Gongsun He, styled Zishu, was from the Yiqu tribe in the Gansu region. His grandfather, Kunye, served as the Prefect of Longxi during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han, led troops in battle and made many achievements, and was made Marquis of Pingqu, even writing more than ten articles.
Gongsun He served as a cavalryman when he was young and also earned distinction in military affairs. Since the time of Emperor Wu of Han, when he was still Crown Prince, he became one of Emperor Wu's attendants. After Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, he was promoted to Master of the Horse. His wife Junru was the sister of Empress Wei, so he was highly trusted by the emperor. During the Yuanguang period, he was appointed as General of the Light Chariots and led troops to Mayi. Four years later, he went to Yunzhong. Five years later, he followed the Grand General Wei Qing on an expedition, achieved success, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanxiao. Later, he was appointed as Left General and went to Dingxiang for battle, but had no achievements and was demoted due to the Zhōujīn Case. He was then appointed as General of Floating and Sinking, led troops to Wuyuan, marched over two thousand li, but still had no achievements. Eight years later, he succeeded Shi Qing as Prime Minister and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Geyi.
At that time, there were many affairs in the court, and the emperor had strict demands on the ministers. After Gongsun Hong, the Prime Ministers Li Cai, Yan Qingzhai, and Zhao Zhou were all executed for various reasons. Although Shi Qing was cautious and managed to keep his life, he was often criticized by the emperor. At first, the emperor wanted to appoint Gongsun He as Prime Minister, but he flat-out refused the job, kneeling on the ground and crying, saying, "Your Majesty, I'm not up to the job. I'll only bring ruin upon myself and the court!" Gongsun He's distress moved the emperor and his guards to tears. The emperor said, "Get the Prime Minister up!" Gongsun He still refused to get up, so the emperor had to personally help him up, and Gongsun He finally had to accept the appointment. After coming out, the guards asked him why he was so determined not to accept, and he said, "The emperor is wise and martial; I am not capable enough, afraid that I cannot bear such a great responsibility, and will definitely be doomed in the future!"
He Zijing, his father arranged for him to take a powerful position, and both father and son became important officials in the imperial court. However, Zijing, relying on the fact that he was the Empress's nephew, lived a life of luxury and debauchery, flouting the law. During the Zhenghe era, he embezzled nearly 20 million money from the Northern Army privately. When the matter was exposed, he was directly jailed.
At that time, the Emperor was ordering the capture of Zhu Anshi from Yangling, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't catch him, causing the Emperor to become frantic. In order to save his son, He Zijing volunteered to go and capture Zhu Anshi to atone for his son's crimes. The Emperor agreed. As a result, he actually nabbed Zhu Anshi. Zhu Anshi, a celebrated warrior in the capital, when he heard that He Zijing was trying to use him to save his son, laughed and said, "This mess with the Prime Minister's family has dragged the whole clan down. The trees on the South Mountain are not enough for me to write my testimony, and the trees in the Xie Valley are not enough to make my instruments of torture!" Zhu Anshi directly sent a letter to the authorities in prison, accusing He Zijing and Princess Yangshi of being secretly involved with each other, and even accusing him of sending people to curse the Emperor through witchcraft, and burying a wooden doll on the Chidao of Ganquan Palace to curse the Emperor with bad words. The royal court launched an investigation into the Hes, thoroughly exposing their crimes, and in the end, both father and son died in prison, and the entire family was ruined.
This whole witchcraft mess started with Zhu Anshi, and Jiang Chong exacerbated the situation, eventually involving the Princess, Empress, and Crown Prince, all of whom were all done for. These events are recorded in "The Biography of Jiang Chong" and "The Biography of Li Yuan."
And then there's Liu Qumao; he was the half-brother of Emperor Wu, the son of Prince Jingshan, but how he became an official is a bit hazy.
In the second year of Zhenghe, in the spring, the emperor issued an edict to the imperial censor, saying, "Former Prime Minister He, relying on old relationships and high status, has done evil deeds, engaged in land grabbing, enriched himself and his cronies, couldn't care less about the common people, did nothing for border defenses, and even accepted bribes. I've put up with it long enough! In the end, he did not repent, and even used the resources of the border to force the inner counties to build chariots and the farmers to build roads, exploiting the people, killing livestock and weakening the army; local officials were fleecing the people, and people were fleeing in droves; he even forged decrees and secretly colluded with Zhu Anshi. The evidence is in. Make Qu Mao, magistrate of Zhuo County, the new Left Prime Minister, splitting the position of the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary in two, so that talented people from all over can apply. That's how the Zhou and Tang dynasties ran things: favor family, but hire the best! Give Qu Mao 2,200 households and make him the Marquis of Peng!"
In the autumn, the Crown Prince was framed by Jiang Chong, resulting in the Crown Prince killing Jiang Chong and attacking the Prime Minister's mansion. Prime Minister Shi fled for his life, losing his seal. At that time, the emperor was staying at Ganquan Palace to beat the heat, and the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary used the emperor's illness as a chance to report it.
The emperor asked, "What's up with the Prime Minister?" The Chief Secretary replied, "He's kept it quiet, hasn't acted, and hasn't sent troops yet." The emperor angrily said, "This is out of control! He calls this quiet? The Duke of Zhou wouldn't have stood for this! The Duke of Zhou got rid of Guan Shu and Cai Shu, didn't he?" So the emperor issued a decree to the Prime Minister, with the edict stating, "Round up and kill the rebels. Rewards and punishments will follow. Use ox carts as barricades. Avoid close combat to save lives. Lock down the city!"
The crown prince rebelled, led troops into battle, and spread the word that the emperor was seriously ill in Ganquan—nobody knew what was going on—and that treacherous officials were planning a rebellion. The emperor returned from Ganquan and moved into Jianzhang Palace in the west of the city, ordering the mobilization of nearby troops in the Three Commands. All officials below the rank of 2,000 stones had to do what the prime minister said, who also served as the grand general. The crown prince also sent people to Chang'an, pardoned prisoners in the prison, mobilized troops from the arsenal, put Shi De and his buddy Zhang Guang in charge of the troops, and even got a prisoner, a guy named Hou, to use a baton to mobilize the Hu cavalry in Changshui and Xuanqu, preparing to rebel together.
Shilang Mang was sent to Chang'an, and while he was there, he nabbed Hou, telling the Hu people, "This is a fake baton, don't listen to this guy!" He then killed Hou, led the cavalry into Chang'an, and also gathered soldiers from Jizhuo, handing them over to the Grand Master Shangqiu Cheng. The Han batons used to be bright red, but since the crown prince had one, they switched to yellow tassels so they could tell the difference. The crown prince called up Ren An, a Northern Army guy, and told him to take charge. But Ren An got the baton, shut the camp gates, and refused to follow orders.
The crown prince had no choice but to leave with his troops, with forty thousand or so people tagging along, and headed to the west of Changle Palace, where he encountered the prime minister's army. Five days of fighting, tens of thousands dead, blood running in the ditches. The prime minister's army kept getting bigger, and the crown prince's army got wiped out. They ran south, made it to the Fuang gate, and got out. Luckily, the night watchman, Tian Ren, was closing the gate, letting the crown prince slip through. The prime minister wanted to kill Tian Ren for it. "Hey," says Bao Shengzhi, the Grand Master, "That night watchman's a 2,000 stone official. You gotta tell the emperor first! You can't just kill him!" So the prime minister let Tian Ren go.
After the emperor heard about it, he was furious and summoned the Imperial Censor to reprimand him, saying, "The Palace Attendant allowed the rebel to escape, and the Prime Minister killed him, which was perfectly justified. Why did you stop it without your permission?" Baosheng was so scared that he committed suicide. Later, the Commander of the Northern Army, Ren An, had ulterior motives after accepting the Prince's cane; the Palace Attendant Tian Ren let the Prince go, and both were sentenced to death. The emperor said, "Mang Tong, the attendant, captured the rebel leader Ru Hou, and Jing Tong of Chang'an helped Mang capture the Imperial Tutor Shi De; this is a great achievement! The Grand Herald Shang Qiucheng also fought bravely and captured the rebel Zhang Guang. Let's appoint Mang as the Duke of Zhonghe, Jing Tong as the Duke of De, and Shang Qiucheng as the Duke of Piao!"
The Prince's former courtiers who had entered the imperial palace were all executed. Those who rebelled with the Prince were punished harshly. The soldiers who looted were all exiled to Dunhuang County. Because of the Prince's rebellion, troops were deployed at the gates of Chang'an. Twenty days later, the Prince was captured by the lake, and you can read all about it in the "Prince's Biography."
The following year, General Li Guangli led troops to fight the Xiongnu, and Prime Minister Qu Mao personally went to Wei Bridge to see him off. Li Guangli said, "I hope you will soon make Prince Changyi the Crown Prince. If he becomes emperor, what more could you ask for?" Qu Mao agreed. This Prince Changyi is the son of Li Guangli's sister, Lady Li. Li Guangli's sister is the wife of Qu Mao's son, so both men were determined to see Prince Changyi on the throne.
At that time, they were cracking down hard on the witchcraft case. Eunuch Guo Rang ratted out the prime minister's wife, saying she had secretly cursed the emperor multiple times and prayed with Li Guangli to make Prince Changyi the emperor. The relevant department reported this matter and said it was high treason – a big deal. The emperor ordered them to parade Qu Qiu through the streets in chains before chopping off his head. His family was executed on Huayang Street. Li Guangli's wife was also arrested. After hearing about this, Li Guangli defected to the Xiongnu, and his family was wiped out as a result.
Che Qianqiu, née Tian, came from the Tian family of the Qi state and later migrated to Changling. Qianqiu was a big shot at court at the time. He happened to be involved when Crown Prince Wei was deposed due to Jiang Chong's frame-up. After a long time, Qianqiu wrote a letter defending Crown Prince Wei, saying, "A son who messes with his father's army deserves to die, but what about the emperor's son if he screws up and kills someone? I once dreamed of an old man with white hair teaching me to say this." At that time, the emperor kinda knew the prince was innocent and meant no harm. After hearing Qianqiu's words, he was touched and sent for him. Qianqiu was over eight feet tall, dignified in appearance, and Emperor Wu loved what he saw, saying, "It is difficult for others to explain matters between father and son, but you understand the principles involved. It's the Gao Temple gods who sent you to set me straight. You're my man from now on!" He immediately made Qianqiu Grand Herald. Several months later, he replaced Liu Qu Mao as prime minister and was made Marquis of Fumin. Qianqiu had no special talents or achievements, but just because of a few words, he became prime minister and was ennobled, which was never before seen.
The envoy sent by the Han Dynasty arrived at the Xiongnu, and the Chanyu asked, "I heard that the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, how did he become Prime Minister?" The envoy said, "It was because he submitted a memorial outlining the situation." The Chanyu said, "If that's the case, any old bloke who submits a memorial can become Prime Minister!" After the envoy returned, he told Emperor Wu about the Chanyu's words. Emperor Wu took this as a personal insult and wanted to punish the envoy. After much thought, he finally pardoned the envoy.
This Qianqiu chap, always a decent sort and a clever one, had his own way of doing things, better than any of the top blokes before him. At the beginning, Qianqiu had just taken office and saw that the Emperor had been going after the Crown Prince for years, executing and punishing loads of people, which had the courtiers proper scared stiff. He thought that he needed to find a way to make the Emperor happy and reassure everyone.
So, he and the Grand Secretary and a few other top officials got together to wish the Emperor a long and happy life, singing his praises and advising him to be a bit kinder, lay off the punishments, listen to some music, look after himself, and let the people get on with their lives. The Emperor replied, "I have not done well; ever since the Left Prime Minister and the Second Division secretly conspired, the calamity of witchcraft has affected many officials. I've been down to one meal a day for months – haven't got the energy for music, let alone anything else! It's been playing on my mind, but it's done now, so I'm letting it go."
But at the beginning of the witchcraft case, I ordered the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor to pressure all levels of government to make arrests, and the Ministry of Justice was responsible for the trials. Yet, I have not heard of any interrogation results from the high ministers. Previously, Jiang Chong first investigated in Ganquan Palace, then moved on to the Jiaofang Palace in Weiyang Palace, and investigated all the way to Jing Sheng's associates and those collaborating with the Xiongnu, but the authorities found nothing. Later, the Prime Minister was personally sent to excavate Lantai to uncover some evidence. Until now, there are still many witchcraft conspirators at large, with enemies plotting my downfall in secret and witchcraft's influence everywhere. I feel very guilty and have no mood to celebrate my birthday. Thank you for your kindness, but I will not raise a toast! My senior ministers, please return to your respective residences. As the book says: "Impartiality is the path to good governance." Let's leave it at that.
Several years later, Emperor Wu of Han fell seriously ill. He appointed the son of Lady Gouyi as the Crown Prince and appointed Huo Guang as the Grand General, Jin Midi as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Sang Hongyang as the Chief Imperial Censor. Together with Prime Minister Qianqiu, they accepted Emperor Wu's will to assist the young Emperor. After Emperor Wu's death, Emperor Zhao ascended the throne, but due to his young age, political power was held by Grand General Huo Guang. Qianqiu, known for being cautious, kind-hearted, and highly respected, served as Prime Minister. Whenever the court ministers held meetings, Huo Guang would say to Qianqiu, "We both swore to serve the late Emperor. I handle the inside, you handle the outside. Keep me honest, okay? Don't let me let the people down!" Qianqiu always replied, "If you do your best, General, that's all the people need." He consistently refrained from saying more, which made Huo Guang value him even more. Whenever they encountered good fortune, Huo Guang would reward the Prime Minister multiple times. During Emperor Zhao's reign, there were few major national events, and life got better for the common people. In the sixth year of Shiyuan, the court ordered the selection of talented young scholars from all over the country to inquire about the people's grievances, which led to the famous Salt and Iron Debate. Qianqiu served as Prime Minister for twelve years before passing away, given the posthumous title of Marquis of Ding. In his later years, the Emperor treated him very well. He got special permission to ride right into the palace, earning him the nickname "Carriage Prime Minister" (because he was allowed to ride a carriage into the palace). His son, Qianshun, inherited the title and became Governor of Yunzhong. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, he served as the General of the Tiger's Teeth and went to fight against the Xiongnu. But he embezzled army funds, killed himself, and lost his title. Sang Hongyang served as the Chief Imperial Censor for eight years. He figured the government's monopolies and controls were a huge success, and it went straight to his head. He resented Huo Guang and plotted a rebellion with Shangguan Jie and others, and got executed for it.
Yang Chang is from Jinan. He started as a low-level clerk in the county and gradually rose through the ranks based on his merits, eventually becoming the magistrate of Bei Yang County. During the later years of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, with continuous wars and bandits rising in various places, the Inspector-General Bao Shengzhi was ordered to apprehend bandits and was responsible for military affairs, executing many officials below the rank of Two Thousand Stones (a high official rank). Bao Shengzhi came to Bei Yang County wanting to kill Yang Chang. Yang Chang had already taken off his clothes and prostrated on the ground, looking up and saying, "Sir, you're the big boss here, the ultimate authority. Killing me isn't going to prove anything. Showing a little mercy now and then makes you look good, makes the people want to work for you." Bao Shengzhi was moved by his words, so he pardoned him and formed a deep friendship with Yang Chang.
When Shengzhi returned, he recommended Yang Chang, and he was appointed as the Deputy Commandant and stationed in You Fu Feng. The Emperor visited An Ding and Bei Di several times, passing through Fu Feng, where palaces, buildings, roads, and various supplies had to be prepared. Emperor Wu admired him greatly and appointed him as the official Deputy Commandant on the spot, a position he held for over ten years. During the reign of Emperor Zhao, he became the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretary, later succeeding Che Qianqiu as Prime Minister and was ennobled as the Marquis of Yichun. The following year, he passed away and was posthumously honored as the Respectful Marquis.
His son Yang Tan inherited the title and, for participating in the plan to depose King Changyi and enthrone Emperor Xuan, was further ennobled with three hundred households. After Yang Tan's death, his son Yang Xian succeeded to the title. Remarkably, Wang Mang's wife was the daughter of Yang Xian. Later, when Wang Mang usurped the throne, the Marquis of Yichun's Yang family received favor due to this marital relationship. This family line continued until Wang Mang's downfall, ending with his great-grandson.
Yang Chang, a native of Huayin, originally worked in the mansion of General Huo Guang as a military secretary. Huo Guang valued him greatly and gradually promoted him, eventually making him the Minister of Agriculture. During the Yuanfeng period, Yan Cang, the rice field commissioner, learned of a plot by Shangguan Jie and others to rebel and informed Yang Chang. Always cautious and careful in his dealings, Yang Chang was too hesitant to act rashly and feigned illness to stay home. He later informed the Imperial Censor Du Yannian about the plot, who then reported it. Yan Cang and Du Yannian were both rewarded for their actions, but Yang Chang, as one of the Nine Ministers, did not report it in time and therefore did not receive any reward. Later, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace and succeeded Wang Jin as Prime Minister, finally being titled the Marquis of Anping.
The following year, Emperor Zhao died. Prince Changyi Liu He succeeded to the throne but was dissolute and extravagant. General Huo Guang and General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Anshi discussed deposing him and installing a new ruler. Once the plan was set, they sent the Minister of Agriculture, Tian Yannian, to inform Yang Chang. Yang Chang was shocked and scared, not knowing what to do. Sweat poured down his back as he stammered his assent. When Tian Yannian went to change clothes, Yang Chang's wife hurriedly approached him and said, "This is a matter of life and death for the whole country! The General's made his decision, and he's sent one of the Nine Ministers to you. If you're slow to act and don't back the General, you're as good as dead!" When Tian Yannian returned after changing clothes, Yang Chang and his wife discussed with him and expressed their willingness to obey the General's orders. Together, they ousted Changyi and installed Xuan. One month after Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Yang Chang passed away and was given the posthumous title of Respectful Marquis. His son Yang Zhong inherited his title, and for his strategic contributions to the stability of the empire and the imperial line, he was further ennobled with an additional 3,500 households.
Yun, whose courtesy name was Ziyu, was a man of integrity and honesty. He was appointed as a Langguan due to his loyalty and subsequently rose to the position of Changshiqi. His mother was the daughter of Sima Qian. In his youth, Yun read the "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian) written by his grandfather Sima Qian and also studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals." He was very talented and well-known, cultivating relationships with prominent scholars. He gained fame in the court and was later promoted to the position of Zuocao (a high-ranking official position). When the Huo clan plotted a rebellion, Yun was the first to receive the news and reported it to the emperor through Jin An, the attendant. He was summoned to explain the situation in detail. After the Huo family was executed, those who participated in exposing the rebellion, like Yun, were rewarded. Yun was granted the title of Pingtong Marquis and later became a Zhonglangjiang.
Langguans had a rule that they needed to spend their own money on office supplies and documents in order to officially take office, known as "Shanlang." If they took a sick leave for a day, they had to make up for that day, and some could not take a break for more than a year. Wealthy Langguans would go out to have fun every day or use money to secure better positions. Bribery was rife, fueling intense competition among them. After becoming a Zhonglangjiang, Yun abolished the "Shanlang" system and transferred financial management power to the Grand Agriculturist, who was responsible for providing office supplies. Langguans were required to strictly adhere to regulations regarding leave and rest. If a Langguan or a petitioner made a mistake, Yun would directly report to dismiss them from their positions and recommend talented and virtuous young people to replace them. Some of these individuals later became county governors, while others attained high-ranking official status. Under his influence, Langguans began to strictly demand from themselves, completely eliminating the practice of bribery and favoritism. This restored harmony to the palace, leading to his promotion to Guanglu Xun, a position of great intimacy and influence, earning him the emperor's trust.
At first, Yun inherited his father's five million inheritance, but later on, after being ennobled, he distributed all the money to his extended family. His stepmother had no sons and left behind a substantial inheritance, which Yun inherited and then distributed to his stepmother's siblings. Later, he acquired tens of millions in wealth, which he also distributed to others. That's how generous and kind he was.
Yun worked in the palace, was honest and fair, and court officials praised him for his fairness. However, Yun was strict and unforgiving, and he liked to expose others' faults. If someone offended him, he would find a way to get even with them because he believed he was superior. Therefore, many people in the court held a grudge against him. His relationship with the high-ranking official Dai Changle soured, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Dai Changle was someone whom Yun had known since the time of Emperor Xuan, and he was promoted to a trusted advisor after Emperor Xuan ascended the throne. Dai Changle had once been ordered to perform the sacrifices at the ancestral temple. Upon his return, he told his subordinates, "I personally met the emperor to receive the imperial decree, accompanied the emperor in the sacrifices, and the emperor even gave me wine to drink." Someone reported Dai Changle's words as inappropriate, and this matter was investigated by the authorities. Dai Changle suspected that Yun had set him up, so he also wrote a report accusing Yun.
Gaochang's carriage rushed into the Beiyemen Gate. Wei Wan said to Fuping Marquis Zhang Yanshou, "I've heard that before, a carriage crashed into the gates, killing the horses, and Emperor Zhao died soon after. This is fate; nothing we can do."
Afterwards, Han Yanshou, the governor of Zuo Fengyi, committed crimes and was imprisoned. Wei Wan defended Han Yanshou by submitting a petition. Qiu Chang, a Palace Attendant, asked Wei Wan, "I heard you are defending Han Fengyi; can you save him?" Wei Wan replied, "That's easier said than done! Even a healthy person might not survive. I'm barely hanging on myself; it's like that saying, 'Even a rat can't find a place to hide, let alone someone like me!'" Additionally, the Palace Attendants conveyed the message of the Chanyu's envoy to the generals and officials of the court. Wei Wan said, "The Xiongnu Chanyu got some great Han food and called it 'rotten'! It's pretty clear why he won't come." Wei Wan pointed to the portraits of Jie and Zhou in the Western Pavilion and said to Marquis Wang Wu of Lechang, "If the emperor passes by here and casually asks about their faults, he can learn a lesson." Although there were portraits of Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang, he did not mention them, but instead pointed out Jie and Zhou. When Wei Wan heard that the surrendering Xiongnu said the Chanyu had been killed, he said, "Without a wise ruler, even the best advice goes nowhere, and you're left with nothing. Just like the Qin Dynasty, which only valued petty officials and killed loyal ministers, ultimately leading to destruction; if the Qin Dynasty had valued major officials, perhaps it could have continued to this day. The bad rulers of ancient and modern times are all the same." Wei Wan was throwing around examples of fallen dynasties to trash the current emperor, showing no respect as a courtier. He also joked with people from Changle Palace, saying, "From the first month until now, the sky has been overcast without rain; this is recorded in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' and also mentioned by Xiahou Jun. This expedition definitely won't reach Hedong." His jokes about the emperor were way out of line—absurd, illogical, and downright disrespectful. This matter was submitted to the Imperial Justice Ministry. The Imperial Justice Ministry investigated and reported their findings.
Yun was not convinced, so he called for the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zun, hoping he would go warn the Marquis Yan Shou of Fuping, saying: "The Minister of the Imperial Stables has definitely committed several capital crimes; it's common knowledge among his colleagues. Luckily, I am related to the Marquis of Fuping. Today, only the three of us are speaking. If the Marquis says, 'I did not hear Yun speak,' then he is clearly going against the Minister of the Imperial Stables!" Zun replied, "No." Yun got angry, took a large knife, and said, "Thanks to the Marquis of Fuping's help, I was spared from extermination! Please do not let my words leak out; if the Minister of the Imperial Stables hears them, it will only cause more chaos!"
Yun had been highly favored in court before, holding important positions as a high-ranking official and being a close attendant to the emperor, participating in political affairs, always loyal and responsible. However, due to random resentment and uttering reckless accusations, he committed a grave offense against the emperor, prompting someone to request his arrest and punishment. The emperor could not bear to kill him; instead, he issued an edict stripping Yun and the Marquis of Changle of their titles, reducing them both to commoners.
After losing his official position, Yun returned home to manage his properties, build houses and gardens, indulging in lavish spending. Over a year later, his friend, the Prefect of Anding, Sun Huizong of Xihe, a very insightful person, wrote to him advising that after being dismissed from office, a minister should reflect in seclusion, feeling anxious and fearful, which is the appropriate demeanor, rather than busying oneself with managing properties, making friends, and ostentatiously displaying his wealth. Yun, the son of a prime minister, had been prestigious in the court when he was young, but was dismissed from office for speaking unwisely. Feeling unjustly treated, he replied to Sun Huizong:
I'm not much, really – no talent, poor character, and not much in the way of brains or morals. It's only thanks to family connections that I got a job as a guard, and a title to boot, all at a lucky time. It wasn't earned, and it all blew up in my face in the end. I appreciate you taking pity on my stupidity and taking the time to write to me – it means a lot. But I'm gutted you didn't look into things properly before jumping to conclusions based on gossip. I'm fuming, but I also don't want to go against Confucius's whole "speak your mind" thing, so I'm laying it all out here, hoping you'll see my side of things!
The Yun family were the big shots – ten brothers, all high-ranking officials and marquises, running the show and pulling strings in court. But they didn't actually *do* anything – no achievements, no benefits for the country, no teamwork. They were greedy, clung to power, and got nailed the moment things went south. Their families suffered too. I figured I deserved to die, but here I am, still breathing and able to honour my ancestors. It's a miracle, really. The Emperor's mercy is beyond words. A gentleman finds peace, a villain just wants to survive. Looking back, I've been a right mess, so I figured I'd just be a farmer for the rest of my days. So I got my family working the land, growing veggies, paying our taxes – and even *that*’s become an issue.
Some things are beyond control; even for the closest king and parents, there will be times of separation. I messed up three years ago. Life in the countryside is very hard, busy all year round, butchering sheep and pigs for the holidays, and drinking some wine to reward oneself. My family's ancestral home is in the state of Qin, and we can sing Qin songs. My wife is from the state of Zhao and is very good at playing the se. There are also several singing servants in the house. When they got drunk, they'd bang on the pots and sing at the top of their lungs. They even improvised a song: "The fields are barren, choked with weeds, a whole field of beans, and nothing to show for it. Live for the moment, who cares about riches and fame?" That day, they were so happy, dancing and singing, going completely wild, oblivious to how wrong it was. As for me, I still have some money in hand, so I'm basically a street peddler now, which is humiliating. Those lowlifes are always criticizing me, and it terrifies me. Even my acquaintances are talking behind my back; my reputation's in tatters. Dong Zhongshu said it best: "A nobleman worries about doing good and helping people; a commoner worries about making ends meet." Therefore, we're just not on the same page. So you're still judging me by noble standards? Is that fair?
So, the story goes, the land of the Wei Kingdom in Xihe has been thriving since the time of Duke Wen. At that time, there was a good atmosphere left by *Duanganmu* and *Tian Zifang*, and everyone had integrity, knowing what to do and what not to do. I heard recently that you left your hometown and went to beautiful Anding. The folks there are greedy and miserly. Has the customs of this place changed everyone? Only now do I see your true mettle! Now is the heyday of the Han Dynasty; I hope you work hard and not just talk without action.
Let's talk about Tan, the Marquis of Anping, the son of Yun. He served as Dian Shu Guo and said to Yun, "The former Prefect of Xihe, Duke of Jianping, was dismissed for his mistakes, but now the court has summoned him to be the Grand Historian. This Duke has committed some faults, but also has merits, so the court has reappointed him." Yun, however, said, "What good are merits? You don't have to kill yourself working as an official." Yun has always had a good relationship with Gai Kuanrao and Han Yanshou. When Tan heard this, he said, "Indeed, officials are like this. Gai Kuanrao serves as the Imperial Inspector, and Han Yanshou serves as the Prefect of Fengyi. They are both dedicated and good officials, but in the end, they were all beheaded for their mistakes." At this time, there was a solar eclipse, and the palace guards and officials together submitted a memorial accusing Yun of "He's arrogant, extravagant, and unrepentant. They blamed him for the eclipse!" The memorial reached the Ministry of Justice, and after investigation, Yun's letters with Sun Huizong were found. The emperor was angry when he saw them. The Ministry of Justice said that Yun had committed a heinous crime and should be beheaded. Yun's wife was exiled to Jiuquan County. Tan, because he did not advise Yun and even had grievances with him, was dismissed from his office and became a commoner. Later, he was reappointed as a langguan. Those officials who had a good relationship with Yun, such as Wei Xuancheng, Zhang Chang, and Sun Huizong, were all dismissed from their positions.
Cai Yi, from Wen County in Henan, was proficient in Confucian classics and served as an official in General Mo's staff. Despite his poverty, he walked to work and couldn't afford to give gifts like his colleagues. Kind-hearted people chipped in to buy him an ox-cart. Years later, he was promoted to be Fuan City's gate warden.
Long ago, the emperor ordered the search for someone who could expound upon the *Han Shi* and summoned Dong Zhongshu for duty. However, he didn't show up for work for a long time. Dong Zhongshu wrote a letter saying, "I am a rural person from Shandong, not as talented or good-looking as others. I haven't been eliminated by society because I studied under a teacher and devoted myself to Confucian studies. I hope you can give me a quiet post to focus on my studies." The emperor summoned him, admired his explanation of the *Classic of Poetry*, and promoted him to be a Grand Master of Ceremonies, assisting Emperor Zhao. Years later, he was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Household, then promoted to Grand Master of Records, succeeding Yang Chang as Prime Minister and was titled Marquis of Yangping. For stabilizing the ancestral temples and state, he received an additional reward of 200 catties of gold.
Dong Zhongshu became Prime Minister in his eighties, short in stature, without facial hair, with a wizened, almost feminine appearance, walking with a hunched back and needing two officials to support him. At that time, General Huo Guang held great power, and some criticized him for appointing Prime Ministers based on control rather than merit. Huo Guang heard this and told his officials, "The person who educates the emperor should be the Prime Minister; how can they say such things? This mustn't get out!"
After serving as Prime Minister for four years, Dong Zhongshu passed away and was posthumously named "Marquis of Jie." He had no sons, so his title was abolished.
Chen Wannian, also known as Yougong, was from Pei Commandery. He started as a junior clerk, was recommended for higher positions, became a county magistrate, and later was promoted to Prefect of Guangling. Due to his outstanding abilities, he was transferred to the central government to serve as the Right Fu Feng, and later was promoted to Master of the Imperial Stables.
Chen Wannian was known for his honesty, integrity, noble character, and being a master of political maneuvering. He cultivated relationships with the influential Xu and Shi families through generous gifts, especially currying favor with Marquis Shi Gao of Le Ling. When Prime Minister Bing Ji fell ill, many high-ranking officials came to visit and inquire about his health. Bing Ji sent his gatekeeper to thank the guests, and everyone left except for Chen Wannian, who stayed until late at night. When Bing Ji's condition worsened, the Emperor personally visited to inquire about the abilities of the ministers. Bing Ji recommended Dingguo, Du Yannian, and Chen Wannian. Chen Wannian eventually succeeded Dingguo as the Master of the Imperial Stables, serving for eight years before passing away.
His son, Chen Xian, also known as Zikang, was appointed to a position in the imperial bureaucracy at the age of eighteen due to his father's achievements. He was talented, outspoken, and often submitted memorials criticizing and satirizing the courtiers, writing dozens of petitions and later being promoted to Left Cao, a specific bureaucratic position. When Chen Wannian fell ill, he called for Chen Xian to teach him by his bedside, speaking until midnight. Chen Xian fell asleep and accidentally hit his head on the screen. Chen Wannian was very angry and wanted to punish him, saying, "I am teaching you, but you fell asleep and did not listen to me. Why?" Chen Xian bowed and apologized, saying, "Father, I understood your lesson perfectly. The main point was to learn the art of flattery." Chen Wannian then said nothing more.
Some years later, Emperor Han Yuan promoted Xian to Imperial Inspector, overseeing provincial reports and evaluating governors, while upholding the law in court. All officials below the rank of minister respected him. At that time, the Imperial Secretary Shi Xian was a power-hungry official who abused his authority, and Xian criticized Shi Xian's mistakes many times, making Shi Xian and his cronies resent him. Meanwhile, the county magistrate Zhu Yun was reported to the relevant authorities for unjustified killings, but no action was taken. Xian had a good relationship with Zhu Yun, and after Zhu Yun returned from a remote area, Xian taught him how to write a letter to clear his name. Shi Xian secretly learned about this and ratted Xian out for leaking state secrets. The Emperor, swayed by Shi Xian's lies, threw Xian in jail. He was tortured mercilessly, but somehow survived. His punishment? A shaved head, exile to Chengdan (a form of punishment), and the end of his career.
After Emperor Cheng of Han ascended the throne, General Wang Feng, who had previously exposed Shi Xian, believed him to be loyal and upright. He requested the emperor to reinstate Shi Xian and appoint him as Administrator. Later promoted to Governor of Jizhou, he conducted his duties to the emperor's satisfaction and was summoned back to the court to serve as an Adviser. He was subsequently transferred to serve as Prefect of Chu, Governor of Beihai, and Governor of Dong Commandery. Following the recommendation of Wang Zhang, Intendant of Jingzhao, Shi Xian was reinstated, but later removed from office after Wang Zhang was killed. He was once again appointed as Governor of Nanyang. He governed Nanyang with severity, establishing his authority through ruthless suppression. Powerful landlords and officials who violated the law were punished without mercy, even having their properties confiscated. He strictly enforced building codes for government offices. Those who failed to meet standards, or who tampered with restraints or uniforms, faced additional floggings. His harsh supervision of construction projects caused many to suffer unbearable pain and commit suicide. Hundreds, even thousands, died each year from the brutal conditions, leaving their families unable to properly bury them. His cruel governance continued for a long time, and whether he was honest or not remains unknown. During his tenure, he diverted food supplies from subordinate counties for his extravagant lifestyle, indulging in fine clothes and delicacies. However, he strictly controlled his subordinates, with county officials under his jurisdiction keeping to themselves and not daring to violate laws. In official documents, he once wrote: "If every one of you was lining your pockets, this whole county would be run by a hundred governors! That's not going to happen!" His subordinates feared him, the powerful behaved, and his policies were enforced, but he was eventually removed from office for this reason. Shi Xian, one of three prominent sons, was famous in court from a young age. Yet, while men like Xue Xuan, Zhu Bo, Zhai Fangjin, and Kong Guang, all appointed after him, rose to high office through honesty and thrift, Shi Xian remained a county governor.
It is said that at that time, General Wang Yin (王音) was in power, and he trusted Chen Tang very much. Many people gave gifts and bribes to Chen Tang, even writing letters to him, saying, "If we can rely on your power to enter the capital, it's worth dying!" Later, Chen Tang was indeed summoned to the capital and became the Superintendent of the Imperial Household. As the Superintendent, Chen Tang was in charge of a large amount of treasures and officials. He thoroughly investigated these people, ratted them out for their corrupt practices, and confiscated their dirty money. The officials under the Superintendent, as well as the palace officials, were all terrified of Chen Tang and were shaking in their boots. After three years as the Superintendent, Chen Tang fell out with Zhai Fangjin. Zhai Fangjin later became the Prime Minister and accused Chen Tang, saying, "When Chen Tang was a county magistrate before, he was particularly cruel to the people and officials. He tolerated thieves and accepted bribes. He also flattered me, hoping I would recommend him for promotion. He is so shameless that he should not hold any official position." As a result, Chen Tang was dismissed. After some time, Hongyang Marquis recommended Chen Tang for his integrity and appointed him as a Palace Attendant, but Zhai Fangjin again requested his dismissal. Several years later, Hongyang Marquis committed a crime and was sent back to his ancestral lands. Zhai Fangjin again requested Chen Tang to be sent back to his original county, and Chen Tang died of a broken heart.
Zheng Hong, styled Zhiqing, was from Mount Tai and was a very upright person. His brother, Zheng Chang, styled Ziqing, also loved learning. The two brothers were masters of Confucian classics and law, and shrewd political strategists. Zheng Ziqing served as the Prefect of Taiyuan and Zhuojun, while Zheng Hong served as the Prefect of Nanyang. The two brothers implemented significant reforms and established good legal systems, which later generations often referred to. However, Zheng Ziqing was stricter in punishment compared to the leniency of Zheng Hong. Zheng Ziqing was later promoted to be the Marquis of Huaiyang, and due to his outstanding performance, he was transferred to the capital as the Right Commandant of Feng. The people in the capital praised him. He later succeeded Wei Xuancheng as the Grand Historian. After serving for six years, he was dismissed for discussing political matters with Jing Fang, as recorded in the "Biography of Jing Fang."
So, this whole salt and iron thing can be traced back to the Yuan Shu period. The Emperor called in all the top scholars to ask them how to govern the country. These folks suggested that the government's control over salt, iron, and booze taxes should be stopped, and that agriculture should be emphasized while commerce should be suppressed. They figured the government shouldn't be ripping off the common folk to properly educate them and let the country prosper. However, the Chief Inspector, Hong Yang, believed these policies were key to keeping the peace on the borders and keeping the minorities in line – vital for the whole country, and definitely not to be scrapped. At that time, there were endless debates on this topic, leaving behind many related articles.
During the reign of Emperor Xuan, there was this guy, Huan Kuan from Ru'nan, who knew his Gongyang Chunqiu inside and out. He worked his way up from a government job to Assistant Prefect of Lujiang. He was a smart cookie, a great writer, and he really dug into this salt and iron debate, adding tons of stuff and writing a massive paper – tens of thousands of words! In his writings, he said, "After reading what all those bigwigs and scholars had to say, I saw things a bit differently!" He then mentioned a guy named Zhu Sheng from Ru'nan, and at that time, many talented individuals gathered in the court, like Tang Sheng from Maoling, Wan Sheng from the State of Lu, and over sixty others. They hashed out the Six Arts and how to run the country. It was a real brainstorming session; everyone chipped in, and though they didn't solve everything, they got a pretty good handle on the situation.
In Zhongshan, there was a man named Liu Zitui who championed the righteous path, aligning with the realities of his time and traceable to the ancient way of virtue. He was truly a scholar and gentleman. In Jiujang, there was a man named Zhu Sheng who, like Shi Yu, was incorruptible and outspoken, standing up for what he believed in and criticizing the court officials and ministers without fear of the powerful. He was truly someone who dared to speak out! Now, Sang Dafu, on the other hand, proposed a pragmatic approach to wielding power, adapting to the times. Though unconventional, his methods were so insightful that even the learned couldn't fully grasp them, showcasing his profound knowledge and broad insight. However, after these people gained power, they did not follow the ways of the ancient sages; instead, they became more interested in short-term gains, in positions and doing things they had no right to, ultimately bringing ruin upon themselves and their families. Prime Minister Che could have assisted the monarch like the great ministers Yi Yin and Lv Shang, but he chose self-preservation and withdrew. Alas! What a pity! Those in the Prime Minister's and Censorate's offices could not provide the correct opinions to assist the prime minister. They were in cahoots, flattering their superiors. Who did they think they were to meddle in government?
