Emperor Xiaoping was the grandson of Emperor Yuan, Consort Wei being his mother. He inherited the throne at the age of three. In June of the second year of Yuanshou, Emperor Ai kicked the bucket. The Empress Dowager decreed, "That young, unpopular Grand Marshal Wang Mang – strip him of his seal and office!" Wang Mang committed suicide that day. Then, Wang Mang, the Marquis of Xin Du, was appointed as the Grand Marshal and also in charge of the Secretariat. In July, General Wang Shun and the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Left Xian, went to meet King Zhongshan by decree. On the day of Xin Mao, Empress Dowager Zhao was reduced to the status of Empress Xiaocheng and moved to the Northern Palace, while Emperor Ai's Empress, Lady Fu, moved to the Gui Palace. Marquis Fu Yan of Kongxiang and Minister Dong Gong were sacked and exiled to Hepu. On the day of Xin You in September, King Zhongshan ascended to the throne, sacrificed at the ancestral temple and declared a general amnesty.
At that time, the Emperor was only nine years old, the Empress Dowager held court, and the Grand Marshal Wang Mang held real power, with all officials obeying him. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "This amnesty is meant to give everyone a fresh start, sincerely hoping that the people will reform and preserve their lives. In the past, many officials reported crimes committed before the amnesty order, leading to harsher punishments and the wrongful conviction of many innocents. That's hardly the way to encourage honest law enforcement and reform, is it? Capable and experienced people were deemed too difficult to handle and discarded, which goes against the original intention of amnesty and talent selection. Anyone who's made past mistakes, but hasn't been caught and is now recommended, is to be left alone. Encourage talent and don't let minor flaws bury great potential. From now on, no more reporting cases that predate this amnesty. Any breach of this decree will be considered a contempt of the amnesty and punished accordingly. Let this be known throughout the land."
In the first year of Yuanshi, in the first month, the kingdom of Yuexiang sent envoys to present a white pheasant and two black ones as tribute, and the emperor ordered the three dukes to offer these pheasants to the ancestral temple. Court officials petitioned that Grand Marshal Wang Mang's achievements rivaled those of Duke Zhou, and he should be given the title of "Duke Anhan." The Grand Tutor Kong Guang and others were also granted higher titles. This is recorded in the *Biography of Wang Mang*. The emperor also granted every person in the empire a rank in the nobility, and officials of the 200-shi rank and above received the highest salary.
It is said that the emperor appointed the son of the former King of Dongping as a king, and the son of the Marquis of Taoxiang as the King of Zhongshan. He also appointed the great-grandson of Emperor Xuan and thirty-five others as marquises. Twenty-five individuals, including Grand Steward Wang Yun, who had previously suggested honoring Empress Dowager Fu as Empress Dowager, were commended for their adherence to the law and their refusal to flatter. Right General Sun Jian, a loyal servant of the emperor, and Grand Herald Xian were praised for their integrity. Sun Jian was also ordered to welcome the King of Zhongshan to the court.
As for Liu Buer, the Director of the Imperial Clan, Renci, the Commandant of the Capital, Kong Yong, the General of the Household Gentlemen, Yao Xun, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and Shi Xu, the Prefect of Pei County, they had previously offered advice on supporting the emperor's accession and worked diligently and thoughtfully. Consequently, they were all granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes, each with different fiefs.
The emperor also rewarded all officials, from those below the rank of 2000 shi to junior officials, with different titles in the counties and towns he passed through on his way to the throne. Additionally, he stipulated that if the sons of princes, dukes, marquises, and inner marquises died, but had grandsons or brothers from the same mother, they could be appointed as their successors. If the successors of dukes and marquises committed a crime, they needed court approval before punishment. Those members of the royal family who lost their right to inherit their titles due to committing crimes had their inheritance rights restored. Junior officials who performed well in the Ministry of Personnel assessment could be appointed to a position of 400 shi. For officials of the rank of 2000 shi and above who retired due to old age, the court would continue to pay them one-third of their original salary until they passed away. The emperor also sent a censor to inspect the Sanfu region, register the officials and people, and make those who were hastily taxed in the second year of Yuanshou repay the excess money they were charged. Yiling tombs were not to be disturbed unless they interfered with palace construction. No one was allowed to stash away stuff or hoard wealth.
In the second month, the Xihe official position was established with a rank of 2000 shi; the Waishi and Lushi positions were established with a rank of 600 shi. The court strongly emphasized education and morality, prohibited forbidden rituals, and banned the performance of Zheng music. On the day of Yiwei, the emperor's sacred robes were found in a box in the morning, but by the day of Bingshen, they were found on the bed, so the palace officials immediately reported this incident. Therefore, a grand sacrifice was offered.
On the first day of the fifth month of summer, a solar eclipse occurred. Therefore, a general amnesty was granted throughout the country. All the dukes, generals, and high-ranking officials (2000 shi and above) each picked someone known for being honest, upright, and outspoken. In the sixth month, the emperor sent the Emperor's Household Guard, Feng, with a seal to give his mother, the Princess Dowager of Zhongshan, the title of Queen Mother. He also made his uncle Wei Bao and Wei Bao's brother Xuan inner marquises. The emperor's four sisters were each granted the title of "jun" and given a fief of two thousand households.
Descendants of Zhou Gong, Gong Sun Xiangru was titled as Marquis of Bāolǔ, while descendants of Confucius, Kong Jun was titled as Marquis of Bāochéng. The court also sacrificed to them. Confucius was posthumously honored as Marquis of Bāochéng Xuan Ni Gong.
Next, the court ordered the abolition of Mingguang Palace and Sanfu Avenue. All exiled prisoners throughout the country were pardoned and allowed to return home, each receiving 300 coins as travel expenses. Chaste widows were rewarded in each village. The court also established a Sea Supervisor and a Fruit Supervisor in the Ministry of Finance; there were thirteen deputy ministers in the Ministry of Agriculture, each responsible for a commandery, guiding the people in agricultural production.
The Empress Dowager contributed the revenue from her Tangmu fiefdom to the Ministry of Agriculture, calculating the income separately to help the impoverished people. In September, the court ordered a general amnesty for all exiled prisoners in the empire. The Ku Xing County of Zhongshan was designated as the Tangmu fiefdom of Prince Xiaowang of Zhongshan.
In the following spring, the country of Huangzhi presented a rhinoceros. The Emperor decreed, "The Emperor's title has two characters, which are also written on objects. Now it will be changed to one character, following the ancient system. The Grand Tutor is ordered to use the Grand Sacrificial Altar to offer sacrifices."
In April, Ruyi, the great-grandson of Prince Xiaowang, was titled as King of Guangzong, Gong, the grandson of Prince Yiwang of Jiangdu, was titled as King of Guangchuan, and Lun, the great-grandson of Prince Huiwang of Guangchuan, was titled as King of Guangde. The late Grand Marshal Hou Guang's descendants, including his great-grandson Yang, the fourth-generation descendant of Xuanping Marquis Zhang Ao, Qingji, the fourth-generation descendant of Jiang Marquis Zhou Bo, Gong, and Zhang, the grandson of Wuyang Marquis Fan Kui, were titled as marquises, restoring their titles. The descendants of former Marquis of Quzhou Li Shang, including his great-grandson Li Mingyou and 113 others, were granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, each with different fiefs.
Different parts of the country suffered from severe droughts and locust plagues, with Qingzhou being particularly hard hit, leaving many people homeless. People from all walks of life, a total of 230 individuals, donated their own fields and houses to help feed the hungry. The court also sent people to catch locusts, and after the commoners caught the locusts, they handed them over to the authorities and were rewarded based on weight and measure. Those whose total assets were less than 20,000 and those in disaster-stricken counties with assets below 100,000 were exempted from taxes. For the sick, the court opened up empty government buildings to provide them with medical care. Families who lost six or more members received 5,000 coins; those who lost four or more received 3,000; and those who lost two or more received 2,000 coins. The court ordered the abolition of the imperial hunting park at Anding and the establishment of Anmin County, with the construction of government offices, markets, and lanes, recruiting poor people to move there and providing food in the county. After moving to Anmin County, the court granted them fields, houses, and various utensils, and lent them plows, oxen, seeds, and food. Furthermore, a five-li-long residential area was built in Chang'an, containing 200 houses, to accommodate the impoverished people.
At some point in autumn, a highly skilled and disciplined officer went alone to see the emperor. On the last day of the ninth month of the year of Wushen, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor ordered the release of all prisoners nationwide. The emperor dispatched forty-four messengers to the border, all of whom were officials of the Grand Marshal's Office, carrying the emperor's tokens to supervise the border defense forces.
The head of security Hou Chen Mao was dispatched to recruit three hundred brave officials and soldiers from Ru'nan and Nanyang with a fanfare. He successfully persuaded the bandit leader Cheng Zhong and more than two hundred men to surrender. They all surrendered, leaving their families to be looked after by the government. Cheng Zhong was moved to Yunyang, and the emperor rewarded him with land and housing.
During winter, high-ranking officials were evaluated by the court for their ability to handle cases, with one official being assessed each year.
In the third year of spring, the emperor ordered the selection of a consort and to marry the daughter of the Duke of Anhan, Wang Mang, as his wife, as recorded in "Biography of Wang Mang." The emperor also commanded Gentleman of the Palace Liu Xin and others to jointly formulate the wedding ceremony. All the top officials and their families followed the rituals of marriage, holding grand ceremonies to welcome the bride with posh carriages and horses.
In summer, the Duke of Anhan submitted a memorial to the court, suggesting the establishment of a system for carriages, attire, and regulations concerning everything from healthcare and funerals to slavery and farming. He also proposed schools set up everywhere, from the counties down to the villages, teaching everything from Confucian classics to the "Classic of Filial Piety."
Ren Heng and others from Yangling falsely claimed to be generals, stole weapons from the arsenal, attacked government offices, and released prisoners. Officials from the Grand Minister's Office led troops to pursue and had them arrested, eventually bringing them to justice.
The son of the Duke of Anhan, Yu, and the emperor's in-law Wei family conspired to rebel. Yu was imprisoned and executed, and the whole Wei family was done for.
In January of the fourth year, the Emperor conducted sacrifices to the founding Emperor in the outskirts and offered sacrifices to Heaven on his behalf; in the ancestral temple, sacrifices were made to Emperor Xiaowen and offered to the heavenly spirits. The Emperor ordered the title of Duke Yin Shaojia to be changed to Duke Song, and the title of Duke Zhou Chengxiu to be changed to Duke Zheng. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Harmonious marital relationships lead to close parent-child relationships, which in turn stabilize human relationships. In the past, I ordered the relevant authorities to commend chaste women and pardoned exiled women. My intention was to prevent wrongdoing and promote integrity. The old and infirm should not be subjected to punishment, as this is a system established by the sage kings. However, corrupt and tyrannical officials often arrested the relatives of offenders, including women, the elderly, and children, causing popular discontent, damaging social morals, and causing suffering to the people. Now, I command all officials that unless women have personally committed crimes, or men are either over eighty or under seven years old, and their families have not committed major crimes or been specifically named by the court as fugitives, they are not to be arrested. If interrogation is necessary, it shall be conducted immediately. These regulations shall be clearly promulgated as laws."
In the second month of the year, the Emperor appointed Lady Wang as Empress and issued a general amnesty. It is said that Emperor Xuan of Han, in order to understand the sentiments of the people, sent eight officials including Wang Yun, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, to investigate local customs and habits throughout the country, granting them the power of regional governors to act freely. At the same time, he granted titles to officials below the Nine Ministers and those receiving salaries of six hundred stones, as well as members of the royal family, with varying degrees of promotion for those above the rank of Wufu. Every commoner also received a title promotion, and elderly widows received clothing and textiles from the court.
In the summer, the Empress conducted sacrifices at the Gaomiao Temple. Emperor Xuan also bestowed the title of "Chief Minister" on Duke Anhan, posthumously titled his wife as "Lady of Merit," and enfeoffed his sons An and Lindu as Marquises. Duke Anhan also proposed the construction of Mingtang (Hall of Enlightenment) and Biyong (Academy of Classical Learning), and honored the temple names of Emperor Xiaoxuan as Zhongzong (the Middle Ancestor) and Emperor Xiaoyuan as Gaozong (the High Ancestor), decreeing that emperors for generations to come must worship them.
To settle those who have committed crimes, the court also established Xihai Prefecture and relocated all criminals in the country there. Prince Liang, having committed a crime, ultimately took his own life. To strengthen the management of the capital, Emperor Xuan divided it into Qianhuiguang County and Hou Chenglie County. He also changed the names and positions of officials, the nobility, and the eighty-one scholars, and redefined the relationships among the counties and states. So many changes were made that many officials couldn't keep up.
In winter, a fierce wind ripped most of the tiles from Chang'an's east gate.
Five years into his reign, Emperor Xuan held a grand sacrificial ceremony in the Mingtang. Twenty-eight princes, one hundred and twenty marquises, and over nine hundred members of the imperial family attended the ceremony. After the ceremony, everyone received rewards ranging from increased land holdings and titles to gold, silk, and promotions. The amount of rewards varied.
Emperor Xuan issued an edict, saying: "It's said a good emperor leads by example and keeps his family close, fostering mutual support. The ancient emperors Yao and Shun attached great importance to family relationships. Although I am young and have many shortcomings in governing the country, the descendants of the imperial family are the descendants of the founding emperor, as well as the descendants of King Wu Qing and King Chu Yuan. From Emperor Yuan of Han to the present, there are already over a hundred thousand people. Although there are kings and marquises among them, they lack connections with each other, and some even commit crimes, all due to inadequate education. As the old saying goes, 'A close-knit family leads to a virtuous populace.' Therefore, starting from the former emperor, all relatives of the imperial family must establish a teacher in each county according to their own genealogy to manage and educate them. I will select virtuous high-ranking officials to serve as teachers. If a teacher finds someone not following the laws, or if there are injustices or derelictions of duty, they can write to the court to report the situation. Each teacher will receive ten bolts of silk and cloth each New Year."
Wow, during the reign of Emperor Ping of Han, Xi He, Liu Xin, and four other guys were sent to build the Mingtang and Bi Yong, aiming to make these Han Dynasty buildings rival the grandeur of the Lingtai of King Wen and the Luoyi buildings of Duke Zhou. Then, Wang Yun and seven more guys were sent to check out the local vibe and spread the word about how awesome the emperor was, hoping to bring everyone together. These individuals were all made marquises.
Following that, the emperor ordered the recruitment of talents who were experts in ancient texts, astronomy, music, writing, history, fortune-telling, medicine, and classics like the Five Classics, Analects, and so on, to bring their works and travel to the capital in special vehicles. We're talking thousands of people!
In the intercalary month, Emperor Ping also appointed King Xiao of Liang's great-grandson as a king.
On the day of Bingwu in the twelfth month of winter, Emperor Ping kicked the bucket in the Weiyang Palace. Subsequently, a general amnesty was declared. Court officials discussed, "It's bad luck for a subject to die before the emperor. The emperor is only fourteen years old, so he should be buried according to rites and have the Jia Yuanfu ceremony." The emperor's last words were, "The emperor is kind and benevolent, caring for the people. Every time he fell ill, his breath would rise and affect his speech, hence he did not have time to leave a testament. Send all the ladies home and let 'em remarry, just like they did under Emperors Xiaowen and Xiaowu."
In summary, during the reign of Emperor Ping of Han, he took over from Wang Mang. He was all about showing off how great he was and how strong his rule was. Even the far-off barbarians were impressed, and good luck seemed to follow him everywhere. But then things went south, with bad omens and people getting fed up—even Wang Mang couldn't fix it!
