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Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

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Zhao Guanghan, courtesy name Zidu, was a native of Liwu in Hebei, previously under the jurisdiction of Hejian County. When he was young, he served as an official in the county and as an officer in the prefecture, known to be a straight shooter, efficient in handling affairs, and respectful to his subordinates. Later, he was recommended as a talented individual and appointed as the official in charge of price stabilization. Due to his outstanding performance, he was promoted to the position of Yangdi County Magistrate. Because of his exceptional achievements, he was promoted to Jingfudouwei and later served as the Jinzhaoyin. At the time of Emperor Zhao of Han's death, Du Jian of Xinfeng County served as a subordinate official in Jinzhao Prefecture, responsible for the construction of Pingling Mausoleum. Du Jian was known for his generosity and righteousness, but his guests often engaged in illegal activities. When Zhao Guanghan heard about this, he warned Du Jian beforehand. Du Jian did not change his ways, so Zhao Guanghan arrested him and dealt with him according to the law. Many powerful officials and elites came to plead for mercy, but Zhao Guanghan never agreed. Du Jian's relatives and friends conspired to rebel, but Zhao Guanghan had long known their plans and the list of participants. He ordered his subordinates to report them, saying, "If you dare to do this, be prepared for your whole family to be exterminated!" He ordered Du Jian's execution, but no one dared to carry it out. The entire capital praised Zhao Guanghan's actions.

At this time, Prince Changyi Liu He ascended the throne, living it up and acting like a spoiled brat. General Huo Guang and the ministers together deposed Prince Changyi and enthroned Emperor Xuan. Zhao Guanghan participated in this major event and was appointed as the Marquis of Guannei. He was later transferred to serve as the Prefect of Yingchuan. Yingchuan County had many powerful and wealthy families, such as the Yuan and Chu clans, who were notorious for their misdeeds. Several previous prefects had been unable to deal with them. After Zhao Guanghan took office, he arrested and executed key members of the Yuan and Chu clans within a few months, cowing the entire county into submission.

Previously, the elite families of Yingchuan intermarried, and officials and commoners were in cahoots, forming various factions. Zhao Guanghan had a real headache with this, so he had his most trustworthy officials secretly record the evidence of these people's crimes, then used the evidence to publicly prosecute them. Zhao Guanghan deliberately leaked some information to turn the powerful families against each other and accuse one another. He also taught the officials to use thin rope to make little tubes for passing anonymous letters. After receiving a letter, he would wipe the name off and pretend that the anonymous letter was written by the children of those powerful families. As a result, those powerful families turned against each other, attacking one another, and the whole rotten system fell apart, leading to a much improved social atmosphere. Officials and commoners reported each other, and Zhao Guanghan thus gained a lot of information, reducing the number of theft cases, and even if a case occurred, it could be solved quickly. Zhao Guanghan's reputation as a great administrator spread far and wide, and even the surrendered Xiongnu knew who Zhao Guanghan was.

Two years into the Benshi era, the Han Dynasty dispatched five large armies to attack the Xiongnu, and Zhao Guanghan was called up to lead troops as a prefect under the command of General Pulei Zhao Chongguo. After returning from the military campaign, he was appointed as the Jingzhao prefecture, and officially took office a year later.

Guanghan, as a 2,000-stone official, was a really nice guy, always good to his people. He'd always give a fair hearing to anyone his underlings recommended for their good performance. After achieving something, he’d attribute the credit to his subordinates, saying, "This was done by a certain junior official; I, a 2,000-stone official, couldn't have done it." He meant it, every word. His staff were fiercely loyal, ready to go the extra mile for him, no matter what. Guanghan was sharp; he knew who was pulling their weight and who wasn't. If someone slacked off, he'd give 'em a warning, but if they didn't shape up, he'd have them hauled away before they could blink. Once he'd nailed 'em, they'd confess quick enough. Guanghan was a natural; he knew the ropes better than anyone. He'd burn the midnight oil to get things done. He was a master of a technique he called "hook and line," which quickly revealed the truth of a situation. Want to know the price of a horse? He wouldn't ask the horse seller. First, he'd ask the dog seller, then the sheep seller, then the cow seller. Finally, he'd ask the horse seller. Comparing the prices, he'd know exactly what the horse was worth. Nobody else could pull that off. He knew where all the bad guys hung out, and which officials were on the take.

Once, in the city of Chang'an, a few young people were plotting a robbery in a remote vacant house, but before they could finish discussing it, Guanghan's men caught them. Su Hui, a wealthy man, had a son who was an official, and two people went to rob him. After the incident, Guanghan immediately rushed to Su Hui's house with soldiers, standing in the courtyard and sending County Magistrate Gong She to knock on the door, telling the robbers: "Zhao, the magistrate, asked me to tell you both, don't kill anyone; this guy is a man of the court! Put down your weapons and surrender; you might even get off scot-free!" When the two heard this and learned of Guanghan's reputation, they were scared and quickly opened the door, prostrating themselves on the ground. Guanghan also knelt down to thank them, saying: "Good thing we saved that official's life!" Then they were sent to prison, with instructions for the jailer to treat them well and give them food and booze. When winter came, they were to be executed, and Guanghan even prepared coffins and funeral supplies for them in advance, telling them: "No regrets, eh?" It is said that Guanghan once sent someone to summon Hudu's chief. When the chief arrived at the border, the border chief jokingly said: "When you see the magistrate, tell him I said thanks." After arriving at the government office and discussing official business with Guanghan, he asked: "The border chief asked me to thank you; why didn't you convey the message?" The Hudu chief readily admitted it. Guanghan said: "Tell the border chief thanks from me. Tell him to keep up the good work—the magistrate won't forget his help." Guanghan was like a god when it came to solving cases; his attention to detail was amazing.

Later, Guanghan submitted a memorial to the court, requesting to increase the salaries of the officials and jailers patrolling Chang'an to a substantial amount. As a result, officials at that level became more cautious and careful, no longer daring to bend the law or illegally arrest and detain people. Governance in Jingzhao Prefecture became clear, and people couldn't praise him enough. Old-timers said that since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, no one could compare to him in governing Jingzhao Prefecture. The Left Fengyi and Right Fufeng, who also governed areas near Chang'an, had lawbreakers often fleeing outside the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Prefecture. Guanghan grumbled, "Those two assistants are always messing things up for me! If I could manage them at the same time, governance would be much easier!"

At first, General Huo Guang was in power, and Guanghan worked under him. After Huo Guang's death, Guanghan noticed some bad signs and took the officials from Chang'an to the mansion of Marquis Huo Yu of Bolu, where they rushed in to search for evidence of private slaughter and sales. They smashed up the place, wrecked wine jars, and busted down doors before leaving. At that time, Huo Guang's daughter was the Empress, and when she heard, she ran to the Emperor in tears. Although the Emperor thought Guanghan's actions were a bit excessive, he also admired his style and summoned him for questioning. Since then, Guanghan had offended many bigwigs. He preferred to employ sharp, decisive, and fearless young aristocrats and newly appointed officials, all of whom acted quickly and never shied away from problems, always coming up with bold solutions that no one dared to easily oppose. In the end, Guanghan also failed because of his no-nonsense approach.

So, there was this guy from Guanghan selling alcohol in Chang'an City, but he got booted out by the Prime Minister's goons. This Guanghan dude figured it was that Su Xian ratting him out, so he went to the Guanghan County magistrate to file a complaint. The Guanghan magistrate sent some Chang'an cops to look into Su Xian. Then this cop, Yu, used this chance to nail Su Xian, saying Su Xian was AWOL in Ba and had been skimming off the top of the military supplies. Su Xian's old man went and complained to the magistrate, and the whole thing got sent upstairs for another look. Yu almost got his head chopped off, and even wanted to get the Guanghan magistrate arrested! The Emperor ordered them to grill the magistrate, who fessed up and got demoted.

Later, the magistrate got it into his head that this guy, Rong Chu, was stirring up trouble and got him whacked on some trumped-up charges. Someone ratted him out, and it went all the way to the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor, who launched a full-blown investigation. The magistrate planted his own guys as guards at the PM's place to snoop around for any dirt. In mid-July of Di Jie's third year, one of the PM's maids messed up and hung herself. When the magistrate heard this, he figured the PM's wife had offed her out of jealousy.

Right when the PM was about to head to the temple for a sacrifice, the magistrate got wind of it and sent Zhao Fengshou to give the PM a heads-up, hoping to scare him off. But the PM blew him off, and the investigation got even more intense. So the magistrate decided to go after the PM. He went to see the court astrologer, who told him a minister was gonna get the chop this year. The Emperor said, "Let the Jingzhao Intendant handle it." Knowing he had to act fast, the magistrate personally led his troops into the PM's place, made the PM's wife kneel and spill the beans, and hauled off a dozen maids, saying he was investigating the maid's death.

The Prime Minister Wei wrote a letter to defend himself: "My wife did not kill the maid. Guanghan kept breaking the law and wouldn't own up to it, trying to blackmail me. Luckily, I didn't rat him out. I hope the Emperor will send a fair person to investigate the case in the minister's mansion." The case went to the Court of Judicial Review, and it was found that the Prime Minister himself had beaten the maid for making a mistake. The maid died after running off to her nephew's, which was different from what the Guanghan magistrate had said. The Censor Xiao Wangzhi accused Guanghan: "Guanghan was insulting officials, trying to bully anyone who did the right thing. He was breaking all the rules and ruining things for everyone." The Emperor was very angry and threw the Guanghan magistrate in jail, guilty of embezzlement and bribery. He'd also murdered someone, lied in court, and falsely accused soldiers of stealing supplies. The Emperor approved Xiao Wangzhi's memorial.

Tens of thousands of officials and commoners were screaming outside the palace gates. Some said, "My life's worthless to the court. I'll gladly die for Zhao so he can keep governing." In the end, the Guanghan magistrate was sentenced to death.

Although Guanghan was executed, when he was the Intendant of Jingzhao, he was honest and fair, scared the powerful, and the people thrived. People still remember and sing about him today.

Yin Wengui, styled Zixiong, was from Pingyang, Hedong, and later moved to Duling. He lost his father at a young age and lived with his uncle. He was a low-level prison clerk and knew the law inside and out. He also enjoyed practicing swordsmanship, with no one being his match. At that time, the Grand General Huo Guang was in power, and many members of the Huo family lived in Pingyang. The Huo family's servants ran wild in the marketplace, armed and unruly, and the officials couldn't stop them. Later, Wengui became the market administrator, and those people no longer dared to act recklessly. He was honest, never took bribes, and the merchants respected him.

So he quit his job and went home. Then, Tian Yannian became governor of Hedong. When he toured Pingyang, he gathered together fifty or sixty officials he knew. He lined them up—clerks on the left, soldiers on the right. After inspecting several dozen people, it was Weng Gui's turn. But he just knelt there, refusing to get up, saying, "I'm good at both, you decide where to put me." The governor's aide thought he was being a bit of a jerk, but Tian Yannian said, "No biggie." He called Weng Gui over, loved his answer, and made him a clerk, letting him follow him back to his mansion. When handling cases, he was able to find out the truth and completely resolve issues. Tian Yannian highly valued him, feeling inferior to Weng Gui, so he transferred him to the position of inspector. Hedong had twenty-eight counties, divided into two parts for management, with Hong Ru in charge of the north and Weng Gui in charge of the south. He followed the law, and the crooks got what they deserved. Even the county bosses didn't dare gripe. Later, he was recommended as the Commandant of Goushi, serving in multiple official positions in the county, all of which he managed well. He was later promoted to the Commandant of Dunei due to his integrity. When he got the Donghai job, he went to say goodbye to Yu Dingguo. Yu Dingguo's hometown was in Donghai, and he wanted to entrust his two sons to Weng Gui, asking them to wait in the back hall to meet him. After chatting all day, Yu Dingguo did not dare to let his sons show themselves. After Weng Gui left, Yu Dingguo said to his sons, "That guy's a real go-getter. You two aren't up to snuff, so don't bother him with your problems."

Weng returned to the East Sea as the governor, knowing exactly what was going on. He knew every official, good or bad, in the county, and every crime and shady deal. He kept meticulous files on every county. After taking office, he eased up on the immediate crises, giving the people a bit of breathing room at first. When problems arose, he'd check the county files. He had every county arrest corrupt officials and wealthy landowners, handing down harsh punishments, including the death penalty. He timed his arrests to coincide with the autumn and winter assessment meetings of officials or when inspecting the counties, rather than randomly. He did this to scare everyone straight, making a clear example of those who broke the law. A wealthy man named Tan Xuzhongsun ran the East Sea, a slippery character who'd been causing trouble throughout the county. Previous high-ranking officials tried to capture him, but he always managed to wriggle out of it. When Weng returned, he had Zhongsun executed, which scared everyone into behaving, and the East Sea was suddenly peaceful.

His stellar performance got him the prefect job in Youfufeng, though he didn't officially start until a year later. He picked deputies known for their honesty and fairness, and for cracking down on corruption. He treated everyone politely, but meted out justice fairly – no favors, no exceptions. He ran Youfufeng much like he'd run Donghai: meticulous records of every crook in every county. If a theft happened, Weng Gui would call in the local cops, name the mastermind, and show them how to track the guy down. He was never wrong. He was easy on the poor, but the rich and powerful? Forget about it. Landlords caught breaking the law were sent to chop wood – quotas were strict, and any slacking meant the whip. Some couldn't take it. Even in the capital, they whispered his name with respect. Youfufeng was the safest place in the whole Sanfu region under his rule. He was tough but fair, and completely above board. Humble, never boastful – everyone respected him. He died in the fourth year of Yuankang, after a few years in office. He left behind nothing but a good name. The Emperor, deeply saddened by his loss, ordered that his son receive a hundred catties of gold for the funeral rites. The Emperor’s decree stated, "I work day and night to find good people to serve the court, regardless of their background, so that we can bring peace to the people. Weng Gui was a righteous and honest man, and I deeply regret his untimely death." All three of his sons became high-ranking officials; Tian Cen, the youngest, even made it to General. Tian Hong did well as magistrate of Guangling. It seems Weng Gui had a good eye for talent.

Han Yanshou, courtesy name Changgong, was a native of Yan state who later moved to Duling. When he was young, he served as a junior clerk in the county. His father, Han Yi, was a mid-level official in Yan state. When the King of Yan plotted rebellion, Han Yi strongly advised against it, but was killed, rousing great sympathy in Yan. At that time, the aging Emperor Zhao of Han was in his later years, and the Grand General Huo Guang held power, recruiting scholar-officials from various counties and states to seek their advice on governance. Wei Xiang answered the questions as a man of letters, saying, "Rewards and punishments keep folks on the straight and narrow – that's the key to good government. Recently, the King of Yan has been a cruel and oppressive tyrant, and Han Yi risked his life to advise against it, but was killed by the King of Yan. Han Yi, though unrelated to Bi Gan, showed the same unwavering loyalty and should be heavily rewarded, to inspire loyalty throughout the land." Huo Guang accepted his suggestion and promoted Han Yanshou to be a censor (a kind of official who advised the emperor), later promoting him to the Prefect of Huaiyang. Han Yanshou was highly respected in governing Huaiyang and was later moved to Yingchuan.

There were many influential clans in Yingchuan, making it difficult to govern. The court often selected outstanding high-ranking officials to go there. Previously, when Zhao Guanghan was the governor, he found that the customs in Yingchuan were bad, with people forming factions and gangs. So he encouraged officials and commoners to inform on each other to show his intelligence and ability. However, this resulted in the worsening of local customs, with people growing increasingly resentful of one another. Han Yanshou wanted to change this situation by teaching the people to emphasize courtesy and respect. He was worried that the people wouldn't listen, so he gathered dozens of highly respected local elders. He hosted a banquet, personally conversed with them, treated them politely, learned about local customs and the people's hardships, and explained ways to live peacefully and resolve conflicts. These elders thought Han Yanshou's idea was good and could be implemented. They worked together with him to establish rituals for wedding and funeral rites, and other ceremonies, mostly based on ancient traditions but keeping within the law. Han Yanshou then ordered officials and students at the school to wear ancient ceremonial attire, handle ceremonial objects, and conduct rites for weddings, funerals, and other events. The people followed his lead, and merchants selling counterfeit goods dumped their stock in the market. Several years later, Han Yanshou was transferred to be the governor of Dong County, a county in the east, and Huang Ba replaced him in Yingchuan. Huang Ba continued Han Yanshou's methods and governed Yingchuan very well.

Yanshou, a righteous official, valued propriety and righteousness. He enjoyed studying ancient culture and promoting moral cultivation. Upon taking office, he treated his appointees with respect, actively solicited their input, and welcomed their candid advice. He was frugal in managing funerals, demonstrating filial piety and love; he repaired schools and government offices, regularly held biannual archery contests, and organized grand ceremonies with music and dance. He also conducted civil and military examinations, with displays of axes and banners, and rigorous training in archery and horsemanship. He governed the city and collected taxes with meticulous care, always issuing notices in advance, setting clear dates, and treating these matters seriously, so officials and the people alike respected and obeyed him. He established a system of mutual oversight among his officials, based on filial piety and love, and did not allow the sheltering of wrongdoers. If there were any abnormal situations in the village, officials would know immediately, and wrongdoers dared not enter his jurisdiction. At first, it seemed a lot of work, but soon officials no longer needed to work hard to capture criminals, and the people no longer had to worry about being punished; everyone could live and work in peace. He deeply cared for his subordinates but also demanded strictness. If anyone bullied subordinates, Yanshou would blame himself, asking, "Is it my fault? How could this happen?" Subordinates felt ashamed and remorseful upon hearing this, and one county official even took his own life as a result; a subordinate also attempted suicide, leaving him speechless after his recovery. Yanshou was deeply grieved, wept bitterly, sent for a doctor, and provided generous support to the scribe's family.

One time, Yanshou was about to leave and was just getting on the carriage when one of his riders was late. Yanshou ordered the deputy to discuss the punishment. When he returned to the yamen, the gatekeeper stopped the carriage and said he wanted a word with Yanshou. Yanshou stopped the carriage and asked him. The gatekeeper said, "The 'Classic of Filial Piety' says: 'Serving your father is like serving your ruler; the respect is the same. A son's love goes to his mother, a subject's respect to his ruler, but both are combined in the love for a father.' This morning, my lord left very early, but was delayed. The rider's father came to the gate and didn't dare to come in. When the rider heard about it, he quickly came out to pay his respects, just in time to catch up with my lord getting on the carriage. Isn't punishing a man for being filial kinda messed up?" Yanshou raised his hand in the carriage and said, "I goofed; I didn't realize the mistake." When he returned to the mansion, Yanshou summoned the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper was actually a scholar who, hearing of Yanshou's reputation, had taken the gatekeeper job hoping for a chance to prove himself. Yanshou then employed him. That's just the kind of guy he was, able to take advice and appreciate kindness. In his three years in Dongjun, things ran smoothly under him, crime went down, and he became a model official.

When I took office in Fengyi, I passed the assessment and was confirmed in my post after one year. After a while, I refused to go on inspection tours of the various counties. Several officials advised me multiple times, saying, "You should go to the county to understand the customs and conditions of the people, and inspect the achievements of the local officials." I replied, "Each county has wise magistrates, and the imperial inspectors have clearly reported the good and bad of each county. I'm afraid there will be no benefit to going on an inspection tour; it might only cause more trouble." Those officials insisted that since it was spring, I should go out and encourage everyone to boost the spring planting season. I had no choice but to go on an inspection tour. When I arrived in Gaoling County, I encountered two brothers involved in a lawsuit over land, accusing each other. I felt very sad and said, "I’m fortunate to hold this position and should set an example for the whole county. Yet, I cannot promote education and instead see the people fighting against each other. This not only damages the social atmosphere but also brings shame to the wise magistrates, the tax collector, the three elders, and the filial people. The responsibility lies with me; I should resign." That day, I claimed to be sick and didn't go to work, hiding in my room at the post station to reflect on my actions. The people of the county couldn't figure out what was going on, and the county official, the tax collector, and the three elders took responsibility and awaited my judgment.

Meanwhile, the family members of the two brothers accused and advised each other. The brothers felt deep regret, shaved their heads, stripped off their clothes, apologized to me, and agreed to transfer the land to each other, promising not to fight again in the future. I was very happy; I opened the door to invite them in, served food and wine, and we ate together. Then I earnestly advised them and asked them to share this incident with the villagers to encourage those who made mistakes to repent and start anew. After that, I resumed my work, thanked the officials below the magistrate, and praised the county lieutenant. The people of the county were shaken by this, warned each other, and dared not make mistakes again. My integrity earned me the trust of officials and people alike, so much so that no one dared to deceive me.

Yanshou replaced Xiaowangzhi as the Left Fengyi, while Xiaowangzhi was promoted to the position of Grand Censor. A palace attendant named Fu told Xiaowangzhi that Yanshou had embezzled a fortune while serving as an official in Dongjun. Xiaowangzhi discussed this matter with the Prime Minister Bing Ji, who suggested granting a general amnesty and not pursuing the matter further. It just so happened that an investigator was sent to Dongjun to investigate, and Xiaowangzhi took the opportunity to have the investigator look into this matter as well.

Upon hearing this, Yanshou immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate Xiaowangzhi's embezzlement of over a million public funds while serving in Fengyi. The warehouse staff, scared stiff, confessed that they had embezzled money with Xiaowangzhi. Yanshou went after Xiaowangzhi and even had people block him at the palace gate, preventing him from entering. Xiaowangzhi also reported, "My duty is to manage national affairs, and upon hearing such matters, I dare not neglect to investigate, but Yanshou blocked me." The Emperor thought Yanshou was out of line and ordered both sides to thoroughly investigate the matter. In the end, the investigation cleared Xiaowangzhi's name, and Xiaowangzhi's investigator uncovered Yanshou's embezzlement in Dongjun.

During his time as an official in Dongjun, Yanshou was extremely arrogant and domineering! He often conducted military drills, dressed like a peacock, decorated his chariots lavishly, and even painted them with dragons, tigers, and phoenixes. He himself wore a yellow silk robe with a square collar, rode in a four-horse carriage with an escort, and had a grand procession with singers and dancers, like the emperor himself was rolling through town. Groups of five cavalrymen guarded him on both sides, while the army's commanders carried flags beside the carriage. Singers waited in the archery range, and as soon as Yanshou's carriage arrived, they sang loudly. Yanshou sat in the archery range, with cavalrymen holding spears standing in formation, and attendants carrying bows and arrows behind him. He even ordered the cavalrymen to line up around, wearing armor, riding horses, and carrying crossbows and quivers. He even had his cavalrymen horsing around, staging mock horse-stealing contests.

Yanshou also took the official bronze items and, during an eclipse, forged decorations on swords and weapons in the style of the Shangfang sword. He embezzled government money, lending it privately to forced laborers and officials. The total embezzled money and the money spent on building chariots, horses, and weapons amounted to over three million.

So, Wang Zhi, this guy, calls Yanshou out, saying that he was acting unlawfully and outrageously! Yanshou defended himself, saying, "I was previously accused by Yanshou, and now I am exposing his crimes. Everyone must think I have ulterior motives and am trying to set him up. Therefore, I hope that the Prime Minister, all officials above the rank of 2000 shi, and scholars will discuss his crimes." The case went to the bigwigs of the court, who felt that Yanshou did not have any major issues before and was now making false accusations against court ministers in an attempt to clear himself, which was too cunning and a real weasel! The Emperor hit the roof upon hearing this, and Yanshou was ultimately sentenced to death!

Loads of folks, thousands of 'em, escorted him all the way to Weicheng. Folks of all ages helped push his cart, vying to give him booze and grub. Yanshou couldn't say no, so he drank cup after cup—he figured he put away a stone of wine or more! He instructed his aides to distribute the wine and meat to the people escorting him, saying, "You all went to a lot of trouble to see me off. If I kick the bucket, there ain't nothin' I can do to repay ya'll." At that time, everyone bidding him farewell was in tears.

Yanshou had three sons, all officials. Before he died, he advised his sons not to become officials anymore, using himself as an example. His sons listened and quit their jobs. It wasn't until his grandson Yanwei that someone took up an official position again, eventually becoming a general. Yanwei was a real charmer, a natural leader; his soldiers would do anything for him. But Yanwei got himself whacked for living too high on the hog—just like his grandpa!

Zhang Chang, or Zigao as he was known, hailed from Pingyang in Hedong. His grandfather Zhang Ru served as the Prefect of Shanggu and later moved to Maoling. His father Zhang Fu served under Emperor Wu of Han and rose to the position of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Zhang Chang moved to Duling with Emperor Xuan. He started out as a low-level clerk in the prefect's office back home. He did a good job, so they promoted him to run the Ganquan Granary, and eventually he became Master of Ceremonies. Du Yannian held him in high regard.

It just so happened that Prince Changyi was about to become emperor, but he was completely lawless. Zhang Chang advised in a memorial: "Emperor Xiaozhao died young without an heir. The court was in a panic, so they picked a suitable successor. Everyone was practically holding their breath, hoping the carriage wouldn't be late on the day he was welcomed. Now the young emperor's on the throne, and the whole country's watching his every move. The emperor's advisors hadn't even been rewarded yet. Changyi already moved into the palace – a huge mistake!" Within two weeks, Changyi was deposed. Zhang Chang's outspokenness made him famous, and he was promoted to Governor of Yuzhou. His constant, loyal advice led Emperor Xuan to recall him to court as Grand Master, where he shared responsibility for the Secretariat with Yu Dingguo. Zhang Chang's honesty angered Grand Marshal Huo Guang, who promptly banished him to Hangu Pass, managing military supplies and cutting costs. After deposing Changyi, the still-nervous Emperor Xuan transferred Zhang Chang to Shanyang. Long after Huo Guang's death, Emperor Xuan finally took the reins of power. He made Huo Guang's nephews, Huo Shan and Huo Yun, marquises and promoted his son, Huo Yu, to Grand Marshal. Huo Shan and Huo Yun were soon disgraced, but the Huo family's sons-in-law and relatives all found government jobs.

This has made Inspector General Xue Chang very anxious. He quickly wrote a memorial to Emperor Xuan of Han, saying: "I heard that the descendants of Ji You from the State of Lu, the Zhao family from the State of Jin, and Tian Wan from the State of Qi all made contributions, and their countries rewarded their descendants. But what happened in the end? The Tian family usurped Qi, the Zhao family divided Jin, and the Ji family tyrannically controlled Lu. Confucius's *Spring and Autumn Annals* chronicles these events, highlighting the dangers of powerful noble families.

General Huo assisted Your Majesty in pacifying the world and securing the imperial throne and the realm. His contributions are indeed great. The Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng for only seven years, while General Huo has assisted Your Majesty for twenty years, holding the fate of the nation in his hands. At the height of General Huo's power, omens of unrest appeared: celestial disturbances occurred, earthquakes, fires, and various strange phenomena emerged frequently, all because of the abuse of power by the powerful minister.

Court officials should speak their minds; Your Majesty has already amply rewarded General Huo. Now, the Huo family's ministers hold too much power, and the distinction between ruler and subject has become blurred. Huoshan and Huoyun should be stripped of their marquisates. General Zhang Anshi should also be allowed to retire with imperial honors and consulted only occasionally.

If Your Majesty issues a decree to do so, even if ministers object, the greater good will prevail. This way, the world will know that Your Majesty remembers past contributions, the ministers understand etiquette, and the descendants of the Huo family will not be in danger. No one dares speak truth to power; therefore, Your Majesty's personal drafting of this decree is unwise."

Now Huo Shan and Huo Yun have been dismissed, and the rest are scared stiff. In my opinion, Huo Yu and the rest of the Huo clan are probably terrified. Keeping your officials scared isn't a sustainable strategy. I want to speak to Your Majesty in person about these matters, but my position is too low, and I have no opportunity. It's hard to put my thoughts into words, let alone write them down. Yi Yin failed to assist King Jie five times before successfully aiding King Tang; Xiao He recommended Han Xin, and it took several years before he succeeded. And here I am, miles away, stuck writing letters to express my worries. So I'm begging you, Your Majesty, please consider this! Emperor Xuan thought it was a good idea, but did nothing about it.

Some time later, banditry was rife in Bohai and Jiaodong, causing chaos everywhere. Therefore, Geng Shouchang wrote a petition to the emperor, volunteering to go suppress the rebellion. He said, "I have heard that loyalty and filial piety dictate that one should be devoted to serving and respecting parents at home, and to serve the emperor with single-minded dedication when in office. Even in the smallest of kingdoms, there are ministers who are not afraid to sacrifice for their country, let alone us, the subjects of the great Han Emperor! Your Majesty is busy with state affairs day and night, tirelessly working for the country, truly neglecting rest and food! We, as subjects, should do our best to contribute to the country. There are 93,000 households in Shanyang County, with a population of over 500,000, but so far, there are still seventy-seven bandits at large, and other government affairs are similarly neglected. My abilities are limited, and I cannot help you; I have been living leisurely in the county for so long, forgetting about the important matters of the country, which is truly shameful for loyalty and filial piety! I have heard that the counties near Jiaodong and Bohai have had poor harvests for years, with bandits rising, even attacking government offices, robbing prisoners, looting markets, kidnapping marquises, and the officials are undisciplined, allowing the wicked to run rampant. Fearless, I, Geng Shouchang, will obey your orders and do my best to strike these bandits and comfort the lonely and helpless people. If things are accomplished, I will report the local situation in detail, explaining why governance was poor before and how it is now being managed well."

After reading the petition, the emperor immediately summoned Geng Shouchang and appointed him as the Prefect of Jiaodong, rewarding him with thirty pounds of gold. Geng Shouchang declined the reward, saying, "Without a system of rewards and punishments in place in these chaotic counties, it is impossible to persuade the good or punish the evil. I request Your Majesty reward those officials who capture bandits as generously as, or even more so than, those in the Three Adjuncts regions." The emperor agreed to his request.

Upon arriving in Jiaodong, Geng Shouchang immediately publicly offered rewards for turning in other thieves, leading to a wave of arrests and killings. Dozens of officials who successfully apprehended thieves were promoted to county magistrate by the Emperor. In this way, the thieves turned on each other, leading to their downfall. The people finally felt safe, and peace returned to Jiaodong.

It is said that after some time, Queen Wang often went hunting outside. A letter of advice was submitted to her, "They say Prince Qin loved lavish music, so Lady Ye banned Zheng and Wei tunes; and since King Chu was a keen hunter, Lady Fan avoided eating game. It wasn't about disliking good food or music, but about curbing desires and avoiding indulgence to keep the rulers on the straight and narrow and protect the dynasty. Royal protocol dictated that the Queen Mother travel by carriage, be attended by her father-in-law, wear jade ornaments, and maintain a dignified appearance. This emphasized self-control, not self-indulgence, for those of high rank. Your Majesty is known throughout the land for your beauty and kindness. However, word of your frequent hunting trips might reach the Emperor, and that wouldn't look good. I hope this historical precedent will guide your actions, setting an example for the court and earning the praise of your ministers. I am honored to submit this advice." The Queen Mother heeded the advice and ceased her hunting excursions.

Next, at that time, the Prefect of Yingchuan, Huang Ba, was appointed as the Mayor of Chang'an due to his outstanding performance. However, Huang Ba did not perform well during his time as Mayor of Chang'an and was dismissed and sent back to Yingchuan. The court then issued an edict to the Imperial Censor saying, "Let Chang, the Magistrate of Jiaodong, serve as the Mayor of Chang'an." Since the death of Zhao Guanghan, several successive Mayors of Chang'an, like Huang Ba, had been unable to handle the position. The capital was gradually becoming deserted, with numerous theft cases especially in Chang'an city, causing great distress to the merchants. The Emperor asked Chang how to deal with this, and Chang believed it could be stopped. After taking office, Chang went to inquire with the local elders and some gang leaders in Chang'an city, and found that most of them were respected elders in their neighborhoods. Chang summoned them all for questioning, then pardoned their crimes and allowed them to make amends by returning what they'd stolen. The theft leaders said, "If we are suddenly called to the official office, it may scare off other thieves. It would be better to register together." Chang registered them as officials and sent them home. Chang hosted a banquet, and all the thieves came to congratulate him, getting drunk, and one even got ochre on Chang's robe. Officials patrolled the backstreets, arresting anyone with ochre stains. They were interrogated about their crimes, with some individuals found to have committed over a hundred cases, all of whom were punished according to the law. From then on, the city grew quieter, there were no more theft cases in Chang'an city, and the Emperor was delighted.

Zhang Chang was super efficient at getting things done and always fair, cracking down on bad stuff right away. Sometimes he'd bend the rules a bit; overall, the guy had guts. He ran things kinda like Zhao Guanghan, but he wasn't as good at busting criminals as Zhao Guanghan. However, Zhang Chang was proficient in "Spring and Autumn" and used Confucian ideology to guide his work, so there was a real refined touch to his accomplishments, always praising those who did good, unlike Zhao Guanghan, who was always cracking the whip. That's why he stayed out of trouble and ultimately wasn't implicated in any crimes.

Jingzhao was the capital, with a large population in Chang'an City and prosperity in the Sui region. Lots of two-thousand-shi officials got the boot from Jingzhao pretty quick, some lasting a couple of years, others a few months, or even less, ruining their careers. Only Zhao Guanghan and Zhang Chang lasted. Whenever the court had big decisions to make, he'd always quote the classics, lay out the pros and cons, and convince everyone, even the Emperor. But the guy was a bit of a slob; he'd ride back from court through Zhangtai Street, making the officials clear a path while he patted his horse's neck.

Even crazier, he'd pluck his wife's eyebrows, and everyone in Chang'an was talking about "Zhang Jingzhao's eyebrows." Someone ratted him out to the Emperor, who asked what was up. Zhang Chang said, "Your Majesty, I've heard there are things couples do in private that are way worse than plucking eyebrows!" The Emperor laughed it off. But he never got promoted.

I had a good relationship with Xiao Wangzhi and Yu Dingguo. At first, I was punished alongside Yu Dingguo for advising the promotion of Prince Changyi. Yu Dingguo later became a high-ranking official managing the Shangshu affairs, while I was sent away to be a regional prefect. At that time, Xiao Wangzhi was a chief official. Later, Xiao Wangzhi was promoted to Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, Yu Dingguo became the Prime Minister, and I never rose above the position of a county governor. I served as the Prefect of Jingzhao for nine years. Because of my good relationship with the Grand Master of the Palace Attendants, Yang Yun, I refused to resign, even though all of Yang Yun's associates were dismissed after he was executed for treason.

I sent a low-ranking official named Xu Shun to investigate a case involving thieves. Xu Shun believed that I should be dismissed for accusing others and refused to help me with the case, so he secretly returned home. Someone advised Xu Shun, but he said, "I've already worked hard for this lord. He has only been the Prefect of Jingzhao for five days. Can I help him with the case again?" When I heard this, I immediately sent officers to arrest Xu Shun and throw him in prison. Before the winter solstice arrived, the officials in charge of the case interrogated Xu Shun day and night, eventually torturing him to death. As Xu Shun was about to be executed, I had the registrar deliver my order to him: "So, how'd you like your five days as Prefect? Winter's almost over – think you'll live to see spring?" Then Xu Shun was publicly displayed in the marketplace. Just as the beginning of spring approached, an imperial envoy arrived to investigate wrongful cases. Xu Shun's family brought his body, along with my order, to file a complaint. The envoy reported that I cruelly killed an innocent man. The Emperor figured my crime wasn't that bad, so he let me sort it out myself. He first brought out the memorial where I had declared Yang Yun unfit for office and then demoted me to a commoner. When the dismissal order arrived, I returned my seal at the palace gates and then ran.

A few months later, the people of the capital relaxed their vigilance, banging gongs and drums everywhere, creating a peaceful scene. However, a big bandit appeared in Yizhou. The emperor wanted to reinstate Zhang Chang and sent messengers to summon him to the palace. At that time, Zhang Chang was burdened with a whole heap of trouble. When the messenger arrived at his home, his wife and children were bawling their eyes out, but he was smiling and said, "I was running for my life, all for the good of the people. The local officials were about to arrest me. Now that the messenger has come, it means the emperor wants to reinstate me!" After speaking, he packed his things and followed the messenger to the court. Then he wrote a memo saying, "I got lucky and became a magistrate in Jingzhao Prefecture, but I was being punished for killing the magistrate's chief investigator of theft, Xu Shun. Xu Shun and I had a good relationship in the past, and I had helped him many times. However, when he found out that I was going to be dismissed for my wrongdoing and was under investigation, he went home and told me to return to Jingzhao Prefecture in five days. This was a double-cross and set a bad example. I believe Xu Shun's behavior was unacceptable. I wrongfully killed him, and the trial was unfair. I'd take a death sentence without a whimper."

The emperor summoned Zhang Chang and appointed him as the governor of Jizhou prefecture. Zhang Chang used to be a fugitive, but now he was tasked with governing the state and counties. After taking office in Jizhou, Guangchuan was overrun by bandits. With his sharp observation, Zhang Chang identified the leader of the thieves and their hiding place, then had their leader killed. The siblings of the King of Guangchuan, as well as royal relatives like Liu Diao, were colluding with the thieves, providing them with money and supplies. When the officials pursued them, they found their tracks leading to the palace. Zhang Chang personally led the officials of the counties, surrounded the palace with a large contingent of troops, searched for Liu Diao and others, and eventually found them in a hidden chamber of the palace. Zhang Chang captured all the officials involved in the rebellion and executed them, hanging their heads at the palace gate. He then impeached the King of Guangchuan. The emperor, unable to bear to punish him, stripped him of his title. Zhang Chang served as the governor of Jizhou for over a year, and all the thieves in Jizhou were brought under control. Later, he became the Prefect of Taiyuan, and after serving for a year, Taiyuan became peaceful.

Some time later, Emperor Xuan died. Emperor Yuan had just ascended the throne, and the court advisor Zheng Peng recommended Zhang Chang to the emperor, stating that he was a highly regarded official from the previous reign and should assist the crown prince. The emperor asked the former general Xiao Wangzhi for his opinion, and Xiao Wangzhi believed that although Zhang Chang was capable of handling complex situations, his abilities were limited, and he was not fit to be the teacher of the crown prince. The emperor then sent messengers to summon Zhang Chang, intending for him to serve as the Left Fengyi (a high-ranking government position). However, Zhang Chang died before taking office. In the past, Zhang Chang had killed some officials in Taiyuan, and their families held a grudge against him, leading them to assassinate Zhang Chang's son, Zhang Huang, in Duling. All three of Zhang Chang's sons eventually became commandants.

At first, Zhang Chang became the governor of Jingzhao, and his younger brother Zhang Wu was appointed as the Prime Minister of Liangguo. At that time, the King of Liang was a real tyrant, with lots of local bigwigs among the common people, making it difficult to govern. Zhang Chang asked Zhang Wu, "So, how're you gonna run Liangguo?" Zhang Wu respected his older brother very much, and was a bit afraid, so he clammed up. Zhang Chang then sent him to Hangu Pass with instructions to get the answer from him. Zhang Wu replied, "You gotta know how to handle a spirited horse with a bit and reins. Liangguo is vast and populous, with officials and commoners alike exhausted, so we should govern it with tough laws." The officials relayed Zhang Wu's words back, and Zhang Chang smiled and said, "If that's your plan, you'll do great, Zhang Wu." After taking office, Zhang Wu did indeed govern Liangguo effectively; he turned out to be a good administrator.

Zhang Chang's grandson, Zhang Song, became a county governor during Wang Mang's reign and was even made a marquis. He surpassed Zhang Chang in knowledge and literary talent, but his ability to govern affairs was not as good as his grandfather's. After Zhang Song died, the Zhang line died out.

Wang Zun, courtesy name Zigan, was a native of Gaoyang in Zhuo prefecture. He became an orphan at a young age and was taken in by his uncle, who sent him to tend sheep. Wang Zun secretly studied and became proficient in historical texts. At the age of thirteen, he requested to work as a low-level prison official. Several years later, he worked in the office of the governor, responsible for delivering edicts and handling affairs. Wang Zun always had the right answer. The governor was amazed and promoted him to a clerk, putting him in charge of overseeing the prison. After a long time, Wang Zun resigned due to illness and went to study under the county literary official to learn "The Book of Documents" and "The Analects," understanding their main points. He was later summoned back to once again oversee the prison and became an official responsible for hearing cases in the county. Several years later, due to his outstanding performance, he was recommended to serve as a subordinate official to the Inspector of Youzhou. The governor valued Wang Zun's integrity and transferred him to Liaoxi to serve as a salt official. He repeatedly submitted memorials on political matters, which were forwarded to the prime minister and the censorate.

During the Chu Yuan era, he was recommended for promotion for his outspoken memorials and was appointed as the magistrate of Guo County. He was later transferred to serve as the magistrate of Huaili County, concurrently managing the affairs of Meiyang County. In the first month of the year, a woman in Meiyang County accused her son of being unfilial, saying, "My son treats me like his wife, he's jealous of me, and he's always beating me!" Upon hearing this, Wang Zun sent officials to arrest and interrogate the son, who admitted to the crime. Wang Zun said, "There is no law against 'abusing one's wife,' something even the sages could not bear to include in the legal code. This is what they call 'wrongful imprisonment'!" Wang Zun then threw legal procedure out the window. He marched out, had the kid strung up from a tree, and had five mounted guards shoot him full of arrows. Terror gripped the populace.

The emperor visited Yongzhou and passed through Guozhou, where the level of pomp and circumstance was exactly the same as before. The emperor promoted me to be the prefect of Anding. After taking office, I issued orders to the subordinate counties, saying, "County magistrates and clerks, you are responsible for the well-being of the people. You must uphold the law, suppress violence, assist the weak, show compassion, and govern justly. It's hard work! I just took office today, and I hope everyone can strive to correct their behavior and lead by example. If there was corruption in the past and you can amend it now, I will work with you to govern the area. You must diligently perform your duties and never violate the law." I also instructed my clerks, saying, "You must work hard and assist me in governing the area. If you aren't capable, resign quickly and don't occupy the position for too long, hindering talent. Just as a bird needs strong wings to fly far, a well-run household is essential for effective governance. The county magistrate must carefully record the abilities of all officials and report them to me separately. Merit, not wealth, should determine appointments. Even a wealthy merchant with millions of assets isn't worthy of heavy responsibility. When Confucius governed the state of Lu, he swiftly dealt with corruption, even executing Shao Zhengmao within seven days. I've been in office for a month now, but the county clerk Zhang Fu is scheming, corrupt, and not abiding by the law; he has embezzled a vast sum of public funds! I’m sending him to prison now, and the officer responsible for escorting him will report to you, magistrate; you must warn him! They all need to face justice together!" Zhang Fu died a few days after being imprisoned, and all his fraudulent crimes and millions in ill-gotten gains were exposed. My authority intimidated the entire county; thieves scattered and fled to neighboring counties. Many powerful figures were executed or confessed to their crimes. My uncompromising stance, while effective in rooting out corruption, ultimately led to my dismissal.

Later I was appointed as the General who protects the Qiang people, then promoted to Cavalry Commander, responsible for escorting military provisions. As a result of the Qiang rebellion, the transportation routes were cut off, and tens of thousands of soldiers had me surrounded. I led over a thousand cavalry to fight my way out. Even though I hadn't gotten around to reporting my success, they canned me for going AWOL after the pardon came through.

The Prefect of Zhuo County, Xu Ming, felt that a guy like you shouldn't be stuck out in the sticks, so he recommended you to be the magistrate of Mei County, and later promoted you to the Inspector of Yizhou. Before this, Prince Langye Yang also served as the Inspector of Yizhou. When he toured the treacherous mountain pass of Jiuzheban, he exclaimed, "With my old man's body, I can't keep hauling it over these killer mountains!" Later, he left Yizhou due to illness. When you became the Inspector of Yizhou and arrived at Jiuzheban, you asked the local officials, "Is this the road that freaked out Prince Langye Yang?" The official replied, "Yes." You yelled at your driver, "Get moving! Yang was a good son, and I'm a loyal dude!" During your two years as the Inspector of Yizhou, your name got around, and even the barbarians started kissing your ring. Scholar Zheng Kuan came to Yizhou to check things out, saw your achievements in governing the region, and reported to the court, leading to your promotion to Dongping Minister.

And that's how you went from a nobody in the boonies to Minister of Dongping – all thanks to your smarts and good character. You were a great leader, but even better, everyone – even the barbarians – respected you for your loyalty and how much you loved your family. Now that's what I call a success story! The saying, "Yang was a good son, and Wang Zun was a loyal man," sums you up perfectly. It shows how responsible and dedicated you were.

So, the story goes that at that time, the King of Dongping, relying on his close relationship with the emperor, was a total party animal and didn't give a hoot about the law, which ultimately implicated the esteemed Fu Jiezhi. Later, Fu Jiezhi was appointed as the prime minister and came to the palace of the King of Dongping with the emperor's decree. Before the King of Dongping could come out to receive the decree, Fu Jiezhi went back, had a bite to eat, and then returned to read the decree. After reading the decree, Fu Jiezhi met the King of Dongping again, with the Grand Tutor reciting a poem, "The Rat and the Mouse," which was a thinly veiled warning. Fu Jiezhi then said, "Don't try to use a pea-shooter to take down a fortress!" The King of Dongping was furious upon hearing this and returned to the harem. Fu Jiezhi also turned around and left directly.

Before this, the King of Dongping often went in and out of the palace privately, wreaking havoc in the city, and colluding with the families of the concubines in the harem. After Fu Jiezhi took office, he called in the head stablehand and barked, "The King's gotta follow protocol when he goes out. Only the royal bells and the phoenix chariot are allowed to leave the palace. If anyone drives a small carriage privately, arrest him and teach him a lesson he won't forget!" Later, Fu Jiezhi went to pay his respects to the King of Dongping, who invited him to the court. Fu Jiezhi said to the King of Dongping, "Look, I'm the new Prime Minister, and everyone thinks I'm toast. They sent me here to keep you in line. People call you brave, but you're just responsible. Real bravery? That's me!" The King's blood ran cold as he looked at Fu Jiezhi, thinking of killing him, but he smiled and said, "I want to see what the prime minister's sword looks like." Fu Jiezhi lifted his robe and turned to the attendant next to him, saying, "Take out the sword for the king to see. So, you're accusing me of trying to intimidate you with my sword?" The King of Dongping understood Fu Jiezhi's meaning and had long heard of Fu Jiezhi's reputation. He respected Fu Jiezhi's backbone, so he hosted a banquet, toasting and chatting with Fu Jiezhi, very happy.

Later, the Empress Dowager listened to gossip that Fu Jiezhi was a cocky Prime Minister who disrespected the Emperor. The Prince of Dongping was beside himself with rage, making him impossible to reason with. The Empress Dowager was worried that both mother and son would lose their lives because of this, so she did not allow the Prince of Dongping to see Fu Jiezhi again. The Empress Dowager also said, "If you don't do something, I'll kill myself before the Prince does something terrible!" In the end, Fu Jiezhi was dismissed and demoted to a commoner. General Wang Feng submitted a memorial requesting the reinstatement of Fu Jiezhi, appointing him as an army officer, and later promoting him to the position of Chief Inspector.

It is said that initially, Shi Xian, the Imperial Secretary, was a powerful, domineering jerk who did everything wrong. Prime Minister Kuang Heng and Imperial Censor Zhang Tan were too scared of him to say anything. When Emperor Yuan died and Emperor Cheng took over, Shi Xian was transferred to the position of Master of the Imperial Stables, losing his power. Kuang Heng and Zhang Tan then seized the opportunity to expose Shi Xian's past crimes and demanded he be fired.

Then, someone accused Kuang Heng and Zhang Tan, saying that as the Three Excellencies, they should have taken the world as their responsibility, but they did not report the truth; instead, they coddled Shi Xian, misled the king, and failed to fulfill their duty to assist the monarch, which is simply unforgivable! The accusation memorial stated: "Prime Minister Kuang Heng and Grand Minister of Mass Zhang Tan hold the positions of the Three Excellencies, responsible for the moral and ethical standards of the state. Their duties are to formulate strategies, unify standards, promote education, and beautify customs. They knew that the Imperial Secretary Shi Xian and others were running rampant and causing chaos, harming the world, but failed to timely report and request punishment. Instead, they misled the king, causing harm to the country and the people, and fundamentally did not fulfill their duty to assist the monarch! These crimes warranted punishment, even with a general pardon! After the amnesty, Kuang Heng and Zhang Tan accused Shi Xian but concealed their own disloyalty, instead exaggerating the mistakes of Shi Xian and others appointed by the late emperor, claiming that all officials feared Shi Xian even more than they feared the emperor. This is clearly undermining the emperor's authority, not the behavior that a minister should have, lacking the dignity of a minister!"

The memorial also stated: "In the first month, the emperor visited the Altar of Heaven, and after the sacrifice, Kuang Heng and other officials sat below the hall door, with Kuang Heng facing south and the others facing west. Kuang Heng even went so far as to arrange seats facing east for his subordinate, Shang, standing up to let them sit down, and they engaged in private discussions for a long time. The emperor inspected the scene, all officials were present, and the people gathered, but Kuang Heng blatantly disregarded protocol by allowing his subordinate to sit above him and currying favor in public, behaving in a manner that disrupted the court's hierarchy. Kuang Heng even sent a servant to the palace to inquire about the emperor's schedule, and when the emperor arrived, Kuang Heng remained seated, with an unchanged expression, showing no respect, being arrogant and disrespectful, truly irreverent!" After receiving the memorial, the emperor let the matter drop.

Kuang Heng felt ashamed and afraid, took off his hat to apologize, and handed over the Prime Minister's seal and the Marquis seal. The Emperor, who had just ascended the throne and had recently dealt harshly with a minister, then ordered the Imperial Inspector to investigate the matter. Some accused him of spreading false accusations, revealing pardoned offenses, repeatedly attacking ministers, disregarding legal procedures, inflating minor infractions, slandering the Prime Minister, insulting high officials, showing contempt for the state, and being disrespectful to the Emperor. The Emperor then ordered the person to be demoted to Magistrate of Gaoling, and a few months later, this person was dismissed due to illness.

It is said that the mountain bandits on the south side of the mountain, led by Zong Zong, with hundreds of men, were terrorizing the populace. The court appointed the former Hongnong Prefect Fu Gang as the military commander, leading more than a thousand elite soldiers to pursue them, but after more than a year of pursuit, they still could not be caught.

Someone told the Grand General Huo Guang: "These hundreds of mountain bandits are right under our noses. Sending troops to capture them is futile. If this is known to foreign tribes, wouldn't they laugh at us? You need to choose a powerful Jingzhao Prefect!" When Huo Guang heard this, he thought it made sense and recommended Zhang Zun. Zhang Zun was first appointed as a Censor, and later also served as the Commander of the Jingfu Garrison, in charge of the affairs of the Jingzhao Prefect. Within less than a month of taking office, all those mountain bandits were captured.

Later, Zhang Zun was promoted to the position of High-Ranking Official and officially appointed as the Jingzhao Prefect, serving for three years. Unfortunately, he later offended an envoy and got into trouble. The Superintendent of the Imperial Guard sent an assistant named Fang with the Emperor's edict, instructing Zhang Zun to send people to arrest the criminals. Fang told Zhang Zun: "This arrest must be done quietly." However, Zhang Zun said: "I do things openly and honestly. The Jingzhao Prefecture has never engaged in underhanded tactics, so it is normal for information to leak." Fang insisted: "Only officials from the prefecture should be sent to make the arrest." Zhang Zun replied: "The edict did not specify that officials from the Jingzhao Prefecture should make the arrest, so I cannot send people on my own." As a result, within three months, Chang'an's jails overflowed with over a thousand prisoners.

Zhang Zun went on a tour of inspection once, and a man named Guo Ci voluntarily told him, "Xu Zhong and a dozen others killed my brother to get their hands on the money. Please go back and investigate!" However, the officials below dared not arrest anyone. After Zhang Zun returned from the tour of inspection, he reported to the court, saying, "Might doesn't make right, and everyone deserves a fair shake. As long as a lenient policy is implemented, society will naturally be stable and harmonious."

But the Grand Minister reported that Zhang Zun was a bully who never learned his lesson. He talked a good game, but he was arrogant and disrespectful, losing the respect of his people and unfit for his position among the Nine Ministers. In the end, Zhang Zun was dismissed, and a lot of folks felt bad for him.

When the timing was right, Hu Sanlao Gong, a respected elder, submitted a petition on behalf of Wang Zun, the magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture, claiming that Wang Zun's governance of the prefecture was impressive! In the past, the bandits in the Nanshan Mountains robbed and murdered, blocked the roads, and kept the city gates locked down. Sending in the troops was a huge, expensive failure, and two officials were dismissed as a result. The bandits became more rampant, causing low morale among officials and becoming a national security risk. At that time, the court offered a huge bounty for their capture and death. Guannei Hou Kuan Zhong, a local noble, asked about the strategy to suppress the bandits and made Wang Zun the acting magistrate of Jingzhao.

Wang Zun was a real workhorse, working his butt off day and night, treating others humbly, and getting those lazy officials moving and their spirits up. In less than twenty days, the gang fell apart, and their leaders surrendered. With the end of the chaos caused by the thieves, farmers could get back to work. Wang Zun also looked out for the poor and took down the powerful. The bullies in Chang'an, like Jia Wan from the East Market, Yu Zhang from the West City, Jian Zhang from the Forbidden City, Zhao Fang from the wine shop, and Yang Zhang from Duling, were a bunch of thugs running wild, breaking the law, and terrorizing everyone. Several high-ranking officials had failed to deal with them for over twenty years, but Wang Zun cleaned house, punishing them with the law until they all confessed their crimes. The corrupt individuals were eliminated, and both officials and people praised Wang Zun. He cleaned up the mess, punished the criminals, and stamped out the corruption—something even the best generals couldn't manage. Although Wang Zun was officially appointed as the Intendant of Jingzhao, the court didn’t give him any special rewards.

Now the Chief Censor accused Wang Zun of disrupting the natural order, worrying about the country, and following the decree, pacifying words and rectifying errors, like Gong Taotian. What's going on? It turns out that the Deputy Chief Censor, Yang Fu, who used to be Wang Zun's subordinate, was a sneaky, backstabbing weasel who loved to use his pen as a weapon. Yang Fu got drunk and went to Wang Zun's servant Li Jia's house. Li Jia decked him, and Yang Fu's nephew even pulled a knife! Yang Fu held a grudge and wanted to retaliate against Wang Zun. I suspect he cooked up this whole thing to get back at Wang Zun.

In the past, Bai Qi was a great general of the Qin state, defeating Han and Wei in the east and capturing Yingdu in the south, but was executed at Duyou after being falsely accused by Ying Hou. Wu Qi guarded Xihe for the Wei state, and neither Qin nor Han dared to invade, but he was harmed by the slanderous words of villains, expelled from Wei, and fled to Chu. The Qin state acted on slander and executed capable generals, while the Wei state believed in slander and expelled wise ministers, all due to a failure to discern the truth and an inability to judge people correctly, resulting in significant losses! We courtiers are heartbroken. Wang Zun is upright, dedicated to the public good, dares to criticize the powerful, and punish the strong. He pacified banditry, relieved the country's worries, had a stellar record and commanded great respect, a true pillar of the state. Yet now, due to the enemy's slander, he is falsely accused, unable to claim pardon for his merits, nor receive a fair hearing, and must endure false accusations without recourse. Wang Zun was selected and appointed by the court due to chaos in the capital and rampant banditry, and was promoted to the high office of minister. After quelling the rebellion and punishing the strong, he was dismissed due to slander by villains. In just a few years, Wang Zun was sometimes regarded as a wise minister and sometimes as a villain—this is a gross injustice! Confucius said: "To love someone and wish them to live, to hate someone and wish them dead – this is delusion." "Slander that does not hold water can be said to be clear." We urge all the officials and scholars present to investigate the character of Wang Zun. If Wang Zun really "harmed the yin and yang," it is a capital crime; if he truly "rebelled against the truth," it is a crime of exile. If the memorial of the censor is true, Wang Zun should be executed and exiled, without mercy. And those who recommended Wang Zun should also be punished. If the memorial of the censor is false, it is also malicious slander and should be punished to deter slander and fraud. We hope that the emperor will discern the truth. Despite these accusations, the emperor, recognizing Wang Zun's abilities, later appointed him Governor of Xuzhou and subsequently promoted him to Governor of Dong Commandery.

Long ago, the Yellow River rose so high that it flooded all the way to Jindi County (a major administrative region), scaring the townsfolk, especially the elderly and children, who fled in all directions, fearing that the embankment would burst and cause an even greater disaster. The magistrate personally led officials and the people to sink a white horse into the river as a sacrifice to the River God. He even held a ceremonial jade scepter, asking a shaman to pray, and wanted to use his own body to block the breach in the embankment, so he set up a tent to live on the embankment. Countless people knelt down and begged him to leave, but he refused to go. When the river rose to its highest point, the embankment finally burst, and the people fled for their lives. Only a scribe, crying, stood beside the magistrate, motionless. Miraculously, the river slowly receded! The townsfolk admired the magistrate's courage and loyalty. Three elderly men with white hair, named Zhu Ying, reported this matter to the court. The court sent people to investigate, and the results were exactly as they had said. So the emperor issued a decree to the imperial censor, saying, "The Yellow River in the eastern county rose so high that it broke the Jindi embankment, and it looked like it was about to burst three feet. The people were scared and fled in all directions. The magistrate risked his life, standing in the most dangerous place, to stabilize the people's hearts. He bravely faced the danger without avoiding it, and the people returned to repair the embankment, ultimately avoiding disaster. I highly commend him! Promote him to a high-ranking official, and reward him with twenty pounds of gold!" Years later, he passed away, but the people remembered him fondly. His son, Wang Bo, also became the magistrate of Jingzhao, but unfortunately, he was deemed unfit for office and was later dismissed.

Wang Zhang, whose courtesy name was Zhongqing, was from Juping County in Taishan. When he was young, he became an official based on his literary talent, eventually becoming a censor known for his outspokenness. When Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, he promoted Wang Zhang to be the Left Cao Zhonglang General (a high-ranking military position). Wang Zhang had a good relationship with the Deputy Imperial Censor Chen Xian, and together they went after Minister Shi Xian. As a result, they were framed by Shi Xian; Chen Xian was sentenced to death (later commuted to publicly shaving his head as punishment), and Wang Zhang was dismissed from office. After Emperor Cheng succeeded to the throne, he summoned Wang Zhang back as a censor, and later promoted him to be the Chief Inspector, commanding respect from the court and royal family. After Wang Zhang was dismissed, his successors were incompetent, so the court selected him to be the Intendant of Jingzhao. At that time, the Emperor's uncle, the Grand General Wang Feng, was in charge of the court, and although Wang Zhang was recommended by Wang Feng, he did not align himself with Wang Feng or support his authoritarian rule. One day, during a solar eclipse, Wang Zhang wrote a memorial criticizing Wang Feng's suitability for the position of Grand General and that a loyal and virtuous person should be selected instead. The Emperor initially agreed, but couldn't bring himself to fire Wang Feng. Wang Zhang was therefore suspected and ultimately framed by Wang Feng for treason, as detailed in the "Biography of Yuan Hou." When Wang Zhang was a scholar in Chang'an, he lived with his wife. When Wang Zhang fell ill, they didn't even have a decent blanket; he had to lie in his old cowhide coat. Feeling distressed, he cried to his wife, sobbing. Upon hearing this, his wife immediately became angry and scolded him, saying, "Zhongqing! You're a big shot in the capital, one of the most important men in court! And you're crying over a little setback? Pull yourself together!"

Later, Wang Zhang became an official and rose to the position of Jingzhao Yin. He wanted to submit a memorial to the emperor to express his opinions. His wife urged him, "You gotta know when to quit. Have you forgotten the days when you cried while lying in a cowhide coat?" Wang Zhang replied, "Women don't get it!" Nevertheless, he still submitted the memorial. As a result, he was jailed, along with his wife. Wang Zhang's young daughter, around twelve years old, woke up screaming in the middle of the night, "Dad usually handles nine cases a day, but today he only did eight and then quit. Dad's always been honest; if anyone's gonna die, it'll be him!" The next day, they found Wang Zhang dead. His wife and daughter were both exiled to Hepu.

After General Feng's death, his brother Chengdu Hou Shang became the new general and assisted the emperor. He requested the emperor to send Wang Zhang's wife and daughter back to their original county. His family, though, did alright. They got rich selling pearls, worth millions. Then, the Tai Shan prefect, Xiao Yu, bought back Wang Zhang's land and house.

Wang Zhang served in Jingzhao Yin for two years before his death. He didn't do anything wrong, but people were furious and started calling him one of the "Three Wangs." One of them, Wang Jun (also known as Wang Yangzi), even got his own biography.

According to the book, since Emperor Xiaowu of Han established the three official positions of Left Fengyi, Right Fufeng, and Jingzhao Yin (three important administrative posts), the common people often say, "There were Zhao Guanghan and Zhang Chang before, and later, three prominent officials were known as 'the Three Kings'." However, Liu Xiang only recorded Zhao Guanghan, Yin Wengui, and Han Yanshou in his own writings; Feng Shang's biography recorded Wang Zun; and Yang Xiong's account was much the same. Zhao Guanghan was smart and capable; his subordinates dared not deceive him. Han Yanshou was upright and incorruptible, able to change the local customs wherever he went, but they fell out of favor with the emperor due to their outspokenness and ultimately lost their positions and ruined their prospects. Yin Wengui was honest and upright, one of the few upright officials at that time. Zhang Chang was gentle and cultured, loyal in advising the emperor, strict in law enforcement, clear in rewards and punishments, with remarkable achievements, but also known for his casual demeanor and perceived lack of diligence. Wang Zun was a skilled administrator and military strategist, able to make achievements wherever he went, although somewhat devious and prone to self-aggrandizement. Wang Zhang was upright and incorruptible, steadfast in his principles, but he lacked a sense of priorities, and was ultimately killed; his wife and daughter were also exiled—a most unfortunate fate.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

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It is said that there was a man named Sui Hong, with the courtesy name Meng, who was from Fan County in the state of Lu. When he was young, he loved to stand up for justice, enjoyed cockfighting and horse racing, and lived it up. Later, he changed his ways and studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals" under a teacher named Ying Gong. His mastery of the classics allowed him to become a Yilang official and eventually rise to the rank of Fuzheling.

In the third year of Emperor Zhao's Yuanfeng reign, in the first month, suddenly there were thousands of voices coming from the south of Mount Tai and Mount Laiwu. The people looked up to see a colossal stone, seemingly erected by unseen hands! It was five zhang tall, with a circumference of forty-eight zhang, buried eight chi deep underground, and supported by three stones underneath. After the stone stood up, several thousand white crows flew in and landed next to it. At this time, a withered tree in Changyi unexpectedly came back to life, and a large willow tree in Shanglin Park that had been cut down and withered also stood up on its own, regrowing. The leaves bore strange, insect-gnawed inscriptions, saying "Gongsun is already standing." Sui Hong inferred based on the records of the "Spring and Autumn Annals": "Stones and trees are both ominous signs, symbolizing the common people; Mount Tai is the Eastern Peak, symbolizing the change of dynasties for the emperor. Now that the large stone has stood up on its own and the withered tree has come back to life, this cannot be achieved by human effort, indicating that an emperor from humble beginnings will rise. The withered tree coming back to life indicates that the Gongsun family, which was abolished, will rise again." Although Sui Hong did not know who this referred to, he immediately wrote an article saying, "As Master Dong Zhongshu said, even a successor to the previous dynasty doesn't preclude a sage from receiving the Mandate of Heaven. The Han Dynasty is descended from Yao, with the mandate of passing down the country. The emperor of the Han Dynasty should order the search for talents nationwide, abdicate the throne to him, then step down and be granted a land of one hundred li, just like the two kings of the Yin and Zhou dynasties, in accordance with the will of heaven." Sui Hong had his friend, a palace official, slip the article to the emperor.

At that time, Emperor Zhao was still young, and the Grand Marshal Huo Guang held great power. He disliked Sui Hong's statements and handed over his writings to the court for investigation. The court declared Sui Hong and Chang Ci guilty of treason for spreading seditious lies and misleading the populace, resulting in both of them being executed. Five years later, Emperor Xiao Xuan rose from the common people and ascended to the throne, posthumously ennobling Sui Hong as a Lang.

Next, there's the story of Xiahou Shichang, also from the state of Lu. He was a master of the Five Classics and specialized in teaching the "Qi Poetry" and "Book of Documents." Since the deaths of Dong Zhongshu and Han Ying, Emperor Wu highly valued Xiahou Shichang. He was proficient in divination and once predicted that there would be a fire at Bailiang Terrace, which indeed happened on that day. Later, Prince Changyi's son needed a tutor, and Xiahou Shichang became the prince's teacher. As he grew older, Xiahou Shichang died peacefully. His descendant Xiahou Sheng also became famous for his knowledge of Confucianism.

Xiahou Sheng, styled as Changgong, hailed from Dongping – his ancestors had been based in Ningxiang, west of Lu, but after various administrative changes, the area became part of Dongping Commandery. Xiahou Sheng lost his parents at a young age, but he was a dedicated student. He first studied the "Book of Documents" and the "Hong Fan Wuxing Zhuan" with Shichang and also specialized in studying omens of disasters. Later, he studied with Jianqing and sought advice from the Ouyang family. He learned from several teachers, soaking up knowledge like a sponge! He was a master of explaining the rites and rituals. The court summoned him, first appointing him as a Doctor, then promoting him to Guanglu Daifu.

After Emperor Zhao died, Prince Changyi was always gallivanting around. Once, Xiahou Sheng stopped him in front of the imperial entourage and advised, "It hasn't rained in ages, and the officials are getting restless. Where're you off to, Your Majesty?" Prince Changyi was furious upon hearing this and blamed Xiahou Sheng for spreading fear-mongering. He had Xiahou Sheng arrested and handed over to the officials for punishment. The officials told Huo Guang, but he ignored it. Actually, Huo Guang and Zhang Anshi, the General of the Cavalry, were plotting to get rid of Prince Changyi. Huo Guang sent Zhang Anshi to probe Xiahou Sheng to see if he had leaked any information, but Zhang Anshi clammed up.

Later, Huo Guang personally interrogated Xiahou Sheng. Xiahou Sheng replied, "The Book of Documents says, 'When the Son of Heaven neglects his duties, punishment comes in the form of prolonged rain. This leads to thoughts of rebellion among the people.' I wasn't just making that up about the officials plotting!" Huo Guang and Zhang Anshi were shocked to hear this and began to pay more attention to these knowledgeable scholars. A couple of weeks later, Huo Guang and Zhang Anshi went to the Empress Dowager and got Prince Changyi kicked out, putting Emperor Xuan on the throne instead. Huo Guang believed that the ministers serving the crown prince and the Empress Dowager herself needed to know the classics, so he made Xiahou Sheng tutor the Empress Dowager in the Book of Documents. Xiahou Sheng was promoted to the position of Changxin Prefect and was granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes. Because he'd played such a big part in getting the emperor changed and keeping the empire stable, he got another thousand households added to his land.

Emperor Xuan had just taken office, and he wanted to hold a grand sacrifice for His Majesty. So he ordered the Prime Minister and the Imperial Historian to say, "I'm but a humble servant who has received the grace of the late Emperor, inherited a great cause, served the ancestral temple, and constantly remembered His Majesty. He was benevolent and mighty; he routed the Xiongnu in the north, forcing their Chanyu into retreat. In the south, he pacified the Di, Qiang, Kunming, Ou Luo, and Yue tribes. He stabilized the Huai, Mao, and Korean regions in the east, expanded the territory, established counties, brought various ethnic minorities under submission, secured the borders, and ensured a continuous flow of tribute sent to the ancestral temple. He composed new music and songs. He offered sacrifices to Heaven, performed the Fengshan ceremony, built Mingtang, reformed the calendar, and changed attire. His rule was one of virtue and prosperity, honoring the wise and capable, commending achievements, reviving a declining state, and continuing the legacy of the Zhou dynasty. He perfected the sacrificial rituals between Heaven and Earth and opened up the path of education. Heaven showered him with blessings: treasure tripods were unearthed, a white deer appeared, giant fish leaped from the sea, and even immortals were sighted. The people cried out, 'Long live the Emperor!' His merits were so great that they cannot be fully described, but the temple music could not match his achievements, and I am deeply regretful about this. You should discuss this matter with the marquises, the two thousand stone officials, and the scholars."

Then, a heated debate erupted among the courtiers in the court, and everyone said, "Let's do as the decree says." Only Sheng, a Chamberlain from Changxin, said, "Although Emperor Wu has the merit of conquering the four barbarians and expanding the territory, he has killed too many people, decimated the population, lived extravagantly, and squandered without restraint. A devastating locust plague ravaged the land, leaving miles of barren wasteland and even driving people to cannibalism, and the country still hasn't recovered. He showed no mercy to his people, so building temples and staging dances in his honor is outrageous!" Other courtiers criticized Sheng, saying, "But this is the emperor's decree!" Sheng replied, "But even an imperial decree can be wrong! A loyal subject speaks truth to power, not flattery! I have stated my opinion, and I have no regrets even if I die!"

So Prime Minister Yi and Grand Minister Guangming jumped on Sheng, accusing him of defying the decree, slandering the late emperor, and treason. They also said that the Prime Minister's Chief Clerk Huang Ba protected Sheng and did not impeach him in time, so these few people were all imprisoned. They decided to make Emperor Xiaowu's temple the ancestral temple, and the dances "Shengde," "Wenshi," and "Wuxing" were to be performed, with sacrificial ceremonies held for generations to come to demonstrate the virtue of Emperor Xiaowu. Emperor Wu toured forty-nine counties, and a temple was built for him in each place, just like Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong.

Sheng and Ba had been close for years. Ba wanted to study under Sheng, but Sheng refused, saying he was a sinner and about to die. Ba said, "It's worth dying tonight if I learn the Tao this morning!" Sheng admired this sentence from Ba and passed on his Confucian teachings to him. The two of them, master and disciple, spent another two winters diligently studying and discussing.

In the fourth year's summer, earthquakes occurred simultaneously in forty-nine counties of the northeast. Some places experienced landslides and collapsed buildings, resulting in the deaths of over six thousand people. The emperor donned mourning clothes and withdrew from the main hall, sent envoys to comfort officials and the people, and granted the deceased burial and financial aid. The emperor issued a decree, stating: "These disasters are heaven's warning to us! I've inherited my ancestors' legacy and rely on my people, yet I've failed to bring peace to the land. When earthquakes occurred in Beihai and Langye in the past, the ancestral temples were all destroyed, and I was very afraid at that time. Now, you nobles and high-ranking officials, must consult widely with soothsayers to find ways to make up for my shortcomings, and do not hide anything." He then ordered a general amnesty. Sheng was appointed as the Grand Councillor and Inspector-General, while Ba was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou. Sheng was unpretentious and informal in his dealings with others. When he spoke to the emperor, he always addressed him informally, omitting the honorific "陛." The emperor trusted him greatly because of this. Once, while speaking to the emperor on the road, the emperor reproached him upon hearing him. Sheng said, "Your Majesty's words were so insightful, I felt compelled to share them. The words of Yao and Shun spread throughout the world and are still being recited today. I believe these words are worth spreading, that's why I said them." Whenever important matters of state arose, the emperor knew Sheng was honest and would say, "Sir, speak your mind freely, do not worry about past matters." Sheng later served as the Crown Prince's tutor and was later promoted to the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. He was ordered to write annotations for the "Book of Documents" and the "Analects," and the emperor rewarded him with one hundred catties (approximately 50 kg) of gold. He passed away at the age of ninety, and he was interred at Pingling, with a tomb provided by the court. The Empress Dowager gave him two million cash coins and mourned him in plain clothes for five days, in recognition of his service as tutor, which Confucian scholars considered a great honor.

At the beginning, Zhang Sheng always told his students, "The biggest fault of a scholar is not understanding the classics. Once you understand the classics, being an official is as easy as picking up pennies from the ground. If you don't understand the classics, you might as well go home and farm."

Old Zhang, whose name was Zhang Sheng, and his son, Zhang Jian, initially studied together. Later, Zhang Jian became a student of Ouyang Gao and sought advice from various teachers, asking about all kinds of classics from the "Five Classics" to the "Book of Documents." He compiled what he learned into sets of chapters and sentences, adding his own explanations. Zhang Sheng remarked, "Jian, the chapters and sentences you are studying are just petty scholarly pursuits, fragmenting the grand principles!" Zhang Jian felt that his father's knowledge was not comprehensive enough to handle various debates. However, in the end, he relied on his mastery of the classics to become an Imperial Secretary, an Imperial Scholar, and eventually rose to the high position of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. Zhang Sheng's son also became a high-ranking official, while his grandson achieved the positions of Grand Commandant, Minister of Agriculture, and Honglu. His great-grandson even became a county magistrate, prefect, and Grand Commandant of Changle, with the whole family producing generations of high-ranking officials. Zhang Sheng's fellow classmate became the Interior Minister, and his son Dingguo became the Prefect of Yuzhang. Meanwhile, Zhang Jian's son Qianqiu also became a Grand Commandant and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, truly a family that produced generations of high-ranking officials.

Jing Fang, styled Junming, was a native of Dunqiu in the Eastern Commandery. He studied the Book of Changes and studied under Jiao Yanshou from Liang. Jiao Yanshou, styled Gan, was a poor man, but he was very studious and gained the appreciation of the King of Liang. The king sponsored his studies and allowed him to focus on his research. After completing his studies, Jiao Yanshou first served as a historian in the commandery and was later recommended to be the magistrate of Xiaohuang County. He predicted crime, so criminals were unable to cause trouble. He cared for the people and governed well, stabilizing the county. Upon his eligibility for promotion, the local elders and officials all petitioned to keep him, and the emperor ordered him to be promoted and stay in Xiaohuang. He eventually died in Xiaohuang. Jiao Yanshou often said, "Only someone who uses my teachings will risk their life, and that person will be Jing Fang." Jiao Yanshou specialized in disaster prediction. He reinterpreted the sixty-four hexagrams and combined them with daily situations to predict good and bad fortunes based on wind, rain, cold, and warmth, all with very accurate predictions. Jing Fang studied Jiao Yanshou's teachings particularly deeply, and he was also proficient in the system of musical pitches and rhythms. In the fourth year of the Chu Yuan era, he was appointed a langguan for his filial piety. During the Yongguang and Jianzhao periods, the Western Qiang rebelled, there was also a solar eclipse, and it hadn't rained for a long time, with heavy fog and overcast conditions. Fang Xuanling wrote to the emperor in advance predicting these events; some predictions were made months ago, and some were made a year ago, all of which came true, making the emperor very pleased. The emperor repeatedly summoned him to inquire about the situation, and Fang Xuanling replied, "Back in the good old days, smart emperors picked their people based on what they'd done, not just what people said about them. That's how you get a peaceful kingdom and good luck. But these days, it's all about reputation, not results. That's why we're having all these problems. Let's have everyone show us what they've achieved, and things will calm down." The emperor ordered Fang Xuanling to be in charge of this matter, and Fang Xuanling then proposed a system for evaluating officials' performance.

The emperor ordered the court officials to discuss this method with Fang Xuanling. Everyone thought Fang Xuanling's method was overly complex and believed it would create a system of mutual surveillance, making it a real pain to implement. Although the emperor kinda liked Fang Xuanling's suggestion, he was still hesitant. At that time, the governors came to the capital to report on their work. The emperor summoned them and had Fang Xuanling explain how to assess performance to them. As a result, these governors also thought this method wouldn't work. Only Zheng Si, the Emperor's secretary, and Zhou Kan, the head of personnel, who initially thought it was a non-starter, later expressed their agreement.

At that time, the Imperial Secretary Shi Xian held power, and his friend Wu Lu Chongzong became the Personnel Minister. He and Fang Xuanling were colleagues and often disagreed. Both of them worked in front of the emperor. Once, Fang Xuanling hosted a banquet for the emperor and asked him, "How'd the You and Li kings bite the dust? What kinda guys did they hang out with?" The emperor replied, "Because they weren't wise themselves, they trusted sycophants." Fang Xuanling said, "You know they were sycophants, so why’d you still trust them? Did you think they were virtuous?" The emperor said, "At that time, I thought they were virtuous." Fang Xuanling said, "If that's the case, how do you know they aren't virtuous now?" The emperor said, "Because when they were in power, the country was a mess, and I nearly lost my crown. That's when I realized what a bunch of snakes they were."

Fang Xuanling said, "So it is that if a country employs virtuous people, it will be governed well, but if it employs bad apples, the country will fall into chaos. That's just how it goes. Why did King You and King Li not realize this, and instead chose to employ those bad apples, and look what happened?" The Emperor replied, "Those guys about to lose their kingdoms always think their guys are top-notch. If they all saw the writing on the wall, how'd we ever have a kingdom fall?" Fang Xuanling said, "Duke Huan of Qi and Emperor Qin Er Shi also heard this argument, but they dismissed it and chose to employ crooks like Shu Diao and Zhao Gao, leading to total chaos and bandits running wild. Why didn't they learn from You and Li's mistakes?" The Emperor said, "Only a real wise guy can see what's coming based on the past."

Fang Xuanling then took off his hat, bowed his head and apologized, saying, "The *Chunqiu* recorded two hundred and forty-two years of disasters to warn all future rulers. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, we've seen eclipses, celestial anomalies, natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, droughts, untimely frosts and thaws—plagues, famines, rampant banditry, and overflowing prisons. Every calamity foretold in the *Chunqiu* has come to pass. So, Your Majesty, is this peace or chaos?" The Emperor said, "It is indeed a time of great chaos! What can be done?" Fang Xuanling said, "Who does Your Majesty currently trust?" The Emperor replied, "Well, they're better than the last bunch, I suppose. Not bad, anyway." Fang Xuanling said, "Previous rulers also thought the same way. I fear history will judge us as harshly as we judge the past." The Emperor remained silent for a long time before saying, "Who is causing the great chaos in the world now?" Fang Xuanling said, "A wise ruler should know for himself." The Emperor said, "I do not know; if I knew, why would I still trust them?" Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty's closest advisors—the ones pulling the strings—they are the problem." Fang Xuanling pointed to Shi Xian, and the Emperor understood his meaning, saying to Fang Xuanling, "I see."

After Fang Xuanling was done, the emperor ordered Fang Xuanling's disciples to inform the performance review officials that he wanted to test Fang Xuanling's abilities. Fang Xuanling's subordinates, Ren Liang and Yao Ping, said, "We were hoping Your Majesty would make him governor, so he can try his method of assessing the achievements of officials. If he succeeds, we can enter the court to report to him and keep things from getting bogged down." Shi Xian and Wulu Chongzong were jealous of Fang Xuanling and wanted to transfer him out of the capital. They suggested to the emperor to appoint Fang Xuanling as a prefect. Emperor Han Yuan appointed Fang Xuanling as the governor of Wei County, with an annual salary of 800 shi, to implement his performance evaluation system. Fang Xuanling asked to be independent of the governor, so he could appoint officials from other counties himself, evaluate officials earning less than 1,000 shi, and make his annual report in person. The emperor granted his request.

In a letter penned shortly after assuming his post, Fang Xuanling expressed his concerns to the Emperor. Fang Xuanling knew that he often offended some ministers by discussing political affairs, and he also had conflicts with Shi Xian and Wulu Chongzong. He did not want to distance himself from the emperor. So when he was appointed as Prefect, he felt very worried and anxious. Fang Xuanling took office on the first day of the second month of Jianzhao's second year and wrote to the emperor, saying, "Since the day of Xinyou, the Yin has weakened, and the Yang has waxed. I am very pleased and believe Your Majesty's auspicious reign will prosper. However, the negative energy of Shaoyin is working harder and causing trouble. I fear that even if Your Majesty takes the right measures, it may not lead to success, and I am deeply troubled by this. Yangping Marquis Feng has been wanting to see Your Majesty but has not had the opportunity until Jimo day, when I was appointed as Prefect. This indicates that although things seem calm on the surface, there is actually a turn for the better. After leaving the capital, I worry that I will be deceived by those in power, and in the end, my efforts will come to naught. Therefore, I hope to travel to the capital by imperial post at the end of each year to report to Your Majesty; please grant me permission. By the day of Xinsi, the Yin's influence returned, eclipsing the Yang, indicating that the Yang of the upper-level ministers was suppressed, and the emperor's intentions began to waver. Between Jimo day and Gengchen day, I fear there may be opposition to my request."

Fang Xuanling had not yet set off when the emperor ordered Yangping Marquis Feng to issue a decree to stop him from riding fast horses to report urgently at the post. Fang Xuanling grew even more fearful. When he arrived in Xinfeng, he sent a memorial to the emperor through the post, saying, "In mid-June, my prediction using the Retreat Hexagram was wrong. The hexagram stated: 'The Daoist is just beginning to leave, the weather is cold, and flooding will cause disasters.' In July, flooding indeed appeared. My disciple Yao Ping said to me, 'You know the secrets of heaven, but don't believe in them. Your predictions have always been right, so with the flooding, the Daoist should be dead. What more is there to say?' I replied, 'Your Majesty, you are so kind, especially to me. Even if I speak and die, I must speak.' Yao Ping added, 'Fang Xuanling can be said to be a loyal servant, but not a truly loyal servant. In the Qin Dynasty, Zheng Xian didn't assassinate Zhao Gao, and Zhao Gao's power only grew stronger. Zheng Xian's inaction only worsened the chaos.' Now I have been sent to guard a county, bragging about my ability to achieve great things. I am afraid that I will die before achieving anything. I hope Your Majesty will not punish me for predicting the flooding, like Zheng Xian, ending up dead and a laughingstock."

Fang Xuanling arrived in Shaanxi and submitted a memorial, saying: "On the day of Bing Xu, there was light rain, and on the day of Ding Hai, the overcast haze dispersed. However, the oppressive yin energy is still very strong on the day of Wu Zi, and it becomes even more severe by noon as the overcast haze returns. This is because Your Majesty wishes to correct the changes in Yin and Yang, but court factions are vying for power, disrupting the balance of Yin and Yang. At this critical moment of strength and weakness, careful observation is necessary. From the day of Ji Chou at night, a sudden shift in the wind started blowing, until the day of Xin Mao, the sun's power was weakened again. By the day of Gui Si, the sun and moon were obscured, indicating malign influences are obscuring the sun's power. I previously reported that there will be ominous portents within nine years of the political situation remaining unchanged. I hope to prove my worth as a loyal servant. If I can stay in the court, these ill omens can be avoided. My detractors know this works against me, which is why I suggested sending my disciple instead of myself. As a governor, I still need to report, so I said that the governor won't be on my side, and it would be better for me to be the governor instead, as they want to push me out. Your Majesty, by acceding to their wishes, the overcast haze cannot be dispelled, and the sunlight is eroded. My distance from court only worsens these ill omens. I hope Your Majesty will not make things difficult for me, but go with the flow of fate. Evil words may deceive people, but celestial phenomena will definitely change. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool fate. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully." Fang Xuanling was gone a month before being hauled off to jail.

So, let me tell you about Zhang Bo, the uncle of the Prince of Huaiyang. He once studied with Old Fang and even married his daughter to him. Old Fang had a good relationship with the emperor, and every morning he would tell Zhang Bo the emperor wanted to promote him, but the court officials were jealous and were always giving him a hard time. Zhang Bo said, "The Prince of Huaiyang is the emperor's own brother, smart and capable, and wants to serve the country. Why not have the Prince write to the emperor asking to come to the capital to help Old Fang?" Old Fang hesitated a bit and asked, "Think that'll fly?" Zhang Bo replied, "Hey, the Chu dynasty did it, so why not us?" Old Fang said, "Shi Xian and Wu Lu Jun, those two weasels in the Ministry of Personnel and War, were in cahoots for over ten years. They're just a bunch of brown-nosers who have been in power for too long; and then there's Prime Minister Wei Hou – a total waste of space, who's been no help to the people at all. These guys especially oppose the merit system. If the Prince of Huaiyang goes to the capital to meet the emperor and advises him to implement the merit system, that would be the best solution. If that doesn’t work, we can just point out that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Personnel have been in office for too long and haven't governed well. We could remove the Prime Minister and have Grand Secretary Zheng Hong take his place, then move the Minister of Personnel to another position and have Prefect Xu Li replace him. This way, Old Fang's merit system could be smoothly put into action." Zhang Bo remembered everything Old Fang said about weird stuff and then had Old Fang draft a memorial for the Prince of Huaiyang, giving it all to the Prince. Shi Xian secretly learned about these matters, but because of Old Fang's close relationship with the emperor, he kept his head down.

When Fang was exiled to a provincial post, Shi Xian accused him and Zhang Bo of conspiring against the emperor and the government, claiming they slandered the court and misled the princes. These accusations were recorded in the "Biography of Prince Xian." Earlier, Fang had seen the stories of Prince You and Prince Li and informed the Chief Censor Zheng Hong. As a result, both Fang and Zhang Bo were put to death, and Zheng Hong was dismissed from office and reduced to a commoner. Fang's original surname was Li, but he later changed it to Jing according to the law. He died at the age of forty-one.

As for Yi Feng, whose courtesy name was Shaojun, he was from Xiaoping in the Jiangsu region. He studied the "Qi Poetry" and was a student of the same teacher as Xiao Wangzhi and Kuang Heng. All three were well-versed in Confucian texts, with Kuang Heng being a late learner. Xiao Wangzhi applied what he learned to political affairs, while Yi Feng focused on his studies, not seeking official positions, and enjoyed researching calendrical science, astronomy, and divination. When Emperor Yuan had just ascended the throne, many Confucian scholars recommended him, and the court summoned him to the Imperial Academy as an attendant. He submitted memorials multiple times, met with the emperor, and the emperor held him in high regard.

So, the Marquis of Pingchang, Wang Lin, is a close advisor of Emperor Xuan. He said he was on the Emperor's orders, wanting to learn Wang Feng's weird fortune-telling techniques. However, Wang Feng just blew him off and directly wrote to the Emperor, saying: "My teacher taught me the key to ruling is knowing your men – good guys or bad. A good man's a good man, even if he's a bit dumb; but a bad man's a bad man, no matter how smart he is. Figuring people out is all about understanding these six emotions and twelve tones. The emotions corresponding to the north are 'good', associated with greed and cruelty, controlled by the main stars Zi and Shen; the emotions corresponding to the east are 'anger', linked to cunning and deceit, controlled by the main stars Hai and Mao. These two bad omens have to work together, one after the other, so emperors avoid the Zi and Mao stars. It's mentioned in the *Book of Rites* and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. The emotions corresponding to the south are 'evil', associated with honesty, controlled by the main stars Yin and Wu; the emotions corresponding to the west are 'joy', linked to being fair, controlled by the main stars Yi and You. These two positive stars appear simultaneously, so emperors like the Wu and You stars. The *Book of Songs* says: 'Geng Wu's a lucky day.' The emotions corresponding to the top are 'joy', linked to deceit and evil, controlled by the main stars Chen and Wei; the emotions corresponding to the bottom are 'sorrow', associated with fairness and integrity, controlled by the main stars Xu and Chou. It's all about yin and yang – everything balances out."

Your Majesty, you're so smart and chill, just waiting for the perfect time. Nothing gets past you! Moreover, mastering the twelve tones (referring to the twelve musical notes) can control the six emotions (the six basic emotions in Chinese philosophy)! This method lets you see right through your underlings – it's foolproof, pure genius, and it's all based on natural law! Take the example of Guiwei day in the first month, when a storm swept in from the southwest. Wei means treachery, Shen means corruption – that howling wind, like evil spirits rising from the underworld, means you've got bad apples in your court! That old fox, the Marquis of Pingchang, has visited three times, each time at an unlucky hour. Chen represents the guest, Shi the host – knowing how to read people like this is the emperor's secret weapon. And me? A lowly servant like me? I wouldn't dare spill the beans to anyone shady. His superior recommended him as a Zhonglang, then summoned him and asked, "So, you showing up today – good timing or bad?"

He replied, "We should focus on the timing of our actions, not the specific day. Timing is everything, but the overall situation is paramount. In the presence of wise leadership, the one who serves is the master. If the timing is good but the leadership is bad, then the servant will falter; if the timing is bad but the leadership is good, then the servant will thrive. If the leadership is honest and upright, even if the servant is lacking, both the timing and circumstances will be favorable; if the leadership is poor, even if the servant is competent, both the timing and circumstances will suffer. If one knows that the servant is lacking while the timing is good and the circumstances are poor, the leadership will falter; conversely, if one knows that the servant is capable while the timing is poor and the circumstances are good, the leadership will succeed. Timing is routine, while circumstances are temporary. If the timing is not ideal but the circumstances are strategic, the results and merits will be equivalent. To understand the outcome, it is necessary to carefully observe five aspects. Therefore, one must examine the reasons behind a situation, observe its progress and changes, and refer to the sky, earth, six harmonies, and five elements to grasp human nature and emotions. It is difficult to rely solely on external observations; through internal reflection, clarity emerges. Thus, poetry serves as a method of learning, focusing on human emotions and nature. The five personality types will not conflict with each other, while the six emotions will constantly fluctuate. Observing nature requires examining its development, while observing emotions requires understanding their patterns. A wise leader should employ this method independently, as it is challenging to apply with two people. Therefore, 'Let your kindness show, but keep your skills under wraps.' If benevolence is openly displayed, it loses its magic; only through acting alone can one be natural. This approach is best suited to those in a position of service, and it's not easily replicated."

In that year, there was a severe flood in the eastern region, causing famine in eleven counties and a devastating plague. The emperor ordered that the land belonging to the Imperial Works Ministry in rivers, seas, ponds, lakes, and gardens be temporarily lent to the poor for cultivation without collecting rent or taxes. He also reduced the food standards for high-ranking officials, cut down on musicians in the imperial music bureau, reduced the number of horses in the imperial parks, and ceased repairs on the offices that the emperor seldom visited. The Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Works Ministry reduced the grain for feeding horses, and the Water Balance Granary cut back on meat for feeding livestock.

In February of the second year, on the Wuyou day, there was an earthquake. That summer, people were so starving they turned to cannibalism. In the seventh month of the Jiyou year, there was another earthquake. The emperor said, "I have heard that when a wise and virtuous ruler is in power, nature is in balance, the seasons are predictable, and the heavens are serene; only then can the people have a good ending. But now, Heaven has placed me in this high position, yet my rule has been inadequate, my virtue wanting. Disasters occur frequently, year after year. During the earthquake in February of the Wuyou year, the imperial ancestral halls in Longxi were devastated. Dao county suffered widespread destruction: city walls crumbled, temples collapsed, and homes were crushed, burying many. Landslides and fissures tore through the earth, and springs erupted. Two earthquakes within a year, heaven-sent calamities; this has greatly shocked me. There have been major mistakes in governing the country, and I bear the responsibility for the disasters. I am consumed by worry, unable to halt this catastrophe, and despair at its unending nature. In these years of poor harvests, the people's lives are difficult; many commit crimes due to hunger and cold, and I am deeply saddened and extremely upset. I've ordered the granaries opened and food distributed to the needy, hoping that all officials can seriously reflect on the warnings given to us by Heaven. Report any measures that will ease the people's burden. Tell me everything; don't hold back." The emperor then ordered a general amnesty and summoned those who dared to speak frankly and remonstrate. A memorial was then submitted, which read:

I've heard it said that between heaven and earth, the sun, moon, and stars move in an orderly manner, yin and yang cycle, the four seasons are distinct, and the five elements are interconnected. This is what the sages call the "Way." When the sages understand this "Way," they know how to govern a country, dividing territories, establishing rulers and subjects, creating calendars, and summarizing experiences of success and failure. This is what scholars call these texts "the Classics." When the wise understand these "Classics," they know how people should behave, like in the *Book of Songs*, the *Book of Documents*, the *I Ching*, the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, the *Book of Rites*, and the *Book of Music*, which all explain these principles. The *I Ching* explores yin and yang, the *Book of Songs* discusses the five key relationships: ruler and subject, parent and child, siblings, husband and wife, and friends, while the *Spring and Autumn Annals* chronicle disasters and portents. These books trace events from beginning to end, analyzing successes and failures. They explore the will of Heaven to explain the rise and fall of dynasties. During the Qin Dynasty, these principles were not followed, and only harsh laws were used to govern the country, leading to the loss of the Mandate of Heaven and eventual destruction.

Now, Your Majesty, your wisdom and understanding of governance are profound. Your generosity reaches every corner of the land. You have cut unnecessary expenses, provided relief for the poor, and even offered medical and funeral expenses; your kindness is very deep. You also encourage your officials to speak frankly and offer advice, searching for their own faults. Your virtues have reached the pinnacle, and the people are truly blessed to have you as their ruler!

I secretly studied "The Book of Songs" and read the chapter "October's Turning Point." I learned that solar eclipses and earthquakes had clear precursors, just as birds sense an approaching storm and animals anticipate rain. This is the knowledge I have acquired. I heard that changes in a person's inner emotions can affect the heavens and the earth; changes in the sky are reflected in celestial phenomena and solar eclipses, while changes on the earth are reflected in strange occurrences and earthquakes. This is because vital energy (yang) governs the life force, while material form (yin) is shaped by its opposite. A person's health is reflected in their appearance and behavior. This year, the Taiyin star is in the Jiaxu period, the law begins with Gengyin, and the calendar starts from Jiawu in the spring. When Jia and Geng are in harmony in the calendar, they receive the energy of the three yangs, which augurs a year of justice and prosperity. Because it is a good year, everything should have been hunky-dory, but a major earthquake occurred when the sun was shining high, followed by continuous months of rain. Despite all the edicts, the relentless rain continued, a clear sign of overwhelming yin.

In ancient royal courts, a wise ruler balanced the influence of family and merit. There were always people of the same surname to show family ties, and there were always talented ministers of different surnames to showcase their abilities. People of the same surname were easily promoted, while ministers of different surnames were difficult to approach, so a balance between family and meritocracy was needed, perhaps one family member for every five appointed officials. Now there are no people of the same surname in the court, only relatives in power, while ministers of different surnames are kept at a distance. The court is overrun with power-hungry relatives, who not only hold key positions but also live extravagantly and abuse their power, much like the dangers posed by figures such as Empress Lü, Huo Guang, and Shangguan Jie. This is not the way to care for the people, nor is it a strategy for the long-term stability of the country! This unchecked power, this imbalance of yin and yang, is surely the root of our current misfortunes.

I also heard that the court ladies in Weiyang Palace, Jianzhang Palace, and Ganquan Palace are numbered in the hundreds, and they do not receive humane treatment. As for the gardens in Duling, those who had slept with the emperor, I dare not say much, after all, that is the private affair of the Empress Dowager. However, the gardens of the vassal kings and their concubines should have corresponding officials appointed to remove those who exceed the regulations. This is a way to reduce yin, follow the natural order, and save from disasters. If these things are not done, disasters will follow. According to natural principles, excessive yin will eventually lead to yang, which may turn into drought, and in severe cases, even fires may occur, as seen in the example of Boji from the Song state in the Spring and Autumn period. I hope Your Highness can carefully consider these issues.

In the next year, in the fourth month of the Yiwei year, Xiaowudi's Baihe Pavilion caught fire. I (referring to the author, henceforth) feel that this incident is related to the omens I mentioned earlier, so I submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying: "I have previously presented my views on the five earthquakes, stating that excessive yin will lead to yang, and there may be fires. Your Highness did not adopt my suggestions, nor did you reply to me, leaving me feeling uncertain. Now, Baihe Pavilion burned on the day of Yiwei in the fourth month, which is exactly the Mao hour, with the moon falling in the Kang constellation, similar to the situation of the previous earthquakes. Now, I am even more convinced that my prediction is accurate! I'm really worried sick, and I hope Your Highness will listen to my advice again and allow me to explain this matter from start to finish."

The emperor summoned me again, asking me about the situation, what went right and wrong. I feel that the emperor's sacrifices to heaven and earth in Yunyang and Fenyin, as well as the maintenance of other palaces and temples, regardless of their proximity or importance, are all costly and violate ancient principles. Furthermore, the construction of the imperial palace and gardens is too extravagant and burdensome, causing suffering to the people and depleting the national treasury, with years of savings being exhausted. This problem has persisted for so long, and without addressing it at its root, superficial fixes are ineffective. Therefore, I submitted another memorial stating:

I've heard tell that in ancient times, Pan Geng moved the capital to prosper the Yin dynasty, and he got a lot of credit for it. I personally think that the prosperity of the Han dynasty was due to Emperor Xiao Wen's hard work, thrift, and lower taxes. At that time, there were no fancy palaces and halls like Ganquan Palace, Jianzhang Palace, and Shanglin Park! The Weiyang Palace didn’t have all those grand structures like the High Gate, Martial Platform, Kylin Hall, Phoenix Hall, White Tiger Hall, Jade Hall, and Golden Flower Hall; it only had the Front Hall, Curved Terrace, Gradual Terrace, Proclamation Chamber, Warm Chamber, and Chengming Hall. Emperor Xiao Wen wanted to build a terrace and estimated it would cost a fortune, but he felt it was too costly for the people, so he gave up, and the foundation of that terrace still remains today! He left instructions against building a big tomb. Therefore, at that time, the country was peaceful, and the people prospered, and his achievements were passed down to future generations.

Nowadays, that kind of approach wouldn't cut it. There's a natural order, but ruling a country needs flexibility to adapt to it. You need a leader with vision to do great things. I hope Your Majesty will move the capital to Chengzhou, with Chenggao on the left, Mianchi on the right, Songshan in front, and the Great River behind as a barrier. Build Xingyang to consolidate the Hedong region, set up defenses a thousand miles to the north and south, and rely on the Aocang for food supply. The land within about a hundred miles is sufficient for self-sufficiency; the east can suppress the power of the vassals, and the west can stay away from the threats of the Qiang and Hu. Your Majesty, as long as you settle down peacefully and follow the capital establishment of Chengzhou, learning from the merits of Pan Geng's relocation, your achievements will stand alongside Emperor Gaozong for generations to come.

A lot of Han dynasty rituals weren't done right. I've reworked the rituals, so I hope Your Majesty will move the capital to return to the original source. Once everything's in place, we'll save a fortune on palaces and have extra grain every year.

I hear that the ancestors of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties built up a lot of good karma, which is why they were able to become kings, but none of them lasted more than a few hundred years. When King Cheng of the Zhou dynasty came to power, he was incredibly smart, inheriting the foundations laid by King Wen and King Wu, and was assisted by the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao. All government officials were diligent and responsible, and those in office were the right people. Peace only lasted a couple of generations, but even with that peace, the Duke of Zhou still wrote poems and essays. He was worried King Cheng would lose everything, so he warned him seriously. The Book of Documents warned, "Don't be like that Shang King!" In his poems, he said, "Before the fall of the Shang dynasty, they were still able to offer sacrifices to the gods; this should serve as a warning, don't easily change the family traditions."

The Han Dynasty, newly established, was built up from Feng Pei, relying on warfare to conquer the world. The empire's influence hasn't yet taken root among the people. In later generations, there was lavish spending that's eaten up generations of savings. This not only wastes money but also squanders talent. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, border deaths mounted into the countless. Though the Han's reign hasn't been long, by the time it reached Your Majesty, there have already been eight or nine emperors. You've got King Cheng's wisdom, but lack the Zhou and Shao Dukes' wise counsel. Years of famine in the east, worsened by plague, have left the people starving and desperate, some even turning on each other. Earthquakes shake the land, the weather's gone mad, and the sun's hidden. How can any ruler ignore such warnings? Therefore, I hope Your Majesty can move the capital due to natural disasters. Heaven's way is cyclical; extremes return to the source, ensuring lasting strength. The Han Dynasty's luck isn't spent. A fresh start secures its future—wouldn't that be glorious? For example, in the year of Bing Zi in the first month of summer, moving the capital eastward following the direction of the moon, after seven years, there will definitely be five years of accumulation, and then a grand ceremony to worship the heavens and earth can be held. Even during the peak of the Zhou Dynasty, it cannot compare to this grand occasion. I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider and carefully weigh this strategic decision.

The memorial was presented, and the Emperor thought his idea was unique, so he asked him, "Feng Gong, there are currently seven palaces and ancestral temples. If we were to move the capital eastward, how would the specific situation be?" Feng Gong replied, "In the past, King Cheng moved the capital to Luo Yi, and Pan Geng moved the capital to Yin. The reasons for their capital relocations, Your Majesty is well aware of. Without a wise and enlightened monarch, the direction of the world cannot be changed. Forgive my boldness, Your Majesty."

Later, Gong Yu also suggested that the ancestral temple should be taken down and rebuilt in rotation, and the emperor adopted his suggestion. When Kuang Hong became the prime minister, he also requested to relocate the sacrificial sites in the north and south suburbs. These ideas, however, all originated from a culture of flattery.

Feng Cheng, who rose to the rank of Zhonglang, also served as a doctor and counselor, and died peacefully in his old age. His son and grandson both became Confucian officials because they were such good students.

Li Xun, styled Zichang, was from Pingling. He studied "Shangshu" under the same teacher as Zhang Ru and Zheng Kuanzhong. While Zhang Ru, Zheng Kuanzhong, and others studied diligently according to the teacher's instructions, Li Xun was different. He was especially fascinated by the "Hongfan"'s discussion of disasters and portents, as well as learning about astronomy, the lunar calendar, and the principles of yin and yang. He worked as a secretary for Prime Minister Zhai Fangjin, who was also skilled in astronomy and calendar calculations, and Li Xun often reported to Zhai Fangjin. At that time, the emperor's uncle, Marquis Quyang Wang Gen, served as the Grand Marshal and had a lot of respect for Li Xun. Given the many disasters plaguing the land, Wang Gen assisted in court affairs and frequently sought Li Xun's counsel. Li Xun believed that there were signs of decline in the Han Dynasty and thought that there might be disasters such as great floods, so he warned Wang Gen:

Ancient texts say, "Heaven's wisdom is profound," meaning that the celestial court is the residence of the Heavenly Emperor, connected to the fate of earthly emperors. The four gates of the Hall of Supreme Harmony symbolize vast roads, and the classics and arts represent revered knowledge and distinguished talents. They spread out like wings, shining light upon the world. The virtuous scholars in the Hall of Lesser Harmony assist the emperor, hence they are close to the imperial court, while the ladies' quarters are behind. Wise rulers learn from the heavens, and capable individuals are able to gain recognition; that is the principle. The text states that government officials, ministers, and generals should be upright and responsible, deeply concerned for their country and people, with the key being the selection of talents. The effectiveness of selecting and employing individuals is crucial to the difference between success and ruin and must be handled with caution and effort. In the past, Duke Mu of Qin believed in slander and employed rash advisors, resulting in great humiliation and almost the downfall of the country. Later, he repented, thought seriously, and appointed Bai Li Xi, eventually conquering the Western Rong, and his name went down in history. These two examples show that one must be careful and cautious about blessings and misfortunes! Scholars are a nation's greatest treasure and the key to its success. General, your family has nine marquisates and twenty magnificent chariots; since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, no minister has reached such prominence. All things rise and fall; this is a natural law. Only with talented friends and strong support can one barely protect oneself, preserve future generations, and the country. The text says, "Observe the heavens," meaning to understand the cycles of nature, examine the changes in mountains and rivers, and pay heed to the whispers of the people in order to establish laws and infer blessings and misfortunes. If a ruler ignores the natural order, disasters will occur, and signs will appear in advance. A wise ruler will fear mistakes and correct them swiftly, humbly seek advice from others, turning disasters into blessings; if irreparable, prepare in advance so the country will have no worries.

I have found that in the past, there has been widespread devastation and suffering, lavish public works projects that impoverished the people, and signs of great chaos in the world! Comets are shining brightly, and warlords are vying for power; these are omens of great disasters. These two omens have come to pass. There are rumors in the city that a flood is coming, and people panicked and scrambled for the city walls. The court is also frightened, and ominous signs appeared in the palace; this point has not yet been fulfilled. Recently, springs have been overflowing, and water is also gushing out near the palace. The moon and Venus aligned with the Eastern Well, a portent of flooding, and the celestial phenomenon is abnormal. The sunlight is too strong. Unusually wispy clouds hung over the palace, and there were winds and accumulating clouds. Earthquakes and tremors shook the land, and rivers changed course. Winter storms brought unexpected thunder and lightning; hidden dragons were causing trouble. Then there were falling meteors, comets passing by, and a solar eclipse occurred. These are all signs that the flood is imminent! If we do not worry and do not make changes, the flood will come to wash away, and the comet will come to sweep through; if we make changes, disasters can be avoided. Therefore, there have been some changes recently; some villains have been slightly criticized, the sun, moon, and stars have returned to normal, and the rain is also normal. These positive signs suggest that Heaven favors the Han; further reforms are thus all the more vital.

We should snap up the best and brightest, promote those with abilities, and put them in charge. Those sycophants who lie about their achievements and brutalize the populace are jealous of talent, hate loyalty, wreck the natural order, spread evil, and blot out the sun, turning the people against them. They should be promptly removed from their positions and should not be allowed to hold office. If this is truly done, disasters will be eliminated, and things will quickly improve for generations to come. Good governance is as powerful as a magnet; it works. Furthermore, we need to get those irrigation projects flowing freely again. Repairing old embankments and cutting taxes on the wetlands will help things along. We need to get to the bottom of things, understand the patterns, and heed any warnings. Let's call in Han Fang, Zhou Chang, and Wang Wang to talk this over.

Right after Emperor Ai took the throne, he summoned Zhang Xun to serve in the Yellow Gate and sent the attendant Wei Fu to ask Zhang Xun, "Recently, water has been gushing from the ground, earthquakes have been frequent, the sun and moon are abnormal, the movements of the stars are chaotic, and disasters have been continuous. Tell me everything, don't hold back." Zhang Xun replied:

Your Majesty, you're a truly virtuous ruler, showing respect for heaven and earth, upholding the law, and caring deeply for your people. You even remembered me, a humble servant, and sent senior officials to inquire about my situation. I'm hardly worthy of your command. Since Your Majesty ascended to the throne, I've noticed your enlightened policies, the removal of old taboos, and the wide recruitment of talents, giving everyone a chance to realize their ambitions. I've been a palace dweller for many years, living off the royal bounty. It's an honor to be summoned, Your Majesty, but I fear I have little to offer in return for your kindness. You sincerely inquired about me, and I feel that I have encountered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am willing to do my best and will not hide anything, hoping that a humble suggestion can be accepted by you. I will carefully consider this, Your Majesty, consulting the classics and seeking divine guidance. Unusual events often have tell-tale signs, and I would be remiss not to share my observations with you, Your Majesty. Next, I will organize my thoughts and present them to you. While I'm no scholar, I do have some thoughts on matters of state. I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider my suggestions. Even if only a little can be accepted, I will be content. After all, being able to contribute my efforts to the country is already my honor. I am well aware of my limited abilities, but I will do my best to contribute to the country's development. I always remember, Your Majesty, that loyalty and the well-being of the realm come first.

The Book of Changes says: "The sun and moon are supremely evident." The sun, as the embodiment of yang energy, brings uniformity of time across vast distances, symbolizing the majesty of a ruler. Therefore, when the sun is about to rise, a clear wind blows, dark things are hidden, and the king begins his court, unclouded by external concerns. As the sun just rises, the sunlight is warm and bright; the king ascends the throne, and villains dare not act rashly, while loyal ministers speak freely without impediment. When the sun reaches noon, the light is shining, the king's virtue is at its zenith, and the ministers can fulfill their duties. As the sun is about to set, the light wanes, and the king returns to the palace, following a fixed routine of rest and work.

If the king does not cultivate his virtues, then the sun will lose its proper order and become dim and lightless. Various bad omens will also appear: when the sun just rises, ominous clouds gather in the east, indicating that the king will be confused by palace women and eunuchs, feeling fear and difficulty; after the sun rises, it indicates that court officials will sow discord; reaching noon indicates that ministers will deceive the king; as the sun sets, it indicates that the king will be controlled by his wives and concubines. Recently, the sunlight is not very bright; its brightness is diminished, its colors muted, and ill omens are frequent. These ill omens persist throughout the day, easing only slightly between sunrise and noon.

Your Majesty, with all due respect, I do not understand internal affairs. I can only gauge Your Majesty's spirit by the sun's light, and I have noticed that it has weakened significantly compared to before. This cannot be ignored! The reason for this may be that Your Majesty has punished those upright ministers who dared to speak out, thus harming the heir and endangering the future generations of the country. I hope Your Majesty can maintain your strength of character, resolve, and adherence to the law, and not listen to the slander of female officials and treacherous ministers. Reject the flattery and pleas of your nurses and wet nurses. One must strive to uphold righteousness and not be swayed by trivial matters; if there is really no other way, you can reward them with money, but you must never privately reward them with official positions, as this is forbidden by the heavens!

When the sun weakens, chaos follows. The recent daytime appearance of Venus is an ill omen indeed! Your Majesty should work even harder to cultivate virtues and govern yourself, in order to prevent those actions that violate the laws.

I have heard that the moon, as the embodiment of Yin, mirrors the fortunes of the empire through its waxing and waning. Visible for hundreds of miles, its light reaches thousands, its path tens of thousands, just like a symbol of empresses, officials, and lords. The moon's phases mark the passage of time; the crescent moon, like a measuring rod, and the full moon symbolizes the virtue of the monarch. In spring and summer, the moon is in the south, while in autumn and winter, it is in the north. Sometimes, the moon in spring and summer follows the same path as the sun. It passes through the Xuan Yuan star, influenced by the weather, and enters the Taiwei enclosure (the celestial abode of the Emperor), shining brightly. Approaching the stars of the generals and close ministers, it overshadows all other stars, as if they were about to be snuffed out. This indicates the empress dowager interfering in politics, political chaos, imbalance of yin and yang, and a very dire situation. Court officials, ignorant of the true situation, cling to these celestial omens, revealing that the current close ministers are no longer reliable. It's like a vast palace built on weak foundations—a chilling prospect! Your Majesty must personally seek out talented individuals, not force yourself to accept those you do not like, in order to strengthen your court.

The celestial signs reveal that the Five Stars embody the essence of the Five Elements and represent the fates of the Five Emperors, with their movements influenced by the commands of the king. The Year Star's erratic course and intense brilliance suggest that you have something in mind, but the time is not right. Furthermore, the Fill Star's encroachment on the Year Star's path foretells a future of shared imperial power; they remain in the Kui and Lou constellations, and a just resolution is needed. The erratic course of the Wandering Star, its arrogant passage between the celestial palaces, portends upheaval in the court as it enters the Heavenly Gate and ascends to the Bright Hall. Venus's radiant brilliance threatens the Heavenly Treasury, and this portends military conflict. It traverses the Yellow Dragon, enters the Imperial Court, emerges from the palace gate, follows the Wandering Star into the Heavenly Gate, and separates after reaching the Fang constellation, desiring to incite chaos alongside the Wandering Star but daring not to approach the stars near the Bright Hall. Divine favor has thus far averted calamity. The slow progress of the Wandering Star reflects the machinations of those in power, who use veiled accusations to silence your loyal advisors. Venus's emergence from the End Gate reveals disloyalty amongst your courtiers. Mars's entry into the Chamber constellation and Venus's approach to the Upper Hall presage grave danger unless swiftly addressed. The conjunction of the Fill Star and the Year Star heralds internal discord. You should carefully observe the situation within the court, setting aside personal relationships, and purge the court of its corrupt elements, lest these festering wounds bring ruin upon the empire.

Mercury governs the cycle of the four seasons and should appear in mid-spring, mid-summer, mid-autumn, and mid-winter. If the four seasons are out of order, Mercury will exhibit unusual behavior. Now, Mercury's appearance in the first month of the lunar year (寅月, Yín yuè), which falls in early spring, is a warning from the heavens to Your Majesty! Its early appearance signifies urgent matters of state, while a late appearance indicates a more peaceful time. Prolonged political stagnation will cause Mercury to disappear, only to reappear as a comet. If Mercury appears in all four Meng months (the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth months of the lunar year), it foretells a change of dynasty; if all four seasons appear, this is an ominous sign for astrologers. Its appearance in the first month (寅月, Yín yuè) is a sign of heaven's favor toward Your Majesty; you should give serious consideration to your actions.

The governance of a country cannot be indecisive, and one cannot be hasty like trying to eat hot tofu. It is written in the books: "Officials are evaluated every three years, with promotions and demotions based on their performance." If the orders do not follow the seasonal rules, we can let bygones be bygones, but lessons should be learned from now on. A few days ago, during spring, major cases were heard within three months, and at that time, the thieves were secretly plotting rebellion, resulting in a poor harvest; at the end of summer, troops were sent out to war in cold weather, likely leading to frost and hail disasters later on; in autumn, the handling of titles occurred during a period of dampness, which could result in thunder and hail disasters later. Using emotions to reward and punish, without considering seasonal taboos, even a wise leader like Yao or Shun cannot achieve harmony and peace. Those who are good at observing celestial phenomena will surely be able to govern the world effectively. Imagine farmers plowing in winter, bare-chested and sweating profusely while planting; they still would not be able to grow anything. This is not due to lack of effort, but because it goes against the timing. The Book of Changes says: "Act when the time is right, wait when it's not; that's the path to success." The Book of Documents says: "Teach the people to work with the seasons." Therefore, ancient emperors respected heaven and earth, valued yin and yang, feared the four seasons, and strictly followed the lunar calendar. By implementing good governance in accordance with the timing, harmony will immediately ensue, just like an echo in response to a drumbeat. Nowadays, the court ignores the calendar. You, my attendants, officials, and advisors, must understand its importance. If any proposal or order disregards the seasons, speak up!

It has come to my attention that the five elements are based on water, with the constellations Xuanwu and Wu Nu considered the primary celestial bodies associated with water, the foundation of the operation of heaven and earth, and the source of all things. Water represents fairness and justice. If the imperial rule is just and equitable, then the rivers will be governed in an orderly manner and the waterways will be unobstructed. If favoritism is shown and discipline is lost, catastrophic flooding will occur. As the *Shangshu* states, water naturally flows downwards, following the course of yin energy. When the world is at peace, auspicious omens such as the River Map and Luo River Book will appear. Therefore, the bursting of the Yellow River and Luo River causes the greatest harm. Now the Ru River, Ying River, and other rivers are all flooding, causing disasters for the people along with the rain, just as described in the *Book of Songs*: "The brilliant lightning flashes, unrest and disorder reign, and the rivers surge and boil." This is a matter for which Huangfu Qingshi and others are accountable. I hope Your Majesty will take the words of the poets seriously and listen less to the words of the relatives and ministers.

I heard that the earth is still and quiet, which is the principle of yin. The world is divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower. When there's unrest in the upper echelons, it corresponds to the concubines and empresses being unhappy; when there's turmoil amongst the ministers, it corresponds to chaos; when the common people are in revolt, it corresponds to rebellion. An earthquake signifies the ruler's failings. If the four directions, the central region, and the continuous countries and provinces all vibrate together, it is an even greater anomaly. Recently, earthquakes have been frequent in the Kanto region, and five stars have appeared in the sky. Although it has not reached a very serious level yet, efforts should be made to cultivate strength and decisiveness, and curb weakness and indecisiveness, to make up for the mistakes; to strengthen determination, establish prestige, curb corruption and favoritism, promote outstanding talents, and eliminate incompetent officials, in order to strengthen the imperial authority. With a strong court, it can stand strong against foreign threats; with a weak court, it will invite disasters and fall prey to treachery. I heard that when King Huainan rebelled in the past, the only person who could resist him was Ji An, believing Gongsun Hong and others to be inadequate. Gongsun Hong was a famous minister of the Han Dynasty, and there has been no one comparable to him even now, but he was underestimated by Ji An, let alone those who are inferior to Gongsun Hong. Therefore, if the court lacks talents, it will be despised by rebels, which is a natural principle. Your Majesty lacks both strategic brilliance and loyal, upright advisors. A failing court is easily recognized by the fact that everyone believes themselves capable, neglecting the cultivation of true talent; that is why the country will decline.

If horses do not walk frequently, they cannot stay on course; if scholars do not study and train regularly, they cannot revive the country. The Book of Songs states, "King Wen's reign was peaceful thanks to his many talented officials." Confucius said, "In a town of ten households, there must be loyalty and trustworthiness." These are not just empty words. Your Majesty rules over the empire, yet I have never heard of loyal and faithful ministers who can defend the country's territory. This is likely due to Your Majesty's lack of foresight, poor judgment in selecting officials, and insincere encouragement of talent. The Book of Documents says, "Good farmers nurture their crops; wise rulers nurture their talent." Ordinary people can be cultivated into gentlemen. It should be decreed to select virtuous scholars, forgive minor failings; perfection is not expected, in order to gather outstanding talents widely. Take Gong Yu, for example, who received honor for his sincere loyalty; during that time, many scholars aspired to serve the state with distinction. After Gong Yu's death, the country declined day by day. When the Jingzhao governor, Wang Zhang, was killed for his advice, intelligent people remained silent, evil and hypocrisy prevailed, powerful clans seized power, and there was a rift between ruler and ministers, leading to the severing of the imperial line of succession and a rebellion in the palace. These failures are a terrifying and sobering lesson!

I have been working for the Empress Dowager for ages; this isn't a new thing. The late Emperor, wise and strong, understood Heaven's will and wanted Your Majesty to inherit the throne to correct the mistakes! Therefore, it is necessary to properly limit the power of the Empress's family, carefully select the guards and officials around you, and appoint those with virtue, talent, and broad knowledge to important positions. Only in this way can we assist the Emperor, protect the throne, and continue the dynasty. From the lowliest clerk to the highest official, those with mediocre abilities and no special skills, as well as those illiterate scholars, should all be sent back to the fields! Only in this way can the people of the world know that the court is filled with talented individuals, thereby boosting the court's prestige, strengthening the throne, and quelling the unrest; this is fundamental! I know that what I am saying may lead to my death, but I'm not afraid to die for this; I just hope Your Majesty can seriously consider and ponder my words. At that time, Emperor Ai had just ascended to the throne, and the Wang family of Emperor Cheng had not been completely suppressed, while the Ding and Fu families of the Emperor were rising in power, especially the grandmother of Empress Fu, who was arrogant and wanted to be honored. Prime Minister Kong Guang and Grand Commandant Shi Dan kept advising, but over time, the Emperor was forced to dismiss Kong Guang and Shi Dan from their positions and instead honored Empress Fu as Empress Dowager, as recorded in the *Biography of Shi Dan*. Although the Emperor did not fully adopt my suggestions at the time, he often consulted my opinions and would come to me whenever faced with difficult situations. My answers were always right, and later I was promoted to be a Yellow Gate Attendant, a high-ranking official. Because I predicted a flood, the Emperor appointed me as the Cavalry Commandant to oversee flood defenses.

During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, there was a guy from Qi named Gan Zhongke. He forged a book called "Tianguan Li" (Tīnguān Lì) and a set of books called "Baoyuan Taiping Jing" (Bāoyuán Tài píng Jīng), totaling twelve volumes. He spun a yarn about how the Han Dynasty was going to face a great change in the heavens and earth, claiming falsely that a heavenly being, Chi Jingzi, had sent him this prophecy to teach. Gan Zhongke then incited several others, including Zhongping Xia Heliang, Rongqiu Ding Guangshi, and Guo Chang from Dongjun. As a result, a military officer named Liu Xiang reported Gan Zhongke, accusing him of cheating the emperor and the public. He was arrested, interrogated, and died in prison before his trial. Heliang and the others were accused of disrespect for hiding Gan Zhongke's books and were also implicated. Later, they secretly spread these teachings.

When Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty first ascended the throne, the Imperial Inspector Jie Guang was highly favored by the emperor due to his expertise in Confucian classics and knowledge of omens. He exposed Xia Heliang and others for concealing Gao Zhongke's book. Xia Heliang then reported this to the Imperial Attendant Liu Xin. Liu Xin figured this didn't fit with the Five Classics, so he thought it wouldn’t work. However, Li Xun was all for it. Jie Guang said, "Liu Xin's old man, Liu Xiang, ratted out Gao Zhongke and got him locked up. No way Liu Xin's gonna go for this." At that time, Guo Chang, the Prefect of Chang'an, advised Li Xun to help Xia Heliang and the others. Li Xun then reported to the emperor, suggesting they be made palace attendants, and the emperor summoned them several times to state their case. They said, "The Han calendar's shot; we need a new one. Emperor Cheng ignored the heavens, and look what happened – no heir! And you've been sick for ages, all these weird things happening… it's a warning! Change the era name, and you'll live longer, get a son, and these bad things will stop. If you know this and don't do anything, there'll be floods, fires, a total wipeout!" The emperor, feeling a bit better after a long illness, followed the advice of Heliang and the others.

Then he issued a decree to the prime minister and the imperial censor, saying, "I have heard that in the 'Book of Documents' it says, 'Five reigns mark the end of a Mandate,' meaning that when a great era ends, it is time for a change of dynasty, a new reign, a reexamination of laws and systems, a calculation of the calendar, and the establishment of a new era, just like the cyclical nature of the sexagenary cycle. I, this unworthy person, have inherited the throne from the founding emperor, been favored by the heavens, led all officials, governed the people of the world, but up to now have not been able to achieve anything to meet the expectations of the heavens. Since I ascended the throne three years ago, disasters have been constant, and the heavens themselves seem to be out of order; various calamities have occurred one after another, and thieves have been rampant. Fear chills me to the bone, as I dread the ruin of the empire. The Han Dynasty has been established for two hundred years now, having undergone several changes of dynasty, and the heavens have always bestowed extraordinary talents upon the Han Dynasty, allowing it to once again receive the symbol of the mandate of heaven. As for me, lacking in virtue, how can I dare not to follow the mandate of heaven and join the people of the world in reforming themselves? Therefore, I now order a general amnesty throughout the land, renaming the second year of Jianping as the first year of Taichu, and I shall henceforth be known as Emperor Taiping of the Chen Dynasty. The timekeeping system will also be changed to one hundred and twenty units. Let this be known throughout the land."

A month and more went by, and the Emperor was still just as sick. He Liang and his cronies were at it again, trying to meddle in government business, but the ministers were having none of it. He Liang and others petitioned, claiming that the ministers didn't get it; they didn't understand the Mandate of Heaven, and suggested dismissing the prime minister and censor, putting Xie Guang and Li Xun in charge. The Emperor saw right through their nonsense, so he arrested He Liang and others, and issued a decree saying, "I can keep the dynasty safe, but I'm no good at running the country. One disaster after another has hit us, and I'm terrified, I don't know what to do. I listened to He Liang's crazy ideas about changing the era name and messing with the calendar, thinking it would solve everything. I ignored the Mandate of Heaven, listened to their garbage, and almost brought ruin on the people. Things didn't get better, just worse – a terrible drought. I asked He Liang and others, and they suggested changing the system again, all against the rules and common sense. Uncorrected mistakes are a big problem. Everything in that June Jiazi decree except the amnesty was scrapped. He Liang and his gang defied Heaven, misled the people, and their treachery needed to be fully exposed." So, He Liang and others were all imprisoned, with Guang Luping, Mao Moru, the chief censor, and the court investigating. They found He Liang and his crew guilty of using witchcraft to undermine the government, trying to overthrow the Emperor, and their crimes were unforgivable. He Liang and others were all executed. Later, Xie Guang got a lighter sentence and was exiled to Dunhuang. People back then raved about the *I Ching* and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, saying they held the secrets of Heaven, Earth, and Man – pretty amazing, huh? But Zigong said, "I get what Confucius wrote, but his ideas about human nature and the ways of Heaven? Not so much!" Yeah, deep stuff!

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, there were many scholars who relied on the theories of yin and yang and the five elements to explain calamities and portents. Under Emperor Wu of Han, Dong Zhongshu and Xiahou Shichang flourished; during the reigns of Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan, there were Sui Meng and Xiahou Sheng; during the reigns of Emperor Yuan and Emperor Cheng, Jing Fang, Yi Feng, Liu Xiang, and Gu Yong made their mark; and during the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping, there were Li Xun and Tian Zhongshu. These guys all got the emperor's thumbs-up, and their arguments were somewhat similar, all borrowing from classical texts, stretching things a bit, and sometimes even getting lucky a few times.

However, what about their fate? Dong Zhongshu was demoted, Xiahou Shichang was arrested and imprisoned, Sui Meng was killed, and Li Xun was exiled. This should serve as a warning to later scholars. Jing Fang, on the other hand, was a bit arrogant, speaking sharply and offending the powerful, and as a result, he quickly suffered a swift and brutal downfall. It truly reflects the saying "misfortune comes from the mouth!" What a waste!

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

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Wei Xiang, courtesy name Ruoweng, was a native of Jiyin Dingtao who later moved to Pingling. When he was young, he studied the Book of Changes (Yijing), served as a small-time county official, and later participated in a talent recruitment program for promising officials. Due to his good strategies, he was appointed as the magistrate of Maoling County. Not long after, a retainer of the Imperial Inspector General, Sang Hongyang, impersonated an imperial censor, stopped the county magistrate, and accused him of not visiting him on time. In a rage, the retainer tied up the county magistrate. Wei Xiang felt that something was suspicious and ordered the arrest of the retainer. After investigating the matter, the retainer was sentenced to banishment, and Maoling County was thus governed in an orderly manner.

Later, Wei Xiang was promoted to the position of Governor of Henan. He ruthlessly tackled corruption, and the bigwigs all feared him. Just then, the Prime Minister Che Qianqiu passed away. Che Qianqiu's son, who was previously an official in the armory in Luoyang, felt that he had lost his influence after his father's death. Additionally, he was afraid of being implicated in the future due to Wei Xiang's strict governance of the counties, so he resigned from his position. Wei Xiang sent someone to bring him back, but he refused to return. Wei Xiang was angry and muttered to himself, "If General Huo Guang hears that this armory commander resigned because of me, he will think that I am deliberately making things difficult for the Prime Minister's son just because his father passed away. If I don't have the court's bigwigs on my side, I'm toast!" The armory commander traveled west to Chang'an, and indeed General Huo Guang criticized Wei Xiang for this, saying, "The emperor's just come to power. To keep Hangu Pass and the capital safe, the armory has gathered top troops, which is why the Prime Minister's brother became the commander of the pass and his son became the commander of the armory. Now the Governor of Henan is not considering the country's interests and is only pushing the Prime Minister's son aside because his father died. That's incredibly short-sighted!"

Later, someone reported that Wei Xiang had unjustly killed innocent people, and this matter was submitted to the authorities for handling. There were two to three thousand soldiers stationed in Zhongdu in Henan Prefecture, and they petitioned the Grand Marshal, saying they were willing to serve an extra year to make amends for the Prefect's actions. More than ten thousand elderly men and women from Henan Prefecture blocked the pass, wanting to enter the capital to petition, and the officials guarding the pass reported this to the Grand Marshal. Due to the incident involving the Arsenal Commander, Wei Xiang was sent to Tingwei Prison. He was kept in prison for quite some time, until winter, when he was released due to a general amnesty. Later, he was ordered to return to Maoling as a county magistrate, and then he was promoted to the Governor of Yangzhou. Wei Xiang evaluated the performance of the prefects and county magistrates during his tenure and dismissed many officials. Wei Xiang had a good relationship with Bing Ji, who was a high-ranking official at the time. Bing Ji wrote to Wei Xiang, saying, "Your accomplishments are well-known in court, and you will soon be reinstated. Watch your step, keep your nose clean, and don't squander your abilities." Wei Xiang agreed with Bing Ji's words and thus restrained his harsh style. He stayed in Yangzhou for two years, was appointed as an advisor, and later became the Prefect of Henan. Several years later, Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne and summoned Wei Xiang (the son-in-law of Huo Guang, the Prime Minister) to the palace, appointing him as the Minister of Agriculture, and later promoting him to the Chief Inspector. When Huo Guang passed away, Emperor Xuan remembered his contributions and rewarded Huo Guang's son, Huo Yu, with the post of Right General, and made Huo Guang's nephew, Hou Shan, the new Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, putting him in charge of all court documents.

Seizing the moment, Wei Xiang took advantage of Ping'en Hou Xubo presenting his petition to quickly advise the emperor, saying: "In the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' criticizing the hereditary aristocracy and condemning the Song state for having three generations of ministers, as well as the usurping of power by the Jisun family of the Lu state, are all examples that lead to national turmoil. Ever since the Han, the power of the royal family has fallen into the hands of the prime minister. Now that Huo Guang has died, his son has become the Grand General, his nephew controls key government posts, and his relatives all hold important powers and military authority. Huo Guang's wife and daughters were constant visitors to the Changxin Palace and could even enter the palace gates at night, indulging in luxury, which may become increasingly difficult to control. We should find ways to weaken their power and thwart their plots in order to strengthen the nation and protect the Huo family's legacy." Previously, those who submitted memorials had to write two copies, one was the original and the other the copy. The Grand Secretary would first look at the copy, and if the content was not good, it would be discarded without the emperor seeing it. Wei Xiang took advantage of Xubo's matter to cancel the copy, avoiding suppressed information. Emperor Xuan thought this idea was very good, so he allowed Wei Xiang to participate in political affairs; he had the Emperor's ear. As a result, the Huo family's plot to murder Empress Xu was finally known to the emperor. Emperor Xuan immediately dismissed the three marquis of the Huo family, ordered them to return to their estates, and relegated their relatives to minor posts in the provinces. Later, Wei Xian requested retirement due to age and infirmity, and Wei Xiang took over as Prime Minister and was made Marquis of Gaoping with a fief of eight hundred households. However, the Huo family both hated and feared Wei Xiang, so they forged a decree from the Empress Dowager, planning to lure Wei Xiang to the palace for execution and then depose the emperor. The plot was uncovered, and the Huo family was wiped out. From then on, he ruled personally, governing the country diligently, examining officials, verifying information, with Wei Xiang effectively managing the bureaucracy, much to the Emperor's satisfaction.

Back in the Han Dynasty, during the Yuan Kang era, the Xiongnu sent troops to attack the Han army stationed in Cheshi, but they were unsuccessful. The Emperor and General Zhao Chongguo cooked up a scheme to take advantage of the Xiongnu's weakness and send troops to attack their eastern territories, so they wouldn't dare to harass the Western Regions anymore. The Prime Minister advised in a memorial: "I heard that wars fought to quell rebellions and wipe out the bad guys are called righteous wars; only such wars succeed. Wars of self-defense against invasion are called necessary wars; these are the only wars that win. Wars born of petty grievances are called wrathful wars; such angry wars are bound to fail. Wars launched to plunder others' land and property are called greedy wars; these greedy wars are also bound to fail. Wars fought to show off power in front of the enemy, relying on the strength of the country and the large population, are called arrogant wars; this kind of proud and reckless war is bound to perish. These five situations aren't just human affairs; they're the way of the world!"

Lately, the Huns have been acting pretty decent, sending back all the Han folks they’d grabbed and keeping mostly to themselves. Sure, we've had a little scuffle with 'em over the farmland in Cheshi, but it ain't worth a war just yet. I hear the generals are itching for a fight with the Huns, but honestly, I'm clueless about this whole thing. Out on the border, folks are dirt poor. Fathers and sons share one sheepskin coat, they're scraping by on weeds and berries, barely hanging on. How can they possibly fight a war? They say, "War brings hard times," meaning it messes everything up. Even if we win, there'll be trouble down the road, maybe even a whole heap of problems. Most of the governors and officials are no good, things are falling apart, and we've got droughts and floods all the time. Check the numbers this year: 222 cases of sons killing their dads, brothers killing each other, wives killing their husbands. That's a serious problem! Everyone's ignoring our problems and wants to go after the Huns for some minor grievance. It's like Confucius said, "The real danger isn't out there, it's right here at home." Your Majesty should talk this over with Marquis Ping, Marquis Le, Marquis Ping'en, and the other smart guys before you decide. The Emperor listened to the Prime Minister and decided against the war.

Young Xiang Ming seriously studied the "Book of Changes" and even took on a teacher to learn. He especially enjoyed reading historical stories and various memorials from the Han Dynasty. He felt that the systems of the past and present were different, and now the most important thing is to follow precedent. He listed several measures taken by the country since the Han Dynasty to cope with emergencies, as well as the suggestions and memorials of wise ministers such as Jia Yi, Chao Cuo, and Dong Zhongshu, saying: "I have heard that with a wise ruler in power and wise ministers assisting, the country can be stable, and the people can live in peace and contentment. Although I have had the honor of holding important positions, I have not been able to properly enforce the laws, promote good governance, govern the realm, and uphold virtuous governance. Now many folks are not working diligently, and some are even hungry and cold. Your Majesty should be concerned about this. I'm deeply sorry! My abilities are limited, and I do not understand the principles of state affairs and personnel management very well. I only know that the livelihood of the common people is crucial, but I do not know what to do. I have carefully examined the moral virtues and benevolence of the late emperor. He was diligent in governing, loved the people, cared about their hardships, worried about floods and droughts, and provided disaster relief; he also sent advisors and scholars to inspect the country, investigate customs, recommend virtuous individuals, rectify wrongful convictions, and a constant stream of officials came forward; he reduced expenditures, lightened taxes, opened up natural resources, and prohibited the military from buying and selling alcohol and hoarding supplies, all to help the people through difficult times, console them, and make things convenient for them. I cannot list them one by one, so I humbly submit these historical edicts to you, a total of twenty-three. I carefully examined the laws and found that the country must prioritize agriculture, strive to accumulate food reserves, budget carefully, and be prepared for emergencies. Even with six years of stored grain, it still feels insufficient. In the third year of Yuanding, the Pingyuan, Bohai, Taishan, and Dongjun regions suffered severe disasters, and people were dying in the streets. The local officials did not make adequate preparations in advance, leading to such consequences. Only Your Majesty's timely intervention saved them. This year's harvest is poor, food prices are soaring, and there is still a shortage of grain after the autumn harvest. It may be even worse in the spring, and there is no way to help the people. The Western Qiang remain unsubdued, and the military is still fighting outside, with continuous battles. I am very worried and believe that preparations should be made early. I hope Your Majesty will care more for the people and govern the world following the great virtues of the late emperor." The emperor heeded his counsel.

Man, I'm a minister, yet I haven't done my job and haven't done a good job teaching people. This has led to things being out of whack with Yin and Yang and continuous disasters, all of which are my responsibility! I’ve heard that the "Book of Changes" says: "Heaven and Earth follow the natural course, so the sun and moon move regularly, and the seasons change as they should; a wise ruler also follows nature, leading to fair punishments and people living in peace and happiness." Everything depends on Yin and Yang being balanced, with their division based on the sun's movement. The eight winds follow the sun from winter to summer solstice; all things have their place and role and shouldn't interfere with each other.

The East is ruled by Taihao, who governs spring and symbolizes the Zhen hexagram; the South is ruled by the Yan Emperor, who governs summer and symbolizes the Li hexagram; the West is ruled by Shao Hao, who governs autumn and symbolizes the Dui hexagram; the North is ruled by Zhuan Xu, who governs winter and symbolizes the Kan hexagram; the Center is ruled by the Yellow Emperor, who governs the land and symbolizes the Kun and Gen hexagrams. Each of these five emperors governs their respective seasons at fixed times. The hexagrams of the East can’t be used to govern the West, and the hexagrams of the South can’t be used to govern the North. Using the Dui hexagram in spring brings famine, using the Zhen hexagram in autumn leads to excessive prosperity, using the Li hexagram in winter causes disaster, and using the Kan hexagram in summer brings hailstorms.

The wise monarch reverently fears the heavens and carefully loves the people. Therefore, he establishes the office of the Minister of Temporal Harmony to manage the four seasons and timely arrange the various affairs of the people. If the monarch can act in accordance with the natural order and follow the cosmic forces, then the sun and moon will shine brightly, the wind and rain will arrive as expected, and the cold and heat will be harmonious. With these three elements in balance, disasters will not occur, crops will be abundant, silk and hemp will flourish, vegetation will thrive, birds and beasts will prosper, the people will not suffer untimely deaths or illnesses, and there will be an abundance of food and clothing. In this way, the monarch will be respected, the people will be content, there will be no complaints, governance and education will be in harmony, and etiquette will flourish.

If the wind and rain are not in harmony, it will damage agriculture; if agriculture suffers, the people will endure hunger and cold; if the people endure hunger and cold, they will lose their sense of shame, leading to the rise of thieves and bandits. I believe that harmony between yin and yang is the foundation of the country and the source of life for all living beings. Since ancient times, wise and virtuous rulers have placed great importance on this principle. The emperor should emulate heaven and earth and learn from the governance methods of the ancient sages. In "The Emperor's Attire, Part Eight," recorded by Emperor Gaozu, it states: "Zhang Chen, a high-ranking official, received an order from the Chang Le Palace: 'Let's have a discussion about the Emperor's clothes – it's important for keeping the country running smoothly.' The Prime Minister He Chen, Grand Secretary Chang Chen, General Ling Chen, Prince's Tutor Tong Chen, and others discussed, 'In spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the emperor's attire should reflect the cosmic order to achieve harmony among the people. Therefore, from the emperor and princes to the common people, all should follow heaven and earth, align with the four seasons, govern the country, and avoid disasters, ensuring longevity. This is an important ritual for offering sacrifices to the ancestors and stabilizing the world. We suggest following this method.' The courtier Zhao Yao recommended spring, Li Shun recommended summer, Er Tang recommended autumn, and Gong Yu recommended winter, with each responsible for a season. The great courtier Xiang Zhang reported back, and the emperor ordered, 'Approved!'"

During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, in the second month, he showed everyone some love by rewarding those who were filial to their parents and diligent in farming, and by disbanding the army of soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the country. That wasn't the best timing. The Chief Inspector, Chao Cuo, who was serving as the Crown Prince's tutor at the time, reported this matter. We ministers all feel that Your Majesty's generosity is great, but disasters have not ceased. I privately worry that the orders might not have been the best idea.

Your Majesty, it would be best to select four experts in astronomy and the balance of yin and yang, each responsible for a season. When the time comes, let them explain their duties. This way, we can balance the yin and yang, which would greatly benefit the people!

In short, the Prime Minister advised the Emperor, and the Emperor took his advice. The Prime Minister also ordered officials to investigate the situations in the counties and states, as well as the status of those who were on leave and returning home. Then, any weird stuff occurring in various places, such as rebellions, storms, disasters, etc., if not reported by the county magistrate, the Prime Minister would report to Your Majesty himself. At that time, Bing Ji served as the Chief Inspector, assisting the emperor alongside the Prime Minister, and Your Majesty valued them greatly. However, the Prime Minister was strict in character, unlike Bing Ji, who was more lenient. He was Prime Minister for nine years, dying in the third year of Shenjue and receiving the posthumous title of Xianhou. His son Hong took over, but lost the title after getting into trouble during the Ganlu period, his rank reduced to Guanneihou.

Bing Ji, courtesy name Shaoqing, was a native of the Lu state. He was well-versed in law and had served as a jailer in Lu due to his repeated military achievements. He gradually rose to the position of Right Supervisor of the Imperial Court of Justice. Later, he lost his position due to a legal violation and returned to his hometown to work as a local administrator. In the later years of Emperor Wu of Han, the Sorcery Case occurred, and Bing Ji was summoned because he had previously served as an inspector in the court. He was ordered to investigate the prisoners in the county jail involved in the Sorcery Case. At that time, Emperor Xuan was only a few months old and was detained due to his involvement in the case of Crown Prince Wei. Bing Ji felt sorry for him and knew that the Crown Prince was innocent, so he sympathized with the Emperor's great-grandson. He selected some reliable female prisoners to take care of the young prince and placed him in a warm, airy room. Bing Ji handled the case of the Sorcery Case, which took several years to conclude.

In the second year of Houyuan (the reign of Emperor Wu's successor), Emperor Wu fell ill and frequently traveled between Changyang Palace and Wuzuo Palace. Fortune tellers claimed that the Emperor's aura was hidden in Chang'an Prison, so the Emperor sent messengers to all prisons, ordering all detainees, regardless of their crimes, to be killed. The Emperor's personal attendant, Guo Rang, came to the county jail at night, but Bing Ji closed the door and refused to let the messenger in, saying, "The Emperor's great-grandson is here! You can't kill innocents, let alone him!" He guarded the door until dawn, and the messenger was unable to enter. Guo Rang returned to report and ratted Bing Ji out. Emperor Wu later realized the situation and said, "It was fate!" He then ordered the release of all prisoners in the country. Only with Bing Ji's help were the detainees in the county jail spared, and everyone knew what he'd done. The young prince fell ill several times and nearly lost his life. Bing Ji made sure he had the best care, the best wet nurse, and the best medicine. He even used his own money to buy the boy clothes and food. He was a true lifesaver.

Hou Ji first became the Cavalry General and Market Administrator, and later was promoted to Chief of Staff to the Grand General. Huo Guang valued him highly and appointed him to a palace post within the Guanglu Daifu. When Emperor Zhao died without leaving a son to inherit the throne, Grand General Huo Guang sent Ji to welcome Prince Liu He of Changyi. Liu He became emperor but was later deposed due to his licentious behavior. Huo Guang, along with Cavalry General Zhang Anshi and other ministers, discussed who should be the next emperor but had not reached a decision yet.

Ji wrote to Huo Guang, saying, "General, you have served Emperor Xiaowu since he was a baby, and now you bear the heavy responsibility of the country. Emperor Xiaozhao died early without leaving an heir, causing worry and anticipation among the people to know who the next emperor will be. Establishing an emperor on the mourning day is the righteous thing to do; if we make a mistake, we can correct it, and no one will object. General, the fate of the country, our ancestors, and the people rests on your shoulders! I have listened to the discussions of the common people and observed their thoughts. The common people haven't heard of those court nobles and princes. The will mentions that the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaowu, named Liu Bingyi, currently resides in the Yeting. I met him when I was the county magistrate. He was just a boy then, but now, at eighteen or nineteen, he's learned and talented, a steady and gentle young man. General, please consider this carefully – perhaps even consult the oracles – and bring him to court. Let the world see him before you make your final decision. In this way, the people will be very grateful!"

After reading his memorial, Huo Guang decided to establish the great-grandson as emperor and sent Liu De, the Minister of Rites, and Ji to welcome the great-grandson from Yeting. Emperor Xuan was just enthroned and immediately elevated Ji to Marquis of Guannei.

Bingji was a good, unassuming sort, never boasting about his own achievements. Since he took care of the emperor's great-grandson many years ago, he has never mentioned it again, so the court has never known about his contributions. In the third year of Di Jie's reign, the emperor appointed him as the Prince's tutor, and within a few months, he was promoted to Imperial Minister. After the Huo family was exterminated and the emperor took personal control, he streamlined the affairs of the Secretariat.

At that time, there was a palace maid in the Yeting Palace who had a commoner write a petition for her, claiming that she had once taken care of the emperor's great-grandson and contributed to the court. When the petition reached the Yeting Palace supervisor, he questioned her, and she said that Imperial Minister Bingji knew about this. The Yeting Palace supervisor went to the Grand Secretariat to find Bingji. Bingji recognized the palace maid and said to her, "Hey, you got whipped for slacking off on the Emperor's great-grandson. What contribution are you talking about? Only Hu Zu from Weicheng and Guo Zhengqing from Huaiyang can be considered to have made contributions!" Then Bingji separately submitted memorials, detailing the hard work of Hu Zu and Guo Zhengqing in taking care of the emperor's great-grandson.

The emperor issued an edict to find Hu Zu and Guo Zhengqing, but both had passed away. However, their descendants were still alive, so the emperor lavished them with gifts. At the same time, the emperor issued an edict to strip the palace maid of her title and make her a commoner, rewarding her with a hundred thousand cash. After personally inquiring, the emperor finally realized Bingji had done him a solid, but Bingji had never said a word. The emperor greatly admired Bingji's noble character and issued an edict to the Prime Minister, saying, "When I was insignificant, Imperial Minister Bingji had shown me kindness. The guy's a stand-up guy! Like that old saying, 'What goes around comes around,' right? So I'm making Bingji the Marquis of Boyang, with a sweet 1300-household fiefdom!"

He was about to be made a lord, but Bing Ji fell ill. The emperor wanted to send someone to give him his title and complete the enfeoffment ceremony while he was still alive. The emperor was very worried about Bing Ji's illness. The crown prince's tutor, Xiahou Sheng, said, "He won't die. Good things happen to good people, and that good fortune often passes down to their kids. Now Bing Ji hasn't been rewarded yet and he is so seriously ill; this is definitely not a fatal illness." Later, Bing Ji's illness did indeed get better. Bing Ji firmly declined in writing, saying that he was not suitable for just a title. The emperor replied, "Look, this title isn't just for show, and you sending back the seal makes me look bad! Things are peaceful now, so just relax, take it easy, and get better!" Five years later, Bing Ji succeeded Wei Xiang as Prime Minister.

Bing Ji started as a small official, later studying classic poetry and ancient etiquette texts, and he really understood the meaning behind them. After becoming Prime Minister, he was generous and liked to be modest. If his subordinates made minor mistakes or did not fulfill their duties, he'd just let them be and go home to rest for a while, never bothering them about it. Some people advised Bing Ji, "You are the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty; those bad officials are all doing wrong things. Why don't you punish them?" Bing Ji replied, "I'm just the Prime Minister; I can't be messing with those guys!" After that, officials just stopped bothering their underlings about little mistakes – it all started with Bing Ji.

He always covered for his people and praised their strengths. There was a coachman in the Ji Mansion who was addicted to alcohol and often got drunk. Once, he went out with Prime Minister Ji and got so drunk that he vomited in the Prime Minister's carriage. The head clerk from the Western Office wanted to fire him, but Ji said, "What's the point of firing a drunk? What good is he then? Let's just endure it; it's only a soiled carriage cushion." So, the man was allowed to stay. This coachman was from the border region and was familiar with urgent military information and security affairs on the border. One time, while he was out, he saw a courier holding red and white envelopes, carrying urgent military information from the border. The coachman followed the courier to the official carriage, retrieved the message, and learned that the enemy had invaded Yunzhong County and Daizhou. He hurried back to the mansion to report to Ji, saying, "I'm afraid the enemy has invaded the border region. Some of the two-thousand-stone officials there are old and weak, unable to command troops. We should be prepared in advance." Ji appreciated his words and immediately summoned the officials of the Eastern Court to investigate the situation of the border officials and record their details. Before the investigation was completed, the court ordered the Prime Minister and the censor to inquire about the situation in the invaded counties. Ji reported in detail. The censor, however, could not answer and was reprimanded. Ji, however, was praised for his patriotism and diligence, all thanks to the diligent efforts of the coachman. Ji sighed, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. We can't give up on them just because of a small mistake. If I hadn't heard from the coachman first, we wouldn't have been ready." From then on, the subordinates respected Ji even more.

One day, Ji was walking down the street when he stumbled upon a brawl—a real bloody mess. Ji actually turned a blind eye and walked away. His staff were baffled. What was the deal with the Prime Minister ignoring it?

Chancellor Ji continued to walk forward and saw someone chasing a cow. The cow was tired, its tongue hanging out, panting its lungs out. This time, Chancellor Ji stopped and let the horse-riding official go and ask, "How far has this cow been chased?" One of his officials muttered amongst themselves, "The Chancellor is hypocritical, sometimes ignoring fights and sometimes caring about chasing cows. Maybe someone will use this to mock him!" Chancellor Ji explained, "Fights and brawls are for the county magistrate and the prefect of Jingzhao to deal with. They are responsible for stopping and arresting. At the end of the year, as Chancellor, I will assess their performance and reward or punish accordingly. I don't need to worry about these petty squabbles; there's no need to bother with them on the road. Spring's here, and it's not too hot yet. This cow has probably run a long way and overheated, causing it to pant like this. If this continues, there might be a problem. We Three Excellencies are all about balance, so I wanted to check." The official nodded, impressed.

In the third year of the Wufeng era, in the spring, Prime Minister Ji fell seriously ill. The Emperor personally visited him and asked, "If anything should happen to you, who could take your place?" Prime Minister Ji modestly replied, "Your Majesty knows the abilities of the court officials best; how could I predict who could replace me?" After repeated questioning, Prime Minister Ji bowed and said, "The Prefect of Xihe, Du Yannian, is well-versed in laws and regulations and familiar with the national statutes and systems. He served as a high-ranking official for over ten years and is performing excellently in the county now; the Chief Censor, Yu Dingguo, was known for his fair judgments; the Master of the Stables, Chen Wannian, is filial to his mother and kind-hearted. These three are all better than me, Your Majesty; please consider them." The Emperor agreed, and after Prime Minister Ji's passing, the Minister of Justice, Huang Ba, was promoted to Prime Minister. Du Yannian was appointed as Chief Censor but, because of his age and ill health, he requested retirement and was dismissed. Yu Dingguo then took over the position of Chief Censor. After Huang Ba's passing, Yu Dingguo was promoted to Prime Minister, and Chen Wannian succeeded him as Chief Censor. Each excelled in their roles, and the Emperor praised Prime Minister Ji for his accurate judgment of people. Prime Minister Ji was posthumously honored as Lord Ding. His son, Ji Xian, inherited the title but later committed a crime during the Ganlu era, resulting in his title being demoted to a lesser title. He held positions as an Imperial Guard and Master of the Stables. When Ji Xian was young, he served in various departments and once accompanied a sacrifice at the Gao Temple. When it was time for the sacrifice in the evening, he was only sent to fetch the sacrificial clothes. Prime Minister Ji was furious and said to his wife, "That temple sacrifice is HUGE, and Ji Xian is so reckless! He'll ruin my reputation, I tell you!" After his wife persuaded him for a long time, he calmed down. Prime Minister Ji's second son, Ji Yu, became the Commandant of Waterways, and his youngest son, Ji Gao, became the Commandant of Central Levees.

When I was young, I served as a small-time official in the county. I witnessed firsthand the suffering of the emperor's great-grandson in the county jail. At that time, the prison official Bing Ji, upon seeing this young prince wrongly accused and mistreated, felt extremely sad and bawled his eyes out. He was exceptionally kind, using his own money to hire someone to take care of the young prince and frequently visiting him himself. I had to attend to him twice a day in the courtyard. Later, when the young prince was summoned for his case, Bing Ji protected him no matter what, unafraid of severe punishment. When amnesty was declared, Bing Ji told the prison officials that the young prince shouldn't stay in the government office and should be sent to the Jingzhao magistrate. However, the magistrate didn’t accept him and sent him back. When the caretaker of the young prince, Hu Zu, was about to leave, the young prince missed him greatly. Bing Ji paid to keep Hu Zu and Guo Huiqing for a few more months to continue caring for the young prince before letting Hu Zu leave. Later, the palace chef told Bing Ji, "There’s no decree for the young prince to eat!" Bing Ji then bought rice and meat, sending it to the young prince every month. Bing Ji fell ill because of this, so he had me greet the young prince twice a day, check if his bed was clean, and visit Hu Zu and Guo Huiqing frequently, making sure they kept him out of trouble at night and always giving him delicious food. Bing Ji devoted himself wholeheartedly to raising the young prince into adulthood; he went above and beyond! At that time, he could never have imagined such a reward! This was all because his heart was filled with compassion! That's real loyalty, right there!

During the reign of Emperor Xiaoxuan, I reported this matter, and the Emperor agreed to my request. Bing Ji was very modest and did not dare to claim credit, instead attributing all the praise to Hu Zu and Guo Huiqing. Both Hu Zu and Guo Huiqing received rewards, land, and money, while Bing Ji was only titled as the Marquis of Boyang. Now, I am old, poor, and near the end of my life. I have always wanted to speak out about this, but I fear that no one will believe me and that Bing Ji's contributions will be overlooked. Bing Ji's son, Bing Xian, was demoted to Marquis of Guannei for a minor offense. I believe his title and land should be restored to honor his father's contributions.

It is said that Bing Xian served in the Imperial Stables for more than ten years, engaging in corruption and bribery with his colleagues, amassing millions of cash. When the Imperial Inspector discovered this, he declared Bing Xian guilty and sought to arrest him. The Emperor said, "The former Prime Minister Bing Ji has longstanding merits, and I cannot bear to sever these ties." So he removed Bing Xian from his official position and confiscated his four hundred households of land. Later, he was appointed as the Gatekeeper. After Bing Xian's death, his son Bing Chang inherited the title of Marquis of Guannei.

During the reign of Emperor Cheng, the matter of reviving the ancestral legacy was particularly valued due to the significant past services of the Marquis of Boyang Ji. In the first year of Hongjia, the Emperor issued an edict to the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor, saying, "Listen, I've heard that honoring merits and inheriting discontinued titles is meant to respect the ancestral temple and open the path for the wise and virtuous. Therefore, because the Marquis of Boyang Ji was enfeoffed due to his past favors and merits, and now his sacrifices have been cut off, I feel a deep regret. The benefits of doing good deeds extend to future generations; this is a principle that has been upheld since ancient times! So, I will enfeoff Ji's grandson, the Cavalry Commander and Marquis of Guannei Chang, as the Marquis of Boyang, allowing him to inherit Ji's legacy." After thirty-two years of the Marquis of Boyang's title being discontinued, it was reinstated. Chang's line held the title until Wang Mang's reign, when it was finally discontinued.

Ancient naming conventions were based on the appearance of things, drawing inspiration from nature for some names and the human body for others. The classics describe the monarch as the head and the ministers as the limbs—a metaphor for their interdependent relationship. Therefore, the harmonious relationship between the emperor and his ministers is a timeless principle and a natural law. This principle is evident in the Han Dynasty, where under Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, who unified China, Xiao He and Cao Shen stood out as exceptional leaders; during the reign of Emperor Xiaoxuan, Bing Ji and Wei Xiang were also renowned for their contributions. At that time, official appointments were merit-based, ensuring competent leadership throughout the government. The nation enjoyed a flourishing and harmonious society. Their achievements speak for themselves.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

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Wei Xian, with the courtesy name Changru, was a native of Zou County in the state of Lu. His ancestor was Wei Meng, whose ancestral home was in Pengcheng. Wei Meng had once served as the teacher of King Yuan of Chu and had also taught Yuan's son, King Yi, and his grandson, King Wu. King Wu was a person who lived it up and was off the rails, so Wei Meng wrote poems to advise him. Later, Wei Meng resigned from his official position, moved to Zou County, and wrote another piece of advice. His advisory poem goes like this:

"Wei Meng's Advisory Poem"

(The original poem is retained here)

In this poem, Wei Meng traced the glorious history of his family, from assisting the Shang Dynasty to the founding of the state of Chu. He lamented the reckless actions of King Wu, who had thrown away his ancestors' legacy, and hoped that he would take it as a warning and govern the country well.

Wei Xian, the descendant of Wei Meng, inherited the upright character of his ancestors. His father served as an official in the state of Chu, assisting King Yuan with diligence and governing the country in an orderly manner, maintaining a good situation until the time of King Yi. However, in the generation of King Wu, the situation changed completely.

This King Wu, who couldn't be bothered, wasted his time hunting and partying, ignored court affairs, and ran the country into the ground, causing the people to suffer. He was surrounded by yes-men who kept him in the dark.

He turned a deaf ear to advice, disrespected his ancestors' legacy, and drove away loyal subjects. Wei Meng's poem is full of disappointment and heartache towards King Wu, expressing fears for the country's future.

King Wu, the ruler of Chu, was a disaster. It's heartbreaking to see! He should think about the merits of his ancestors, the suffering of the people, reflect on himself, and not continue like this! Those loyal subjects and good generals are being marginalized because of his incompetence, and the country is teetering on the edge of disaster!

Oh, this country isn't doing well at all; it shows no ambition or self-reflection. If things continue like this, we're heading for a fall; the country is teetering on the edge of disaster! You can't build a strong army by coddling it. Think about our past rulers, who worked hard and kept themselves in check. To revive the country and save the nation, who dares not to repent for past mistakes? Think about Duke Mu of Qin, who rose to power by repenting and reforming! As time passes and we grow older, I hope the achievements of those past gentlemen can be passed down to future generations. Our ruler, why can't you wake up? Your hair's gone white—haven't you learned anything?

In the "Zou Shi," it is written: I am old and weak, and have no abilities; how can I be competent for this position? I've brought shame on the court! Things are clean at court now; only those with talent can stand in the court. I look at myself, and I'm scared I'll let everyone down.

I want to resign and return home, so I asked the emperor, who sympathized with me and understood my age. The emperor's a wise and kind man; if he can show compassion to his subjects, what about me? I still can't let go of my homeland! I hope our ruler can understand my intentions and let me return to the state of Lu.

Leaving the ancestral grave, my heart is always concerned. Looking back, my followers, all with their bags packed. When we got to Zou, we threw up a little shack, everyone helping to build our walls.

After my death, I still think about my former kingdom, dreaming of standing in the court. What was the dream like? My dream was of vying for royal power. And in the dream, the monarch supported me. Waking up and thinking about being in a foreign land, I couldn't help but sigh, remembering my ancestors, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. I, an old man, am already far from my homeland, while the great Confucius can see the achievements I have left behind. Look at the civilized land of Lu, where people are respectful and courteous, reciting poetry and learning music, a stark contrast to other regions. Although I am old and weak, I still love it here, and my followers and I find happiness here.

Mencius died in Lu. It is said his descendants, in their filial piety, composed this poem to honor his memory.

From the Meng family to Xiang Gong, it has been five generations. Xiang Gong, a down-to-earth and unassuming person with few desires, threw himself into his studies. He was well-versed in the "Book of Rites" and "Book of Documents," and even used the "Book of Songs" to teach his students. He became known as a real brainbox in the region of Zou and Lu. Later, the court summoned him to be a government official, then promoted him to a high-ranking official. He also taught the "Book of Songs" to Emperor Zhao. Emperor Zhao died without an heir. General Huo Guang and the court officials then installed Emperor Xiao Xuan. Xiang Gong participated in the political planning early in Emperor Xiao Xuan's reign, keeping the empire stable. The emperor rewarded him with the title of Marquis of Guannei and a fiefdom. He was later appointed as the governor of Changxin due to his status as the late emperor's teacher, earning the emperor's respect. In 3 BC, Xiang Gong succeeded Cai Yi as the Prime Minister and was granted the title of Marquis of Fuyang with a fiefdom of seven hundred households. At the age of over seventy, after serving as Prime Minister for five years, Xiang Gong retired in 3 BC due to old age and frailty. The emperor granted him a king's ransom of one hundred catties (about 60 kilograms) of gold and allowed him to retire at home, also giving him a top-of-the-line house. The retirement system for Prime Ministers began with Xiang Gong. Xiang Gong passed away at the age of eighty-two and was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Jie.

Xiang Gong had four sons: his eldest son Fangshan became a high-ranking official but passed away early; his second son Hong became the governor of Donghai prefecture; his third son Shun remained in Lu to guard the ancestral tomb; his youngest son Xuancheng, with outstanding talent and experience, eventually became the Prime Minister. Therefore, they say in Zou and Lu, "Better a book of classics than a basketful of gold!"

Xuan Cheng, courtesy name Shaoweng, got a government job thanks to his father's reputation and later served the emperor in his court. He loved learning from a young age and followed in his father's footsteps academically. He was particularly humble and showed great respect for scholars. If he met a learned person walking, he'd always get out of his carriage and have his attendants invite the scholar to ride along. The humbler the person, the greater his respect. As a result, his reputation grew. Later, he was promoted to Chief Censor for his proficiency in Confucian classics and then further promoted to River Commandant.

At first, Xuan Cheng's older brother Hong served as the Minister of the Imperial Household, responsible for sacrificial ceremonies at ancestral temples and managing tombs. The position was demanding and high-stakes, and he often made mistakes. Their father Xuan Xian believed that Hong should inherit the title, so he ordered Hong to resign. Hong was humble and refused to leave his official position. When Xuan Xian fell seriously ill, Hong was imprisoned for offenses related to the temple, with no verdict yet. When family members asked Xuan Xian who would inherit the title, he became angry and frustrated, refusing to speak. So Xuan Xian's advisors, including the scholar Yi Qian, and the family forged a decree in his father's name, having the household manager submit a memorial stating that Xuan Cheng should inherit the title. After Xuan Xian's death, Xuan Cheng heard the bad news in the court, with some saying he should inherit the title. Knowing this was not his father's true wish, Xuan Cheng pretended to be deranged, feigning madness and lying down all day, talking nonsense. The court sent someone to summon him to Chang'an, but when his father was buried and it was time to inherit the title, he used his madness as an excuse to avoid going. The Grand Herald reported this to the court, and the Prime Minister and Imperial Censor investigated the matter. Xuan Cheng had a good reputation, and many scholars suspected he was trying to yield the title to his brother. The Prime Minister, Shi, wrote to Xuan Cheng, saying, "Ancient paragons of selflessness left behind a legacy of written accounts, securing their place in history. You, however, choose to disfigure yourself, endure public shame, and feign madness, letting your virtuous act go unrecorded. It's simply not...decent, is it? Even in my humble position, I have to have some understanding of the situation. Otherwise, you might think me narrow-minded and yourself above reproach." Xuan Cheng's friend, Zhang, also wrote to say, "Good rulers appreciate a bit of humility, and Xuan Cheng should be treated well, not against his wishes, allowing him to live peacefully at home." However, the Prime Minister and Imperial Censor believed that Xuan Cheng was not really ill and filed a formal complaint against him. The Emperor ordered not to accuse him and allowed him to accept the title. Xuan Cheng had no choice but to accept the title. Emperor Xuan admired his character and appointed him as the Governor of Henan Province. His brother Hong, originally the Commandant of Taishan, was later promoted to the Governor of Donghai.

After a few years, Xuan Cheng was appointed Weiwei of Weiyang and later promoted to Taichang. Because he had a good relationship with the late Pingtong Marquis Yang Yun, after Yang Yun was killed, all those closely associated with him lost their positions. Later, Xuan Cheng went to the Xiaohui Temple to offer sacrifices as a marquis. On the morning he was to go to the temple, it was raining heavily, and the road was very muddy. He did not ride in a four-horse carriage but instead rode a horse to the temple. Someone reported this to the court, and he and several colleagues were demoted to a lesser marquis. Xuan Cheng was very sad because he had lowered his own title, which reflected on his ancestors' honor, and sighed, "How can I dare offer sacrifices to my ancestors?" So he wrote a poem of self-reproach, the poem reads:

...... (original poem text here, not translated) ......

My ancestors, with prominent status, were enfeoffed as marquises in Shiwei, commanded to establish a marquisate, using the abundant national power to pacify the people. They really made a name for themselves, and they always kept things classy – proper chariots, proper clothes, the whole deal. Their virtues shone brightly, blessings passed down through the generations, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, the monarchs of our family have been passed down generation after generation.

The Fu family of the Chu State ran a tight ship, always doing things by the book, and their chariots were something else! They assisted the two monarchs Yuan and Yi. Later, our ancestors moved to the Zou land, and after five generations of inheritance, it finally reached my generation as a marquis.

In my generation as a marquis, with outstanding virtues and fame spreading far and wide, I was assisted by two wise ministers, Zhao and Xuan, and studied under the Five Lüs. In my old age, I was appointed as an official, with noble character and dignified demeanor, receiving generous rewards from the court, with a mountain of gold and even a mansion bestowed. My fiefdom is in Fuyang, located to the east of the capital, and the emperor deliberately kept me here to participate in government affairs. I drove a chariot pulled by six horses, orderly and dignified, paying respects to the emperor. The Emperor – my boss and mentor – was a great guy, and everyone came to see how well things were going.

My older brother, who is heir to our family's title, is humble, courteous, and of noble character. His virtues are outstanding, his reputation illustrious, and he has brought me, his younger brother, to the capital. But me, his little brother, I haven't taken court meetings seriously, neglected the official garb, and disrespected the envoys of those petty vassal states.

The illustrious title has been passed down through generations in our family; those minor vassal states were also brought upon by me. Who could possibly put up with this shame and have it imposed on me? Who'd send me off to fight barbarians? These three things were not done by my brother, and yet I, this useless brother, must ultimately bear these consequences. Who says noble character is difficult to achieve? I have belittled it; who says virtues are difficult to realize? I have neglected them. Alas, I have made a grave mistake, disappointed the expectations of the family, and I must reflect seriously and speak cautiously. Every lord in the land is watching me, and I must strictly adhere to the etiquette system, treating everything with solemnity and dignity!

It is said that the Han Emperor Xuan's favorite concubine, Zhang Jieyu, gave birth to a son named Huaiyang Xianwang, who was skilled in governing affairs and knowledgeable in law. Emperor Xuan admired his talents and once wanted to appoint him as his successor. However, the Crown Prince had a humble background from a young age, and had lost his mother early on. Emperor Xuan, out of compassion, ultimately did not change his decision to appoint the Crown Prince.

After a long time, Emperor Xuan wanted Huaiyang Xianwang to gain some insights, so he chose virtuous officials to advise him. He summoned Xue Xuancheng and appointed him as the Zhongwei of Huaiyang (a high-ranking official in Huaiyang). At that time, Huaiyang Wang had not yet ascended the throne. After receiving the imperial edict, Xue Xuancheng, along with the Crown Prince's tutor, Xiao Wangzhi, and some Confucian scholars who were proficient in the Five Classics, discussed the classics at the Shiquge and submitted their findings.

After Emperor Yuan ascended to the throne, Xue Xuan became the Minister of the Imperial Household, later promoted to tutor to the crown prince, and eventually rose to the rank of Chief Inspector. During the Yongguang era, he succeeded Yu Dingguo as Prime Minister. After being demoted for ten years, he unexpectedly inherited his father's position, was enfeoffed as a marquis, and returned in glory to his hometown, riding high for a time.

After Xue Xuan regained his former position, he wrote a poem, reflecting on the difficulties of returning to a high position, and using it to warn future generations:

Real gentlemen cultivate virtue, dress properly, and behave with decorum. I advise my descendants, who have not yet achieved virtue, to follow the proper etiquette and not be negligent.

The emperor is wise and virtuous; he forgave my past failings and showed me mercy. I have been shown kindness, and must work hard and give it my all, fearing punishment and not being lazy in my duties. The emperor has appointed me, entrusted me with three tasks, and looked after my past mistakes, restoring my former rank.

As I ascend to this position, I look back at my past steps, reflecting on my past thoughts. I carry out my duties diligently; the officials and ministers all praise and congratulate me. But not everyone appreciated my efforts, and those three tasks were brutal; few offered support. Despite my efforts in completing the three tasks, I cannot measure up, and time just slipped away. In the past, I feared not being able to return to my position, but now that I have regained it, I am filled with anxiety.

I worry about my descendants, warning them not to take their positions for granted, to respect their positions and not neglect their duties to protect their place. If you ignore this, and don't stay sharp, I'll be back in disgrace in no time. So, my descendants, be respectful and careful. Don't disgrace the family name, and honor the Han!

This poem expresses his gratitude for regaining favor, as well as his concerns for his future career path and his earnest expectations for his descendants, hoping that they will remember his teachings, avoid repeating his mistakes, and diligently uphold the family's honor. He'd spent ten years in disgrace and knew how quickly fortune could change, so he wrote this poem to warn his family.

Xuancheng served as Prime Minister for seven years. Although he was not as virtuous as his father in upholding the right way and being stable, he surpassed him in literary talent. In the third year of Jianzhao, Xuancheng passed away and was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Gong. Earlier, his father Xian was reinterred in Pingling during the reign of Emperor Zhao, while Xuancheng was moved to Duling. When Xuancheng was about to pass away, he sent a messenger to the emperor, saying, "This debt to my father is too great for me to repay. I beg the emperor to allow me to resign and return to my hometown, to be buried next to my father's grave." The emperor granted his request.

His son, Marquis Kuan of Qinghou, inherited his title. After Marquis Kuan passed away, his son, Marquis Yu of Xihou, inherited the title. After Marquis Yu passed away, his son, Marquis Chen of Jiehou, inherited the title. From Xian to Xuancheng's great-grandson, this line came to an end. Xuancheng's brother Gaoding, styled Lingfang, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Shanzi Anshi and had served as a county governor, Minister of the Grand Heraldry, and Commander of the Changle Guard. People in the court said he had the talent of a prime minister, but he unfortunately passed away at a young age. The son of Hong, the Governor of Donghai, Hong Shang, was also skilled in poetry. When Emperor Ai was the Prince of Dingtao, Hong Shang served as his Grand Tutor. After Emperor Ai ascended the throne, due to past favors, he appointed Hong Shang as Commander-in-Chief, ranking among the Three Excellencies, granting him the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one thousand households. Hong Shang lived to over eighty years old before passing away peacefully. Their family boasted more than ten officials of two thousand stones or higher (a high-ranking official).

During the reign of Gaozu, it was stipulated that the capital cities of the various kingdoms had to have temples for the Tai Shang Huang (retired emperor). By the time of Emperor Hui, the temple honoring the founder Emperor Liu Bang was called the Taizu Temple, and during the reign of Emperor Jing, the temple honoring Emperor Xiaowen Liu Qi was called the Taizong Temple. Temples dedicated to both Taizu and Taizong were also established in the counties and states that the emperor had visited. In the second year of Emperor Xuandi's reign, the temple honoring Emperor Xiaowu Liu Che was called the Sizong Temple, and temples were also established in the places where the emperor conducted his hunting expeditions. In total, there were 68 ancestral temples in the counties and states, and a total of 167 throughout the country. In the capital, from Gaozu to Xuandi, as well as temples for the emperors' ancestors, a total of 176 temples were built next to their tombs. In addition, there were main halls and annex halls in the gardens, where sacrifices were made daily in the main halls, monthly in the temples, and on schedule in the annex halls. Four sacrificial offerings were presented daily in the main halls, 25 sacrificial rites were held annually in the temples, and four sacrificial rites were held annually in the annex halls. There was also a set of ceremonial attire worn during sacrifices. Empress Zhaoling, King Wuai, Empress Zha'ai, Empress Xiaowen, Empress Xiaozhao, Empress Weisi, Crown Prince Li, and Empress Li each had their own sleeping gardens, totaling 30 with the emperors' tombs. An annual sacrifice required 24,455 sacrificial offerings, involving 45,129 guards, 12,147 ritual specialists and musicians, not including the personnel responsible for raising sacrificial livestock. During the reign of Emperor Yuan, Gong Yu submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating, "In ancient times, the emperor had seven temples to worship their ancestors. Now, the temples of Emperor Xiaohui and Emperor Xiaojing, whose descendants have all died, should be demolished. The temples in various counties and states also do not conform to ancient rites and should be standardized." The emperor agreed with his opinion, but before he could implement it, Gong Yu died.

In the fourth year of the Guangyong era, the emperor issued an edict discussing the abolition of temples in various local areas. The edict stated: "I have heard that wise rulers govern the world by formulating laws according to the current situation and taking appropriate measures as needed. In the past, the world had just been pacified, and remote areas had not yet fully submitted, so relatives of the emperor were used to establish ancestral temples. This was a temporary measure primarily to assert authority, quell unrest, and pacify the populace. Thanks to Heaven and our ancestors, the empire is now unified. Barbarian tribes have paid tribute for many years. However, the establishment of temples has not been standardized, allowing even commoners to take part in ancestor worship. I fear this displeases Heaven and our ancestors. It deeply worries me! Has it not been said in ancient texts? 'If I don't personally participate, it's as good as not having a ceremony at all.' Generals, marquises, and other high-ranking officials, scholars, and advisors: I urge you to discuss this matter immediately."

Prime Minister Xuan Cheng, Grand Inspector Zheng Hong, Grand Tutor Yan Pengzu, Minister of the Imperial Household Ouyang Diyu, Adviser Yin Gengshi, and more than seventy others all said, "We heard that sacrifices aren't made outwardly, but come from the heart, from deep within. Therefore, only sages can sacrifice to the heavens, and filial sons can sacrifice to their parents. Establishing temples in the capital, personally performing sacrifices, and having people from all over the country assist according to their duties is the paramount importance of honoring one's ancestors, a principle upheld by the Five Emperors and Three Kings that cannot be changed. The Classic of Poetry says, 'People come and go in a bustling crowd, but upon arrival, all is quiet. It is the various lords and ministers who help each other, while the Son of Heaven is dignified and solemn.' The teachings of the Spring and Autumn Annals dictate that fathers should not sacrifice in the homes of their extended family, rulers should not sacrifice in the homes of their subjects, and the Son of Heaven should not sacrifice on the lands of the various vassal states. We believe that there is no need to renovate the ancestral temples in the counties and districts, so we request that renovations cease." The Emperor approved their memorial, and as a result, the sacrifices at the tombs of Empress Zhao Ling, King Wu'ai, Empress Zhao'ai, Empress Wei Si, Crown Prince Li, and Empress Li were stopped, with only some officials and soldiers assigned to guard them.

It has been over a month since the removal of the temple officials in charge of the county temples, and the Emperor issued another decree, saying, "I've heard that wise kings establish rituals, set up four ancestral temples, and the temples of our ancestors will never be destroyed, all to demonstrate respect for ancestors and family ties. I've inherited the trust of our ancestors, but the grand ceremony isn't ready yet. I'm nervous and worried about making mistakes, so I want to discuss this with all of you: the generals, marquises, high-ranking officials, scholars, and everyone else."

Xuan Cheng and the other 44 people presented a memorial, saying: "According to the 'Book of Rites', when an emperor or a vassal lord is newly appointed, they are considered as the 'taizu' (founder emperor). After that, the temples of the five preceding emperors are destroyed in turn, and those primarily offered sacrifices to the destroyed temples are then included in the 'taizu temple'. Five years later, a grand combined sacrifice is held again, known as the 'one combined sacrifice'. This term means that the principal sacrificial offerings of both the destroyed and intact temples are worshipped together in the 'taizu temple'. The father is honored as Zhao, the son as Mu, and the grandson as Zhao again, following the ancient formal etiquette that designates the order of ancestral veneration. According to the 'Rites of Sacrifice', 'Emperors sacrifice to their ancestors, starting from their own birth ancestors, using their ancestors as offerings, and then establishing four ancestral temples.' This means that when a king is newly appointed, he sacrifices to heaven and earth using his ancestors as offerings, without establishing a temple for himself alone, which fulfills their familial duties. Establishing four ancestral temples also shows the importance of family ties. When familial duties have been fulfilled, the temples are destroyed in turn, reflecting the differences in closeness and distance of family ties, and symbolizing a proper beginning and end. The reason why the Zhou Dynasty has seven temples is that Houji was the first to be enfeoffed, and King Wen and King Wu were appointed as kings, so the three temples were not destroyed, adding to the four ancestral temples, making a total of seven. If there were no achievements like those of Houji's enfeoffment, King Wen and King Wu's appointments as kings, the temples should have been destroyed after fulfilling their familial duties. King Cheng inherited the foundation of the two saints, established rites, created music, and his achievements were grand, but the temples were not meant to be passed down for generations; only his actions were used to give him a posthumous title. According to the 'Book of Rites', the temples are located within the main gate, not far from relatives. I'd say that the founding emperor who pacified the world should have a temple as an emperor's taizu, passed down for generations, and only when future generations have fulfilled their duties should it be destroyed. The current ancestral temple locations are different, and the order of Zhao and Mu is incorrect; they should be moved to the 'taizu temple' and arranged in the correct order according to the rites. The temples of the former emperors Xiaohui, Xiaowen, and Xiaojing have fulfilled their family ties and should be destroyed; the temple of the imperial father has not yet fulfilled its family ties, so it should be preserved for now."

General Xu Jia and 29 others believed that Emperor Xiaowen put a stop to slander, abolished corporal punishment, lived frugally, never misused state funds or embezzled, sent away his concubines, cracked down on corruption, treated the elderly, and helped the widowed and orphaned. His virtue was legendary, benefiting the entire empire, and he should be honored as the Taizong temple of emperors. Justice Minister Zhong thought that Emperor Xiaowu reformed the calendar, changed court attire, and conquered the barbarian tribes, and should be honored as the Shizong temple. Councillor Yin and 17 others believed that the Emperor's father's temple was too high in the ancestral line and should be removed.

The Emperor deliberated for a year before issuing this edict: "It's said that emperors honor their ancestors through sacrifice to recognize their merits, which is a great righteousness; the ancestral temple for parents expresses the deepest gratitude to them. Emperor Gaozu united the empire, overthrowing tyrants and ending rebellions, and rightfully claimed the throne with the greatest merit. When Emperor Xiaowen was king of the Dai kingdom, the Lüs rebelled, and the world was in turmoil, yet all officials and people wholeheartedly submitted to him, acclaiming him as emperor. He initially refused, only accepting the throne after much persuasion. He weakened the remnants of the Qin and ushered in a golden age, allowing the people to live in peace and happiness, attaining great virtue. Emperor Gaozu was the founding emperor of Han, and Emperor Xiaowen was the second emperor of Han. Their descendants have worshipped them for generations, a tradition I am pleased to uphold. Emperors Xiaoxuan and Xiaozhao will be honored together. The temples of Emperors Xiaojing and my father have been properly honored according to tradition."

Xuan Cheng and others said: "Ancestral temples have always been kept, but we've rotated which ones we maintain. Our founding father is Taizu, Xiaowen is Taizong, Xiaojing is Zhaozong, Xiaowu is Muzong, and both Xiaozhao and Xiaoxuan are Zhaozong. We're still holding memorial services for the late emperor. We've finished the services for the Empress Dowager and Emperor Xiaohui, so their temples should be torn down. The memorial tablet of the Empress Dowager should be buried in the imperial cemetery, and the tablet of Emperor Xiaohui should be moved to the Taizu temple, and the imperial cemetery should no longer be renovated." The emperor approved the report.

Someone also pointed out, "The 'Qing Miao' poem says that the ritual of sacrificing to the gods should be pure. We're all dressed up, riding in a big procession, rain or shine—that's hardly pure, is it? Too many sacrifices cheapen the whole thing, right? It's disrespectful." Let's go back to the old ways: yearly sacrifices at the temples, and we can stop fixing up the other shrines. The emperor did not change his mind.

The following year, Xuan Cheng reported again: "Back then, the rules were clear about who ranked where. If the emperor's mother wasn't his father's wife, she only got a shrine in her own cemetery, and that's the end of it after she dies. Your Majesty, you've been so devoted to honoring our ancestors, setting up this system of rotating temples, and getting the ceremonies right. We don't need to keep fixing up the shrines for Empress Dowager Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Xiaozhao." The emperor approved the report.

A few years passed, Xuan Cheng passed away, and Kuang Heng became the Prime Minister. The Emperor took a bad turn and dreamed that his ancestors were blaming him, saying that the ancestral temples in various regions should be removed. The Emperor's brother, Prince Xiao of Chu, also had the same dream. The Emperor summoned Kuang Heng, desperate for a solution and eager to reinstate the regional temples. Kuang Heng vehemently opposed the idea. The Emperor's illness did not improve for a long time, and Kuang Heng was anxious and afraid of taking responsibility. He went to pray at the three ancestral temples, saying, "Our Emperor's inherited his ancestors' legacy, working tirelessly to honor their achievements and demonstrate their greatness. Therefore, sacrificial activities must follow the rules of the ancient sages. In the past, officials believed that the establishment of ancestral temples in various regions was due to the circumstances of the previous dynasty, to stabilize the hearts of the people, not to honor the ancestors. Now, with the blessings of the ancestors, the realm is at peace, and the shrines should only be established in the capital city, where the Emperor personally performs the sacrifices. The regional temples can stop being built, avoiding extra work. The Emperor is devout and has already consulted the ancestors, and dares not go against their will. Now that the Emperor is ill and has dreamed of the ancestors warning him about the temples, Prince Chu's dream also confirms this. Grief-stricken and terrified by the dreams, the Emperor issued a decree for me, Kuang Heng, to rebuild. I dug through the old texts, and all emperors have personally carried out the great tasks of their ancestors, never daring to neglect them. Local officials hold minor positions and cannot bear the responsibility of sacrifices alone. Moreover, the meaning of sacrifices is to pray for the people's well-being. In recent years, the harvests have been poor, and the people are suffering. The local temples are simply too expensive to maintain. As the Book of Rites advises, times of hardship call for suspending such rituals. Therefore, I dare not restore the sacrifices in the temples of the regions. If this is not in accordance with propriety and goes against the will of the ancestors, the responsibility lies with me, Kuang Heng. I should bear the consequences, suffer from illness, and die in the ditch. The Emperor's piety will surely be rewarded.

We pray that the High Ancestor, Emperor Xiaowen, and Emperor Xiaowu, in their wisdom, grant the Emperor a long and healthy life, a swift recovery from his illness, and lasting protection for the ancestral temple and the realm.

Here's the second part:

What Kuang Heng said was really heartfelt, showing his loyalty to the Emperor and his responsibility to the country. He shouldered all the blame, praying for the emperor's well-being. It was incredibly moving. After hearing this, the emperor was touched by Kuang Heng's loyalty and realized he'd been wrong. He ultimately accepted Kuang Heng's suggestion to stop the construction of the local shrines. The emperor's health gradually improved, maybe it was just his due for Kuang Heng's loyalty. So, this story shows you how important it is to have loyal and honest people advising the ruler.

I explained to them that the former ministers believed that ancient emperors inherited the fine traditions of their ancestors, followed the cosmic order, and adhered to the principles of the Five Elements and the Five Relationships. The emperor, having received the Mandate of Heaven, ruled in accordance with this principle, so the system of sacrifices involved no more than five sacrifices being performed. The monarch appointed by heaven personally offered sacrifices to heaven, guaranteeing the dynasty's enduring prosperity. After five generations, the monarch who inherited the throne would move the ancestral temple and offer sacrifices to the founding emperor, holding large-scale ceremonies the following year, in accordance with the will of heaven, thus ensuring long-lasting blessings. The Taishang Huang had not received the Mandate of Heaven, so his sacrifices should be moved. Furthermore, filial piety demanded obedience to the father's wishes—what a father honors must be respected by the son, and what a father opposes must not be accepted by the son. According to ritual, only sons could offer sacrifices to their mother, while only grandsons could offer sacrifices to the empress dowager, following the principle of respecting ancestors and parents. Maintenance of the sacrificial sites within the palaces, gardens, and temples could be suspended. The emperor, feeling sad and worried for the Taishang Huang, dared not fully comply. He only thought of the High Emperor's virtues, his mandate from heaven, adherence to ancient customs, and alignment with the will of heaven, ensuring the continued prosperity of future generations and the expansion of the territory. Therefore, he believed that moving the temple for sacrifices was a long-term plan and the intention of the High Emperor, so he dared not disobey. He chose an auspicious day. He moved the temples of the Taishang Huang and Emperor Xiaohui. He also moved the sleeping palaces of Empress Dowager Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Xiaozhao. This action was meant to honor the ancestors, uphold the cosmic order, and secure the dynasty's future.

The emperor has fallen seriously ill and can't do his job. He wishes to continue the renovation of the ancestral temples, but I and the other ministers believe this is not the done thing. If this upsets the previous emperors and empresses, the blame will fall on us ministers, and we should take responsibility. The emperor has not yet recovered, but has issued a decree for the ministers to draft documents to destroy the temples. We all believe that the rituals of imperial sacrifices have rules and traditions to follow, and going against these rules will result in the ancestors not being properly worshipped and blessings not being received. The classics say no to this, and there is no basis for drafting such documents. If things go wrong, the blame will fall on us ministers, and we will face severe punishment. The emperor needs to get better. May good fortune shine on him. May he live a long life and protect the temples for generations. May he be a good shepherd for his people. All temples should use the same documents.

Years later, the emperor's health deteriorated, and he fell ill for several consecutive years. As a result, all previously abandoned temples, palaces, and gardens were restored and worshipped as before. Initially, the emperor decided to demolish some temples in rotation, only honoring the temple of Emperor Xiaowen as the Grand Ancestor Temple, while the ceremonies for Emperor Xiaowu's temple weren't finished, so it wasn't destroyed. Later, the emperor reinterpreted and said, "Emperor Xiaoxuan made Emperor Xiaowu's temple the main one, and I dare not make changes to the rituals. The rest will be carried out according to the previous system." Only the smaller temples were shut down.

After the death of Emperor Yuan, Prime Minister Heng wrote to the emperor: "Previously, due to the emperor's poor health, suspended sacrifices were restored, but it didn't do any good. I see that the tombs and gardens of Wei Sihou, Crown Prince Li, and Empress Li have not been completed, while the temples for Emperor Xiaohui and Emperor Xiaojing have been finished; they should be destroyed. I also request the abolition of the sacrificial sites for the late Empress Dowager, Emperor Xiaowen, Empress Xiaozhao, Empress Shaoling, Empress Zhaoai, and King Wu'ai. They should no longer be worshipped." The emperor agreed. During the reign of the former Empress Dowager Gao, there was a law against ministers criticizing the ancestral temples, tombs, and officials of the previous emperor, on pain of death. Emperor Yuan got rid of that law. Under Emperor Cheng, with no heir apparent, the Empress Dowager's tombs and gardens were restored in the first year of Heping, and sacrifices continued. Sacrifices for Empress Shaoling, King Wu'ai, and Empress Zhaoai continued at the Dowager Empress's temple. Then, criticism of the temples started again.

After the death of Emperor Cheng, Emperor Ai took over. Prime Minister Kong Guang and Minister of Works He Wu submitted a memorial, stating: "The edict issued in the fifth year of Yongguang stipulates that Emperor Gaozu is the Han Dynasty's Taizu, and Emperor Xiaowen is the Taizong. The edict issued in the fifth year of Jianzhao stipulates that Emperor Xiaowu is the Shizong. We can't just go around changing the sacrificial rites. I believe that the order of destroying temples should be decided based on actual circumstances, not letting people just chatter about the ancestral temples. I request to discuss this matter with the ministers." The Emperor approved their memorial. Therefore, Court Official Peng Xuan, Inspector Man Chang, Scholar Zuo Xian, and fifty-three others all agreed that according to the ancestral system, only five temples should be retained and then rotated out. Even if there are wise rulers in the future, they cannot be compared with the ancestors. Even if descendants want to honor them greatly and build temples, the gods won't be pleased. Although Emperor Xiaowu made great achievements, the sacrifices have already been completed, so his temple should be destroyed.

Grand Protector Wang Shun and Lieutenant Colonel Liu Xin believed: ...

I have heard that after the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, waves of invaders came from everywhere, among which the Xiongnu were the most formidable, and the Xiongnu mentioned now were the Huns at that time. It was not until the time of King Xuan that they were defeated. The *Shijing* sings King Xuan's praises, saying: "He crushed the Huns, all the way to Taiyuan," and also says, "He moved mightily, like thunder and lightning, showing his virtue and power, attacking the Huns and intimidating the Jing barbarians," so King Xuan was the savior of the Zhou Dynasty.

During the time of King You, the Quanrong attacked, killed King You, and took away the ancestral sacrificial vessels. Since then, minority ethnic groups from the south and north took turns invading, and the heartland was teetering on the brink of collapse. The Spring and Autumn Annals record that Duke Huan of Qi conquered the Chu state in the south and defeated the Shanrong in the north. Confucius said, "Without Guan Zhong, we'd have been a mess!" So although Confucius criticized some of Duke Huan's mistakes, he still acknowledged his achievements and ranked him as the leader among the feudal lords.

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu Chanyu Maodun was incredibly powerful, defeated the Donghu, conquered the Yuezhi, occupied their land, and was a major threat to the heartland. In the south, the King of Nanyue, Wutuo, controlled the Baiyue region and declared himself emperor. Therefore, although the Central Plains region was temporarily stable, there was no peace, year after year. If one area had trouble, the other three sides had to go to the rescue, leaving the whole country to suffer. Emperor Wen of Han used a large amount of wealth to bribe them, hoping to be friendly, but they continued to invade. Even worse, they raised an army of over 100,000 and kept troops near the capital and borders, sending forces to harass every year. This was a long-term problem, not something that could be fixed quickly. Rebellions against the Xiongnu and Baiyue often ended in death for officials. Countless officials and commoners were killed or robbed by the Xiongnu.

Emperor Wu of Han saw that the people of the heartland were worn out, never knowing peace, so he dispatched his top commanders south to crush the Baiyue, establishing seven new counties; north to defeat the Xiongnu, subduing 100,000 Kunxie people, establishing five vassal states, building Shuofang City, and seizing the fertile land of the Xiongnu; east to conquer Korea, establishing Xuanfu County and Lelang County, and crippling the Xiongnu's power; west to conquer Dawan, subduing thirty-six countries, forming an alliance with the Wusun, building Dunhuang, Jiuquan, and Zhangye, stopping the Qiang people, and further weakening the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu Chanyu, left with no options, fled to the north. Peace reigned, the empire expanded, and over ten new counties were created.

After establishing his merit, Emperor Wu of Han ennobled the Prime Minister as the Marquis of Fumin to stabilize the country and ensure the prosperity of the people. The purpose was transparent: to achieve this aim. He also recruited talented individuals from all over the country to discuss national affairs, institute nationwide sacrificial rites, reform court attire, hold the Fengshan ceremony, change official titles, honor the descendants of the Zhou dynasty, and determine the system of vassals, ensuring that there would never be rebellion again. Until now, we have all benefited from his achievements. He subdued the Xiongnu Chanyu, and the southern minority ethnic groups also submitted. This laid the foundation for centuries of prosperity; none surpassed him in merit. Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, founder of the Han dynasty, was posthumously honored as Taizu; Emperor Wen, Liu Heng, known for his virtuous rule, received the posthumous title of Wentai Zong; Emperor Wu, Liu Che, had remarkable achievements and was honored as Wushi Zong. This is why Emperor Xiaoxuan praised them. In ancient times, it was stipulated that the emperor had seven ancestral temples, the vassals had five, the great ministers had three, and the scholars had two. Imperial funerals involved a seven-day lying-in-state followed by burial after seven months; for the vassals, it was five days and five months. These are the regulations reflecting the order of respect and hierarchy in funeral ceremonies, corresponding to the number of temples. The Book of Rituals states: "The emperor's seven temples comprised three Zhao, three Mu, and the Taizu temple; the vassals' five temples comprised two Zhao, two Mu, and the Taizu temple." Therefore, enduring renown is the reward of profound merit; shallow merit yields fleeting fame. The Zuo Zhuan also states: "Different positions have different rites and quantities." From top to bottom, the hierarchy decreases in order, which is the system of etiquette. Ancestral temples weren't rigidly fixed in number. Merit alone determined elevation to 'Zong' status; there was no set number. Consider the Shang Dynasty: Taijia was Taizong, Dawu was Zhongzong, and Wuding was Gaozong. In his admonition, "Do Not Be Negligent," the Duke of Zhou advised King Cheng using the three ancestral temples of the Shang Dynasty. This shows that the number of ancestral temples is not fixed, indicating that those honored as "Zong" have very deep merits.

According to the rules for the Seven Temples, Emperor Wu of Han does not seem to meet the criteria; but from the perspective of "ancestry," we can't say he lacked merit. The classics on sacrifices in the Book of Rites say, "Wise rulers establish sacrificial systems based on merit: sacrifices honoring service to the people, sacrifices ensuring national stability, and sacrifices averting great calamities." I believe that Emperor Wu of Han meets these criteria. Even non-royal meritorious ministers receive separate shrines, so surely an ancestor deserves one! Some say that there are only records of five temples for the emperor, while others claim that Emperor Zhong and Emperor Gao only inherited their ways and did not build temples. The difference between what's written and what actually happened misses the point of honoring merit. The Book of Songs says, "The lush sweet osmanthus, untouched and unharmed—a testament to Lord Shao." Even the osmanthus trees planted by Lord Shao are cherished by people, so why destroy his temples after inheriting his ways? There's a proper ritual for demolishing temples; we shouldn't arbitrarily change the order of precedence based on differing merits. As for the order of ancestors and the number of temples, there are no clear regulations in the classics and historical records. This is too important to be decided on hearsay.

Emperor Xuan consulted officials and Confucian scholars, and finally decided to build a temple for Emperor Shizong of Han, which would be permanently preserved and announced to the world. I believe that Emperor Wu of Han made great contributions, and Emperor Xuan valued him so much that his temples should not be destroyed. The emperor approved the memorial. The emperor ordered, "Shun and Xin's proposal is accepted."

Xin believes that what people call "ritual" is actually meant to avoid unnecessary hassle. In "The Chronicles of the Spring and Autumn Period," it states: "Daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual sacrifices culminate in the ancestral rites." Ancestors are honored daily, grandparents monthly, ancestors of the previous two generations at the appropriate times, and annual sacrifices are held at the altars and temples, with the great sacrifice dedicated to the founding ancestor. The idea is to show great piety, with a broad range of sacrifices, where closer relatives receive more frequent honors, and the more distant the relationship, the more elaborate the ceremony; thus, the great sacrifice is the most significant. Grandchildren live in the places where their grandfather once resided, following the order of Zhongmu (the ancestral hierarchy), and they take turns honoring their ancestors, which is why the temple was relocated. A truly pious person's ancestral rites, performed with sincerity and according to proper ritual, would never involve destroying temples. Since Gong Yu proposed tearing down and rebuilding, the tombs of Emperors Hui and Jing, as well as the Empress Dowager's mausoleum, have fallen into disrepair, a clear violation of proper ritual.

Wang Mang wrote a memo during the reign of Emperor Ping in the first year of the Ben Shi era, saying: In the first year of the Ben Shi era, the Prime Minister and others discussed and gave the posthumous title of "Dao Yuan" to the father of Emperor Xiao Xuan, and designated three hundred households as a memorial site. In the first year of the Yuan Kang era, the Prime Minister and others again petitioned, saying that the father was a commoner and the son was an emperor, so the sacrificial rituals should be imperial in scale. Therefore, "Dao Yuan" should be honored as "Imperial Ancestor," temples should be built, the number of residents in the memorial site should be increased to sixteen hundred households, and it should be promoted to a county. I believe that it was inappropriate to build temples for the Imperial Ancestor and offer generations of worship. In addition, although the tombs of Empress Dowager Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Xiaozhao were previously halted for renovation due to improper rites, their names have not been corrected. I, along with the Grand Tutor Yan and 147 others, all believe that Emperor Xiao Xuan inherited the throne from his nephew, so during the reign of Emperor Xiao Yuan, the rites for Emperor Xiao Jing and the Imperial Ancestor were incomplete, so the temples were not destroyed. This violated the ritual of two generations inheriting from two fathers. According to the memo, the posthumous title should be "Dao" and the memorial site should be established, which is consistent with precedent. However, the memo from the Prime Minister to honor "Dao Yuan" as "Imperial Ancestor," build temples, increase residents, and promote to a county violated ancestral tradition and the original intent. The father is a commoner, the son is an emperor, and the sacrificial rituals should be imperial in scale, referring to founders like Yu, Shun, Yu the Great, Tang, King Wen, and Gaozu, not those who inherited. I request that the Imperial Ancestor's temple be destroyed, no longer renovated, and that Nanling and Yunling be changed to counties. The memo was approved.

Ban Biao, the Situ's assistant, said: The Han Dynasty inherited the knowledge that was lost after the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, and the ancestral system was pragmatic. After Emperor Yuan and Emperor Cheng, the number of scholars increased. Gong Yu destroyed ancestral temples, Kuang Heng changed the sacrificial sites, and He Wu determined the positions of the Three Excellencies. These practices were later restored multiple times, leading to confusion and instability. Why is this so? It is because of the lack of details in the ritual system, differences between ancient and modern systems, and various schools of thought each having their own interpretations, making it difficult to determine which one is correct. Studying the discussions of various Confucian scholars, Liu Xin's insights are both broad and profound.

Liu Xin maintained: For a ruler, nothing is more important than establishing a sound moral order. When moral education is established, the people will follow; when it is chaotic, the people will be confused. Therefore, the sage kings established the system of rites and music to prevent wickedness and promote virtue. Thus, the ritual and musical traditions serve as the backbone of the world's order. Now, with the rites and music lacking or damaged, the people do not know what to follow.

Liu Xin asserted: The ruler's governance is nothing compared to the establishment of moral education. When moral education is established, the people will follow; when it is chaotic, the people will be confused. Therefore, the sage kings established the system of rites and music to prevent wickedness and promote virtue. Thus, the ritual and musical traditions serve as the backbone of the world's order. Now, with the rites and music lacking or damaged, the people do not know what to follow.

Rituals are meant to distinguish between the noble and the humble, clarify the distinctions of rank, correct names and roles, and differentiate between men and women. Music is meant to harmonize yin and yang, follow the seasons, unite fathers and sons, and strengthen the bonds between siblings. With the decay of ritual and music, distinctions of rank blurred, names and roles lost their meaning, and the harmony between yin and yang, the seasons, and family relationships shattered, plunging the world into chaos.

Rites and music are used to distinguish between the superior and the inferior, establish social order, define proper family roles, and differentiate between male and female. When the system of rites and music is lacking or damaged, it leads to confusion between high and low, improper relationships, blurring of gender roles, imbalance of yin and yang, disorder of the four seasons, disharmony between fathers and sons, and lack of intimacy among brothers. Thus, the world descends into chaos.