Zhai Fangjin, courtesy name Ziwei, was from Runan Shangcai. His family was originally very poor, but in his father Zhai Gong's generation, due to a love of learning, he became a county scholar. When Zhai Fangjin was twelve or thirteen years old, his father passed away, and he studied alone, serving as a low-level clerk in the Prefectural Governor's office. However, he worked slowly and was often scolded by his superiors. Zhai Fangjin was very distressed, so he went to seek advice from Cai Fu in Runan, asking what he was suited for. Cai Fu admired his appearance and said, "This young man has the appearance of a marquis; he should study the classics diligently and strive to become a scholar." Zhai Fangjin originally disliked being a low-level clerk. After hearing Cai Fu's words, he was very happy and feigned illness to return home, bid farewell to his stepmother, and planned to go to Chang'an to study the classics. His mother felt sorry for his young age, so she followed him to Chang'an, even making straw shoes to help make ends meet. Zhai Fangjin studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals" under a doctor, and after more than ten years, he became a highly respected scholar, attracting many students. Later, he passed the exam to become a low-ranking court official. Several years later, he passed another exam and was promoted to a higher-ranking official. At that time, a renowned scholar named Hu Chang from Qinghe studied the classics alongside Zhai Fangjin. Hu Chang had achieved fame before Zhai Fangjin and, feeling threatened by his rival's talent, would often subtly undermine him in discussions. After Zhai Fangjin found out about this, he sent his students to ask Hu Chang some challenging questions during his lectures and recorded his answers. After doing this for a while, Hu Chang realized that Zhai Fangjin was carefully studying his teachings, which made him feel very uncomfortable. Later, when Hu Chang talked about Zhai Fangjin among the scholars, he always praised him, and the two eventually became friends.
During the Hepin period, Zhai Fangjin was promoted to the rank of Scholar. Several years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Shuofang. He governed with leniency, handled political affairs efficiently, and earned great respect. He submitted reports to the court three times and was promoted to the position of Chancellor. Once, when the emperor visited Ganquan, Zhai Fangjin accompanied him. On the way, the Chief Commandant Chen Qing accused him and confiscated his carriage and horses. Upon arriving at Ganquan Palace, in the court, Chen Qing spoke with the Minister of Justice Fan Yanshou, stating that he had submitted a memorial accusing others and explained, "I am doing this to atone for my past mistakes. Now that the Minister of Personnel is holding onto my case, it should be resolved here. When I was Minister of Personnel before, I reported some matters but later forgot about them, delaying for over a month." Zhai Fangjin immediately countered Chen Qing, asserting, "Chen Qing was appointed to inspect the ministers and should understand the importance and urgency of matters. The emperor personally handles state affairs and has no time for trivialities. Chen Qing committed a crime but faced no punishment, showing no fear, and preemptively making excuses for himself. He spread rumors about the Minister of Personnel, claiming he was either slow or fast in handling matters, which undermines the emperor's wisdom. By failing to diligently enforce imperial orders, these actions are disrespectful. I hereby accuse him!" As a result, Chen Qing was dismissed from his position.
The trader Haoshang from Beidi was captured by the leader of Yiqu and managed to escape. The leader of Yiqu captured his mother and locked both of them with pigs under the Du Ting. Haoshang's brothers gathered supporters, claiming to be Chief Commandants and the Magistrate of Chang'an, and killed the six wives of the leader of Yiqu before fleeing as well. The Chancellor and the Imperial Censor requested that officials, Chief Commandants, and various provincial governors pursue and investigate the situation thoroughly before reporting back.
The Imperial Inspector, Juan Xun, submitted a memorial saying: "The principle of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is that even low-ranking members of the royal family should be listed above the feudal lords, which is a manifestation of honoring the royal mandate. I have been fortunate to be entrusted with an important task, responsible for supervising officials below the public ministers. Now the Prime Minister actually wants to send a clerk to supervise the officials on imperial service, which completely violates the principle of respecting the hierarchy. The Prime Minister himself does not understand the classics, but is using this opportunity to consolidate his power. Hao Shang's offense is merely a family squabble, but the Prime Minister wants to use this to gain control, which is a serious threat to the state, and I won't stand for it. I hope Your Majesty will order that officials below high-ranking officials be dealt with according to the law." Everyone felt that the Prime Minister's subordinates should not overstep their authority to command the Imperial Inspector. Later, Hao Shang was arrested, executed, and his family exiled to Hepu.
The story goes like this: The rank of an Imperial Inspector is below that of a Palace Attendant. When newly appointed, one must pay respects to the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censorate. If there is a court meeting, they sit in front of the senior officials and, along with the Palace Attendant, welcome the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censorate. At that time, Fang Jin had just taken office, and Juan Xun had just been appointed as the Imperial Inspector. He refused to pay respects to the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censorate, and later, when they met at the court meeting, his demeanor was very arrogant. Fang Jin secretly investigated and found that Juan Xun had privately visited Grand Commandant Xin Qingji and even met the Emperor's uncle, the Marquis of Chengdu, Shang, who got off his carriage and stood waiting for Juan Xun to pass before getting back in. Fang Jin reported these findings and said, "A strong country depends on respecting its elders and upholding proper hierarchy. That's basic good governance. Respect for superiors is essential; everyone should follow the chain of command. When the Prime Minister pays respects to the Emperor, the Emperor must rise to greet him, and even in the carriage, the Prime Minister should be offered a seat. All courtiers should follow the Emperor's teachings to govern the realm effectively. Xun, as a two thousand stone official, is fortunate to be entrusted with an important task, but he disregards etiquette, disrespects the Prime Minister, neglects senior officials, and behaves inappropriately. He's a phony, undermining the court and disrespecting authority. He should not continue to hold this position. I urge you, Prime Minister, to remove him from office."
It is said that at the time, the Imperial Censor, Ping Dang, submitted a report to the Imperial Secretary, saying, "When Fang Jin took office as the Director of Imperial Security, he did not set a good example to restrain his subordinates. Previously, his relatives violated the laws by racing horses on the imperial highway. The Imperial Inspector, Qing Ping, reported this truthfully. Fang Jin not only did not reflect on his mistakes but also secretly held a grudge and found a pretext to accuse Qing Ping of committing a crime. Later, Prime Minister Xuan wrongfully punished an innocent man for a trifle and requested officials to supervise the Imperial Inspector. The Imperial Inspector, Xun, reported the truth to the court himself. Now Fang Jin has accused Xun again. Everyone believes that Fang Jin does not offer the Prime Minister moral guidance but instead curries favor with powerful ministers to advance his career. This behavior should be rebuked. Xun has always been upright and just, and evil people dislike him. We can be a little lenient and let him complete his achievements." The Emperor believed that Fang Jin's accusations were in accordance with the law and that justice should not be abolished because of rebellion or deceit. Therefore, he demoted Xun to the position of Changling magistrate. Fang Jin had removed two Imperial Inspectors from their positions within a short period of ten years, causing the court to be wary of him. Prime Minister Xuan highly valued him and often warned his subordinates, saying, "Be careful and serve the Director of Imperial Security diligently. Master Zhai (referring to Fang Jin) will definitely rise to the position of Prime Minister in the near future." At that time, the construction of the Changling mausoleum and the building of the mausoleum city were underway. Many children of high-ranking officials and guests took advantage of the situation to embezzle and seek private gains. Fang Jin's subordinates conducted a re-investigation and discovered a huge amount of stolen money, reaching tens of millions of currency units. The Emperor believed that appointing public officials was to test their ability to govern the people, so he transferred Fang Jin to the position of Prefect of the Capital to crack down on the powerful. The people of the capital feared him. At that time, Hu Chang served as the Inspector of Qingzhou. Upon hearing about this matter, he wrote a letter to Fang Jin, saying, "I heard that you are very strict in your governance and have achieved a lot in your position as Prefect of the Capital, but I'm worried you might be going a bit overboard." Fang Jin understood his meaning and later eased up a bit.
He served in government for three years and was promoted in the second year of Yongshi, becoming the Minister of the Imperial Censors. A few months later, banditry in Guanghan and the Empress Dowager's death gave Sanfu officials the chance to line their pockets, resulting in Prime Minister Xue Xuan's dismissal and his return to commoner status. Fang Jin also suffered bad luck; during his time as the Prefect of Jingzhao, his handling of funeral arrangements angered the populace, leading to his demotion to Commander of the Imperial Guard. Just over twenty days into this position, the role of Prime Minister became vacant, and many ministers recommended Fang Jin. Impressed by his abilities, the Emperor made him Prime Minister and Marquis of Gaoling, granting him a fief of one thousand households. After becoming successful, Fang Jin's stepmother was still alive, and he was especially filial, taking excellent care of her. After her passing, he waited thirty-six days before removing his mourning attire and resuming his duties, as he believed that as Han Prime Minister, he couldn't break the rules. During his tenure, he was incorruptible, ignoring pleas from local officials. He enforced the law very strictly, impeaching numerous local officials and several high-ranking ministers, and his scathing memorials earned him many enemies. People like Chen Xian, Zhu Bo, Xiao Yu, Feng Xin, and Sun Hong were all prominent members of the capital's elite families, having served as local officials and ministers, and were quite famous at the time. Yet Fang Jin's rise was meteoric, reaching the premiership in just over a decade. He strictly enforced the law, ousting Chen Xian and others from their positions.
At the beginning, Chen Xian enjoyed the highest reputation, having served as a high-ranking court official since the time of Emperor Yuan, and was very famous in the court. When Emperor Cheng just ascended the throne, he was promoted to the position of regional inspector and later served as the prefect of Chu, Beihai, and Dongjun. During the Yangshuo period, the Jingzhao prefect, Wang Zhang, criticized some ministers and recommended the prefect of Langye, Feng Yewang, to assist the Grand General Wang Feng in governance, and also recommended Chen Xian, the prefect of Dongjun, to serve as the Grand Minister of Justice. At that time, Fang Jin had just been promoted from a learned official to a regional inspector. Later on, Fang Jin became the Jingzhao prefect, while Chen Xian was promoted from the prefect of Nanyang to the Minister of the Imperial Household, and maintained a good relationship with Fang Jin. Prior to this, Feng Xin had risen from a high-ranking county official to the Jingzhao prefect, the Grand Minister of Works, and finally became the Commandant of the Guards, holding higher official positions than Fang Jin. When the position of Grand Minister of Justice became vacant, these three prominent ministers were all on the candidate list, and Fang Jin eventually obtained the position.
Coincidentally, Prime Minister Xuan had a bad relationship with Fang Jin, so the Emperor had officials of the 5200-shi rank jointly inquire about the Prime Minister and the Grand Minister of Justice. Chen Xian seized the opportunity to actively seek to discredit Fang Jin, which made Fang Jin very angry. Initially, the Grand General Wang Feng recommended appointing Chen Tang as his aide. After Wang Feng's death, his cousin, the Cavalry General Wang Yin, succeeded Wang Feng in governance and also valued Chen Tang highly. Feng Xin and Chen Xian had good relationships with Chen Tang, and Chen Tang often praised them in front of Wang Feng and Wang Yin. After a long time, Wang Yin passed away, and Wang Feng's brother, the Marquis of Chengdu Wang Shang, became the Grand Commandant and took over governance. Wang Shang always disliked Chen Tang, so he exposed Chen Tang's wrongdoings, handed them over to the relevant authorities for investigation, and as a result, Chen Tang was dismissed from office and exiled to Dunhuang.
Just then, Fang Jin had just become the Prime Minister. Chen Xian was scared and stressed, so he sent a minor official named Du Zixia to feel out Fang Jin and smooth things over. After meeting Fang Jin, Du Zixia figured out what Fang Jin was up to and clammed up. Not long after, Fang Jin accused Chen Xian and Feng Xin to the Emperor: "They're crooked as hell! Corrupt, greedy, and lining their pockets with bribes! Everyone knows that Chen Tang is cunning and unscrupulous, yet they cozy up to him, giving gifts and bribes in hopes of a recommendation. Later, Chen Xian became the Minister of Works and still frequently gave gifts to Chen Tang. Feng Xin and Chen Xian were lucky enough to be appointed as Nine Ministers, but instead of staying out of trouble, they knew their actions were improper, sucking up to the wrong people, playing dirty, and losing all their face. As Confucius said, 'You can't trust a weasel in a henhouse!' This is exactly about Feng Xin and Chen Xian! Their crimes are clear; they should not hold official positions anymore. I request their dismissal as a lesson to everyone." The Emperor approved.
About two years later, the court issued a decree to recommend talented individuals who were upright and outspoken. Marquis Hongyang recommended Xian, who then wrote a memorial stating his political views and was appointed as an Imperial Inspector. Not long after taking office, Xian accused himself again in a memorial: "I previously served as a Nine Minister but was dismissed for corruption and bribery. I'm well aware of my own crimes, but I skated by on Marquis Hongyang's power, and no department dared to accuse me. I got away with it, disregarding shame. I'm a disgrace; I don't deserve this honor, let alone a job in court." At the same time, he accused Marquis Hongyang of not telling the truth when recommending him. The Emperor fired Xian but let Hongyang off the hook.
Years later, the nephew of the Empress Dowager, Duke Dingling Chunyu Chang, who was serving as the imperial guard commander, committed a crime. The Emperor, out of consideration for the Empress Dowager, pardoned him and dropped the investigation. However, someone suggested that Chunyu Chang should return to his fiefdom. Chunyu Chang bribed the Prime Minister at the time, Hong Li, who then wrote to the Emperor, pleading for Chunyu Chang's forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty already let him off because of the Empress Dowager, so let's drop it." Later, Chunyu Chang's crimes finally came to light, and he was imprisoned. Then, an official named Fang Jin accused Hong Li of being corrupt, undermining the government, and trying to manipulate the Emperor, and requested for him to be imprisoned. The Emperor said, "My uncle, Hong Li, is my uncle; I cannot bear to punish him, so let him return to his fiefdom."
Fang Jin sent another report to the emperor, exposing Hong Li's accomplices, saying, "Hong Li's a bad egg; everyone knows it. He formed cliques, colluded, and attempted to control the court for personal gain. Now that Hong Li has been dismissed from office and sent back to his fiefdom, those closely associated with him should not hold important positions in the court. The best they deserve is county magistrate. For example, General Hou Zhu Bo, Julu Prefect Sun Hong, and former Grand Master Chen Xian—They're Hong Li's inner circle, thick as thieves, and sworn to protect each other. They're ruthless, ambitious, and deceptively talented. Wherever they go, they rule with an iron fist, crushing anyone who opposes them. Everyone knows what they're like; even the foolish can see it. As Confucius said, no kindness, no success. These guys are dangerous. These three are a plague on the country, corrupt, colluding, and trusted by the worst of the powerful. As a minister, I say we get rid of them! Like my grandpappy used to say, reward the loyal and punish the wicked. No hesitation. Taking them down won't be easy. There'll be blowback, but as prime minister, I have to do what's right. I'm asking for Zhu Bo, Sun Hong, and Chen Xian to be fired and sent back to their hometowns. It's time to break this gang's power." The emperor approved the memorial. After Chen Xian was dismissed from office, he died of a broken heart after losing his job.
Fang Jin is a person of great ability, knowledgeable in grammar and official affairs, and refined in demeanor, strict in enforcing the law. People call him a "brilliant minister." The emperor highly values him and is always pleased with his reports. In order to consolidate his own position, he often seeks the emperor's intentions. Initially, Dingling Marquis Chunyu Chang, although an imperial relative, was appointed as one of the Nine Ministers due to his talent. Shortly after taking office, Fang Jin befriended him and recommended him to the emperor. Later, Chunyu Chang committed treason and was executed, leading to the dismissal of all those closely associated with him. Because Fang Jin was a high-ranking official and the emperor valued him highly, he concealed the matter from him. Feeling ashamed, Fang Jin submitted a letter of apology and requested retirement. The emperor replied, "Chunyu Chang has paid the price, hasn't he? And even if you were friendly, things change, right? Don't worry about it. Just keep your nose to the grindstone and look after yourself." Fang Jin then resumed his position and submitted reports to dismiss Sun Bao, the Intendant of Jingzhao, Xiao Yu, the Prefect of Youfufeng, and over twenty other high-ranking officials closely related to Chunyu Chang, demonstrating just how much power he wielded.
Fang Jin, although studying the "Guliang Commentary," prefers the "Zuozhuan" and astronomy and calendrical science. His knowledge of the "Zuozhuan" was learned from the National Teacher Liu Xin, while his understanding of astronomy and calendrical science was acquired from the magistrate of Chang'an, Tian Zhong. He valued Li Xun greatly and promoted him to the post of Yicao. Fang Jin served as prime minister for nine years. In the spring of the second year of Suihe, during the astronomical event known as "Mars in the heart," Li Xun submitted a memorial stating: "The power to respond to changes lies within you. I have submitted memorials multiple times in the past, warning of celestial phenomena signaling change, with anomalies appearing in mountains and rivers, and the people spreading ominous rumors—all of which are dire signs. Now, ominous signs abound, as evidenced by these portents: 'raising eyebrows, piercing arrows, wolves leaping with horns, bows drawn taut, golden calendar, scholars opposing each other, assistance sinking, fire guarding homes.' The emperor's reign is nearing its end, so one must exercise caution day and night. You have not achieved any great deeds to save the world above, nor have you shown any behavior of deferring to the talented below. Holding onto power while merely playing the role of a loyal courtier will be a perilous undertaking! As responsibilities grow, how can you merely protect yourself from execution? Your household staff numbers over three hundred, and you must select from among them those who will be loyal to avoid disaster."
Fang Jin was very worried, not knowing what to do. Fortunately, Lang Benli was good at reading the stars. He suggested that Fang Jin should take over the position of Prime Minister. The Emperor summoned Fang Jin. After Fang Jin returned, before he could handle state affairs, His Majesty gave him an edict. It read: "The Emperor asks the Prime Minister: You've got the wisdom of Confucius and the courage of Meng Ben, and I am pleased to work together with you for the country, hoping to achieve something. However, disaster after disaster has struck in the ten years since you took office. The people have suffered from hunger and cold, and many have died from illness and drowning. The border defenses are weak, national defense is lax, and thieves are rampant. Officials and people are turning on each other, beating and killing innocent citizens. The number of cases judged each year is increasing. Petitioners clog the streets, and evildoers collude and protect each other, lacking loyalty. Officials in the court are suspicious of one another; the situation is very bad. What is the reason for this? Your governance hasn't shown any concern for the people's well-being or the stability of the country. Although the harvests have been good recently, many people still cannot eat or keep warm, and those who fled the towns have not all returned. I worry day and night about this. I think the methods used in the past and now are the same, and the expenses of the officials are fixed. However, you only listen to those below you, saying that the expenses are not enough, so you request to increase taxes on cities, suburbs, and farmlands, even on livestock, and increase the salt and iron taxes, changing your mind constantly. Because I do not understand the situation, I approved all of this. Later, some people thought this was inappropriate, so I issued an edict to question you. You suggested selling alcohol to increase revenue. Later, you requested to stop, but not even a month passed before you asked to sell alcohol again. I'm honestly baffled by your actions. Why do you always use such procrastinating methods, lacking loyalty and determination? How do you intend to help me govern and lead? You also want to enjoy a prominent position for a long time; how is that possible? As the saying goes, 'One can maintain honor by holding a high position without danger.' I am considering dismissing you from your position, but it pains me to do it. You should think carefully, plan seriously, block the source of evil, worry about the country and the people, work for their welfare, and assist me. I have realized my mistakes, and you should also reflect on yourself, work hard, and fulfill your duties seriously." The Emperor also gave Fang Jin ten stones of fine wine and a cow, telling him to take some time off.
Fang Jin topped himself that day. The emperor concealed the matter and sent nine high-ranking officials to deliver his seals of office and bestow upon him carriages and precious objects. The royal works were responsible for the funeral arrangements, and the whole place was wrapped in plain white cloth. The emperor personally went to offer condolences several times, and the honours bestowed exceeded those of any previous Prime Minister. He was given the posthumous title of Marquis Gong. His eldest son, Fang Xuan, inherited his title.
Xuan, whose courtesy name was Shaobo, was not only knowledgeable but also upright, a true gentleman. Later, he became the Commandant of Guandu and the Prefect of Nanyang.
He had a son named Yi, styled Wenzhong. Thanks to his dad, he initially held a low-level job and gradually rose through the ranks, becoming the Commandant of Nanyang at the age of twenty. At that time, the Wuan magistrate, Liu Li, was engaged to the Marquis of Quyang and had a great reputation in the area, looking down on young Yi. When Yi was inspecting work in Nanyang and passing through Wuan County, the Prime Minister's scribe was staying at the post station. Liu Li brought wine and food to visit the Prime Minister's scribe, and just as they were drinking, Yi arrived. Someone announced the Commandant's arrival, which frightened Liu Li. When Yi entered, he went straight to see the scribe, and Liu Li beat a hasty retreat. When Yi returned, he was very angry, found a pretext to summon Liu Li back, and accused him of embezzling ten taels of gold and murder. He then had his subordinates, including Xia Hui, arrest Liu Li and take him to the Deng County jail. Xia Hui thought Wuan County was a large county and was afraid of others taking credit, so he suggested that Yi personally escort Liu Li to Deng County. Yi said, "If you want the Commandant to personally escort him, why bother arresting him?" As a result, Yi, with Liu Li in tow, strutted through the marketplace in Wuan County and escorted him to Deng County. Along the way, no officials or commoners dared to move, and Yi's reputation struck fear into the hearts of everyone in Nanyang.
Liu Li's family rode fast horses to Wuguan and told the Marquis of Quyang about this matter, who then informed Emperor Cheng. Emperor Cheng asked the Prime Minister, and Xuan Shaobo sent orders for Yi to release Liu Li. After Liu Li was released, his subordinates came back to report the situation. Xuan Shaobo said, "That kid doesn't know the first thing about being an official; he probably thought he was a goner."
Later, Yi was dismissed because of this matter, but he later became the Governor of Hongnong, then was promoted to Governor of Henei and Governor of Qingzhou. Everywhere he served, he became famous for his outstanding achievements, fully inheriting his father's excellent qualities. He was later transferred to be the Governor of Dong Commandery.
After a few years, Emperor Ping died, and Wang Mang, the Marquis of Xindu, took over as regent. Yi detested him greatly and said to his sister's son Chen Feng, "Wang Mang has usurped the throne, commanding the world, deliberately choosing a young child from the royal family as a puppet emperor, pretending to emulate the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng. In reality, he is just biding his time, definitely planning to replace the Han Dynasty; this trend is already very obvious. With the royal family weak, no powerful vassal states to oppose him, and the entire empire cowed into submission, no one could resist the country's crisis. I am fortunate to be the son of a prime minister, now guarding such a large commandery. Both father and son have received great favor from the Han Dynasty. I should fight for the country to suppress the rebels and stabilize the state. I plan to raise troops to the west, kill those who should not be regents, and support the descendants of the royal family to assist them in ascending the throne. Even if it ultimately fails and I die for the country, making a name for myself, it will be worth it for the late emperor. So, what do you say? Are you in?" Chen Feng, who was eighteen at the time and brave, agreed.
So, Liu Xiu, along with Dong Commandery's top cop Liu Yu, Liu Xin of Yanxiang, and Liu Huang, Liu Xin's younger brother, cooked up a scheme. Prince Sun Qing of Dong Commandery was a renowned fierce general who was also very knowledgeable in military strategy and was busy in the capital city at that time. Liu Xiu then pulled a fast one and faked a warrant for Sun Qing's arrest, claiming serious crimes. He used the September exams as his opportunity, killed the local magistrate, and immediately took control of Sun Qing's troops and equipment, recruited a group of brave soldiers in the county, and sorted out his command structure. And, oh yeah, Liu Xin was the son of Prince Liu Yun of Dongping. After Liu Yun was killed, Liu Xin's brother Liu Kaiming inherited the throne, but then died without an heir. Therefore, Liu Xin's son Liu Kuangfu succeeded as the Prince of Dongping. So, when Liu Xiu launched his rebellion, he also took over Dongping and made Liu Xin emperor. Liu Xiu himself claimed the title of Supreme Commander Zhutian, made Su Long, Prince Dongping's tutor, his Prime Minister, and appointed Gao Dan as the Chief Justice. He then sent word to all the counties and states, stating that Wang Mang poisoned the Emperor and stole the throne, and now a new emperor was in place, calling on everyone to join his rebellion. The counties and states were terrified. By the time Liu Xiu reached Shanyang, he already had over 100,000 troops under his command.
Wang Mang was frightened when he heard about this matter, so he quickly appointed his trusted followers as generals: Sun Jian as the Valiant General, Wang Yi as the Tiger General, Wang Jun as the Strong Crossbow General, Wang Kuang as the Trembling Might General, Liu Hong as the Valiant Charge General, Wang Chang as the Resilient General, and Dou Xiong as the Mighty Prestige General, a total of seven. They recruited men from Guanxi as lieutenants and officers, leading Guandong's finest troops to swiftly attack Liu Xiu. Wang Mang also appointed Wu Rang as the Accumulated Crossbow General to guard Hangu Pass; Lu Bing as the Horizontal Fields General to guard Wuguan; Liu Xin as the Rising Martialism General to guard Wancheng; Zhen Han as the Grand General to guard Bashang; Wang Yun as the Chariots and Cavalry General to guard Pingle Pavilion; Wang Yan as the Established Might General to guard the northern city; and Zhao Hui as the City Gates General, each leading their troops to stand ready in formation.
Wang Mang, cradling the young emperor, said to his ministers, "Back in the day, when King Cheng was a kid, the Duke of Zhou ran things. And what happened? Guan Shu and Cai Shu teamed up with Wu Geng and tried to overthrow him. Now this Zhai Yi fella's stirring up trouble with Liu Xin. Even the wisest guys in history worried about this kind of thing, let alone someone like me!" The ministers all flattered him, saying, "Your wisdom is only revealed in times of crisis, Your Majesty!"
So Wang Mang, following the style of the Book of Zhou, issued a Great Edict that read:
"October of the second year, the Regent Emperor said: This proclamation is to inform the princes, dukes, marquises, officials, and gentlemen. Recently, Zhao, Fu, Ding, and Dong have been ravaged by disaster. Gosh, I just inherited the throne and haven't even had a chance to govern the country well, let alone predict fate! I'm so worried about the boy emperor; it's like he's drowning, and I gotta pull him out. I must find a way to save him, assist him wholeheartedly, and fulfill the legacy of Emperor Gaozu. I can't even hold a candle to those emperors of the previous dynasty! Heaven sent me this lucky turtle, making me regent, and the Empress Dowager has issued a decree for me to ascend the throne, just like the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng.
That traitor Zhai Yi, former magistrate of Dong, has started a rebellion! He's even dragged Marquis Liu Xin into this, defying our ancestors! This lucky turtle shows the country's in trouble, but it's also a sign Heaven's on our side! After that, over 400 family members rallied to my side, and the people gave me 90,000 soldiers. I am very grateful and determined to fulfill the great task of inheriting the throne and establishing achievements. I did some divination, and the signs are good! So, I sent a general to tell everyone – the prefects, nobles, and county magistrates – that we're marching on Zhai Yi in Dong!
Some nobles might whine about a tough fight and restless people, but it's all for the boy Emperor and our family – we gotta go! I can't ignore the divination, and as regent, I'm really worried. Zhai Yi and Liu Xin are making life hell for the people! I've taken on Heaven's wrath, saved the boy Emperor, and I can't just look out for myself!"
I wrote a letter to Lord Quanling, saying, "King Cheng is still young, and the Duke of Zhou is handling state affairs as regent. Six years later, he summoned the feudal lords to the Mingtang, established the system of rites and music, standardized weights and measures, and only then did the world settle down. The Grand Empress Dowager followed the will of heaven and assisted the young ruler, which is in accordance with the rites. The Crown Prince, Emperor Xiaoping's son, is still just a baby—he needs time to grow and learn how to be a good son, while the Grand Empress Dowager shows her motherly love. When he grows up and undergoes the ceremony of crowning, then he should inherit the throne."
Man, it's all my fault! Think about Zhao, Fu, Ding, and Dong—their rebellion disrupted the imperial succession, altered the ancestral system, and put a commoner on the throne, almost causing the downfall of the Han Dynasty! This led to three major rebellions, ultimately resulting in the dynasty's demise. Alas! Shouldn't we learn from such lessons and work together to prevent it from happening again?! I dare not go against the will of heaven. May heaven protect the peace of the Han and prosper our dynasty! I can only do my best to fulfill this mission. Heaven's given me this job, so I'll do my best for the people!
Grand Empress Dowager, from the beginning in the eastern outskirts of Yuancheng Shalu, she already showed signs of being a divinely appointed female ruler. This foretold that her regency would bring prosperity to the Han dynasty. Later, she also received a response from the Celestial Queen Mother, and various auspicious signs appeared, blessing our royal family, stabilizing our clan, ensuring the legacy for our descendants, and continuing the achievements of the Han dynasty. She dealt firmly with those who defied tradition and abandoned the ancestral legacy, never showing favoritism just because they were relatives or friends. It wasn't that she lacked affection for her kin, but her loyalty to the Han Dynasty superseded all else! Therefore, she generously bestowed titles of nobility, built ancestral temples to protect the capital and pacify the realm; widely recruited scholars to lecture in the court, deliberated on flaws in the legal code and administrative systems, established rituals and music, unified weights and measures, and harmonized customs; restored cosmic harmony, held grand sacrifices at the altars and temples, established the ritual systems of the Five Sacrifices and ancestral temples, ensuring all laws and systems conformed to ancient traditions; built Lingtai and Mingtang, established the Biyong and Taixue, and honored the titles of Zhongzong and Gaozong.
Previously, Emperor Gaozong advocated virtues, established military achievements, successfully pacified the Western Regions, and even received auspicious signs of the White Tiger's victory, with the union of heaven and earth showing signs of virtue. During the reign of the Grand Empress Dowager, auspicious signs such as turtles, dragons, qilins, and phoenixes appeared, and the auspicious signs of the Five Virtues were complete. The River Map and Lo Shu, originating from the mystical Kunlun Mountains, appeared in Chongye. Ancient prophecies have been fulfilled before our very eyes! This is all the work of heaven to bless our royal family and let us achieve great accomplishments! The blessings of Heaven upon the Han Dynasty are truly immense! Like the Marquis of Quanling said, you haven't seen all this, so how can you know how hard she worked?
The heavens have been good to me, so how could I not do my best to fulfill the Emperor's plan? Therefore, I tell all the lords, ministers, and gentlemen: I'm wholeheartedly serving the court, entrusted by Heaven with the safety of the people. I couldn't possibly fail to fight to the death for our ancestors' legacy and the people's peace. Heaven has only allowed me to work for the people. If the people suffer, I'd be a fool not to inherit the blessings left by our ancestors to help them. I have heard that filial sons are good at carrying on their father's will, and loyal ministers excel at fulfilling the monarch's wishes. It's like a father starts a building project, and the son finishes it; a father plants the seeds, and the son reaps the harvest. I couldn't possibly neglect the heavy responsibility passed down by our ancestors. If our ancestors, like Kings Tang and Wu, had to conquer their rebellious sons, the people would encourage them, not stop them. Alas, it is true! Lords, ministers, and gentlemen, you must all work hard to assist the court and make the country prosperous! Our best and brightest must also heed Heaven's will. "If Heaven helps sincerely, you won't easily be unsettled!" Moreover, Heaven has decided to make the Han Dynasty prosperous, but we've encountered two major rebels, Zhai Yi and Liu Xin, who want to attack the royal family. Don't they get it? You can't fight fate! I often think that Heaven will surely punish these two villains Zhai Yi and Liu Xin, just like it punishes anyone who doesn't do their part. Heaven bless our ancestors, and I will also pray with all my might; how could I not obey? The divination results show that the country's territory will be more stable, especially since this divination result is particularly auspicious! So, I'm sending you east – the omens are good, and that's that.
Then, I sent Huan Tan, a physician, and others to various places to announce the decision to support the young prince. Upon their return, I appointed Huan Tan as Marquis of Minggaoli and Fucheng. Generals from across the land arrived in Chenliu, fought against Zhai Yi, defeated him, and also killed Liu Huang. I was very pleased and issued another decree:
After the Empress Dowager passed away, the country experienced three changes of power, each time smoothly continuing; such kindness and trust are deeply felt! Emperor Xiaoping died young, leaving behind a young emperor, so I was ordered to serve as regent. I accepted the imperial order, took on the heavy responsibility of governing the country, nurturing the young emperor, bearing the expectations of the world, always cautious and diligent, never daring to slack off.
I remember that the Empress Dowager had always been devoted to restoring the Confucian classics and rectifying the government, but the system of the Han Dynasty had never been completed. Therefore, I recruited Confucian scholars, vigorously implemented laws and regulations, improved various facilities, cultivated talents, and benefited the world. Now the path of righteous rule is clear, and the foundation of the country is solid; after a millennium of decay and a century of neglect, we have finally achieved this today. Our moral standing is almost on par with Yao and Shun, and our accomplishments rival those of the Yin and Zhou dynasties.
Now Zhai Yi, Liu Xin, and others are plotting rebellion, spreading rumors to confuse the people, attempting to seize the throne and harm the young emperor; their crimes dwarf those of Guan Shu and Cai Shu; their cruelty surpasses that of any beast. Liu Xin's father, the former Duke Dongping Liu Yun, was unfilial and disloyal; he personally poisoned his father, King Si, and later, Liu Yun was executed for his treason. Zhai Yi's father, the former Prime Minister Fang Jin, was cunning and treacherous; Zhai Xuan, outwardly amiable but inwardly venomous, murdered dozens in Runan.
Now these two families, both replete with wickedness, collude with each other, deceiving the populace. It is time to eradicate them! Fate decreed their downfall! After Zhai Yi rebelled, he accused Yu, Xin, and others of conspiring with the King of Dongping to rebel. He arrested them, hoping to intimidate the people, but ended up exposing his own treason first. They were captured, and this is the incontrovertible proof of their destruction! I have ordered the execution of Liu Xin's two sons, Marquis Gu Xiang and Marquis De Guang, Zhai Yi's mother Lian Shi, brother Zhai Xuan, and twenty-four other relatives, all of whom were sentenced to death by dismemberment, their bodies publicly displayed in the streets of Chang'an. During the execution, the crowds watching filled the streets; the weather was clear, truly a most gratifying spectacle for the people!
I have ordered the Grand General to carry out heavenly retribution and suppress these internal rebels, and the results have been most satisfactory. As the "Sima Fa" wisely states, swift justice is essential to maintain order. I now appoint the Cavalry Commander Sun Xian and fifty-five others as Marquises, with the specific number of fiefs to be determined later. I have sent envoys with golden seals, red sashes, and crimson carriages to directly confer their titles in the army.
After the amnesty was declared, the emperor's legions finally broke through Zhai Yi's defenses in Yucheng. Zhai Yi and Liu Xin abandoned their troops and fled. Later, Zhai Yi was captured near Gushi, his body torn apart by five horses and displayed in the city, while Liu Xin was never found.
At the beginning, the Sanfu region heard that Zhai Yi had rebelled, and from Maoling to the west to Duxian, a total of twenty-three counties erupted in rebellions. Zhao Ming, Huo Hong, and others claimed to be generals, attacking and burning government offices, killing the Deputy Commandant and the county magistrate of Li County, looting the populace, with numbers exceeding 100,000; even the front hall of the Weiyang Palace caught fire. Wang Mang prayed, holding his child in the ancestral temple all day long, and quickly appointed Wei Wei Wang Ji as the Tiger Warrior General, and Wang Honglu as the Zhechong General, letting them and Zhen Han and Wang Yan go west to suppress Zhao Ming and others. In the first month, General Wang Yi of the Huya command and others returned from the east and immediately led their troops westward. General Wang Jun of the Qiangnu command was dismissed for having no merit, and General Liu Xin of the Yangwu command also returned to his original position. Wang Mang appointed Wang Yi's younger brother, Wang Qi, as the Yangwu General, Zhao Hui as the Qiangnu General, and Li Zhen as the Yannan General, continuing to send them to march west with their troops. By February, Zhao Ming and others were thoroughly defeated, and all counties were pacified; the army returned victorious. Wang Mang threw a feast for the generals in the White Tiger Hall and rewarded them generously. Prior to this, the barbarians of Yizhou and the Qiang tribes outside Jincheng Fortress also rebelled, and they were defeated by the various prefectures and counties. Wang Mang recorded these military achievements, and based on the size of their contributions, he ennobled three hundred and ninety-five marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons, stating that they were ennobled because of their furious attacks, striking east and west, swiftly crushing the Qiang bandits, barbarian rebels, and traitorous foes, forcing complete submission across the land. Wang Mang therefore felt that he had divine favor, and in December of that year, he finally declared himself emperor. At the beginning, Liu Li, the magistrate of Wan County, heard that Zhai Yi had rebelled, so he wrote a memorial saying that he was willing to be a military officer, to suppress the rebels for the country, and incidentally avenge a personal grievance. Wang Mang appreciated him very much, promoted him to be the Governor of Chenliu, and also ennobled him as the Marquis of Mingde.
My adopted brother, Xuan Gong, lived in Chang'an. Before anything happened, we started experiencing some strange things at home. Every night, there was this crying, but we couldn't figure out where it was coming from.
One day, Xuan Gong was teaching his students at home, and the classroom was full. Suddenly, a dog ran in from outside and killed dozens of geese in the yard. By the time anyone could react, the geese were all dead, their heads bitten off. Then the dog ran off, disappearing without a trace. Xuan Gong was very angry and said to his stepmother, "Wenzhong, the Prefect of Dongjun, has always been a righteous man. Now, weird things keep happening around the house. I am worried that something bad will happen, or even worse. You should go back home to your family and get out of here for a while." But she wouldn't leave, and sure enough, trouble hit a few months later.
Wang Mang demolished all the houses of our family and even dug up the ground to create ponds. He exhumed the graves of our father and ancestors in Runan, burned the coffins and remains, annihilated our entire lineage, and finally threw us all into a large pit, burying us alive with thorns and five poisonous plants. Then, Wang Mang issued a decree, which read: "I have heard that in ancient times, after defeating disrespectful enemies, we piled their bodies to build military mounds, sealing the land as tombs to warn future generations. Recently, the rebels Liu Xin and Zhai Yi rose up in the east, while the bandits Zhao Ming and Huo Hong caused trouble in the west. We sent troops to wipe them out and succeeded completely. Liu Xin and Zhai Yi initially rebelled in Puyang, colluded with traitors in Wuyan, and were finally eliminated in Yudi. Zhao Ming relied on the circular embankment in Huaili, and Huo Hong relied on the thorny bamboo in Zhoudi; both were crushed by us, not one was left. Now, we have piled up the bodies of these rebels in Puyang, Wuyan, Yudi, Huaili, and Zhoudi, creating military mounds measuring six zhang on each side and six feet high in each location, sealing the land as tombs, planting thorns on top, and erecting wooden steles six zhang high, inscribed with the words 'the bodies of the rebels.' Officials from various regions must inspect them every autumn, ensuring that these mounds are not damaged, so future generations would be warned."
Once upon a time, there was a large Hongji Pond in Runan, and the county thought the water resources were abundant and quite good. However, during the reign of Emperor Cheng, several rivers in Guandong overflowed, causing the water from Hongji Pond to flood out, resulting in a great disaster. At that time, Fang Jin was the prime minister. He and the Imperial Inspector Kong Guang sent people to investigate on site, and they believed they should drain the pond to enrich the land. This would save money on repairing embankments, and there would be no need to worry about floods. They then petitioned the emperor to abolish the pond. Later, the Zhai clan was destroyed, and the locals began to blame Fang Jin, saying that he only abolished the pond to get the fertile land below it. During the reign of Wang Mang, there were frequent droughts, and the people in the county blamed Fang Jin even more. A nursery rhyme spread, saying: "Who wrecked Hongji Pond? Zhai Ziwei, that's who! Now we're stuck with bean and taro stew! Things'll change, the pond'll come back, you'll see! Who says so? Two yellow geese!"
Ban Biao, a clerk in the Imperial Secretariat, said: "Prime Minister Fang Jin, when he was young, took his elderly mother and wandered to the capital. His talent made him a renowned Confucian scholar and eventually prime minister. It was truly remarkable! During Wang Mang's rebellion, he had the time and place on his side, and even generals as mighty as Peng Yue, Meng Ben, and Xia Yu couldn't change that. Fang Jin knew it was a lost cause, but he did it anyway, out of loyalty and righteousness, rising up in rebellion, which led to the extermination of his family. What a tragedy!"
