Huo Guang, courtesy name Zimeng, was the younger brother of the famous general Huo Qubing. His father, Huo Zhongru, was from Pingyang in Hedong and used to be a minor official in the Marquis of Pingyang's household. He was involved with a maidservant named Wei Shao'er from the Marquis's household, which resulted in the birth of Huo Qubing. After Huo Zhongru finished his job and went home, he married another woman and had Huo Guang, cutting ties with Wei Shao'er. Many years later, Wei Shao'er's granddaughter, Wei Zifu, gained the favor of Emperor Wu of Han and was made the empress. Due to being the empress's nephew, Huo Qubing also became very successful. When Huo Qubing grew up, he learned that his father was Huo Zhongru, but he never went to recognize him as his father.
Later on, Huo Qubing became a Cavalry General and went to fight against the Xiongnu. When passing through Hedong, the Prefect personally came out to welcome him and had an honor guard clear the way. Upon reaching the relay station in Pingyang, the Prefect sent for Huo Zhongru. Huo Zhongru hurried over to greet Huo Qubing, who also rushed to meet him and knelt down, saying, "I never expected to meet you as my father so late!" Huo Zhongru quickly helped Huo Qubing up and bowed, saying, "I'm so lucky to have your protection, General!" Huo Qubing bought lots of land, houses, and servants for Huo Zhongru. After returning to the capital, Huo Qubing visited Huo Zhongru again and brought Huo Guang to Chang'an. At that time, Huo Guang was in his teens, and Huo Qubing appointed him as a junior official, gradually promoting him to a high-ranking official in the palace.
After Huo Qubing's death, Huo Guang became a high-ranking official in charge of the emperor's transportation and personal affairs. He was in charge of the emperor's carriages during travels and served by the emperor's side for over twenty years in the imperial palace. Huo Guang was always careful and never slipped up, earning the emperor's trust.
In 87 BC, Crown Prince Wei's plot failed because of Jiang Chong's machinations, while King Dan of Yan and King Xu of Guangling also made several missteps. At that time, Emperor Wu of Han was getting old and he doted on Zhao Jieyu, who gave birth to a son. Emperor Wu wanted to make him the heir, so he considered who should be the child's regent. After observing the ministers in the court, he believed that only Huo Guang was supremely responsible and capable of shouldering the weight of the empire. Therefore, Emperor Wu commissioned a palace painter to depict Duke Zhou's regency over King Cheng and the Zhou princes, and gave it to Huo Guang.
In the spring of 86 BC, Emperor Wu of Han retired to Wuzhao Palace, where he fell gravely ill. Huo Guang cried and asked him, "If you kick the bucket, who will inherit the throne?" Emperor Wu said, "Don't you get it? If you assist my son, you should emulate Duke Zhou assisting the king." Huo Guang immediately knelt down and declined, saying, "I'm not up to the task." Jin Midi also said, "Being a foreigner, I'm not the best choice." In the end, Emperor Wu appointed Huo Guang as Grand General, Jin Midi as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Shangguan Jie as Left General, and Sang Hongyang as Minister of Finance. These individuals all knelt by the emperor's bedside, received the Emperor's deathbed instructions, and assisted the young prince. The next day, Emperor Wu died, and the prince inherited the throne, becoming Emperor Zhao of Han. Emperor Zhao was only eight years old at the time, and Huo Guang effectively ruled the empire.
Before, in the year 88 BC, Shizhong Puyi, Mang He Luo and his younger brother, Marquis Chonghe, conspired to rebel. At that time, Huo Guang, Jin Ridai, and Shangguan Jie together killed them, but this hadn't been officially recognized as a merit. When Emperor Wu of Han fell ill, he wrote a secret edict: "If I die, open this letter and follow the instructions inside." The edict named Jin Ridai Marquis of Zhu, Shangguan Jie Marquis of Anyang, and Huo Guang Marquis of Bolu, all for their previous merits in suppressing the rebellion. At that time, Wang Man, the son of the Commandant of Guards Wang Mang, who was serving as an attendant in the palace, was spreading rumors everywhere: "When the Emperor dies, my Wang family has always been by the Emperor's side; why haven't we been mentioned in the edict? Those guys are just puffing themselves up!" After hearing this, Huo Guang really chewed Wang Mang out, and in order to silence him, Wang Mang poisoned him.
As for Guang himself, he was calm and meticulous, over seven feet tall, with fair skin, well-spaced eyebrows, and a handsome beard. He always entered and exited the palace gates in exactly the same spot. The palace officials and guards secretly observed him and found that his movements were always exact, showing how disciplined he was. When he first assisted the young emperor, he handled all government affairs himself, and the whole country was waiting to see what he'd do.
Once, when there was paranormal activity in the palace, frightening the court officials into a sleepless night, Guang summoned the official in charge of guarding the emperor's seal, but that official refused to hand it over to Guang. When Guang tried to take it by force, the official drew his sword and said, "You can take my head, but you won't get the seal!" Guang greatly admired his loyalty. The next day, Guang issued a decree promoting this official by two ranks. People couldn't stop raving about Guang.
General Guang and General Jie had a good relationship and were in-laws. General Guang's eldest daughter married General Jie's son, An. Later, when General Guang had another daughter who was of marriageable age to marry the emperor, General Jie used his sister, Princess Eyi's relationship to have An's daughter sent to the palace to become a concubine. Within months, she was crowned Empress. An was also appointed as General, with the title of Marquis Sang Le. When General Guang went on leave, General Jie took over while Guang was away. The power of General Jie and his son grew stronger, especially with Princess Dechang, who was the emperor's sister. However, the princess was carrying on a scandalous affair with an outsider from the Ding family in Hejian. General Jie and An wanted to secure a title for this outsider, which would typically be a marquis title for the princess's husband, but General Guang disagreed. They also wanted the outsider to become a Grand Chamberlain so he could frequently visit the emperor in the palace, but General Guang still disagreed. Princess Dechang was furious with General Guang as a result. General Jie and An were humiliated after failing several times to secure an official position for the outsider. Since the time of the previous emperor, General Jie had been one of the Nine Ministers of State, with a higher rank than General Guang. Now both father and son held military positions, and with the empress being An's daughter, they held supreme power. But Guang, despite being the Empress's grandfather, controlled the government, sparking a bitter power struggle with Jie.
King Yan Liu Dan, brother of Emperor Zhao, always seethed with resentment toward the throne. Later, Sang Hongyang, the Grand Minister, implemented the wine and salt-iron monopolies, increasing the country's income. However, King Yan Liu Dan was jealous of Sang Hongyang's achievements and wanted to advance his sons and nephews, so he held a grudge against Huo Guang. Therefore, King Yan Liu Dan plotted with Shangguan Jie, An Chang, and Sang Hongyang to fabricate a false letter, claiming that someone had accused Huo Guang on his behalf. The letter claimed Huo Guang had Imperial Guards clear a path for him when leaving the palace. He even had the Imperial Household Agency prepare a meal, making it look like an imperial procession. The letter also mentioned: "Su Wu was detained by the Xiongnu for twenty years without surrendering and, upon returning, was promoted; while Huo Guang's chief clerk, Chang, had outstanding military achievements but was only appointed as a minor official; Huo Guang also arbitrarily transferred the commandant of Yimo Prefecture." Huo Guang's arrogance and erratic behavior clearly pointed to something more. I, Dan, earnestly request Your Majesty to retrieve Huo Guang's seal and have him return to the palace guard to uncover his treachery. They chose the day when Huo Guang was resting to present this letter to the emperor. Shangguan Jie wanted to take this opportunity to overthrow Huo Guang, and Sang Hongyang aimed to join forces with other officials to oust him.
After this letter was presented, the emperor ignored it. The next morning, when Huo Guang heard about this, he stayed in his residence and dared not enter the palace. The emperor asked, "Where is the Left General?" General Zuo, Shangguan Jie, quickly said, "The Prince of Yan accused him, so he dares not enter the palace." The emperor then ordered Huo Guang to be summoned. After entering the palace, Huo Guang took off his hat and kowtowed in apology. The emperor said, "General, put on your hat. I know this letter is a forgery; you are not guilty." Huo Guang asked, "How does Your Majesty know?" The emperor said, "The Guangming Doulao you mentioned is under your command; you only mobilized the military officer for less than ten days. How could the Prince of Yan know? Besides, if you really did something bad, there would be no need to mobilize the military officer!" At that time, the emperor was only fourteen years old, and the officials and attendants were all shocked. Later, the person who wrote the fake letter was found; the court moved swiftly to apprehend him. Shangguan Jie and others were afraid and wanted to report some minor faults of Huo Guang to the emperor, but the emperor did not listen.
Later, some of Shangguan Jie's followers falsely accused Huo Guang, which made the emperor angrily say, "The Grand General is a loyal minister, left by the late emperor to assist me. Whoever dares to slander him will be punished!" From then on, Shangguan Jie and his followers dared not speak recklessly. They hatched a plot: a banquet hosted by the Princess, a seemingly harmless invitation, would mask a deadly ambush to kill Huo Guang, overthrow the emperor, and proclaim the Prince of Yan as the new emperor. But their plot was exposed; Huo Guang executed Shangguan Jie, Anchang, Sang Hongyang, and all their relatives. Both the Prince of Yan and the chief conspirator took their own lives. Huo Guang's reputation shook the entire country. When Emperor Zhao came of age, he continued to appoint Huo Guang as his advisor. For thirteen years, under his stewardship, the empire prospered, its borders secure, its people content.
In the year 74 BC, Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty kicked the bucket without leaving a son to inherit the throne. Among the six sons of Emperor Wu of Han, only the Prince of Guangling was still alive. The ministers discussed who should be crowned emperor, and they all felt that the Prince of Guangling should be chosen. However, the Prince of Guangling was known for his wild behavior and Emperor Zhao hadn't favored him. At this time, a palace guard sent a letter saying: "Look at King Tai of Zhou – he ditched his heir, Prince Boyikao, and put Jili in charge instead. And King Wen did the same, putting Wu on the throne. They did it for the good of the country, so even skipping over the eldest son is fine. But this Prince Guangling? No way." This was music to Huo Guang's ears. Huo Guang showed this letter to the prime minister and others, and then promoted the guard to be the Prefect of Jiujiang. That very day, he – on the Empress Dowager's orders – dispatched Dahanlu Le Cheng, Zongzheng Liu De, Guanglu Dafu Ji, and Zhonglangjiang Li Han to bring back Prince Liu He of Changyi.
Liu He was the grandson of Emperor Hanwu and the son of Prince Ai of Changyi. After Liu He ascended the throne, he was a total wild man. Huo Guang was very anxious and unhappy, so he privately discussed the matter with his trusted old subordinate, the Grand Minister of Agriculture Tian Yannian. Tian Yannian said, "General, you are the backbone of the nation. If this person is really incapable, why not go straight to the Empress Dowager and choose another capable person to be the emperor?" Huo Guang replied, "I am considering doing so now. Has there been such a precedent in history?" Tian Yannian responded, "Yi Yin assisted the Shang Dynasty and saved it; future generations praised his loyalty and righteousness. If you can do this, then you are the Yi Yin of the Han Dynasty!" Huo Guang then promoted Tian Yannian to the position of Investigating Censor, secretly discussed strategies with the General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Anshi, and then summoned all the top officials—ministers, generals, and everyone else—to the Wuyang Palace for a meeting. Huo Guang said, "Prince Ai's behavior is excessive and may endanger the state and the people. What should we do?" The ministers, faces ashen, could only nod in terror. Tian Yannian stood up, slammed the table, drew his sword, and said, "The late Emperor trusted you, General, with his son and with the entire empire. He believed in your loyalty and your ability to protect the Liu dynasty. Now the court is in turmoil, the country is on the verge of collapse. Moreover, the posthumous titles of Han emperors are usually 'Xiao' because they govern the world well and ensure the dynasty's survival. If the Han Dynasty falls, even if the General dies, how can he face the late Emperor? We can't just let this meeting end without a resolution. If there are any objections from the ministers afterwards, I'll have them executed!" Huo Guang gratefully said, "It is right for the court officials to rebuke me. The people are restless, and I should bear this responsibility." Therefore, all the officials present bowed and said, "General, the people's fate is in your hands. We'll do as you say!"
Wow, Emperor Guangwu immediately jumped in his carriage with a group of ministers to see the Empress Dowager and laid down the law that Prince Changyi wasn't cut out for the job and couldn't handle the great responsibility of the ancestral temple.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager hotfooted it to Chengming Hall in the Unyang Palace and ordered that none of Prince Changyi's followers be allowed to enter the palace. After Prince Changyi met with the Empress Dowager, she got into the sedan chair to return to the Warm Chamber. However, the eunuchs blocked the way with large, folding screens, pushed Prince Changyi inside, and slammed the door shut with a loud BANG, preventing any of his followers from entering. Prince Changyi was confused and asked, "What the heck is going on?" The Grand General quickly knelt down and said, "The Empress Dowager has ordered that none of Prince Changyi's people are allowed inside." Prince Changyi replied, "Wait, why are you making such a big deal out of it? It's scaring the life out of me!"
Emperor Guangwu directly ordered all of Prince Changyi's followers to be kicked out and tossed outside the Golden Horse Gate. General An Shi, along with the Feathered Forest Army, arrested more than two hundred people and sent them all to the slammer. Emperor Guangwu then arranged for officials from Emperor Zhao's reign to guard Prince Changyi. He also specifically instructed those around him, "Be careful in guarding him; if anything happens to him, you'll all be sorry! If I get wrongly accused of killing the emperor, I’d be letting down the people of the world!" At this point, Prince Changyi still didn't realize he was about to be deposed and wondered to those around him, "Those guys were all good officials; why did the Grand General arrest them all?"
Not long after, the empress dowager ordered for the King of Changyi to be summoned. When the King of Changyi heard that he was being summoned, he totally freaked out, muttering to himself, "What mistake have I made to be summoned!" The empress dowager, dressed to the nines, sat in the military tent surrounded by hundreds of guards, all armed to the teeth. The warriors at the tent entrance held long spears, looking all menacing in front of the hall. The ministers entered the hall one by one, and the King of Changyi was called to kneel and listen to the decree. Emperor Guangwu and the ministers jointly accused the King of Changyi, and the chief minister read the memorial, saying:
The Prime Minister and his crew were bowing and scraping, saying they deserved to die. The Emperor can keep the country running smoothly through filial piety, etiquette, and giving out rewards and punishments fairly. Emperor Xiaozhao passed away early without leaving a son. We discussed that ancient texts say whoever acts as a son to the next generation should be treated as a son, so the King of Changyi should inherit the throne. We sent the top three officials with the Emperor's token to welcome the King of Changyi and have him handle the funeral.
So, the King of Changyi, decked out in mourning clothes, acted anything but bereaved. He threw all etiquette to the wind, scoffing down meat on the road and allowing his officials to bring women and clothes to ride in the carriage, putting up in a real dump. He barely got to the palace before he was crowned prince, and he secretly bought chicken and pork to eat. Before the emperor handed over the national seal and the emperor's seal, he opened them on the road without sealing them. The emperor gave him sixteen seals and staffs. He’d show them off to the emperor every morning and night, making his officials carry the staffs in shifts. He even wrote, "Your Majesty, take this thousand catties of gold and marry ten wives!"
With the emperor's funeral in the front hall, he hauled in his Changyi musicians and put on a full-blown show – music, singing, dancing, the whole comedic shebang! When the funeral procession returned, he rang bells and played musical instruments in the front hall, bringing the palace's musicians to perform on the road. He also brought out three sets of sacrificial meat from the imperial kitchen in Chang'an, and after the ceremony in the palace, he drank and ate meat with his officials. He took the emperor's carriage, all flags flying, and cruised around the palace, even staging pig and tiger fights. He had the empress dowager ride in a small carriage, with palace servants accompanying her on horseback in the courtyard. He also got friendly with the palace maids of Emperor Xiaozhao, such as Meng Shi, and ordered that anyone who dared to speak of it would be killed.
"Enough!" the Empress Dowager thundered. "How dare a subject be so rebellious?" King Mang quickly fell to his knees to apologize. Then the Grand Secretary's voice boomed as he read the memorial:
All the princes, marquises, and officials of the rank of 2,000 shi who'd been appointed Changyi Langguan were relieved of wearing their sashes and yellow sashes. The yellow streamers on the ritual staffs were replaced with red ones. He lavished gold, silver, jewels, silks, and weaponry on his cronies. He'd spend his evenings boozing with officials and servants, getting completely plastered. He ordered the imperial kitchen to keep serving up the best food. However, the official in charge of the meals reported that because he was still in mourning, he couldn't use the royal dishes. The imperial kitchen refused, so the officials had to buy their own chicken, duck, and pork and cook it at the palace gates—just like a regular meal. That night, he threw a lavish banquet in the greenhouse for his brother-in-law, the Marquis of Changyi. Before even holding the ancestral rites, he sent envoys, bearing ritual staffs, to sacrifice at the Changyi shrine of the late King Ai, even claiming to be the King's son and heir! Just 27 days after taking the throne, he bombarded government offices with 1,127 edicts, all delivered by his messengers carrying ritual staffs! Scholars like Grand Master Xiahou Sheng and Attendant Fu Jia repeatedly warned him of his errors, but Wang Mang had Xiahou Sheng publicly rebuked and threw Fu Jia in jail. He was a drunken, debauched tyrant, flouting all imperial decorum and throwing the Han Dynasty into chaos. We ministers pleaded with him time and again, but he only got worse. We fear for the safety of the nation and the peace of the world.
We, the ministers, along with officials Ba, Junshe, De, Yusha, She, and Cang, all agree that Emperor Gaozu is the dynasty's founder of the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Xiaowen, who was kind and benevolent, frugal, and loved the people, is Han's second emperor. Now, Your Majesty inherits the throne of Emperor Xiaozhao, but lives a life of debauchery and ignores proper conduct. The Book of Songs says, "He's neglecting his ancestors for his son." These five heinous acts are no greater sin than being unfilial. King Xiang of the Zhou Dynasty was unfilial to his mother, as recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals: "The king moved to the state of Zheng," and because of this unfilial behavior, he was deposed and spurned by the people. Ancestral sacrifices are more important than the monarch; since Your Majesty has not yet made sacrifices to the ancestral temple, you cannot receive the mandate of heaven, worship the ancestral temple, and lead the people; you should abdicate. We request that the Justice Minister, the Ancestor Minister, the Ceremonies Minister, and the Grand Tutor offer a sacrificial animal to the ancestral temple. We're risking our necks to beg you to reconsider.
The Empress Dowager said, "Very well." Then she had Wang Qi come forward to receive the edict. Wang Qi said, "I have heard that there are seven ministers by the Emperor's side who dare to speak frankly; even if the Emperor is incompetent, he will not lose the world." Emperor Guangwu said, "The Empress Dowager's orders are void! What emperor am I now?!" Saying this, he took Wang Qi's hand, removed the seals and ribbons from his body, handed them to the Empress Dowager, then supported Wang Qi down from the hall and out of the Golden Horse Gate. A large group of ministers followed to see him off. Wang Qi bowed to the west and said, "I'm not up to the job of running the Han Dynasty." Then he boarded the emperor's carriage.
Emperor Guangwu always escorted him to his residence in Changyi. The Emperor sighed and said, "You've sealed your own fate. We're too weak to repay your kindness by sacrificing ourselves. I'd sooner face your displeasure than betray the nation. I hope you take care of yourself; I will never come to see you again." With that, the Emperor left in tears. The court officials proposed, "In ancient times, deposed monarchs were sent to distant places and no longer involved in politics. It is recommended to send the prince to Fangling County in Hanzhong." As a result, the Empress Dowager ordered the prince to return to Changyi and rewarded him with a tax-exempt estate. The Changyi officials failed in their duty, bringing ruin upon the prince. The Emperor killed them all, more than two hundred people. Their dying cries echoed through the marketplace: "We failed to act decisively, and this is the result!"
I sat in the courtyard, discussing who should be the next emperor with the officials below the Prime Minister. The Prince of Guangling and his son (after the Yan King's rebellion) were out of the running. Among close relatives, there was only the grandson of Crown Prince Wei, the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaozhao. Everyone was singing his praises. So I once again submitted a memorial with the Prime Minister and others, saying, "'The Rites' says, 'People cherish their kin, thus honoring ancestors; honoring ancestors, thus respecting the clan.' If the main line has no heir, a talented person should be chosen from the collateral descendants. Emperor Xiaowu's great-grandson, Bingyi, was raised in the palace under an edict during Emperor Wu's reign. He is now eighteen years old, and he's well-educated, having studied the Classics. He’s a thrifty and compassionate young man who can inherit the throne of Emperor Xiaozhao, serve the ancestral temple, and nurture the people. I'm putting my neck on the line here, but I submit this memorial." The Empress Dowager approved. I sent the Grand Preceptor Liu De to fetch him, dressing him in imperial robes and bringing him to the Empress Dowager in a grand carriage. Then he entered Weiyang Palace to meet the Empress Dowager and was appointed as the Marquis of Yangwu. Afterwards, I presented the emperor's seal and ribbon, worshipped at the Gao Temple, and he became Emperor Xiaoxuan.
The following year, the emperor issued an edict saying, "Recognizing merit and rewarding achievements is a principle that has been followed throughout history. The Grand Marshal and Grand General Huo Guang, who faithfully and uprightly guarded the imperial family, promoted the emperor's grace, complied with the law, maintained order, and ensured the peace of the ancestral temple. The Emperor granted him land in Hebei and Dongwuyang totaling seventeen thousand households." In addition to his original fief, he received a total of twenty thousand households. The Emperor showered him with seven thousand catties of gold, sixty million coins, thirty thousand pieces of silk, one hundred and seventy slaves, two thousand horses, and a set of armor.
Since the reign of Emperor Zhao, my son Huo Yu and my brother Huo Shan's son Huo Yun have both served as Zhonglang Generals. Huo Yun's brother Huo Shan served as the Imperial Chariot Commandant and Attendant, participating in military operations against the Xiongnu and the Yue people. My two sons-in-law served as commandants of the Eastern and Western Palace Guards, while my brothers held the positions of Fengchari Duwei, Shizhong, and my grandsons served as various officials in the court, including Fengzhaoqing, various Cao Daifu, Qiduwei, and Jishizhong. My family's influence was vast and deeply rooted in the court. I was involved in running the country since the later years of Emperor Yuan, and when the emperor ascended the throne, I wanted to return power to him. But the emperor insisted on consulting me first before making any decisions. Every time I saw the emperor, he was modest and respectful towards me.
While Huo Guang was in charge, he took a serious turn for the worse in the spring of the second year of Dijie. The emperor personally visited him and wept for his condition. Huo Guang wrote a thankful memorial, requesting to enfeoff his brother's grandson Huo Shan, who served as the Imperial Chariot Commandant, as a marquis to perform sacrifices for his brother Huo Qubing. The Prime Minister and Censor took care of it, and that same day, Huo Yu was made Right General.
After Huo Guang's death, the Emperor and Empress Dowager personally went to his house to offer their condolences. The Grand Master Ren Xuan and five Imperial Historians were ordered to escort his funeral procession. Officials of the rank of 2,000 shi were responsible for managing Huo Guang's tomb. The court bestowed a large amount of gold and silver treasures, silk fabrics, embroidered quilts, as well as clothing, jade garments, an inner coffin, an outbuilding, and various other high-quality items. An outer coffin with fifteen layers was used. The layout of the Eastern Garden was also arranged with the same elaborate attention to detail as the Emperor's own processions. Huo Guang's coffin was transported using an elaborate ceremonial carriage, with a yellow canopy over it and military flags, while officials, light vehicles, and soldiers from the Northern Army lined up to escort him to his burial at Maoling. Huo Guang was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Xuan Cheng. The court also mobilized soldiers from the Sanhe region to build his tomb and ancestral hall, and allocated three hundred households for his management, with the chief and prime minister responsible for guarding according to tradition.
After Huo Guang's burial, Huo Shan was titled the Marquis of Yueping and appointed as a Minister. The Emperor, remembering Huo Guang's contributions, issued a decree saying, "The late Grand Marshal, Grand General, and Marquis Bolu Huo Guang served Emperor Xiaowu faithfully for over thirty years, assisted Emperor Xiaozhao for over ten years, experienced great hardships, and remained loyal throughout, leading the highest officials of the court to establish laws for all generations, stabilizing the country and benefiting the people, allowing them to live and work in peace. His contributions were immense, and I commend him highly! In order to honor his descendants, I have specially bestowed additional titles and lands upon him, to be passed down through generations without change, his merits akin to those of Prime Minister Xiao He." The following summer, the Emperor also granted the title of Marquis of Ping'en to the Empress Dowager's grandfather Xu Guanghan. He issued another decree saying, "Marquis Xuan Cheng Huo Guang was loyal and diligent, benefiting the country and future generations. I hereby ennoble Huo Yun, the grandson of Huo Guang's elder brother and a General, as the Marquis of Guanyang."
After inheriting the Marquis of Bolu's title, Yu's mother Huo Xian went wild remodeling the tomb that Huo Guang had built for himself during his lifetime, making it especially luxurious. She constructed triple-tiered gate towers and a spirit way, with the north leading to the ancestral shrine and the south leading to the grace hall. She also magnificently decorated the shrines, connecting palaces, corridors, and long lanes, where a bevy of attractive young maids and servants were stationed. She launched a massive building spree, creating luxurious residences and various vehicles, with carriages boasting embroidered cushions and gold leaf, their wheels cushioned with silk and cotton, while maids adorned the carriages with colorful silk threads, reveling in the mansion. Huo Guang had a favorite eunuch, Feng Zidu, with whom he often conferred. After Huo Guang's death, the widowed Huo Xian took up with Feng Zidu. Huo Yu and Huo Shan also renovated their residences together, riding horses at Pingle Pavilion and having a whale of a time. Huo Yun would often claim illness to skip court, sneaking off hunting with a large party, even sending servants to the palace to see the Emperor, with no one daring to say a word. Huo Xian and her daughters flitted in and out of Changxin Palace day and night, with no regard for time.
When Emperor Xuan was as a commoner, he heard that the power of the Huo family was overwhelming, which made him very uncomfortable over time. After Huo Guang's death, Emperor Xuan took control, and Wei Xiang was appointed as the Chief Imperial Censor. Huo Xian said to Huo Yu, Huo Yun, and Huo Shan, "If you lads don't keep up the Grand General's good work, now that Wei Xiang has become the Chief Censor, can you still protect yourselves with just a few words?" Later, a dispute occurred between the Huo family's servants and those of another family on the road. The Huo family's servants stormed the Censorate, trying to kick down the Chief Censor's door. The Chief Censor had to kowtow and apologize before letting them leave. People thought that the Huo family was too arrogant and overbearing, and Huo Xian and others began to feel worried. Later, Wei Xiang was promoted to Prime Minister, often advising Emperor Xuan at banquets. The Marquis of Ping'en and the courtier Jin An also frequently entered and exited the court directly. At this time, Huo Shan even served as the Chief Secretary, and the Emperor ordered that the common people could petition directly without going through the Secretariat, and ministers could access the court directly. This made the Huo family even more resentful towards Wei Xiang.
When Emperor Xuan had just ascended to the throne, he made the then insignificant Xu the Empress. But he especially favored his youngest daughter, Princess Chengjun, and wanted to get rid of Empress Xu, so he secretly had her wet nurse Chunyu Yan poison her. Then, he persuaded Princess Chengjun to become the Empress. All of these incidents are written in the "Biographies of the Imperial Families." Initially, when Empress Xu died suddenly, the officials arrested all the imperial physicians, accusing Chunyu Yan of involvement in the Empress's death and imprisoning her. The officials interrogated her intensely, and Emperor Xuan, fearing that the truth would be exposed, confided in his son-in-law, Guang. Guang was shocked when he heard this and wanted to reveal the truth, but he couldn't bring himself to do it, so he remained silent. When it was time to report to the emperor, he managed to get the emperor to pardon Chunyu Yan. It was only after Guang's death that this incident slowly came to light.
Emperor Xuan just heard about this, but he hasn't thoroughly investigated it yet. He transferred Fan Mingyou, who was Guang's son-in-law and serving as the General of the Cavalry in Liaodong, the Commandant of the Palace Guards, and the Marquis of Pingling, to an official position in the court. He also transferred Ren Sheng, another of Guang's sons-in-law, who was serving as the Colonel Director of Retainers and the Commandant of the Palace Guards, to serve as the Governor of Anding. A few months later, he transferred Zhang Shuo, who was Guang's brother-in-law and serving as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, to serve as the Governor of Shu Commandery; and he transferred Wang Han, who was Guang's grandson-in-law and serving as the Colonel Director of Retainers, to serve as the Governor of Wuwei. Not long after, he transferred Deng Guanghan, who was serving as the Commandant of Changle, to an official position in the court. He also appointed Guang as Grand Marshal, allowing him to wear a small crown without the official seal, revoking his position as Right General and commander of the garrison, so that both he and Guang held the same title. At the same time, he took back the official seal of Fan Mingyou as General of the Cavalry in Liaodong, leaving him only as a court official. He also took back the official seal of Zhao Ping, another of Guang's sons-in-law, who was serving as the Colonel of the Cavalry, Commandant of Cavalry, and Grand Master of Ceremonies, while also leading troops. Emperor Xuan replaced all commanders of the Hu Yue Cavalry, Palace Guards, and Imperial Guards with trusted members of the Xu and Shi families.
So, Huo Guang becomes Grand Marshal, and what does he do? Plays hooky! His boss, Ren Xuanhou, went to ask him what was wrong, and Huo Guang said: "Sick? Me? What are you talking about? Without my family's general, those guys wouldn't be where they are today! My general's barely cold in the ground, and they're screwing over my family, sucking up to the Xus and Shis, and even took my seal! It's a damn outrage!" Ren Xuanhou saw that Huo Guang was very resentful, so he advised him: "Don't think about the General's matters anymore! You hold the power of the country, with the authority to live and kill in your hands. Before, the Chief Jailer Li Zhong, Wang Ping, Left Fengyi Jia Shenghu, and the son-in-law of the Chariot and Cavalry General, Xu Ren, were all thrown in jail and killed for going against the General's wishes. Some nobody like Le Cheng gets the General's favor and suddenly he's a big shot! Everyone's kissing up to Feng Zidu and Wang Zifang – they couldn't care less about the Prime Minister! It's just the way things go. The Xus and Shis are family, so of course they're in charge now. Hey, Grand Marshal, don't sweat it. Just let it go." Huo Guang did not speak. A few days later, he was back at his desk, like nothing happened.
Huoguang's sons, Huoxian, Huoshan, and Huoyun, also felt that life was getting harder day by day. They often cried and complained to each other. Huoshan said, "Now the Prime Minister holds power, and the Emperor trusts him very much. He has changed the laws from the Grand General era, redistributed the taxes from public lands to the poor, and spread rumors about the faults of the Grand General. Many scholars are now children of the poor; guests from other places are poor and cold, and they're known for their outspokenness and disregard for social norms. The Grand General used to hate these people the most, but now the Emperor enjoys speaking with these scholars. They write letters to the court themselves, many of which mention our family. Someone once wrote a memorial saying that when the Grand General was in power, the ministers were strong and the master was weak, and now his descendants are in power, while our brothers are becoming more and more arrogant. This may endanger the royal ancestral temple, and various disasters are frequent—all because of this. It's too heartbreaking; I haven't submitted the memorial to the Emperor. Later, the person who wrote the memorial became more cunning, directly handing the memorial to the Emperor and passing it to the Minister of the Central Secretariat without going through the Ministry of Personnel. The Emperor's trust in us is waning." Huoxian said, "The Prime Minister always talks about our family; don't we have any faults?" Huoshan replied, "The Prime Minister's known for his integrity; how could he offend him? It's our family's menfolk who have been acting recklessly. I also heard rumors that the Huo family poisoned Empress Xu. Could that be true?" Huoxian was extremely scared, so he revealed the truth to Huoshan and Huoyun. Huoshan, Huoyun, and Huoxian were all shocked when they heard it, saying, "How could this happen? Why didn't you tell us earlier! This explains why the court's targeting our sons-in-law! This is a big deal; we'll face serious consequences. What should we do?" And so, their secret plotting began.
At first, Zhao Ping's guest Shi Xia, who was knowledgeable about astronomy, said to Zhao Ping, "Hey, look, Mars is stopping at the position of the Imperial Star! The Imperial Star is the symbol of the Master of the Imperial Stables. If these two people (referring to Zhao Ping and Shan) aren't dealt with, they will die!" Zhao Ping was worried about Shan and the others.
The uncle of the Yun family, Li Jing, had a good relationship with Zhang She. When Zhang She saw the soldiers of the Yun family, he said to Li Jing, "Now the Prime Minister and the Marquis of Ping'en are gaining power. You should let your mother talk to the Empress Dowager first to have them executed. Whether the Emperor relocates depends entirely on the Empress Dowager." This matter was reported by a man named Zhang Zhang in Chang'an, and the case was brought to the courts. The Jinwu captured Zhang She, Shi Xia, and others, but later issued a decree to stop the arrests.
Shan and the others were even more afraid; they discussed among themselves, "You see, the government's deference to the Empress Dowager is why they didn't investigate this matter thoroughly. But the cat's out of the bag, and with the previous killing of Empress Xu, even though the Emperor is kind, the people around him may not necessarily be obedient! This situation will definitely explode if it drags on, and when it does, our whole family will be doomed! It's better to strike first!" So, they let the girls in the family each go back home to tell their husbands, "What are we going to do?"
Li Guangli hung out with the princes and kings and even blabbed about the Huo family. The emperor ordered that Li Guangli and Li Shan were not suitable to stay in the palace as guards, got them canned, and sent them packing. Li Guangli's daughters dissed the Empress Dowager, and Feng Zidou was a regular lawbreaker. The emperor pinned all this on Li Guangli. Li Shan and Li Yu were totally freaked out. Li Shan dreamed that the well water in his courtyard was gushing everywhere, and a tree sprouted right out of the hearth! There were many mice in the house, running around and swishing their tails on the ground. The owl in the courtyard kept hooting. Both their front doors crumbled. Someone was seen living on Li Yun's roof, chucking tiles down. When people checked it out, nothing. Weird. Li Yu dreamed of chariots and horses thundering toward him to arrest him, and the whole family was a mess of worry. Li Shan said, "The Prime Minister was shorting the temple sacrifices – lambs, rabbits, frogs, the whole shebang! That's our ticket!"
They planned to have the Empress Dowager host a banquet for Boping, inviting all the officials down to and including the Marquis of Ping'en, then have Fan Mingyou and Deng Guanghan do the Empress Dowager's dirty work and kill them all, using the chaos to overthrow the Emperor and put Li Yu on the throne. Before the plan could be executed, Li Yun was appointed as the Governor of Xuantu, and Tai Zhong Daifu Ren Xuan was appointed as the Governor of Daijun. Li Shan got caught copying secret documents, and Li Xian tried to buy Li Shan's way out of trouble by offering his mansion and a thousand horses. Before the memorial could be submitted, the whole thing blew up; Li Yun, Li Shan, and Fan Mingyou committed suicide, while Li Xian, Li Yu, Deng Guanghan, and others were arrested. Li Yu was executed, and Li Xian, his daughter, and brothers were all beheaded. Empress Huo was stripped of her title, thrown in Zhaotai Palace, and thousands of Huo family members were wiped out.
The Emperor issued a decree, saying: "A while back, Zhang Zhang, a low-level clerk in the East Weaving Department, ratted out the wealthy Li Jing of Wei County for plotting with Marquis Guanyang Huo Yun to rebel. Since Huo Yun's related to the Grand Marshal, I let it slide, hoping he'd see the light. But now, the Grand Marshal Bolu Marquis Huo Yu, his mother Lady Xuan Cheng Marquis, as well as the husbands of Huo Yu's siblings, including Marquis Guanyang Huo Yun and Marquis Leping Huo Shan, were actually plotting a rebellion together, intending to trick everyone. Luckily, we discovered it early; they have all confessed, and it breaks my heart! Anyone tricked by the Huo family before Bing Shen year who hasn't already been caught – especially if they work for the government – is pardoned."
Zhang Zhang was the first to discover this matter. He told the palace guard Dong Zhong about it, who then informed the official in court, Yang Yun. Yang Yun then told the Imperial Attendant Jin Anshang. Yang Yun called Zhang Zhang to clarify the situation, and later, Zhang Zhang submitted a detailed report to the emperor. Imperial Attendant Shi Gao and Jin Anshang also participated in solving the case. They said that the people of the Huo family did not have time to enter the palace, so they were not successful, but they all contributed. "And so I appointed Zhang Zhang as the Marquis Bocheng, Dong Zhong as the Marquis Gaochang, Yang Yun as the Marquis Pingtong, Jin Anshang as the Marquis Doucheng, and Shi Gao as the Marquis Leling."
At first, the Huo family was incredibly lavish. There was a man named Xu Sheng who lived in Maoling and said, "That Huo family's done for. They're so disgustingly rich, it's practically an insult to the Emperor. Insult the Emperor, you're defying Heaven itself! They're riding high now, making enemies left and right, everyone hates 'em, and they keep doing things that piss off the gods. It's only a matter of time before they're wiped out!" So he sent a memorial to the emperor, saying, "The Huo family is now too powerful. Although Your Majesty shows them great favor, they should be kept in check to prevent them from developing beyond control." He sent three memorials in succession, and the emperor received them all. Later, the Huo family was indeed annihilated, and those who exposed the Huo family at the beginning were all rewarded.
Word reached the Emperor that a guest had once visited a host's house and noticed the host's chimney was straight, with a big pile of firewood next to it. The guest advised the host to make the chimney crooked and move the woodpile further away to prevent a fire. The host ignored him. Soon after, a fire broke out in the house, and the neighbors rushed to help put it out. The host threw a huge party to thank his neighbors. The worst burns got the best seats, and everyone else sat according to how much they’d helped. But the guy who’d warned him about the fire? Not a peep.
Someone said to the host, "If you had listened to the guest's advice in the first place, you wouldn't have had to go through the trouble of slaughtering a cow and throwing a feast, and the fire wouldn't have happened at all. Now, in terms of rewarding contributions, inviting guests for a meal, the person who advised you on the chimney and firewood did not benefit, while those who were burned became honored guests. What kind of situation is this?" Finally, the host got it and rushed to thank the guy.
Now, this Xu fella from Maoling has repeatedly submitted memorials, warning that the Huo family is in trouble and should be guarded against. Had he listened to Xu, the country could have saved money on land grants and titles, and we, the common people, could have been spared the chaos of the Huo family's extermination. But Xu got nothing for it. Your Majesty, you gotta see the value in suggestions like changing the chimney and moving the firewood, and don’t let those who only care about immediate benefits climb over those with foresight.
So the Emperor tossed him ten bolts of cloth and later made him a low-level official.
When Emperor Xuan of Han had just ascended the throne, he went to worship at the temple of his ancestor. Huo Guang, the Grand General, rode shotgun in the Emperor's carriage, and the Emperor felt very fearful, as if he had a thorn on his back. Later, Cavalry General Zhang An also rode in the Emperor's carriage like Huo Guang, and the Emperor finally felt a weight lift off his shoulders. After Huo Guang's death, his entire family was exterminated, so word on the street spread: "If a courtier makes you nervous, get rid of him. That's what did the Huo family in."
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, he built housing for the guards of Huo Guang's tomb, with one hundred households assigned to watch over it. In the second year of Yuanshi, Emperor Cheng made Huo Yang, a relative of Huo Guang, the Marquis of Bolu, with a fief of one thousand households.
Jin Ridis, styled Weng Shu, was originally the son of Xiu Tu Wang of the Xiongnu. During the Yuan Shou period of Emperor Wu of Han, Cavalry General Huo Qubing led troops to attack the Xiongnu's right flank, killing many Xiongnu people and capturing gold sacrificial statues used by Xiu Tu Wang. That summer, the Cavalry General crossed westward past Juyan, attacking the Qilian Mountains and won a crushing victory.
This angered the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, who blamed Kings Kunxie and Xiu Tu for their western location and repeated defeats at the hands of the Han. The Chanyu called them over, intending to kill them. King Kunxie and Xiu Tu Wang were afraid, so they talked about surrendering to the Han. However, Xiu Tu Wang regretted his decision, so King Kunxie had him killed and surrendered to the Han with his followers. The Han Dynasty enfeoffed King Kunxie as a marquis. Jin Ridis was taken as a government slave since his father did not surrender and was killed. He, along with his mother E Shi and younger brother Lun, became imperial stable hands when he was only fourteen years old.
After a long time, Emperor Wu of Han was feasting in the palace and saw the slaves caring for the horses, with the palace crowded. Dozens of them, including Jin Ridis, walked past the hall leading the horses, with everyone peeking except for Jin Ridis. He was eight feet, two inches tall, had a serious look, and was leading a fat and healthy horse. Emperor Wu of Han found this strange and asked him about it. Jin Ridis then told Emperor Wu his whole story. Surprised, Emperor Wu rewarded him with a bath, clothes, and a hat, making him the horse supervisor, and later promoting him to courtier, then Grand Commandant of the Cavalry, and finally Household Counsellor.
Jin Ridi, ever since getting close to Emperor Wu of Han, never made a single mistake. The rewards he received added up to thousands of gold. When traveling, he was allowed to ride in the carriage with the Emperor, and in the palace, he often served by his side. Lots of royals and nobles grumbled amongst themselves, "Why does the Emperor favor this foreign kid so much?" When Emperor Wu heard about this, he loved Jin Ridi even more.
Jin Ridi's mother was a strict disciplinarian, and the Emperor praised her for it. After she died, the Emperor commissioned a portrait at Ganquan Palace, inscribing it "Queen Mother of the Xiongnu." Every time Jin Ridi saw the portrait, he'd kneel, bawl his eyes out, and then leave. The Emperor was fond of Jin Ridi's sons and often let them play nearby. One day, while the boys were playing near the Emperor, one of them jumped on his back and hugged his neck. Jin Ridi glared at him, and the boy, scared, ran off crying, "Grandpa's mad!"
Later, the boys grew up a bit wild. One day, Jin Ridi caught his eldest son messing around with the palace maids. Seeing his son's loose behavior, he killed him. The Emperor was furious, but after Jin Ridi knelt and explained why he'd killed his son, the Emperor, though heartbroken and weeping, respected him even more.
At first, Mang Heluo and Jiang Chong were thick as thieves. After Jiang Chong framed the Crown Prince, Mang Heluo's brother Mang Tongyong performed well in the fight to off the Crown Prince and was rewarded with an official position. Later, the Emperor found out the Crown Prince had been framed and wiped out Jiang Chong and his whole crew. Afraid of being implicated, Mang Heluo and his brother plotted a rebellion. Ri Di noticed something fishy about them, became suspicious, and secretly observed their actions; he was always tailing them around the palace. Mang Heluo also noticed Ri Di's suspicion and thus did not dare to take action.
One day, while the Emperor was in the Lin Guang Palace, Ri Di wasn't feeling too well, so he was resting in a little side room. Mang Heluo, Mang Tong, and their brother Mang Ancheng forged an imperial edict, slipped out of the palace under the cover of darkness, killed the messenger, and launched a coup. The next morning, before the Emperor had woken up, Mang Heluo barged in. Ri Di knew something was up and quickly ran into the inner room, hiding behind the door. After a while, Mang Heluo came around from behind an eastern cabinet, knife in hand. Seeing Ri Di, he went white and hurried to the inner room, but accidentally crashed into a zither and went down. Ri Di grabbed Mang Heluo, yelling, "Mang Heluo's in revolt!" The Emperor woke up in shock, and the guards drew their swords on Mang Heluo. However, the Emperor stopped them to prevent harming Ri Di. Ri Di hauled Mang Heluo to the main hall, grilled him, and soon enough, everyone involved spilled the beans. So Ri Di became a national hero for his loyalty and bravery.
Ridi served in Emperor Wu's court for decades, always keeping his eyes down and being extremely cautious. The Emperor rewarded him with court ladies, but he dared not approach them. The Emperor wanted to marry his daughter to him and have him enter the palace, but he refused. The emperor found his caution both puzzling and admirable. Later, when the Emperor fell ill, he entrusted Huo Guang to help govern the young prince, and Huo Guang recommended Ridi. Ridi said, "I am a foreigner; if I were to hold office, the Xiongnu people would look down on the Han Dynasty." So in the end, he helped govern alongside Huo Guang. Huo Guang married his daughter to Ridi's son Shang. Emperor Wu's will stipulated that due to Ridi's merits in the campaigns against Manghe Luo, he should be appointed as Marquis of Jue, but Ridi declined the appointment because the emperor was so young. After helping govern for over a year, Ridi's health deteriorated, and Huo Guang asked the emperor to promote him. Ridi accepted the seal while bedridden. One day, Ridi passed away, and the court provided a proper burial for him, with a modest funeral procession and military honor guard all the way to Maoling, where he received the posthumous title of Jing Hou. Ridi had two sons, Shang and Jian, both serving as palace attendants, similar in age to Emperor Zhao, and living and dining together. Shang became the Chariots Attendant and Jian became the Cavalry Commandant. Later, Shang inherited his father's title and wore two seals. The emperor asked Huo Guang, "The Shang brothers, can't they both wear two seals at the same time?" Huo Guang replied, "Shang inherited his father's title." The emperor smiled and said, "Surely we decide who gets ennobled, General?" Huo Guang said, "The old emperor's will stated that only those who have achieved merit can be enfeoffed." At that time, the two brothers were only eight or nine years old.
After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, he appointed Shang as the Master of the Horse, and problems began to arise within the Huo clan. Shang petitioned to relinquish his wife's official position. The Emperor felt sorry for him and ultimately did not investigate his responsibilities. During the Yuan Shi era, Shang was appointed as the Grand Master of Ceremonies. After his death, as he had no sons, his title was lost. During the Yuan Shi period, his descendants inherited the title, and his grandson became the Marquis of Jüe, continuing the family line. Shang's younger brother Lun, a military commander who had surrendered with troops and had the courtesy name Shaoqing, served as an Imperial Attendant but passed away early. Shang's two sons were very noble, but his grandson declined. However, Lun's descendants prospered, and his son An Shang began to rise in status, eventually being enfeoffed as a Marquis.
An Shang, styled Zihou, served as an attendant when he was young, known for his loyalty, honesty, and wisdom, which Emperor Xuan appreciated. He helped plan Prince Ting Shou of Chu's rebellion and was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of three hundred households. Later, when the Huo clan rebelled, An Shang guarded the palace gates and did not allow any of the Huo clan's relatives to enter, resulting in his appointment as the Marquis of Doucheng and later as the Commander of the Palace Guard. After his death, the court granted him a burial site at Duling and posthumously titled him the Respected Marquis. He had four sons: Chang, Chang, Cen, and Ming.
This is a story of three brothers, Cen, Ming, and their remarkable careers in the imperial court. Cen and Ming were both high-ranking officials, having served as Grand Masters of Splendor. When Emperor Yuan was still the crown prince, Chang was a close advisor, greatly favored by him. After Emperor Yuan ascended to the throne, Chang experienced a meteoric rise, being promoted to the positions of Cavalry Commandant, Grand Master of Splendor, General of the Household Gentlemen, and Palace Attendant, which was incredibly influential. When Emperor Yuan passed away, according to tradition, those ministers close to the emperor were expected to become imperial gardeners at the mausoleum. However, due to Chang's excellent reputation—everyone said he was loyal and filial—the Empress Dowager ordered him to continue serving the new emperor in the palace, and later he became the Captain of the Guard. Chang was a very upright person, not afraid to give the emperor a piece of his mind, and everyone in the palace feared him; even the emperor could do nothing about him. When he fell gravely ill, the emperor sent someone to ask him what he wanted, and Chang recommended his younger brother Cen. The emperor then summoned Cen and appointed him as Minister in charge of foreign relations. Chang's son She, who was originally serving in the Left Bureau, was directly promoted by the emperor to be a Palace Attendant, and even sent someone with a luxurious carriage to escort him to the Commandant's residence. However, not long after, Chang passed away. Chang had three sons, named She, Can, and Rao.
She was known for his scholarship and simple lifestyle, earning the respect of many scholars. During the reign of Emperor Cheng, he rose to the positions of Palace Attendant and Cavalry Commandant, also overseeing the Hu soldiers and Yue cavalry in the region of the Three Adjuncts. After Emperor Ai ascended to the throne, he became the Commandant of the Carriages and eventually the Prefect of Changxin County. His brother Can had once served as an official in the Xiongnu region, holding positions such as General of the Xiongnu, Chief of the Yue Cavalry, Commandant of the Interior, as well as serving as the Prefect of Anding County and Donghai County. Their other brother Rao served as Chief of the Yue Cavalry.
He had two sons, named Tang and Rong, who held various high-ranking positions, including those of attendant, minister, general, and court official. His cousin, Qin, was also a powerful figure. He passed the examination and became the Grandee of the Palace Attendants. After Emperor Ai ascended the throne, he was promoted to Grandee of the Palace and concurrently Attendant. Later, his cousin was promoted to Minister of Records. When Emperor Ai's grandmother, Dowager Empress Fu, passed away, Qin was in charge of the funeral arrangements and did an amazing job. He was then appointed as the Prefect of Taishan Commandery and Hongnong Commandery, gaining a great reputation. After Emperor Ping ascended the throne, Qin was summoned back to the court and appointed as Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Jingzhao. Because Emperor Ping was still young, the court selected some teachers and friends to assist him. The Grand Tutor Kong Guang, known for his knowledge and high moral character, was chosen as Emperor Ping's teacher, while the Governor of Jingzhao, Jin Qin, known for his family's loyalty and filial piety, was chosen as Emperor Ping's friend. Later, Jin Qin was promoted to Court Counselor and Attendant, holding high positions, and was created Duke Cheng. Wang Mang had just eliminated the Wei clan, the relatives of Emperor Ping, and summoned the Master of Ceremonies, Zongbo Feng, to explain the etiquette to be followed in selecting the Empress. Wang Mang ordered all the high-ranking officials and courtiers to attend, aiming to outwardly constrain Emperor Ping and silence the people's discontent. Wang Mang also intended to confer rewards and titles upon Qin and his younger brother, Hou.
Earlier, Qin's great-grandfather succeeded to the title, passing it to his son, Jiehou Shang, and Qin's grandfather passed on his title to his son, Yihou Chang, both of whom had no sons, resulting in the extinction of the lineage. Therefore, Wang Mang has now granted titles posthumously to Qin and Dang, allowing them to inherit their ancestors' titles. Dang's mother, Madam Nan, is the daughter of Wang Mang's mother's brother and is honored as the Grand Lady. Because of this, Qin said to Dang, "The imperial decree only cites Ridi's achievements, ignoring Shang's. It states that you are inheriting your ancestors' titles, so you should also establish temples for your father and grandfather. Shang was the former ruler and should be commemorated by a minister." At that time, Zhen Han was present and publicly reprimanded Qin, lodging a formal complaint against him: "Qin, you have been promoted to serve by the emperor's side because of your knowledge of the classics and have received Wang Mang's favor, being granted titles. You should know that the court now values the establishment of an heir. Previously, Queen Dingtao violated the ancestors and the divine mandate, causing Emperor Xiaoi to lack blessings; later, Lu Kuan and Wei Bao conspired and rebelled, receiving the appropriate punishment. The Empress Dowager, heartbroken, took this as a warning, believing this was a violation of the heavenly decree, not something the laws of wise rulers could tolerate, which would lead to chaos. The Empress Dowager was determined to follow the will of heaven, uphold the sage precepts, and focus on establishing an heir to stabilize the country. She frequently visited the main hall, summoned the officials, and explained the Book of Rites. The inheritance of ancestral titles refers to a situation where there is no legitimate heir, and someone must take on the responsibility. Shang, inheriting the title of Ridi and later becoming the ruler, is the one who bears the responsibility of the clan, in line with the principle of 'honoring ancestors and respecting ancestors' in the Book of Rites; the main line of succession must be maintained. Qin, you know that both you and Dang have been granted titles, yet you have repeatedly aired these views in the palace, inciting Dang to do so. If Dang really follows your words, then you should also establish a temple for your father Ming, instead of entering the temple of Yihou Chang. You are in a dilemma, inconsistent in your statements. You confuse people, disrupt the country's order, plant the seeds of disaster, slander ancestors, and commit the crime of filial impiety—a grave offense! This is unbecoming of a high-ranking official; it is an act of grave disrespect."
"You're showing great disrespect to Lord Dang's mother, the Grand Matriarch!"
Wang Mang told the Empress Dowager about this matter and then asked the high-ranking officials and scholars to discuss it. Everyone said that Qin should be punished immediately. So, Qin was summoned to prison, and he committed suicide. Zhen Han, for upholding the national laws and regulations, not favoring personal relationships, and showing outstanding loyalty and filial piety, was therefore granted the title of Qianhu (a military rank). Wang Mang also granted the son of She, the Prefect of Changxin, Tang, the title of Duke Cheng. On the day Tang received the title, he did not dare to go home, to demonstrate his seriousness about the matter of succession. To further emphasize the importance of establishing the heir, Wang Mang appointed Qin's brother, Zun, as a marquis and let him hold the position of Nine Ministers (one of the nine highest-ranking officials).
Now, Huo Guang... he started as a palace guard, beginning from the bottom, always thinking of being loyal to the country and especially loyal to the emperor. From a young age, he was entrusted with the responsibility of assisting the imperial family. In the court, he supported the young emperor, defeated the King of Yan, brought charges against corrupt officials, and skillfully used his power to ultimately complete his loyal and righteous cause. Even when he was dismissed from office and faced life-threatening situations, he remained steadfast and eventually stabilized the country, preserving the state. He supported Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan, taking care of them like a father and mentor, surpassing even the legendary wisdom of Zhou Gong and Yi Yin.
However, Huo Guang also had his shortcomings. He did not study much about the strategies of governing the country and safeguarding the state, did not understand the laws well, secretly plotted, appointed his daughter as the Empress, and lived a life of luxury, ultimately causing a great disaster. Three years after his death, his family was all executed, a tragic end. In ancient times, Huo (a prominent ancestor) was granted land in the Jin state, which was located in the Hedong region. Could Huo Guang be a descendant?
Now, about Jin Ridi. He was originally a Xiongnu (a nomadic group) but ended up a prisoner of the Han after his country was destroyed. However, he faithfully assisted the emperor, and everyone knew how loyal and dedicated he was. He was appointed a high-ranking general, and seven generations of his family served as imperial guards. They had a stellar reputation. Incredible! They say he got the name Jin because the golden statue for Heaven was made using bronze cast from the people of Xiutu.
