Emperor Xiaoyuan was the son of Emperor Xuan, and his mother was Empress Dowager Xu. When his father Emperor Xuan was young, he was a commoner. He became emperor at the age of two. At eight, he was made crown prince. As he grew older, he had a gentle and compassionate personality, and he liked Confucian teachings.
He noticed that Emperor Xuan surrounded himself with officials who were well-versed in legal texts and often resorted to using harsh punishments, such as executing ministers like Yang Yu and Gai Kuanrao for making sharp criticisms. One time, while dining with Emperor Xuan, Crown Prince Xiaoyuan tactfully said, "Your Majesty, you are too harsh with punishments. You should use more Confucian scholars." Emperor Xuan's expression changed immediately and he said, "The Han Dynasty has its own system, combining the ways of the hegemon and the ways of benevolence and righteousness. How can we just rely on moral education and copy the Zhou Dynasty? Besides, those Confucian scholars who are just armchair strategists lack flexibility; they only know how to talk about ancient laws, criticize the present, and blur the lines between right and wrong. They do not know what to adhere to. How can we entrust the affairs of the state to them?" Emperor Xuan then sighed and said, "If my family goes down, it'll be this prince's fault!" From then on, Emperor Xuan distanced himself from the crown prince and favored Prince Huaiyang, saying, "Prince Huaiyang is intelligent, capable, and understands the law, making him more suitable as my successor." Prince Huaiyang's mother Zhang Jieyu was also a favorite of Emperor Xuan. Although Emperor Xuan wanted to designate Prince Huaiyang as the crown prince, due to his young age and humble background shared with Empress Dowager Xu, he ultimately did not dare to abandon Empress Dowager Xu.
In the first year of Huanglong, in the twelfth month, Emperor Xuan passed away. On Guisi Day, the crown prince ascended the throne and went to the Gaomiao Temple to worship the ancestors. He made his grandma the Grand Empress Dowager and his mom the Empress Dowager.
On the Xin Chou day of the first month of the first year of the Chuyuan era, Emperor Xiaoxuan was buried in Duling. The court rewarded kings, princesses, and noblemen with gold, while officials of rank 2000 and below received money and cloth in varying amounts. They declared a general amnesty throughout the realm.
In the third month, Wang Shun, the elder brother of the Empress Dowager, was appointed the Marquis of Anping. On the day of Bingwu, Lady Wang was made the Empress. The court allocated land from the Sanyuan region, the Tai Temple, and public lands in the counties to help the poor. Families with less than a thousand coins in assets received loans of seeds and food from the court. Xu Jia, brother of the Dowager Lady Dai, was appointed Marquis of Ping'en. His duty was to serve the widow of Daihou.
In April, the emperor issued a decree saying: "I inherit the legacy of the late emperor, carrying the heavy responsibility of the ancestral temple, and I never dare to slack off. Recently, earthquakes have been frequent, and I am worried that this is a warning from the heavens, but I do not know the reason. It is the planting season, and I am concerned about the people losing their jobs. Therefore, I have sent Minister Bao and eleven others to inspect various parts of the country, to visit and comfort the elderly, widows, orphans, solitary individuals, the poor, and the unemployed, while also looking for and promoting talented individuals, discovering those buried talents, and understanding the customs and sentiments of the people in various regions. If the local officials can lead by example, be diligent in governance, spread the teachings of proper conduct, and be close to the people, then the world will be stable and harmonious, and I can be at ease. Isn't it said in the Book of Documents, 'With good leadership, all will prosper'? I have told you all this so that you understand my intentions." He also said: "The Guandong region suffered a poor harvest this year, and most of the people are poor. I order the severely affected counties to temporarily exempt taxes. The rivers, lakes, ponds, and gardens under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works can be temporarily lent to the poor for use, without collecting rent. Each registered member of the imperial family will receive one or two horses; five pieces of cloth will be given to the elderly and filial sons; three pieces to brothers and diligent farmers; and two pieces to widows, orphans, and the lonely. Additionally, every fifty households will receive one cow and wine." In June, due to the outbreak of illness among the people, the emperor ordered the ministers to cut back on their meals, reduce the number of court musicians, and decrease the number of horses in the imperial stables to help the poor. In August, over ten thousand Hu people who had surrendered in Shangjun fled to the Xiongnu.
In September, eleven counties in the Guandong region experienced severe flooding, leading to famine and even cannibalism. Relief efforts were made by sending aid from other counties. The emperor issued a decree stating, "Recent natural disasters have caused the people to suffer from hunger and cold, unable to live in peace and prosperity. This is all due to my lack of virtue. I command that rarely used palaces and buildings not be repaired, that the royal stables reduce the feed for horses, and that the royal granaries reduce the feed for livestock."
In the second year of the first month, the emperor went to Ganquan to worship Taizhi. He rewarded the people of Yunyang by raising their social standing and giving each household a cow and wine for the women. The emperor appointed his brother as the Prince of Qinghe.
In the third month, the Prince Ba of Guangling was established as the king. The emperor ordered that the dogs and horses in the palace, as well as the royal gardens and other royal ponds, be distributed to the poor. The decree stated, "Wise rulers bring prosperity and harmony. When a wise monarch reigns, the heavens and earth are in harmony, the weather is timely, the sun and moon shine brightly, the stars are in order, and the people live in peace and prosperity. Now that I have inherited the throne, I am inadequate in ability, unable to govern the country properly, and disasters occur continuously each year. On the day of Wuyou (戊午, a day in the sexagenary cycle) in the second month, an earthquake occurred in Longxi County, damaging the temples of the former emperor, while the walls, temples, and houses in Huandao County collapsed, burying many people. Landslides and flooding followed. The disasters brought by heaven make me deeply uneasy. There are major defects in the governance of the country, and disasters follow. I am deeply troubled by this situation and unsure how to proceed. In recent years, the harvests have been poor, the common people are impoverished, unable to withstand hunger and cold, and some have resorted to crime, which pains me greatly. Counties severely affected by earthquake disasters are exempt from taxes. I declare a general amnesty! All measures that can reduce taxes and facilitate the people should be reported as soon as possible, without any concealment. I urge all officials to recommend capable and outspoken advisors, and I will personally review them."
In the fourth month of summer, on the day of Ding Si, the emperor appointed the crown prince. At the same time, he bestowed the title of Marquis of Guan Nei on the Grand Master of the Imperial Archives, promoted officials of the second thousand-stone rank to the position of Right Minister (a title for the Right Shu Chang), raised officials who inherited their titles from their fathers by one rank, and rewarded each Marquis with two hundred thousand copper coins and each Wufu with one hundred thousand copper coins.
In the sixth month, there was a famine in the Guandong region, and people in the Qi State resorted to cannibalism.
In the seventh month, the emperor announced, "For several years, disasters have been continuous and the people have been living in hardship, which greatly saddens me. I have ordered officials to open the granaries, take out money from the treasury to aid the disaster victims, and also reward the poor with clothes. However, this year's autumn harvest of crops and wheat was poor, there were two earthquakes within a year, and the Bohai Sea overflowed, causing many deaths. Everything's gone haywire; what is the reason for all this? How should the ministers worry about this matter? You should point out my faults with all your heart and effort, without concealing anything!"
In the winter, the emperor declared, "For the country to prosper, we must respect and honor teachers. The former general assisted me for eight years, taught me to read the classics, and made great contributions. I appoint him as Marquis of Guan Nei, with a fief of eight hundred households, so that he can be in attendance at all times."
In the twelfth month, the chief secretary, Honggong, and his associates falsely accused the former general and forced him to his death.
In the third year of spring, the emperor decreed that the vassal lords should hold positions lower than the local officials.
There was a rebellion in Shannan County, Zhuyajun, and the emperor discussed countermeasures with his ministers. A minister named Imperial Attendant Jia Juanzhi suggested abandoning Zhuyajun and first solving the famine issue of the common people. Therefore, the emperor ordered the abandonment of Zhuyajun.
On the last night of April, the imperial White Crane Pavilion in Maoling caught fire. The emperor said, "Recently, the White Crane Pavilion caught fire, and I was deeply disturbed. This fire disaster indicates a bad omen, all because of my fault! The ministers dare not speak directly of my mistakes, which led to such an incident. How can I understand my errors? The populace is suffering from disasters and cannot help each other, coupled with those troublesome and harsh officials, who nitpick regulations, making life impossible for the people. I am very heartbroken! Therefore, I have decided to grant amnesty to all!"
In the summer, there was a devastating drought. The emperor appointed the younger brother of Prince Yang of Changsha as a prince and appointed He Zidaizong as the Marquis of Guhaihun.
In June, the emperor said, "I have heard that the key to governing a country lies in ruling in accordance with the cosmic balance. Recently, there has been a disturbance in yin and yang, with unpredictable weather, all caused by my lack of virtue. I hope that the ministers can boldly point out my mistakes, but now it is not the case. Everyone is covering up for each other, afraid to speak the truth. I am very sad. The people are starving and freezing, separated from their families, toiling endlessly in their meager dwellings. This is probably not in line with the way of yin and yang! Therefore, I will stop the guard duties at Ganquan Palace and Jianzhang Palace, and let them all engage in farming; all officials must save expenses; there should be no concealment when submitting memorials; relevant departments must work hard, not violating the laws of the four seasons; the Prime Minister and Censor must each recommend three people nationwide who understand yin and yang disasters." With this, more ministers dared to speak up and offer advice. Some were promoted, others were summoned. Everyone felt that the emperor appreciated them.
In the first month of the fourth year, the emperor went to Ganquan Palace to worship Taizhi (an altar for worshipping the supreme deity).
In the third month, the emperor went to Hedong to worship Houtu (the goddess of the earth), pardoning the prisoners of Fenyin, granting titles to the common people, distributing cattle and wine to every hundred households of women, and distributing cloth and silk to widows and elderly people. The emperor did not collect taxes wherever he went.
In the first month of the fifth year, Zhou Zinan was elevated to the rank of Marquis of Zhou Chengxiu, second only to the princes.
In March, the emperor went to Yongzhou to offer sacrifices at the Five Shrines.
In April, a comet appeared in the southern sky near the constellation of Canopus. The emperor said, "I haven't been a good ruler. Too many important jobs are unfilled, and I just can't find the right people. The common people are disappointed, which makes me feel guilty. I guess Heaven's punishing me. There's been a terrible run of bad luck, and I'm scared. The eastern region has suffered successive disasters, with hunger, cold, diseases, and death following one after another. Like the *Classic of Poetry* says, 'When people are suffering, you gotta help them.' Therefore, I command the royal kitchen to prepare less food every day, reducing all preparations by half. My travel and horse feed should be sufficient, with all other expenses reduced. Cancel the gladiatorial contests, recreational activities at the Shanglin Garden, and reduce visits to the palace. I will abolish the Three Services officials, Northern Land officials, Salt and Iron officials, and Changping Granary officials. Do not increase the number of scholars and students, but focus on nurturing talents. I'll give each registered royal family member one to eight horses, fifty bolts of cloth to the Three Elders and filial sons, thirty bolts of cloth to siblings, twenty bolts of cloth to widows, widowers, and orphans, and a cow and wine to every fifty households." The emperor also reduced over seventy types of punishments and ended the rule against officials whose parents are still alive serving below the rank of Gentleman of the Palace. Palace officials can now register their families.
On the day of Dingwei in the first month of the Yongguang era, the Grand Minister of Justice, Gong Yu, passed away. Wei Sima Guji, the envoy, was sent to the Xiongnu but did not return.
In the first month of the first year of the Yongguang era, the emperor went to Ganquan to offer sacrifices, following the rituals of Taizhi, a traditional ceremony. Pardons were granted to prisoners in Yunyang. The common people were granted noble titles, women received a cow and wine for every hundred households, and elderly individuals received cloth. Taxes were exempted in areas where the emperor traveled.
In February, the emperor ordered the Prime Minister and the Censor to recommend people of integrity and good character to select officials every year based on these criteria.
In March, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The Five Emperors and Three Kings all employed talented individuals. Is the country's poor governance due to a change in the people? The fault lies in my lack of wisdom, unable to discover talents! Therefore, talented people are overlooked, and honest ones sidelined. Coupled with the bad habits left behind by the Zhou Dynasty and Qin Dynasty, the morals of the common people have deteriorated, neglecting right and wrong, and frequently violating the law. This really gets to me! Upon careful consideration, what sins have the common people committed? Therefore, I decree a general amnesty, allowing everyone to repent and work hard. Those without land will be allocated land and provided with seeds and food, just like helping the poor. Officials of the sixth rank and above will be promoted by one rank and titled as Wudafu; diligent officials will be promoted by two ranks; those who are filial to their parents will be promoted by one rank; the common people will also be promoted by one rank; every hundred households will receive cattle and wine for the women; widows, widowers, orphans, and the elderly will all be provided with clothing." March also saw snow, which damaged the wheat and resulted in a poor autumn harvest.
In February, two years later, in the spring, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "I have heard that during the times of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, laws were lenient, and the people obeyed them readily; during the Yin and Zhou dynasties, the laws were enforced well, and even the bad people behaved. I have now inherited the great cause of the founding emperor, with a noble position, but I am always fearful and constantly thinking about the suffering of the people, not daring to slack off. However, now the natural order is disrupted, the heavens are dark and ominous, the people suffer hardship, are displaced, and are plagued by thieves. Officials cruelly oppress the people, failing in their governance. All of this is because of my poor governance of the country and the deficiencies in my decrees. The responsibility lies with me, and I feel extremely ashamed. As their emperor, my incompetence shames me. How can I face my people? Therefore, I decree a general amnesty, promoting everyone by a rank, and bestowing cattle and wine upon every hundred households of women; widows, widowers, orphans, the elderly, the dutiful, and the hardworking farmers will receive cloth." The emperor also rewarded princes, princesses, and marquises with gold, and bestowed rewards upon officials of all ranks. Officials above six hundred shi were promoted to Wudafu; diligent officials received two promotions.
On the first day of March, on the Renxu day, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor decreed, "I am always vigilant, reflecting on my faults every night and dare not slack off. However, I have not yet figured out the cause of the imbalance of yin and yang, so I have repeatedly ordered the ministers to find a solution. So far, the responsible ministers have not found the root cause. The decrees and prohibitions issued have not satisfied the people. Lawlessness is rampant, while social harmony crumbles. The people are suffering and struggling to survive. This has led to the increasing evil forces, eclipsing the sun and suppressing righteousness, plunging the land into darkness. On the Renxu day, a solar eclipse occurred, and Heaven showed this omen to warn me. I am very sad about this. Each county is ordered to recommend a talented and outspoken official of high moral character."
In June, the emperor issued another decree saying, "In recent years, the harvest has been poor, and all regions of the country are facing difficulties. The people work hard to farm, but they do not reap anything, suffer from hunger, and have no way to help each other. As the father of his people, I am not virtuous enough, yet I still have to punish them. I feel very self-blame. Therefore, I grant amnesty to the world."
In July, there was a rebellion in the Western Qiang region, and the emperor sent General Feng Fengshi to suppress it. In August, Taichang Qianqiu was appointed as the General of Fènwēi to lead five military units into battle. In the spring of the third year, the rebellion in the Western Qiang region was quelled, and the army withdrew. In March, the emperor appointed Prince Kang as the King of Jiyang. On the Guiwei day in April, the Grand Marshal, Chariot Cavalry General, passed away. In November, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, there was an earthquake on the Jichou day, and it rained in winter, with heavy fog, and thieves were rampant. Why did the officials not stop it in time? You all must report truthfully!" In winter, the Salt and Iron Officials and the disciples of the scholars were reinstated. Due to insufficient state finances, many people were exempted from corvée labor, leaving the state unable to meet its needs for both internal and external labor.
In February of the fourth year, the emperor decreed, "I bear the weight of this empire, yet fail to ease the people's suffering, and disasters plague my reign. In addition, the border is unstable, the army is fighting outside, and heavy taxes and arduous transportations leave the people restless, impoverished, and vulnerable to punishment. This grieves my heart. Therefore, I hereby pardon all and no longer collect debts from the poor." In March, the emperor went to Yongdi to sacrifice at the Five Altars. On the Jiaxu day of June, a fire broke out at the eastern gate of Xiaoxuan Garden. On the last day of December, 73 BC, a solar eclipse occurred. The emperor decreed, "I've heard that wise rule and loyal service bring peace and prosperity. But now, I still do not understand the way of governing the country well. I worry every day and do not consider issues comprehensively. I am easily misled by what I see and hear. Therefore, many edicts have been rescinded, the people's needs unmet, and false teachings spread like wildfire. This is known to all. My ministers are divided, some even exploiting the people for their own gain. Who can the people turn to? On the thirtieth day of June, another solar eclipse occurred. The people's suffering is profound, as the ancient poets foretold. Let this serve as a warning to you all! Serve me faithfully and with open counsel. Speak your minds, and withhold nothing."
In September, the emperor ordered the abolition of the Wei Sihou Garden and the Li Garden. In October, he ordered the abolition of the ancestral temples in various counties and states, consolidating the imperial tombs near Chang'an in the area around Chang'an, with the wilderness near Weicheng Shouling Pavilion designated as the new imperial tomb. The emperor decreed, "Having a peaceful life is the nature of the common people, and being together with family is a natural sentiment. Recently, some officials have requested the relocation of people from the counties to build tombs, causing the common people to be far from their ancestral graves, lose their homes and property, and be separated from relatives and friends, which has made them very sad. Every household cannot find peace. Therefore, the eastern region is overdeveloped, and many people in the Guanzhong region are displaced. This is not a long-term plan. As stated in the Book of Songs, 'When the people live comfortably, they can prosper and benefit the world, and only then can there be peace and stability throughout the land.' The new imperial tomb being built will not have a county town, allowing people from all over to live peacefully without thoughts of unrest. Let this be known throughout the land." He also ordered the abolition of the offerings for the late emperor's parents.
In the spring of 72 BC, the emperor went to Ganquan to worship Taizhi. In March, he went to Hedong to worship Hou Tu. In the autumn, a major flood occurred in Yingchuan, drowning many people. Officials and soldiers affected by the disaster reported it, and the soldiers were disbanded and sent home. In winter, the emperor went to Changyang to hunt bears, bringing many chariots and horses, with a large scale. One day in the twelfth month, he ordered the destruction of the tombs and gardens of the late emperor and the Empress Dowager.
In the spring of 71 BC, the emperor went to Yongzhou to worship Wuzhi. In August, a large number of white moths covered the sky, flying from the east city gate all the way to Zhidao.
Meanwhile, Prince Yuan of Hejian committed a transgression and was banished to Fangling. The emperor also ordered the suspension of the construction of the tombs and gardens of the Empress Dowager Xiaowen and the Empress Dowager Xiaozhao.
Two years later, in the spring of the first month, the emperor went to Ganquan and offered sacrifices to Taizhi. In the third month, he went to Hedong and offered sacrifices to Houtu. At the same time, he increased the stipends of the prefects of the three rivers region, with only counties with a population of 120,000 households or more considered large counties. In the summer of the fourth month, the emperor granted a general amnesty. In the sixth month, he appointed his son Liu Yu as the King of Xindu. On the Dingyou day of the intercalary month, the Empress Dowager Shangguan passed away. In the winter of the eleventh month, an earthquake occurred in the kingdoms of Qi and Chu, accompanied by heavy rain and snow, causing many trees to break and houses to collapse. Zhang Bo, the uncle of the Prince of Huaiyang, and Jing Fang, the prefect of Weijun, were executed for secretly investigating the vassal kings and leaking state secrets. In the third year of summer, the emperor raised the stipends of the prefects of the three prefectures and various counties to two thousand shi. On the day of Jia Chen in the sixth month, Prime Minister Xuan Cheng passed away. In the autumn, the emperor sent the Governor-General of the Western Regions, Gan Yanshou, and the Deputy Commander, Chen Tang, along with troops, including auxiliaries from the West, to attack the Chieftain Zhizhi. In the winter, they finally killed Chieftain Zhizhi and sent his head to the capital city, hanging it on the gate of the foreign embassy.
In the spring of the fourth year, during the first month, the emperor achieved victory in the campaign against the Chieh-chih Chanyu and went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices. He also issued a general amnesty. Everyone at court wished the emperor a long life, and he hosted a banquet, showing the ladies of the court the illustrations. In the fourth month of summer, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I have inherited the achievements of my predecessor, working diligently day and night, fearing that I may not be competent. Recently, there has been a time of upheaval, and the people are suffering from famine. These hardships are due to widespread unemployment and suffering among the people. I have specifically sent a commission of twenty-one inspectors to various places nationwide to visit and comfort the elderly, weak, widowed, impoverished, and unemployed, as well as to discover and recommend talented individuals. I expect all prime ministers, generals, and officials to fully implement my reforms." On the JiaShen day of the sixth month, the King of Zhongshan passed away. Due to sand and stones blocking the Yongba River in the Lantian area and the collapse of the river bank in Anling blocking the Jing River, the rivers flooded.
It is said that in the fifth year of Emperor Xuan of Han, in the spring of March, he issued an edict, saying: "I have heard that wise kings governing the country must clearly distinguish between good and evil, decide on the appointment and dismissal of officials, and promote humility, so that the people will act positively. Therefore, once the laws are established, the people will not violate them; once the orders are issued, the people will follow them. Now that I have been able to protect the ancestral temples and the state, I have been diligent, not daring to slack off in the slightest, but my virtues are shallow, and education is not deep enough. Haven't the ancients said? 'If the people make mistakes, the responsibility lies with me alone.' Therefore, I now order the pardon of all criminals in the world, grant everyone a higher rank, and give each hundred households of women cows and wine, and reward the elders, the filial, and those who work the land." He also said: "It's spring; the farming season is upon us, and the people are working hard to cultivate, so this month should pay special attention to agricultural production, encourage the people to work hard, and never delay the farming season. There are some bad officials who intentionally cover up minor offenses, deliberately make things difficult for the people, do useless things, hinder the people's production, and cause them to lose their harvest, even for the entire year. All the officials must investigate the situation carefully and deal with it seriously." After a few months, on the gengshen day (the 6th month of summer, using the traditional Chinese sexagenary cycle), the emperor went to Shanglin Garden. At the end of the month on the renshen day, there was also a solar eclipse. On the gengzi day of the seventh month of autumn, the emperor went to worship the sleeping temple and garden tomb of the former emperor, as well as the garden tombs of Empress Zhaoling, Prince Wu'ai, Empress Zhao'ai, and Empress Weisi.
In the first month of the first year of Jingning, the Xiongnu Chanyu Huhanye came to pay court to Emperor Xuan of Han. Emperor Xuan issued a decree saying, "The Xiongnu Chizhi Chanyu has violated propriety and has already been punished; while Chanyu Huhanye, not forgetting past kindness and demonstrating his loyalty through adherence to proper courtly conduct, has come again to offer tribute, hoping to guarantee lasting peace on the frontiers. Therefore, I have decided to change the era to 'Jingning' and granted Wangqiang of the Yeting to the Chanyu as his consort." That year, the Crown Prince also performed the coming-of-age ceremony. The Emperor also bestowed the title of Wudafu on the heirs of the marquis and elevated all those who observed filial piety for their fathers by one rank. In the second month, the Grand Historian Yanshou passed away. On the day of Guwei in the third month, the Emperor went to offer sacrifices at the mausoleum of Emperor Xiaohui and the mausoleum of Empress Dowager Jiaowen and Empress Dowager Xiaozhao. In the summer, the Emperor appointed Gan Yanshou as a marquis of the cavalry, bestowed the title of Guannei Marquis on the Deputy Commandant Chen Tang, and granted him a hundred piculs of gold. On the day of Renchens in May, Emperor Xuan of Han passed away in the Weiyang Palace. Subsequently, the temples of the Empress Dowager, Emperor Xiaohui, and Emperor Xiaojing were dismantled, and the mausoleums of Empress Dowager Xiaowen, Empress Dowager Xiaozhao, Empress Shaoling, King Wu'ai, and Empress Xiaoa were also razed. In the autumn, on the day of Bingxu in July, Emperor Xuan of Han was buried in the Weiling. Word had it that someone praised, "My maternal grandfather's brother once served as Grand Chamberlain under Emperor Yuan, and he told me that Emperor Yuan was a man of exceptional talent, well-versed in history, proficient in playing the zither and the se (ancient Chinese stringed instruments), excellent at playing the dongxiao (a type of ancient Chinese flute), composing music, and singing well. Even in the distribution of fiefs and governing the country, he was very meticulous and thoughtful. He has always been fond of Confucianism since childhood, and after becoming emperor, he recruited many Confucian scholars and entrusted them with handling political affairs. People like Gong Yu, Xue Guangde, Wei Xian, and Kuang Heng served successively as prime ministers."
However, Emperor Yuan himself was too busy enjoying himself to bother with ruling, and as a result, Emperor Xuan's legacy started to crumble in his hands. Still, he was kind and benevolent, very humble towards his subordinates, lived a simple life, and issued commands in a mild and cultured tone, all while carrying himself like an emperor. A bit of a paradox, really.
