Liu Jiao, Prince of Chu, the half-brother of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty, was an avid reader and a man of many talents. When he was young, he studied the Book of Songs with Lu Musheng, Baisheng, and Shengong under the guidance of Fu Qiu Bo, a disciple of Sun Qing. Later, when Qin Shihuang burned books and buried scholars, they parted company.
Liu Bang had four brothers, with the eldest being Bo and the second being Zhong. The eldest brother died early. After Liu Bang became the King of Pei, his half-brother Liu Bi established himself as the King of Chu. Liu Bang sent his second brother Liu Zhong and Shenshiqui to serve the retired emperor, while Liu Jiao followed Liu Bang along with Xiao He, Cao Can, and others to meet Liu Bi. Along the way, they encountered Xiang Liang and together they supported King Huai of Chu. Next, they marched west to Nanyang, entered Wuguan, and battled the Qin army at Lantian. Upon reaching Bashang, Liu Bang appointed Liu Jiao as Marquis Wenxin. Later, he followed Liu Bang into Shu, pacified the three Qin regions, and killed Xiang Yu. After Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Jiao and Lu Wan often served by the emperor's side, involved in court affairs and secret plots. Liu Bang, however, rarely visited his uncle Liu Jia and other brothers.
In the sixth year of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang ousted King Liu Bi of Chu, dividing his territory into two separate countries. He appointed Liu Jia as the King of Jing and Liu Jiao as the King of Chu, ruling over thirty-six counties, including Xue, Donghai, and Pengcheng, in recognition of Liu Jiao's service. Later, Liu Bang appointed his second brother Liu Zhong as the King of Dai and his eldest son Liu Fei as the King of Qi.
In the beginning, when Liu Bang was still a nobody, he often shirked his responsibilities and frequently went to his sister-in-law's house to eat with his cronies. His sister-in-law hated having Liu Bang and his guests over, so she pretended that the soup was all gone and even spilled the pot, causing the guests to leave. Later, Liu Bang saw in a mirror that there was still soup in the pot, so he was very angry with her. When Liu Bang made his older brother's son the King of Qi and the King of Dai, only that son did not receive a title. The Emperor asked Liu Bang about this, and Liu Bang said, "I didn't mean to overlook him; it's because of his mother." In the seventh year of October, Liu Bang appointed his older brother's son Liu Xin as the Marquis of Gengjie.
When Liu Jiao became the King of Chu, he appointed Lu Musheng, Baisheng, and Shengong as his top advisors. During the reign of Empress Dowager Gao, Fu Qiubo was in Chang'an. Liu Jiao sent someone from Yingdu to invite Fu Qiubo and Shengong to Chu to further their education. During the reign of Emperor Wen, word was that Shengong was the most knowledgeable in the study of the Classic of Poetry, so he was appointed as a doctor. Liu Jiao liked the Classic of Poetry, and his sons also studied it. Shengong began to write annotations on the Classic of Poetry, called "Lu Shi." Liu Jiao also wrote annotations on it, called "Yuan Wang Shi," which might still be around today.
Under King Yuan, one of his ministers, Ying Ke (a high-ranking official), was promoted to Zong Zheng (a high-ranking official) and titled Marquis of Shangpi. After King Yuan's 23-year reign, he died, and his crown prince, Pi Fei, had also died early. Emperor Wen put Ying Ke, the Zong Zheng, on the throne, making him King Yi. Shen Gong was previously a scholar, but later lost his position and returned to his country with Ying Ke, and was later reappointed as a high-ranking court official. King Yi reigned for four years before his death, and his son Wu succeeded him. Emperor Wen held King Yuan in high esteem and love, granting his sons ranks nearly equivalent to princes'. After Emperor Jing became emperor, he enfeoffed King Yuan's five beloved sons as marquises due to their close relations:
- One named Li was titled Marquis of Pinglu
- One named Fu was titled Marquis of Xiu
- One named Sui was titled Marquis of Shenyou
- One named Zhi was titled Marquis of Wanxu
- One named Diao was titled Marquis of Jile
While King Yuan was still alive, he greatly respected Shen Gong and the others. Mu Sheng did not like to drink, so whenever King Yuan drank, he would specially prepare sweet wine for Mu Sheng. After Wu became king, he also did this at first, but later forgot. Mu Sheng said, "I'm outta here! No more sweet wine? The king's changed his tune. If I stick around, I'll be chopped up and paraded around town!" He then feigned illness and rested at home. Shen Gong and Bai Sheng advised him, "Have you forgotten the kindness of the late king? The king just forgot a little nicety; is it worth leaving over?" Mu Sheng replied, "The Book of Changes says, 'Understand the signs! The diviner sees the slightest movements and is the first to know good from bad. A noble person acts on what they see, without waiting for the end of the day.' The late king treated the three of us with respect because he valued our character; now the king suddenly stops doing so, forgetting righteousness. How can one who forgets the way live in harmony for long? This isn’t just about a small courtesy!" Mu Sheng quit, but Shen Gong and Bai Sheng stayed.
King Wu became increasingly licentious and tyrannical. After reigning for twenty years, he had illicit relations with Dowager Empress Bo and was consequently deprived of the territories of Donghai and Xue. He also conspired with King Wu to rebel. Shen Gong and Bai Sheng advised him, but he ignored them and imprisoned them, publicly shaming them by making them pound rice in the marketplace. The Marquis of Xiu sent people to advise King Wu, but he threatened to punish his uncle once he succeeded in his rebellion. The Marquis of Xiu, fearing for his safety, fled to the capital with his mother. In the spring of the following year, during the third year of Emperor Jing's reign, the decree of reducing the fiefdoms arrived, prompting King Wu to join King Wu in rebellion. Ignoring the advice of his prime minister, Zhang Shang, and grand tutor, Zhao Yiwu, whom he subsequently executed, he joined forces with King Wu to attack Liangguo from the west. They breached Jibi and reached the south of Changyi, where they fought against the Han general Zhou Yafu. The Han army cut off the supply lines of Wu and Chu, starving their armies. King Wu fled, and King Wu committed suicide. His army surrendered to the Han dynasty.
After defeating the states of Wu and Chu, Emperor Jing appointed Liu Li, the Marquis of Pinglu, as King of Chu. He married the Queen Mother of Yuan, becoming King Wen of Chu. Three years later, King Wen died, and his son Liu Dao succeeded him as King An. King An reigned for 22 years, succeeded by his son, King Xiang (12 years), then King Jie (16 years), and finally King Liu Yanshou.
When Emperor Xuan became emperor, he thought that if things went south, Liu Yanshou, the Prince of Guangling and son of Emperor Wu, would definitely be able to be enthroned as emperor. So, he secretly tried to get on his good side. As a result, Zhao Heqi, Liu Yanshou's uncle, married the Prince of Guangling's daughter. Liu Yanshou and Zhao Heqi hatched a plan: "If things get messy, we'll back the Prince and help him take the throne. Heqi'll marry the princess, and we'll both be made marquises!" So, Heqi wrote a letter to the Prince of Guangling, saying, "Keep your eyes peeled, and don't let anyone beat you to the punch!" Heqi's father Zhao Changnian also reported this matter. The authorities investigated, and Liu Yanshou confessed and then committed suicide. Liu Yanshou had been prince for 32 years, and the State of Chu was also abolished. Initially, Marquis Fu fled to the capital, and Wang Wu rebelled. Fu and the others lost their titles and lands. Later, it was heard that Fu had advised Wang Wu several times, so he got his marquisate back (as the Marquis of Hong). Fu's wife was related to Empress Dowager Dou, and scared of bandits in Shandong, she requested to stay in the capital, which the emperor granted. Fu's son, Bi Qiang, and three others served the Dowager and held positions in the court. After the Dowager passed away, the court gave her a burial plot in Linghu. The title passed to his great-grandson, but died out when he had no sons.
Pi Qiang, a minor official, also enjoyed reading "The Book of Songs" and writing articles. During the reign of Emperor Wu, because he was a royal relative, he participated in discussions with high-ranking officials and was well-known among the royal family. He kept to himself and was content, often reading just for kicks and not willing to take up official positions. Once Emperor Zhao became emperor, someone said to the Grand General Huo Guang, "General, haven't you learned anything from the Lu family? They were like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou – super powerful, but they iced out the royal family and wouldn't work with 'em. So, naturally, nobody trusted them, and boom, they were toast. You're in a powerful position now, the Emperor's still young, so you gotta be close to the royal family and work with the other ministers. Otherwise, you'll end up just like them!" Huo Guang listened and began to select talented individuals from the royal family. Pi Qiang's son De worked for the Prime Minister and was in his thirties when Huo Guang wanted to employ him. Some people said that Pi Qiang's father was still alive and was a favorite of the old emperor. Therefore, Huo Guang appointed Pi Qiang to a high-ranking position (Grand Master of Splendor) and also made him head of security for the imperial palace (Commandant of Changle), even though Pi Qiang was already eighty years old at the time. He was later transferred to the position of Minister of Rites (in charge of ceremonies and rituals) and died a few months later.
Lu Shu, style name De, studied the teachings of Huang-Lao and was very wise and strategic. When he was young, he wrote several times to discuss political matters and was summoned by Emperor Wu of Han to Ganquan Palace. The emperor praised him as a "thousand-li horse" and a "thousand-li steed." When Emperor Zhao of Han just ascended the throne, he served as the Director of the Imperial Clan Registry, responsible for handling various tasks related to the case of Liu Ze. His father was also a Director of the Imperial Clan Registry, and later Lu Shu himself was promoted, first becoming a Grand Master of Ceremonies (大鸿胪丞), then rising to Grand Master of the Palace (太中大夫), and finally returning to the position of Director of the Imperial Clan Registry. During this time, he also handled cases involving the Shangguan family and the Gai family. Lu Shu always adhered to the principle of "contentment" from the Tao Te Ching. After his wife passed away, General Huo Guang wanted to marry his daughter to Lu Shu, but he dared not accept, fearing the perils of success. Princess Chang's grandson Tan greatly admired Lu Shu's character, but Lu Shu often criticized him, saying that Princess Chang's lifestyle was not upright. As a result, the Imperial Censor (侍御史) accused Lu Shu of spreading rumors about the court, demoting him to a commoner and sending him back to his hometown to farm. Huo Guang was very angry when he heard about this, but later he petitioned the court to appoint Lu Shu as the Governor of Qingzhou. Over a year later, Lu Shu was reinstated as Director of the Imperial Clan Registry, participated in the action to enthrone Emperor Xuan of Han, and was ennobled as Marquis within the Passes (关内侯) for his great achievements. During the Dijie era, due to his filial piety, cautious behavior, and kindness, he was further ennobled as Marquis of Yangcheng (阳城侯). His son Anmin became a Right Minister (郎中右曹), and thanks to Lu Shu's influence, over twenty members of his family held court positions, primarily in palace security.
Lu Shu was kind and generous, always helping those in need. Every time he served as the Prefect of Jingzhao, he righted many wrongful convictions. Despite having a fortune of over a million, he used it to assist his relatives, friends, and guests, saying, "Wealth breeds resentment!" During the eleventh year of Emperor Xuan's reign, Lu Shu's son was sentenced to death for manufacturing fake gold. Lu Shu interceded on his son's behalf, but coincidentally passed away at that time. The Grand Herald reported that Lu Shu's appeal for his son was unbecoming of a high-ranking official, so he was not given a posthumous title or an heir. The Emperor decreed, "Posthumously confer the title of Marquis Miao and establish an heir for him." His descendants continued until his grandson Qingji, who also served as the Minister of Rites and Master of Ceremonies. After Qingji's death, his son Cen inherited his title and held various positions, including Imperial secretary, Colonel of the Guards, and ultimately became the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. The title continued to be passed down until it was severed by Wang Mang's usurpation.
Xiang Zizizheng, originally named Gengsheng, was appointed as an Imperial carriage attendant at the age of twelve due to his father's merit. As an adult, he was promoted to an advisor to the Emperor for his upright conduct. Emperor Xuan followed Emperor Wu's practice of recruiting renowned Confucian scholars and talents. Due to his extensive knowledge and writing skills, Xiang was summoned along with Wang Bao and Zhang Ziqiao to present dozens of fu and songs. At that time, the Emperor was fascinated by the occult arts, and the book "Secrets of the Hongbao Garden in the Pillow" circulated in the Huainan region. The book contained methods of alchemy relying on demonic forces, as well as the pursuit of immortality by Zou Yan. This book was rarely seen by the public, but Xiang's father, who was in charge of the prison in Huainan during Emperor Wu's reign, had obtained a copy. Xiang, having read the book since childhood and captivated by its fantastical claims, presented it to the Emperor, asserting its ability to create gold.
The emperor ordered the department in charge of metallurgy to attempt the transmutation of base metals into gold according to the methods in the book, which cost a lot of money but proved completely fruitless. Furious, the emperor arrested Geng Sheng; officials then accused him of counterfeiting gold, a crime punishable by death. Geng Sheng's older brother, Marquis Anmin of Yangcheng, wrote a petition on behalf of his younger brother and offered half of the family's wealth to secure Geng Sheng's pardon. Recognizing Geng Sheng's talent, the emperor granted him a pardon, mitigating his sentence and deferring further judgment until after winter.
Meanwhile, the court began revising the "Gu Liang Chunqiu," and the emperor summoned Geng Sheng to study it, lecturing on the "Five Classics" at the Shiqu Pavilion. Later, Geng Sheng was appointed as a junior official, a Palace Attendant, and then promoted to Sanqi, a counselor, and a Zhongshi, with increasingly higher official positions.
When Emperor Yuan of Han just ascended the throne, he appointed Xiao Wangzhi as the former general and Zhou Kan as the Grand Master of Officials, both overseeing the affairs of the Shangshu, demonstrating the emperor's high regard for them. Although the Shangshu official Shi Gengsheng was much younger than Xiao Wangzhi and Zhou Kan at the time, they both valued Shi Gengsheng highly, recommending him for his loyalty, integrity, knowledge, and noble character, as a key figure in the imperial court. Thus, Shi Gengsheng was promoted to be a Sanqi Shilang and a Zongzheng Temple Huangmen, assisting the emperor alongside Jin Chang. The four men governed the court collaboratively, yet faced significant challenges from the overweening influence of the Xu and Shi clans, and the rampant corruption of the eunuchs Honggong and Shixian within the Imperial Secretariat.
Xiao Wangzhi, Zhou Kan, and Shi Gengsheng discussed and planned to submit a memorial to the emperor requesting the removal of Xu, Shi, Gong, and Xian. However, before they could submit the memorial, the news leaked. As a result, Xu, Shi, Hong Gong, and Shi Xian took the opportunity to falsely accuse them. Zhou Kan and Shi Gengsheng were imprisoned, and even Xiao Wangzhi was dismissed from his position. This incident is recorded in Xiao Wangzhi's biography. That spring, an earthquake occurred, and in the summer, a comet appeared between the Pleiades and the star group 卷舌. Emperor Yuan felt uneasy about this and issued a decree granting Xiao Wangzhi the title of Marquis of Guannei, a title of nobility, so that he did not have to attend court every day. In the autumn, the emperor summoned Zhou Kan and Xiang Shi to serve as censors, but Hong Gong and Shi Xian undermined them, demoting them to lower-ranking officials. In the winter, another earthquake occurred. At that time, the nephews of Hong Gong, Shi Xian, Xu Shi, and Shi Shi, as well as the officials in the court and various departments, resented Xiao Wangzhi and others, keeping a wary eye on them. Shi Gengsheng was very afraid, so he had a family member report to the emperor, saying: "I heard that General Xiao Wangzhi and others were all loyal and upright people who wanted to govern the country well, but they offended those powerful imperial relatives and high ministers. It was commonly believed that Xiao Wangzhi and others were about to be reinstated, and they were sure to be slandered and framed again, accused of past mistakes and deemed unworthy of service. Such accusations were completely unfounded."
I heard that in the "Spring and Autumn Annals," it was recorded that earthquakes occurred because the rulers had too much power. This was not due to the tyranny of three despots, and this principle is very clear. Moreover, during the time of Emperor Gaozu, Ji Bu committed a crime and was even sentenced to the execution of his entire family, but later he was pardoned, appointed as a general, and eventually became a famous powerful minister during the reigns of Empress Gao and Emperor Xiao Wen. During the reign of Emperor Xiao Wu, his son Kuan committed a serious crime and was imprisoned. At that time, the Chief Justice, Han Shuo, advised the emperor, saying, "In the past, when King Qiu Shou died, Your Majesty still harbored resentment against him; if you kill Kuan now, you will regret it even more in the future!" The emperor listened to his words, pardoned Kuan, reinstated him, and eventually promoted him to Grand Secretary, an unparalleled position. Dong Zhongshu was also accused of writing a book about disasters in private, reported by Zhuge Yan, and imprisoned. His crime was so severe that it was considered treasonous, but fortunately, he was not executed. Later, he became a Palace Attendant and the Governor of Jiaoxi. He retired due to old age and frailty. During the Han Dynasty, when they wanted to carry out any plans, they often sent out edicts asking for their ministers' opinions. Dong Zhongshu was the leader of the Confucian scholars at that time, and his suggestions were very beneficial to the country. During the reign of Emperor Xiao Xuan, Xiahou Sheng was imprisoned for three years for slander and was later demoted. Emperor Xuan reappointed Xiahou Sheng, and he eventually became the Grand Treasurer of Changxin and the Tutor to the Crown Prince. He was known for his outspokenness, and he was widely praised. There are many examples like this among the ministers, and they cannot be fully explained in a short time. As long as these ministers hadn't betrayed the country and had served it well, these four ministers are enough to illustrate the point. Hong Gong denounced Xiao Wang and his associates in his memorial, and three months after the case was judged, the earth shook violently. Hong Gong took leave due to illness and returned to work later, and the sky was overcast with continuous rain, followed by snow. All this suggests that the earthquake was likely caused by Hong Gong and his cronies.
I believe that Honggong and Xian should be dismissed to warn those who undermine talented individuals; at the same time, Xiao Wang and others should be promoted to create opportunities for advancement for the talented. That'll pave the way for a golden age and nip this problem in the bud. "Before Hong Gong submitted his memorial, there was a major earthquake. Then, after he took sick leave and returned to work, the weather turned foul with rain and snow. This was seen as an ominous sign."
After the memorial was submitted, the emperor and the crown prince expressed doubts about Gengsheng's behavior, saying they needed to thoroughly investigate what tricks he had played. Gengsheng was surprisingly contrite this time, so he was arrested and incarcerated, where Wei Xuancheng, the Grand Tutor, Gong Yu, the Remonstrating Doctor, and the Court Minister interrogated him together. They accused Gengsheng of colluding with Wang Zhi and Kan when he was a Nine Minister, conspiring to exclude the generals Gao, Xu, and Shi, causing discord among their relatives, and trying to drive them away to seize power for himself. That's blatant disloyalty! Fortunately, he was not executed before, and the emperor reappointed him, but he not only did not repent, he also incited gossip and spread false rumors. In the end, Gengsheng was stripped of his rank and reduced to a commoner.
Wang Zhi also committed suicide because his son pleaded his father's case, and the emperor and crown prince called him to the prison for questioning. As a result, Wang Zhi took his own life. The emperor was devastated by this and promoted Zhou Kan to the position of Guanglu Xun, and also promoted Zhou Kan's disciple Zhang Meng to the position of Guanglu Daifu and Gesizhong, demonstrating the Emperor's faith in them. The emperor and crown prince were suspicious of Zhou Kan and Zhang Meng's promotions, constantly badmouthing them behind their backs. Gengsheng saw that Zhou Kan and Zhang Meng had both become high-ranking officials and thought he had a chance to be reappointed, but he was worried that they would bring danger to him, so he wrote a memorial to the Emperor, advising him that...
Before, I was fortunate enough to be one of the Nine Great Ministers due to my family background, but I did not fulfill my duties. However, the emperor has once again favored me. I have privately observed the frequent disasters and the chaos in the heavens and on earth, all of which are warnings from heaven to the country. I originally wanted to say nothing, but when I think of a loyal minister, even toiling in the fields, never forgetting his monarch, that kind of loyal spirit! Moreover, I still have blood ties, and the emperor's favor towards me has not yet been repaid! I long to serve with utmost loyalty, but fear I might overstep my bounds. However, since both of these favors have not been repaid, as a loyal minister, I dare to make a suggestion: let me return to the countryside to farm; even if I die, I will have no regrets.
I heard that Emperor Shun appointed nine official positions, and those ministers all humbly yielded, reaching a pinnacle of harmony. If the ministers in the court get along harmoniously, then all things in the world will naturally be harmonious and peaceful. So, when the music "Shao" is played nine times, the phoenix comes to pay homage; when stones are struck, wild beasts join in a joyful dance. The land enjoyed unparalleled peace and harmony.
During the time of King Wen of Zhou, he opened a burial ground in the western suburbs, gathered a large number of virtuous scholars, and none of them were disrespectful or discordant. He promoted a culture of humility and harmony, thereby eliminating various disputes and litigations. After King Wen passed away, Duke of Zhou missed him greatly, so he composed poems praising King Wen's virtues, writing, "In the serene temple, solemn and majestic; a multitude of virtuous scholars, upholding his noble virtues." At that time, King Wu and Duke of Zhou inherited the political power, the court officials were harmonious, and the people of the country were jubilant, so everyone served their ancestors wholeheartedly. The poem also writes, "Harmonious arrivals, solemn departures, the officials in unity, the emperor serene and dignified." It means that people from all directions come to pay homage with a harmonious heart.
When the vassals harmonize with each other below, heaven will give corresponding rewards, so the "Zhou Song" says "descending blessings abundantly," and also says "giving me barley and wheat," barley and wheat, a bounty from heaven. All these indicate that by fostering harmony, one can receive help from heaven.
Since the time of King You and King Li, the court has been in turmoil, with everyone at each other's throats and relationships deteriorating. Poets felt deeply saddened by this and wrote, "So much scheming, such great sorrow!" The crooks followed bad ideas, praised each other, and ostracized the upright. Therefore, the poem continues, "When the scheming is improper, it is a violation; when the scheming is proper, it is a reliance!"
The upright individuals stood alone in upholding their principles, refusing to compromise. If they did anything for the king, they would be hated and falsely accused by the bad guys. Hence, the poem says, "Do not engage in secret activities; do not reveal your efforts. Innocent and guiltless, yet slandered by gossips!" During that time, there were unusual celestial phenomena, with the sun and moon losing their radiance. The poem reads, "On Xinyou, the sun was eclipsed—a terrible omen!" Also, "The moon is dim, the sun is dim; the people below are lamenting!" And, "The sun and moon are ominous, not following their paths; the four nations are without governance, not following the virtuous!"
Strange signs appeared in the sky, and the earth underwent changes, with springs boiling and valleys shifting. The poem describes, "Rivers boiled, mountains crumbled, the land itself was changing. The people of today are in sorrow; why is there no punishment?" The frosty season came at the wrong time, causing distress. The poem says, "Frost in the first month—my heart aches; the people's lies will bring ruin!" This indicates that the common people have confused right and wrong, and this phenomenon is widespread.
All these chaotic events were caused by the reversal of positions between the wise and the unworthy. Since then, the world has been in turmoil, with killings and disasters occurring together. King Li fled to the land of Zhi, while King You was killed. In the later years of King Ping, when Duke Yin of Lu had just ascended the throne, the Zhou dynasty's minister Jiebo, due to disagreements, fled to the state of Lu. The *Spring and Autumn Annals* just hints at the trouble starting then, without explicitly saying Jiebo sought refuge.
After that, the Yin family inherited the title of king, ran the show with arrogance, and the vassal states revolted against the Zhou dynasty, no longer paying homage, leading to the decline of the Zhou family. In the following 242 years, thirty-six solar eclipses, five earthquakes and landslides, three comet sightings, and frequent meteor showers punctuated the era. Night skies were often dark, even witnessing a spectacular meteor shower one night. There were 14 fires. The Changdi tribes raided three vassal states; stones fell like rain, birds flew backward, elks roamed in unnatural numbers, and bizarre creatures like the *yu* and *fei* appeared, even kingfishers nested where they never had before. Days were dark and cold, even in summer. Unseasonal frosts and torrential rains, hailstorms, and other bizarre weather patterns were the norm. Droughts, floods, famines, and plagues of locusts and other insects ravaged the land.
At that time, disasters continued one after another: thirty-six rulers were murdered, fifty-two states collapsed, and countless people were displaced in the chaos. The Zhou dynasty faced numerous difficulties: the Jin state repeatedly attacked Zhou territory, Zheng harmed King Huan, Rongdi captured Zhou envoys, and internal strife saw five ministers vying for power and three kings deposed. The Zhou dynasty, crippled by internal conflict and beset by natural disasters, was beyond saving.
Look, a harmonious atmosphere brings lots of good fortune, while a toxic atmosphere brings lots of bad luck; where there are lots of good omens, the country is stable, and where there are a lot of calamities, the country is in danger. This is the eternal rule between heaven and earth, an unchanging truth from ancient times to the present. Your Majesty, you have initiated the legacy of three generations of emperors, recruited many knowledgeable officials, adopted a lenient policy, and let them work together. But now the wise and the unscrupulous are mixed together, good and bad people cannot be distinguished, evil and righteous individuals are intertwined, and loyal ministers and treacherous ministers are giving advice together. Memorials are piling up like crazy, and the Northern Army is overcrowded. Courtiers are constantly fighting amongst themselves, backstabbing and slandering one another. The memorials are increasing, entangled with one another, contradictions arise, everyone's at each other's throats, and it's a complete mess. Therefore, these matters are overwhelming everyone, too numerous to count. Officials are forming cliques and ganging up on anyone who's honest. If upright officials can be promoted, it is a sign of good governance in the country; if upright officials are harmed, it is a sign of the country heading towards chaos. We are now at a critical moment of transition between order and chaos; it is difficult to judge who is loyal and who is treacherous, and disasters keep occurring frequently. This is what breaks my heart.
The powerful and their families dominate the court, surrounded by sycophants. Their words are sure to be accepted, ultimately leading to disunity and moral decay. The heavens themselves seem to weep: unusual weather, seismic activity, and celestial anomalies plague the land. Trying to build a golden age by emulating the Zhou dynasty and heeding the poets' warnings is like trying to run backwards – a fool's errand. Since the first year of the Chuanyuan era until now, it has been six years; flipping through the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, the disasters that have occurred in these six years have never been more frequent than now. Even if the *Spring and Autumn Annals* record disasters, and Confucius comes to rescue, it cannot resolve disputes, let alone the current situation, which is more serious than what the *Spring and Autumn Annals* recorded.
People say the rise and fall of the world stems from the ascent of self-serving ministers. Why can these corrupt officials rise to power? It's because those in authority are too suspicious! They may have initially employed wise men and implemented good policies, but once someone stirs up trouble, the wise are marginalized, and the good policies are abandoned. You see, those who are indecisive leave opportunities for the corrupt; those with weak will open the door to evil forces. When the corrupt rise to power, the wise retreat; when evil prevails, the righteous are silenced. The *Yi Jing* speaks of the *fou* (Obstruction) and *tai* (Greatness) hexagrams: when the corrupt hold sway, the righteous are silenced, leading to chaos (*fou*); when the righteous prevail, corruption falls, ushering in an era of clarity (*tai*). *Fou* represents obstruction and chaos, while *tai* signifies openness and clarity. The *Book of Songs* also says, "Heavy snows and rains melt quickly in the sun's warmth," conveying a similar meaning.
Think about it: during Yao's reign, Gun, Gonggong, and Huandou served in court alongside Shun and Yu; during the Zhou Dynasty, the Duke of Zhou, Guan Shu, and Cai Shu all worked in the court. At that time, these individuals attacked each other, and the court was rife with rumors. Emperor Yao and King Cheng were able to promote Shun, Yu, and the Duke of Zhou while sidelining Gonggong, Guan Shu, and Cai Shu; that's why the country flourished, and its glory endures to this day. In contrast, Confucius served as an official in the state of Lu with Ji Lu and Ran Meng, while Li Si worked as an official in the state of Qin with Shusun Tong. However, Duke Ding of Lu and Qin Shi Huang promoted Ji Lu, Ran Meng, and Li Si while ostracizing Confucius and Shusun Tong, leading to chaos and persistent shame in the country. Therefore, a nation's rise and fall hinges on its ruler's choice of officials; after selecting the talented, it is even more crucial to trust them unwaveringly. The Book of Songs says, "My heart is not a stone; it cannot be turned," emphasizing the need to uphold one's good intentions firmly. The Book of Changes states, "Once an order is given, it should not be revoked," meaning that commands should be steadfast and unwavering. Now, issuing good orders and retracting them shortly after is like sweat flowing back; promoting talented individuals and then removing them is like turning a stone. The Analects say, "To see wrongdoing and not speak out is a lack of courage." Currently, both departments are reporting to flatterers who are unsuitable for their positions, and this issue has not been addressed for many years. With orders reversed, loyal officials discarded, and villains left untouched, how can the nation possibly thrive?
Listen, these lowlifes are sowing discord at every turn, sweet-talking their way into mischief and spreading chaos and rumors throughout the city. My heart aches; these weasels make my blood boil! A pack of villains is enough to make anyone furious! In the past, Confucius, Yan Hui, and Zigong were a great team but never formed a clique; Da Yu, Hou Ji, and Gao Yao supported each other without forming factions. Why? Because they were loyal to the country, with pure motives! Therefore, when virtuous people are in power, they attract like-minded individuals, gathering in the court, just like the Book of Changes says: "When a great leader rises, others flock to them"; when virtuous people are in lower positions, they think of working together for a better future, as the Book of Changes also states, "Pulling up the weeds together, working towards a better future." At the top, attracting talent; at the bottom, uniting like-minded individuals. That's why Shang Tang valued Yi Yin—the righteous were drawn to him, while the wicked stayed away—birds of a feather flock together!
Now, those treacherous villains are mixing with virtuous ministers, forming cliques, conspiring to cause chaos, going against goodness, siding with evil, sneaky and underhanded, constantly whispering poison in the emperor's ear. If the emperor suddenly promotes them, it'll be a sign of bad things to come, a real disaster! Throughout history, wise and enlightened monarchs have punished treachery to govern the world well. Shun banished traitors, Confucius executed them—this is how you keep the kingdom strong and righteous.
Your Majesty is now wise and insightful. I earnestly ask you to carefully consider the will of heaven, study the cases of Confucius' two executions of the wicked, examine "The Hexagram of Difficulty" and "The Hexagram of Prosperity" in the Book of Changes, learn the poems about rain and snow in the Book of Songs, draw lessons from the successful experiences of the Zhou and Tang dynasties, learn from the failures of the Qin Dynasty and the State of Lu, examine the signs of good and bad fortune, reflect on the root causes of disasters, assess the current situation, banish those who act wickedly, dismantle their gangs, block their evil ways, open up the right path, be resolute and decisive, and ensure justice is served, so as to eliminate all kinds of disasters, welcome auspicious signs, lay the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous era, and benefit future generations!
I'm sticking my neck out here because I see the imbalance of yin and yang, and I dare not conceal what I have heard. Based on the records of disasters in the Spring and Autumn Annals, I analyze some current events and explain their causes, which I cannot elaborate on. I'm resealing this and sending it, even though it could cost me my life.
Ah, the more Gong and Xian read, comparing themselves to Xu and Shi, the more frustrated and resentful they grew. That summer was a killer; cold and gloomy. Gong, Xian, Xu, and Shi all blamed Kan and Meng for the trouble. The Emperor secretly favored Kan but was too afraid of the gossip to act.
At that time, Yang Xing, the magistrate of Chang'an, was highly regarded by the emperor for his outstanding abilities. The emperor wanted him to help, so he asked Yang Xing, "Everyone at court thinks Kan's not cut out for the Grand Commandant position; what's going on?" Yang Xing was very good at observing people's words and expressions and knew that the emperor was suspicious of Kan, so he followed the emperor's lead and said, "Kan is not only unsuitable in the court but also in the local areas. I’ve heard many people say that Kan conspired with Liu Gengsheng before to destroy the emperor's relatives; he deserves the death penalty! So I say we shouldn't kill Kan; we should keep this talent for the country." The emperor replied, "But what crime did he commit to deserve execution? What should we do now?" Yang Xing said, "I think, Your Majesty, you can give him the title of Marquis of Guannei, grant him a fief of three hundred households, and don’t let him handle matters anymore. A wise ruler never forgets a debt of gratitude; this is the best solution." The emperor hesitated after hearing this.
Then, just as conveniently, the city gate captain Zhuge Feng badmouthed Kan and Meng, which angered the emperor, so he dismissed Zhuge Feng. This incident is recorded in "The Biography of Zhuge Feng." The emperor also said, "Zhuge Feng claimed that Kan and Meng have poor character and can't handle state affairs properly. I regret that their talents have not been fully utilized, so let’s demote Kan to be the Prefect of Hedong and Meng to be the County Magistrate of Huaili!"
As his power grew, the emperor started ruling like a tyrant. Over three years later, a fire broke out in the temple of Emperor Xiaoxuan, and that night there was even a solar eclipse. The emperor summoned those who had previously mentioned strange happenings in the heavens, such as Kan and Meng, and sternly questioned them; they all fell to their knees and owned up.
Then the emperor issued a decree saying, "Kan, the governor of Hedong, was highly regarded by the late emperor, who even allowed him to assist the crown prince. He was a man of exceptional talent, profound learning, unwavering integrity, and genuine concern for the state and its people. Because he refused to curry favor with the powerful, he was ostracized, dismissed, and unable to utilize his abilities. In the past, many ministers saw adverse celestial events and instead of reflecting on themselves, they spoke ambiguously, claiming it was a warning from heaven, shifting the blame to Kan. I was forced to give him a position to demonstrate his abilities. After Kan took office, one calamity followed another, and the ministers remained silent. Kan had only been in office in Hedong for less than a year, and local elders and scholars praised his accomplishments. No envoy passing through Hedong spoke ill of him. This is enough to prove that the late emperor had a good eye for talent and can clear my name. But his enemies spread rumors and sowed discord. These matters should have remained private, but they were deliberately publicized to ruin him. I refuse to believe them. The influence of these villains has prevented me from focusing on governance. This latest ominous sign fills me with dread. Kan is getting old now, and he may have lost confidence in himself, being marginalized. What should we do in the future? Bring him to the palace!" So Kan was appointed as the Grand Minister of the Palace, with an official rank of 2,000 stones, and also in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. Meng was reappointed as the Grand Master of the Palace Attendants. Xian continued to handle the duties of the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, with the other four secretaries being his cronies. Kan rarely saw the emperor, communicating solely through Xian, who held all the power. Later, Kan fell ill and could not speak, and passed away. Xian framed Meng, forcing him to suicide and dumping his body in the street. Geng was very saddened by this, so he wrote a total of eight articles, including "The Slanderer's Downfall," "The Essentials Unveiled," "Averting Danger," and "A World in Praise," using ancient references to criticize the present and mourn himself and those like him. Thus, he remained out of office for over a decade.
After Emperor Cheng of Han ascended the throne, Mr. Xiang was dismissed from his position due to past wrongdoings, but was later reinstated and given a new name, Xiang. The Emperor appointed him as a Waterworks Manager, responsible for managing water conservancy projects in the Sānfǔ region. Xiang repeatedly presented his political views in memorials and was later promoted to Grand Master. At that time, the Emperor's uncle, Marquis Yangping Wang Feng, held great power in court as the Grand General, relying on the powerful Wang family to monopolize authority. His seven brothers were also enfeoffed as marquises. Strange happenings plagued the court during this period, and Xiang believed it was the result of the excessive power of Wang Feng and his family's influence. The Emperor, a scholar of the *Shijing* and *Shangshu*, enjoyed delving into ancient texts, so he entrusted Xiang with the task of proofreading the Five Classics in the palace. When Xiang read the "Hong Fan" chapter of the Book of Documents, where Jizi explained the correspondences between the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, and omens and calamities to King Wu, he was inspired. He collected records of portents of good and ill fortune from ancient times to the Spring and Autumn Period, analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships of events and elucidating the alternation of fortune and misfortune. He compiled a treatise on divination, categorizing and organizing the contents into eleven chapters, and named it "Commentary on the Five Elements in the Hong Fan," which he then presented to the Emperor. The Emperor understood that Mr. Xiang was loyal and that this work was aimed at Wang Feng and his brothers, but the Wang family's power remained unshaken. After a long time, the Emperor wanted to build Changling, a lavish tomb that took years to build. Xiang spoke out, saying:
The Book of Changes says, "When at ease, do not forget danger; when prosperous, do not forget downfall. Only by doing so can one ensure survival and prosperity." Therefore, wise rulers will extensively examine the rise and fall of history, deeply understand the ins and outs of things, and thus distinguish right from wrong. Kings must understand the rise and fall of the three generations and realize that the mandate of heaven does not belong to just one family. When Confucius interpreted the Book of Songs and read, "The Yin elite, all sharp and quick, ended up stripped naked and dead in the capital," he sighed and said, "Wow, that's what happens when you lose the Mandate of Heaven!" Good things must be passed down to future generations, so wealth and glory are not eternal; if not, how should the nobility be cautious, and how should the people work hard? This passage is a thinly veiled criticism of Duke Mio for siding with Zhou and a lament for the fallen Shang. Not even the sage rulers Yao and Shun could control Dan Zhu's rebellious nature; not even the virtuous Yu and Tang could reform the tyrannical Jie and Zhou. No empire lasts forever. After Emperor Gaozu destroyed the Qin dynasty, he planned to move the capital to Luoyang. Later, after listening to Liu Jing's advice, he figured his virtue wasn't up to Zhou's, but it was better than Qin's, so he moved the capital to Guanzhong, copying Zhou's good governance and using Qin's strategic location. The rise and fall of a dynasty ultimately depends on its virtue, so Emperor Gaozu always kept a war chest and never shied away from discussing the possibility of collapse. That's what Confucius meant when he said, "Wealth and power don't last." Emperor Wen's tomb at Baling was right next to a latrine. The indignity of it all really got to him, and he lamented to his ministers, "My coffin's made of solid northern mountain stone, lined with silk and lacquer. Do you think that thing's easily moved?"
Zhang Shizhi hurriedly said, "If there is something coveted in the coffin, even if it is sealed on the South Mountain, people will still be after it; if there is nothing in the coffin, even if no stone is used as a coffin, what is there to be sad about?" There is no end to the dead, but the country has its rise and fall, so Zhang Shizhi's words are for the long term. Emperor Wen of Han heard this, saw the light, and gave him a simple burial, without any grand tomb.
The *Yi Jing* says, "In ancient times, funerals were wrapped in furs and buried in the open, unmarked and unmounded. Later sages started using coffins." The use of coffins for burial began with the Yellow Emperor. The Yellow Emperor's final resting place was Qiaoshan, Yao was laid to rest in Jiyin, their tombs were small, and there were few accompanying items. Shun's final resting place was Cangwu, and his two wives weren't buried with him. Yu was interred in Kuaiji, and his status before his death remained unchanged. Shang Tang wasn't even given a proper burial. King Wen, King Wu, and Duke of Zhou were buried in Bi, Duke Mu of Qin was laid to rest under the Qinyuan Palace in Yongzhou, and Chuli Zi was interred in Wuku; none of them had grand tombs. These wise rulers and ministers took the long view, considering carefully for the future. Their loyal subjects and filial sons followed their wishes, burying them simply, and that's true filial piety and loyalty—the ultimate expression of it.
Duke of Zhou was the younger brother of King Wu, and he handled his brother King Wu's funeral very simply and modestly. When Confucius arranged the funeral for his mother, he built a very ordinary tomb on level ground, a modest affair, and said, "I'm Confucius; people all over know my name. They can't lose my grave." But that four-foot-high grave washed away in the first rain. His students repaired it, told Confucius, and he cried, saying, "I heard that ancient people didn't repair tombs." He felt his students shouldn't have.
After Lord Yanling returned from his mission to the Qi state, his son died, so he buried him between the territories of Ying and Bo. The grave was shallow, not reaching the water table; he was buried simply, the barely visible mound hardly concealing the grave. At that time, he also said, "Well, flesh and blood returns to dust, that's just how it is; the spirit goes where it's meant to." You should know that Ying Bo was over a thousand miles from Wu – Lord Yanling didn't even go back for the burial. Confucius went to see it and remarked, "That's perfectly proper, wouldn't you say?" So you see, Confucius was the picture of filial piety, Lord Yanling a loving father, Shun and Yu paragons of loyalty, and the Duke of Zhou the ideal younger brother. Their funerals for monarchs, parents, and relatives were all very simple. It wasn't about saving money; it was just the right thing to do.
Song's Huan Sima had a stone coffin made for himself. Confucius scoffed, "Better to rot!" And even Lü Buwei, the Qin prime minister, had scholars compile the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, which also advocated simple burials. These were people who understood reason!
Speaking of fancy funerals, take King Helü of Wu, for instance. After his death, he had a super luxurious funeral, but after more than ten years, the people of Yue dug up his tomb. The emperors of the Qin Dynasty—King Huiwen, King Wu, King Zhaoxiang, King Xiaowen, and the King of Qin—each created tombs like small mountains, buried with many burial goods, but in the end, they were all dug up. Talk about irony!
Qin Shi Huang was even more extravagant. His tomb is located at the foot of Mount Li, with three layers underground and a large mound on top, fifty-plus zhang high and more than five li around! The tomb features stone palaces, lamps allegedly fueled by... well, let's just say it wasn't pleasant, rivers made of mercury, gold birds and animals, enough treasure to make your eyes water, booby traps galore, and a coffin and palaces so over-the-top luxurious you wouldn't believe it. In order to build this tomb, he killed countless craftsmen, with tens of thousands buried alive—and that's just the ones we know about! The whole country was fed up. Before it was even finished, Xiang Yu led a million troops to attack. Xiang Yu torched the place, and everything valuable was looted. Then, some shepherd kid's sheep wandered in, and while he was looking for them with his torch, *whoops*—he burned down Qin Shi Huang's coffin. No one's ever had a funeral this extravagant. Talk about a waste!
So, the nicer the person, the simpler the funeral; the smarter they are, the plainer the grave. Those with no virtue and not very smart end up having extravagant funerals, with high and large tombs and magnificent temples, only to be dug up soon after. See? It all makes sense, doesn't it? When the Zhou Dynasty went downhill, everyone went wild with spending. When King Xuan was in power and the country prospered, he began to be frugal, building small palaces and temples. The Book of Songs praises him, and the poem "Si Gan" mentions that the palaces were built appropriately and there were many descendants. Meanwhile, Duke Yan of Lu built a load of temples and fancy stuff, and guess what? No more descendants. The Spring and Autumn Annals weren't happy about it. King Xuan of Zhou was frugal and the country prospered; Lu and Qin were extravagant, leading to the downfall of their countries. See? Living large doesn't always pay off!
After the emperor became emperor, he led a simple life at first, starting with a modest tomb. The whole country praised his wisdom. However, later, after moving to Changling, the scale was increased dramatically, with a huge mound of earth piled up, and even thousands of people's graves were desecrated to provide fill. A large number of extra buildings were also constructed, with a tight schedule and costing a fortune, almost an unimaginable sum. The anger of the dead and the living alike was palpable, leading to a severe famine. The number of displaced people reached as many as one hundred thousand, and I felt very uneasy. If the dead are conscious, then there are too many disadvantages to digging up graves; if the dead are unconscious, then why bother with such extensive construction projects? Consulting with knowledgeable people, they would definitely not agree; if this plan were told to the common people, they would surely be in misery; if it is only to please the greedy and the foolish, then what is the point? Your Majesty, you are kind, wise, and rare in the world. You should uphold the virtues of the Han Dynasty, enhance the reputation of the Liu family, and rival the glory of the Five Emperors and Three Kings. Why pursue extravagance like the tyrants of the Qin Dynasty? You are just building this massive tomb just to impress the ignorant, satisfying their temporary vanity, but going against the wishes of the virtuous and ruining things for generations to come. I am ashamed for you, Your Majesty. I hope that Your Majesty can learn from the governance of the Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, King Wen, King Wu, Duke of Zhou, and Confucius, and consider the opinions of Duke Mu, Jizi of Yanling, Zili of Chuli, and Zhang Shizhi. Emperor Xiaowen had a simple burial, using thrift to honor his ancestors, which can serve as a model; King Zhaoxiang of Qin and Qin Shihuang undertook massive building projects, leading to extravagance and harm, serving as a warning. The tomb's size should reflect the advice of your ministers to keep the people happy. After the memorial was presented, the emperor was deeply touched, but in the end, he didn't listen.
I saw that the social atmosphere at that time was becoming more and more wild and loose, and small countries like Zhao and Wei were also starting to ignore proper etiquette, becoming high and mighty. I believed that teaching the emperor should start from within, beginning with the people around him. So I collected the virtuous and chaste concubines and women recorded in the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents, those examples who could make the country great and bring honor to the family, as well as those cautionary tales of those who led the country to ruin due to favoritism and debauchery, and compiled them into "Lessons from Women," a total of eight chapters, to serve as a warning to the emperor. I also collected and organized various biographies and historical facts, and wrote "New Chronicles" and "Anecdotes from the Court," a total of fifty chapters, which I also presented to the emperor. I repeatedly submitted memorials, pointing out the pros and cons, and offering advice and warnings. I wrote several dozen memorials in total to help the emperor open his eyes and fill in the gaps. Although the emperor did not fully adopt my suggestions, he still appreciated my opinions, often lamenting this.
The emperor had no heir, and all state affairs were controlled by the Wang family. Various disasters were becoming more and more serious. Xiang Chong privately discussed solutions with Chen Tang and also talked about the matter with some friends in the court. However, he only said to Chen Tang, "Now there are so many disasters, and the power of the Wang family is growing stronger day by day. At this rate, it will eventually endanger the Liu dynasty. Fortunately, I am a distant relative of the emperor with the same surname and have received favor from the Han dynasty for several generations. Now, as a senior royal advisor, I have served the late emperor faithfully. The emperor's always been kind to me each time he summons me. If I don't speak up, who else will?" So Xiang Chong wrote a memorial to the emperor, urging him:
I've heard that no ruler wants anything more than stability, but is always in danger; no ruler desires longevity, but always ends up destroyed, all because they have lost control of their ministers! Those in power, every single one of them, is corrupt. In Jin, Qi, Wei, and Lu, powerful families like the Six Ministers, the Tians and Cuis, the Suns and Nings, and the Jis and Mengs held sway for generations, ultimately leading to their downfall. As a result, the Tians seized Qi; the Six Ministers divided Jin; Cui Zhu killed Duke Jing of Qi; Sun Linfu and Ning Zhi drove away Lord Jian of Wei and killed Lord Piao; the Jis flaunted their power in the court, performing the Eight Yues dance, while the three great families used the Yong music to conclude the sacrifices, monopolizing power and eventually driving away Duke Zhao. Zhou's powerful Yin family messed with the royal family, causing chaos; Zi Zhao and Zi Meng were successively made kings, and it took several years to stabilize. The "Spring and Autumn Annals" recorded "the royal family in chaos" and stated "Yin killed Prince Ke," showing the extent of the harm. The "Spring and Autumn Annals" records rise and fall, good and bad fortune; there are many examples like this, all because of the unchecked power of the ministers and the weakening of the ruler, with subordinates not following the ways of their superiors. Therefore, the "Book of Documents" warns: "If your underlings run wild, they'll ruin everything." Confucius said, "When the king's court loses control of its own people, it's a sure sign of trouble." The Marquis Ranghou of Qin Zhao and the Lords of Jingyang and Yeyang held power, relying on the authority of the queen dowager; the three of them had more power than King Zhao, and their wealth surpassed that of the Qin state. The country was in great danger, but fortunately, they listened to Fan Sui's advice, and the Qin state was saved. Qin's second emperor trusted Zhao Gao, who used this trust to manipulate the emperor, get rid of his enemies, and ultimately caused the rebellion that destroyed the dynasty. And we don't even need to look back that far – the Han's takeover of the Qin proves the point.
After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the Lü clan ran the whole show, doing whatever they wanted. Lü Chan and Lü Lu, favored by the Empress Dowager, were top brass, controlled the military power of the north and south, and held the fancy titles of Prince of Liang and Prince of Zhao. Full of themselves and always wanting more, they threatened the Liu family's grip on power. Thanks to loyal ministers like the Marquis of Jiang and the Marquis of Zhu Xu who went all out to get rid of them, the Liu imperial family was able to survive. These days, you'd see twenty-three Wangs riding around in fancy carriages, the palace was crawling with officials in fancy blue and purple robes, and guards were everywhere. The Grand General wielded great power, while five marquises lived it up like kings and ruled with an iron fist, doing whatever they pleased, pretending to run the country while secretly wreaking havoc. Selfish as hell, but acting loyal to the court, they used their connections to climb the ladder. Most of the Secretaries, Nine Ministers, Provincial Governors, and County Magistrates were Wangs, running the government, all working together, and forming their own little gang. If you were on their good side, you'd get promoted; if not, you were dead. Flatterers spoke for them, and the PMs backed them up. They pushed the royal family around, sidelined anyone talented, and spread rumors to keep them down. They kept the royal family at arm's length, scared they'd try to take over. They'd constantly bring up the Princes of Yan and Qi to confuse the emperor, carefully avoiding any mention of the Lü and Huo families. They had internal threats like Guan Shu and Cai Shu, but used the Duke of Zhou's words to cover their tracks. Brothers stuck together, and the whole clan was in on it. From way back when to the Qin and Han, no family had ever been as powerful as the Wangs. Not even the Huangfu, Ranghou, Wuanhou, Lü, Huo, or Shangguan families were as bossy and powerful as the Wangs.
What goes up must come down, and there are often warning signs. During the reign of Emperor Xiao Zhao, weird rocks showed up on Mount Tai, and some crazy willow trees popped up in Shanglin Park. When Emperor Xiao Xuan took the throne, the Wang family's ancestral gravesite in Jinan was practically overrun with trees – their branches reaching over the roofs, roots burrowing deep. You can't have it both ways – the Wangs and the Lius can't both be on top. It's like balancing on a stack of eggs on top of Mount Tai – incredibly precarious! You're a Liu, Your Majesty! You gotta protect your family's legacy. How can you let the country fall into the hands of these relatives and let your own family be pushed around? Even if you don't care about yourself, think about your ancestors and the country! A woman's gotta serve her husband and honor her parents – that ain't exactly a walk in the park for the Empress Dowager! Emperor Xiao Xuan stayed safe because he didn't share power with his uncles, the Marquis of Pingchang and Lechang.
Your Majesty, time is a funny old thing; it can bring good luck quietly and resolve problems before they arise. Therefore, you should issue an edict expressing your benevolence, getting close to your family and gaining their trust. And those distant relatives? It's best to send them off to enjoy their retirement. Do what your old man did by keeping the extended family happy and safe. Keep the Wangs happy with their titles and pay; the Lius will keep the country stable. That'll keep everyone happy for generations to come! Ignore this, and we'll see a repeat of the Tian family's downfall and the Six Ministers' mess – a disaster for future generations. We need a plan, and we need it now. Like the old saying goes, "If you ain’t careful, things will fall apart." Your Majesty, you must consider this seriously, stabilize the political situation, and win over your people by being fair. That's what will keep the country running smooth!
After the memorial was presented, the Emperor called Xiang in, sighed, and said, "Mr. Xiang, you may go back and rest first; I will consider this carefully." He then appointed Mr. Xiang as the Middle Ranks Colonel.
Xiang was a simple scholar, more interested in books and the stars than courtly life. He'd often stay up all night studying. During the Yuan Yan period, a comet appeared, and Minshan Mountain collapsed, blocking the Yong River. Xiang saw these as bad signs, noted them in the *Records of the Five Elements*, and wrote another memo.
I heard that the Shun Emperor advised Yu not to be like Danzhu and Ao; the Duke of Zhou advised King Cheng not to be like King Zhou of Yin. In the Book of Songs, it says, "The lessons of the Shang dynasty are still relevant, echoing the downfall of the Xia," which also shows that King Tang took King Jie as a lesson. Throughout history, sage rulers have warned themselves with the lessons of past failures, not avoiding the rise and fall, so I boldly speak out and earnestly ask Your Majesty to consider my suggestions.
First, let's talk about the 242-year Spring and Autumn period, during which a total of 36 eclipses occurred, especially during the reign of Duke Xiang, with an average of one eclipse every three years and five months. From the founding of the Han Dynasty to the Jingning era, there were also many eclipses during the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, with an average of one eclipse every three years. I have said before that eclipses will occur, and now they have happened consecutively within three years. This is highly significant. Since the Han Dynasty's founding, eight eclipses have occurred in twenty years, averaging one every two years and six months, which is rare in ancient and modern times. The intensity, frequency, and divinatory interpretations of eclipses varied, and these are the basis for sages to judge difficult issues. The Book of Changes says, "Read the heavens to understand the times."
Confucius once told Duke Ai of Lu that the tyranny of Xia Jie and Shang Zhou disrupted the calendar, misaligned the stars, and even omitted the Mengzou month—all harbingers of dynastic change. From the end of the Qin Shihuang period to the second emperor period, solar and lunar eclipses occurred; mountains collapsed, the earth split, the morning star appeared in the Four Meng (four months), Venus crossed the sky horizontally, thunder sounded without clouds, night skies blazed with meteors, the comet covered the moon, fires destroyed palaces, wild birds played in the court, city gates collapsed, giants appeared in Lintao, meteorites fell in Dongjun, the comet passed through the Great Horn star, and the Great Horn star disappeared afterwards. Look at what Confucius said, and then consider the various omens of the tyrannical Qin; Heaven's will is a force to be reckoned with.
When Xiang Yu failed, a comet swept past the Big Dipper. When the Han Dynasty invaded the Qin Kingdom, a cluster of five stars appeared in the asterism of Eastern Well, which was a sign of obtaining the world. During the reign of Emperor Xiaohui, there was blood rain, a solar eclipse occurred, and a star vanished. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhao, a stone on Mount Tai stood up by itself, the dead willows in Shanglin Park sprouted again, a large star moved westward like the moon, and many stars followed it; these were all very special phenomena. Before Emperor Xiaoxuan ascended the throne, the Dog Star, along with the Han Dynasty's asterisms, moved west. There was a drought lasting over twenty days, and the King of Changyi died early, all of which were recorded in the "Records of the Han Dynasty." Look at the changes between the Qin and Han Dynasties, see how Emperor Hui and Emperor Zhao did not leave heirs, note the early death of the King of Changyi, and then observe the ascension of Emperor Xiaoxuan – doesn’t that show how heaven decides the fate of dynasties? During the reigns of Gaozong and Chengwang, there were also unusual phenomena such as the sight of a pheasant crowing and a tree uprooting itself; they were able to contemplate the reasons for these phenomena, so Gaozong lived to be a hundred, and Chengwang also received rewards from heaven. Heaven's blessings and curses follow like a shadow – everyone knows that.
Your Highness, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve by your side and sincerely feel that you possess great moral character. I hope you can resolve our conflicts and bring about a prosperous era like Emperor Gaozong and King Cheng, thus strengthening the Liu dynasty. This is why I have taken the risk to report multiple times, exposing corruption and requesting severe punishment for those involved. Recent events have been numerous, such as consecutive solar eclipses, stars appearing in the Eastern Well, and the planet Jupiter entering the Purple Forbidden enclosure. Even the wisest elders were alarmed by these significant changes! It is difficult to explain these events clearly, and as the Book of Changes states, "Writing cannot fully express meaning, and speech cannot fully convey thoughts." Therefore, I use hexagrams and line texts to express these events, and further explanations are needed. Just as the Shangshu says, "Use pictures to explain," astronomical phenomena are hard to understand. Although I have drawn diagrams, verbal explanations are still necessary for clarity. I hope you can give me some time to present these diagrams to you in person.
Although the Emperor has granted me an audience, he ultimately did not accept my suggestions. Every time he summoned me before, I repeatedly told him, "The imperial family is the backbone of the nation; if it weakens, the whole country will crumble. Currently, the same clan is distant, and power is in the hands of powerful relatives. State salaries are given to them, and power is also in their hands. This is not the way to secure the dynasty and the realm!" I used to be trusted by the Emperor, so I often publicly criticized the faults of the royal family, the Wang faction, and those powerful ministers. I spoke my mind plainly. The Emperor wanted to promote me to the Nine Ministers several times, but was always stopped by the Wang faction and the Prime Minister, so I never received a promotion. I served as a high-ranking official for over thirty years and passed away at the age of seventy-two. Thirteen years after my death, the Wang faction usurped the Han dynasty.
My three sons were all very studious: the eldest, Ji, taught the Book of Changes and became a county magistrate; the second, Ci, became a minister and passed away early; the youngest, Xin, was the most famous.
Sanxin, courtesy name Zijun, was already well-versed in the *Classic of Poetry* and the *Classic of Documents* as a young man, and a skilled writer. He was summoned by Emperor Cheng, served in the imperial palace administration, and later became a Yellow Gate Attendant (a junior official). During the Heping period, he was ordered to help edit the imperial archives with me, explaining everything from the Six Arts and classical literature to mathematics and technical skills, mastering it all. After my death, Xin was promoted to the position of Commander of the Central Guard.
When Emperor Ai had just ascended the throne, Wang Mang, the Grand Marshal, recommended Xin, praising his noble family background and talent. As a result, he was appointed as a Palace Attendant and Grand Master, later promoted to Cavalry Commandant and Minister of the Imperial Chariots, gaining the Emperor's favor. He continued to study the Five Classics and inherited my previous research. Xin also collected and organized the Six Arts and various books, compiling them into the *Seven Strategies*, as recorded in the *History of the Han, Treatise on Arts and Literature*.
Xiang Shi and Liu Xin were both dab hands at the *I Ching*. Under Emperor Xuan, Xiang Shi was ordered to study the *Gu Liang Chunqiu*. After a decade and more, he'd mastered it. Later, Liu Xin, while proofreading the imperial library, stumbled upon an ancient edition of the *Zuo Zhuan*, and was hooked. Prime Minister Shi Yinxian, another *Zuo Zhuan* expert, joined him in the task. He also picked the brains of Shi Yinxian and Prime Minister Zhai Fangjin, digging deep into the text's meaning. The *Zuo Zhuan* was full of archaic words and phrases, and scholars just taught what they'd always been taught. But Liu Xin used the commentary to illuminate the text, and vice versa, creating a complete and coherent understanding. Liu Xin was cool, collected, and strategic; he and his son were both bookworms with encyclopedic knowledge, iron wills, and exceptional intelligence. Liu Xin figured Zuo Qiuming's take on things aligned with the sages', and he'd actually met Confucius. The Gongyang and Gu Liang schools came later, after the Seventy Disciples – hearsay and eyewitness accounts are bound to differ. Liu Xin constantly challenged Xiang Shi, who couldn't hold his ground but stuck to his *Gu Liang Chunqiu* interpretation anyway.
Later, Liu Xin gained power and wanted to include the "Zuo Zhuan," "Book of Songs," "Yi Li," and "Shang Shu" in the imperial curriculum. Emperor Ai ordered Liu Xin and Five Classics scholars to explain the classics together, but some scholars were unwilling to debate with him. Liu Xin then wrote a letter to the Tai Chang scholars, rebuking them, saying: "In the past, after Tang, Yao, Shun, Xia, Shang, and Zhou, three generations rose, with wise emperors appearing one after another; their methods of rule were very remarkable. After the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the rites and music system deteriorated, showing how difficult the inheritance of the Way was. Therefore, Confucius worried that his Way could not be implemented, so he traveled to other states to teach. After returning from the State of Wei to the State of Lu, he began to compile the classics, arranging the "Ya" and "Song" sections of the "Book of Songs" in their proper places; he compiled the "Book of Changes," corrected the "Shang Shu," and wrote the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to record the governance of the emperors.
After Confucius died, his profound thoughts were interrupted, and after the death of his seventy disciples, there were deviations in the principles of Confucianism. During the Warring States period, people abandoned ritual sacrifices and focused only on military strategies, suppressing the Confucian tradition while the theories of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi on military strategy flourished. During the Qin Dynasty, the government implemented a policy of burning books and burying Confucian scholars alive, perpetrating a grave historical crime and leading to the extinction of the Way.
By the Han Dynasty, the wisdom of the ancient sage-kings and their methods of governance were largely lost, Confucian teachings had been disrupted, and ancient institutions were no longer applicable. At that time, only Shusun Tong cobbled together the ritual system, and throughout the country, only the "Book of Changes" was used for divination, with almost no other books remaining.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaohui, the prohibition on storing books was finally lifted. However, officials and ministers like Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang, and Guan Ying were all military generals who couldn't care less about it. It was not until the reign of Emperor Xiaowen that classical scholars were instructed to learn "Shangshu" from Fusheng. "Shangshu" was initially discovered on the walls, with many sections decayed and broken. Only what teachers passed down through generations survives. It was during this time that the "Book of Songs" began to spread. Writings from various schools of thought started to emerge, and the court established numerous professorships to teach these doctrines. Of the Han Dynasty's Confucian scholars, only Jia Yi was noteworthy.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, teachers specializing in explaining the "Book of Songs," "Book of Rites," and "Spring and Autumn Annals" started appearing in Shandong, Lu, Liang, Zhao, and elsewhere. Most of these teachers emerged during the Jianyuan era. Back then, no one person could master all the classics; some focused on the Odes of the Book of Songs, while others studied different texts, needing teamwork to get it done. Later, the "Tai Shi" was discovered, and the scholars read it together. Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han lamented in his decree, "Our rituals and music have decayed, our books are incomplete—this grieves me deeply!" The Han Dynasty had been established for seventy to eighty years, and getting a complete set of classics seemed a long way off.
Duke Lu Gong demolished Confucius' house, intending to convert it into a government building. However, ancient classics were discovered in the collapsed walls, including thirty-nine chapters of "Yi Li" and sixteen chapters of "Shang Shu." After the Han Dynasty, Kong Anguo had submitted these ancient texts, but due to being implicated in the witchcraft scandal, they were not implemented in time. Later, the "Spring and Autumn Annals" revised by Zuo Qiuming also used these ancient classics, with many different versions stored in the royal archives without being utilized. Emperor Han Xiaocheng felt that the knowledge at the time was incomplete and far from the true ancient texts. Therefore, he ordered these treasured ancient texts to be taken out, compiled and corrected, resulting in this scholarly undertaking used to verify the classics passed down by scholars at the time, as some pages were missing or pieced together. He also sent people to investigate among the common people and found that the knowledge left by Duke Huan of Lu, Duke Guan of Zhao, and Yong Sheng of Jiaodong was consistent with these ancient texts, but this knowledge was not valued. These scholars were heartbroken!
In the past, those who studied did not care about the lack of knowledge, getting bogged down in minutiae, and learning their whole lives without truly understanding anything. They memorized but didn't grasp the underlying principles, learning shallow understanding rather than the orthodox ancient knowledge. When the country held major ceremonies (elaborate imperial ceremonies) such as the establishment of Bi Yong, Fengshan, or Xunshou, they were at a loss and did not know how to proceed. They only wanted to hold onto their incomplete knowledge, fearing it would be exposed, acting out of self-interest, lacking a sense of responsibility for the country and knowledge, even feeling jealousy towards each other, not seriously verifying, blindly following the crowd, simply parroting others, suppressing these three major forms of knowledge, claiming that "Shang Shu" was enough, and stating that the Zuo Zhuan was not the orthodox "Spring and Autumn Annals," which is truly a shame!
The Emperor's a smart cookie, following in his father's footsteps, and is also worried about the mess in the scholarly world. Although the ministers understand the Emperor's intentions, they still hem and haw, and the Emperor was happy to hash it out with these scholars. So the Emperor issued a decree to test out 'Zuo Zhuan' as a textbook, sending his guys with the imperial decree to help those no-name scholars in the hope of restoring this lost knowledge. However, the situation is different now; they are holed up and refusing to play ball, even saying that this knowledge has been lost and want to shut down other avenues and kill off these weak ideas. Those only in it for the quick buck are difficult to plan for long-term matters with; that's just how regular folks roll, not scholars. Besides, the late Emperor checked these texts out himself, and this Emperor's done the same. The evidence is there, it all lines up – they ain't fake!
Man, with morals going down the drain and everyone chasing pleasure, same goes for ancient texts, right? In the past, there were scholars who spoke of the "Book of Documents," "Spring and Autumn Annals," and "Book of Changes," but Emperor Xiaoxuan also established the "Gu Liang Chunqiu," "Liang Qiu Yi," and "Da Xiao Xiahou Shangshu." Even though they contradicted each other, he kept 'em all. Better to keep 'em all, even if some are wrong, than lose the good stuff. There's an old saying: "The wisdom of the past isn't lost, it's all about the person. Smart guys see the big picture, dumb guys get hung up on details." These different takes all have something to offer – why ditch any of them? If you're gonna be stubborn, cling to scraps, gang up, be jealous of real knowledge, ignore the Emperor's orders, then you're playing right into those pencil-pushers' hands. That ain't how a real man acts!
The words spoken were pretty harsh, and many Confucian scholars resented him for it. At that time, the respected Confucian scholar Gong Sheng wrote a letter to the emperor about this matter, deeply blaming himself and requesting retirement. Later, the Confucian teacher Dan became the Grand Minister of Works, and he also blew his top, accusing Liu Xin of messing with the old rules and badmouthing the emperor's policies. The emperor said, "Liu Xin wanted to promote scholarship, how can it be considered slander?" Liu Xin offended the bigwigs, was mocked by many Confucian scholars, feared being executed, and asked for a transfer to a local post, becoming the Prefect of Henei. Because members of the royal family were not suitable for official positions in the Three Rivers region, he was transferred to Wuyuan County to serve as Prefect, and later to Zhuo County, serving as Prefect in three counties. Several years later, due to illness, he resigned and was reappointed as Anding's Commandant. Just as Emperor Ai passed away, Wang Mang took power. When Wang Mang was young, he served as a Yellow Gate Attendant with Liu Xin, highly valuing him, and recommended Liu Xin to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager kept Liu Xin on as the Right Cao's Grand Master, later promoting him to commander of the Imperial Guard, chief secretary, and Prefect of Jingzhao, entrusting him with the renovation of the Ming Hall and Bi Yong, and appointing him as the Marquis of Hongxiu. He was also responsible for the affairs of the Confucian scholars, historians, and diviners, working on the laws and calendars, and wrote the "Three Unified Calendar Records." Initially, Liu Xin changed his name to Liu Xiu in the first year of Jianping, with the style name Ying Shu. After Wang Mang usurped the throne, Liu Xin became the National Teacher, and his subsequent deeds are recorded in the "Book of Han, Biography of Wang Mang." It is said, the ancients said: "Finding talented people is hard, but it's not impossible!" After Confucius, there were many more writers, but truly talented ones were few, such as Mencius, Sun Kuang, Dong Zhongshu, Sima Qian, Liu Xiang, Yang Xiong, all of whom were knowledgeable and talented, well-versed in ancient and modern, and their writings were beneficial to future generations. Ancient books also say: "When the sage does not appear, there will be those destined to change the world," so, were they the ones the old saying meant?
Liu Xiang's "Commentary on the Hong Fan" explains the meaning of the "Spring and Autumn commentary" clearly, discussing the relationship between heaven and man; his "Seven Summaries" categorized various books and outlined the key ideas of different schools of thought; there is also the "Chronology of the Three Dynasties," which studied the laws of the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, clearly showing his dedication to understanding the root causes of things. Thinking about the horrific border wars that Liu Xiang described still breaks my heart! He used history's rise and fall to clearly support his arguments. Wasn't he a truly exceptional friend – upright, knowledgeable, and rare?
