Empress Xiaoyuan was Wang Mang's aunt (or, more accurately, his paternal aunt). Wang Mang claimed to be a descendant of the Yellow Emperor. To legitimize his claim, Wang Mang detailed his family's lineage in his *Ziben*, writing: "The Yellow Emperor's surname is Yao, and eight generations later is Yu Shun. Shun started his family in the Gui area and took Gui as his surname. During the Zhou dynasty, under King Wu, Shun's descendant, Gui Man (Hu Gong), was enfeoffed in Chen, and thirteen generations later was Wan. Wan's name was Jing Zhong, who fled to the State of Qi. Duke Huan of Qi appointed him as a minister and changed his surname to Tian. Eleven generations later, Tian He ruled Qi, followed by two generations of kings. By the time of Tian Jian, the state was destroyed by the State of Qin. Following Xiang Yu's rebellion, Tian An's grandson was appointed as the King of Jibei. After Tian An's state was lost, the Qi people referred to his descendants as the 'Wang family,' leading to the adoption of Wang as their surname."
During the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, Sun Sui, the grandson of Tian An, also known as Boji, lived in Dongping Mausoleum and had a son named He, also known as Wengru. Wengru became the Imperial Inspector with special powers of Emperor Wu and was responsible for capturing bandits like Jianlu in Weijun and his accomplices, as well as the officials who delayed the case due to cowardice. Wengru spared them and did not kill them. Other officials, like Bao Shengzhi, reported to kill officials of the rank of two thousand stones, execute officials below the rank of one thousand stones, and all those involved in corruption, killing over ten thousand people at once, as recorded in the "Biographies of Harsh Officials." Wengru was dismissed for not following the rules, and he sighed, "I've heard that saving a thousand earns your descendants rewards; I saved tens of thousands! Surely my family's future will be bright!"
After Weng Ru was dismissed from his position, he made enemies with the Zhongshi family in Dongpingling, so he moved to Weijun Yuanchengweisuli and became one of the respected elders in the community. The people of Weijun respected him very much. There was a man named Jian Gong in Yuancheng who said, "In the Spring and Autumn Period, when Shalu Mountain collapsed, the historian of the Jin Kingdom divined and said, 'The yin overwhelmed the yang; earth and fire clashed, so Shalu Mountain collapsed. Six hundred and forty-five years later, a holy woman should rise.' This is referring to the Tian family of the Qi Kingdom! Now that Wang Weng Ru has moved here, it is perfectly suited to this place, where the sun and moon bless this place. There is Wulu Mountain to the east of Yuancheng, or perhaps it was originally called Shalu Mountain. Eighty years later, a noblewoman should rise in the world."
This passage mainly talks about Weng Ru's character and his conversation with Jian Gong of Yuancheng regarding the prophecy. Weng Ru was a kind and compassionate person, contrasting sharply with those nasty bureaucrats. He was dismissed for saving people but remained hopeful about the future. Jian Gong's prophecy added a bit of spooky intrigue to the story, hinting at the rise of the Wang family and Weng Ru's relocation.
Weng Ru, courtesy name Zhijun, studied law in Chang'an when he was young and became a clerk at the Ministry of Justice. In the third year of Benshi, he had a daughter named Zhengjun, who later became the empress. Weng Ru was ambitious but not very restrained, fond of his drink and the ladies. He married several wives and had a total of four daughters and eight sons. The eldest son was Junxia, the second was the future empress Zhengjun, followed by Junli, and then Jundie. Among his sons, the eldest was Feng Xiaoqing, followed by Manyuanqing, Tanzhiyuan, Chongshaozi, Shangzixia, Lizishu, Genzhiqing, and Fengshiweiqing. Only Feng, Chong, and Empress Zhengjun had the same mother. Their mother, who was Weng Ru's main wife, was the daughter of Li from Weijun. Later, due to Weng Ru's womanizing, Li had enough and left, marrying a man from Henan named Goubin.
At the beginning, when Li Shi was expecting Zheng Jun, she dreamed that the moon fell into her arms. When Zheng Jun grew up, she was gentle and obedient, and was virtuous. She was once betrothed to someone, but before the marriage, the other party died. Later, Dongping King wanted to take Zheng Jun as a concubine, but before it happened, Dongping King died. Weng Rusheng found this strange and consulted a fortune teller who gave Zheng Jun a fortune telling: "You're destined for great wealth and power, but I can't say exactly how." Weng Rusheng believed the fortune teller was correct, so he taught Zheng Jun to read and play the qin. In the fifth year of the Han Cheng Emperor's Wufeng era, 18-year-old Zheng Jun was sent to the palace and became a palace maid.
Over a year later, the Crown Prince's favorite concubine, Sima Liangdi, fell ill and was on the brink of death. Before dying, she told the Crown Prince, "I wasn't just sick; those other concubines and their husbands cursed me!" The Crown Prince felt sorry for her and thought she made sense.
After Sima Liangdi's death, the Crown Prince was filled with grief and anger, fell ill, and was in a foul mood all the time. He also blamed the other concubines and kept them away. After a long time, Emperor Xuan heard that the Crown Prince resented the other concubines because of this incident and wanted to cheer him up, so he let the Empress select some good women from the palace to serve the Crown Prince. Among the candidates by the Empress's side was Huo Chengjun.
When the Crown Prince attended court, the Empress brought Huo Chengjun and four other women to show him, secretly sending her maidservant to inquire which one the Crown Prince liked. The Crown Prince showed no interest in any of the five women, but out of courtesy, he reluctantly said, "One of them will do." At that moment, Huo Chengjun was sitting next to the Crown Prince, wearing a dress edged in red compared to the others, so the maidservant thought the Crown Prince had chosen her.
The Empress sent court official Du Fu and court lady Zhuo Xian to bring Huo Chengjun into the Crown Prince's palace, where she resided in the Bing Hall. As a result, the Crown Prince favored her, and she conceived after just one encounter. Prior to this, there were over a dozen concubines in the Crown Prince's harem, some of whom had been favored by him for seven to eight years without conceiving.
In the third year of Ganlu, Huo Chengjun gave birth to Liu Ao, who later became Emperor Cheng of Han, in the Ji Hall of the palace. Emperor Xuan adored him, personally naming him Liu Ao with the courtesy name "Taisun," and often kept him by his side.
Three years later, Emperor Xuan passed away, and the Crown Prince succeeded to the throne as Emperor Xiaoyuan. He appointed Taisun as the Crown Prince, enfeoffed the Crown Prince's mother, the Queen Consort, as Jieyu, and made the Crown Prince's father the Marquis of Yangping. Three days later, Jieyu was proclaimed Empress, the ban was promoted to a high-ranking official, and Jieyu's younger brother Hong also became the commander of the Changle Guard. In the second year of Yongguang, the ban passed away and was posthumously honored as Marquis Qing. His eldest son Feng inherited the marquisate and also became a high-ranking official in the Changle Guard. After the Empress had children of her own, she rarely saw Feng.
As the Crown Prince grew older, he was known for his kindness, caution, and respectfulness, as recorded in the Chengji. However, he later developed a liking for alcohol and indulged in pleasure, causing Emperor Yuan to feel that he wasn't cut out to be emperor. Meanwhile, Fu Zhaoyi, who was highly favored by the Emperor, gave birth to the Prince of Dingtao. This prince was talented and versatile, and the Emperor favored him greatly; he practically lived at the Emperor's side, always riding in the same carriage. The Emperor even considered deposing the Crown Prince in favor of the Prince of Dingtao. At that time, Feng served as an official in the court and, along with the Empress and the Crown Prince, was terrified the Prince of Dingtao would become emperor. Therefore, he secretly contacted the attendant-in-chief Shi Dan to support the Crown Prince, as the Dan Chuan recounts. In the end, Emperor Yuan kept the Crown Prince, partly because the Empress was so cautious and the late Emperor had favored him.
After Emperor Yuan passed away, the crown prince succeeded to the throne, becoming Emperor Xiaocheng. He honored the empress dowager as the Empress Dowager, appointed Feng as Grand Marshal and Grand General, also allowing him to oversee the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, and increased his fiefdom by five thousand households. The prosperity of the Wang family began with Feng. Emperor Xiaocheng also appointed the empress dowager's full brother, Chong, as the Marquis of Ancheng, with a fiefdom of ten thousand households. Feng's several younger brothers, such as Tan and others, were also granted the title of Marquis of Guannei (a lower rank of marquis) and fiefdoms.
It is said that that summer, a thick, oppressive fog blanketed the land for days on end. The emperor asked the court officials Yang Xing, Bo Wang Sisheng, and others about the situation. They all claimed it was a sign of too much yin energy, throwing the yang out of whack. They said it was because the Emperor was ignoring his grandpappy's wishes. Old Gramps always said only guys who'd earned it should get titles, but now the Empress Dowager's brothers are all lords, even though they ain't done nothin'. This had never happened before, so naturally, the heavens were showing their displeasure. Many officials who submitted memorials also thought that what they said made sense.
Therefore, Huo Guang became afraid and submitted a request to resign, saying, "After Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been devoted to governing the country well, so you let me, Huo Guang, be in charge of the Imperial Secretariat. However, I haven't been able to help Your Majesty show himself to be a wise and just ruler or improve the country's politics. Now that such a bad omen has appeared, the blame is all on me, Huo Guang. I should accept punishment and apologize to the world. Now that the major affairs of the country have been basically settled and justice has been clarified, Your Majesty should personally handle the government affairs and follow the will of heaven." So he resigned.
The emperor replied, "I'm carrying on my late father's work, but I lack experience in governing the country and don't understand many things, which is why everything's gone haywire—the sun and moon are weak, and the whole world's looking sickly. It's my fault, but the Grand General's taking the heat, wanting to resign from the position of Secretary and even returning the seal of the Grand General, resigning from the position of top general. He's basically calling me out! I put you in charge so you could make a name for yourself and bring glory to the family. So keep your chin up, help me out where I'm lacking, and don't worry about a thing."
Five years later, Marquis Ancheng Chong died and was given the posthumous title of Marquis Gong. He left a posthumous son to inherit the marquisate, causing great sadness to the Empress Dowager. The next year, in the second year of the Heping reign, the emperor enfeoffed all five brothers of the Empress Dowager as marquises: Tan as the Marquis of Ping'a, Shang as the Marquis of Chengdu, Li as the Marquis of Hongyang, Gen as the Marquis of Quyang, and Fengshi as the Marquis of Gaoping. They were all made marquises on the same day, and history remembers them as the "Five Marquises." Among the Empress Dowager's siblings, only Man had passed away early, while the rest were enfeoffed as marquises. The Empress Dowager's mom, Lady Li, was a widow for years after her husband Guo died, and she had a son named Shen. During the regency of Huo Guang, the Empress Dowager had Huo Guang bring Lady Li back to the palace. The Empress Dowager adored Shen and wanted to make him a marquis, just like she did with Tian Fen. However, the emperor said, "Making the Tians marquises isn't proper." Thus, Shen was only made something like a low-level official. The Wang family had their fingers in every pie, with members holding top positions throughout the court.
General Wang Feng has great power, but the emperor is very humble and never acts alone. People around him often recommend Liu Xin, the son of a high-ranking official, saying that he is very talented and outstanding. The emperor summoned him, and Liu Xin performed a recitation of poetry and prose. The emperor appreciated it very much and wanted him to be a chamberlain, even sending someone to fetch his court attire. Just as he was about to be formally appointed, his advisors said, "Haven't we told Wang Feng about this yet?" The emperor replied, "Why bother telling Wang Feng about something this small?" But his courtiers pleaded with him, refusing to budge. The emperor had no choice but to discuss it with Wang Feng, who thought it was not appropriate, so the matter was dropped. It showed just how powerful Wang Feng was; even the emperor had to be cautious.
The emperor had been on the throne for several years without a son, and his health was not very good. Upon the Duke of Dingtao's arrival at court, the empress dowager and the emperor treated him exceptionally well according to the late emperor's wishes, rewarding him lavishly compared to other vassal kings. The emperor kept the Duke of Dingtao and did not let him return to his country. The emperor said to the Duke, "I don't have a son yet. Life's too short to know what tomorrow brings. If anything happens to me, we might never see each other again. Why don't you just stay?" Later, the emperor's health gradually improved, and the Duke stayed in the palace, serving by the emperor's side every day, and the emperor was very close to him. Wang Feng grew uneasy and thought it was not good for the Duke to remain in the capital. On the day of a solar eclipse, Wang Feng exclaimed, "A solar eclipse! A terrible omen! It means the Duke, despite his family ties to the emperor, should return to his lands. His presence here is against all reason—a clear warning from Heaven!" Bowing to Wang Feng's pressure, the emperor agreed. When the Duke bid farewell, the emperor and the duke hugged, weeping as they said goodbye.
Wang Zhang, this old guy, is straightforward and dares to speak the truth. He felt that something didn't seem right about the emperor sending Prince Dingtao to the fiefdom, so he wrote a letter, saying that the solar eclipse was a bad omen.
The emperor summoned him for questioning, and Wang Zhang said, "Heaven knows the truth; it protects the good and punishes the bad. Auspicious signs and disasters are all part of God's plan! Now, Your Majesty, because you have no sons, you’ve called Prince Dingtao to inherit the throne. This is for the good of the people, doing what's right, and there should be auspicious signs. How could there be disasters like a solar eclipse? These disasters are caused by the ministers running the show! I heard that the Grand General blamed Prince Dingtao for the solar eclipse and sent him packing to his fiefdom, clearly wanting to leave Your Majesty alone to grab more power for himself. That ain't loyal! Moreover, this solar eclipse is like the balance of power is all messed up; it’s caused by the ministers oppressing the monarch. Now, everything in the court is decided by Grand General Feng. You haven't done a thing, yet he doesn’t reflect on himself and instead pushes the blame onto the good Prince Dingtao. That's a load of crap! And that's not even the worst of it!"
Former Prime Minister Shang, the Duke of Lechang, was originally a very capable minister during the late emperor's reign—loyal and prestigious, he was a key figure in the government. He was upright and refused to bow to Grand General Feng, who dismissed him over a family issue involving his niece, leading to Shang's death from depression. People felt sorry for him. Furthermore, General Feng knew that his niece, Zhang Meiren (meaning "Beautiful Lady Zhang"), had been married before and, according to etiquette, could not serve the emperor. Yet he insisted on bringing her into the palace, clearly trying to please her! Rumor has it Zhang Meiren never even visited her quarters! These three matters are all significant. Your Majesty witnessed them firsthand, so it is evident that the things you did not see are even more questionable. General Feng needs to go; it's time for him to retire and for loyal and virtuous officials to be selected as his replacements!
Since Feng Niao's dismissal, the emperor had been stuck on the Shangzhou situation, and it was eating at him. Later, upon hearing Zhang's suggestion, the emperor finally woke up to the crisis and accepted his advice, saying to Zhang, "If it weren't for your frank advice, Jingzhao Intendant, I would have had no idea of the imminent danger facing the country! It takes one to know one. Find me some good people to help me out."
Zhang then presented a memorial recommending Feng Yewang, the brother-in-law of Prince Xiaowang of Zhongshan and the Prefect of Langye, saying, "Feng Yewang was a loyal, honest, and strategic minister who held two high-ranking positions under the late emperor. Promoting him now is due to his outstanding abilities, which also reflect Your Majesty's virtue of appointing talented individuals." The emperor, who had heard of Feng Yewang's reputation during his time as crown prince, was eager to replace Feng Niao with him.
Initially, every time Zhang Han went to see the emperor, the emperor would clear the room. At that time, Shi Zhongyin, the empress dowager's brother and son of Changle Weiwei Hong, secretly eavesdropped, took notes on everything Zhang Han said, and then told Huo Guang about it.
After Huo Guang heard this, he pretended to be ill, returned to his mansion, and then submitted a request for retirement, rejecting the emperor's favor. In his memorial, he said, "I am a man of humble abilities, prone to folly and rashness. However, due to my relationship with the imperial family, all seven of my brothers have been granted titles of nobility, and my family received countless imperial favors. I have assisted in government affairs in the court for seven years, and the country has entrusted me with heavy responsibilities. The emperor listens to what I say, and my recommendations for talent are often accepted. However, I have not contributed at all. Instead, calamities beset the land, and ominous signs abound. All of this is due to my incompetence as Huo Guang, which is the first reason I should step down. Classical texts and historical accounts alike attest that the appearance of a solar eclipse is often due to the inappropriate selection of court ministers. The 'Book of Changes' says 'severing one's right arm,' meaning losing a capable assistant. This is the second reason I should step down. Since the beginning of the Heping era, I have been chronically ill, often traveling outside, neglecting my duties, and receiving a salary for nothing. This is the third reason I should step down. Your Majesty, out of consideration for the Empress Dowager, would never dream of executing or dismissing me. I also know that I should stay away from the capital and be exiled to a remote area. However, I have reconsidered repeatedly. My brothers and family have received great favors, and I should dedicate my life to the service of the state. I should not leave the court for unimportant matters. However, in recent years, my illness has worsened, becoming unbearable. I earnestly request retirement, to return home and rest. I hope to rely on your divine protection, that within a month before I am laid to rest, I may recover and return to assist Your Majesty in the court. If not, let me rest in peace after death. I, a person without talent, have received such honors, and my profound favor from the court is known to all. Because of my illness, I have been able to preserve my life, return home to rest, and the world knows that Your Majesty is very kind to me, my favor is heavy, my actions are beneficial to the country, and there will be no objections. I humbly beseech Your Majesty's compassion." Huo Guang's words were so poignant that the Empress Dowager wept openly, her appetite completely gone.
The Emperor was utterly dependent on Feng and couldn't bear to let him go. He said to Feng, "I'm not wise in handling political affairs, and things just keep going wrong. It's all my fault. General, you've taken all the blame upon yourself and want to resign. What should I do then? The classics say, 'Don't burden me!' You must cheer up, work diligently, and strive to achieve success as soon as possible; that's what I hope to see." Feng then got back to helping run the country.
The Emperor ordered the Personnel Minister to impeach Zhang, saying, "I know Ye Wang let his uncle become an official. He even pushed for it, trying to get him to sway the nobles. I also know that while serving the emperor, Zhang made up stories about the barbarians' cruelty; such things shouldn't be said." As a result, Zhang was punished. The Court determined that he had committed a treasonous act, saying he was hanging out with the barbarians, trying to undermine the throne, and secretly working for the King of Dingtao. Zhang died in prison; his wife was exiled.
From then on, the court officials saw Feng in a new light, and the governors and prefects of various counties and states all tried to get on his good side. The emperor promoted the attendant Yin to the position of Grand Inspector, ranking him among the Three Excellencies. The five marquis and their brothers competed to indulge in extravagance and waste, bribing and giving gifts, amassing mountains of treasure, with a seemingly endless stream of riches; the concubines in the palace each had dozens of maidservants, with thousands of slaves, with drums and gongs blaring all day, Zheng dancers performing, various theater troupes entertaining, raising many precious dogs and horses, spending their days in leisure; they also went on massive building sprees, constructing luxurious mansions, piling up hills of earth, building tall pavilions, opening grand gates, towering corridors and endless rooms. The common people sang songs saying, "When the five marquises first gained power, Quyang was the most arrogant, demolishing dams, building tall cities, connecting the outer city walls, piling up hills and tall platforms on the White Tiger Mountain to the west." Their extravagance was unbelievable! However, they were all very clever, skilled at working a room, fond of attracting talent, nurturing virtuous scholars, spending money like water, generous and charitable, in order to elevate their own status.
Feng assisted the emperor in governing for a total of eleven years. In the autumn of the third year of Yangshuo, Feng fell ill, and the emperor personally visited him many times, holding his hand and crying, saying, "General, if you have anything to tell me, please do. Ping Ahou Tan can take your place." Feng knelt down and cried, saying, "Although Tan and the others are my close relatives, their behavior is very extravagant, unable to lead the people. Grand Inspector Yin is cautious and reliable; I'd stake my life on him." When Feng was about to pass away, he wrote a letter of thanks, strongly recommending Yin to take his place, stating that Tan and the other five must not be reappointed. The emperor agreed to his request.
At first, Tan Ju was reluctant to work for Zhang Feng. However, he spoke and acted very respectfully towards Zhang Feng, treating him like a son. So Zhang Feng recommended him. After Zhang Feng died, the emperor personally went to pay his respects, rewarded him with many things, sent a modest funeral cortege, and had the army lined up from Chang'an all the way to Weiling for the funeral procession, finally posthumously ennobling him as the Marquis of Jingcheng. His son Tan Xiang inherited the marquis title and became the Commander of the Palace Guards. The Chief Inspector, Zhang Yin, took over as the General of Chariots and Cavalry in place of Zhang Feng, while the Marquis of Ping'a, Tan Ju, was promoted to city gate commander. Gu Yong advised Tan Ju to give up his position as the city gate guard, so Tan Ju and Zhang Yin had a falling out, as written in the "Gu Yong Biography." As the emperor's nephew, Zhang Yin was always careful and diligent in his work. Over a year later, the emperor issued an edict saying, "General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Yin, you have served the country faithfully and diligently. You used to be the Chief Inspector, but because you are my nephew, I appointed you to lead the army. Now I appoint you as a general, but you have not yet received the title of prime minister, which weighs heavily on my conscience! I now appoint you as the Marquis of Anyang, with a fiefdom of three thousand households, just like the other five marquises!" Initially, the Marquis of Chengdu, Shang, fell ill and wanted to beat the heat, so he borrowed the Mingguang Palace from the emperor. Later, he illegally diverted the Neili River to the large pond in his mansion for convenient boating. He also set up a feather canopy, hung up Zhou dynasty curtains, and sang the song of Zuo Yue, enjoying a splendid life. When the emperor visited Shang's mansion and saw that he had secretly diverted the river, he was very displeased, holding a grudge but not saying anything.
Later, the emperor went incognito to visit the Marquis of Quyang's mansion. He saw the earthworks in his garden, and the shape of the steps being built resembled the White Tiger Hall. This made the emperor even angrier, and he attributed the blame to General Yin. Shang and his brother Gen even contemplated self-mutilation, even to the point of cutting off their noses, to apologize to the empress dowager. When the emperor heard about this, he was furious and immediately summoned the officials to question them: "Are you aware that Marquis Chengdu Shang secretly breached the imperial city's defenses? That he diverted the Li River? Do you know that Marquis Quyang Gen is flagrant in his excesses, overstepping imperial authority by building a mansion as grand as the palace? Do you know that Marquis Hongyang and his son harbor criminals, and his guests were known to be notorious thugs, yet you officials turned a blind eye and failed to act against them?" Shang and Gen prostrated themselves and confessed.
The emperor also wrote a letter to General Yin, saying, "How could these relatives so readily court disaster, even willing to disfigure themselves and humiliate themselves in front of the empress dowager, grieving their mother and jeopardizing the state! The power of the relatives' families is strong, and my health has not been good for a long time. It is time to handle this matter properly. Summon the nobles and confine them to their estates." That day, the emperor also ordered the officials to read aloud the case of the execution of General Zhao during the reign of Emperor Wen. General Yin pleaded for punishment, offering a branch in supplication, and Shang, Li, and Gen all begged for execution with axes. The emperor, however, spared their lives.
Eventually, Ping Ahou Tan died and was posthumously named Anhou; his son Ren inherited the marquis title. The Empress Dowager grieved for her brother Man, who died so young, and had not given him a title. Man's widow served in the Eastern Palace, while his son Mang was just a poor little thing, all alone and vulnerable, treated differently from others, which worried the Empress Dowager greatly. Ping Ahou Tan, Chengdu Hou Shang, and many others in the court spoke up for Mang. Later, the Emperor posthumously named Man the Marquis of Xindu, and his son Mang inherited the title, becoming the Marquis of Xindu. Later, the Emperor also named the Empress Dowager's nephew Chuntianchang as the Marquis of Dingling. Ten Wang family relatives became marquises.
The emperor regretted deposing Ping Ahou Tan, as he passed away without serving the court. Therefore, the emperor promoted Chengdu Hou Shang to a high-ranking official, allowing him to command the city gate soldiers, establish an administrative office, and grant him the power to recommend officials. Du Ye once advised General Cheqi Yin to forge an alliance with Shang, which is recorded in the "Ye Zhuan." The Wang family's titles continued to rise, while Yin insisted on upholding good governance, repeatedly advising and admonishing, and faithfully assisting in political affairs for eight years before passing away. The emperor posthumously awarded him the rank of Grand General and conferred the title of Jing Hou. His son Shun inherited the title of Hou and later served as Minister of the Grand Stables and a Palace Attendant. Special appointee Chengdu Hou Shang succeeded Yin as Grand Marshal, while Hongyang Hou Li was appointed as a special appointee, commanding the city gate soldiers. After assisting in political affairs for four years, Shang requested retirement due to illness. The emperor, moved by his situation, then promoted him to Grand General, increased his fiefdom by two thousand households, and rewarded him with a million cash. After Shang's death, the emperor posthumously awarded him the rank of Grand General and conferred the title of Jing Cheng Hou, with his son Kuang inheriting the title of Hou. Upon Hongyang Hou Li's assumption of his duties, he made a mistake, as recorded in the "Sun Bao Zhuan." Therefore, the emperor deposed him and appointed Guanglu Xun Quyang Hou Gen as Grand Marshal, and a year later increased his fiefdom by one thousand seven hundred households. Gaoping Hou Fengshi had no talent or reputation and passed away that year, posthumously titled Dai Hou, with his son Maizhi inheriting the title of Hou.
In the first year of Suihe, the emperor had been on the throne for over twenty years without an heir, and the King of Dingtao had already passed away, with his son inheriting the throne. The grandmother of the King of Dingtao, the Dingtao Dowager Empress, bribed General Piao with a large sum of money to help the King of Dingtao become the Han heir. General Piao advised the emperor, who decided to appoint the King of Dingtao as the crown prince. After five years in government, General Piao requested retirement, and the emperor granted him an additional five thousand households of land, an elegant carriage, four horses, and approximately 667 pounds of gold for his retirement.
Before this, Marquis Chunyu Chang of Dingling was appointed as a high-ranking official due to his strategic abilities. That year, Marquis Mang accused Chunyu Chang of being involved with Marquis Hongyang, leading to Chunyu Chang being imprisoned and executed, while Mang was sent home. This is recorded in Chang's biography. Therefore, Marquis Quyang recommended Mang to replace him, and the emperor, seeing Mang as loyal and upright, promoted him from Privy Councilor and Cavalry Commandant to Grand Marshal.
A little over a year later, Emperor Cheng kicked the bucket, and Emperor Ai took over. The Empress Dowager banished Wang Mang back to his fief, to get him away from the emperor's family. Emperor Ai initially treated Wang Mang well, but Wang Mang ignored her and asked to retire. Emperor Ai then decreed: "Look, Marquis of Quyang, you've always been a loyal servant, helping set policy and all that; and Grand Preceptor and Grand Commandant, Marquis of Anyang, you protected the crown prince and have been loyal to me since day one; and Marquis of Xin Du, you've busted your butt for the country and always done what's right – you guys are all solid. The Empress Dowager wanted you back in your fief, but I'm bummed about that. So, I'm boosting Quyang's fief by two thousand households, Anyang's by five hundred, and Xin Du's by three hundred and fifty. And Xin Du, you're getting promoted to Special Envoy – you'll be at all the big court meetings." They also sent Hongyang Marquis back to the capital. Emperor Ai had heard whispers about how powerful these five marquis families were since he was a kid, and it kinda freaked him out. But he was new on the job, so he played nice.
One month later, the Inspector of the Imperial Censorate, Jie Guang, reported: "The Quyang Marquis and his clan wielded immense power, controlling authority for three generations, with five generals managing political affairs. His influence extended throughout the land. The Marquis is greedy and malevolent, amassing a vast fortune and ruling with an iron fist, engaging in grand construction projects. His mansion was a monument to excess, with artificial hills within its grounds and even two markets built for his convenience. The palace boasted red-tiled roofs and blue-painted doors and windows. He indulged in lavish hunts and leisure activities, having his servants armed and arrayed like a private army. He resided in the imperial palace, using resources from the national warehouses, forcing the people to build roads, causing great suffering among them. He is cunning and wicked, seeking to control the court by recommending his trusted clerk Zhang Ye from the Ministry of Personnel for the position of Chief Secretary, manipulating the emperor, suppressing subordinates, blocking communication, and befriending foreign dignitaries. His extravagance, disregard for laws and rituals, and subversion of the system were blatant. He showed no grief at the late Emperor's passing. Before the imperial tomb was completed, he hired former imperial musicians and dancers to drink, sing, and dance, forgetting the late Emperor's grace and betraying the loyalty of a subject. His nephew, the Marquis of Chengdu, Kuang, inherited his father's title as an in-law and became a courtier, also showing no gratitude. He married a former palace lady, displaying no respect or etiquette of a subject." The emperor then said: "The late Emperor loved them, but they repaid his kindness with treachery!" Because the Marquis once established policies for the state, he was allowed to return to his fiefdom; Kuang's title was removed, and he was sent back to his hometown. All officials appointed by the Marquis and Kuang's father were dismissed.
Two years later, Empress Dowager Fu and the Emperor's mother, Ding Ji, were both given honorary titles. At that time, court officials reported: "Former Grand Marshal Wang Mang opposes the elevation of the titles of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's mother, which is unfilial; and also Ping Ahou Ren Zang, who secretly hid Zhao Zhaoyi's relatives, and both should be sent back to their fiefdoms." Many felt the Wang family had been unfairly targeted.
Yang Xuan, a court advisor, wrote to the Emperor, saying: "Emperor Xiaocheng was deeply devoted to ancestral worship. He praised Your Majesty's virtues, saying that you have inherited the mandate of heaven, your policies are far-reaching, and your grace is profound. But consider the late Emperor's wishes. Didn't he want you to succeed him and guide the Crown Prince? The Empress Dowager, well over seventy, was deeply troubled and ordered her relatives to avoid Ding Ji and Empress Dowager Fu. People wept openly – and wouldn't you, Your Majesty? You often look out over the land; don't you feel the sorrow? It reminds me of Yanling Jizi." The Emperor was moved by these words and reappointed Shang Zhongziyi as the Marquis of Chengdu.
A solar eclipse occurred in the first year of Yuanshou. The learned men mostly blamed Wang Mang in their memorials, so the Emperor summoned Wang Mang and Ren Zang back to court to attend to the Empress Dowager. With the death of Marquis Quyang Gen, his fiefdom was abolished.
In the second year, Emperor Ai died without a son. The Grand Empress Dowager appointed Wang Mang Grand Marshal and, with him, installed Prince Liu Kan of Zhongshan as Emperor Ping. Nine-year-old Emperor Ping also fell ill that year. The Grand Empress Dowager took over the government, handing all power to Wang Mang, who then began to wield his power arrogantly. Wang Mang made several uncles marquises, but feared the upright and honest Ren Zang, so he found excuses to banish Ren Zang and his uncle, Marquis Hongyang. Wang Mang daily flattered the Empress Dowager, claiming credit for the empire's prosperity. The ministers petitioned to elevate Wang Mang to Duke of Anhan. The Empress Dowager then had Hongyang and Ren Zang murdered. Hongyang was posthumously titled "Marquis of Wilderness," his title passing to his son Zhu; Ren Zang became "Marquis of Cixi," his son Shu inheriting the title. This was the third year of the Yuanshi era—the year Wang Mang seized the throne.
The following year, Wang Mang manipulated his court into making his daughter Empress. He then got himself appointed Prime Minister, and his mother and two sons were all made marquises—all duly recorded in the *Biography of Wang Mang*.
So, Wang Mang, on the surface, was polite to his ministers and praised their achievements, but behind their backs, he flattered the empress dowager's inner circle, giving gifts and money—easily in the millions. He also ennobled the empress dowager's sisters as the Ladies Guangen, Guanghui, and Guangshi, giving them land and making sure they sang his praises every day. Wang Mang knew the empress dowager was cooped up and miserable in the deep palace, so he sought to please her in order to gain power. He arranged for her to travel outside the city throughout the year to visit lonely elderly people and virtuous women.
In spring, they went to the silk-reeling workshop, picked mulberry leaves together with the empress and the marquis's wife, and held a purification ceremony on the Ba River. In summer, they visited the imperial lodgings in Yu, Hu, and Du. In autumn, they went to the eastern pavilion to overlook Kunming Lake and held a gathering at the Yellow Mountain Palace. In winter, they held banquets at Feiyu, hunted in Shanglan, climbed Changping Pavilion, and gazed at the Jing River. Wherever the empress dowager went, the local officials showered the people with gifts—money, clothes, cattle, and wine—every year.
The empress dowager leisurely said, "Back when I first married into the prince's family and lived in the Bing Palace… I still remember it, even now, at my age!" Wang Mang replied, "It's just down the road, Your Majesty. A quick trip!" So the empress dowager went to the prince's palace and had a great time. Later, when her nephew fell ill, Wang Mang personally went to visit him. He went all out to win her over!
Emperor Ping kicked the bucket, leaving no son behind. Wang Mang picked out the youngest great-grandson of Emperor Xuan, Liu Ying, the son of Marquis Guangqi, who was only two years old, saying some fortune teller had predicted the kid was a lucky charm. He then whipped up the ministers into submitting a petition, making little Liu Ying the emperor and allowing the Prime Minister, Wang Mang, to act as regent, claiming to emulate the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng. The Empress Dowager thought the whole thing was a load of rubbish, but could not stop it. Wang Mang became the acting emperor, changed the reign title, and not long after, royal family members, the Marquis Liu Chong and the Commandant of Dong Commandery, Zhai Yi, and others who were against Wang Mang, rose up in arms to off him. The Empress Dowager later said, "That's human nature! Although I am a woman, I also know that Wang Mang must be afraid because of this matter, this won't do!" Later, Wang Mang just whipped out some imperial edicts and crowned himself the real emperor, showing these edicts to the Empress Dowager first, who nearly jumped out of her skin.
In the beginning, Liu Bang marched into Xianyang, arrived at Bashang, and Qin's Prince Ying surrendered at Zhidao, presenting the First Emperor's jade seal. Later, Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and became emperor, using this jade seal, handed down through the generations, known as the Han Imperial Seal. Because the crown prince was still young at the time, this jade seal was kept in the Changle Palace.
When Wang Mang usurped the throne, he wanted to obtain the imperial jade seal, but the Empress Dowager refused to give it to him. Wang Mang sent the Marquis of Anyang, Shun, to persuade her. Shun was usually cautious and honest, and the Empress Dowager trusted him greatly. After meeting her, she realized he was there for the jade seal and immediately erupted, scolding him harshly: "Your ancestors have received the grace of the Han Dynasty for generations, enjoyed wealth and prosperity for many years, but now not only have you not repaid it, but you have taken advantage of the orphaned and widowed to seize their throne, completely disregarding past kindness! People like you— even the dogs wouldn't touch your scraps! Are there still brothers like you in this world?! Moreover, since you claim to have received the mandate of the Golden Coffer to become the new emperor, changed the era name and clothing system, you should make a new jade seal for yourself and pass it on to future generations. Why do you want to use this cursed seal of a fallen nation and come to beg me?! I, an old widow of the Han Dynasty, am on the verge of death and want to be buried with this jade seal. You will not succeed!" The Empress Dowager burst into tears as she spoke, and the palace maids and eunuchs serving beside her also shed tears. Shun was deeply saddened, unable to recover for a long time. Finally, he raised his head and said to her, "What can we say? Wang Mang must obtain the jade seal. Can you really continue to refuse him, Empress Dowager?" After hearing Shun's words, the Empress Dowager felt that Wang Mang might threaten her, so she took out the imperial jade seal of the Han Dynasty, threw it on the ground, and gave it to Shun, saying, "I am old and about to die. Your whole clan is doomed!" After receiving the jade seal, Shun quickly presented it to Wang Mang. Wang Mang was thrilled and threw a massive party for the Empress Dowager at the Jian Tai in Weiyang Palace.
Wang Mang wanted to change the old title of the Grand Empress Dowager, intending to replace her seal and ribbon, but he feared that she would not agree. So, Wang Mang found a flatterer named Wang Jian and had him write a memorial stating, "Heaven itself has decreed the end of the Han Dynasty; desiring to establish a new dynasty, the Grand Empress Dowager should no longer use her previous title. She should be 'abolished' together with the Han, only then would it be in accordance with Heaven's will."
Wang Mang then drove to the Eastern Palace, personally showing the memorial to the Grand Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager responded, "Indeed!" Wang Mang then declared, "This Wang Jian is a treasonous and disloyal person; he should be executed!" Then, a general named Zhang Yong presented a bronze disc inscribed with a divine mandate, stating, "The Grand Empress Dowager should change her title to 'Grand Empress Dowager of the Xin Dynasty.'"
Wang Mang issued a decree, saying, "My ministers have all declared it most auspicious! The inscription, miraculously appearing, was neither carved nor painted; it was a clear sign from Heaven. Upon careful consideration, the heavens have allowed me to become emperor and have also allowed me to change the Grand Empress Dowager's title to 'Grand Empress Dowager of the Xin Dynasty.' This not only conforms to the rules of succession between old and new dynasties but also shows respect for the Han Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Ai, there was a legend that used divination chips, and the result showed auspicious signs prepared by Xiwangmu, indicating that the Grand Empress Dowager should become a model for all empress dowagers in history; this is very clear. With Heaven's will so clear, how could I refuse? I plan to lead the ministers, nobles, and officials on an auspicious day, personally presenting the new seal and ribbon to the Grand Empress Dowager, only then can it conform to the will of Heaven and let the people of the world know." The Grand Empress Dowager agreed.
Wang Mang subsequently had Wang Jian poisoned and elevated Zhang Yong to "Gongfu Zi."
At first, when Wang Mang was still the Duke of Anhan, he flattered the Empress Dowager to please her, requesting that the temple name of Emperor Yuan be honored as Gaozong, meaning that after the Empress Dowager passed away, she would be jointly venerated with Emperor Yuan according to ritual. When Wang Mang changed the title of the Empress Dowager to "Honored Mother of the Xin Dynasty," completely severing her relationship with the Han dynasty, he did not allow the Empress Dowager and Emperor Yuan to be venerated together. He demolished Xiaoyuan Emperor's former temple hall and built a temple for "Empress Wenmu" instead, turning the old hall of Xiaoyuan Emperor's temple into a dining hall for "Empress Wenmu" and naming it Changshou Palace (literally, 'Longevity Palace'). Because the Empress Dowager was still alive, he did not dare to call it a temple. Wang Mang knew that the Empress Dowager liked to go out for leisure, so he set up a banquet at Changshou Palace to entertain her. When the Empress Dowager arrived and saw that the temple of Emperor Xiaoyuan had been destroyed, she was shocked and cried out, "This is the Han ancestral temple! It's sacred! How dare he destroy it so casually?! Even if the spirits didn't know, what was the point of building a temple? If the spirits know, I am just the emperor's concubine; how can I use the imperial ancestral temple for a feast?" She privately told those around her, "This man's disrespecting the spirits... Do you think he'll last?" The Empress Dowager was unhappy as she drank, so she dispersed the banquet and returned. After Wang Mang usurped the throne, knowing that the Empress Dowager resented him, he lavished her with attention, but the Empress Dowager became increasingly dissatisfied with him. Wang Mang changed the black sable fur robes worn by Han officials to yellow sable, and also altered the calendar and ritual days of the Han dynasty. She ordered her court to keep wearing the black sable robes, observe the old Han rituals, and only dine with her closest confidantes.
When the Empress Dowager was eighty-four years old, she died on Gui Chou day in the second month of the fifth year of Jian Guo. On Yi You day in the third month, she was buried alongside Emperor Yuan at Weiling. Wang Mang ordered the minister Yang Xiong to write a eulogy, which stated, "The moon's essence, the spirit of Sha Lu, united in the Han, paired with Yuan Sheng." This refers to her burial with Emperor Yuan at Weiling (Yuan Cheng Sha Lu). Ten years after the Empress Dowager's death, the Han army killed Wang Mang.
Initially, the Marquis of Hongyang set up his own kingdom in Nanyang and established good relations with other members of the Liu clan, making his youngest son, Dan, Prefect of Zhongshan. When Emperor Guangwu raised his army, Dan surrendered to him and became a general, later dying in battle. Emperor Guangwu felt sympathy for him and appointed Dan's son Hong as the Marquis of Wuhuan, a title that continues to this day.
Ban Biao, the Minister of Works, said: Since the Three Dynasties, when kings, nobles, and rulers recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" had their states destroyed, it was rarely not due to indulging in female beauty.
After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the consorts of Empress Lü Hou, the Huo Guang family, and the Shangguan family nearly wrecked the country several times. When Wang Mang usurped the throne, starting from Empress Xiaoyuan, through four generations of emperors of the Han Dynasty, she was the nation's mother for over sixty years. Her brothers held power for generations, grabbing control of the court in turn, with five generals and ten marquises, paving the way for Wang Mang's new dynasty. Although the throne had changed hands, Empress Xiaoyuan tightly held onto the imperial seal and refused to hand it over to Wang Mang. What a shame! That poor woman!
