Gongsun Hong was a native of Xue County, Zichuan, Shandong. When he was young, he worked as a low-level prison official, ran afoul of the law, and was dismissed from his position. His family was poor, so he could only tend pigs near the sea. In his forties, he began to study "Spring and Autumn" and a range of other subjects.
Emperor Wu of Han had just ascended to the throne and was recruiting talented scholars. At that time, Gongsun Hong was already sixty years old, and he became a court scholar because of his talent. Later, he was sent to negotiate with the Xiongnu, but when he returned and reported the results, the Emperor was furious, deeming him unfit for the task. Gongsun Hong feigned illness and took leave to return home.
In the fifth year of Yuanguang, the court once again summoned bright young scholars, and the people of Zichuan recommended Gongsun Hong again. Gongsun Hong declined, saying, "I botched a mission out west and really don't have much ability, so please choose someone else." However, the people of Zichuan insisted on recommending him, and in the end, Gongsun Hong became a high-ranking official. The Emperor issued an edict, demanding a response from all scholars:
The edict said: **(original text)**
So, I heard that in ancient times during the era of peace and prosperity, people dressed according to certain customs, and the common people were law-abiding. Everything was in balance, the five grains were abundant, livestock prospered, there was plenty of rain, and the winds and rains came at the right time. The crops thrived, and even the grass turned red. Miracles abounded; families lived in peace and harmony. The northern border was stable, and the region of Jiaozhi in the south was also secure. Wherever ships and vehicles arrived, everyone lived happy and content lives. I am very pleased with this. How can we create that kind of prosperity today? You scholars, study the wisdom of our ancestors, and figure out how a ruler should act. Make your voices heard in today’s society. I boldly ask you: What's the secret to a good life? Where are the signs of good and bad fortune? What caused the floods and droughts during the times of Yu and Tang? How should the four virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom be implemented? How is the national heritage passed down, how do all things change, and how is the rise and fall determined by fate? You've all studied these things. Think carefully, write me a report, and don't hold back; I will personally read it.
Gongsun Hong replied:
I heard that in the ancient times of Yao and Shun, if they didn't make a big deal out of titles and rewards, the common people were willing to do good deeds; people didn't break the law because the rulers led by example, so people trusted them. But now, the more we reward people, the less they seem to care; the more severe the punishments, the more bad deeds there are, because if the leaders are corrupt, people won't trust them. In fact, rewards and punishments alone aren't enough to encourage good deeds and deter bad deeds; the key is for the rulers to win the people's trust.
So, the right people in the right jobs; cut the crap, and things'll get done; don't produce useless items, and taxes can be reduced; if you don't waste people's time and energy, they will prosper; promoting those with virtue and eliminating those without will ensure the court commands respect; promoting those with merit and demoting those without will keep ministers on their toes; fair punishment will keep bad actors in line, and fair rewards will motivate everyone. These eight principles are the foundation of governing a country. Therefore, if the people have work, they won't fight; if things are handled fairly, they won't resent; with etiquette, they won't be unruly; if people feel appreciated, they'll be loyal - these are all major aspects of governing the world. Laws must uphold morality, ensuring obedience and loyalty; harmony must not violate etiquette, allowing for closeness without unruliness. Therefore, laws punish behavior that violates morality, while harmony rewards behavior that follows etiquette. Etiquette is what the people abide by, and if rewards and punishments align with etiquette, the people will not violate the laws. Regulating clothing and accessories has always been an effective way to maintain order.
I heard that if the energies are aligned, they will follow each other; if the voices are similar, they will respond to one another. Now the monarch governs virtuously, and the people live in harmony below; thus, hearts and minds are unified, energies aligned, and actions coordinated. Therefore, yin and yang are in balance, the wind and rain arrive at the right time, refreshing rain falls, crops flourish, livestock multiply, medicinal plants thrive, the mountains do not dry up, and the waters do not run dry. This is the ultimate harmony. When forms are harmonious, there will be no illness, and without illness, there will be no premature death; thus, fathers will not lose their sons, and elder brothers will not weep for younger siblings. The monarch's virtue mirrors the heavens and earth, and his wisdom is as bright as the sun and moon. Then the qilin and phoenix will appear, and the turtle and dragon will be seen in the outskirts; the Yellow River will produce maps, and the Luo River will produce books. Distant princes will praise his righteousness and bring tribute to pay homage; this is the highest level of harmony.
I heard that benevolence means acting for the good of all, impartially; righteousness is doing what is right; propriety is adhering to the code of conduct; and wisdom is the foundation of strategy. To bring benefits and eliminate harm, this is benevolence; to distinguish right from wrong and uphold principles, this is righteousness; to have moderation in advance and retreat, and maintain order in respect and humility, this is propriety; to command life and death, resolve obstacles, weigh the pros and cons, analyze gains and losses, and present the near and far, true and false before the ruler, this is strategy. These four principles are the foundation of governing a country and the guidelines for dealing with people; they should be applied wisely and not abandoned. If you master the essentials, the world will be peaceful and stable, and there will be little need to enforce laws and regulations; if you do not master strategy well, the rulers above will be deceived, and the officials below will create chaos. These principles are fundamental to the nation's enduring stability and prosperity.
They say Emperor Yao's reign saw a massive flood, and he put Yu in charge – not that Yu *caused* the flood himself! King Tang's reign had a drought, a leftover problem from Xia Jie's rule. Jie and Zhou were wicked and got punished by Heaven; Yu and Tang were good and ended up ruling the world. So, you see? Heaven rewards the good and punishes the wicked. Go with the flow, and you'll have peace; go against it, and you'll be in trouble. That's how the universe works – stars, earth, and people. I'm a bit of a klutz, not up to this big job.
Over a hundred people were in the running, and the Rites Ministry said I was near the bottom. Then the Emperor picked my essay and made it number one! The Emperor called me in, liked what he saw, and made me a Doctor, posting me at the Golden Horse Gate.
I submitted another memorial, saying, "Your Majesty has the power of the ancient sages, but not their reputation; you have the same people as the sages of old, but not the same officials. Therefore, although the situation is similar, the results of governance are different. The old officials were honest, so the people were honest; now the officials are crooked, so the people are dumb. Policies flop; orders are weak tea, nobody listens. Evil officials pushing bad policies, weak orders for dumb people – ain't gonna work. This is the reason for the different results of governance. I heard Duke Zhou turned things around in a year, saw results in three, and had the whole thing stable in five. It all depends on Your Majesty's determination." After the memorial was presented, the Emperor replied to me with a decree, saying, "Hong, you're singing Duke Zhou's praises. Think you're as good as him?" I replied, "I'm nobody, no way I'm comparing myself to Duke Zhou! However, I know clearly in my heart that governing a country can be done in that way. Tigers, leopards, horses, cows – tough animals, but you can train 'em to do what you want. You can bend bamboo in days, refine metal in months – and people learn faster than that. A year? That's too long!" The Emperor was very surprised by my words.
So, the story goes that at that time, the court was dealing with those tribes down south, and the Ba-Shu region suffered greatly as a result. The emperor sent Zhang Hong to check things out. Zhang Hong returned and gave the southwestern tribes a real dressing-down, saying they were useless, but the emperor did not listen to him. Every day during court sessions, Zhang Hong laid out the facts and let the emperor decide, never arguing back. Later, the emperor found Zhang Hong to be careful and honest, a sharp debater who knew the ropes of court life and how to play the Confucian card. The emperor appreciated him and promoted him to the position of Left Interior Minister (a high-ranking official) in less than a year.
When Zhang Hong submitted memorials, if there were disagreements with the emperor, he never argued face to face. He often privately discussed with Ji An, the Chief Commandant, with Ji An expressing his opinions first and Zhang Hong supplementing them. The emperor usually listened to their opinions, so Zhang Hong became a favorite of the emperor. Once, after discussing strategies with some ministers, Zhang Hong went against the previous agreement in front of the emperor and spoke in line with the emperor's wishes. Ji An questioned Zhang Hong face to face, saying, "Those Qi people are slippery characters, always breaking their word. Initially, you agreed on the strategy with us, but now you have all backed out. Isn't this disloyal?" When the emperor asked Zhang Hong what happened, Zhang Hong replied, "Those who know me will think I am loyal; those who do not know me will think I am disloyal." The emperor found Zhang Hong's words reasonable. The emperor's pet eunuchs were always badmouthing Zhang Hong, but the emperor valued him even more.
Zhang Hong was witty and knowledgeable, often saying that the emperor's fault was lack of foresight, and the ministers' fault was lack of frugality. He was devoted to his stepmother and observed a three-year mourning period after her death.
Zhang Hong served as the Historiographer for several years and was later promoted to Chief Censor. During that time, the court opened the Canghai Commandery in the east and built the Shuofang Commandery in the north. Zhang Hong repeatedly advised the emperor that these actions would waste the nation's resources on unproductive ventures, hoping the emperor would abandon these plans. So the emperor got Zhu Maichen and others to debate with Zhang Hong about the benefits of establishing the Shuofang Commandery. Zhu Maichen presented ten reasons, none of which Zhang Hong could refute. Finally, Zhang Hong reluctantly said, "I'm just a simple farmer from Shandong and don't understand the benefits of these places. I still suggest abandoning the Southwest and the Canghai Commandery, and focusing all efforts on the Shuofang Commandery." The emperor ultimately agreed to his suggestion.
Ji An said, "Hong, he holds the position of the Three Excellencies, with a generous salary, yet still wears roughspun cotton bedding. This is obviously just a show!" The emperor asked Hong, and Hong replied, "Yeah. Among the Nine Ministers, the one I have the best relationship with is Ji An, but today the emperor called me out on it, which is indeed my fault. As one of the Three Excellencies, wearing roughspun cotton bedding is indeed just trying to look good. Furthermore, I have heard that Guan Zhong, with his three lavish mansions, lived like a king—and look what happened: Duke Huan conquered all! Yan Ying, on the other hand, assisted Duke Jing of Qi, never adding meat to his diet, and his concubines did not wear silk, which helped Qi State to be governed very well and was also in line with the people. Now that I, Hong, serve as the Chief Censor, wearing roughspun cotton bedding, just like Ji An pointed out, the same goes for the Nine Ministers and even the lowly officials. If it weren't for Ji An, how'd you ever hear this otherwise, Your Majesty?" The emperor felt that Hong's words made some sense, and he valued him even more.
During the Yuanshuo period, Hong replaced Xue Ze as the Prime Minister. Before this, the Han Dynasty usually appointed marquises as Prime Minister, but Hong had no title. So the emperor issued a decree saying, "I follow ancient wisdom, opened the door to anyone with talent, and welcomed talented people from everywhere. In ancient times, the appointment of talents emphasized giving good jobs to capable people, rewarding hard work with good pay, and honoring integrity with high rank. Therefore, those with military success can receive great rewards, and those with scholarly achievements can receive commendations. Now I will grant a nice chunk of land in Pingjin to Prime Minister Hong, letting him become the Marquis of Pingjin!" From then on, this became a precedent; the Prime Minister was granted a marquis title, starting with Hong.
At that time, the emperor was really pushing things forward and recruiting talents. Hong himself was recommended as the best and brightest. From a commoner, he became Prime Minister in just a few years and was also granted a marquis title. So he built a guesthouse, opened the East Pavilion to receive virtuous scholars, and discussed state affairs with them. Hong himself only ate one meal of meat and coarse grain rice, providing everything they needed for his guests and using his salary to entertain them, leaving no money at home. But he seemed nice but held grudges. He got even with anyone who crossed him, no matter how close their relationship appeared to be. He got rid of Zhu Fu Yan and sent Dong Zhongshu away to Jiaoxi; these were all Hong's achievements.
Prince Huainan and Prince Hengshan rebelled, and the court was busy dealing with this matter while my illness got worse. I feel like I don't deserve to be a marquis and prime minister. I should help the emperor, keep the peace, and do my job. Now the princes are all plotting rebellion, which is the result of us ministers not doing our jobs properly. I am worried that I will not be able to explain myself even if I die of illness, so I wrote a letter to the emperor:
"I heard that there are five cardinal relationships in the world, and to practice these five relationships, one must possess three qualities. The five relationships are those between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger, and friends; and the three qualities needed to practice these relationships are ren, wisdom, and courage. Therefore, it is said that 'Asking questions brings wisdom, hard work brings ren, and knowing shame brings courage.' Understanding these three points will help you know how to manage yourself; knowing how to manage yourself will help you know how to manage others. You can't manage others if you can't manage yourself. Your Majesty, your filial piety towards your parents and siblings, your emulation of the virtues of the three generations of emperors, and your wise governance all inspire the people! I am foolish and have no special talents, yet Your Majesty promoted me, a humble foot soldier, to a marquis, and even allowed me to hold the position of one of the Three Excellencies (a high-ranking official in the imperial court). My abilities do not deserve such an honor, and I am currently very ill. I fear I'll die before I can repay your kindness and serve the state. Therefore, I wish to resign from the title of marquis, request retirement, and let talented individuals take over."
The Emperor replied, "In ancient times, we rewarded merit and virtue. A good ruler values both civil and military strength. I've worked hard to earn this throne and I worry about my ability to govern well, so I'm very careful about who I work with. A good ruler always wants to leave a legacy. You're sick, why are you resigning? That shows I'm not doing a good job! Things are quiet now, so rest up and get better." The Emperor then rewarded me with cattle, wine, and various silks. A few months later, I was back at work.
Gongsun Hong served as both Prime Minister and Chief Inspector for a total of six years, passing away at the age of eighty while still holding the position of Prime Minister. He was followed by Prime Ministers Li Cai, Yan Qingzhai, Zhao Zhou, Shi Qing, Gongsun He, and Liu Quma. From Li Cai to Shi Qing, the prime minister's guest quarters were all empty, but when Gongsun He and Liu Quma took office, those places were converted into stables, garages, and servants' quarters. Only Shi Qing was prudent, eventually also becoming Prime Minister, while the other Prime Ministers were all ultimately executed.
Gongsun Hong's son, Gongsun Du, inherited the marquis title and served as the Administrator of Shanyang for over ten years. Later, when the court issued an edict summoning the county magistrate of Juye County, Shi Cheng, to the capital, Gongsun Du detained him and refused to release him, resulting in Gongsun Du being sentenced to hard labor (a form of ancient forced labor).
During the Yuan Shi period, after the court posthumously honored the meritorious officials, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, those officials in the court have led simple lives and valued morality over wealth. None can compare to Gongsun Hong. He served as Chancellor and a marquis, yet wore homespun clothes and ate simple fare, using his salary to support old friends and guests, keeping nothing for his own enjoyment. This set an example that surpassed even the official standards, influencing societal norms. This is different from those who flaunted their wealth in ostentatious displays. A wise ruler would publicly praise such virtue and righteousness to set a good example. Therefore, suitable individuals among Gongsun Hong's descendants shall be granted the title of Marquis of the Inner Passes and a fief of three hundred households."
Bu Shi is from Henan, eking out a living from farming and raising livestock. He has a younger brother, and after his brother grew up, Bu Shi gave all the money he earned to him, leaving only a few hundred sheep for himself to herd. Bu Shi spent over ten years herding sheep in the mountains, increasing the number of sheep to over a thousand, and also bought land and houses. But his younger brother blew through all the family money, so Bu Shi once again shared his wealth with his brother, doing this several times.
At that time, the Han Dynasty was at war with the Xiongnu. Bu Shi wrote to the court, offering to donate half of his family's wealth to support the border. The Emperor sent a messenger to ask Bu Shi, "Do you want to be an official?" Bu Shi replied, "I've been a shepherd since I was a kid and am not used to being an official. I don't want to." The messenger asked again, "Is there any injustice at home that you want to report?" Bu Shi said, "I've never picked a fight with anyone in my life. I've lent money to the poor in the village and taught those who don't follow the rules. Everyone learns from me, so what injustice do I have?" The messenger said, "Then what do you want to do?" Bu Shi said, "The emperor wants to attack the Xiongnu. I believe that talented people should sacrifice for the country and wealthy people should donate money, so that the Xiongnu can be eradicated." The messenger reported Bu Shi's words to the emperor. The emperor told Prime Minister Gongsun Hong about Bu Shi's words. Gongsun Hong said, "That's not normal. You can't use someone who breaks the rules to teach others; they'll just disrupt the law. I hope you won't agree to this, Your Majesty." The emperor ignored this and only put it on the back burner a few years later. Bu Shi returned home and continued farming and herding sheep.
After over a year, the Xiongnu Hunxie King and his crew surrendered to the emperor. However, the county was broke, the granaries empty, and poor folks were streaming in, all needing handouts. The county couldn't handle it. So, (Yang) Shi took out 200,000 cash and handed it over to the Henan governor to help the migrating people. The Henan governor reported this act of charity to the emperor, and when the emperor saw (Yang) Shi's name, he said, "This guy was ready to donate half his fortune to the border defense!" Therefore, the emperor rewarded (Yang) Shi with 400 guys off the labor draft, and (Yang) Shi handed all these exemptions over to the government. Everyone else was hoarding their cash, but (Yang) Shi was all about helping the emperor out. The emperor saw (Yang) Shi as a true patriot, summoned him, made him a Zhonglang, gave him the title of Left Libationer, ten hectares of land, and then bragged about him to the whole country.
After a while, (Yang) Shi wasn't too keen on being a government official, but the emperor said, "I've got some sheep in Shanglin Park I need you to look after." After becoming a Zhonglang, (Yang) Shi wore plain clothes and grass shoes to herd the sheep. A year later, the sheep were plump and happy. When the emperor passed by the sheep pen, he greatly admired (Yang) Shi's methods. (Yang) Shi said, "This is not just herding sheep; governing the people is similar. You must let them rest on time, drive away the bad ones, and not let them corrupt the entire flock." The emperor was blown away and decided to give (Yang) Shi a shot at governing. So the emperor made him magistrate of Goushi County, which he quickly got in order. Then he was promoted to Chenggao County, where he ran the transport system brilliantly. The emperor, seeing (Yang) Shi was a straight shooter, made him the Prince of Qi's tutor, then his prime minister.
Later, Lv Jia rebelled, and (Yang) Shi wrote to the emperor: "I've heard it said that a king feels shame when his people die. Court officials should all be loyal to the country, and even those who aren't the best fighters can still help out by donating. I am willing to bring my son and the skilled archers from Linzhu, and the shipbuilders from Bochang, to request to go to battle and prove my loyalty." The emperor praised him and issued a decree saying: "It's said you should repay good with good and bad with bad. The country's at war, and there's no one among the counties and vassals who's willing to do what's right. The Prime Minister of Qi (Yang) Shi usually farms and raises livestock; he always made sure his siblings were independent and never let money cloud his judgment. There was a war up north a while back, and he wrote to request support from the government. A few years ago, Xihedian suffered a famine, and he led the people of Qi to transport food. Now he is the first to come forward; although he has not yet been to the battlefield, he's shown his loyalty. The Emperor made him a Marquis, gave him forty catties of gold and ten hectares of land, and made sure everyone knew about it."
During the Yuanding period, the court appointed Zheng Shi to replace Shi Qing as the Chief Inspector. After Zheng Shi took office, he said the way the counties handled the salt, iron, and shipping monopolies was a mess and suggested canceling them. The Emperor wasn't happy about that. The next year, when it was time for the Fengshan ceremony, Zheng Shi couldn't write the speeches, so he was demoted to the prince's tutor, and his son Kuan took over his position. Later, Zheng Shi died peacefully.
Kuan was from Qiancheng, studied the "Book of Documents," and learned under Ouyang Sheng. He was dirt poor, even working for classmates to get by. He worked odd jobs, toiling in the fields with his books, studying whenever he could. Later, he passed the exams to become an archivist, and his good work got him a job as a clerk in the Justice Ministry.
Er Kuan was a really nice guy, gentle and kind, with integrity and self-discipline. He was good at writing but not skilled in martial arts and lacked eloquence. At that time, Zhang Tang was serving as the chief justice, and the officials in the chief justice's office were all well-versed in literature, history, and law. As a Confucian scholar, Er Kuan was not familiar with administrative affairs, so he was relegated to managing livestock in the north for several years. When he returned to the chief justice's office, he was responsible for managing the livestock accounts. At that time, there was a difficult case in the office that had been discussed repeatedly without a resolution, and other officials were at a loss. Er Kuan explained the key points of the case and was asked to draft a report. After the report was written, everyone was blown away and submitted it to Chief Justice Zhang Tang. Zhang Tang was surprised and summoned Er Kuan for a conversation, discovering his talent, and promoted him to a junior official. The emperor approved the report written by Er Kuan immediately. One day, when Zhang Tang met with the emperor, the emperor asked who had written the exceptional report. Zhang Tang said it was Er Kuan. The emperor replied, "I've heard of him." Zhang Tang then began to value Confucian studies, appointed Er Kuan as an official in charge of drafting reports, and tasked him with using ancient legal texts to resolve difficult cases, showing great appreciation for him. When Zhang Tang became the Chief Inspector, he promoted Er Kuan to a junior official and recommended him to be appointed as an Inspector General. When Er Kuan met with the emperor, they discussed Confucian studies, and the emperor was pleased to discuss an article from the "Book of Documents" with him. Later, Er Kuan was promoted to the rank of Senior Grand Master and then appointed as the Left Historian.
Let's talk about this guy, Kuan—he was a really good ruler. He ran things so well, encouraging agricultural development, reducing penalties, and making sure justice was served. He always treated people with respect and kindness, really trying to win them over. He selected kind and compassionate officials who understood people's struggles and wasn't in it for the glory. Everyone loved him. He got the court to fund six new canals and created new irrigation laws. He was pretty flexible with taxes, sometimes even lending money to people, so he didn't always collect everything. Later, when it was necessary to go to war, the Left Interior Minister was about to lose his job because taxes were low. When people heard taxes might be waived, they panicked. Everyone rushed to pay their taxes—ox carts and people carrying loads on their backs, a never-ending stream—and he ended up collecting way more than expected! The Emperor was even more impressed.
Later, when discussing the imitation of the ancient imperial hunting and sacrificial rites, dozens of Confucian scholars debated together but did not reach a conclusion. Previously, Sima Xiangru had passed away, leaving behind a letter praising the emperor's virtues and mentioning auspicious signs that had appeared, sufficient to hold the grand sacrificial ceremony. Impressed by the letter, the emperor sought Kuan's counsel. Kuan replied, "Your Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler, leading many ministers, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, and worshipping the gods. Heaven and earth will surely respond to your virtuous intentions, bringing forth auspicious signs. Performing sacrifices at Mount Tai and Mount Liangfu, announcing to your ancestors and showcasing your virtues, this is a grand ceremony of emperors. However, the specific rituals of the sacrificial ceremony are not detailed in the classics. To hold the grand sacrificial ceremony, one must seek the blessing of Heaven and Earth, and communicate with the gods with a sincere heart. The duties of the officials must be based on their respective positions to establish corresponding ritual norms. Only a wise monarch can establish these rituals; they cannot be decided upon lightly by the emperor and his court. If such a grand event is to be held, years of meticulous preparation might still not guarantee success. Only the emperor can establish the right balance, plan and arrange with the precision and resonance of finely tuned bells and chimes, in order to comply with the will of heaven, receive the congratulations of heaven, and ensure lasting prosperity." Satisfied with Kuan's advice, the emperor personally designed the ceremony, further refining it with references to Confucian texts.
Blimey, we've done it! The Emperor is planning a major event and has appointed Dong Zhongshu as the Chief Imperial Secretary. He accompanied the Emperor to Mount Tai for the Fengshan Ceremony and then went to the Mingtang upon returning. Dong Zhongshu wished the Emperor a long life and said with great enthusiasm: "Things have been a bit rocky lately, Your Majesty, but you have worked tirelessly, and the heavens and earth have responded! You have built the Mingtang and Biyong, worshipped the Taiyi God, and the music, with its intricate scales and harmonies, expresses your noble intentions. Divine music filled the air, each note carrying symbolic meaning, assisting in the grand ceremonies and setting an example for future generations. The people of the world are truly fortunate! Next, we will establish the grand auspicious beginning, offer sacrifices at Mount Tai, open the gate of auspiciousness, and await the arrival of good fortune. In the year of Guihai, the sun shines brightly; in the year of Shangyuan Jiazi, the sacrifices are solemn and long-lasting. The radiance is abundant, astronomical phenomena are clear and visible, symbolizing prosperity and the response of the heavens. I, Dong Zhongshu, express my gratitude to Your Majesty once again, and wish you eternal longevity!" The Emperor said, "Join us for a drink!"
Then, the Grand Historian Sima Qian and others told the Emperor, "Our calendar system is in disarray, and since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the correction of the calendar has not been made. It should be rectified." The Emperor then ordered Dong Zhongshu and Sima Qian to work together to formulate the "Tai Chu Li" of the Han Dynasty. You can find the details in the "Luli Zhi" (Treatise on Calendrical Science).
So, the story goes that Chu Datong, the Prime Minister of Liang, annotated the "Five Classics" and earned the title of scholar. At that time, Dong Zhongshu was his student. Later, when the position of Grand Censor became vacant, the Emperor summoned Chu Datong. Chu Datong thought he would definitely become the Grand Censor, so he happily went to Luoyang. However, upon arriving in Luoyang, he heard that Dong Zhongshu had become the Grand Censor. Chu Datong was thrilled; he burst out laughing. When he arrived, he discussed the rites of Heaven and Earth with Dong Zhongshu in front of the Emperor, but found himself no match for Dong Zhongshu. He just had to admit, "The Emperor really picked the right guy!" Dong Zhongshu served as the Grand Censor for nine years and passed away in office.
As the saying goes, "Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi, and Er Kuan all lived in obscurity among the common people like wild geese. If they hadn't been in the right place at the right time, how could they have reached such high positions?" You see, it had been over sixty years since the establishment of the Han Dynasty; the country was prosperous, and the treasury was full. However, not all the border tribes were under control, and many systems were still imperfect. The Emperor was looking for talented individuals to help but couldn't find suitable candidates. Then, they went all out to get Mei Cheng, but even after meeting Zhu Fu Yan, the Emperor still sighed with frustration! After that, many talented individuals came forward to serve.
Bu Shi was promoted from a farmer herding cattle and sheep, Hong Yang was selected from a warehouse clerk, Wei Qing emerged from being a servant, and Jin Ridi was chosen from conquered enemies. These guys, back then, were just regular folks like us—building houses, tilling the fields, you know? The Han Dynasty really struck gold by finding so many talented people, truly unprecedented!
**Scholars:** Gongsun Hong, Dong Zhongshu, Er Kuan;
**Good guys:** Shi Jian, Shi Qing;
**Upright folks:** Ji An, Bu Shi;
**Talent scouts:** Han Anguo, Zheng Dangshi;
**Lawmakers:** Zhao Yu, Zhang Tang;
**Literary figures:** Sima Qian, Sima Xiangru;
**Funny guys:** Dongfang Shuo, Mei Gao;
**Crisis managers:** Yan Zhu, Zhu Maichen;
**Calendar experts:** Tang Du, Luo Xiaohong;
**Music pros:** Li Yannian;
**Planners:** Sang Hongyang;
**Loyal envoys:** Zhang Qian, Su Wu;
**Outstanding generals:** Wei Qing, Huo Qubing;
**Imperial aides:** Huo Guang, Jin Ridi;
and so many more, it’s hard to count!
That's why the Han Dynasty was such a powerhouse, leaving behind a legacy no one's ever topped.
Emperor Xiaoxuan inherited the ancestral legacy and furthered the Han Dynasty's growth and prosperity. He championed the Six Arts and recruited talents widely. Among the Confucian scholars he favored were Xiao Wangzhi, Liang Qiuhé, Xiahou Sheng, Wei Xuancheng, Yan Pengzu, and Yin Gengshi; Liu Xiang and Wang Bao gained renown for their writings; Generals such as Zhang Anshi, Zhao Chongguo, Wei Xiang, Bing Ji, Yu Dingguo, and Du Yannian all achieved remarkable military achievements; He appointed many outstanding local officials, including Huang Ba, Wang Cheng, Gong Sui, Zheng Hong, Shao Xincheng, Han Yanshou, Yin Wengui, Zhao Guanghan, Yan Yannian, and Zhang Chang, who performed great services for the people, and their achievements are recorded in history books. This impressive roster of ministers alone demonstrates the abundance of talent at his disposal!
