Yan An is from Linzi. He wrote a letter to the Prime Minister at that time, saying:
I heard from "Zou Zi" that "governance should pay attention to both form and substance, in order to save the world. Adapt what works, discard what doesn't, and always strive for improvement." Nowadays, the populace is extravagant and wasteful, competing to decorate their carriages, steeds, finery, and homes, harmonizing their music, coordinating their colors, and displaying luxurious feasts to satisfy their desires, thereby fueling extravagance among the people. When the masses see beautiful things, they want them, which encourages excessive spending! Without moderation in extravagance, it cannot be satisfied, and the populace will give up their businesses to pursue ill-gotten gains. Easy money is easily obtained, so those gentlemen are not afraid to cheat; those with swords boast of violence and robbery, and yet people are shameless, so the wicked paths become longer and longer. Beautiful things and rare treasures are indeed easy to make people addicted, leading to excessive indulgence, excessive entertainment leading to debauchery, laxity in etiquette leading to luxury, and loss of education leading to hypocrisy. This hypocrisy, luxury, debauchery, and indulgence are not the right way to guide the common people. Therefore, crime is on the rise. I hope to create a system to curb excess, so that the rich and the poor do not flaunt each other, in order to keep their hearts calm. When their hearts are calm, their nature will be peaceful. When there is peace and no recklessness, thieves will decrease. With fewer thieves, there will be fewer punishments; fewer punishments mean that yin and yang will be harmonized, the four seasons will be normal, wind and rain will be timely, plants will flourish, grains will be abundant, livestock will prosper, and the people will not die prematurely. This is true harmony!
So, the Zhou Dynasty ruled the world for more than three hundred years, with the most prosperous periods during the reigns of King Cheng and King Kang, when they didn't enforce the laws for forty years. When the Zhou Dynasty declined, it lasted for more than three hundred years, leading to the emergence of five warlords. Warlords usually assisted the emperor in doing good and getting rid of bad guys, killing tyrants, prohibiting evil, rectifying the world, and honoring the emperor. After the five warlords died, the capable people did not inherit their legacies, the emperor was weak, and his orders were not followed. The local bosses acted recklessly, the strong oppressed the weak, and the majority oppressed the minority. Tian Chang seized the state of Qi, and the six ministers divided the state of Jin, eventually leading to the Warring States period, a time when the people began to suffer. The strong attacked, the weak defended, forming alliances and coalitions, chariots crashing, the soldiers' armor crawling with lice, and the people had nowhere to complain.
It is said that after Qin Shihuang unified the six states, he proclaimed himself emperor, bringing the world under one rule. He demolished the walls of various states and melted weapons to make bells and cauldrons, indicating the end of the use of force. The folks finally escaped the continuous wars of the Warring States period and felt like they were starting anew, thinking they'd found themselves a good ruler. If Qin Shihuang had lightened up on the punishments, lowered taxes, and focused on fairness over power, changed customs, and spread some good habits around the country, then things would've been peaceful for ages.
But Qin Shi Huang didn't do that. He stuck with the old ways, promoting the backstabbers and power-mongers while excluding the honest and upright. The laws were brutal, the orders insane, and there were many flatterers around. Qin Shi Huang heard nothing but good things every day, and he got a big head, thinking he owned the world. He wanted to conquer overseas territories, so he sent Meng Tian to lead troops north to attack the Xiongnu, expand the territory, and stationed troops in the north of the Yellow River with a constant supply line. He also sent Wutu Suo to lead the navy to attack the Yue State and sent Jianlu to dig canals for transporting food, engaging in deep battles in the Yue territory. The Yue scattered, the war dragged on, the Qin army starved, and got their butts kicked.
At that time, the Qin State was fighting the Xiongnu in the north and the Yue State in the south, stuck with troops in the wrong places, and in a real bind. Ten years of war. Every man in armor. Women hauling supplies. People starving. Suicides were common – folks hanging themselves from roadside trees, one after another. When Qin Shi Huang died, a large-scale uprising broke out across the country. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang ignited a rebellion in Chen, Wu Chen and Zhang Er sparked an uprising in Zhao, Xiang Liang led a revolt in Wu, Tian Dan rose up in Qi, Jing Ju rebelled in Ying, Zhou Shi caused an insurrection in Wei, and Han Guang challenged authority in Yan. Rebellions erupted across the land – too many to count.
These people were not originally nobles or high-ranking officials, nor did they hold any military power. They all rose up from the common people, wielding sticks and thorns as weapons, taking advantage of the chaos to rebel. Without prior discussion, they all rose up together, converging without agreement. Their power grew stronger and stronger, and they all eventually became princes. This was all Qin Shi Huang's fault! Although he was the emperor, possessing the entire empire, his endless wars brought him down. The Zhou fell because they were weak. The Qin fell because they were too strong. Neither adapted.
Ah, now there are wars everywhere, marching south to fight the barbarians, visiting the Yelang kingdom, conquering the Qiang and Di tribes, even fighting in Hanzhou, building cities and towns everywhere, and even deep into Xiongnu territory, burning their dragon city! Many people praise him for being powerful. However, this only benefits the individual and is not a long-term solution! Now our country is peaceful, with not even the sound of dogs barking heard, but outside, due to the need to guard against distant enemies, the country is a mess, which isn't good for the people! Always thinking of endless expansion for temporary satisfaction, but this only leads to making enemies like the Xiongnu; that won't keep the borders safe! Disaster spreads like a raging fire, never-ending, and just when peace is achieved, war breaks out again, causing distress for both the nearby and distant people. How can this last? Now the entire country is producing weapons, training soldiers, and transporting military supplies; there is no peace, and everyone's worried sick.
Look, as this war goes on and on, more problems arise. With more problems to deal with, there are more concerns. In these far-flung counties now, some places are separated by thousands of miles apart, with dozens of cities connected, controlling these areas and keeping the feudal lords in check. That ain't good news for the Emperor! Look at how the Qi and Jin states perished; it was all because the kings were weak and the ministers held all the power. Look at how the Qin state fell; it was due to cruel laws and a thirst for conquest. These county governors are more powerful than the Six Ministers, they control more land than the Six Ministers ever did, and their armies are bigger and stronger. If anything goes wrong, we're in big trouble!
Later, he was appointed as the Commander of the Cavalry.
Zhong Jun, whose courtesy name was Ziyun, was a native of Jinan. He loved to study from a young age, had good eloquence, and wrote well, becoming well-known in the county. At the age of eighteen, he was selected as a student of the Imperial Doctor. When he took office at the governor's office, the governor heard of his talent and summoned him. The governor liked him, and they became friends. Zhong Jun bid farewell to the governor and went to Chang'an to give the emperor his advice. Emperor Wu read his writings, admired them, and appointed him as an official in the court.
He followed the Emperor to Yongzhou to offer sacrifices at the Five Altars and found a white unicorn with only one horn but five hooves. At that time, he also found a strange tree, with branches growing out from the side and returning to the trunk. The Emperor was fascinated by these things and asked his advisors what they thought. Zhong Jun stepped forward and replied:
Word has it that the Book of Songs praises the virtues of the king, and the Book of Music records the king's achievements. Although they are different texts, they both point to the same goal: to show off how great things were under a virtuous ruler. The Southern Yue region hides like reeds, living off the grid, beyond the reach of the court's laws. When officials were sent there, Dong'ou surrendered, the King of Min gave himself up, and thus Southern Yue was saved. The northern Xiongnu live like wild animals, brutal as wolves, and even the ancient emperors could not subdue them. The Grand General wielded great power, and the Xiongnu Chanyu fled in panic; the cavalry raised their banners, and the King of Kunxie submitted. As a result, the Emperor's power reached the south, and his name spread to the north. If you reward the good and punish the bad, fairly and squarely, you don't ignore talent just because it's not local, and there are jobs waiting for the best and brightest, promoting the good while letting the others go find other work, then the world will be at peace. You're a good man, Your Majesty, but you don't let it go to your head; you have profound wisdom, yet you’re not arrogant; you’ve built three magnificent palaces that meet the requirements of ritual; you’ve conducted the Fengshan ceremony, yet you do not boast.
The mandate has just been determined, everything has just begun. When the empire is unified and the land is pacified, a wise and virtuous king is needed to polish and perfect the legacy, in order to pass it down to future generations. It was not until the reign of King Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty that various systems were established, and then auspicious signs appeared. Your Majesty, radiant as the sun and moon, you are contemplating national construction, diligently performing sacrifices, and holding grand sacrificial ceremonies outside the city, with lavish offerings that pleased Heaven, filling the world with auspicious energy and attracting the arrival of auspicious beasts. This is, therefore, entirely fitting. In the past, King Wu had not yet crossed the river when a white fish jumped into his boat. King Wu picked it up and offered it as a sacrifice, and all his ministers said, "This is an auspicious sign!" Now, although the spirits have not appeared during the suburban sacrifices, exotic beasts have come as offerings. This is a gift from heaven, in line with the auspicious signs on earth. We should take advantage of this opportunity to announce a new era, plant sacred grass in the Jianghuai region, and proclaim the new era name from Yingqiu to respond to these auspicious signs and record these events.
When the egrets fly backwards, it is an ominous sign; when white fish board the boat, it is an auspicious sign. Signs of light and darkness, the heavens will make birds fly and the earth will make fish move, all based on their respective characteristics. Now that wild animals are coming in groups, it indicates peace in the world; tribes are surrendering one after another, indicating that there are no external threats. If such auspicious signs appear, many ethnic minorities will probably abandon their customs of disheveled hair, change their left-opening robes to Han-style clothing, and thus adopt Han customs. We just need to wait quietly!
After the memorial was presented, the Emperor was very pleased, and therefore changed the era to Yuanshou. Several months later, some tribal leaders from the Yue and Xiongnu territories led their people to surrender, and this was widely attributed to our military victories.
During the Yuanding period, there was an official named Xu Yan who was sent to investigate customs in various places. Xu Yan arbitrarily established salt and iron workshops in Jiaodong and the State of Lu. After completing his task, he returned to report to the court and was promoted to the position of Taichang Cheng (a high-ranking official). As a result, the Imperial Censor Zhang Tang accused him of acting without authorization, a serious offense punishable by death according to the law. Xu Yan defended himself by citing records from the "Spring and Autumn Annals," stating that if an official's actions could stabilize the country and benefit the people while on a mission, then it was acceptable to bend the rules. Despite Zhang Tang's legal accusations, he could not refute Xu Yan's theoretical basis. Consequently, the emperor ordered the military department to investigate the matter. The military officials asked Xu Yan: "In ancient times, the customs of feudal states varied greatly, with no communication within a hundred miles, occasional diplomatic meetings, and rapidly changing situations, which led to instances of unrestrained decision-making. However, now that the world is unified and customs are the same within ten thousand miles, the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' state that 'the kingdom is unified.' You were inspecting fiefdoms, claiming to be acting outside the borders; what does this mean? Furthermore, regarding salt and iron, each county has a surplus, yet you chose to abolish salt and iron production in Jiaodong and the State of Lu, which did not benefit the country. You claimed it was to stabilize the country and benefit the people. What reasoning is this?"
They asked Xu Yan again: "Jiaodong is located to the east near Langye, connected to the North Sea in the north; Lu Guo is adjacent to Mount Tai in the west and the East Sea in the east. They originally have their own salt and iron resources. Have you investigated the population and land area of these four prefectures, calculated their consumption of tools and salt? Is that not enough to supply these two prefectures? Shouldn't there be a surplus, but the officials are not doing their job well? What evidence do you have? You said you set up the foundry without authorization for the convenience of spring plowing and to supply the needs of the people, but the foundry in Lu Guo can only start operating in the autumn, which is completely opposite to what you said! You have submitted petitions three times before, all of which were not approved, yet you still acted without authorization, currying favor with the people to boost your own reputation and wealth. This is something a wise and virtuous ruler must punish severely! 'Wang chi zhi xun' (an inch of injustice will lead to a foot of resentment), even Mencius said this is unacceptable; your crime is so great, and your achievements are so small. Do you still want to do this knowing you will die? Or do you want to take a gamble, hoping not to be punished, and thus become famous?"
Xu Yan was speechless when asked, admitting that he deserved to die. The military department reported: "Xu Yan acted on his own, violated the duties of the envoy, and requested the Chief Censor to arrest Xu Yan and deal with him according to the law." The Emperor approved this report. The Emperor greatly appreciated the questioning by the military department and ordered the results of the questioning to be reported to the Chief Censor.
At first, a soldier from Jinan was heading west to study. When he reached the checkpoint, the official in charge gave him a pass. The soldier asked, "What’s this for?" The official said, "It's for your return trip; you'll need it to show your credentials." The soldier replied, "A guy like me, traveling all the way west? No way I'm coming back!" After saying that, he threw away the pass and walked away.
Later, this soldier became an envoy and was sent to various places on a mission. Carrying his token, he left from the east side of the checkpoint, and the official at the checkpoint recognized him, saying, "This envoy is the same person who threw away the pass before!" He inspected various places and reported any suggestions beneficial to the country to the court. The Emperor was thrilled with his report when he got back.
The emperor wanted to send an envoy to the Xiongnu, and this young officer volunteered. He said, "I have no special merits, just serving as a guard in the palace for five years. Border conflicts frequently occur, and I should be brave, fighting on the front lines for my country. However, I am not skilled in military affairs. Now that I hear an envoy is to be sent to the Xiongnu, I am willing to do my best to assist the envoy in advising him on how to deal with the Chanyu. I am young and inexperienced, with no qualifications in local government. I can't handle it alone; it's incredibly frustrating!" The emperor asked him how to analyze the pros and cons, and was surprised by his answer, so he promoted him to be a censor.
The Southern Yue and the Han Dynasty were to engage in a political marriage alliance, so the court sent this young officer as an envoy to the Southern Yue to persuade the Southern Yue king to come to the court and submit to the Han Dynasty like other vassals. The young officer volunteered, saying, "Let me try; I'm confident I can succeed!" He then went to the Southern Yue and successfully persuaded the Southern Yue king, who promised to submit to the Han Dynasty. The emperor was very pleased, granting the Southern Yue officials seals and imposing Han law and customs, reforming the customs of the Southern Yue, and sending envoys to pacify the people. However, the Prime Minister of the Southern Yue, Lv Jia, refused to submit, started a rebellion, and killed the Southern Yue king and the Han Dynasty's envoys. They all died. You can read about this in the "History of Southern Yue." This young officer died in his early twenties, so he became known as "Zhongtong" after his death.
Wang Bao, whose courtesy name was Ziyuan, was from Sichuan. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, he was responsible for organizing the anecdotes from the reign of Emperor Wu, explaining the Six Arts and various books, and was fascinated by the unusual. He was a master of the "Chu Ci," and was summoned to Jiujiang by the court to recite his works in front of the emperor. Later, the emperor also gathered talents such as Liu Xiang, Zhang Ziqiao, Hua Long, and Liu Bao, and kept them at the Golden Horse Gate in his service.
During the Shenjue and Wufeng periods, the country was prosperous, and good fortune was abundant. The emperor often composed poems and lyrics himself and wanted to implement a new musical system, the Xielv. Prime Minister Wei recommended Zhao Ding from Bohai and Gong De from Liang, both skilled in music, and they were summoned to the palace to serve the emperor. At that time, Yizhou Governor Wang Xiang wanted to promote education among the common people. Hearing of the talented Wang Bao, he requested to meet him. Wang Bao then created three poems: "Zhonghe," "Yuezhi," and "Xuanbu," and selected some skilled singers to set these poems to the tune of "Lu Ming." He Wu, who was then a mere servant, was also chosen to participate in the performance. After a long time, they quickly improved their skills and performed at the Chang'an Imperial College, where their voices reached the emperor's ears. Emperor Xuan summoned them to perform for him and rewarded them with silk, saying, "This is truly the blessing of a golden age! I don't deserve such an honor!" Wang Bao not only composed songs for the Governor but also wrote his biography. The Governor then reported to the court that Wang Bao was very talented. Consequently, the emperor ordered Wang Bao to be summoned to the capital. Upon arriving in the capital, the emperor commanded him to write an article praising the wise ministers under the sage ruler to express his own thoughts. Wang Bao replied, "Someone who only wears coarse cloth can't appreciate fine silk; someone who only eats plain food can't appreciate a feast. I'm just a poor country boy from a humble background in Xishu, raised in a simple cottage. I haven't had the chance to travel or study widely, and I'm full of shortcomings. But I'll humbly offer my thoughts, such as they are!"
I remember this saying: "In short, the key to governing a country according to the Five Elements in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' lies in getting the fundamentals right." You see, skilled people are a nation's most valuable resource. If the right individuals are chosen, you can get more done with less effort; with good tools, tasks become easier. Think about it: if a craftsman uses dull tools, they will be exhausted and busy all day long. But if they had a legendary sword like the Gan Jiang Mo Ye, sharp enough to slice through anything, then it would be powerful, capable of cutting through sea monsters in the water and rhinoceros skin on land, swinging it like a comet streaking across the sky! This shows that as long as the tools and people are suitable, even building a large palace extending hundreds of feet will not be chaotic.
This is like an ordinary person trying to control a poor horse; it will be exhausting, the horse won't run, and both will be worn out. But with a thousand-mile horse and skilled riders like Wang Liang and Han Ai, it's a different story. The horse would fly, covering a thousand miles a day, effortlessly and easily, as fast as a shadow, running all over the country as easily as crossing a dirt pile! It would be incredibly fast, covering vast distances effortlessly. This is all because the coordination between the person and the horse is good. Therefore, wearing light summer clothes won't feel hot, and wearing thick fur coats won't feel cold; it's the same principle. With the right equipment, you can handle any situation. A wise ruler knows that talented people are key to success. That's why wise rulers open up avenues of speech and create a good environment to attract talents from all over the world.
If you're serious about finding good people, you'll make good policies; if you're on the hunt for talent, you'll build something great. Duke Zhou went all out to find the best people, and look what happened – the Zhou Dynasty boomed! And Duke Huan of Qi? He threw a big party to attract talent, and ended up ruling the roost. So, the moral of the story? Leaders who are good at finding talent have an easier time running things.
The same goes for officials. In the past, those talented individuals, before meeting a wise ruler, offered advice and suggestions that the ruler didn’t take; to be honest, the ruler didn’t believe in them either. No promotions, no chance to shine, and if they did get demoted, it wasn't their fault. So there's Yi Yin slaving away in the kitchen, Jiang Taigong selling fish, Baili Xi selling himself into slavery, and Ning Wuzi tending cattle – all to avoid that same dead-end. Then they found a smart leader, got their chance to shine, and went from rags to riches, setting an example for generations to come.
So, you need a smart leader to get smart advisors. It's like a tiger's roar – it chills you to the bone! Or a dragon taking flight – it brings the rain. You gotta wait for the right time, just like a cricket waits for autumn or a mayfly for a cloudy day. The *I Ching* basically says that when things are going well, you'll find great leaders. The *Book of Songs* says that when a virtuous king is in charge, talented people will flock to him, leading to a powerful nation.
So, when the country's peaceful and the emperor's wise, good people just appear naturally. Like Yao, Shun, Yu, and others – they had great ministers who worked together perfectly. They all worked together seamlessly, like a well-oiled machine. Even the legendary musical understanding of Bo Ya and Zhong Zi Qi couldn't compare.
It was a perfect match, like they were meant to be – a once-in-a-thousand-years kind of thing. It was like a perfect fit, smooth as silk. With that kind of harmony, nothing could stop them. Everything flourished – the people were happy, distant lands sent gifts, and good luck was everywhere. A wise ruler just knew what to do; good fortune followed him like a shadow. They had peace and prosperity, exactly what they wanted. Living in accordance with natural laws, leading a tranquil and effortless life, why bother trying to live forever like those old legends? They had it all right there.
Back then, the emperor was really into gods and immortality, so he really focused on worship.
The emperor ordered Bao Chan and Zhang Ziqiao to serve in the palace, often taking them hunting. At each palace, Bao Chan would compose a poem in its praise. The emperor rewarded him with silks of varying quality, depending on the poem's merit. Many people thought this practice was absurd and had no practical significance, but the emperor said, "Ain't nobody playin' chess? At least that's better than nothin'! My essays, whether long like ancient poems or short and elegant, are a real treat to read. Like a fancy dress or a catchy tune – ain't that what folks go for these days? My essays not only provide entertainment but also teach morality and righteousness, enlightening birds, beasts, plants, and trees. Beats watchin' plays or chess any day!" Before long, the emperor promoted Bao Chan to be a counselor.
Later, the crown prince fell sick; he was always drowsy, forgetful, and miserable. The emperor ordered Bao Chan and others to serve the crown prince in the palace, reading him some unusual writings and Bao Chan's own stuff morning and night. After the crown prince recovered, Bao Chan returned. The crown prince loved the two poems "Ganquan" and "Dongxiao" written by Bao Chan and even made the concubines and maids learn 'em.
Later, a fortune teller claimed there were magical golden horses and jade chickens in Yizhou that would please the gods if used in a sacrifice. Emperor Xuan sent Bao Chan to Yizhou for the sacrifice. Sadly, Bao Chan died on the way, much to the emperor's grief.
Jia Juanzhi, courtesy name Junfang, was the great-grandson of Jia Yi. When Emperor Yuan had just ascended the throne, Jia Juanzhi presented his views in a memorial, which led to the emperor summoning him and appointing him to serve at the Jinma Gate.
During the time of Emperor Wu of Han, in the first year of Yuanfeng, the Dan'er and Zhuyai commanderies were established to conquer Nanyue. These two commanderies were located on islands in the southern sea, covering a vast area, encompassing roughly a thousand square li, and comprised sixteen counties with over twenty-three thousand households. The local populace was known for its truculence and frequent defiance of imperial authority, often taking advantage of their remote location to violate imperial laws. Although the officials were strict, rebellions would erupt every few years, leading to the killing of officials and requiring the court to send troops to quell them. From the establishment of the commanderies to the first year of the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han, there were a total of six rebellions. In the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Zhao, the court abolished Dan'er Commandery and merged it into Zhuyai Commandery. However, in the third year of Xuandi Shenjue, three counties in Zhuyai rebelled again. After seven years of unrest, in the first year of Ganlu, nine counties rebelled together, prompting the court to send troops to subdue them. In the first year of Yuandi Chuyuan, Zhuyai rebelled once more, and the court again dispatched troops to put down the rebellion. The counties continued to rebel year after year without pause.
The emperor discussed the situation with his ministers and prepared to launch a large-scale military campaign. However, a minister named Juanzhi opposed this suggestion, believing that military action should not be taken. The emperor then sent his top advisor, the top general, and a high-ranking noble, Wang Shang, to ask Juanzhi: "Zhuyai's been a commandery for ages, and now they're rebelling again. You say we shouldn't send in the troops? Just letting those barbarians run wild – isn't that disrespecting the old Emperor's legacy? How do you explain that?" Juanzhi replied:
"I am fortunate to live in these good times, able to speak my mind without getting in trouble, so I dare to speak out at the risk of my life. I have heard that during the times of Yao and Shun, it was a flourishing period; even the sage Yu had a difficult time governing the world. Therefore, Confucius praised Yao as 'great,' the music of 'Shao' called him 'perfect,' and for Yu, it was said his reign was without flaw. Even during the reign of these three sages, the territory was only a few thousand miles, from the western deserts to the eastern seas. Their teachings spread throughout the world; he governed those who sought his guidance, leaving others to their own devices. Therefore, there was harmony between rulers and subjects, and the people lived in peace and happiness. King Wu Ding and King Cheng of the Yin and Zhou dynasties were benevolent rulers, but their territory only extended as far as the Jianghuai River in the east, the Di and Qiang tribes in the west, the southern tribes in the south, and the northern tribes in the north. As a result, people sang their praises, and the people lived in peace and happiness; even the distant Yue Shang tribe traveled from afar to pay tribute, which could not be achieved by force alone. When they declined, their southern armies were lost, Duke Huan of Qi had to come to the rescue in times of crisis, and Confucius had to set things right. During the Qin Dynasty, there were lavish construction projects, expeditions, and conquests, focused on expansion while ignoring internal weaknesses. As a result, the territory of the Qin Dynasty only reached as far as Minyue in the south and Taiyuan in the north, causing chaos throughout the land and ultimately leading to its downfall. Even now, the Ballad of the Great Wall still echoes today, warning future generations!"
In the early years of the Han Dynasty, things were just getting started, and Emperor Gaozu worked to bring peace and order to the land for his people. After Emperor Wen of Han ascended the throne, seeing that the country was not completely stable, he implemented a policy of reducing military activities and promoting culture, lightening the burden of taxes and minimizing wars. It is said that he handled only a few hundred cases, and a family's taxes were only forty cash, with able-bodied men serving in the military only once every three years. At that time, someone presented a thousand-mile horse, and Emperor Wen issued a decree saying, "With all the pomp and circumstance of the court, we only move at a snail's pace. The army's even slower! What good is a fast horse to me then?" So he returned the horse to the presenter, gave him travel expenses, and issued a decree saying, "I will not accept any more presentations, and I order that people from all over the country should no longer present gifts!" At that time, lavish parties and games were a thing of the past, bribes of rare treasures stopped, and the famous singers of Zheng and Wei were no more. With fewer beauties in the palace, talented individuals were not overlooked; crooks didn't get ahead, and honest advisers could speak freely. Thanks to all this, he became known as Emperor Xiao Wen (the Taizong Temple Name) after he died.
In the sixth year of Emperor Wu of Han's Yuan Shou era, the grain in the royal storehouses was rotten, and the coins in the capital were so rusted they were worthless. Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han began to address the issue of Pingcheng. Remembering the Xiongnu attacks since Modu Chanyu, he strengthened the army and used wealthy people to resist the Xiongnu. He pushed west to Anxi, crossed the Jieshi Mountains to the east, setting up Xuantu and Lelang Commanderies. He drove the Xiongnu back thousands of miles, rebuilt the forts, and established eight new commanderies in the south. Even though he handled tens of thousands of cases, taxes were higher, and the government made more money from salt, iron, and alcohol, it still wasn't enough.
Back then, bandits were everywhere, wars were constant, fathers died in battle, sons returned home wounded, women guarded the borders, orphans cried on the road, and elderly mothers and widows wept in the alleys, mourning their loved ones far away. Prince Huainan secretly stole the Tiger Seal, recruiting talents in secret; Gongsun Yong and others from the east pretended to be envoys, all because Emperor Wu of Han expanded the territory and waged endless wars! People were displaced. Barely surviving. The suffering was unbearable!
Only the east had any real power left, and within the east, the strongest were the states of Qi and Chu. The people had suffered long enough. Year after year, they were forced to wander, homeless, sleeping rough, huddled together for warmth. Family ties meant nothing anymore; people didn't care about family anymore, even resorting to selling wives and children. It was beyond the law and morality, a ticking time bomb for the country!
Your Majesty, I understand your frustration and desire for a swift victory by attacking Zhuyai with the army. However, this will not solve the famine or protect our people. The Book of Songs says, "The unruly southern tribes only submit to a strong empire." This means that when a wise monarch rises, the barbarians will submit; when China is weak, the barbarians will rebel first. The barbarians' rebellion always brings trouble to the country, which has been a longstanding issue. Moreover, attacking the barbarians thousands of miles away in the south is even more challenging! The customs of the Luoyue people, such as fathers and sons bathing together and sharing water in this manner, are considered uncivilized and thus unsuitable for governance under our system. Zhuyai is in the middle of the sea, with heavy fog, dampness, poisonous plants, insects, snakes, and many diseases that soldiers may die from before even seeing the enemy. Besides, there are pearls, rhinoceros horns, and tortoiseshell elsewhere, so abandoning Zhuyai is not a loss. Not attacking it will not harm our dignity. Their people are insignificant; their resources are not worth the cost!
Thinking privately about the situation when fighting the Qiang people before, the war lasted less than a year, the army marched less than a thousand miles, but spent a sum exceeding 40 million cash. The Grand Minister's money ran out, and even the Treasury's funds were used to supplement. The huge cost of just one military campaign in one place, not to mention a distant expedition where soldiers die in vain, brings no benefits. From ancient experience, this method is not feasible; the same applies today. I think we can just ignore countries outside the Central Plains, those not recorded in the "Tribute of Yu" or the "Spring and Autumn Annals." I hope Your Majesty will abandon the attack on Zhuyai and focus on relieving the crisis in the area east of the mountain passes.
The emperor took this matter to ask the prime minister and the censor-in-chief. The censor-in-chief, Chen Wannian, thought they should send troops to fight. However, the prime minister, Yu Dingguo, said: "We've been banging our heads against a wall in Zhuyai for years. Of eleven officers—guard captain, colonel, and the rest—only two came back. More than ten thousand soldiers and transport personnel died, costing over thirty million cash, and we still haven't completely defeated them. Now Guandong's in a right mess, folks are scared stiff. We can't start a war again. I think we should give up." The emperor listened to Yu Dingguo's opinion.
Therefore, the emperor issued an edict, saying: "The barbarians in Zhuyai killed our officials and people and rebelled. Now there are different opinions in the court on whether to attack, defend, or give up. I think about this every night. If we wanna show 'em who's boss, we punish 'em. If we're scared of a fight, we just stick to our farms. But if we're smart, we look out for the people. Starvation's a bigger threat than those far-off barbarians. We gotta keep up the ancestor worship, even in a bad year like this—we can't afford to look weak. Guandong's starving, our granaries are bare, and another war'll be the end of us. Therefore, Zhuyai County is revoked! Those who want to surrender to us can be settled; those who do not want to surrender should not be forced." So, that was the end of Zhuyai County.
The emperor summoned Juanshu several times, taking his advice each time. At that time, the Imperial Secretary Shi Xian was highly favored, and Juanshu badmouthed him a few times, so he never got a job and was rarely summoned afterwards. However, the Chang'an magistrate Yang Xing was very talented and favored by the emperor, and he had a good relationship with Juanshu. Juanshu wanted to be summoned again, so he said to Yang Xing, "The Jingzhao magistrate's job is open. If I get summoned, I'll totally recommend you for the position!" Yang Xing replied, "The emperor has previously said I'm better than Doctor Xue and can easily get promoted. You're the best writer and speaker in the whole country! If you become the top dog, you'll be way stronger than Wulu Chongzong!"
Juanshu said, "Let me replace Chongzong, and you become the Jingzhao magistrate. The Jingzhao magistrate runs the counties, and the Personnel Minister runs the whole show. When the world is peaceful, talents won't be buried. I previously recommended Ping'en Marquis to be a general and Qisi Marquis for other official positions, both of which were realized; I also recommended Yezhe Man Xuan, who later became the governor of Jizhou; I also suggested that Yezhe shouldn't participate in political affairs and that eunuchs shouldn't enter the ancestral temple, and the emperor accepted my suggestions. Pretty reliable, huh?" Yang Xing said, "I'll put in a good word for you next time I see the emperor." Juanshu then spoke ill of Shi Xian. Yang Xing said, "Shi Xian's got the emperor's ear. If you want to be promoted now, listen to me. Let's both recommend him; that's how we'll get ahead."
Juan Shu and Yang Xing wrote to the Emperor recommending Shi Xian, stating: "In our humble opinion, Shi Xian comes from a prestigious family in Shandong, has a good upbringing, an upright character, and has made no mistakes in the past six years. He is capable, quick to respond, diligent in his official duties, and maintains his integrity in private life. He should be appointed as the Governor of Guannei, and his brother should also be promoted to some official positions." They also submitted a joint recommendation for Yang Xing, saying: "We believe that Chang'an magistrate Yang Xing has been summoned multiple times due to his talent. He respects his parents like Zeng Can, treats his teachers like Yan Hui and Min Sun, and has a widely acclaimed reputation. The Emperor's decree to select talents should take him as a role model. During his tenure as Chang'an magistrate, officials and the public respected him and praised his abilities. He possesses the wisdom of Dong Zhongshu, the eloquence of Dongfang Shuo, and the integrity of Ji An. Yang Xing embodies the virtues of these six famous ministers, is upright, adheres to principles, and will not waver in critical moments. He is a pillar of the country and can be appointed as acting governor of Jingzhao." Upon hearing this, Shi Xian hurried to report to the Emperor. He had Xing and Juan arrested and got the Empress Dowager's father, Yang Pinghou, involved. He then said to the Emperor: "Xing and Juan are scheming together, flattering each other, colluding to seek high positions, and even leaking palace secrets to deceive the Emperor. Their actions are outrageous! As the old saying goes, slander can ruin even the best reputation. It is also said that those who follow improper things and receive benefits deserve the consequences. Please deal with them according to the law!"
Juan was ultimately sentenced to death and publicly executed in the marketplace. Although his crime was reduced by one level, he still couldn't avoid being sentenced to hard labor, with his head shaved and ankles chained. However, by the time of Emperor Cheng, he unexpectedly rose to the position of governor—talk about a turn of events!
In the end, the author sighed and said: In ancient poetry, it is said that "The Rongdi and Jingshu were constant threats, requiring constant punishment." These countries have long been a significant threat to the Central Plains dynasty! After the Han Dynasty was established, the Han repeatedly fought the Xiongnu and Yue, and only then did they truly become strong. I carefully examined the actions of Prince Huainan, Juan, Zhufu Yan, and Yan An, discovering that their crimes were quite serious, which is why I recorded them in detail.
People often say that Gongsun Hong ousted Zhufu Yan; Zhang Tang framed Yan Zhu; and Shi Xian falsely accused Juan. However, when considering their actions, it's clear that Zhufu Yan sought to seize power and was ultimately exterminated; Yan Zhu and Jia Yi, as court insiders who schemed and self-served, ended up with unmarked graves. Their fates were self-inflicted, so why complain?
