Xue Xuan, courtesy name Ganjun, was from Tan County in Shandong. When he was young, he worked as a junior clerk in the Ministry of Justice and also served as a prison officer at Douchuan Prison. Later, due to his integrity demonstrated while managing food supplies under the official in charge of grain supplies, he was promoted to county administrator. When Zhao Gong, the Prefect of Langye Commandery, visited various places for inspection, he met Xue Xuan and greatly admired his talents. The prefect took Xue Xuan on his rounds of the subordinate counties, and upon returning to the commandery, he specifically arranged for his wife to meet Xue Xuan. He told her, "This Xue Xuan, he's going places! My sons will be working for him one day!" Due to his integrity, Xue Xuan was promoted to second-in-command in Lelang. The Youzhou governor recommended him as a talented individual and appointed him as the magistrate of Wanju County. The powerful General Wang Feng, upon hearing about Xue Xuan's abilities, recommended him to be the magistrate of Chang'an County. Xue Xuan's outstanding performance in governing Chang'an County led to his appointment as Deputy Inspector General due to his familiarity with legal texts.
At that time, Emperor Cheng had just ascended the throne, and Xue Xuan served as the chief censor, enforcing laws in the court and supervising the governors in various regions. He wrote to the emperor, saying: "Your Majesty is morally upright, kind-hearted, and diligent for the people, yet you never enjoy comfort. You completely follow the teachings of the sages, and your punishments are appropriate. However, good fortune is still not flourishing, and things aren't in balance. This is probably because the work of your subordinates has not been done properly, leading to the emperor's wise rule not being fully felt by the people. Privately, I carefully considered the reasons behind this, likely due to many officials enforcing harsh policies, with complicated and burdensome affairs, and the main responsibility lies with the governors in various regions. Some of them do not adhere to their duties, act arbitrarily, meddle in the affairs of counties, even engage in corruption, believe in slander, seek out faults of the people, and punish even minor faults too severely. The counties oppress each other, and the people also suffer. Therefore, neighborly relations have suffered, family members have forgotten their affection, the days of abundance are decreasing, and people don't help each other out anymore. When people aren't getting along, things go wrong, and good fortune disappears. This is probably the reason. The Book of Songs says: 'If the people are suffering, it's the ruler's fault.' There is a saying: 'Harsh rule hurts the people, and too much bureaucracy destroys trust.' Therefore, when the governors report their work to the court, they should clearly inform them of the court's policies, so that they understand the intentions of the court. I'm no expert on governing, Your Majesty, so I can only ask you to observe." The emperor happily accepted his advice. It is said that Minister Xuan once told the emperor some good ways to govern the country, and then accused the governors, county magistrates, and high-ranking officials. He accused them clearly and fairly, and quickly became famous. Later, he was sent to serve as the prefect of Linhuai, and he did a great job, and the people loved him.
At this time, a serious bandit problem emerged in Chenliu Commandery, causing great distress to the people. The court then transferred Xuan to serve as the Governor of Chenliu. Upon taking office, he quickly pacified the bandits, winning the admiration of local officials and residents. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Governor of Zuo Fengyi, successfully completing his term.
Initially, the county officials of Gaoling, Yang Zhan, and Liyang, Xie You, were both greedy and cunning, disrespectful to the Governor and constantly causing problems. Previous attempts by high-ranking officials (of the rank of 2,000 stones) to investigate their cases had been unsuccessful. After Xuan took office, the two of them came to pay their respects to him. Xuan warmly welcomed them, hosting a banquet and putting on a friendly face.
However, secretly, Xuan was investigating their crimes and quickly gathered evidence of their bribery and corruption. Xuan found that Yang Zhan had shown some remorse, and as a mark of respect, he personally wrote a letter listing Yang Zhan's crimes, sealed it, and handed it to him. The letter stated: "People are saying you're in cahoots with the bandits, and the evidence backs it up. Fengyi Commandery respects you, and considering the harsh penalties under the law, I cannot bear to directly accuse you. Therefore, I am writing this letter privately to inform you, hoping you will consider whether to continue in office or resign, so you can keep your good name. If you have not committed these acts, return this letter to me, and I will help you clear your name." Upon reading the letter and realizing his own crimes listed within it, Yang Zhan immediately resigned his post and wrote a letter to thank Xuan without a hint of complaint.
Xuan's effective and humane approach to governance earned him lasting respect in the region.
Xie You, the magistrate of Liyang County, considered himself a famous scholar and looked down on Magistrate Xuan. Magistrate Xuan directly wrote him an open letter, rebuking him, saying: "To the Magistrate of Liyang County: The people all say that your governance is overly strict and cruel, abusing punishments and implicating thousands; embezzling a vast sum of money, distributing funds unlawfully; turning a blind eye to price gouging by wealthy merchants. The evidence is conclusive. I originally wanted to send someone to investigate, but considering that this would embarrass the informants and disgrace the scholars, I am sending someone to notify you. Confucius said: 'Do your best, and if it doesn't work, then stop.' Think about how to handle this." After receiving this letter, Xie You handed in his resignation and left.
In Fengyang County, located at the border of Shangjun and Xihe, and a vital thoroughfare for several counties, there were many bandits. Magistrate Xue Gong, from Pingling, was filial, but his promotion was slow, and he had no experience in governing, so his tenure had been unproductive. On the other hand, Liyi County, a small place in the deep mountains, with hardworking and honest folk, was easier to manage. Magistrate Yin Shang of Liyi County, from Julu, had served in the county for a long time and was promoted to Liyi County for his outstanding performance. Governor Xuan wrote to the court, and Xue Gong and Yin Shang swapped their positions. After a few months in office, the public order in both counties improved. Xuan wrote a letter to congratulate and encourage them, saying: "In the past, Meng Gongchuo was very talented in the states of Zhao and Wei, but his governance in Teng and Xue was not good. Some people are famous for their virtues, and some are promoted for their achievements. 'You can't rush a good thing!' Now every county has wise magistrates, and Fengyi County is experiencing prosperous times. I hope you continue to work hard and fulfill your achievements."
Whenever Xuan heard that officials and people in the county were making mistakes, he would immediately inform the relevant county magistrates to sort it out themselves. He would also specifically explain: "The reason I do not handle these matters myself is that I do not want to interfere with the county's affairs and upstage the competent county magistrates." The county officials were both happy and afraid after hearing this; they all doffed their hats in gratitude and promised to strictly abide by the law in the future.
Xuan was fair and consistent in handing out rewards and punishments, always seeing justice done, and always following through. Wherever he went, things ran smoothly and everything was documented. He was kind-hearted and treated the people like his own family. Once, the county of Chiyang recommended an honest jail warden named Wang Li, but before the county could summon him, it was heard that Wang Li had accepted money from the families of prisoners. Xuan questioned Chiyang County, and after investigation, it was found that Wang Li's wife had secretly accepted 16,000 cash from the prisoner's family and only told Wang Li two days later; Wang Li himself was truly unaware. Overwhelmed by shame and fear, Wang Li took his own life. When Xuan heard about this, he wrote to Chiyang County saying: "The honest jail warden Wang Li recommended by the county had his family accept bribes, but Wang Li himself was unaware, yet he died to uphold his integrity. Wang Li was truly a good official of integrity; it is truly regrettable! The prefecture should send someone to escort Wang Li's coffin to console his spirit in heaven. All officials and staff who knew Wang Li should attend the funeral."
On the day of rest, only the clerk responsible for handling criminal cases, Zhang Fu, refused to take a break and stayed in the office. Xuan then ordered: "It's only natural to socialize, and everyone deserves a break. Although there are official matters to attend to in the office, your family is also looking forward to your return. You should, like everyone else, go home, have a feast, invite the neighbors, and enjoy the holiday—it's what you deserve!" Zhang Fu felt ashamed, while the other officials were impressed by Xuan's fairness.
Xuan was a guy who had great presence and manners, making people feel comfortable around him. He kept to himself but was a deep thinker, always on the ball about his job and finding ways to make things run smoothly. He was even thrifty with the office supplies, coming up with ways to save money on little things. Everyone praised him, and his area became peaceful and prosperous as a result. Later, he got promoted to Shao Fu, managing supplies for the palace.
A month later, the Imperial Censor, Yu Yong, passed away. Gu Yong submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying: "For an emperor, nothing is more important than knowing and appointing the right people. As long as talents are selected and appropriate individuals are appointed to suitable positions, the country can prosper and develop, just as nature intends, without a single thing wasted. Gao Tao once said: 'Knowing people is wisdom; using them well is the mark of a leader.' The Imperial Censor's role is crucial; he must understand court politics and help the Prime Minister govern the entire country. It is a great responsibility that cannot be handled by ordinary individuals. Now, it is necessary to select someone from among the ministers to fill this vacancy. The right choice brings joy to the people and respect from officials; the wrong one leaves the post vacant and the nation's business undone. The wisdom of Yu Shun lies in his insight in selecting and employing people. This matter must be carefully considered! I'd like to put forward Shao Fu Xuan; he's a brilliant man of high integrity, perfectly suited to this role. He previously served as the Deputy Grand Master of the Palace, working in the law enforcement department. He is neither arrogant nor weak, correcting errors promptly when necessary. Later, he served as the Prefect of Linhuai and Chenliu, both of which became model prefectures under his governance. During his tenure as Left Fengyi, he emphasized educating the people with virtue while strictly enforcing the law. As a result, all affairs were in order, corruption disappeared, and there were hardly any cases that needed to be reported to the Prime Minister's office for several years. Even after amnesty, only one-tenth of the thieves remained in the Sanfu region. His record is unparalleled since the post was created. Confucius once said: 'If you want to praise someone, you must first examine him.' Xuan's achievements can be found in the records of the two governments. I wouldn't want to overstate his accomplishments, lest I be accused of misleading Your Majesty. I have heard that the most important thing in governing a country is to select talents and appoint the capable, and Xuan has proven his abilities. His talents are sufficient for the position of Minister of Justice, and his profound knowledge and outstanding literary talents qualify him to participate in the decision-making and judgment of national affairs. He's a man of great ability and unwavering dedication to public service. Xuan has no political allies or lobbyists to assist him, and I am concerned that Your Majesty may overlook those truly talented individuals and only value those who appear glamorous on the surface. So I've taken the liberty of recommending Shao Fu Xuan to Your Majesty; I urge you to consider his exceptional abilities."
There is no text provided for translation.
The emperor agreed to Gu Yong's suggestion and appointed Xuan as the Grand Censor. A few months later, Zhang Yu was made Prime Minister, created Marquis of Gaoyang, with a fief of one thousand households. Emperor Xuan also promoted Zhao Gong's two sons to serve as historians. Zhao Gong was the nephew of Zhao Guanghan and was a very capable official. During Xuan's tenure as Prime Minister, his office had a rule that cases worth less than 10,000 coins would not be officially documented, a practice later widely adopted, following the example of Marquis Xue. However, officials criticized him for being nitpicky and lacking a big-picture view, saying he was considered inadequate. At that time, the emperor favored intellectuals, but Xuan's knowledge of Confucian classics was shallow, and the emperor largely ignored him.
After some time, thieves were rampant in Guanghan Commandery, and the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor sent people to arrest them, but they were not successful. The Emperor appointed Zhao Hu, the Hedong Commandant, as the Prefect of Guanghan, and ordered him to handle it with military law. Several months later, Zhao Hu executed the bandit leader, Zheng Gong, and thousands surrendered, bringing an end to the banditry. Just as this happened, Empress Dowager Qiongcheng passed away, and the funeral was rushed. In order to save time, the officials extorted more taxes from the people. Later, when the Emperor heard about this, he blamed the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor and dismissed Xuan Di, saying, "You have been Prime Minister for six years, but in terms of loyalty and filial piety, you have not shown any good performance to me. I also have my own shortcomings, with a string of calamities occurring frequently, leading to widespread famine, suffering, and even cannibalism. Thieves were rampant, and officials were derelict in their duties. This is all my fault, and also the fault of you, these important officials who have failed in your duties! Some time ago, thieves were rampant in Guanghan Commandery, causing harm to officials and the people. It broke my heart. I asked you about the situation many times, but your reports were always lies. The West was cut off from the court, practically lawless. The Sannong region was bled dry by corrupt officials who colluded with evil forces to oppress the people. I ordered you to investigate and handle this, but you did not want to uncover the truth. Your underlings followed suit, all guilty of deception. As Prime Minister, you allowed this corruption, poisoning the well and setting a terrible example. I've had enough. You're fired. Get lost."
At first, Xuan served as the prime minister, while Zhai Fangjin was a Palace Attendant. Xuan knew that Fangjin was a famous Confucian scholar with the abilities of a prime minister, so he formed a deep friendship with him. Later, Fangjin eventually succeeded Xuan as the prime minister. Remembering Xuan's past favors, Fangjin recommended Xuan two years after his dismissal, stating that he was proficient in the classics, familiar with the national system, and the reasons for his previous dismissal were relatively minor, so he could be reappointed. The emperor then reappointed Xuan as the Marquis of Gaoyang, granting him special favor, outranking even the Marquis of Shianchang, serving as an imperial attendant and handling the affairs of the court administration. Xuan's status was once again restored. He served again as prime minister for several years, but later, due to his good relationship with the Marquis of Dingling Chunyu Chang, when Chunyu Chang was dismissed and sent home, Xuan was implicated as well.
At first, Xuan had two younger brothers, one named Ming and the other named Xiu. Ming became the governor of Nanyang, while Xiu served as a district magistrate, county governor, Intendant of Jingzhao, and Minister of the Interior. He was very good at socializing and had a good reputation locally. Their mother often traveled with Xiu as he served in various posts. When Xuan was serving as prime minister, Xiu was a district magistrate in Linzi. Xuan wanted to bring their mother to serve her, but Xiu refused to let their mother leave. Later, their mother passed away, and Xiu resigned from his post to observe the mourning period at home. Xuan believed that observing the mourning period for three years was excessive, and the two brothers argued about this matter. In the end, Xiu insisted on mourning for three years, and that's how the brothers fell out.
Some time after Emperor Ai took the throne, Shen Xian, a scholar from Donghai, was appointed as a censor. He accused Xuan of lacking filial piety and disregarding family, as he had not observed the mourning period for his parents. Previously dismissed for disloyalty and unfilial conduct, he should not be reinstated at court. Xuan's son, Kuang, a high-ranking official, after hearing Shen Xian's accusations multiple times, bribed a man named Yang Ming to have Shen Xian disfigured and thus removed from office. A vacancy arose in the Sili position, and Kuang was worried that Shen Xian would obtain it, so he had Yang Ming ambush him at his doorstep, cutting off his nose and lips and inflicting a total of eight knife wounds on his body.
The Chief Censor's report stated: "Kuang's father, a former prime minister and marquis, has not influenced him. Instead, he and his relatives were constantly suspicious of one another. Kuang's accusations of Xuan's misdeeds were public knowledge, and the court was surely aware. Kuang knew that Shen Xian was a censor and feared that he would report Xuan to the Sili, so he conspired with Xuan to commit violence in front of the palace gates to silence the gossip. Their actions were outrageous, causing a huge scandal that spread far and wide – nothing like a common street brawl. Respecting the emperor's officials shows respect for the emperor himself. Even low-ranking officials deserve respect, let alone the emperor's own people. As the *Spring and Autumn Annals* teaches, even if you get away with it, you'll still be punished eventually. You can't let things like this fester. Their actions were despicable and disrespectful to the highest degree. Both Kuang and Xuan deserve the death penalty."
The Chief Justice argued, "The law states: 'Those who injure others with a knife shall be sentenced to hard labor in a frontier outpost. If the crime is aggravated, an additional punishment shall be added, and co-conspirators shall be equally guilty.' However, there is no imperial edict this time accusing them of treason. Ancient texts say, 'Unreasonable treatment and resentment are as serious as murder, a clear sign of unrighteousness.' Besides, the relationship between Kuang and Xuan was very good, yet Kuang spoke ill of Xuan multiple times, which had a negative impact when it spread; this cannot be considered righteous. Kuang was angered by the defamation of his father and conspired with Xuan to harm Xian. Later, upon hearing that a supervisory office was to be established, their haste wasn't driven by fear of Xian's report. They originally fought out of personal grudges, and even if they injured Xian outside the yamen, it is no different from an ordinary brawl among common people. Killing pays the price, and injuring incurs punishment; this is an unchanging principle from ancient times to the present, a rule handed down since time immemorial. Confucius said, 'Things must be called by their right names.' If the order of names is not correct, then punishments will not be just; if punishments are unjust, the common people will have no guidance. Now, designating Kuang as the mastermind and labeling Xuan's act of injuring as great disrespect shows no distinction between public and private matters. The *Chunqiu* focuses on intent when judging guilt. Kuang was angered by the defamation of his father and acted out of anger, without any other great evil. Adding additional charges against him, turning minor wrongs into major crimes, and sentencing him to death goes against the emperor's intentions, and is likely unreasonable and cannot be carried out. A wise monarch will not increase punishments out of anger. Xuan's act of injuring others is wrong, and both Kuang and Xuan conspired together, so their crimes should be mitigated, and they should be sentenced to hard labor in a frontier outpost."
The emperor then asked the opinions of the court officials. The Prime Minister Kong Guang and Grand Minister Shi Dan agreed with the Chief Justice, while the generals, scholars, and officials supported his argument as well. The court was divided, with some advocating for a harsher punishment based on the need for public order, while others emphasized the lack of treasonous behavior. In the end, Kuang's crime was mitigated by one degree, and he was exiled to the remote and harsh region of Dunhuang; Xuan was dismissed from his position and became a commoner, returning to his hometown and dying there.
When Hui took up his post as magistrate, he held a high official position, earning a hefty salary. Initially, he served as the magistrate of Pengcheng County, while Xuan was transferred from Linhuai to Chenliu, passing through Pengcheng. He noticed that the bridges and postal stations in Pengcheng were not repaired, realizing that Hui had not done a good job. So Xuan spent several days at Hui's house, casually inspecting the furnishings and garden, pointedly avoiding any discussion of the county's administration. Hui himself felt that his performance did not meet Xuan's expectations, so he sent a subordinate to escort Xuan to Chenliu, hoping for some advice on governing. In response, Xuan smiled and said, "Being a magistrate is all about following the rules. If you're stuck, ask someone. But whether you're any good at it depends on you – it's not something you can just learn." His words resonated, and the story quickly spread.
At the beginning, when Xuan Gang was made a marquis, his wife died. Princess Jingwu remained a widow, so the emperor had Xuan marry her. Later, Xuan retired and returned to his hometown, while the princess stayed in the capital. After Xuan's death, the princess requested to return to Xuan's hometown of Yanling to arrange his funeral. The emperor approved. This guy served as an official in Dunhuang, then returned to Chang'an, where he was sleeping with the princess. The powerful Ding and Fu families, relatives of Emperor Ai, were close to the princess, causing her to distance herself from the Wang family. During the Yuan Shi period, Wang Mang declared himself the Duke of Anhan, and the princess openly criticized him. She had a good relationship with Lu Kuan, so when Lu Kuan got into trouble, Wang Mang took the opportunity to arrest her as well, fabricating charges and sending people with the empress dowager's decree to give the princess poison. Enraged, the princess said, "The Liu family's weak, the Wangs are running the show, pushing the royals aside. How did my sister-in-law, who was married to a Wang, die? The Wang family actually had an affair with her and killed her!" The messenger forced the princess to drink the poison, and she committed suicide. Kwang was beheaded in public. Empress Dowager Bai claimed the princess died of a sudden illness. The empress dowager wanted to attend the princess's funeral, but Wang Mang strongly opposed it, so she backed down.
Zhu Bo, styled Ziyuan, was from Duling. He came from a poor family and when he was young, he served as a low-level official in the county. He enjoyed making friends with young people and was no slouch in a brawl. Later, he gradually rose to the position of a government official, known for his righteousness and love for making friends. He often followed the important officials without fear of wind and rain. At that time, Xiao Yu from the former general Wang family and Chen Xian, who was a Censor-in-chief from the family of the Minister of Rites Wan Nian, were both sons of officials known for their talents, and Zhu Bo befriended them. During that time, several counties, including Ling County, were under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Ministry of Rites. Zhu Bo served as a low-level clerk at the Imperial Ministry of Rites and was promoted to the position of magistrate of Anling County due to his serious work ethic. He later resigned and went to Chang'an, serving as a minor official in various departments. He was later appointed as an inspector of the postal service, and he managed his department very well, earning praise from everyone in the county.
Chen Xian leaked internal court information while serving as a Censor-in-chief and was imprisoned. Zhu Bo sneaked into the jail, dressed as a doctor, to investigate Chen Xian's situation. Chen Xian was severely interrogated and was about to crack. Zhu Bo managed to see Chen Xian, learned the reasons for his imprisonment, and after his release, changed his name to help Chen Xian treat hundreds of people and ultimately saved him from death row. Due to this incident, Zhu Bo gained great fame and was appointed as the county administrator.
After some time, Emperor Cheng of Han ascended the throne, and the Grand General Wang Feng recommended Chen Xian to be the chief of staff. Chen Xian in turn recommended Xiao Yu and Zhu Bo to work in Wang Feng's mansion. Wang Feng found this curious, to say the least, and promoted Zhu Bo to be the magistrate of Liyang County, then transferred him to Yunyang County and Pingling County as the magistrate, and finally to Chang'an due to his outstanding abilities. He ran the capital like a pro, then got promoted to governor of Jizhou.
Zhu Bo originally came from a military background and did not understand matters of governance very well. After becoming a governor, he traveled to various places for inspection, where a couple hundred folks blocked his path to lodge complaints, causing the government offices to be crowded with people. His subordinates wanted to test Zhu Bo, so they suggested that he stay in the local area first and list all the complaints before leaving. Knowing what was up, Zhu Bo announced he was leaving. When the carriage was ready, he got off and faced the complainants, instructing his subordinates to announce loudly according to government regulations: "If your beef is with the county magistrate or county officer, the governor isn’t responsible for handling it; you can go to the county to sue. If you want to sue high-ranking officials, wait for the inspector to return and sue at their residence. If you've been wronged by an official, or if it concerns thieves or lawsuits, your subordinates will handle those matters." After Zhu Bo finished speaking, he got on the carriage and left, and poof, they were gone. Everyone was surprised, not expecting Zhu Bo to handle the matter so quickly and effectively. Later, Zhu Bo looked into it and found that his old assistant had been stirring things up. Zhu Bo killed this subordinate, and everyone was afraid of Zhu Bo's authority. He rose through the ranks, becoming governor of Bingzhou, then head of transport, and finally governor of Langye.
Qi Shuhuan was very good at maintaining his reputation and liked to be innovative, which caused the clerks in the Right Secretariat to fall ill and lie in bed without getting up. Qi Bo asked them what was going on, and they replied, "We're terrified! According to tradition, the newly arrived senior magistrate must send someone to express condolences and show respect before we dare to go to work." Qi Bo stroked his beard, slammed the table hard, and said, "Is Qi Shuhuan trying to make this a rule?!" So he called the clerks and officials from all departments and counties, selected those who were capable, and assigned them work. The officials who pretended to be sick were all reprimanded and dismissed, each wearing a white headscarf in shame as they left the government office dejectedly. It caused quite a stir in the county.
After a while, Gan Sui, a clerk and an old Confucian scholar who had taught hundreds of students, was very slow when he met Qi Bo. Qi Bo instructed the registrar, "Gan Sui isn't used to the ways of the court. Registrar, teach him how to bow, and let him gradually become familiar with it." He also instructed the clerk, "Those robes are way too long—it's against regulations. From now on, the clerks' robes must be shortened, three inches off the ground." Qi Bo especially disliked those scholars. Wherever he served as an official, he abolished the planning department, saying, "Who needs a planning department?" Those Confucian scholar officials who were involved in literature often submitted reports, and Qi Bo would say, "You're just like those Han Dynasty officials! Just follow the rules. What's all this sage stuff got to do with it? Save that for Yao and Shun!" He was a real hard-ass!
During his tenure, he reformed the local customs in a bold and decisive manner, and the officials were as well-behaved as those in Zhao—it was like a dream come true.
The Bozhou prefect often allows influential locals in each subordinate county to serve as high officials, and civil and military officials are appointed according to the situation. If a county has a major case or other unusual situation, the Bozhou prefect will write a letter to them, issuing a carefully worded reprimand. If they work hard to resolve the matter, they will be heavily rewarded; if they deceive or fail to achieve results, they will be immediately punished. Thus ensuring their cooperation.
Eight individuals from Gumu County banded together to petition the court for revenge, but they were unsuccessful. The magistrate wrote a letter to the prefecture, and even the clerk in charge of criminal cases personally requested to go to Gumu County to handle the matter, but it still wasn't resolved. The clerks of the various departments also wrote letters requesting action, but to no avail. At this point, the deputy prefect went to see the Bozhou prefect, who said to him, "Gumu County already has a magistrate, and the prefecture has never intervened. Do you think the prefecture should intervene?" At that moment, a scribe ran out of the prefect's office, and the prefect dictated a proclamation: "Prefecture orders: Gumu County magistrate—failure to apprehend bandits, evidence attached. Report immediately! Captain Wang Qing, you're in charge. Enforce the law!"
When Wang Qing received the proclamation, his face turned pale, and his relatives and friends were also in a panic. They pursued the thieves day and night, and in just over a week, they caught five of them. The Bozhou prefect then wrote a letter saying, "Wang Qing, you have worked hard for public affairs, and the results are very good! By this proclamation, bring the spoils and the captured thieves to the prefecture to report. Officials below the rank of department clerk at the prefecture can also be useful, gradually capturing the remaining thieves." That's how he ran things.
After his promotion, he served in the post of Left Fengyi and officially took office a year later. His civil administration was nowhere near as effective as Xue Xuan's, but he excelled in using force to intimidate, creating a vast and intricate web of informants. He wasn't greedy and was daring in making decisive decisions. However, he could be pretty lax at times, and he'd sometimes loan out huge sums of money, so his staff thought he was really on the ball.
In Changling, there was a rich kid named Shang Fangjin, who had an affair with a married woman when he was young and was subsequently cut with a knife, leaving a scar on his face. At that time, the guy who vetted officials took a bribe and transferred him to a remote area as a low-level official. Later, Bowen Zhi learned about this and found an excuse to summon Shang Fangjin. Upon seeing his face, there was indeed a scar. Bowen Zhi leaned in and asked Shang Fangjin, "What happened to the scar on your face?" Shang Fangjin knew he couldn't hide it anymore, so he quickly knelt down and confessed. Bowen Zhi smiled and said, "Hey, blokes screw up sometimes. The governor wants to give you a second chance and promote you to a junior position. Can you be a good boy?" Shang Fangjin was both happy and afraid, and replied, "I'll give it my all!" Bowen Zhi then ordered Shang Fangjin, "Keep this on the down low; report to me promptly if there’s anything important." From then on, Bowen Zhi trusted him very much and made him his eyes and ears.
Shangfang Jin left early and returned late every day, actively investigating theft cases and other forms of corruption in the office, achieving significant results. Bowen Zhi promoted him, allowing him to rise several levels to become a county magistrate. After some time, Bowen Zhi called in the official who had originally taken bribes, criticized him severely behind closed doors, and made him write down the details of his bribery. "You cannot hide any money you have received. If you dare to tell a lie, your head will be chopped off!" The official was so frightened that he quickly confessed all the details of the bribes, big and small, without any concealment. Bowen Zhi saw that he was telling the truth, so he let him sit down and ordered him to correct his mistakes. Then, Bowen Zhi had the materials written by the official destroyed and allowed him to return to work. From then on, the official was always trembling, not daring to make any mistakes, and Bowen Zhi eventually reformed him.
Shangfang Jin was later promoted to Minister of Agriculture. Over a year later, due to a small mistake, he was demoted to be the prefect of Jianwei. To quell the frequent raids by the southern barbarian Ru'er tribe, Bowen Zhi forged alliances with rival tribes, using them to ambush and eliminate the Ru'er, thus pacifying Jianwei County.
I got transferred to Shanyang to be the prefect, but later fell ill and resigned. Later, I was summoned again and became a Palace Attendant, then promoted to be the Tingwei. The Tingwei position is mainly responsible for resolving the most difficult cases in the empire. I was worried about being framed by subordinates, so after taking office, I called the officials in charge of oversight and legal texts to come and told them: "The Tingwei position was originally promoted from military officials and is not proficient in law. Fortunately, there are talented people like you, so I have nothing to worry about! However, I have been a county magistrate and adjudicating cases for more than twenty years, so I have rich experience. The volumes of law contain the complexities of human nature and social situations. You and the supervisory officials should select dozens of cases where the clerks had differing opinions and were difficult to decide, bring them to me, let me re-adjudicate them, and see if my thoughts align with yours."
The supervisory officials thought I was trying to show off my skills, thinking that I might not be able to do it, so they worked with those officials to sort out these cases. I called those officials one by one, sat together to adjudicate the cases, and I could judge the priority; eight or nine out of ten times, I was correct. My subordinates admired my exceptional insight and skill. Every time I was transferred to a new official position, I would do things in this unexpected way to let everyone know that I’m not someone you can fool.
After a period of time, I was promoted to Houjiangjun and had a good relationship with the Marquis of Hongyang. Later, he committed a crime and was exiled back to his fiefdom, and I was implicated as his accomplice, so I was dismissed. Over a year later, Emperor Ai ascended the throne, and because of my good reputation, I was summoned, reappointed as Palace Attendant, then promoted to Jingzhao Yin, and a few months later directly promoted to Grand Marshal.
At the beginning, the Han Dynasty inherited the official system of the Qin Dynasty, establishing the Prime Minister, Imperial Censor, and Grand Marshal. Later, Emperor Wu of Han abolished the Grand Marshal and established the Grand Marshal. While this position held the title of general, it lacked the actual authority and command staff of a true military general.
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, He Wu served as one of the nine highest-ranking officials. He submitted a memorial stating: "In ancient times, the people were simple, and things were straightforward. The government needs highly capable officials. Even so, they should be like the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, with specific roles as the three top officials. Nowadays, the social atmosphere is corrupt, and governance has suffered. The Prime Minister's abilities didn't match those of the past, yet the Chancellor must also manage the affairs of the three top officials. Therefore, for a long time, governance has not been handled properly. It is necessary to restore the system of the three top officials, clearly define ministerial responsibilities, delegate tasks, and evaluate performance." Later, the Emperor sought the opinion of Marquis Zhang Yu of Anchang, who also agreed with He Wu's suggestion. At that time, Marquis Quyang Wang Gen held the position of Commander-in-Chief, while He Wu was the Chief Inspector. The Emperor then conferred upon Marquis Quyang Wang Gen the seal and officials of Grand Marshal, abolished the position of Commander-in-Chief, appointed He Wu as the Minister of Works, and enfeoffed him as a Marquis, with the same treatment as the Chancellor, to complete the three top officials. Many believed this contradicted ancient practice. The official system from the Emperor to the lowest official in the Han Dynasty differed from antiquity. Yet, altering the structure of the three top officials created unclear jurisdictions and ultimately hindered governance.
At that time, there were over 100 government housing units in the Yushi Mansion, and the wells ran dry; cypress trees were planted in the Yushi Mansion, with thousands of crows often perching on them. They flew off in the mornings and back in the evenings. People called them "the crows that came and went every day." However, there was one time when these crows didn't return for several months, which the old folks found odd. Two years later, Zhu Bo became the Minister of Public Works (a high-ranking official). He submitted a memorial saying, "The way of governing by the emperor does not need to be copied from the previous dynasty but should be determined according to the current situation. Emperor Gaozu, a virtuous ruler, was divinely appointed. He established a great empire and created the office of Grand Minister, second only to the Prime Minister. This Minister oversaw the legal system and worked with the Prime Minister to oversee all officials, bringing two hundred years of peace. Now, the establishment of the Grand Minister of Works, equal to the Prime Minister, has not brought any benefits. Back then, the system was to select officials from senior officials of counties and states to serve as middle-ranking officials. Then, middle-ranking officials were chosen to serve as the Grand Minister, and those who had served as the Grand Minister were selected to become Prime Minister. There was a clear hierarchy, done to honor virtue and value their ministers. Now, middle-ranking officials can directly serve as the Prime Minister, weakening the government and hindering its effectiveness. I believe that the Grand Minister of Works can be abolished, and the position of Grand Minister can be restored, following the old system. I'll gladly lead the officials as Minister." Emperor Ai accepted his suggestion and reappointed Zhu Bo as the Minister of Public Works. At this time, the Grand Marshal was dismissed, and Ding Ming, the Marquis of Yang'an, was appointed as the Grand Marshal General, with subordinates appointed, and the title remained unchanged. Four years later, Emperor Ai changed the title of Prime Minister to Grand Minister of State and reinstated the positions of Grand Minister of Works and Grand Marshal.
At first, He Wu served as the Minister of Works. Together with Prime Minister Fang Jin, they submitted a memorial saying, "In ancient times, able and virtuous officials were appointed as governors of provinces. The Book of Documents mentions 'consulting the twelve regional governors,' with the aim of broadly collecting intelligent talents and insights into hidden situations. Now, provincial intendants hold the same position as governors, wielding the administrative power of a province and responsible for selecting senior officials. Those recommended by them can rise to positions as high as the Nine Ministers, while those they dislike are immediately dismissed. Their responsibilities and power were considerable. According to the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, noble people should govern humble people, not allowing those of lower status to rule over those of higher status. The position of provincial intendant is that of a relatively low-ranking official, yet they oversee officials with ranks of two thousand stones (a high-ranking official), which is disproportionate and violates the order of official ranks. We request the dismissal of provincial intendants and the establishment of provincial governors to conform to the ancient system." The Emperor approved their memorial.
Later, He Wu once again served as the Grand Master of the Palace. He again submitted a memorial saying, "The Han's benevolent rule is widely spread throughout the world, with vast territories and the establishment of counties and prefectures. Provincial intendants are tasked with inspecting provinces and counties, supervising and ensuring that the people live in peace and contentment. Traditionally, provincial intendants were promoted to prefect after nine years. Those with exceptional talent or merit received even faster advancement, although their official position is low. Everyone works hard and strives for progress. Previously, Prime Minister Fang Jin requested the dismissal of provincial intendants and the establishment of provincial governors. The position of provincial governor is a true rank of two thousand stones, ranking among the Nine Ministers. If the vacancies of the Nine Ministers are filled with lucrative positions and generous rewards to attract talents, those of middling ability might become complacent, which may affect governance and lead to unchecked corruption. I request the dismissal of provincial governors and the restoration of the original system of provincial intendants." The Emperor also approved his memorial.
He Wu was an upright and frugal man, not fond of drinking or seeking pleasure. He went from poverty to wealth, was unfussy about his food, and had a simple three-dish meal on the table. He slept early at night and woke up early in the morning; his wife saw little of him. He only had one daughter and no sons. However, he cultivated friendships with scholars and officials and was always ready to lend a hand. Office-seekers flocked to him for recommendations, and those seeking vengeance came bearing swords. He treated scholars and officials so well to build his influence, but ultimately it came to nothing.
It is said that Empress Dowager Dingtao, Han Ai Emperor's grandmother, wanted to give herself a noble title. Her brother, Duke Gao Wu Fu Xi, was the Grand Marshal at the time, sharing power with Prime Minister Kong Guang and Grand Minister Shi Dan. Another brother of the Empress Dowager, Marquis Kongxiang Fu Yan, a shameless flatterer, was eager to please the Empress Dowager to fulfill her wish. Newly appointed Intendant of Jingzhao, he conspired with Fu Xi to secure the title for the Empress Dowager, all under the guise of ancestral veneration.
As a result, Shi Dan was dismissed, and Fu Yan took his place as Grand Minister. Fu Yan often presented memorials to the Emperor, saying, "Prime Minister Kong Guang is only interested in self-preservation and neglects the affairs of state; Grand Marshal Fu Xi is too cozy with the Empress Dowager and only cares about building his own power base, to the detriment of the country." The Emperor, swayed by Fu Yan's words, sent Fu Xi packing, stripped Kong Guang of his office, made Fu Yan the new Prime Minister, and even granted him the title of Marquis of Yangxiang, with a generous fief of two thousand households.
Fu Yan wrote in a memorial: "In the past, the appanages of the Prime Minister did not exceed one thousand households, but I have exceeded this limit. I am truly ashamed and wish to return one thousand households." The Emperor agreed. Empress Dowager Dingtao was so angry at Fu Xi that she sent Fu Yan to persuade the Prime Minister to request the removal of Fu Xi's marquis title. After receiving the order, Fu Yan consulted with the Chief Imperial Censor Zhao Xuan. Zhao Xuan said, "This matter has already been decided. Is it not inappropriate to change it now?" Fu Yan replied, "The Empress Dowager has already hinted at me. This is her intention! Even a simple promise must be kept, let alone an order from the Empress Dowager! I have no choice but to follow this path!" Zhao Xuan had no choice but to agree.
Fu Yan did not want to impeach Fu Xi alone, as he knew that the Minister of Works, Lord Wu, had made a similar mistake in the past and had been dismissed. Therefore, Fu Yan also requested the Emperor: "Fu Xi and Lord Wu did not benefit the country at all during their time in office. Although they have been dismissed, their titles should not be retained. I beg Your Majesty to strip them of their titles and reduce them to commoners."
The emperor knew that the Dingtao Empress Dowager had always resented Fu Xi and suspected that Fu Yan and Zhao Xuan were acting on her behalf. He summoned Zhao Xuan to the imperial secretariat to inquire about the situation. Zhao Xuan reported truthfully. The emperor then ordered General Peng Xuan and some senior officials to investigate the matter together. Peng Xuan and others submitted a memorial stating: "Fu Yan is the Prime Minister, and Zhao Xuan is a senior official. Fu Yan was appointed as an honorary minister because he is a relative of the Empress Dowager and is one of the key ministers trusted by the emperor. They did not wholeheartedly work for the country, but instead formed connections with the powerful and became leaders among the officials. They knew that Fu Xi and He Wu had already been pardoned by the emperor, and there had been three general pardons. However, Fu Yan insisted on accusing them, acting disloyal, deceitful, and disruptive to the court. Zhao Xuan knew that Fu Yan's words were unreasonable, but he acquiesced without moral compass, showing great disrespect. Fu Yan conspired with Fu Yan to strip Fu Xi of his title, which was disrespectful. We request Your Majesty to order the imperial messengers to summon Fu Yan, Zhao Xuan, and Fu Xi to the Tribunal."
The emperor said, "Generals, officials of the second rank and above, various doctors, scholars, and advisors, let's discuss this." Right General Jiao looked at the forty-four people and said, "As Xue Xuan argued, it can be approved." Adviser Gong Sheng and his thirteen colleagues, however, believed, "According to the records of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' using deceitful means to serve the monarch has always been severely punished. Shusun Qiaoru, an official of Lu, sought power. He falsely accused his clan brother Jisun Xingfu to the State of Jin, causing Xingfu to be arrested by Jin in an attempt to disrupt Lu. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' strongly criticized this act. Now, Yan Ying has released his clansmen without authorization, intervened in court politics, and deceived the emperor. This was originally a plotted conspiracy and marks the beginning of rebellion. He should be punished like Zhu Bo and Zhang Xuan; their crimes are treasonous and subversive."
The emperor ultimately commuted Zhang Xuan's death sentence to a lesser punishment, reduced Yan Ying's land by one-fourth, and sent a messenger with a token to summon the Prime Minister to the court of justice prison. Zhu Bo committed suicide, and his title was revoked.
It is said that initially, Zhu Bo was promoted from Imperial Censor to Prime Minister and was titled the Marquis of Yangxiang; Zhang Xuan was promoted from Minister of Finance to Imperial Censor. Both of them received the emperor's appointment in the front hall, and the announcement echoed through the hall. This incident is recorded in the "Records of the Five Elements."
In conclusion, the article states that Xue Xuan and Zhu Bo both started from low-level administrative positions and gradually rose to the high position of prime minister. Xue Xuan excelled in every post he held, setting a good example for other officials. However, after he rose to a high position, he lost his good reputation because of his harshness, showing that there is a limit to how strong one's abilities can be. Zhu Bo, on the other hand, skyrocketed but lacked self-awareness, ultimately falling from grace, which also shows just how much Emperor Xiaocheng trusted and indulged his ministers. Once the emperor's tastes shifted, Zhu Bo went to flatter Ding and Fu, putting on a Confucian act. When the truth came out and he was brought up on charges, he was ultimately framed, powerless to defend himself, and had no choice but to take poison and end his life. As Confucius lamented, "Such deceptions have existed for ages," and so it proved with Zhu Bo.
