Emperor Hui, the son of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, whose mother was Empress Lü. When Hui was five years old, his father Liu Bang had just become the King of Han. Two years later, Liu Bang appointed him as the Crown Prince. In the fourth month of the twelfth year, Liu Bang passed away. On the bingyin day of the fifth month, Hui ascended to the throne and honored his mother Lü as Empress Dowager. He upped everyone's social standing a notch to mark the occasion.
In terms of officials, those who served as Zhonglang (middle-ranking officials) and Langzhong (supervisors) for six years were promoted by three levels, while those who served for four years were promoted by two levels. Those who served as Wailang (outside officials) for six years were promoted by two levels, those who served as Zhonglang for less than a year were promoted by one level, and those who served as Wailang for less than two years were rewarded with ten grand. Palace eunuchs and monks were treated the same as Langzhong, while palace guards and staff received treatment similar to that of Wailang. When Hui was the Crown Prince, his chariot's coachmen were also granted a high-ranking title, and the chamberlains who served a full five-year term were promoted by two levels.
Additionally, money was distributed for funerals as follows: officials of two thousand shi received twenty thousand coins; officials of six hundred shi or above received ten thousand; and officials of five hundred shi or below, down to zuoshi, received five thousand. Those who committed crimes deserving punishment were fined as follows: forty gold for generals, twenty gold for officials of two thousand shi, six gold for officials of six hundred shi or above, and two gold for officials of five hundred shi or below, down to zuoshi. Hui also cut taxes and went back to the old one-fifteenth rate.
The title of nobility is granted to those ranked as Fifth Rank officials or higher, or those holding official positions of Six Hundred Shi (a unit of rank or salary in the Han Dynasty) or higher, as well as those known for their prominent service in the palace. If they commit crimes such as theft, they will be exempt from capital punishment and instead sentenced to labor service; for those ranked as officials of higher status or their relatives who commit crimes, they will also be sentenced to labor service instead of corporal punishment. Elderly individuals over the age of seventy and children under the age of ten who commit crimes deserving punishment will be exempt from punishment. Emperor Hui also stated, "Officials are meant to govern the people. As long as they fulfill their duties, the people can live in peace and contentment. Therefore, we should improve their treatment and allow them to serve the people well." Officials of Six Hundred Shi or higher can now live together with their families; those who have previously served as generals, commanders, or held official positions of Two Thousand Shi or higher will only pay taxes for their households, without additional charges.
He ordered all the princes and kings of the various commanderies to establish temples for the founding emperor.
In the winter of the first year of Emperor Hui's reign, King Zhao Yin Ruyi died. Common people who commit crimes can buy their way out of death by purchasing a thirty-level title of nobility. Emperor Hui also rewarded the people by granting each household an additional level of nobility, which provided them with certain privileges.
In the first month of the second year of Emperor Hui's reign, construction of Chang'an City began.
In the tenth month of the second winter of Emperor Hui's reign, King Qi Daohui came to court to meet Emperor Hui and gifted Chengyang County to expand Princess Lu Yuan's lands. Emperor Hui made Princess Lu Yuan Empress Dowager.
On the day of Guichou (a date in the sexagenary cycle) in the first month of the third year of Emperor Hui's reign, two dragons appeared in a well in Lanling, disappearing on the night of Yihai. An earthquake occurred in Longxi.
That summer, there was a drought. Marquis Heyang Zhong died.
On the day of Xinwei (another date in the sexagenary cycle) in the seventh month of autumn, Prime Minister He died.
In the spring of the third year of Emperor Hui's reign, fourteen thousand six hundred men and women were conscripted from within six hundred li (approximately 200 kilometers) of Chang'an to help construct the city, which was completed in thirty days.
The Emperor gave a princess title to a royal lady, who was married to the Xiongnu Chanyu.
In May, King Miaoyue Yao was established as the King of Donghai. In June, twenty thousand slaves and commoners from the princes, marquises, and lords were gathered to assist in the construction of Chang'an City.
In July, the royal stables caught fire. King Zhao Tuo of Nanyue expressed submission and paid tribute. In October, in the fourth year, on the Renyin day, Zhang Shi was made the queen. In the second year of January, those who were filial to their parents, siblings, and worked hard in farming were exempted from forced labor. On the Jiazi day of the third month, the emperor held a coronation ceremony, granted amnesty to the world, abolished laws hindering officials and the people, and repealed the law of holding books. The Hongtai hall in the Changle Palace caught fire, and there was a bloody rain in Yiyang, an ominous sign in ancient Chinese belief. On the Yihai day of July, the Ling Room of Weiyang Palace caught fire; on the Bingzi day, the weaving room also caught fire.
In October of the fifth year, there was thunder, and unexpectedly, peach and plum trees bloomed while the jujube trees had already borne fruit, which was truly an abnormal celestial phenomenon! In the second year of January, 14,500 people from within six hundred li (approximately 200 miles) of Chang'an City were once again assembled to build Chang'an City, which took thirty days to complete. That summer, there was a severe drought. On the Jichou day of August, Prime Minister Cao Can died. In September, Chang'an City was completed, and the emperor granted titles to the people, with each household being promoted by one level.
On the Xinchou day of the sixth year in October, Prince Qi Fei passed away. The emperor legalized the buying and selling of titles. Women between the ages of fifteen and thirty who were still unmarried had to pay five times the tax. In June, Marquis Wuyang Kui passed away. The construction of Chang'an West Market and Aocang began.
In the seventh year of October, chariot troops and officers were assembled in Xingyang, led by Grand Commandant Guan Ying. On the Xinchou day of the second year of January, a solar eclipse occurred. On the Dingmao day of May, another solar eclipse occurred, which quickly ended. On the Wuyin day of August, the emperor passed away in Weiyang Palace. On the Xinchou day of September, he was buried in Anling.
Historical records evaluate: Emperor Xiaohui promoted filial piety and family harmony within the empire and showed respect for his ministers, especially favoring Prince Dao of Qi and King Yin of Zhao, demonstrating deep affection! He heeded Sun Shu's advice with caution and readily accepted Cao Can's counsel, demonstrating his benevolent nature. Unfortunately, the actions of the Cao family and Empress Dowager Lü ultimately undermined his legacy, which is truly heartbreaking!
