Emperor Wu of Han had six sons. Crown Prince Li, Liu Ju, was the son of Empress Wei; Emperor Xiaozhao was the son of Zhao Jieyu; Prince Qi Huai was the son of Lady Wang; Princes Yan Ci and Liuxu of Guangling were the sons of Li Ji; and Prince Ai of Changyi was the son of Lady Li. Crown Prince Li was named Crown Prince in the first year of Yuanshou, when he was only seven years old. Emperor Wu of Han was twenty-nine when he finally had a son, and he was very happy. He held a special ceremony, commissioning Dongfang Shuo and Mei Gao to write the sacrificial text. When the Crown Prince was a little older, Emperor Wu ordered him to study the "Gongyang's Spring and Autumn" and to study the "Guliang" with Jiang Gong of Xiaqiu. After the Crown Prince reached adulthood and entered the palace, Emperor Wu built the Bowang Garden for him, allowing him to cultivate his friendships and pursue his interests freely, which attracted many eccentric individuals to his circle. In the fourth year of Yuanding, the Crown Prince married Lady Shi and had a son named Shi Huangsun. In his later years, Emperor Wu's favor towards Empress Wei declined, and Jiang Chong gained power. Jiang Chong harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince and the Wei clan, fearing retaliation from the Crown Prince after Emperor Wu's death, so he exploited the witchcraft incident. At that time, Emperor Wu was old and very suspicious, believing that people around him were cursing him with witchcraft, so he launched a sweeping investigation. Prime Minister Gongsun He and his son, Princess Yangshi, Princess Zhuyi, and Empress Wei's nephew Changping Marquis Wei Kang were all killed because of this. The details are recounted in the *Biographies* of Gongsun He and Jiang Chong.
Jiang Chong was responsible for investigating the witchcraft case. He knew the Emperor's thoughts, so he falsely claimed the palace was infested with witchcraft, entered the palace, and even damaged the imperial throne, digging up the palace. The Emperor further dispatched Han Shuo, Zhang Gan, Su Wen, and others to assist Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong later searched the Crown Prince's palace and dug out a wooden puppet. At that time, the Emperor was ill and recuperating in Ganquan Palace, with only the Empress and the Crown Prince accompanying him. The Crown Prince asked his minister, Shide, what to do. Shide was afraid of being implicated and killed as well, so he advised the Crown Prince, "The former Prime Minister and his son had been executed. So had two princesses and the entire Wei family. All because of this. Now the witches and officials have found evidence through digging. It's unclear whether the witches framed them, or if there was any truth to it. The Crown Prince cannot clear his name now. You should arrest Jiang Chong and his men and expose their plot. Moreover, the Emperor's life hangs in the balance, yet these traitors act with such arrogance! Haven't you heard what happened to Fusu under Qin Shi Huang?" The Crown Prince was anxious and followed Shide's advice.
In July, 91 BC, the Emperor sent people to arrest the Crown Prince Liu Ju and his supporters. At that time, one of Liu Ju's officials, a Marquis, suspected that the messengers were deceiving them and refused to accept the imperial decree, resulting in the Marquis being killed by the messengers. The Imperial Censor Zhang Gan was also injured in the conflict and died on the spot. With no other choice, Liu Ju fled back to Ganquan Palace.
Prince Liu Ju sent a trusted servant, Wu Que, with the imperial token, secretly entered the Weiyang Palace, and arrived at the Changqiu Gate. He then found the Queen's personal guards and tipped off the Empress about Jiang Chong's rebellion. The Empress, hearing this, sprang into action, mobilizing the palace's vehicles, summoning the archers, opening the armory to bring out the weapons, and mustering the guards of Changle Palace, spreading the news of Jiang Chong's rebellion everywhere, which had everyone believing it. Next, Jiang Chong was killed; they put his body on public display as a warning, and the shamans were burned alive in Shanglin Park. Then, the Prince had his guests lead his troops against Prime Minister Liu Qumao's forces. Chang'an was in an uproar; everyone thought the Prince was rebelling and turned against him. In the end, his army was routed, and he fled, but was eventually captured.
The Emperor was furious; his ministers were terrified, at a loss for what to do. Three venerable elders from Huguan jointly submitted a petition, stating: "We have heard that a father is like Heaven, a mother like Earth, and a son like all creation. Therefore, when the heavens and earth are harmonious, yin and yang are in balance, and all things can flourish and grow; when parents are loving, children in the family can be filial. Disharmony between yin and yang brings ruin; disharmony between father and son ruins the family. So if the father does not fulfill his responsibilities, the son will not fulfill his responsibilities; if the ruler does not fulfill his responsibilities, the subjects will not fulfill their responsibilities. What good is food if there's no peace? Even Yu Shun, the paragon of filial piety, was not appreciated by his father. Filial sons were slandered; virtuous men exiled. Even close family members suspected each other. This shows it's not the sons who are unfilial, but the fathers who fail to see. Now the Crown Prince is the heir of the Han Dynasty, bearing the eternal foundation and the heavy trust of the ancestors. He is the emperor's own son! Jiang Chong was nothing but a commoner, a low-level official, yet Your Majesty has favored him, allowing him to use the emperor's orders to pressure the Crown Prince, fabricate lies, deceive, and cause the Crown Prince and his relatives to break ties. The Crown Prince couldn't even see the Emperor; any attempt at reconciliation would only invite further treachery. He can only endure silently, with no place to appeal. Unable to bear it any longer, he killed Jiang Chong, fearing being held accountable, and fled. He acted only to save himself; I believe he meant no harm. As the saying goes, idle gossip can ruin a nation, and a wise man doesn't believe everything he hears. Everyone knew that Jiang Chong framed the Crown Prince before; his crimes should be punished. Your Majesty, instead of investigating carefully, you blamed the Crown Prince, flew into a rage, and sent troops to pursue him. The three dukes led the army; intelligent people dared not speak, and eloquent people dared not defend themselves. My heart breaks for him! We have heard that Wu Zixu was loyal and eventually died a tragic death; Bi Gan was loyal and righteous, and was eventually killed by heart dissection. Loyal subjects must speak up even at the risk of their lives; their goal is to support the ruler and stabilize the country. The Book of Songs says: 'Seize those who slander, and throw them to the jackals and tigers.' I hope Your Majesty can be lenient, understand your family, do not suspect the Crown Prince, withdraw the troops quickly, and do not let the Crown Prince wander outside for a long time. With grave concern, and at the risk of my life, I implore Your Majesty."
I'm ready to translate, but I need the Chinese text. Please provide it.
After the elders submitted their memorial, the emperor finally understood the truth.
The crown prince ran eastward to the lake, hiding in a place called Quanjiu. The impoverished owner eked out a living selling straw sandals, secretly aiding the crown prince. The crown prince used to have a wealthy friend by the lake, so he sent someone to find him, but his secret was discovered. The officials surrounded the crown prince, and knowing he couldn't escape, he went into the house, blocked the door, and hanged himself. A soldier named Zhang Fuchang from Shanyang kicked open the door, and the county magistrate Li Shou rushed in to save the crown prince. In the ensuing struggle with the officials, the homeowner was killed, along with two young imperial grandsons. The emperor was very sad and issued a decree: "A thorough investigation will ensure justice is served, to show my determination." He then appointed Li Shou as the Marquis of Yu and Zhang Fuchang as the Marquis of Ti.
In time, the accusations of witchcraft were discredited. The emperor knew that the crown prince was wrongly accused and had not done anything wrong. Later, Che Qianqiu also pleaded for the crown prince, so the emperor promoted him to prime minister and wiped out the entire family of Jiang Chong, burning Su Wen alive on Hengqiao Bridge. Those who had harmed the crown prince at Quanjiu were initially appointed as the Northern Regional Governor, but later their families were also wiped out. To atone for his son's wrongful death, the emperor built the Sizi Palace and the Guilaixiang Si Terrace by the lake. News of the tragedy spread throughout the land, plunging the nation into mourning.
The crown prince originally had three sons and one daughter; the daughter married the son of the Pingyu Marquis. After the crown prince's incident, they all died together. The Empress Dowager and Shi Liangti found their final resting place in southern Chang'an, while Imperial Grandson Shi, Empress Wang, and the Imperial Princess were interred in Guangming. The two young grandsons who had accompanied the crown prince were laid to rest beside him at the lakeside.
The crown prince's only surviving grandson, the son of Lady Wang, also known as the Shi grandson, inherited the throne at the age of eighteen, becoming Emperor Xuan. Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Xuan ordered, "The crown prince died by the lake, unhonored. Every year during the sacrifices, we must discuss his posthumous title and build a tomb for him." A memorial was subsequently submitted.
The memorial stated: "The *Book of Rites* states, 'To be a successor is to be a son,' meaning a son should offer sacrifices to his father. Therefore, according to ritual norms, once the parents have been honored, they should not be sacrificed to again. This is the principle of respecting ancestors. Your Majesty, as Emperor Xiaozhao's son and inheritor of ancestral rites, must observe established protocols. Examination of Emperor Xiaozhao's records revealed that the late crown prince was buried by the lake, Lady Shi was buried north of Bowang Garden, and Shi, the grandson (Your Majesty), was buried north of Guangming Guo. According to the *Shifa* (Regulations on Posthumous Titles), titles reflect a person's conduct. I propose 'Dao' (Mourning) for the father and 'Dao Hou' (Mourning Lady) for the mother, a practice mirroring that of the vassal states, granting them a 300-household fiefdom. The crown prince's posthumous title will be 'Li,' with a 200-household fief; Lady Shi's, 'Li Lady,' with 30 households for tomb maintenance. The tomb will be guarded by officials and soldiers, as per regulations.
Thus, the Li Garden was established near Huwen Township, the Li Lady Garden east of Chang'an's Baiting, and the Mourning Garden in Guangming's Chengxiang. Reburial followed.
After eight years, the powers that be reported again: "The Book of Rites" says, "The father is a scholar, the son is the emperor, and sacrifices should be made using the emperor's rituals." Therefore, the memorial park should respectfully refer to the late emperor as "the late Emperor," build a temple for him, convert the garden tomb into an imperial tomb, and perform sacrifices on time. Increase the number of people serving the park until it reaches one thousand six hundred households, and establish Fengming County. Referring to Empress Dowager Lifu, establish a garden tomb and estate for her, and increase the number of households in Lifu Garden to three hundred.
King Huai of Qi, King of Yan, and King of Guangling were all enfeoffed on the same day. The Emperor handed out their royal charters and specifically instructed them to govern their countries according to the customs of their fiefdoms and to abide by the rules. The Emperor said to King Huai of Qi, "Well! My child, Hong, today you have accepted the sacrifices of the Qing society. I follow the will of heaven, emulate the ancient kings, establish your country, and enfeoff you on the land to the east, as a vassal of the Han Dynasty for generations. Now, remember to heed my words! Life's a gamble, so do right by your family; if you only focus on immediate benefits and neglect long-term plans, it'll make even the best man sloppy. You must govern the country well with care to enjoy long-lasting blessings; if there are any mistakes, it will bring disaster to your country and harm yourself. Running a country and looking after its people isn't a walk in the park! You must be vigilant at all times!" Hong's mother, Lady Wang, was highly favored, and Hong also loved his mother dearly. After eight years as King of Qi, Hong died without leaving a son, and that was the end of the kingdom of Qi.
King Yan Dan also received the edict naming him a king, which read: "Oh my child Dan, today you have accepted the rites of the Xuan Society. I have established your kingdom and granted you land in the north, to be a vassal of the Han Dynasty for generations. Furthermore, Xun Yu Shi is cruel and tyrannical towards the people, as vicious as a wild beast, using deceitful means to deceive the border inhabitants. I have sent troops to punish their crimes. Numerous officers, including over thirty generals, surrendered to our army. Xun Yu Shi was relocated, and the northern region has been stabilized. You must be diligent, do not harbor resentment, do not commit immoral acts, and do not neglect your defenses. Unauthorized scholars are forbidden from participating in military affairs. Be vigilant at all times!" Dan became a king at a young age. He was very intelligent, strategic, bookish, and fascinated by astronomy and divination; he enjoyed the theater and was a keen hunter. He often recruited idle people. Later, Crown Prince Wei fell out of favor, and King Qi Huai died. Dan believed he was next in line for the throne, so he requested to go to the capital to serve the emperor. The Emperor, enraged, threw him in prison. Later, he was stripped of the land of Liangxiang, Anci, and Wen'an counties for harboring fugitives. Emperor Wu grew to loathe Dan and later named his younger son as the crown prince.
The emperor died, and the crown prince took the throne, becoming Emperor Xiaozhao. Emperor Xiaozhao sent messages to the princes. When the King of Yan received the message, he showed no sadness at all, but instead said, "The seal on this letter is so small...is something wrong in the capital?" So, he sent a few trusted advisors—Shouxichang, Sun Zongzhi, and Wang Ru—to Chang'an to gather information, claiming to be there to understand funeral rites. When Wang Ru met with the Commander of the Palace Guards, Guangyi, he asked, "How did the emperor die? Who succeeded him? How old is the new emperor?" Guangyi said, "I was on duty at the Wuzuo Palace at that time, and suddenly heard the news of the emperor's death. The generals quickly put the crown prince on the throne; he is probably eight or nine years old, and he did not appear at the funeral." Wang Ru reported all this to the King of Yan. The King of Yan said, "The emperor's death was sudden. The court showed no reaction. And the new emperor didn't even appear! It was all very strange!"
The King of Yan then sent a middle-ranking official to the capital to submit a memorial, saying, "I heard that Emperor Xiaowu was a virtuous ruler who diligently governed, loved the people, respected his ancestors, cared for his siblings, and united the people. His wisdom and military strength were formidable. Distant countries brought treasures as tribute, and he expanded dozens of counties, nearly doubling the territory. He made offerings to Mount Tai, toured Liangfu Mountain, and inspected the realm. The treasures brought as tribute were displayed in the ancestral temple; his achievements were significant, and temples should be built for him in the counties." This memorial reached the court. At that time, the Grand General Huo Guang controlled the court, and he rewarded the King of Yan with over thirty million coins and expanded his lands considerably. Upon hearing this, the King of Yan was furious, saying, "I should have been the emperor, yet he rewards me with these things!" So, the King of Yan, along with Prince Liu Chang of Zhongshan and Prince Liu Ze of Qi, plotted a rebellion, claiming that he had received an imperial decree from Emperor Wu in his early years to manage officials and the army, preparing to respond to any extraordinary situation at any time.
Liu Dan (King Yan) then ordered the ministers to be summoned, saying, "I rely on the grace of the late emperor to remain safe and sound on the northern border. I have personally received the emperor's decrees and am responsible for managing officials and troops, overseeing military supplies, and strengthening military defenses. I bear great responsibility and work diligently day and night. Folks, how do you plan to assist me? Furthermore, although the state of Yan is small, it was established during the Zhou Dynasty, starting from the Duke of Shao, to King Zhao, King Xiang, and now it has been more than a thousand years. How can we say there are no virtuous people? I have been governing for over thirty years and have never heard of anything bad happening. Is it because of my abilities or your lack of consideration? Where is the problem? Now I want to correct evil, prevent treachery, honor the virtuous, promote harmony, pacify the people, and change customs. How should we go about doing this? You must think carefully and then answer me. I will consider your opinions closely."
All the ministers bowed their heads in apology. A court official named Cheng Zhen said to Liu Dan, "You’ve neglected your duties this time, Your Majesty. Only by taking the initiative can you succeed. Waiting passively is useless. If you take action, the people of the whole country, even women, will rally to your banner!" Liu Dan replied, "Back in the day when Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Lü were in power, they pretended to install Liu Hong as emperor, and the vassals all followed him for eight years. After Empress Dowager Lü's death, the ministers killed the Lü clan and supported Emperor Wen. Everyone then knew that Liu Hong was not Emperor Xiaohui's son! I am the eldest son of Emperor Wu, yet I cannot inherit the throne. I requested to establish a temple for Emperor Wu, but it was not allowed. Now, there are even whispers about whether this emperor is a real Liu."
So Liu Dan conspired with Liu Ze to write a letter inciting rebellion, claiming that the young Emperor was not the son of Emperor Wu, but a puppet emperor, installed by the court, and that everyone should team up to oust him. They sent this letter to various places, hoping to spark a rebellion. Liu Ze planned to lead troops from Linzi and join forces with the King of Yan. Liu Dan began recruiting thugs from various places, collecting copper and iron to forge weapons, inspecting his army multiple times, preparing flags, war drums, vehicles, and even using a standard bearing a yak-tail banner as a vanguard. His attendants and followers all wore fur coats and gold jewelry, each styling himself as a high official. Liu Dan, along with all officials from the Prime Minister and Commandant down, gathered the army, mobilized the people, and staged a massive military show in Wen'an County, claiming it was for training, but in reality, it was to prepare for rebellion, biding their time. Attendant Han Yi and his colleagues advised Liu Dan several times, but Liu Dan ended up killing all fifteen of them.
Coincidentally, Marquis Liu Cheng of Ping learned of Liu Ze's conspiracy and tipped off Qingzhou Inspector Ju Buyi, who arrested Liu Ze and reported to the court. The Emperor sent the Grand Herald to handle the matter, dragging the King of Yan into it as well. Later, the Emperor ordered the investigation into the King of Yan dropped, but Liu Ze and others were still executed. Marquis Liu Cheng of Ping was rewarded for his loyalty.
After a long time, Princess Chang Liu Dan's brother, the Princess Chang of Eyi, and the father and son of Left General Shangguan Jie were feuding with Huo Guang over power and influence. Knowing Liu Dan harbored resentment towards Huo Guang, they secretly contacted her. Liu Dan dispatched Sun Zong and others in over ten separate missions, each laden with gold, silver, and jewels, and accompanied by fast horses, to bribe the Princess. Shangguan Jie and Grand Master Sang Hongyang joined the conspiracy, constantly feeding Liu Dan information about Huo Guang's failings and goading her to denounce him to the Emperor. Shangguan Jie planned to manipulate the situation by presenting Liu Dan's memorial himself. Delighted, Liu Dan wrote to the emperor:
"In the past, Qin Shi Huang occupied the land in the south, controlled the fate of the world, subdued the four barbarians, but despised family ties, favored foreigners, abandoned righteousness, and governed only by laws, showing no favor to the imperial family. As a result, later on, there were rebellions in the south led by Zhao Tuo, uprisings in Chu led by Chen Sheng, chaos erupted everywhere, and wars broke out both internally and externally, leaving the Zhao royal family starving. Gaozu summarized the experiences and lessons of the previous dynasty, realizing that the ruling methods of the Qin Dynasty were wrong, so he changed strategies, built cities, consolidated territories, and settled his descendants in various places, thus the royal family flourished, preventing outside influence. Now, Your Majesty is wise and martial, inheriting the foundation of the previous emperor, appointing and valuing court ministers, but now the courtiers are forming factions, slandering the imperial family, and endless accusations plague the court daily. Those corrupt officials flout the law, obsessed with self-aggrandizement, while the Emperor's benevolence fails to reach the common people. I heard that Emperor Han Wudi sent the Middle General Su Wu to the Xiongnu, who was detained for twenty years without surrendering, and upon return was even awarded lands and titles. And now, Huo Guang's Grand General, Changshi, without any merit, was appointed as the Inspector of Granaries. Also, the General's Yulin Guard, when the emperor needed to change vehicles on the road, the palace staff would have everything ready. I, Liu Dan, hand over my seal and return to the palace to serve Your Majesty and expose these treacherous ministers."
At that time, Emperor Zhao of Han was only fourteen years old. He felt that Shangguan Jie and his associates were playing tricks, so he trusted Huo Guang even more and distanced himself from them. Shangguan Jie and his associates then conspired to kill Huo Guang, depose the emperor, and enthrone the King of Yan as the emperor. They sent messages every day to report back, promising to make Shangguan Jie king once their plan succeeded. They also contacted influential figures from across the country, with a total number exceeding a thousand. Shangguan Jie discussed this matter with Shangguan An, who said, "My lord, when you conspired with Liu Ze before, it was discovered before it succeeded. That's because Liu Ze is a boastful person who likes to bully others. I heard that Left General's a loose cannon, and that young Cavalry General's already running wild. I'm worried they'll be just like Liu Ze—either they'll fail, or they'll turn on you the second they get what they want!" Shangguan Jie replied, "Just the other day, some bloke showed up at the palace gates claiming to be the old crown prince. Half of Chang'an turned up to gawk, causing a right ruckus. The Grand General panicked and sent in the troops—purely to save his own skin. I'm the Emperor's own son, everyone knows it! What have I got to fear?" Later, he told the ministers, "The key lies with the Grand General and the Right General Wang Mang. Now that the Right General is dead and the Prime Minister is sick, the perfect opportunity has arrived. This plan will surely succeed; victory is within reach!" He then gave the order for all the ministers to stand ready.
It was raining at the time, and a rainbow fell straight into the palace, where all the well water had dried up. A pig escaped from the privy and destroyed the official's stove. Crows and magpies fought and killed each other. Mice danced in front of the palace gates. The doors of the palace closed by themselves and could not be opened. Heavenly fire burned the city gates. A strong wind damaged the palace's towers and knocked down the trees. A meteor fell. The palace maids and concubines in the harem were all very afraid. The King of Yan, terrified, fell gravely ill, so he sent people to offer sacrifices at Jia Water and Tai Water. The King of Yan's guests, including Lu Guang, who understood astronomy and astrology, told the King of Yan, "An army will surround the city, probably between September and October, and a minister of the Han Dynasty will be beheaded." This account is found in the *Five Elements Annals*.
Wang Yu was especially afraid and told Guang and the others, "The plan has failed; ominous signs were piling up, and the enemy's army is probably approaching. What should we do?" As a result, the father of the Head Steward, Yan Cang, found out about their conspiracy and exposed it, leading to the plot being betrayed. The Prime Minister ordered high-ranking officials to pursue Sun Zong and General Zhe, and all of them were killed.
The next morning, when the king heard this news, he hurriedly called Xiang Ping and asked, "The plan has been exposed; should we still send out troops?" Xiang Ping said, "General Zhe is dead, everyone knows about it; we can't send out troops anymore." The king was beside himself with grief and held a banquet at Wanzai Palace, inviting guests, ministers, and concubines to drink together. The king himself sang a song: "Back to my empty city, not a dog barks, not a rooster crows—what a fool's errand! I've known for ages this land is bereft of talent!" Lady Huarong stood up and danced, singing, "Hair strewn, bones bleaching on the waste, mothers plead for sons, wives for husbands. Between two rivers we wander, only the true gentleman finds peace." Everyone present began to cry.
The amnesty order came down, and the king, after reading it, said, "Oh, no! Only the people and officials are pardoned, but not me!" So he summoned the concubines and ladies of the harem to the Mingguang Hall and said, "That old bastard Cao should have his whole family killed!" Thinking of suicide. His attendants said, "You'll lose your throne at worst; you won't be executed." The concubines and ladies of the harem cried together and persuaded him to stop. At this time, the emperor sent an envoy with a decree, which read, "When the First Emperor unified the world, he enfeoffed his sons as princes to protect the kingdom. Some time ago, the Lü clan's rebellion nearly wiped out the Liu family, thanks to the Marquis of Jiang and others who pacified the rebellion and put Emperor Xiaowen on the throne, stabilizing the ancestral temple. Didn't that happen because everyone, inside and outside the court, worked together? Fan Kui, Li Shang, Cao Shen, and Guan Ying fought bravely, leading the charge in battle, following the First Emperor in expanding the territory and pacifying the world. At that time, their hair was disheveled, and they worked very hard, but their rewards were only enfeoffment as marquises. Now, the descendants of the royal family, who have not experienced roughing it, are enfeoffed as kings, receiving land and wealth, inheriting from father to son and brother to brother. Now, you, a close relative of the Wang clan, are of the same lineage as me, but you collude with other families, plotting to harm the kingdom, not knowing your friends from your enemies, unable to discern right from wrong, plotting treason and showing no loyalty. If our ancestors could see you now, how could you dare offer sacrifices to the ancestral temple of the Qi state!" After receiving the letter, he immediately handed the seal to the court physician, and then wrote a letter to Xie Xiang (Xie An), saying, "I've failed. I deserve to die." After saying that, he used the official seal to commit suicide. Later, his wife and more than twenty family members also killed themselves. The emperor showed mercy, pardoned Crown Prince Jian, made him a commoner, and posthumously honored his father as "the murdered king." He ruled for 38 years before being executed, and his kingdom was dissolved.
Six years later, Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne and made his two sons marquises: Qing, Marquis of Xinchang, and Xian, Marquis of Anding. Emperor Xuan also established his original crown prince as King Heng of Guangyang, who died after ruling for twenty-nine years. His son, King Mu Shun, succeeded him and ruled for twenty-one years before dying. His son, King Si Huang, then succeeded him and ruled for twenty years before dying. His son, King Jia, succeeded him. During the reign of Wang Mang, all the Han dynasty kings were demoted to commoners, except for Jia, who was made Marquis of Fumei for presenting symbolic decrees and was granted the surname Wang.
King Li of Guangling, Xu, received a stern warning from the emperor, with the letter stating: "Look, young Xu, you have received the emperor's grace, established your kingdom, and were made a vassal of the Han dynasty in the south for generations. The ancients said: 'Down south, around the Five Lakes, folks are a bit flighty. The region of Yangzhou is treacherous, having been difficult to subdue for three generations, let alone govern the right way.' You must be diligent, cautious, bestow benefits upon the people, follow their hearts, avoid seeking comfort, stay away from treacherous individuals, and always adhere to the law as your guide! The Classics say 'Ministers should not act on their own, nor flaunt their power,' so as not to leave behind future troubles. You must remember these words!"
Xu was tall and strong, loved to party, and had a good time. He had great strength, able to lift a tripod and even fight wild beasts like bears and wild boars barehanded. However, his behavior lacked discipline, and ultimately, he did not inherit the throne.
When Emperor Zhao just ascended to the throne, he expanded Xu's fiefdom and added thirteen thousand households to it. During the Yuanfeng period, Xu came to court to pay his respects, and Emperor Zhao further added ten thousand households to his fiefdom, as well as rewarded him with twenty million coins, two thousand catties of gold, fancy carriages, four horses, and a precious sword. When Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne, he made Xu's four sons Sheng, Zeng, Bao, and Chang marquises, and also established Xu's son Hong as King of Gaomi. Therefore, Xu got really hooked up.
At the beginning, during the reign of Emperor Han Zhao, Huo Guang felt that the emperor was young and had no sons, so he harbored ambitions beyond his station. He summoned a witch from the Chu region, Li Nüxu, and asked her to curse. Li Nüxu cried and said, "I was sent by Emperor Xiaowu!" Everyone present prostrated themselves in terror. She declared, "That woman was a real miracle worker!" Huo Guang gave Li Nüxu a king's ransom and asked her to pray at Wushan. Later, when Emperor Zhao died, Huo Guang remarked, "Li Nüxu is truly something else!" He also slaughtered cattle for sacrifice to show his gratitude.
When they went after Changyi Wang, Huo Guang asked the witch to curse him again. Later, Changyi Wang was deposed, and Huo Guang grew increasingly reliant on Li Nüxu and her coven, often rewarding them with money. After Emperor Xuan of Han ascended the throne, Huo Guang said, "Can you believe the crown prince's grandson is emperor now?" He asked Li Nüxu to curse as before. Meanwhile, Huo Guang's daughter married the brother of Chu Wang Yanshou, and they were constantly swapping gifts and secret letters. Later, Yanshou was killed for rebellion, bringing Huo Guang down with him. However, the court let Huo Guang off the hook and showered him with five thousand catties of gold and a mountain of other riches.
Huo Guang heard that Emperor Xuan of Han had already appointed a crown prince, so he said to Ji Nan and others, "Looks like I'll never be emperor." So he stopped cursing. Later, Huo Bao, the Marquis of Nanli, was deprived of his title for murder, returned to his hometown of Guangling, and was sleeping with Huo Guang's daughter-in-law. After the matter was exposed, they were both imprisoned and eventually executed. Huo Guang once submitted a memorial, requesting that the Wang Shepi grazing lands be distributed to the poor, and this memorial was approved. Later, he asked the witch to continue cursing.
In the Xugong Garden, more than ten branches grew on the jujube tree, all blood-red, while the leaves were as white as paper. The water in the pond also turned red, and all the fish died. Strangely, there were rats dancing in the Queen's Palace in broad daylight! Xuwang told Jina and the rest, "These bizarre events with the jujube tree, pond water, fish, and rats are too terrifying!"
After a few months, the curse was discovered, and the relevant authorities began to investigate. Xuwang was terrified and, in order to silence them, ordered the poisoning of more than twenty witches and palace maids. The ministers demanded Xuwang's execution, so the emperor sent Tingwei and Dahonglu to interrogate him. Xuwang confessed, saying, "I deserve to die a hundred deaths for my heinous crimes. I did all these things. However, it has been a long time; please let me go back and think about it carefully before giving a detailed answer."
After the messenger left, Xuwang held a banquet in the Xianyang Palace. He invited his son Ba, his children Dongzi, Husheng, and some others to drink together at night. He also had his favored eight sons, Guozhaojun, Zhaozuojun, and others play music and dance. Xuwang sang a song himself: "Wanting longevity but unable to avoid death, how can one enjoy wealth and prosperity without happiness! Flattering the heavens yet unable to find a moment of peace, like a horse trapped on a long journey. Under the dark depths of the underworld, everyone will die; why struggle in agony! Why seek pleasure and revelry just to please oneself, wandering without purpose, only indulging in pleasure. Death's shadow looms, and the grave awaits; once dead, one cannot replace another; one will eventually die." Tears flowed freely as they urged him to drink, the revelry continuing until the first light of dawn.
Xu Wang said to the Crown Prince Ba: "The Emperor's been good to me, but I've let him down. My body's likely to end up rotting in some ditch. Even if I get buried, it'll be a quick and dirty affair." After speaking, he used his own seal to commit suicide. Guo Zhaojun, one of his eight sons, and another person also committed suicide. In the end, the Emperor pardoned Xu Wang's sons, making them commoners, and gave Xu Wang the posthumous title of Li Wang. After 64 years on the throne, Xu Wang was executed, and his kingdom was abolished.
Seven years later, Emperor Yuan reinstated Xu Wang's son Ba as king, known as Xiao Wang. Xiao Wang reigned for thirteen years, then died. His son, Gong Wang Yi, succeeded him but died three years later. Ai Wang Hu then ascended the throne, ruling for sixteen years before he died without any sons, and that was the end of that line. Six years later, Emperor Cheng established Xiao Wang's son Shou as king, known as Jing Wang, who reigned for twenty years before his death. His son Hong succeeded him, but the line ended during the reign of Wang Mang.
Ai Wang Hong of Gaomi, youngest son of Guangling's King Xu, became king in the first year of the Benshi era. He reigned for nine years, then died. His son, Qing Wang Zhang, succeeded him and ruled for thirty-three years before passing away. His son, Huai Wang Kuan, succeeded him and ruled for eleven years before his death. His son, Shen, succeeded him but the line ended during the reign of Wang Mang.
King Liu He of Changyi took the throne in the fourth year of Emperor Zhao of Han and died eleven years later. His son succeeded him. He ruled for thirteen years. When Emperor Zhao of Han died without leaving any descendants, the general, Huo Guang, sent people to escort He to Chang'an for the funeral. The edict went something like this: "Ordering the King of Changyi to let a retinue of officials, including the Minister of Works and others, go to meet the king, ride in seven carriages, and go to Chang'an." Long before dawn, the edict was quickly conveyed by lighting torches. He set off at noon, arriving in Dingtao in the evening after a grueling 135 miles, and the trail was littered with dead horses. Gong Sui, the Chief Commandant, advised He to send back the extra followers, about fifty or more attendants.
When He reached Jiyang, he began looking for early-crowing roosters and bought many walking sticks along the way. In Hongnong, he had a woman transported in a carriage by his slave, Shan. When he reached Huxian, the envoys advised He not to behave so badly. The envoys informed Gong Sui of the situation, and Gong Sui went in to advise He. He said, "There is no such thing." Gong Sui replied, "Even if there isn't, why tarnish your reputation for the sake of a slave? Please hand over this slave to the authorities to restore your reputation!" After saying this, he seized the slave named Shan and handed him over to the Captain of the Guards to be dealt with according to the law.
Liu He arrived at Basha, and the Grand Master of Guests personally came out to greet him, with a grand welcoming party all ready. Liu He had his servant Shoucheng drive the carriage, and Palace Attendant Gong Sui accompanied him. The next morning, they arrived at the eastern gate of Chang'an. Gong Sui reminded him, "According to etiquette, one should start crying as soon as the capital is in sight for a funeral procession." Liu He replied, "My throat hurts; I can't cry." When they reached the city gate, Gong Sui cautioned him again, and Liu He said, "What difference does it make?" As they approached the East Gate of Weiyang Palace, Gong Sui said, "The Changyi King's temporary lodgings are just north of this gate. Before reaching the tent, there are two roads, north and south. Your Majesty should get off the carriage, kneel facing west towards the palace gate, mourn, and then rise." Liu He said, "Okay." When they arrived, Liu He mourned according to the etiquette.
Liu He accepted the emperor's seal and inherited the throne. However, after only twenty-seven days in power, he began to indulge in a dissolute lifestyle. After discussing with General Huo Guang and the ministers, they reported to the Empress Dowager, who deposed Liu He and sent him back to his hometown of Changyi, granting him the title of Marquis with a fief of 2,000 households, along with all the previous royal property. Liu He's four daughters were each also given a thousand households in Tangmu. These events are recorded in "The Biography of Huo Guang." Changyi was abolished and became Shanyang Commandery.
Initially, when King He was a feudal lord, strange things often happened. For example, he once saw a headless, three-foot-tall white dog with a human-like body below the neck, wearing a square mountain cap. Later, he saw a bear that others couldn't see. Also, a large bird flew into the palace. King He felt uneasy after learning about these things, so he quickly went to ask his chief minister, Sui. Sui explained the reasons for these strange phenomena to him, which are specifically recorded in the Book of Five Elements. King He sighed and said, "What's with all these bad signs?" Sui then knelt down and said, "I wouldn't dream of keeping this from you. I've repeatedly warned you to be cautious, but you didn't listen. It's not just my words that decide the fate of the country, is it? I hope you can seriously reflect on yourself. You've read the 305 poems of the Classic of Poetry. You understand human nature. You should know how to rule. Which part of the Classic of Poetry describes what you're doing now? You're a prince, but you act worse than a commoner! This is how kingdoms fall. Think about it!"
Later, another strange event occurred: bloodstains appeared on the throne's seat. King He asked Sui, who cried out loudly, "This emptiness in the palace won't last; ominous signs keep appearing. Bloodstains are a symbol of conspiracy and deceit! You should be cautious and introspective!" However, King He never changed his ways. Not long after, he ascended to the throne as emperor. Later, the new emperor had a dream in which he saw a pile of green fly feces on the east side of the west steps, probably as big as five or six bushels, covered with roof tiles. Upon waking, he had it checked, and indeed, it was green fly feces. He told Sui about this, and Sui said, "Your Majesty, isn't there a line in the Book of Songs that says, 'Buzzing green flies swarm to the fence; the kind and good man doesn't believe gossip'? You have too many treacherous villains around you, just like these annoying green flies. You should promote the descendants of the late emperor's ministers, let them be close to you, and serve as your right-hand men. If you cannot bear to part with your cronies from Changyi and continue to trust those flatterers, it will surely bring disaster! I hope you can turn the bad into good and drive them all away. I should be the first to go." However, King He did not heed his advice, ultimately leading to his own downfall. General Guang, the great-grandson of Emperor Wu, later became emperor, known as Emperor Xiaoxuan. When he first became emperor, he still worried about King Liu He of Changyi. In the second year of Yuankang, he sent a letter to Prefect Zhang of Shanyang, saying, "Be on the alert for thieves and carefully inspect passing pedestrians. Do not tell anyone the contents of this letter!"
After Zhang Chang received the letter, he reported in detail on Liu He's residence and his reclusive and decadent existence, stating: "I, Zhang Chang, took office in May of the third year. At that time, Prince Changyi lived in the old palace, where there were 183 slaves and maids. The main gate was tightly closed, with only a small gate open. I assigned a trustworthy official to handle the finances and food in the palace, and all other goods and people were barred from entry or exit. I also appointed someone to patrol and inspect passersby, hiring soldiers with royal funds to clean the palace and guard against thieves. I sent officials to inspect multiple times. In September of the fourth year, I personally went to check on the situation of the royal palace. Prince Changyi was 26 or 27 years old at the time; he was a tall man with dark skin, small eyes, a sharp, low nose, and sparse eyebrows and beard, yet he was frail and had difficulty moving. He wore a short coat and loose trousers, a type of formal hat, and carried a pen and documents, rushing to meet others. I sat with him in the courtyard chatting and checked on his wives, concubines, and servants. I wanted to test his thoughts, so I hinted at him with 'owls,' saying, 'There are many owls in Changyi.' Prince Changyi replied, 'Yes, when I went to Chang'an before, I didn't hear owls, but when I came back to Jiyang, I heard them again.' I saw his children leading horses, and Prince Changyi knelt down and said, 'That's my mother leading the horse; she's the daughter of Yan Changsun.' I knew that Yan Yannian, also known as Changsun, had a daughter named Luo Zhe who was previously Prince Changyi's wife. I observed Prince Changyi's dress, speech, and behavior, and found him to be strange and lacking in reason. He had a total of sixteen wives and twenty-two children, including eleven boys and eleven girls. I submitted a report detailing their names, origins, and a list of their servants and property. In my previous letter, I mentioned, 'The singers and dancers of Prince Ai of Changyi, including Zhang Xiu, a total of ten people, have no sons, are not concubines, just commoners without official positions. After Prince Ai's death, they should be dismissed.' Grand Tutor Bao and others secretly kept them and let them work in Prince Ai's garden, which was inappropriate. I requested their dismissal. When Prince Changyi heard about this, he said, 'Those in the garden are left to fend for themselves; illness and injury go unaddressed. It's as if they're just waiting to die. Why would you dismiss them, Prefect?' He naturally liked chaos and death, completely lacking in benevolence and righteousness. Later, the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor presented my report to the Emperor, who approved my request and dismissed them all." The Emperor, having received this report, concluded that Liu He posed no significant threat.
The following spring, the emperor decreed, "I've heard that even Emperor Shun, when enfeoffing his relative Xiang, maintained their bond despite separation. Therefore, I have decided to enfeoff Liu He, the former Prince of Changyi, as Marquis of Haihun, granting him a fief of four thousand households." At that time, there was a court official named Jin Anshang who submitted a memorial, saying, "Liu He is a fool abandoned by the heavens. Your Majesty, you are so kind to enfeoff him as a marquis. However, he is incompetent and reckless, unfit to serve the ancestors and the throne!" The emperor thought he made sense and approved his memorial. Liu He then went to assume office in the State of Yuzhang.
Years later, the Yangzhou Inspector, a certain Ke, reported that Liu He had dealings with Sun Wanshi, a subordinate of the former Prefect, and the two had private conversations. Sun Wanshi asked Liu He, "When they deposed you, why didn't you just kill the Grand General and keep the Imperial Seal?" Liu He replied, "Yeah, I messed up." Sun Wanshi then said, "You've been incredibly lucky! You became the Prince of Yuzhang and shortly after became a marquis." Liu He responded, "Yeah, let's drop it." The investigation led to Liu He's arrest. The emperor said, "Alright, reduce his fief by three thousand households!" Later, Liu He died.
The Governor of Yuzhang, Liao, submitted a memorial: "Emperor Shun granted Xiang a fiefdom despite his flaws, but did not establish descendants for him after his death because he believed that a person as rebellious as him was not worthy of being an ancestor. When Marquis Haihun, Liu He, died, the Emperor should have designated a successor for him, such as his son Liu Chongguo; when Liu Chongguo died, his brother Liu Fengqin should have been made heir; when Liu Fengqin also died, it was clearly Heaven's will that the Liu family be destroyed! Your Majesty has already been kind enough to Liu He, even better than Emperor Shun was to Xiang. According to the rites, Liu He's line should be ended, in accordance with the will of heaven. I hope Your Majesty will order the relevant departments to discuss this matter." After discussion, everyone agreed that no successor should be appointed for Liu He, so his fiefdom was revoked. When Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, Liu He's son Liu Daizong was newly appointed as Marquis Haihun, and this title has been passed down to his grandchildren; we can still see the descendants of Marquis Haihun today. The witchcraft calamity was devastating... In the sixth year of Jianyuan, the banner of Chi You appeared, and the flagpole reached the heavens! Later, troops were sent out to conquer the Henan region and establish counties in Shuofang. That spring, the Prince Li was born. Since then, the war has lasted for thirty years, with countless perishing in the war. When the witchcraft incident broke out, the capital ran red with blood, the streets piled high with tens of thousands of corpses, and both the prince and his son met a tragic end. Therefore, the prince was born in war and died in war; you can't just blame it all on one favorite!
Emperor Qin Shi Huang ruled for thirty-nine years, pacifying six states domestically and fighting off the barbarians externally. The death toll was horrific, like a field of tangled hemp, with white bones piling up at the foot of the Great Wall and corpses scattered along the roads amid daily warfare. As a result, rebellions erupted across the land, and uprisings against the Qin Dynasty broke out everywhere. Qin generals and officials were defecting left and right, and court intrigue and treachery ran rampant. Internal turmoil erupted, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. "Troops are like fire; if not extinguished, they will ignite themselves," ain't that the truth? That's why, when Cangjie created characters, he cleverly combined "止" (to stop) and "戈" (a halberd) to create "武" (martial)—a visual reminder that the purpose of military might is to stop conflict. According to the *I Ching*, "The Son of Heaven receives help because he follows the will of heaven; the people receive help because of their trustworthiness. The nobleman practices trustworthiness and considers following the will of heaven, and heaven will naturally bless him, bringing auspiciousness and smooth sailing, without any unfavorable events." Therefore, Che Qianqiu was able to uncover the truth about the gu poison and clear the prince's name. Che Qianqiu might not have been the most talented, but he had something more important: he knew how to stop disasters before they started. He could turn a failing situation around, bringing prosperity out of chaos and attracting good fortune. That's why heaven and earth both helped him.
