He Wu, courtesy name Jun Gong, was from Pixian, Sichuan. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, there was peace throughout the land, and the minority ethnic groups all submitted to the court. Auspicious phenomena appeared, such as divine birds and five phoenixes. The governor of Yizhou, Wang Xiang, asked the talented Wang Bao to write poems praising the achievements of the Han Dynasty, resulting in the poems "Zhonghe," "Lezhi," and "Xuanbu." When He Wu was fourteen or fifteen years old, he studied and sang these poems with Yang Fu and others in Chengdu. At that time, Emperor Xuan of Han, following the example of Emperor Wu of Han, sought talented and virtuous individuals, so he summoned He Wu and others to the Xuan Room. The emperor said, "How can I possibly deserve such prosperity?" He then kept Wang Bao in the palace as a court official, gave He Wu and the others some silk fabrics, and sent them back home.
He Wu studied the I Ching with a scholar and passed the exam, earning the position of a Lang official and becoming friends with Zhai Fangjin. His superior recommended him for his upright conduct, and he was promoted to magistrate of Huxian. However, he was later dismissed and returned home due to committing a crime. He Wu and his four brothers all held positions as officials in the county, and the people in the county respected them. He Wu's younger brother, He Xian, had a business registration at home but often did not pay taxes, leading to repeated demands by the county for payment. The market steward of the county targeted He Xian and his family, making He Xian angry and wanting to use his official position to retaliate against the merchants. He Wu said, "Our family has never taken advantage of taxes and labor duties. Shouldn't we show some respect to government officials?" He Wu eventually explained the situation to the prefect, and the merchants were made to do some miscellaneous tasks, earning the respect of the people in the prefecture.
A long time passed, Grand Minister Wang Yin recommended He Wu as a talented and upright individual, allowing him to present his arguments to the court and be appointed as a censor. Later, he was promoted to the post of Governor of Yangzhou. He would recommend or accuse officials of the rank of 2,000 stones (a high-ranking official), always submitting a memorial first. If the accused admitted guilt, the punishment would be reduced or their duties relieved. If they did not admit guilt, the case would be brought to the attention of the court, and the punishment could even reach the death penalty. Dai Sheng, the Prefect of Jiujang, known as "Little Dai" in the "Book of Rites," had many achievements that did not comply with the law. The previous governor, being lenient due to Dai Sheng's scholarly reputation, had shown him tolerance. When He Wu became the Governor of Yangzhou, he found that Dai Sheng's subordinates had committed crimes during his inspection, so he reported the matter to the authorities. Dai Sheng said, "What does this kid know? He's trying to mess with my work!" He did not address any of the accusations. He Wu ordered an official to investigate and found evidence of Dai Sheng's crimes. Afraid, Dai Sheng requested to resign, later becoming a scholar and slandering He Wu in court. Upon hearing this, He Wu never exposed Dai Sheng's misdeeds. However, Dai Sheng's son and guests became thieves, and after being arrested, they were imprisoned in Lujiang. Dai Sheng believed his son would surely die. He Wu handled the matter fairly and justly, and in the end, Dai Sheng's son was not executed. From then on, Dai Sheng felt both ashamed and awed by He Wu. Whenever He Wu visited the capital, Dai Sheng would call on him to express his gratitude.
When he was the Governor of Wudang, he would promptly report to the court about the officials of the rank of 2,000 stones who had made mistakes. He treated other officials, whether talented or incompetent, with equal respect. Therefore, the prefectures and counties highly valued their governors, leading to peace and stability in the regions. When he inspected the local areas, he would first visit the academies to see the students, test their recitations and discussions, inquire about their learning progress, and then rest at the post stations. Afterwards, he would carefully record the extent of cultivated land and the harvest yields, and finally meet with the officials of the rank of 2,000 stones, as was his consistent practice.
In the beginning, when Wu was still a low-level clerk in the county, he once worked under the prefect He Shou. He Shou saw that Wu would become a prime minister in the future, so he treated him especially well because they shared the same surname. Later, He Shou became the Minister of Agriculture, and his nephew became the Chief Clerk of Lujiang. Once, when Wu was in the capital city on official business, He Shou's nephew happened to be in Chang'an as well. He Shou specially invited Wu's brother Wu Xian and his old friend Yang Fuzhong to come and drink. As they drank, He Shou pointed to his nephew and said, "This is the Chief Clerk of Lujiang, very capable. You haven't met him, have you?" Wu Xian and the others felt very embarrassed and told Wu about it when they returned. Wu said, "A governor—that's like a big shot back then, a top official the court trusts to run the whole province. Their job is to promote good people and get rid of the bad ones. You only call someone in if they've done something amazing, or if there's some hidden talent out there. You don't just call people in because you know them." Despite the repeated persuasion from Wu Xian and Yang Fuzhong, Wu had no choice but to summon He Shou's nephew, and even rewarded him with a cup of wine. At the end of that year, the Prefect of Lujiang recommended Wu. So you see, he was all about doing things by the book. Respect!
After five years as governor, Wu returned to the capital and became an official under Prime Minister Xue Xuan, who highly valued him. Years later, he was sent to Qinghe as a prefect. However, due to a severe natural disaster that devastated over forty percent of the region, he was dismissed from his position. After a long time, Grand Commandant Wang Gen recommended Wu to the court, and he got the job as an Imperial Censor. He was later promoted to governor of Yanzhou, then returned to the capital as the Inspector of Justice, and was later transferred to be the Prefect of Jingzhao. Two years later, when he recommended upright and honest officials, those recommended appeared too stiff and insincere when summoned, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. Wu was demoted to the position of Governor of Chu, then became the Prefect of Pei County, before returning to the capital once again as the Justice Minister. In the first year of Suihe, Chief Inspector Kong Guang was demoted to Justice Minister, and Wu was appointed as the Chief Inspector. Emperor Cheng wanted to build Biyong and elevate the ranks of the Three Excellencies, so he changed the title of Chief Inspector to Minister of Works. Wu became the Minister of Works, was granted the title of Marquis of Xiang of Suxiang, and received a fiefdom of a thousand households. Suxiang was in Langye Commandery. Later, Emperor Ai ascended the throne and rewarded his ministers, changing the name of Bowang Township in Chu County, Nanyang Commandery to Suxiang, expanding his fiefdom by another thousand households.
Zhu Bo was kind and benevolent; he liked to actively promote talented scholars and was always willing to highlight the virtues of others. When he served as the Minister of the Interior of the State of Chu, he gave strong support to the Gong brothers; when he served as an official in Pei County, he promoted the Tang brothers. Later, when he became a high-ranking official in the court, he recommended them to the Emperor. These individuals later became famous, a testament to Zhu Bo's influence, and this was widely recognized by the people. However, Zhu Bo had a flaw: he loathed factionalism and self-serving behavior. He vetted officials by first consulting Confucian scholars, then comparing their assessments with those of the officials themselves. If he wanted to dismiss an official, he would first establish relevant rules and regulations to prevent backdoor dealings. Although he did not have a particularly prominent reputation as an official, people often remembered him fondly after his death.
When he served as Chief Censor and concurrently Minister of Works, he and Prime Minister Fang Jin jointly submitted a memorial to the Emperor: "In the past, the feudal lords were responsible for adjudicating cases and governing political affairs, the Minister of the Interior was in charge of prison affairs, the Prime Minister oversaw the overall situation and assisted the feudal lords, and the Commandant was responsible for preventing thieves. Now, the feudal lords are no longer responsible for adjudicating cases and governing political affairs, the position of the Commandant has also been abolished, and its powers have been incorporated into the Minister of the Interior. The appointment and dismissal of prefects and county governors are also controlled by the central government, in order to unify laws and regulations and stabilize the people. However, the position of the Minister of the Interior is low but with great power; the prestige and authority do not match, making it difficult to gain the people's trust and effectively govern. We request that the position of the Prime Minister be changed to Governor, and the Minister of the Interior be changed to Commandant, to reflect proper hierarchy and balance of power." The Emperor approved, renaming the post of Minister of the Interior to Commandant. Earlier, when Zhu Bo was one of the Nine Ministers, he also submitted a memorial suggesting the establishment of the Three Excellencies, and he submitted a memorial with Fang Jin suggesting the abolition of the Inspector and the establishment of Provincial Governors, but these suggestions were later rejected, as detailed in his biography. Only the suggestion regarding the Minister of the Interior was accepted and implemented.
Zhu Bo reported many matters, which were considered too trivial and not in line with the image of a good official. His achievements and reputation were about on par with Xue Xuan's, but his talent was inferior to Xue Xuan's; however, his integrity and honesty surpassed Xue Xuan's. Zhu Bo's mother was in the county, and he sent someone to meet her. Just as Emperor Cheng passed away, fearing bandits on the road, the messenger asked Zhu Bo's mother to stay where she was. Zhu Bo was criticized for his apparent lack of filial piety. The Emperor Ai was also considering changing his ministers, so he ordered Zhu Bo to be removed from his position, saying, "Your reports were too petty and unpopular; your reputation for filial piety is nonexistent, while your bad reputation precedes you, making you a poor example. Give up your seal and go home." Five years later, the Remonstrance Official Bao Xuan repeatedly defended Zhu Bo, and the Emperor, moved by Prime Minister Wang Jia's explanation, along with the Marquis Gao'an Dong Xian's recommendation, re-summoned Zhu Bo and appointed him as the Grand Master of Records. A month later, he was appointed as the former General. First, Wang Mang, Marquis of Xindu, was appointed to his fiefdom. After a few years, the Emperor recalled Wang Mang to the capital because of the Empress Dowager's influence. Wang Mang's brother, Wang Yi, Marquis of Chengdu, served as an attendant, pretending it was the Empress Dowager's idea, and told Emperor Ai that Wang Mang should be promoted to the position of Imperial Clerk. Emperor Ai once again requested the Empress Dowager's approval, and the truth was revealed. To make amends, the Emperor, out of respect for the Empress Dowager, could not bear to kill him, so he demoted him to a minor official in Xihe, stripped him of his title, and reduced his food estate by a thousand households. Later, the court issued a decree to select the Grand Ministers, and Wang Mang privately told Wang Yi to recommend him, but Wang Yi wouldn't dare.
A few months later, Emperor Ai died. That same day, the Grand Empress Dowager summoned Wang Mang, took away the seal of Grand Commandant Dong Xian (the official seal of his office), and ordered the court officials to recommend a suitable candidate to serve as the Grand Commandant. Wang Mang had previously held the position of Grand Commandant but declined and recommended two other individuals. Wang Mang was widely admired for his abilities, especially since he was her nephew. Starting with Grand Tutor Kong Guang, all the court officials recommended Wang Mang. At that time, Wang Yi was a former General, and he had a good relationship with General Gongsun Lu. The two of them privately discussed that in the past, during the reigns of Emperors Xiaohui and Xiaozhao, when they were young and in power, the Grand Empress Dowager Lu, Huo Guang, and Shangguan Jie controlled great power, almost leading to the downfall of the country. Now, with Emperors Xiaocheng and Xia'ai passing away without heirs, it was appropriate to select close relatives to assist the young ruler rather than allowing unrelated ministers to wield power. Favoritism was bad for the country. Therefore, Wang Yi recommended Gongsun Lu as the Grand Commandant, and Gongsun Lu also recommended Wang Yi. However, the Grand Empress Dowager still appointed Wang Mang as the Grand Commandant. Wang Mang used this as an excuse to accuse Wang Yi and Gongsun Lu of mutual back-scratching and fired them both.
Wang Yi returned to his estate, and Wang Mang's power grew stronger, becoming the de facto power broker in the court, secretly targeting those who did not obey him. In the third year of Yuanshi, Lu Kuan and others committed crimes. At that time, the Grand Minister Zhen Feng figured out Wang Mang's game plan, sending people to arrest those associated with Lu Kuan. This implicated numerous local power brokers, leading to the deaths of hundreds. Wang Yi was falsely accused and escorted back to the capital, where he committed suicide. Due to the large number of wronged individuals, Wang Mang sought to calm public anger and allowed Wang Yi's son, Wang Kuang, to inherit the marquisate, granting him the posthumous title of "Ci Hou." Later, after Wang Mang usurped the throne, Wang Kuang was demoted to commoner.
Wang Jia, styled Gongzhong, was a native of Pingling. He aced the imperial exams, becoming an official in the court. However, he was dismissed for slacking off on palace gate duty. He was then appointed as a subordinate official to the Marquis of Guanglu, and due to his exceptional work, he was promoted to the position of district magistrate of Nanling County, and later to the position of county magistrate of Changling County. During the Hongjia era, due to his upright character and willingness to speak his mind, he was summoned by the court to discuss the successes and failures of government policies at the Xuan Palace, and was fast-tracked to the position of high-ranking official. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Jiujiang Prefecture and then of Henan Prefecture, where he achieved remarkable success and a good reputation. He was later summoned by the court to serve as the Grand Herald, then promoted to Intendant of Jingzhao, and finally to Grand Master of Records. In the third year of Jianping, he was appointed as Prime Minister and granted the title of Marquis of Xinfu, with his fief increased to 1,100 households.
Wang Jia was upright and strict, with great prestige, and the emperor respected him very much. When Emperor Ai ascended the throne, he wanted to emulate the rule of Emperor Cheng and made many changes. Wang Jia wrote to the emperor saying: I have heard that wise and successful rulers can select talented individuals. Confucius said: "Finding talented people is difficult, isn't it?" Therefore, in ancient times, emperors invested regional lords to commend the virtuous and capable. Although it may not be possible to select all the talented individuals, the emperor should carefully choose ministers and appoint officials to assist him. In a country, if talent is valued from generation to generation, the people will rally to the cause, education can be implemented, and governance can succeed. Today, a prefect holds more power than an ancient feudal lord did. In the past, when selecting talent, because talented individuals were rare, even prisoners could be tapped for their talents.
Previously, Wei Shang was imprisoned for making mistakes, but Emperor Wen, upon hearing Feng Tang's advice, sent envoys to pardon him and appointed him as the prefect of Yunzhong County, and the Xiongnu feared him. Emperor Wu promoted Han Anguo from among prisoners and appointed him as the interior minister of Liang, reassuring the court. When Zhang Chang was serving as the Intendant of Jingzhao, he committed a crime that should have led to his dismissal. However, some cunning officials intentionally provoked Zhang Chang upon learning of the matter, and Zhang Chang arrested and killed them. Their families were dissatisfied and appealed to the court, accusing Zhang Chang of unjustified killings. The court sent envoys to re-examine the case, accusing Zhang Chang of being a murderer and ordering his arrest. However, the emperor did not issue the order to arrest him. Later, Zhang Chang was dismissed, fled for several tens of days, and was later summoned by Emperor Xuan and appointed as the Inspector of Jizhou, ultimately demonstrating his abilities. The previous dynasty valued these men for their abilities and the benefits they brought to the state.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Han, some officials held the same position for generations, even using their official titles as surnames, such as Cangshi and Kushi, descendants of warehouse officials. At that time, the high-ranking officials were diligent in their duties, united in purpose, and no one dared to neglect their responsibilities.
However, the situation gradually changed. From court ministers to local officials, they all shifted blame onto each other, eager for quick results, and government orders were frequently altered. The Inspector General and provincial governors harshly impeached officials for their mistakes, even exposing their private matters. Some officials were dismissed after only a few months, leading to a constant churn of officials. Those with average abilities focused on self-preservation, while incompetent ones were consumed by anxiety and self-interest. The status of these high-ranking officials declined, and subordinates and the populace grew increasingly disrespectful, seizing upon even minor infractions to report them to the Inspector General, provincial governors, or even the emperor himself. When the rebels led by Su Ling and others in Shanyang commandery (a region in the Han Dynasty) caused chaos, officials and soldiers refused to sacrifice themselves for the country in times of crisis because they knew the emperor had lost all his authority. Emperor Xiaocheng regretted this deeply. He issued a decree emphasizing the vital role of these high-ranking officials. He sent envoys with rewards and reassurances. The country needed them. Only they could ensure stability and keep their subordinates working.
Emperor Xuan of Han really looked after hard-working officials and the common folk. If someone accused an official in a memorial, he would always shelve the accusation and deal with it during the next amnesty. Accusations rarely made it to the desk of the Shangshu because they would disturb the people, and investigating and handling cases often resulted in deaths in prison. The memorial must contain the words "official accusation" before it can be issued. Therefore, Your Majesty should carefully select talents, remember the officials' merits, forget their faults, be tolerant towards subjects, and not demand perfection. As for high-ranking officials, provincial governors, and county magistrates in the Sanfu region, as long as they are talented and responsible, even if they occasionally make mistakes, they should be treated with tolerance to encourage them to serve the country wholeheartedly. This is the most urgent matter at present and a major national issue. When Su Ling rebelled in the past, the court wanted to send an advisor to investigate the truth, but they couldn't find a suitable one at that time, so they summoned the county magistrate of Zhouchi, Yin Feng, and appointed him to handle the matter. These days, the court is short on truly talented advisors, so some capable individuals should be cultivated in advance to ensure that soldiers are not afraid to sacrifice in times of crisis; waiting until the situation becomes urgent to search for talent is not what the court should do. The Emperor also accepted Jia's recommendations and appointed Confucian scholars Gong Sun Guang and Man Chang, as well as capable officials Xiao Xian and Xue Xiu, all of whom were well-known among officials with a 2000-stone salary. The Emperor accepted their advice and appointed them.
First, Prince Dongping Liu Yun was exposed. He and the Palace Attendants Song Hong and Sun Chong had cursed the Emperor. He had also plotted with his uncle Wu Hong to murder the Emperor and rebel. Liu Yun and his accomplices were executed. However, Sun Chong and Fu Gong were promoted to high office.
At that time, Dong Xian, a high-ranking official, was highly favored by the emperor, who wanted to make him a marquis but had not yet found a suitable reason. Fu Jia suggested to the emperor to use the Dongping Prince's rebellion as a reason to reward Dong Xian. The emperor then decided to draft a report regarding the accusations against Sun Chong and Fu Gong concerning the Dongping Prince, excluding Song Hong, and crediting it to Dong Xian's merit in order to appoint him as a marquis, while first granting Sun Chong and Fu Gong minor marquisates.
After a while, the emperor wanted to appoint Dong Xian and others as marquises but was a little scared of Fu Jia's reaction. Therefore, he first had the Marquis of Kongxiang, Fu Yan, the emperor's father-in-law, take the imperial decree to the Prime Minister and the Censorate to sound them out. Fu Jia and the Grand Master of the Palace, Jia Yan, wrote a memorial, stating: "We have heard that Dong Xian and the others had recently been ennobled, causing lots of gossip. People are saying that Dong Xian's promotion has benefited others as well, and rumors have not ceased. The emperor keeps showering favors on Dong Xian and the others. It would be appropriate to make Dong Xian's initial report public and consult the court to check if there's precedent for this before granting titles. Otherwise, there may be public outrage. By openly addressing this matter, someone will suggest who deserves the reward; that's your call. Even if people complain, you won't be the only one to blame. When Chunyu Chang was appointed as the Marquis of Dingling in the past, it also sparked controversy. The Minister of Agriculture, Gu Yong, believed that Chunyu Chang should be appointed as a marquis, leading to blame being placed on him, and the late emperor was criticized as a result. Fu Jia and Jia Yan are just small fry, and even if we die, we'll still be held responsible. We know that obeying you keeps us out of trouble, at least for now. We're only doing this to repay your kindness!"
The emperor was moved by their words and changed his mind. A few months later, he decreed that Dong Xian and the others would be made marquises and harshly criticized the court, saying, "Ever since I became emperor, my health's been terrible. I haven't recovered, and then bam! Rebellions, one after another. Traitors were all around me, even right under my nose! That Prince Dongping Liu Yun, along with some palace folks, even had the imperial doctors checking my pulse – trying to hex me! Back then, loyal ministers would've nipped this in the bud. Now, Liu Yun and the others are plotting to kill me and incite rebellion. This shows that my closest advisors have not done their best to spot and eliminate these hidden dangers sooner. Thankfully, Dong Xian and the others, including the Grand Preceptor and the Cavalry Commandant, discovered and reported this in time, and those rebels were dealt with. As the old saying goes, reward the good. So, I'm making Dong Xian the Marquis of Gao'an, Chong the Marquis of Fangyang, and Gong the Marquis of Yiling."
Jiu Yao once warned Emperor Shun: "You can't have a country without self-control. Stay on the ball and keep on top of things every single day." Ji Zi warned King Wu, saying: "Officials shouldn't be arrogant, wasteful, or live the high life. It'll ruin their families, wreck the country, and the people will riot." If this is done, that'll mess up the social order, upset the balance of things, endanger the king, and put the whole country at risk. If people are acting up and not following the rules, it's the king's fault for not enforcing the law. King Wu personally practiced these principles, thus achieving the prosperous era of King Cheng and King Kang. Since then, monarchs have indulged in desires, and laws have gradually become lax, eventually leading to the tragedies of subjects killing the king and sons killing fathers. If such close relationships as father and son can lead to such tragedies, what about the relationship between ruler and subject? Confucius said: "To govern a king of a thousand chariots, one must be diligent, trustworthy, frugal, love the people, and let the people farm according to the seasons." Emperor Xiao Wen completely followed these principles, bestowing grace upon the world and becoming the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Xiao Xuan clearly distinguished rewards and punishments, bestowed grace in moderation, recorded the merits of his officials, overlooked their minor faults, and thus the country was peaceful. Emperor Xiao Yuan inherited the great cause, was gentle in nature, had few desires, with 40 million coins in the national treasury, 25 million coins in the Shuiheng Granary, and 18 million coins in the Ministry of Revenue. Once, he went to Shanglin Park to play, and the concubine Feng followed him to the animal enclosure. Suddenly, a fierce beast rushed out, and Feng stood in front of the emperor. Emperor Yuan admired her noble act and rewarded her with 50,000 coins. If the palace concubines had merits, they were rewarded doubly, and they were instructed not to thank excessively, to show fairness, avoid favoritism, avoid losing people's hearts, and rewards should be frugal. At that time, few outside relatives had millions in property, so the Ministry of Revenue and Shuiheng had so much money. Although there were famines during the Chu Yuan and Yongguang periods, as well as the rebellion of the Xiqiang, the court had to use troops externally and appease the people; ultimately, no crisis occurred, all due to the adequate state treasury. During the reign of Emperor Xiao Cheng, courtiers repeatedly advised against the dangers of Yan Le, the dominance of female favorites, indulgence in wine and lust, damage to virtue, and harm to health. Their advice was very earnest, but Emperor Xiao Cheng never got angry. Favored courtiers Chun Yu Chang, Zhang Fang, and Shi Yu: Shi Yu was demoted several times, with less than 10 million in property; Zhang Fang was reprimanded and sent back to his country; Chun Yu Chang was sentenced to death. He put the country first, so even with all the court gossip, things stayed calm, and the throne passed to you.
During the emperor's reign, he had a fondness for the "Book of Songs" and the "Book of Documents," living a simple and frugal life. Every time he went on a tour of inspection, the people along the way praised his virtues, which was the reason why the people's hearts were won. When he first ascended the throne, he replaced the curtains, removed the luxurious decorations, and used only roughspun cloth for the cushions in his vehicles. Although the construction of the imperial palace and ancestral temples continued, the emperor was worried about the suffering of the people and had to put projects on hold due to insufficient funds, only starting large-scale renovations now. However, the Marquis of Dong Xian built a mansion in the royal Shanglin Garden, constructed a luxurious residence for himself, and his mansion gate directly faced the north gate. He also had water diverted from the Wang Qu river to irrigate the gardens, supervised the construction with messengers, and rewarded officials and soldiers involved in the project with more money than that spent on the construction of the temples. When Dong Xian's mother fell ill, the imperial kitchen in Chang'an sent food offerings along the way, feeding those who passed by. Items made for Dong Xian had to be reported to the emperor before they could be used. If the items were exquisite, the emperor would reward the craftsmen additionally, even more so than for items contributed to the temples and the three palaces. When guests or relatives visited Dong Xian's home, court officials had to participate together, with rewards even including the household slaves, each person receiving a reward of ten thousand coins. Messengers supervised the procurement of goods, causing panic among the merchants in the market and chaos on the roads, with the officials feeling fearful and uneasy. The emperor then gave Dong Xian over two thousand hectares of land from the imperial hunting park, causing the equal-field system to collapse. Extravagance, excess, and indulgence threw the yin and yang out of balance, leading to frequent disasters, spreading rumors among the people, causing mutual fear and panic, with people fleeing in terror, barefoot and hair streaming, even horsemen galloping for their lives. It seemed to anger the heavens, leaving them unable to intervene. Some believed this was a warning of the ruler's mismanagement. The emperor, usually so wise and kind, had made a terrible mistake.
Confucius said: "If a nation's in peril and its ministers don't act, what's their purpose?" It's an honor, but my heart's heavy. I can't get through to the Emperor. If dying helps the country, I'm ready. I only hope the Emperor will be careful who he favors and pay attention to what everyone's suspicious of. In the past, favored ministers Deng Tong and Han Yan were arrogant, extravagant, and self-indulgent. They ended up disgraced and ruined for their sins. He needs to learn from history and lay off Dong Xian – for his own good. But the Emperor just loved Dong Xian even more – he was completely out of control.
The Grand Empress Dowager Fu has died, and the Emperor has entrusted me with her will. The will directs the Emperor to instruct the Empress Dowager Wang (Chengdi's mother) to order the Prime Minister and the Censor to increase the fiefdom of Xian, grant him an additional reward of two thousand households, and bestow the titles of Marquis of Kongxiang, Marquis of Ruchang, and Marquis of Yangxin. Upon receiving the imperial edict, I submitted a memorial advising the Emperor and Empress Dowager: "I have heard that titles, salaries, and land are Heaven's gifts. The Book of History states: 'Heaven bestows power upon those of virtue, how great is this power!' Your Majesty represents Heaven in rewarding the ministers, so you should be cautious and careful. If the distribution of land is inappropriate, the common people will be dissatisfied, affecting the natural order, with great harm. Your Majesty has been unwell for a long time, and I am very worried. Gao'an Marquis Xian is a sycophant and a scoundrel, yet you elevate him with high positions and rewards, enriching him beyond measure, undermining the imperial dignity, and draining the treasury—a bottomless pit for his greed. This money is the blood and sweat of the common people! Emperor Xiaowen wanted to build a terrace, which would cost hundreds of gold coins, but he restrained himself from doing so. Xian, however, uses public funds to satisfy his personal desires; his family has received thousands of gold coins, unprecedented in history, causing public outrage. As the saying goes, 'A target of public fury will be driven to madness, sick or not.' I am always chilled by this. Now, the Empress Dowager, in accordance with the will of the Empress Yongxin, has ordered the Prime Minister and the Censor to increase Xian's fiefdom and bestow three marquisates, which I truly do not understand. Mountains crumble, eclipses darken the sun—Heaven's warnings are clear! Xian has already been promoted twice before; Yan Ying and Shang Yang each had their fiefdoms changed only twice, yet he has repeatedly sought after personal gain. His unchecked favoritism, his insatiable greed, and his disregard for imperial dignity are setting a terrible example and causing immense harm! Your Majesty, by indulging the villain, disrupting the natural order, incurring Heaven's wrath, and jeopardizing Your Majesty's health. Your Majesty has been ill for a long time, without a successor; you should consider handling all matters well, following the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, praying for the blessings of Heaven. How can you indulge yourself like this, forgetting the hard work of the founding emperor and the system he established, wanting to pass it on to future generations? The Classic of Filial Piety says: 'A sovereign needs seven honest advisors; even with mistakes, the realm will remain secure.' I present this memorial to Your Majesty, not daring to advise you face to face, not out of fear of death for speaking out, but out of concern that the people of the world will be even more dissatisfied when they hear about it, so I dare not openly accuse. My bluntness and repeated offenses against propriety, I beg Your Majesty to forgive."
Not provided.
In short, I wrote this memorial in hopes that Your Majesty would take my advice seriously and no longer tolerate a treacherous official like Xian, so as not to harm the interests of the country and the dignity of the royal family. I am well aware of my lowly position and my humble words, but out of loyalty to the country and Your Majesty, I had to take the risk of speaking out. I hope Your Majesty can see my sincerity and accept my suggestions for the good of the country and the people. I am worried about Your Majesty's health and the difficulties of state affairs, which is why I dared to speak out boldly, earnestly requesting Your Majesty to think carefully before acting, putting the country first. Although I am just a humble servant, my loyalty to Your Majesty and the country is unwavering, with no ulterior motives. I hope Your Majesty can see this clearly!
Initially, the Minister of Justice Liang, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, the Deputy Imperial Censor, and many other officials of the rank of two thousand stones (a high-ranking official) were all involved in the trial of Prince Dongping Yun's case. Less than twenty days into winter, the Prime Minister felt that Yun might be wronged and that there were some hidden truths in the case, so he memorialized to have the case sent to Chang'an for the court officials to reexamine. Personnel Minister Tan and Public Works Minister Zong agreed. His Majesty saw through the Prime Minister and his colleagues' duplicity. The case dragged on through the winter, with no sign of them actively investigating. So, His Majesty ordered the Prime Minister and his colleagues to be stripped of their positions and reduced to commoners.
Months later, the Emperor declared a general amnesty. An official named Jia put in a good word for the Prime Minister and his crew, saying they were aces at solving cases. He said, "The PM was a master strategist, Tan knew his history, and Feng was a stand-up guy." Jia also added, "A good king weighs the good and the bad. I'm gutted for the court to lose these three guys." The Emperor wasn't happy about this memo. Twenty days later, Jia stuck his nose into Dong Xian's family business again. This time, the Emperor blew his top. He hauled Jia into the Ministry of Personnel and chewed him out for letting the PM and his buddies off the hook. Then Generals Kong Guang, Gongsun Lu, Wang An, Ma Gong, and Gong Sheng all piled on, accusing Jia of hoodwinking the Emperor and screwing the country. They wanted a joint investigation. Only Gong Sheng thought, "Jia was a big shot once, but now he's washed up. He's the one to blame." Jia's only mistake was recommending the PM and his crew, so it wasn't a huge deal. Calling him a traitor wouldn't fly. In the end, the Emperor sided with Kong Guang and the others.
Guang Deng (referring to those who petition for pardon) wanted the Emperor to summon Jia (referring to the Prime Minister, here referring to Prince Liang Xiao, Liu Wu) to the prison of the Court of Judicial Review, and then issue a decree saying, "High-ranking officials, scholars, and advisors, all come and discuss." The Commandant of the Guard and forty-nine others agreed with Guang Deng's petition. However, Court Gentleman Gong and others argued that Liu Wu's inconsistent behavior and lack of principle disqualified him from the premiership, and he should be stripped of his title and reduced to commoner status. Yongxin Shao Fu Meng and others said, "A wise ruler always seeks the truth before judgment. A thorough investigation ensures that neither the living nor the dead harbor resentment. Wise rulers emulate sages, proceeding cautiously with punishments, and consulting widely to ensure universal acceptance. Although Jia's crimes align with the law, a good king treats his ministers with respect, greeting them in court, visiting them when sick, and attending their funerals, even suspending ancestral rites to show his grief. Dealing with ministers requires moderation, clear rewards and punishments, and evaluations based on their merits and demerits. Currently, Jia is being punished for the same crimes as the Prime Minister. Although his guilt is clear, the ministers are being shaved, put in shackles, and whipped naked. This shames our country and dishonors our ancestors. Spring's unpredictable weather calls for compassion and clemency. We, as subjects, cannot see the greater good in this and can only ask Your Majesty to investigate." The Emperor then summoned the Prime Minister to the prison.
The messenger arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, where the officials were all weeping and urging Jia to take the medicine and commit suicide, but Jia refused. The Chief Clerk (equivalent to the administrative chief of the Prime Minister's residence) said, "It was customary for condemned officials to air their grievances before their demise; you should end your own life." The messenger sat solemnly outside the residence. The Chief Clerk once again urged Jia to take the medicine, but Jia smashed the bowl on the ground and said to his subordinates, "The Prime Minister was fortunate to hold the top three ministerial posts, but failed the heavy trust of the country; he should suffer public execution in the town square to warn others. A Prime Minister doesn't commit suicide like a child! I'll face my execution with dignity!" Jia then packed his belongings, thanked the messenger for the imperial decree, rode in a small official carriage without wearing a hat, and followed the messenger to the Justice Ministry. The Justice Ministry confiscated Jia's Prime Minister seal and Marquis of Xinpu seal, bound him, and then escorted him to the prison ship.
It is said that Jia went to the authorities to report the case himself. The Emperor was furious and ordered all officials below the rank of general and officials above the rank of 5,000 stones (a high-ranking official's salary grade) to jointly try this case. Officials questioned Jia, and Jia replied, "Look, when you guys handled the Prince of Dongping's case before, you did not spare him because you felt he was not guilty of death, but to show the courtiers that handling such cases requires caution; you even used relay stations and fast horses to rush the prisoners through, scared of missing a deadline, and did not see the evidence that those people were all in cahoots, covering for each other. In the end, the Prince of Dongping was lucky enough to be granted amnesty. You are all good officials; it breaks my heart to see such good officials treated this way, so I stuck my neck out for those three."
The gaoler said, "Since that's the case, what crime did you commit that deserves imprisonment? If you've wronged the state, prison's hardly unfair!" The officials began to grill Jiasheng. Jiasheng sighed deeply and looked up to the sky, saying, "I got lucky enough to be Prime Minister, but I couldn't get rid of the bad eggs and promote the good ones. Therefore, I've let down the country and deserve to die!" The officials asked him who the talented individuals and corrupt individuals were. Jiasheng replied, "The good guys were Kong Guang, the former Prime Minister, and He Wu, the former Grand Minister – I couldn't get them promoted. And the bad guys, the Marquis of Gao'an, Dong Xian and his son, were sucking up and causing chaos, and I couldn't get rid of them. I deserve to die, and I have no complaints!" Jiasheng was imprisoned for over twenty days, went on a hunger strike, and died spitting blood. The Emperor's uncle, Ding Ming, the Grand Marshal, always respected Jiasheng and sympathized with him. As a result, the Emperor relieved Ding Ming of his duties and appointed Dong Xian to replace him, as the *Biography of Dong Xian* tells it. Jiasheng was executed after just three years as Prime Minister, a real loss for the country. After Jiasheng's death, the Emperor read his testimony, remembered his words, and reappointed Kong Guang as Prime Minister and summoned He Wu to serve as the Grand Minister. In the fourth year of Yuanshi, the Emperor issued an edict, posthumously honoring Jiasheng as the Marquis of Loyalty and making his son Chong the Marquis of Xinpu. Shi Dan, or Zhonggong as he was known, hailed from Langya Dongwu. He studied the *Book of Songs* under Kuang Heng, passed the imperial exams, and became a court official. Later, under Emperor Yuan, he became a Doctor, only to be dismissed. He was later recommended as a bright spark, reappointed as a Doctor, and finally became the Grand Tutor to the Prince of Dongping.
Prime Minister Fang Jin and Grand Historian Kong Guang both recognized Shi Dan's profound knowledge and integrity, so they summoned him back to the court and appointed him successively as Grand Master of the Palace and Chief Inspector under the Prime Minister. A few months later, he was appointed as Grand Master of the Palace and Attendant, and his official position continued to rise, eventually serving as Superintendent of the Imperial Household, Grand Master of the Palace, and Palace Attendant, highly respected by the Emperor.
As Emperor Cheng was nearing death, he designated Prince Tao as his heir, and Shi Dan was appointed as the Prince's Tutor. After Emperor Ai ascended the throne, Shi Dan was appointed as General of the Left, granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, and put in charge of the Secretariat. He then replaced Wang Mang as Grand Marshal, receiving the title of Marquis of Gao Le, only to be appointed Grand Minister of Works a little over a month later.
When I was young, I served in the court and witnessed Emperor Cheng handing over all power to the Wang clan, whose power was all-consuming, creating widespread unease in the court. I was always uncomfortable with this. When I became Emperor, I wanted to reform the court. I appointed Ding and Fu as officials, thus beginning my efforts to reform the court and weaken the power of the Wang clan.
I also feel that as the emperor's teacher, in a high-ranking position and enjoying the emperor's trust, I should do more for the country. So I wrote to the emperor, saying: "In ancient times, even if a wise ruler was incompetent, he would humbly listen to the advice of his prime minister and not change the policies of the late emperor for three years. Now the late Emperor lies in state, but some officials, ministers, and their relatives have all been promoted and enriched, basking in wealth and power. You have appointed your uncle as the Marquis of Yang'an; the empress's title has not been decided yet, but you have already appointed your father as the Marquis of Kongxiang. You also favor people like Wang Yi, the attendant, and Wang Han, the captain of the archers. Once these decrees are issued, the court will change drastically; the changes are far too swift and drastic. Although I cannot explain clearly, I cannot stand idly by and accept undeserved titles and wealth, thus increasing your faults. Recently, earthquakes and floods have ravaged the land, causing countless deaths and injuries, obscuring the sun and moon, and even disrupting the celestial bodies' orbits. This is all a result of your misguided policies, inconsistent decrees, chaotic laws, and the imbalance of yin and yang. I know that people have selfish desires; even those in their sixties and seventies are insatiable. Emperor Xiaocheng, a wise and virtuous ruler, appointed you his successor, even while still young, demonstrating his understanding of Heaven's will and his commitment to self-sacrifice for the good of the people. When the late emperor suddenly passed away, you inherited the throne, bringing peace to the world, and the people lived in peace and contentment. These are all results of the late emperor's virtue and the will of heaven! I have heard that the ways of Heaven are inscrutable, and I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider the late emperor's intention in appointing you as his successor, and set an example for all to follow. The empire is your responsibility; govern wisely, and prosperity will follow. There's no need to rush. The late emperor did not understand my foolishness but appointed me as the Grand Tutor, and you also treated me as a teacher. Instead of contributing, I have become a pawn in this power struggle, ennobled, richly rewarded, and elevated to high office, yet I have not been able to faithfully assist you, causing the people to talk and disasters to occur frequently. This is my great sin! I hesitate to resign, fearing accusations of hypocrisy. I am truly ashamed; I have failed your trust, and I can only repay the country with my death!" I have repeatedly submitted dozens of urgent pleas, each a heartfelt warning.
Right after Emperor Ai took the throne, his mother was honored as the Empress Dowager, while Empress Zhao, the empress of Emperor Cheng, was also the Empress Dowager. Emperor Ai's grandmother, the Dowager Empress Fu, and his mother, the Empress Dowager Ding, both lived in the palace, holding the title of the Dingtao Dowager Queen. At that time, Marquis Gaichang Dong Hong submitted a memorial suggesting, "Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mother was originally from the Xia clan, but because she was the son of Lady Huayang, after Emperor Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne, they were both styled Empress Dowager. Now, the Dingtao Dowager Queen should also be established as the Empress Dowager." The case went to the relevant officials. At that time, General Dan and Wang Mang ganged up on Dong Hong, saying, "The title of Empress Dowager has been unified throughout the world, but you are comparing it to the extinct Qin Dynasty, misleading the emperor. That's completely out of line!" Emperor Ai had just ascended the throne and was relatively humble, so he accepted the advice of Wang Mang and Dan and demoted Dong Hong. When Dowager Empress Fu heard about this, she hit the roof and demanded that Emperor Ai honor her as Empress Dowager. Emperor Ai had no choice but to give the Dingtao Dowager Queen the posthumous title of Co-Empress, Dowager Empress Fu as the Co-Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager Ding as the Co-Empress. Then, officials like Ling Bao and Duan You petitioned the emperor, arguing that "the titles of Co-Empress Dowager and Co-Empress should no longer use the name of the vassal state Dingtao. Their carriages and attire should be the same as the Empress Dowager's. They should be provided with officials below the rank of 2,000 stones, and a temple should be built in the capital for the Co-Empress." Emperor Ai once again handed this matter over to the relevant authorities, and everyone thought they were right.
Only Dan opposed, saying, "A wise ruler sets up rituals to mirror Heaven and Earth; clear hierarchies ensure proper social order. A well-ordered society reflects the harmony of Heaven and Earth. Social hierarchy is crucial for maintaining cosmic order; it shouldn't be messed with. Now, the Empress Dowager and Empress of Dingtai are using the title 'Empress of Dingtai,' which means following the son and following the husband. If official positions are established, like those of the Empress Dowager, it creates two 'top dogs,' undermining the whole system. The Empress of Dingtai's titles are set in stone and cannot be changed. The Book of Rites says, 'A scholar's son becomes Emperor; he uses imperial rites for sacrifices but wears a scholar's mourning clothes—a sign of filial piety.' Three years of mourning for parents, one for grandparents—showing respect for ancestors and upholding tradition. Emperor Xiaocheng showed plenty of respect; the sacrifices were sufficient. Your Majesty inherited the throne; focus on the ancestral temple and the proper rites to Heaven and Earth. No more sacrifices for the Empress of Dingtai; no temple for her. A capital temple for ministers to worship would leave no clear main sacrifice. We destroy sacrificial items after a death. Keeping the ancestor's items while adding this unauthorized shrine is disrespectful." This made Dan fall out of favor with Emperor Ai.
So, the story goes, someone wrote to the emperor, saying that in ancient times tortoise shells were used as currency, but now they have switched to coins, causing the common people to become poor, and it should be changed back. The emperor asked the minister Dan, and Dan said it could be changed. They sent it upstairs for discussion, and everyone felt that using coins has been in place for a long time and it wouldn't be good to change it abruptly. Dan, this old man, forgot what he had said before, and later followed those ministers in saying it couldn't be done.
Later, Dan had his subordinates write a memorial, and one of them leaked the draft privately. The children of the Ding and Fu families learned about this and had people write to accuse Dan, also distributing Dan's memorial everywhere. The emperor asked the ministers what was going on, and the ministers all said, "A loyal minister wouldn't go around doing that, and a minister's memorial shouldn't be leaked and spread around for the common people to see. Loose lips sink ships; it should be handed over to the courts to handle."
So this matter was handed over to the courts, and they accused Dan of great disrespect. Before a verdict was reached, the imperial scholars Shen Xian and Que Qin wrote to say, "Dan's a stand-up fellow, and there are few ministers like him these days. He got carried away, wrote the memorial without thinking, and the leaking of the memorial wasn't Dan's fault. If he is demoted because of this, it may chill everyone's hearts."
The chief secretary then accused Shen Xian and Que Qin, saying, "You two got where you are because you're Confucian scholars, and the emperor had already decided to deal with Dan. You know that Dan is an important minister of the state, yet you wrote a memorial praising him. That's hypocritical and disrespectful!" The emperor then demoted Shen Xian and Que Qin by two ranks each.
Then the emperor relieved Dan of his duties, saying, "My top three guys are supposed to be my right hand, assisting me in correcting the officials and uniting the country. I have entrusted all the power to you, but in these past few years there have been continuous natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, and many deaths—with the common people displaced and not knowing what to do. The position of Sikong has not been effective. You've been in office for three years, but I haven't heard any good ideas from you. Instead, you've been making backroom deals."
Before you proposed to change the currency, I thought, "Yeah, sure, why not?" However, when you discussed it with the ministers, you followed them and said it was not feasible, throwing me under the bus. I endured without speaking ill of you, taking on the responsibility for you. I can't stand those two-faced weasels who commit all kinds of wrongdoings and treat bad habits as customs. I've written to advise you several times, hoping you would reflect on yourself, but you didn't listen and spoke ill of me behind my back.
Word of your memos got around, and the ministers are all saying you’re disloyal. Yet, you’ve gained a good reputation everywhere and received praises, making the country look bad. If my close ministers are like this, how will others behave? How can we unite everyone and pacify the distant lands? Being so high up, you're not seeing the whole picture. You're all over the place, ignoring orders, and making a fool of yourself. This is not what someone assisting the king and defending the country should do.
Considering your past contributions to the country, I can't bring myself to punish you harshly. I've ordered the relevant departments to pardon you, so I'm not going to lay it on you too thick. Now, I’m dismissing you from your position as Grand Minister of Works, Gao Lehou, so just… go home!
Tang Lin submitted a memorial saying, "I personally think the edict dismissing Dan from his position as Grand Minister of Works is too harsh. Gentlemen don't air their friends' dirty laundry. Dan's a Confucian scholar, highly respected, and has personally assisted the emperor, ranking among the top three officials. His mistakes were minor; nobody thinks he did anything really wrong. The matter has already passed, and removing his title and punishment is too severe. Everyone in the capital who knows what's up thinks Dan should get his title back and be appointed as an imperial physician to fulfill the expectations of the people. So, Your Majesty, please give Dan his title back." The emperor accepted Tang Lin's suggestion and issued an edict granting Dan the title of Marquis of Guannei with a fief of three hundred households.
After a few months, the emperor adopted Zhu Bo's suggestion and honored Empress Dowager Fu and Empress Dowager Ding. They were granted the same honor as the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, and temples were built in the capital city for them, with the same specifications as those of Emperor Xiaoyuan. Zhu Bo was promoted to Prime Minister, and together with the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, Zhao Xuan, he submitted a memorial stating: "Former Marquis of Chang'an Hong was the first to propose the honorary titles but was impeached by Dan and demoted to commoner status. At that time, the situation in the world was turbulent, and political power was in Dan's hands. Dan did not seriously consider the significance of honoring royal relatives; instead, he dismissed the honorary titles and undermined filial piety, which is the greatest disloyalty. Your Majesty, in your wisdom and kindness, ultimately confirmed the honorary titles, and Hong was reinstated as the Marquis of Chang'an for his loyalty and filial piety. Dan's crimes were severe, and even if he was pardoned, he should not retain his title and fiefdom. We request the removal of his title and that he be made a commoner." The emperor approved the memorial. Thus, Dan returned to his hometown and lived as a commoner for several years.
When Emperor Ping ascended to the throne, the Marquis of New Capital, Wang Mang, went to the Grand Empress Dowager and proposed to dig up the tombs of Empress Dowager Fu and Empress Dowager Ding to seize their jade seals. He then turned their tombs into common graves and destroyed the imperial tombs in Dingtao. Those who had opposed Wang Mang, such as Ling Bao and Duan You, were exiled to Hepu. Marquis Hong of Chang'an was also demoted to commoner status. Meanwhile, Dan was summoned by the court and granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, allowing him to continue enjoying his original fiefdom. This marked a turning point in Dan's fortunes, while Wang Mang's reign of terror was only just beginning.
After a few months, the Empress Dowager issued an order to the top officials, saying, "Rewarding loyal servants is, of course, a rule followed by sages and wise men from ancient times to the present. It is a principle that all emperors have adhered to. However, Empress Dingtao has usurped the throne, which goes against reason. Shi Dan, Marquis of Guannei, is loyal to the country, fearless of danger, and upholds loyalty and righteousness. He is a staunch upholder of tradition, standing firm as a rock in times of crisis. He is truly a pillar of the country! The memorials suggesting to grant titles to those bad people have been rejected, but Shi Dan's merits have not yet been rewarded. That's putting the cart before the horse, isn't it? So let's make him Marquis of Yiyang, with 2,100 households!" Not long after, he died and was later given the title of Marquis of Jie. His son, Shi Ye, inherited the title, but after Wang Mang's failure, the Shi family lost their title.
Look at He Wu, Wang Jia, and Shi Dan – their stories teach us a lot. When Wang Mang usurped power, both internal and external subjects submitted to him. Dong Xian, due to the emperor's favor, also attracted suspicion from relatives. He Wu and Wang Jia, like trying to block a river with a small mound of earth, ultimately ended up ruining themselves. Shi Dan and Dong Hong, one rewarded and one punished, it is truly regrettable! Therefore, it is said, "Going with the flow can lead to moral decay, while bucking the trend can be dangerous." This is why ancient people found it difficult to accept titles!
