Emperor Xiaozhao, the youngest son of Emperor Wu, was born to Zhao Jiayu, who reportedly experienced miraculous signs during her pregnancy, as recorded in the "Biographies of Imperial Relatives." In his later years, the Crown Prince was deposed, and the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Guangling became arrogant and domineering. In the second month of the second year of Houyuan, Emperor Wu was gravely ill. He then appointed the eight-year-old Emperor Zhao as the Crown Prince and the powerful Grand General Huo Guang as Grand Marshal to assist the young emperor, as per Emperor Wu's will. The next day, Emperor Wu died. On the day of Wuchen, the Crown Prince ascended the throne and offered sacrifices at the ancestral temple. Princess Eyi, the sister of Emperor Zhao, was made Princess Chang and lived in the palace with the emperor. Grand Marshal Huo Guang took control of the government; he also oversaw the Secretariat, with the assistance of the General of Chariots and Cavalry Jin Riduan and the Left General Shangguan Jie in handling state affairs. In June, the court declared a general amnesty throughout the empire. In July, a comet appeared in the eastern sky. The King of Jibei committed suicide. The emperor granted different rewards to Princess Chang and other members of the imperial family. Zhao Jiayu was posthumously elevated to Empress Dowager, and a tomb was built for her in Yunling. In winter, the Xiongnu invaded Shuofang, killing many officials and civilians. The court dispatched troops to station in Xihe, with the Left General Shangguan Jie responsible for the defense in the north. In the second month of the first year of Shiyuan, a yellow crane landed in the Taiye Pool of Jianzhang Palace. The courtiers offered birthday wishes to the emperor, who in turn bestowed rewards of varying amounts to the princes, marquises, and members of the imperial family. On the day of Jihai, the emperor plowed the fields in the Guodun Nongtian. The territories of the Prince of Yan, the Prince of Guangling, and Princess Chang of Eyi were expanded by 13,000 households each. In the summer, a memorial temple was built for the Empress Dowager in Yunling. Twenty-four places in Yizhou, including Liantou, Gufang, and Zangke, among others, rebelled. The court sent the Commander of Shuiheng, Lü Po Hu, to recruit soldiers and civilians and deployed troops from Jianwei and Shu commanderies to suppress the rebellion in Yizhou, and won a decisive victory.
Some suggested that Henan County be placed under the jurisdiction of Ji Zhou, and Hedong County be placed under the jurisdiction of Bing Zhou.
In July, the court issued a general pardon, rewarding a cow and some wine for every hundred households. During that time, there was heavy rain, and the Wei Bridge was washed away.
In August, Prince Qi Xiaowang Liu Ze plotted a rebellion, attempting to kill Qingzhou's governor, Ju Bu Yi. The plot was uncovered, and the rebels were punished. Ju Bu Yi was promoted to the position of Prefect of Jingzhao and was rewarded with one million coins.
On the day of Bing Zi in September, the Cavalry General, Jin Ridu, passed away.
In the intercalary month, the court sent the former Justice Minister, Wang Ping, and four others on a tour to select worthy individuals, investigate people's complaints, and look into cases of official misconduct.
During the winter, there was no snow and no ice.
The following January, the Grand General Guang and the Left General Jie were both enfeoffed for their previous capture and execution of rebels, with Guang becoming the Marquis of Bolu and Jie becoming the Marquis of Anyang. Due to a lack of suitable officials among the imperial relatives, Liu Biqiang and Liu Changle, two talented individuals, were promoted to the position of Guanglu Daifu (a high-ranking official), with Liu Biqiang also serving as the Weiwei of Changle (a military officer).
In March, people were sent to assist the poor by giving them food and seed.
In August, the Emperor decreed that due to disasters in previous years and poor harvests of silk and wheat that year, the loans were forgiven, and last year's land tax was cancelled. In winter, well-trained archers were sent to Shuofang (a region in the north), and older officials and generals were deployed to Zhangye County (a county in the west) for garrison duty.
In the second month of the third year, a comet blazed in the northwest sky. In autumn, people were recruited to move to Yunling, and were rewarded with money, land, and housing. In October, a phoenix was reported to have flown to the East Sea, and the Emperor sent people there to offer sacrifices. On the day of Ren Chen in November, a solar eclipse occurred.
In the third month of the fourth year, on the day of Jiayin, Empress Shangguan was appointed, and a nationwide pardon was declared. All lawsuits from the last couple of years were no longer pursued. In the sixth month, the Empress went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices. The Emperor rewarded Princess Chang, the Prime Minister, the Generals, the Marquises, lower-ranking officials, as well as court officials and imperial family members with money, silk, and varying amounts of rewards. Wealthy and influential individuals from the Sanyuan region were relocated to Yunling, with each household receiving a reward of 100,000 coins.
In the seventh month, the Emperor decreed, "In recent years, the harvest has been poor, and the people are going hungry, and refugees have not fully returned. The order for people to give up their horses is cancelled. Cut back on supplies to the capital." In the winter, Grand Chamberlain Tian Guangming was sent to attack Yizhou. The Minister of Justice, Li Zhong, was executed for sheltering criminals sentenced to death.
In the first month of the fifth year, the father of the Empress Dowager was given the posthumous title of Marquis of Shuncheng. In the summer, a man named Zhang Yannian from Yang County showed up at the north gate of the imperial palace, claiming to be the Crown Prince, and was subsequently beheaded. In the summer, all pavilions, mares, and horse crossbows across the country were abolished. In the sixth month, Shangguan An, the father of the Empress, was appointed as the Marquis of Sangle.
The Emperor decreed, "With what little I have, I have preserved the empire, working my butt off day and night, studying the practices of ancient emperors, reciting the 'Book of Rites,' 'Classic of Filial Piety,' 'Analects,' and 'Book of Documents,' but I still feel that I have not done well enough. It is ordered that two good people be recommended from the Sanyuan region and the Ministry of Rites respectively, and one scholar be recommended from each county. People will get titles and rewards below the rank of 2000 stones, with varying amounts." Dan'er and Zhenfan counties were abolished.
In the autumn, Grand Chamberlain Guangming and Military Commander Wang Ping attacked Yizhou, killing and capturing over 30,000 enemies and seizing more than 50,000 livestock. That was one heck of a victory!
In the sixth year's spring, the Emperor personally went to Shanglin Park to plow the fields, quite the important ceremony! In February, the Emperor ordered relevant departments to investigate good and honest folks recommended by various counties, as well as the people's troubles, and also discussed abolishing the monopoly on salt, iron, and alcohol. Talk about Su Wu—a real hero! He was detained in the Xiongnu court for nineteen years during his mission, yet he remained steadfast and loyal. The Emperor appointed him as the regional governor and rewarded him with a cool million coins.
During the summer, there was a wicked drought, and the Emperor ordered a rain-making ceremony, during which fire was prohibited. In July, the Emperor abolished the official monopoly on alcohol, letting folks brew and sell it legally—a liter went for four coins. The borders were too far out, so the Emperor divided two counties from each of the counties of Tianshui, Longxi, and Zhangye to set up Jincheng County, strengthening border defense. The Emperor also decreed, "Marquis Wubo of Goucheng—he and his men beat back the rebels, big time! Made him King Wubo! And Grand Herald Guangming? Huge help, so he got a marquisate and some land!"
In the first year of Yuanfeng, the Princess Chang, who was old and weak, was granted the fief of Tangmu by the Emperor to live out her later years in peace. The King of Dai in Sishui passed away without a son to inherit the throne, so the kingdom of Sishui was abolished. However, there was a posthumous son of the King of Dai in the palace named Xuan, but the Prime Minister and the Grand Secretary failed to report this to the Emperor. When the Emperor found out later, he felt sorry for Xuan and appointed him as the King of Sishui, while the Prime Minister and the Grand Secretary were both imprisoned. In March, the Emperor rewarded five virtuous individuals recommended by the counties with fifty pieces of silk each and allowed them to return home. The Emperor also decreed, "I feel for the hardships of my people. Show your parents respect, love your siblings, and be good neighbors. Every county will give out sheep and wine at New Year. Families in need will get clothes and blankets, and we'll offer sacrifices to the gods." The Di people of Wudu rebelled, and the Emperor sent the Commander of the Imperial Guard Ma Shijian, Marquis Long'e Han Zeng, and the Grand Herald Guang Ming to lead the troops of the three prefectures and the Imperial Academy to suppress the rebellion, granting all soldiers involved amnesty. In June, the Emperor issued a general pardon. At the end of July, there was a solar eclipse, which quickly passed. In August, he changed the era name from "Shiyuan" to "Yuanfeng."
In September, Princess Chang of E, Prince Dan of Yan, General Shangguan Jie (or Shangguan Jie, the General), his son Shangguan An, the Cavalry General, and Chief Minister Sang Hongyang conspired together to rebel, but they were all killed. Initially, Shangguan Jie and his son were vying with Grand Marshal Huo Guang for power, trying to harm Huo Guang by fabricating a letter to Prince Dan of Yan slandering him. At that time, the Emperor was only fourteen years old, but he knew what they were up to. Later, someone slandered Huo Guang, and the Emperor angrily said, "The Grand Marshal is a loyal servant of the state, appointed by the late Emperor. Whoever dares to falsely accuse him will be punished!" This ensured Huo Guang's continued loyal service. You can read all about this in the biographies of Prince Dan and Huo Guang.
In October, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Shangguan Jie (Left General and Marquis of An'yang), Shangguan An (Cavalry General and Marquis of Sangle), and Imperial Censor Sang Hongyang have repeatedly meddled in court affairs. Grand General Huo Guang ignored them, so they plotted their revenge, colluding with the King of Yan and exchanging secret letters. The King of Yan bribed Princess Chang, Lady Ding, Du Yannian (a courtier), Gongsun Yi (the Grand General's chief of staff), and others, exchanging secret letters and plotting to ambush Huo Guang at a banquet hosted by Princess Chang and install the King of Yan as emperor. This was treason! Luckily, a field envoy, Yan Cang, discovered the plot, alerting the Minister of Agriculture, who then told Du Yannian, who informed the Emperor. Prime Minister Ren Gong personally arrested and executed Shangguan Jie; Wang Shou, another Prime Minister, lured Shangguan An to his death. The executions restored peace. The Emperor rewarded Du Yannian, Yan Cang, Ren Gong, and Wang Shou with marquis titles." The decree also stated: "The King of Yan, a fool, had already plotted rebellion with Prince Liu Ze of Qi, but we let it slide, hoping he'd change his ways. But now he's at it again, conspiring with Princess Chang and Shangguan Jie to undermine the throne! Those royal family members involved in the rebellion—siblings and close relatives who deserved death—were spared. Any officials Shangguan Jie fooled, who haven't already been caught, are also pardoned." The following April, the emperor moved from Jianzhang Palace to Wuyang Palace, hosting a grand banquet. Palace staff got silk and cloth; royal family members each received 200,000 coins. Anyone who brought cattle and wine got a bolt of silk.
In June, the Emperor issued a general amnesty throughout the empire! The imperial edict stated, "I, with compassion for the difficult lives of the people, have already exempted three million stones of grain from the transport levies two years ago. I also reduced the number of horses in the palace and imperial parks, reallocating the surplus horses to the border regions and the Sanfu area for military communication. I command all commanderies and prefectures not to collect horse taxes this year, and Sanfu and Taichang commanderies may pay taxes with grain."
In the spring of the third year, in the first month, a large stone stood up on its own in Mount Tai, and the withered willow trees in Shanglin Park regrew, a most auspicious sign! The Emperor exempted the tax of Zhongmu Park to aid the impoverished populace. The imperial edict stated, "Recently, the people have suffered from floods and food shortages. The royal granaries have been opened, and messengers have been sent to assist the afflicted populace. I decree that there will be no more transport levies for the next four years. The relief funds distributed three years ago will not be investigated unless at the behest of the Grand Minister and the Imperial Inspector, or if the border regions have received cattle relief."
In April, the Minister of Works Xu Ren, the Chief Justice Wang Ping, and the Left Fengyi Jia Shenghu were punished for conniving at rebellion. Xu Ren committed suicide, while Wang Ping and Jia Shenghu were sentenced to death. In winter, the Wuhuan in Liaodong rebelled, and the Emperor appointed the Cavalry General Fan Mingyou as the Liaodong Expeditionary General, leading two thousand cavalry from seven northern commanderies to suppress the rebellion.
In the fourth year, on the Dinghai day of the first month, the Emperor held a coronation ceremony and worshipped the ancestors at the Gaomiao (ancestral temple). The Emperor rewarded princes, prime ministers, generals, marquises, members of the royal family, officials, and common people with different amounts of gold, silver, cattle, and wine. He also granted titles to officials below the rank of 2000 stones (a unit of rank) and to the people nationwide. It was announced that taxes would not be collected in the fourth and fifth years, and overdue taxes from the previous three years would not be pursued. The nation was given a five-day holiday to celebrate. On the Dinghai day of the first month, the Prime Minister Qianqiu (a title) passed away. In the fourth month, the Emperor issued an edict saying, "General who subdues the Liao, Fan Mingyou, previously commanded the Qiang cavalry, leading Qiang kings and generals to suppress the rebellion in Yizhou, then commanded troops to quell the Di people's rebellion in Wudu, and recently defeated the Wuhuan, capturing and killing prisoners, achieving great military accomplishments! Fan Mingyou is hereby granted the title of Pingling Marquis. Fu Jiezhi from the Pingle Bureau (a government office) was sent on a mission and executed the King of Loulan, An, sending his head back to the capital, and was granted the title of Yiyang Marquis." In the fifth month of Dinchou, a fire broke out in the main hall of the Xiaowen Temple (a temple dedicated to Emperor Xiaowen). The Emperor and his court officials wore plain clothes to mourn. The Emperor ordered officials above the rank of 2000 stones to lead five teams of soldiers to repair the temple, which was completed in June. As a result, the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the temple were accused of disrespect and during a general amnesty, the Marquis of Laoyang (correct transliteration) was dismissed and demoted to a commoner. In June, the Emperor once again ordered a general amnesty throughout the country. In the first month of the fifth year, Prince Guangling came to court, and the Emperor granted him a food estate of 11,000 households, along with a reward of 20 million coins, 200 pounds of gold, two precious swords, a comfortable carriage, and two teams of horses. In the summer, a severe drought occurred. In June, the court rounded up troublemakers and petty officials in the Sannai region (the three auxiliary regions) and various counties, and sent them to Liaodong for border duty. In the autumn, the court abolished Xiangjun (a prefecture) and divided its territory between Yulin (a county) and Zangke (a county) for administration. In November, there was a sudden thunderstorm. On the day of Gengxu in the twelfth month, the Prime Minister Huo Guang passed away.
In the first month of the second year's spring, the court recruited laborers from across the empire to build Xuanmu City in Liaodong. In the summer, the court issued a general amnesty. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Cheap food hurts farmers. Now grain prices have plummeted in the Sanfu region and around the Taichang Temple, so let's accept low-priced grain in payment of this year's taxes!" Zhang Anshi, a trusted general in the emperor's service, was very loyal and cautious, and was titled as the Marquis of Fuping. The Wuhuan launched another border raid, and the court sent General Fan Mingyou to fight them. In the first year of Yuanping, the second month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Agriculture and sericulture are the backbone of our economy. Recently, I've cut expenses, gotten rid of some unnecessary officials, and eased the burden of forced labor, but the people are still struggling, which worries me! Therefore, we must reduce the population tax!" The relevant departments suggested a reduction of one-third, and the emperor agreed. On the morning of Jia Shen, a huge, bright comet, like a second moon, blazed across the sky, with other stars seeming to trail behind it westward. On the day of Guiwei in April, the emperor died in Weiyang Palace. On the day of Renshen in June, the emperor was interred in Pingling.
Wow! Young King Cheng of Zhou took the throne super young, but guys like Guanshu and Caishu rebelled. Young Emperor Xiaozhao also became emperor and had to deal with rebels like the Yan and He kings, plus Shangguan Jie. Both guys really pulled it off, given the circumstances—amazing! Huo Guang inherited a total mess from Emperor Wu of Han—all the extravagance, endless wars, an empty treasury, and half the population gone. Huo Guang understood the most important matters at the time, cutting taxes and forced labor, giving the people a chance to recover. By the Shiyuan and Yuanfeng eras, he'd made peace with the Xiongnu, and the people were finally living the good life. He promoted smart and capable people, understood the people's struggles, debated the salt and iron monopolies, and even got rid of the alcohol monopoly. They called him "Zhao"—sounds about right, huh?
