loyal ministers don't shy away from speaking truth to power, no matter the risk. That's why history remembers their wise counsel and celebrates their achievements. Now, I'm risking my neck to offer my humble opinion, hoping Your Majesty will hear me out."
Sima Fa said, "A strong country that loves war is doomed. Even in peacetime, forgetting about war is a recipe for disaster." After unifying the world, the emperor achieved great victories, engaging in spring hunts and autumn sieges, while the vassals inspected troops in spring and trained soldiers in autumn, all to ensure they did not forget to prepare for war.
Moreover, getting angry goes against the will of heaven; war is a dangerous matter, and fighting is just a minor detail. Once an ancient ruler gets angry, it will inevitably lead to a scene of corpses and rivers of blood, so wise rulers treat this matter carefully. Those who love war and wage endless wars always regret it in the end.
Back then, Qin Shi Huang relied on the power of war to slowly gobble up the various vassal states and unify the country; his accomplishments rivaled those of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. However, he was always at war, wanting to attack the Xiongnu. Li Si advised him, "No way! The Xiongnu people have no cities or fixed settlements, no reliable material reserves to rely on. They migrate like birds, making it difficult to predict and subdue them. If light troops penetrate deep, the food supply will be cut off; if they advance with a large amount of food, the operation will be slow and ineffective. Even if we capture their land, there will be no profit; even if we conquer their people, we can't enslave and control them. Even if we win the battle and kill them, they’re not the parents of the people! This will exhaust the Central Plains region and make the Xiongnu happy. This isn't a long-term plan!" Qin Shi Huang did not listen to his advice and sent Meng Tian to lead the army to attack the Xiongnu, carving out a massive new empire, with the Yellow River as the boundary. However, the land was salty and alkaline and useless for farming. Therefore, Qin Shi Huang drafted young men from all over the country to guard north of the Yellow River. After more than a decade of large-scale warfare, a mountain of bodies piled up, and ultimately they were unable to advance north of the Yellow River. Was this because of a lack of people and insufficient weapons and equipment? Not at all; it just wasn't possible! In order to supply the northern army, people from all over the country were forced to rush to haul grain and forage, starting from counties near the sea such as Huang County, Zhou County, and Langye County, all the way to north of the Yellow River. It took thirty carts to move a single stone's worth of grain. Men worked hard to cultivate, but they were completely drained; women worked hard to weave, but there was still not enough cloth. Nobody cared for the orphans, widows, and the elderly. People were dropping dead of starvation on the roads. That's why the people revolted.
After Emperor Gaozu unified China, he was preparing to go to the border to fight the Xiongnu. Word came that the Xiongnu people were gathering outside Daigu, and he wanted to lead the troops to fight. Cheng, the inspector, came out to advise, "No! The Xiongnu people are like wild beasts. When they gather together, they are like a group of fierce beasts. When scattered, they flee in all directions like birds. Chasing them is like chasing shadows – impossible! Now that you enjoy the people's support, it is very dangerous to go and fight the Xiongnu with great fanfare!" Emperor Gaozu did not listen and still led the troops north to Daigu, only to find Pingcheng besieged. Gaozu deeply regretted his decision, so he sent Liu Jing to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu, which finally brought peace to the land. That's why the old military saying goes, "An army of ten thousand costs a thousand gold a day!"
The Qin Dynasty often gathered hundreds of thousands of men, and while they achieved victories in defeating armies, killing generals, and capturing the Chanyu, it only created a lot of bad blood, not worth spending so much money. The national treasury is empty, the people are impoverished, and constantly showering foreign powers with gifts is not a long-term solution! The Xiongnu, a nomadic people, are difficult to conquer; it cannot be done in just one or two generations. Plundering and looting is in their blood. Since the time of Emperor Shun, Yu the Great, King Tang of Shang, and King Wen of Zhou, it has always been like this, treating them like animals and never as human beings. The rulers do not learn from the experiences of past rulers in governing the world, and the people follow recent failed experiences. That's what worries me most – the suffering of the people. Furthermore, prolonged war will lead to chaos; hard times breed discontent. As a result, the borderlands will be ground down, their loyalty wavering; generals will turn on each other, and trade will collapse, which is why Wei Tuo and Zhang Han were able to successfully rebel. The Qin fell because the emperor divided his power between his sons – a fatal mistake! The Book of Zhou says: "The safety of the country lies in issuing orders, the survival of the country lies in employing the right people." Please, Your Majesty, consider this carefully. At this time, Xu Le from the State of Zhao and Yan An from the State of Qi both submitted memorials to the Emperor, discussing the social issues at the time, each addressing a different matter. Xu Le said:
Word is, the greatest calamity in the world is a total societal collapse, rather than a gradual unraveling like tiles slowly crumbling. It's always been this way. What does a total societal collapse mean? The end of the Qin Dynasty serves as an example. Chen Sheng was nobody—no background, no land, no noble birth, no local fame, no saintly reputation, no wealth. Yet he emerged from a poor alley, waving thorns, shouting loudly, and everyone rallied to his cause. Why is this? Because the common people are suffering, the emperor doesn't care, complaints are abundant below, but the authorities are unaware, society is in chaos, yet the court doesn't govern. These three factors fueled Chen Sheng's rebellion. This is what is meant by a total societal collapse. Therefore, the greatest calamity in the world lies in this complete collapse.
What does a gradual unraveling mean? The armies of the states of Wu, Chu, Qi, and Zhao serve as examples. These seven states joined forces in rebellion, each ruler claiming to have huge armies with tons of chariots and soldiers, powerful and wealthy, with ample resources, yet they were unable to conquer even an inch of land and were instead defeated by the central powers. Why is this? Not because their power was smaller or their army weaker than Chen Sheng's, but because people still remembered the good old days under the previous emperor, and the common people were living in peace, so these princes didn't receive external support. This is what is meant by a gradual unraveling. Therefore, the greatest calamity in the world does not lie in these sporadic failures.
From this we can see that if the world truly experiences a catastrophic upheaval, even ordinary people wearing coarse clothes and living in remote villages may become the ringleaders of rebellion; Chen Sheng is an example. And what of the vassal states? Even if the world has not yet reached a state of peace and prosperity, as long as it can avoid such upheaval, even with powerful countries and armies, they will not be able to cause much disturbance, and in the end, they will be defeated, as seen in the cases of Wu, Chu, Qi, and Zhao. What about the ministers and the common people? These two situations are the key to the safety of the country and are what wise monarchs should pay special attention to and carefully observe.
Recently, there has been a poor harvest of grains in the Dong region, the annual outlook is not good, and most of the common people are impoverished. In addition, there is constant border warfare. Looking at the bigger picture, the common people may be getting restless. When people are getting restless, it is easy for unrest to arise, and once unrest arises, it is a truly terrifying prospect. Therefore, wise monarchs are always able to grasp the root causes of things, understand the key to safety, and take action in the court to nip problems in the bud. The key is to prevent societal collapse. Therefore, even with a powerful country and army, Your Majesty can continue to enjoy the pleasures of the hunt and court life. The sounds of gold, stone, silk, and bamboo linger in the ears, the laughter of acrobats and dwarfs in the tents continues, and yet there is no hidden worry in the world. Your reputation and the social climate needn't match those of the legendary Tang and Wu, or the prosperous eras of Cheng and Kang.
However, I believe Your Majesty is naturally wise and benevolent. If you truly take the world's well-being as your own, then the glory of Tang and Wu is not difficult to achieve, and the social atmosphere of prosperity and peace can be restored. By achieving this, you will truly enjoy honor and peace, commanding the respect of all, with foreign nations seeking your favor, and receiving the gratitude of future generations. Sitting on the throne and receiving your ministers, this is what you should enjoy. I have heard that even a failed attempt at kingship can bring peace. With peace, what else does Your Majesty lack? What else cannot be accomplished? What conquest cannot win over the people?
Yan An wrote in a memorial: I have heard that during the Zhou Dynasty's rule over the world, its golden age lasted for over three hundred years, with the Cheng and Kang periods being the most prosperous, during which the legal code was not enforced for over forty years. When the Zhou Dynasty declined, it also lasted for over three hundred years, leading to the emergence of five hegemonic rulers. These five rulers often assisted the emperor in doing good and rooting out evil, punishing tyrants, suppressing evil, and bringing order to the land, while honoring the emperor. After the deaths of the five rulers, no able and virtuous successors emerged, leaving the emperor weak and his orders unheeded. The nobles ran rampant, with the strong bullying the weak, and the many oppressing the few. Tian Chang usurped the state of Qi, the Six Ministers divided the state of Jin, eventually leading to the Warring States period, which is the reason why the people began to suffer. Powerful states warred amongst themselves, leaving the weak to fend for themselves. Alliances shifted constantly, battles raged, and the people suffered greatly, with no one to turn to for justice.
After Qin Shihuang unified the six states, he proclaimed himself emperor and ruled the country. He demolished the walls of the kingdoms and melted down their weapons to cast into bells and cauldrons, signaling an end to war. The common people finally broke free from the continuous wars of the Warring States period and felt as if they had been reborn; they thought they were finally under a good emperor. If Qin Shihuang had eased punishments, reduced taxes and forced labor, valued kindness and justice over power, and encouraged capable and honest people, China might have known lasting peace. However, Qin Shihuang did not do so, continuing to enforce the old rules, favoring those who were cunning and power-hungry while sidelining the honest and loyal. Strict laws and harsh decrees fostered a culture of sycophancy, with constant praise and glorification. Qin Shihuang became proud and conceited as a result, feeling on top of the world.
He wanted to extend his reputation overseas, so he sent Meng Tian to lead an army to attack the Xiongnu in the north, expanding the territory and stationing troops along the northern border, with a continuous supply of provisions from the rear. He also sent Wei Liao to lead a navy to attack the Baiyue in the south and appointed Jiang Lu to dig canals for transporting food deep into Baiyue territory. The Baiyue scattered, the war dragged on, and when the Qin army's supplies ran out, they were decisively defeated. Qin Shihuang then sent Wei Tuo to lead troops to guard the Baiyue. At that time, the Qin army was fighting the Xiongnu in the north and the Baiyue in the south, stuck between a rock and a hard place. After more than a decade of war, every able-bodied man was in uniform, women toiled endlessly transporting supplies, and the common people suffered terribly, many unable to survive. Suicides became commonplace, with people hanging themselves from roadside trees.
When Qin Shi Huang died, all hell broke loose. Rebellions erupted across the land – Chen Sheng and Wu Guang in Chen County, and similar uprisings in Zhao, Wu, Qi, Ying, Wei, and Yan. Heroes sprang up like weeds, even in the most remote corners of the empire. They seized the opportunity, rising up without a plan or leadership. Their numbers swelled, and soon, they were warlords, all due to the chaotic situation at that time. Qin Shi Huang, the emperor ruling the entire world, ultimately met a tragic end, with his country destroyed due to overspending on the military. Therefore, it is said that the Zhou Dynasty perished due to weakness, while the Qin Dynasty perished due to strength. The biggest problem was that nothing ever changed!
Now there are plans to subjugate the southern tribes, attack the Yelang Kingdom, conquer the Qiang and Bai tribes, and then conquer the Yeou region, build cities there, and even raid Xiongnu territory. Many people think this is a good idea. However, I believe this only benefits the court, not the country in the long run. The country is at peace, yet we are spending national resources and causing harm to the people for the defense of distant borders; this is not considering the people. Endless expansion ambitions will only bring temporary pleasure and create a lasting enemy of the Xiongnu; this is not the way to ensure peace and stability. Once disaster strikes, it is difficult to resolve. Peace won't last, causing suffering to the people nearby and fear to those far away. How can this last? Now the whole country is forging weapons, sharpening swords, arrows are piled on bowstrings, food and supplies are constantly transported, and there is not a moment of rest. This worries everyone.
As the war goes on, changes will happen, and as things pile up, so do worries. Now the outlying counties, some spanning thousands of miles with dozens of cities, where local powers vie for influence and border the vassal states, this ain't good for the royal family! Look at how the states of Qi and Jin perished; it was a weak royal family and powerful Six Ministers that caused it. And look at how the state of Qin fell; it was due to brutal laws and rampant greed. County officials are more powerful than the Six Ministers, control far larger territories, and command far greater armies and weaponry. If things go south, it'll be a disaster!
This memorial was presented to the emperor, who summoned the three men and said, "You guys are all here? Took you long enough!" The emperor then appointed Zhufu Yan, Xu Le, and Yan An as Langzhong. Zhufu Yan kept seeing the emperor, submitting policy proposals, until he was made a courtier and then promoted to Zhong Daifu. Zhufu Yan got four promotions in a single year!
Zhufu Yan said to the emperor, "Back then, vassal states were small—at most a hundred miles across—and easy to manage. Now, though, they're huge, some stretching for thousands of miles with dozens of cities. When times are good, they get lazy and spoiled; when things get tough, they gang up against us. Trying to rein them in with laws will just cause a rebellion, like what happened to Chao Cuo. These vassal lords have tons of sons and grandsons, but only one inherits. The rest, even brothers, get nothing. This destroys the whole idea of family loyalty and respect. So I suggest letting the vassals give land to their kids and grandkids to make them vassals too. Everybody wins, the Emperor looks good, and we weaken the big vassals without a fight." The Emperor bought it.
Fu Yan also said to the emperor, "Now that Maoling has just been completed, influential people from all over the country, as well as those troublemakers, can move to Maoling. This way, we can strengthen the capital's power and eliminate those troublemakers without resorting to killing." The emperor agreed to his suggestion again.
The emperor appointed Empress Wei as the empress and investigated the Yan Prince's rebellion, all thanks to Fu Yan. The court officials were all afraid of him and gave him a fortune, reportedly thousands of gold coins. Someone said to Fu Yan, "You are too arrogant!" Fu Yan replied, "I have been traveling around since I was young, for forty years now. I have achieved nothing, my parents do not treat me as their son, my brothers are not close to me, and my friends have abandoned me. I have been poor for a long time. Besides, a guy can't eat caviar every day, and when you're dead, you're just dead. Now that I am old and have reached the end of the road, I have no concerns."
Fu Yan strongly advocated that the land in the Shuofang region was fertile, and with the Yellow River nearby, Meng Tian's walls could defend against the Xiongnu, facilitate the transportation of military provisions, and expand the Central Plains region. The emperor read his proposal and put it to his ministers, but they all disagreed. Gongsun Hong said, "The Qin tried to build the Northern River with 300,000 men – and failed miserably." Fu Yan emphasized the benefits of doing so, and the emperor finally agreed, creating Shuofang Commandery.
In the second year of Yuanshuo, Zhufu Yan told the King of Qi that his lifestyle was dissolute and his behavior was improper. The emperor appointed Zhufu Yan as the Prime Minister of Qi. When Zhufu Yan arrived in Qi, he called all his brothers and friends together, gave them five hundred gold, and then said to them, "When I was poor before, my brothers did not take care of me, and my friends did not treat me well. Now that I am the Prime Minister of Qi, you have come from afar to greet me. So long, fellas! Don't bother coming around anymore!" Then he sent someone to tell the King of Qi about the affair between him and his sister. The King of Qi felt that he could not escape punishment, afraid of being executed like the King of Yan, so he committed suicide. Word got back to the emperor.
It is said that Zhufu Yan started out as a nobody, always flitting between Yan and Zhao. Later, he became wealthy and began to expose some of the affairs of the Yan state. The King of Zhao feared Zhufu Yan becoming a problem and considered exposing him, but chickened out.
Upon leaving his post in Qi, Zhufu Yan sent someone to write a letter to the court, accusing Zhufu Yan of taking bribes from various vassal states, leading to promotions for their sons. Later, when the King of Qi committed suicide, the emperor was very angry. He blamed Zhufu Yan for driving the King of Qi to suicide and ordered Zhufu Yan to be arrested and handed over to the authorities for trial. In fact, Zhufu Yan did accept money from the vassals, but he did not force the King of Qi to commit suicide. The emperor was leaning towards letting him off, but then Gongsun Hong, the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretary, piped up, "The King of Qi is dead without descendants, Qi has been abolished and turned into a prefecture and county, belonging to the Han Dynasty. Zhufu Yan is the mastermind. Your Majesty, if you let him live, how'll you explain this to the people?" And so, Zhufu Yan and his whole family were wiped out.
When Zhu Fu Yan was in power and at the peak of his influence, he had a throng of followers. However, after his family was exterminated, not a single person dared to come and bury him, except for one person named Kong Che who interred him. Later, when the emperor heard about this, he regarded Kong Che as a true gentleman.
Sima Qian said: Although Gong Sun Hong was an upright man, he happened to live in a good time. The Han Dynasty had been established for more than eighty years, and the court was actively promoting Confucian and Mohist thought, recruiting talents, and developing these philosophies. Gong Sun Hong was one of the outstanding figures in this movement. When Zhu Fu Yan was in power, everyone praised him, but once he fell from grace, people started speaking ill of him. What a shame!
The Dowager Empress gave a command to the Grand Tutor and Grand Minister, saying: I have heard that in governing a country, one must first enrich the people; to enrich the people, one must practice frugality. The "Classic of Filial Piety" states, "The best way to govern is through ritual propriety." Ritual emphasizes frugality and simplicity, not extravagance. In the past, Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi in unifying the nine states and bringing order to the world. However, Confucius criticized him for not understanding ritual, as he was too extravagant and exceeded the standards of a ruler. Emperor Yu had simple palaces and did not pursue luxurious clothing, which was followed by later sages. This shows that in a country with good governance and high morality, nothing is more important than frugality. Frugality can change the customs of the people, bringing order between superiors and inferiors, fostering family relationships, reducing disputes, allowing every household to live in peace and prosperity, and ensuring social stability. This is something that deserves serious consideration.
Listen up, you three big shots, you’re examples for all officials and role models for the people. A good example never casts a bad shadow. Confucius said it best: "Lead by example, and everyone else will follow suit." Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, those senior ministers who assisted the emperor have all lived simply, valuing integrity over wealth, which is truly remarkable. But nobody could hold a candle to old Gongsun Hong, the former Prime Minister. He was a top official, yet he wore roughspun clothes, ate simple meals – just one meat dish a day! – and shared his entire salary with his friends and guests, keeping nothing for himself. He truly practiced inner restraint and frugality while obeying the laws and regulations. When Jia Ang criticized him, he reported it to the court. This showed how he could streamline things while still getting the job done. True virtue gets the job done; hypocrisy is just for show.
Gongsun Hong requested retirement due to illness. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Rewarding good behavior and punishing the wicked is what good rulers have always done. Give him time to rest and recover, and make sure he takes his medicine." The Emperor granted him leave to recuperate and sent him gifts of cattle, wine, and fine fabrics. After a few months, he recovered from his illness and resumed his duties at court. He died peacefully in office in the second year of Yuanshou. The Emperor knew his officials better than anyone, and this was Gongsun Hong's achievement. His son, Gongsun Du, inherited his title and later became the governor of Shanyang. He lost his marquis title due to breaking the law. Setting a good example and upholding justice—that's what good rulers have always done. I will bestow upon Gongsun Hong's descendants the title of Marquis of Guannei (a noble title), with a fief of three hundred households. They're to come to court to receive the decree, report to the Personnel Ministry, and I'll meet them personally.
Ban Gu said, "Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi, and Er Kuan were like swans among chickens. Although their wings were large, they were stuck among ordinary shepherds and pig farmers. If they had not caught the right opportunity, how could they have reached such positions?"
At that time, the Han Dynasty had been established for over sixty years. The country was peaceful, and the treasury was full. However, some minority border tribes had not completely surrendered, and many systems were still imperfect. The court urgently needed talented individuals, but they were difficult to find. Initially, people were sent in luxurious carriages to welcome Mei Cheng, and upon meeting the Emperor, he could not help but sigh. The ministers all followed suit, and various talents emerged. Bu Shi was discovered among the grazing farmers, Hong Yang was promoted from the ranks of small-time merchants, Wei Qing stood out from servants, and Jin Rid was selected from surrendered enemies. These people were all previously ordinary bricklayers or cowherds! Talk about finding talent—the Han Dynasty really hit the jackpot!
In the realm of Confucianism, notable figures included Gong Sun Hong, Dong Zhongshu, and Er Kuan. Among the most upright were Shi Jian and Shi Qing, while Ji An and Bu Shi were known for their integrity. Han Anguo and Zheng Dangshi were great at spotting talent, and Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang were instrumental in establishing laws. Sima Qian and Sima Xiangru were masters of writing, while Dongfang Shuo and Mei Gao brought humor and wit to their interactions. Yan Zhu and Zhu Maichen excelled in diplomacy, and Tang Du and Luoxia Hong were experts in calendar and arithmetic. Li Yannian was knowledgeable in music, and Sang Hongyang was adept at planning. Zhang Qian and Su Wu played significant roles in diplomatic missions, and outstanding generals like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing made their mark in military history. Huo Guang and Jin Ridi assisted in governance by imperial decree. There was a whole heap of other remarkable talents too! Thus, the Han Dynasty truly excelled in building the nation, establishing systems, and shaping its culture, leaving a legacy that later generations have struggled to surpass.
Emperor Xiaoxuan inherited the foundation laid by his ancestors, further developing and expanding it while placing a strong emphasis on Confucianism and recruiting talented individuals. Figures like Xiao Wangzhi, Liang Qiuhu, Xia Housheng, Wei Xuancheng, Yan Pengzu, and Yin Gengshi were all highly regarded for their Confucian abilities. Liu Xiang and Wang Bao gained fame for their exceptional writings. In terms of military and political figures, there were Zhang Anshi, Zhao Chongguo, Wei Xiang, Bing Ji, Yu Dingguo, and Du Yannian. When it came to governance, Huang Ba, Wang Cheng, Gong Sui, Zheng Hong, Shao Xinchun, Han Yanshou, Yin Wengui, Zhao Guanghan, and many others made notable contributions, all of which are recorded in history. Seriously, the Han Dynasty was overflowing with amazing ministers—this is just the tip of the iceberg!
