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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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Sima Xiangru had been an official in the court for several years. Then, Tang Meng was dispatched on a mission, and under the cover of darkness, he set off for Yelang and Bozhong with his orders, rounding up a thousand officials and soldiers from the Bashu region. Each county, on its own initiative, dispatched over ten thousand more to handle the food transport, and summarily executed local leaders under martial law. Terror gripped the people of Bashu. Upon hearing this, the Emperor dispatched Sima Xiangru to investigate Tang Meng's actions and reassure the people of Bashu that it wasn't sanctioned by the crown. The imperial edict read:

Hey, Governor of Ba Shu, those barbarians have been running riot for ages, and we've let them get away with it. They’re making life miserable for our officials and soldiers. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he was determined to pacify the people, first stabilizing the Central Plains before marching north to conquer the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu chief got scared stiff and sent envoys begging for peace, tail between their legs. Even far-off places like Kangju and other distant lands sent envoys to kiss the emperor's ring and offer gifts. The Emperor then sent troops to suppress the rebellion in Min Yue and pacify Fan Yu, where the princes came to court to pay their respects. Southern barbarian princes and western Bo chiefs were lining up to pay tribute, desperate to be part of the Han empire, showing their longing and submission to the Han court. The journey's too long and dangerous for them to make it themselves. Those who disobeyed have already been punished, while those willing to submit have not yet been rewarded. Therefore, envoys were sent to pacify them, accompanied by one hundred men from Ba Shu each, bringing gifts, with no intention of fighting or engaging in battle. Word's reached us that you've cracked down with military law, scaring the pants off everyone – kids, adults, and old folks alike! And some counties are even moving food around on their own – that's not what the Emperor wants! The guys who should be doing their jobs have either run off or started fighting each other – that's not how loyal subjects behave!

The men at the border, upon hearing the sight and sound of the beacon fires, quickly grab their bows and arrows, shoulder their weapons, dripping with sweat, afraid of falling behind. Facing the enemy, risking their lives, they never look back, not even for a second, each burning with a thirst for revenge. Do they prefer death over life? These weren't your average folks, loyal to a different emperor than those in Ba and Shu! They were shrewd, putting country before self, and dedicated to their duty. That's why they receive rewards from the emperor, made marquises, and live in luxurious mansions. Ultimately, they leave behind a glorious reputation for future generations, passing down their estates to their heirs, their loyalty and service renowned, living a comfortable and prosperous life, their reputation and achievements immortalized. Therefore, those talented individuals, even if it cost them their lives, will not have any complaints.

Now, they are ordered to deliver tribute to the southern barbarians, only to be killed by those barbarians, or captured while escaping, meeting a shameful end, posthumously branded an "Utter Fool," bringing shame to their ancestors and becoming the laughingstock of the world. The difference in their outlook was stark, wasn't it? But this can't be entirely blamed on those sent to deliver tribute; their fathers and brothers didn't educate them properly, their siblings didn’t guide them well, they lack a sense of shame, and the social atmosphere is poor. It served them right!

Your Highness, you are worried that the messengers and officials may not get the job done like those who bring tribute, and you also feel sorry for the simple folk, so you sent people to deliver letters explaining the conscription to the people, listing the sins of those who were disloyal and died, and blaming the village elders and exemplary sons for not fulfilling their educational responsibilities. It is currently the height of the planting season, and the people are already very tired. I have personally visited nearby counties, worrying that the people in the remote hills and marshes have not heard the news yet. So the order needs to go out to every county immediately, conveying Your Highness's intentions, so please do not delay!

Sima Xiangru reported on the situation of the mission. Tang Meng had already initially opened up the Yelang Road, thus creating a route to the southwestern barbarians. He gathered soldiers from Bashu and Guanghan, totaling over thirty thousand, and spent two full years building the road. However, the road remained unfinished, costing countless lives and an exorbitant amount of money. The people of Shu and some officials in the court felt that this matter was a bad idea.

At that time, the leaders of Qiong, Zuo, and other places heard that they could receive many rewards by trading with the Southern Yi and the Han Dynasty, so they all expressed their willingness to submit to the Han Dynasty, requested to become subjects of the Han Dynasty, and even vied with the Southern Yi. The Emperor asked Sima Xiangru what to do, and Xiangru said, "Qiong, Zuo, Ran, Mang, and other places are relatively close to us, the roads are also easy to travel, and they were once designated as counties in the past, but were abolished after the establishment of the Han Dynasty. Now, if we reopen the roads and establish counties, it would be better than directly managing the Southern Yi." The Emperor thought Xiangru made sense, so he appointed Xiangru as a Zhonglangjiang, let him lead the team on a mission, and also assigned him three deputy envoys, Wang Yanyu, Hu Qiguo, and Lu Yueren, to travel in a four-horse chariot, bringing gifts prepared by officials from Ba Shu to present to the Southwest Yi. When they arrived in Shu, officials below the governor came out of the city to welcome them, and the county magistrate even led the procession, carrying a bow and arrow, the people of Shu felt it was a great honor. Therefore, the nobles of Zhuo Wangsun, Linqiong, and other places all came to visit, bringing cattle and fine wine to celebrate. Zhuo Wangsun was deeply moved, because his daughter married Sima Xiangru; he generously gave his daughter many dowries, as lavishly as he would for a son's wedding.

Xiangru's mission to the Southwest Yi gained a thorough understanding of the region, and the leaders of Qiong, Zuo, Ran, Mang, Siyu, and other places all requested to submit to the Han Dynasty. Xiangru also expanded the borders, reaching the Mo River and Ruo River to the west, and reaching the Ke Lang to the south, opening the Ling Shan Road, building bridges and ferry crossings, and opening the roads to Qiong and Zuo. After returning to the court, the Emperor was very happy.

Many elderly people in Shu, and indeed many court officials, argued that opening roads to the Southwest Yi was pointless. Xiangru wanted to advise the Emperor, but the matter had already been done, so he dared not say anything more. Instead, he wrote an article, adopting the voice of the Shu people to present the pros and cons, and then refuted these arguments to influence the Emperor, while also explaining the results of the mission to the people, to ensure the Emperor's aims were widely understood. The article stated:

Seventy-eight years the Han Dynasty's been going strong, and the Emperor's been showering us with blessings. Things are peaceful and prosperous; the empire's doing great. That’s why the Emperor has sent us on a western expedition, riding the wave of success. Everywhere we go, people willingly submit. We've conquered the west, pretty much.

Now, twenty-seven bigwigs showed up to give the envoy a piece of their mind. They express their concerns, saying, "We heard the Emperor's policy is to be tough but fair, not cut them off completely. Three years and nothing to show for it. Soldiers are beat, the people are tapped out, and now we gotta fight more barbarians? It's too much! Qiong, Zuo, and Xibie have interacted with the Central Plains for so many years that it’s impossible to remember. You can't just bully people into submission, right? It doesn't work that way! We're killing ourselves to please the barbarians. We don't get it."

The envoy responds, "Are you kidding me? So, nothing's changed? I don't wanna hear that. This is above your pay grade, folks. I'm short on time, but here's the gist:

"There are always extraordinary people in the world who can achieve extraordinary things; with extraordinary achievements, lasting merits can be accomplished. Extraordinary things are what ordinary people cannot do. Therefore, at the beginning, people might be scared at first; but once successful, the world will be peaceful."

"In the past, massive flooding caused people to flee in panic, leading to a very unstable life. Yu the Great was anxious, so he controlled the floods by diverting them to the sea, bringing peace to the world. He didn't just do it for the people. He was worried and worked hard, wearing himself out, so his achievements have been passed down endlessly, and his reputation has endured to this day."

"Let me tell you, wise monarchs after ascending the throne are not just concerned with trivial matters, just sticking to the rules and kissing up to the powerful! They will surely have a broad vision, set the stage for future generations. Therefore, they will recruit smart people, be open-minded, and think things through to govern the people of the world well. As the old saying goes, 'All the land is the king's, and all the people are his subjects.' Therefore, in the entire world, from all directions, everyone benefits from a wise king's rule. If there is still a place that has not been reached, a good king would be ashamed."

In our country now, all subjects under his rule have been safe and sound, without any omissions. However, in those remote and inaccessible areas, where people are sparsely populated, the emperor's decrees and influence have not yet reached, and a good social atmosphere has not yet formed. In those places, there is domestic unrest and disregard for law and order; externally, lawlessness, violence, and the suffering of the innocent run rampant. The people in the country complain and say, "We have heard that the emperor of the Central Plains is extremely kind and his grace is widely spread throughout the world; why has he forgotten us?" They yearned for imperial favor, as desperately as a parched land yearns for rain. Could any wise ruler ignore such suffering?

Therefore, the monarch sent troops to the north to attack the powerful Xiongnu and sent envoys to the south to rebuke the strong Yue kingdom. All sides felt the grace of the monarch, and many rulers of small countries came to pay homage, hoping to submit to the court; the number of countries wishing to align with the court was countless. The monarch expanded his territory, built roads, and spread his influence, and even the people in distant lands received the court's care. This brought light and order to these previously neglected regions, thereby stopping wars and hostilities. People all over the world, regardless of distance, could live and work in peace—this, surely, was a glorious achievement.

To rescue his people, restore order, and continue the legacy of the Zhou dynasty—this was the emperor's paramount duty. The people's toil was unending, but it was a necessary sacrifice.

So, the story goes, those who became emperors in ancient times all experienced hardships and toil before finally enjoying a life of luxury. Therefore, accepting the mandate of heaven and taking on great responsibilities is the key! Just as they were about to perform the Mount Tai investiture ceremony, expand Liangfu's fiefdom, play the celebratory music of the Ming and Luan, and announce rewards and gifts in a grand manner, reaching back to the glory of the Five Emperors and the wisdom of the Three Sovereigns. But the onlookers hadn't even grasped the meaning of the ceremony, let alone appreciated the music, and someone, like Jiao Zhongxiang, had already abandoned ship. While the rest were still stuck in the mud, alas, it is truly lamentable!

As a result, the ministers were all at a loss, not knowing how to speak up, each of them sighing and saying, "The virtue of the Han Dynasty is truly admirable—something we little people could only dream of hearing! Although the people are suffering greatly, please lead by example!" However, Sima Xiangru refused to change his attitude, persistently avoiding the question.

Later, someone accused Sima Xiangru of taking bribes, causing him to lose his official position. Over a year later, he was summoned back to the court and became a court official.

Sima Xiangru had a slight stutter when speaking, but was skilled in writing. He often suffered from a chronic illness characterized by excessive thirst, married Zhuo Shi as his wife, and came from a wealthy family. Therefore, he avoided court politics, often feigning illness to stay home, and showed no ambition for power or wealth. One time, he accompanied the emperor to Changyang for a hunt. At that time, the emperor was engrossed in personally shooting bears and wild boars, chasing after wild animals, so Sima Xiangru took the opportunity to submit a memorial. His petition stated:

I have heard that creatures of the same species have different abilities, so people with great strength are called "Wu Huo", those with fast speed are called "Qing Ji", and the brave are called "Ben Yu". I am ignorant and privately believe that if humans are like this, then wild beasts should be the same. Now, Your Majesty enjoys hunting dangerous animals in the treacherous mountains. In case of suddenly encountering a fierce predator with no way out, raising a cloud of dust from the carriage and horses, the carriage cannot return to the camp in time, and people cannot display their skills effectively. Even someone as skilled as Wu Huo or Feng Meng would be helpless. Fallen logs and decaying branches will become obstacles. In this way, the Hu and Yue would rebel, followed by the Qiang and Yi. Wouldn't that be incredibly dangerous? Even if nothing goes wrong, there is no danger, but this is not something the emperor should be close to.

Furthermore, even if the road is cleared before walking and running on a flat road, accidents often happen. Not to mention running in dense thickets and galloping in rugged valleys, enjoying the thrill of hunting fierce animals ahead, but not mentally prepared for unexpected dangers—wouldn't the harm be even greater? To risk the empire for a fleeting thrill, I privately believe that Your Majesty should not do this.

Oh, wise person, who can foresee things that have not yet happened in advance, and a person of wisdom, who can avoid unseen dangers. Calamities often hide deeply and suddenly erupt when people relax their vigilance. It's a risk no emperor should take. As the saying goes, "A rich man doesn't linger under a leaky roof." Although this saying is simple, it explains a great truth. I hope Your Majesty will take my words seriously and consider them carefully.

The Emperor agreed. Later, I went to Yichun Palace and recited a composition for the Emperor to express my sorrow for the misconduct of the Second Emperor. The content of this composition is as follows:

"Ascending the long slope of Dengbi and Tao, entering the majestic Ceng Palace. Facing the meandering Yizhou River, looking at the jagged peaks of Nanshan. Rugged deep mountains opened into a broad valley. The waters flowed endlessly, spreading across the vast plains of Pinggao. Looking at the lush trees, viewing the dense bamboo forest. Eastward to Tushan, then north to the rocky rapids. Finding peace, reflecting on the past. Carelessness cost him his power and his kingdom; blind trust in deceivers led to the ruin of his ancestral temples. Alas! His lack of self-control left his tomb untended, his spirit unnourished in the afterlife.

Later, the emperor appointed me as the Superintendent of the Xiaowen Garden. The emperor liked the whimsical tales I had told before, and since he enjoyed stories of immortals, I said, 'Shanglin Park isn't quite perfect; I have something even better. I once wrote a 'Daren Fu', which is not yet complete; please allow me to present it in its entirety.' I felt that those scholars who cultivated immortality, living between the mountains and wilderness, were all frail and ascetic. This is not the immortal realm that an emperor should pursue, so I presented the 'Daren Fu'. The content of this Fu is as follows:

Imagine, if you will, an extraordinary figure living in the Central Plains region. The place where he dwells stretches for countless leagues, yet he feels it is not large enough! A restlessness stirred within him, thinking that the world is too narrow, so he travels lightly and goes on a distant journey."

He rode in a dazzling, fantastical chariot that ascended into the heavens like a vibrant, swirling cloud. The decorations on the chariot were magnificent, featuring a tall flagpole on top adorned with shiny, colorful flags. He spent over a decade crafting this chariot, and the back was embellished with comet-like adornments, absolutely breathtaking! He waved the decorations on the chariot, their swirls filled with elegant grace, then bursting forth with majestic power. The flags blazed with rainbow hues, streaming behind it as they fluttered in the air. Around the chariot, crimson light flashed, black clouds roiled, the wind howled like a banshee, and mist swirled around it.

This chariot was a vision of pure fantasy! Its body twisted and turned like a giant dragon; the yoke was decorated with red chi dragons and green hornless dragons, their scales gleaming, their bodies writhing with life. The chariot's form swayed with haughty majesty, while the wheels rolled over mountains and rivers, never stopping. The exquisite decorations on the chariot, intricate as a spider's web, seemed to writhe and climb like living things. The chariot flashed past like a bolt of lightning, a gust of wind, and in the blink of an eye, the mist cleared, leaving a bright, clear sky.

He sped all the way and eventually arrived at the realm of Taiyin, seeking the legendary true person. He bypassed winding mountain roads, journeyed east, and passed through thundering waterfalls. He selected the best mythical creatures to pull the carriage and enlisted the gods to guard. He had the Five Emperors clear a path for him and lead him to Lingyang Mountain. On the left was Xuanming, on the right was Qianlei; in front was Changli, and behind was Yuhuang. He also called upon the great gods Boqiao and Xianmen, as well as Qibo and Shangfang. Zhu Rong personally guarded, cleared the road, and ensured safe passage all the way. His caravan was immense, with a vast procession of chariots and horses, surrounded by clouds and mist, and flags fluttering. Jumang led the team to pave the way for him; he was heading to the fairyland in the south!

I crossed mountains and went to the place where Tang Yao lived in the mountains, and also visited the residence of Yu Shun in Jiuyi Mountain. The scenery along the way was truly a kaleidoscope of sights, as complex as a bewildering array, dazzling to behold. Everywhere there were undulating mountains, magnificent and intricate scenery, with mountains, rocks, and trees intertwined and stacked, as colorful as brocade. I passed through thunderous, dark, and humid caves, and walked out of the perilous, rocky crags of Guigu. I explored the vast world, traveled through the Nine Rivers and Five Rivers. I also went to the land of flames, crossed the weak water, and passed through floating water grass and flowing sand. I even ventured to a lush and distant place, where I had Nuwa play the piano and Fengyi dance to provide entertainment. Sometimes, when the sky and the earth were in chaos, I called upon the wind god, Pingyi, to subdue the wind and rain gods and improve the weather.

I looked westward to Kunlun Mountain; it was a desolate yet strangely captivating sight. Then I went straight to Sanwei Mountain. I pushed open the celestial gate and entered the palace of the Heavenly Emperor, bringing back a beautiful celestial maiden. I climbed up Langfeng Mountain, gazing into the distance as high-flying birds circled down. I wound my way up the winding mountain road of Yinshan and finally saw the Queen Mother of the West. Her hair was white, and she wore a jeweled crown, living in a cave. Fortunately, she also had a three-legged crow serving her. Even if I could live forever like her, living for ages untold, I might not necessarily feel very happy. I turned my vehicle and returned to the mortal world, traversing the rugged road. I enjoyed the food in the quiet valley, breathed the fresh air, basked in the morning light, and chewed Lingzhi and Qionghua. Sometimes I flew low, sometimes high, freely soaring in the air like a wild goose. I passed through the reflections of the Pleiades and crossed the rushing flood of Fenglong Mountain. I sped along the road, then descended slowly, flying through the misty fog toward the distance. I experienced narrow and steep valleys and flew out from the northern border. I left the army in Xuanque, surpassed the vanguard, and arrived at Hanmen. Looking down, there was no land beneath my feet; looking up, there was no sky above my head. My eyes were confused, unable to see anything; my ears buzzed, unable to hear anything. Riding on the ethereal air, I flew to a high and distant place, transcending the world alone. Sima Xiangru played "The Great Man's Ode," and the emperor was elated, feeling like he was floating on air, totally spaced out between heaven and earth.

After Sima Xiangru recovered from his illness, he resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown of Maoling to retire. The emperor heard that Sima Xiangru was seriously ill and said, "Sima Xiangru is so ill; send someone to his home to retrieve all his writings, or they'd be gone." So, the emperor sent an official to Sima Xiangru's home. When he arrived, he found out that Sima Xiangru had already passed away, and there were no manuscripts left at home. The official asked Sima Xiangru's wife, who replied, "My husband never left any books behind; others frequently took his writings. Before he died, he wrote a scroll, saying that if someone came asking for books, it should be presented to the emperor." In Sima Xiangru's posthumous work, there was an article about the Fengshan ceremony, which the official presented to the emperor. The emperor was very surprised after reading it.

The article reads:

In the beginning of ancient times, from the vast sky, the people were born. From the earliest emperors to the Qin dynasty, some followed the footsteps of the martial, while others only heard the echoes. Many dynasties rise and fall, too numerous to count. Starting from Xia, Shang, and Zhou, there were about seventy-two emperors who could be recorded. How could a virtuous ruler fail to prosper, while those who acted recklessly could endure?

After reading Sima Xiangru's posthumous work, the emperor admired his talent even more. Even in death, Sima Xiangru's wisdom shines through his writings, inspiring generations to come.

Way back when, even before the Yellow Emperor, the details are so distant that we simply do not know. All we've got are a few scraps from books like the *Book of Songs* and the *Book of Documents*. The *Book of Documents* raves about how brilliant the emperor was and how virtuous his ministers! Therefore, there is no better ruler than Yao, and no more virtuous minister than Hou Ji.

Hou Ji pioneered agriculture in the land of Tang, Duke Liu developed and expanded in the Western Rong region, and King Wen of Zhou reformed the system. As a result, the Zhou Dynasty prospered and flourished until the time of King Cheng of Zhou, after which it began to decline and eventually disappeared after several hundred years. Doesn't that show you how things can go wrong, even after a great start? However, the Zhou Dynasty did not experience any major rebellions, mainly because they valued the experiences and lessons of their predecessors and passed them on to future generations. Their system was simple and easy to follow. The people were prosperous, the laws clear, and the line of succession smooth. Consequently, the foundation of the Zhou Dynasty reached its peak during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou and continued to be glorious during the reigns of King Mu of Zhou and King Gong of Zhou. Looking back, their rise and fall wasn't anything particularly unusual.

However, the emperors of the Zhou Dynasty still had to ascend to Liangfu Mountain and Mount Tai, hold grand ceremonies, establish illustrious titles, and demonstrate their noble status. The Han Dynasty's luck just exploded – it was like a tidal wave, unstoppable, sweeping across the land. All things in the world were nourished, vibrant, and full of vitality. With strong military power, they waged wars everywhere, conquered distant barbarians, quelled rebellions, brought peace and prosperity, and the land blossomed.

So, marvelous beasts and birds were kept in captivity, bizarre creatures were tamed, wheat with six ears per stalk was sent to the kitchen, cattle and sheep with two horns were slaughtered for sacrifice, Zhou Dynasty turtles were caught in Qishan, and dragons of jade and gold were summoned from the marshes. Spirits and deities all came to pay their respects, gathering in the palace. Various strange treasures, ever-changing and wondrous. Truly awe-inspiring! Even with so many auspicious signs, the Zhou emperor still felt it was not enough and did not dare to hold the Fengshan ceremony. A miraculous rain of fish fell upon the Zhou Dynasty and was sacrificed by fire; this was the true auspicious sign! Just because of these omens, ascending the Jieqiu to sacrifice to heaven—wasn't that a bit rash? How reckless to act so hastily!

The Grand Minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you have ruled with benevolence, and justice has been swiftly and decisively served. All vassal states are joyfully presenting tributes, and the Baiyue tribes and other barbarians are respectfully offering gifts. Your merits have been deeply accumulated from the beginning, surpassing all others. The land enjoys prosperity and is blessed with auspicious omens. This is the perfect time to follow the ancient precedent of a virtuous ruler yielding the throne. This is no idle speculation. I believe that altars should be set up at Mount Tai and Mount Liangfu to offer sacrifices to the heavens in a grand ceremony to honor your glory. Heaven will bestow blessings, and this will be a celebration of your achievements. However, Your Majesty, you have hesitated to make a decision. By forgoing the opportunity to worship the Three Deities and conduct a tour of the empire, you are failing to observe the proper rites of kingship, causing unease among your ministers. Some say that Heaven's auspicious signs cannot be disregarded; to refuse would be to miss the opportunity to demonstrate your virtue. Throughout history, emperors have held the Sacrifice and Investiture Ceremony at the right time to usher in a golden age. If you decline, how will posterity remember you among the seventy-two rulers? The cultivation of virtue attracts heavenly blessings, which in turn make the Investiture Ceremony auspicious. This is not a transgression. Therefore, the wise kings of the past never abandoned these rituals. They meticulously observed the rites of Heaven and Earth, inscribing their achievements for posterity. This grand ceremony is a magnificent spectacle, the ultimate affirmation of imperial virtue, and should not be lightly dismissed. I urge Your Majesty to proceed. Concurrently, we should organize the classics, refine their language, and compile a new Spring and Autumn Annals. Expanding the Six Classics to Seven will enrich its content so that future generations may be inspired, and the fruits of virtue may be reaped. The enduring fame of past sage-kings stems from these very actions. I recommend that the keepers of the classics submit these proposals to Your Majesty."

Not provided.

After the emperor heard this, his face went white and he said, "Good! Let us see!" He then began to seriously consider the matter, listened to the opinions of the ministers, inquired in detail about the Fengshan ceremony itself, and extensively consulted relevant classics, collecting a large amount of auspicious records. Then he composed a hymn:

From the sky above, clouds gather thick. Sweet dew and timely rain, fertile lands to roam. Life-giving moisture seeps, what cannot be nurtured! Six stalks of grain, a bountiful harvest!

Not just the rain, but also the nurturing; not only for me, but spreading forth to protect. All things flourish, cherishing and admiring. Famous mountains and clear positions, awaiting your arrival. Oh, great one, do not hesitate!

Ah, look at that magical qilin playing in our king's garden! All white, with charming black spots on its body, truly exquisite! Gentle and peaceful, just like a gentleman. I've only heard its call before; now I finally see it with my own eyes! The route it appears on is completely unpredictable; this is a heavenly omen! In the past, Emperor Shun also received such an omen, and then the Xia dynasty prospered.

Let us also speak of the beautiful qilin, grazing peacefully at Lingzhi. In the tenth month of the lunar calendar, the emperor went to the outskirts to offer sacrifices. The emperor rode in an imperial chariot to receive the blessings of Heaven. This is a grand occasion that has not been seen in three generations of rulers!

And the golden dragon, symbolizing a prosperous reign, soaring into the sky! Its body shines with mysterious colors, radiating brilliant light! The essence of the sun manifests, awakening the people. Historical records state that the Heaven-ordained emperor rides upon such a divine beast!

The appearance of these auspicious signs does not require much explanation. These omens clearly signify the auspiciousness of the Fengshan ceremony.

I carefully observe these phenomena and discover the mysteries of the harmony of Heaven and Earth, influencing and responding to each other. A wise monarch rules with care and diligence. Therefore, during times of prosperity, one must think of decline, and during times of ease, one must think of danger. Even though Emperors Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou held high positions, they maintained a respectful and cautious attitude. Emperor Shun, despite his high status, constantly reflected on his shortcomings. This humility was the key to their success!

Five years after Sima Xiangru's death, Emperor Wu of Han began to offer sacrifices to the Earth. Eight years later, the official rites at Mount Tai were performed, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere at its foot.

I will not include Sima Xiangru's other works, such as "Letter to the Marquis of Pingling," "Debating with Five Young Lords," and "Treatise on Plants and Trees," but will only select those articles that had a significant impact in the court.

In conclusion, Sima Qian said that "Spring and Autumn" reveals the deepest secrets, "Book of Changes" elucidates principles in an obscure manner, "Da Ya" praises the virtues of kings, princes, and ministers while influencing the people, and "Xiao Ya" satirizes personal gains and losses, also affecting rulers. Although the expressions differ, they all ultimately aim to promote morality. Despite Sima Xiangru's articles being rich in flowery language, his main point is to advise people to be frugal, similar to the admonitions in the "Book of Songs." Yang Xiong believed that Sima Xiangru's articles were ornate and lengthy; despite containing many admonishments, they ultimately only emphasize one theme. Much like playing the music of Zheng and Wei before performing elegant music, isn't that just playing games with language?

Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

Hits: 78

Sima Xiangru, whose courtesy name was Changqing, was a native of Chengdu, Sichuan. When he was young, he loved reading books and also learned fencing, becoming quite famous. After completing his studies, he greatly admired Lin Xiangru and changed his name to Sima Xiangru. Later, he became a low-ranking official (langguan) and served under Emperor Jing of Han, holding the position of cavalry officer. However, this was not what he truly wanted to do. Emperor Jing happened to dislike literary works at the time, and when Prince Liang Xiao came to pay his respects, many smooth-talking scholars accompanied him, such as Zou Yang from Qi, Mei Cheng from Huaiyin, and Yan Ji from Wu. Sima Xiangru got along well with them and later resigned from his position on the pretext of illness, going to Liang to hobnob with the local bigwigs and literati. After several years, he finally wrote the famous "Zixu Fu."

After the death of Prince Liang Xiao, Sima Xiangru returned to his hometown, but his family was so poor that they were struggling to make ends meet. He had a good relationship with the county magistrate, Wang Ji, who invited him to his residence in Duting, saying, "Changqing, you've been an official for so many years with little achievement and now you're so poor. Come and stay with me." Sima Xiangru went to Wang Ji's place, where the magistrate showered him with attention, dropping by every day. At first, Sima Xiangru went to see him, but later feigned illness and sent his men to give Wang Ji the brush-off. This only made Wang Ji more respectful and cautious.

There were many wealthy people in Linquan County, such as the Zhuo Wangsun family with eight hundred servants and the Cheng and Zheng families with several hundred each. They decided to pool their resources to throw a proper welcome party. When the county magistrate arrived, the Zhuo Wangsun family sent over a hundred people to greet him. At noon, the county magistrate wanted to invite Sima Xiangru, who initially declined due to illness. The magistrate himself went to fetch him, and Sima Xiangru had no choice but to attend. The party was a smash hit!

When he was happily drinking, the magistrate of Linqiong County took out a qin and said, "I heard that Mr. Changqing likes to play the qin, so I want to entertain you with music." Xiangru declined and instead played the drum a few times for the magistrate. At that time, Zhuo Wangsun's daughter Wenjun had just become a widow and loved music, so Xiangru deliberately acted very intimate with the magistrate, using music to get Wenjun's attention. The vehicles and attendants that Xiangru was riding in at the time were very elegant, obviously a man of refinement. While drinking and playing the qin at Zhuo's house, Wenjun secretly watched from the door crack; she really liked Xiangru in her heart but was afraid that she was not suitable.

After the banquet was over, Xiangru had his servant send many gifts to Wenjun's maid to woo her. That night, Wenjun eloped with Xiangru, who then took her back to Chengdu. Their family was so poor that only four walls were left. Zhuo Wangsun was furious and said, "That ungrateful daughter! I can't bring myself to kill her, and I won't give her a penny!" Some people advised Zhuo Wangsun, but he refused to listen. Wenjun was unhappy for a while and said to Xiangru, "Let's go to Linqiong together. With the help of your brothers, we can scrape by; why make ourselves suffer so much?"

So Xiangru took Wenjun to Linqiong, sold the carriage and horses, bought a tavern, and made Wenjun the landlady. Xiangru himself wore simple trousers and worked with the common people, washing dishes in the market. Zhuo Wangsun was mortified and stayed cooped up inside. His brothers and relatives advised him, "You have both sons and daughters. What you lack is not money. Now that Wenjun is with Sima Xiangru, although Xiangru is no longer an official, he is talented and worth relying on. Plus, he even opened a tavern—how can you humiliate him like this?" Zhuo Wangsun had no choice but to give Wenjun a hundred servants, a million coins, and dowry. Finally, Wenjun and Xiangru returned to Chengdu, bought property, and became wealthy.

Long ago, a man from Sichuan named Yang Deyi was the emperor's dog keeper, a eunuch in the palace. One day, the Emperor was enjoying Sima Xiangru's "Zixu Fu" when he sighed, "Ah, why can't I be his contemporary!" Yang Deyi replied, "Your Majesty, this was written by my fellow countryman, Sima Xiangru." The Emperor, surprised, immediately summoned Sima Xiangru to clarify. Sima Xiangru said, "Yes, I wrote it. But it only deals with feudal lords, hardly worthy of Your Majesty. I will write another Fu describing the emperor hunting." The Emperor ordered his secretary to get him pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. Sima Xiangru explained, "This 'Zixu' means fictional, used to metaphorically represent the Chu state; 'Wu You Xiansheng' means there is actually no such person, used to metaphorically represent the state of Qi; 'Wang Shi Gong' is also a fictional character, used to represent those incompetent ministers. I use the stories of these three fictional characters to highlight the majesty of the emperor and the estates of the feudal lords." Then he concluded the article with a message of frugality, using it to advise the Emperor. After finishing the article, he presented it to the Emperor, who was very pleased. The article went like this: The Chu envoy, Zixu, was visiting Qi, and the Qi king took him on a big hunting trip, bringing out all the pomp and circumstance. After the hunt, Zixu visited the fictional Wu You Xiansheng and Wang Shi Gong. Sitting down, Wu You Xiansheng asked Zixu, "Were you happy hunting today?" Zixu replied, "Yes." "Did you catch many prey?" Zixu said, "Not many." "Then why are you happy?" Zixu answered, "I am happy because while the Qi king wanted to show off with his grand procession of chariots and horses, I was able to respond with the Cloud Dream Marsh of the Chu state." "Tell me about it," said Wu You Xiansheng.

Zixu said, "Certainly. The King of Qi had thousands of chariots, accompanied by tens of thousands of cavalry, hunting by the sea. The soldiers filled the marshes, and their nets were spread throughout the mountains and forests. They chased rabbits, knocked down deer, shot roe deer and even qilin, and reached the salt flats, adorning their chariots with freshly cut marsh grass. After killing many prey, the King of Qi beamed with pride. He turned to me and said, 'Does Chu have hunting grounds as vast as ours? Is your king's hunting any better than mine?' I got off the chariot and replied, 'I'm just a humble Chu commoner, I've had the honor of serving in the palace for over a decade. Sometimes I also go hunting, but only in the palace gardens, hoping to find some game. I've only seen a small part, let alone the outer marshes.' The King of Qi said, 'Even so, tell me what you know.'"

I answered, "Yeah, yeah." I heard that there are seven large lakes in the State of Chu, but I have only seen one of them, and I haven't seen the others yet. The one I have seen is actually a very small part of it, called Yunmeng. Yunmeng, with an area of about nine hundred li (approximately 400 kilometers), has a mountain inside. That mountain is winding and steep, with peaks of varying heights that can block out the sun and moon; the mountains crisscross in every direction, piercing the clouds. The low-lying areas connect to ponds, swamps, and rivers.

The soil on the mountain is vibrantly colored, shimmering with flecks of gold and other precious minerals, like dragon scales. The stones on the mountain include red jade, rose quartz, agate, kunwu jade, and a variety of other precious stones. To the east of the mountain, there is a lush array of plants, including orchids, irises, and sweet flag. To the south, vast plains and lakes stretch out, with undulating terrain and a large river nearby that connects to Wushan.

In the higher, drier areas, you can find plants like zizania and baoli, while the low-lying, wet areas are home to aquatic plants such as lotus and reeds. The diversity of life here is astounding, with countless species of animals and plants thriving. To the west of the mountain, gushing springs and clear ponds create a lively scene, with water flowing continuously, covered in duckweed and water chestnuts, while enormous rocks and white sand lie hidden beneath the surface. The lake is home to aquatic animals such as giant tortoises, dragons, toads, venomous snakes, and soft-shelled turtles.

To the north of the mountain, a dense forest of fragrant hardwoods, including cinnamon, magnolia, and citrus trees, flourishes. Birds like swallows, peacocks, and phoenixes nest among the branches, and beneath the trees, fierce animals such as white tigers, leopards, and pythons roam.

The natural beauty of this place is truly breathtaking, a vivid tapestry of life that fills the heart with wonder.

Next, I will continue to describe the scenery of Yunmeng Marsh: various creatures make their home here, and the sights are so spectacular, they're almost impossible to capture. In short, the scenery of Yunmeng Marsh is simply stunning, with an abundance of species that leaves one in awe.

King Chu decided to go hunting. As for King Chu himself, he sat on a magnificent jade chariot, drawn by four stunning horses, its fish-whisker banners adorned with moon-bright pearls, and bearing a Gan Jiang halberd. On the left was a beautifully crafted bow, and on the right were powerful arrows styled after the clothing of the Xia Dynasty. Yang Zi accompanied the king, while Xian A drove the chariot. Before the hunt was properly underway, they rushed toward the cunning wild beasts, the wheels spinning rapidly and raising dust, exceeding the speed of wild horses like a gust of wind. King Chu's arrows flew true, each finding its mark with deadly accuracy, bringing down the beasts like rain, covering the ground with prey. Only then did King Chu stop, slowly admiring the dark woods around him, watching the brave expressions of the warriors, sensing the fear of the fierce beasts, appreciating the grandeur of the hunt, and observing the wildlife.

Then came Manji, the stunning beauty from Zheng, wearing a gorgeous silk dress, subtly colored but exquisitely detailed with threads and gauze. Her layered silk skirt drifted like a wisp of smoke as she walked elegantly in the valley, her clothes fluttering and her posture light, like a goddess herself. Her carriage was equally lavish, with jade accents on the roof, and her graceful figure resembled a divine being descending.

Afterwards, everyone had a grand old time in the Huicao Garden, chatting and laughing as they headed to Jindi to capture jade birds and egrets. They cast their nets and loosed their arrows, bringing down cranes and geese into the water. Everyone raised flags under emerald canopies and ornate feather standards. They also netted purple shells, beat their drums, and played music, their singing filling the air and startling the water creatures; waves crashed, springs surged, and rocks thundered, the sound echoing for miles.

An envoy back from Chu told King Qi, "In Chu, it was a constant cacophony of music, blazing beacons, rumbling chariots, and massed cavalry. Meanwhile, King Chu lounged on the Yangyun Platform, unconcerned, waiting for his feast. Now, you, Your Majesty, are out hunting all day, grilling your own meat right there in the chariot—that's living! So, Qi's way better than Chu, Your Majesty!" King Qi was speechless.

Mr. Wuyou immediately retorted when he heard this: "Hold on a minute! You came all the way to the State of Qi, and the King of Qi brought out the whole army to greet you, prepared loads of carts and horses, and even went hunting with you to roll out the red carpet. How can you say this is showing off? You asked about Chu, wanting to know about its customs and grandeur, and get my take on things. But instead of praising the benevolence of the King of Chu, you overdid the luxury of Yunmeng Marsh and Chu's extravagant lifestyle. That doesn't sound right. Even if it were true, it's not Chu's fault, it's yours. By saying this, it makes you look either snooty about Chu, or just plain unreliable. Offending Chu would damage relations between our countries – not a good look. That'll make Qi think less of you and Chu resent you.

Furthermore, Qi boasts a coastline to the east, the majestic Mount Langya to the south, and endless opportunities for hunting, boating, and exploring. Compared to Qi's vast plains and exotic overseas sights, Yunmeng Marsh is nothing special. Qi also has various rare treasures and unique wildlife, not even the legendary Yu the Great could name them all, and not even the mythical Gao could count them. But even the King of Qi wouldn't brag about his own gardens, so why are you criticizing Chu's in front of everyone? No wonder he didn't answer you!"

I said, "Man, that's funny. Chu's done for this time, but Qi hasn't exactly won either. The tribute given by the vassal states isn't for money; it's to pledge their allegiance. The demarcation of borders isn't for defense; it's to keep them in line. Right now, Qi's bragging about being the big dog in the east, but it's secretly cozying up to the Sushen, ignoring borders and grabbing land across the sea—that's just plain wrong. Furthermore, the squabbling between the monarchs of Qi and Chu isn't about proper ruler-subject relations or rituals; they're just obsessed with one-upmanship—bigger gardens, more lavish parties, the whole shebang. That's not going to win them any friends; it'll just ruin their reputations and hurt their countries."

I just laughed and said, "Yeah, Chu blew it, but Qi hasn't exactly won." The purpose of the vassal states paying tribute is not for money, but to show their allegiance; and the demarcation of borders is not for defense, but to restrain the vassal states and prevent them from indulging in debauchery.

The trivial matters between Qi and Chu are not worth mentioning! You haven't seen anything until you've seen the Emperor's gardens! Imagine: Cangwu Mountain on one side, Xiji Mountain on the other, the Danshui River winding down from the south, the Ziyuan from the north...a breathtaking panorama. It flows out from Baling, Chanling, passes through the Jing River, Wei River, Feng River, Hao River, Lia River, winding and twisting its way through.

Eight mighty rivers, flowing in every direction—east, west, south, and north—burst forth. They rush out from the city gate of Jiaoqiu, winding through the riverbanks of Zhouyu, passing through the heartland of Guilin, crossing the vast wilderness, and converging into a powerful torrent. The waters flow downstream through low-lying areas, crashing against steep mountains and rocks, sending up sprays, rolling and rushing. The current is swift and turbulent, waves surging and roaring as they collide with each other, rushing and crashing, rolling and spinning. The water is a force of nature, with waves rolling and twisting, rushing forward, eroding the rocks, roaring and smashing against the riverbanks, flowing into the valleys. The sound of the rushing water echoes, splashes fly, and the current continues to surge forward, long and continuous.

Silent and still, it eventually flows into the sea. Then, the water calms, moving gently and shimmering as it flows east into the great lake, overflowing into the pond. Dragons and other mythical creatures, along with various fish, swim gracefully, their strong fins swaying and powerful tails flapping, causing ripples in the water. Fish and turtles make merry sounds, gathering together in joyful camaraderie. Precious stones of every color and description—bright pearls, Shu stones, yellow jade, and water jade—dazzle at the bottom of the pool. Various birds gather on the water's surface, some preening their feathers, others chasing each other, and some pecking at the water plants.

The water ripples, swaying with the wind, as water birds dip and dance on the surface, preening their feathers and pecking at the water plants, while gentle ripples sway with the breeze.

Wow, those mountains, one after another, towering into the clouds, breathtaking in their grandeur, with steep terrains and dense forests where tall trees obscure the sky. Jiuyun Mountain and Nanshan rise with towering peaks, a network of rugged rocks and gullies crisscrossed everywhere, deep valleys, and undulating hills that dot the landscape, all presenting dangerous terrains and rugged paths, with ponds and swamps scattered throughout.

The water winds through the fields, creating a vast plain of fertile land stretching for miles, all cultivated and adorned with a riot of colorful plants. There are vibrant green orchids, fiery red Jiangli, sweet-smelling Miwu, and countless other wildflowers, all interwoven and thriving. The air is filled with the intoxicating fragrance of grass and trees, a delightful blend of scents that refreshes the spirit.

As I wandered around, taking in the scenery, I found it incredibly intricate, dazzling, and seemingly endless, a landscape that felt both overwhelming and unfathomable. The sun rises from the swamp in the east and sets in the pond in the west. To the south, even in the depths of winter, the vegetation remains lush, and the waters flow swiftly; here, one can find water buffalo, tapirs, bison, musk deer, elk, and other fantastical creatures. Meanwhile, to the north, even in the height of summer, the land remains frozen, with rivers encased in ice; this region is home to mythical beasts like the qilin and various exotic animals, including donkeys and mules, among others.

Speaking of this palace, the palaces and villas are scattered throughout the valleys, with tall corridors connecting in all directions, forming a sprawling complex of buildings. Ornate roofs and exquisite jade carvings adorn the structures, while wide imperial roads stretch endlessly, with carved beams and painted rafters. It would take ages to explore the whole place. The palaces are built along the mountains and rivers, layered and towering into the clouds, some even carved directly into the mountains. Looking down, nothing can be seen; looking up, it feels like touching the sky. Stars shine in the windows of the boudoirs, and rainbows float on the palace walls and eaves. To the east, the Azure Dragon is coiled around it; to the west, the elephant carriage moves slowly, while playful guards can be seen in the quieter parts of the palace. To the south, many busy attendants are bustling about. Clear spring water gushes out from the palaces and flows through the courtyards. The stones around the palaces are of various shapes: some resemble huge curtains, some are steep and rugged, some tower into the clouds, and others have strange peaks, all unique in form. Precious stones – roses, jade, coral, and more – were everywhere, a dazzling array of color.

"Summer had arrived, and the palace gardens overflowed with a profusion of fruits – from familiar favorites like oranges and grapes to exotic varieties I couldn't even name. The hills and plains were ablaze with color, a stunning testament to the season's abundance." Look at this palace; everywhere you look, there are green leaves and red flowers, creating a scene of prosperity that is breathtaking!

"Towering oaks, vibrant maples, fallen leaves scattered about, fragrant magnolias, Yuzhang privets, reaching heights of a thousand feet, Dalian trees embracing the sky, their straight and smooth branches boasting lush foliage, standing densely together, intertwining and rolling, Cui Cuo Bai Wei, rare pits, hanging twigs sparse, fluttering petals falling, swirling in the breeze, a beautiful sight, like a symphony of nature, the chime of bells and the whisper of wind through reeds." All kinds of trees, both tall and short, stood in profusion, their branches laden with fruit, leaves rustling in the breeze, creating a vibrant tapestry of color and sound, with petals dancing gracefully in the wind, a beauty that resembles a painting, and the sounds that echo the charm of nature.

The flowers and plants cultivated in the palace are eventually transported back to the harem, layer upon layer, blanketing the valleys from the hillsides to the low-lying areas, stretching endlessly to the eye, truly a sight to behold!

Speaking of the mountains, a variety of monkeys, apes, flying squirrels, grasshoppers, snakes, and insects make their home there. Monkeys chattered and swung through the branches, while agile squirrels darted among the trees, their antics adding to the lively cacophony, creating a bustling and spectacular scene.

Such places are countless, numbering in the thousands! The emperor often visits to revel in the beauty, with accommodations and meals lavishly arranged, while the harem and officials accompany him, every comfort and provision supplied in abundance.

After autumn and through winter, the emperor organized a massive hunt. The Emperor rode a lavishly carved elephant, his carriage adorned with jade and preceded by magnificent banners, followed by a colorful retinue and a strong guard. Sun Shu was at the reins, with Wei Gong riding alongside. The sound of the horn shook the earth, and the hunt was on! The rivers shrunk to mere streams, and even Mount Tai seemed dwarfed by the commotion; the sound of the carriages and horses resounded, and the heavens trembled! The air crackled with excitement as everyone scattered to chase, pursuing all the way to the water's edge of the hill. Hunters bagged tigers and leopards, wrestled jackals, and even cornered bears and wild sheep. Clad in bird-embroidered jackets and white tiger pelts, they rode wild horses, fearless in the face of rugged mountains and treacherous riverbeds. They chased various prey, shooting wild boars with deadly accuracy; every shot a kill, either hitting the neck or piercing the head.

The Emperor's carriage surged forward, patrolling the area, observing the actions of the soldiers and checking the commanding situation of the generals. Then, he accelerated, his own hunting as swift and deadly as his troops'. He bagged white deer and rabbits with effortless grace, his arrows a blur as he carved a path through the teeming wildlife, bending the bow and shooting arrows that found their mark, selecting good prey and striking with precision, arrows flying, and prey falling one after another.

Then, he surfed the wind and waves, rocketed skyward, flew over the turbulent seas, passed through the void, and soared with immortals. He chased after Lin Xuanhe, the ethereal kun chicken, the strong Kong Luan, the light Yun Yi, the Yibird, whose wings blotted out the sun, the soaring phoenix, the agile Yuan Chu, and even caught up with the legendary Jiao Ming.

Tired of flying, he turned for home. He vanished from Xiangyang, landed on the northern border, flew along a straight path, and eventually returned to his hometown. He swept over Shiguan, crossed the continuous mountains, passed where magpies nested, gazed out at the distant Hanlu mists, landed on the pear tree in front of the hall, and rested in Yichun. Then he flew west to Xuanqu, purified himself at Niu Shou Mountain, climbed the Longtai, shaded himself beneath the slender willows, and witnessed the scholars' diligent work and the hunters' bountiful harvest. Everywhere there were traces of crushed cart tracks, horse-trampled footprints, and the coming and going of people. Mountains of exhausted horses, fallen to the sword, piled high, choked the valleys, and blanketed the plains and marshes.

And so, he began to have a really good time, throwing a party on the rooftop and making music in the huge palace. He tolled the massive Qianshi bell, erected the Wan Shi altar, raised vibrant green flags, beat the war drums, did a Taotang dance, and listened to the songs of Getian. A thousand people sang, joined by ten thousand more; the mountains trembled, and the valleys echoed. Musicians from Ba, Yu, Song, and Cai played hits like Huainan's "Ganzhe," while friends and family jammed together, taking turns to perform. Drums and gongs blasted; the music was deafening, totally awesome. Musicians from Jing, Wu, Zheng, Wei, and other places played classics like "Shao," "Huo," "Wu," "Xiang," and more. Actors, clowns, and singers put on a non-stop show, and the music and scenery were amazing; it was a feast for the eyes and ears.

Women like Qingqin and Fu Fei were unreal. Stunningly beautiful, they were dressed to kill. Their grace, delicate beauty, and sweet smiles – they were totally captivating.

The feast was in full swing when the emperor suddenly appeared deep in thought, his face serious and worried. He sighed and said, "Alas, this is too extravagant! I only hunt and play in my spare time, passing the time and conquering according to Heaven's will. Occasionally, I rest here, but I worry that future generations will become addicted to pleasure and never return. This isn't looking out for the country and its people." So he gave up drinking and hunting and ordered the relevant departments, saying, "All land that can be cultivated should be used to grow crops to feed the people. Demolish city walls, fill in ditches, and make it easier for people in mountainous and swampy areas to travel. Dredge ponds and do not prohibit people from taking water. Reduce the construction of government buildings and stop building tall palaces. Open granaries to help the poor, make up for their losses, and take care of widows and orphans. Issue benevolent decrees, reduce punishments, reform the system, change the style of clothing, reform the calendar, and usher in a new era with the people."

Then, the emperor chose an auspicious day to purify himself, put on court attire, rode in the imperial carriage under a magnificent display of flags, and the jade bells pealed as he arrived at the Six Arts Garden to play. He rode the path of righteousness and virtue, viewed the classics of "Spring and Autumn," practiced archery, including shots at the *li* and *zouyu*, hunted cranes with a bow and arrow, performed the Gan Qi dance, wore a cloud-patterned crown, played elegant music, performed the mournful "Fatan," played the cheerful "Yue Xu," refined his spirit amidst the rites and music, delved into the classics, explained the principles of the "Book of Changes," released strange beasts in a ritualistic manner, ascended the Ming Hall, sat in the Qing Temple, convened his courtiers, listened to their reports of gains and losses, and his grace touched everyone in the land. At this time, all the people in the world were very happy, all emulated the emperor's behavior, followed the trend and changed, and education flourished, benevolence and righteousness prevailed, and punishments were rare. Thus, the hunt served a vital purpose!

If one spends the whole day indulging in frivolous pursuits, exhausting oneself physically and mentally, stopping the horses, depleting the soldiers' energy, and spending all the money in the treasury, but gains no benefit, only seeking one's own pleasure, disregarding the welfare of his people, forgetting about national affairs, and only craving the pleasure of hunting, righteous people will not associate with them. Look at the events in the states of Qi and Chu, isn't it lamentable? Despite a kingdom of only a thousand miles, he enclosed a hunting park nine hundred miles wide, leaving the people to starve. Those small vassals, imitating the extravagance and waste of the emperor, I am worried that the common people will suffer because of this!

When the two young men heard this, their faces changed, as if the wind had been knocked out of them. They quickly stood up and backed away, saying, "We were out of line; we messed up. Today we have learned a lot and will definitely follow your teachings carefully!"

The emperor loved the article and gave him a job as a minor official. However, because the article exaggerated the size of the huge Lin Yuan imperial hunting park, with tons of mountains, valleys, streams, and wildlife in the front, and then described even more things in the even bigger Yunmeng swamp in the back, which was way over the top and didn't make sense. So the emperor cut it down to size and focused on the main points.

Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: The Book of Han (漢書)

Published: 01 December 2024

Created: 01 December 2024

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Dong Zhongshu is from Guangchuan. He studied "Spring and Autumn" when he was young and became an official during the reign of Emperor Xiaojing. He spent his days studying and teaching behind closed doors, with students taking turns to learn. Many people had never seen his face. Rumor has it he hadn't left his courtyard in three years, showing how diligent he was in his studies. He was known for his impeccable manners, and all scholars respected him greatly.

After Emperor Wu took the throne, he summoned hundreds of learned men, including Dong Zhongshu, who then submitted a proposal outlining his views.

The Emperor said, "I've inherited a great legacy from my predecessor, and I'm determined to build on it for the good of the people. It's a huge responsibility, and frankly, the pressure's immense. I'm working myself to the bone, but I still worry I'm not doing enough. That's why I'm reaching out to the brightest minds in the land, seeking out people of virtue, integrity, and wisdom, hoping to hear some truly insightful advice on how to govern this country. I'm thrilled to have you here. Please, give this some serious thought, and I'll be listening very carefully."

I heard that during ancient times, the legendary Five Emperors and Three Dynasties reformed the system and established rituals and music, setting the standard for proper governance, leading to a peaceful and harmonious world. All emperors and kings in history emulated them. The most popular music during the time of Emperor Shun was "Shao," while during the Zhou Dynasty, it was "She." Although the sage kings have passed away, music has not disappeared, but the moral order has gradually been lost, eventually leading to the tyranny of Xia Jie and Shang Zhou and the collapse of the Mandate of Heaven.

For five hundred years, many rulers and ministers who wanted to consolidate their rule by imitating the laws of the ancient kings failed, leading to their successive downfalls, until the later emperors began to improve. Were their methods fundamentally flawed? Or was it simply fate, that only utter collapse could bring renewal? Alas! All those long hours, all that effort to follow the ancient ways—did it all go in vain? Where was the proof of Heaven's mandate for these three dynasties? How did disasters and anomalies arise? We have heard about the length of human life and the nature of morality, but what is the fundamental reason for these phenomena?

If you want a good social atmosphere, smooth government orders, less crime with lighter penalties, people living in peace and prosperity, and clear government affairs, what was the path to achieving Heaven's favor—abundant harvests, prosperity throughout the land, the harmonious workings of nature, and the protection of the spirits?

Your Excellency, you possess a deep understanding of the ancient sages' teachings, your study of the dynamics of social change is thorough, and your grasp of the course of history is very clear. You have long been expounding on virtuous principles, so please convey all this clearly to me. Present your recommendations clearly, grounded in reality, and with due diligence. If you uncover any injustice, dishonesty, disloyalty, or dereliction of duty, report any such findings without hesitation; I will take responsibility and not hold you accountable for any consequences. Your Excellency, you must do your utmost and conceal nothing; I will personally review your account.

Zhong Shu replied:

Your Majesty has issued edicts, seeking the mysteries of heaven's will and human nature, which I, a humble official, am ill-equipped to address. I have carefully studied the book "Spring and Autumn," examined historical events, and observed the laws of harmony between heaven and man, which is truly awe-inspiring! When a country is about to take the path of evil and head towards failure, divine retribution will initially manifest as calamities to warn it; if it does not repent, heaven will send strange phenomena to alert it; if it still does not change, disasters and failures will follow. From this, it can be seen that the heavens are kind and protect the ruler, wanting to prevent the country from chaos. Only when the state has fallen into utter ruin does heaven cease its support, striving to keep it safe and sound; the key lies in its own efforts. By studying hard, one can broaden their knowledge and gain a clearer understanding; by practicing ethics diligently, one can be morally upright and achieve remarkable accomplishments; all of which will yield positive results. The Book of Songs speaks of tireless dedication, and the Book of Documents proclaims flourishing and abundant, both referring to the meaning of constant effort.

The Way is the path to governing a country, and kindness, justice, proper behavior, and music are its specific contents. Therefore, even if a wise and virtuous king passes away, their descendants can still enjoy centuries of peace and stability, all thanks to the influence of propriety and music. In the past, before kings composed music, they used traditional music relevant to the era to deeply educate the people. If the education does not gain the people's approval, court music will not succeed. Therefore, kings only composed music after achieving success, to praise their own achievements. Music is used to change customs and educate the people; it is easy to change customs, but educating the heart is profound. Music comes from harmony, it's all about feeling, and it really gets under your skin. Therefore, even if the Way of kings is lacking, the sound of music will not weaken. The way Yao and Shun governed has not been practiced for a long time, but the tradition of music still exists, which is why Confucius could hear the music of "Shao" in the state of Qi.

Any ruler does not wish for the country to perish but wants to live peacefully. However, many countries have faced political chaos and destruction because of the wrong people appointed and the wrong path followed, leading to the gradual decline of politics. The political system of the Zhou Dynasty declined during the reigns of King You and King Li not because the Way disappeared, but because they did not follow the correct path. During the reign of King Xuan, he remembered the virtues of his predecessors, revitalized the stagnant work, rectified past mistakes, and magnified the achievements of King Wen and King Wu. Zhou's fortunes turned around, poets composed poems in praise, and he was lucky enough to have wise advisors. He was praised for his good governance, which is still admired today. This is the result of his continuous acts of kindness. Confucius said, "It's people who make the Way, not the Way that makes people." Therefore, the rise and fall of a country depend on itself, not predetermined by heaven and cannot be changed. The key lies in whether their policies are sound and whether they've lost their way.

I heard that when heaven wants to support a certain king with great power, things that cannot be achieved by human effort will naturally happen, which is a sign of being appointed. People from all over the world will rally to him as they would to their parents, so the auspicious signs from heaven will sincerely appear. The "Book of Documents" says: "A white fish leaps into the royal barge, the palace bursts into flames, then transforms into a flock of crows," these are all signs of being appointed. The Duke of Zhou said: "Let there be renewal! Let there be renewal!" Confucius said: "A person of virtue will not be alone; there will definitely be like-minded people," these are the results of accumulating good deeds. Later on, rulers indulged in pleasure, the country declined, unable to govern the people, the vassals betrayed the court, harmed the people, and fought for land, abandoning moral education and relying on punishment. If punishment is unjust, wickedness will fester; evil will accumulate in the lower class, and resentment will breed in the upper class. When the upper and lower classes are at odds, the balance of yin and yang is disrupted, leading to disaster. This is the cause of disasters.

I heard that the length of a person's life is predestined, it's just human nature, and a person's desires are normal. Some people live long, some live short; some are kind, some are despicable; these are the results of environmental influences and education. Not everyone's perfect, so you get all sorts of things happening in society. Confucius once said: "The virtue of a noble person is like the wind, the virtue of a petty person is like grass; when the wind blows on the grass, the grass will inevitably bend." Therefore, when Yao and Shun implemented benevolent governance, the people lived in peace and prosperity, and their lives were long; when Jie and Zhou implemented tyrannical rule, the people were impoverished and their lives were short. The atmosphere of the upper class will affect the lower class, and the lower class will also imitate the upper class, just like clay in the potter's hands, or metal to the blacksmith—malleable, responsive to a gentle touch.

I carefully studied the records of the "Spring and Autumn Annals," looking for the essence of the Way of Kingship, and found that it lies in doing what's right. "Doing what's right" comes before "king," and "king" comes before "spring." "Spring" is how Heaven works; doing what's right is what the king does. This means that the king must conform to how Heaven works before he can rectify his own behavior, which is the essence of the Way of Kingship. Therefore, if a king wants to achieve something, he should seek the essence from the Heavenly Way. The greatest characteristic of the Heavenly Way lies in yin and yang. Yang represents virtue, while yin represents punishment; punishment rules over killing, and virtue rules over nurturing. Summer's all about yang energy, the life-giving force; winter's all about yin energy, lying low and dormant. It can be seen that Heaven favors virtue over punishment. Heaven allows yang energy to nurture all things, governing the operation of the four seasons in a year; it allows yin energy to lurk underground and come out to assist yang energy at the right time. Without the assistance of yin energy, yang energy cannot complete the cycle of the four seasons alone. Ultimately, it is named after yang energy completing the cycle of the four seasons; this is Heaven's plan. Kings should emulate Heaven's plan in their actions, so they should value moral education and not focus on punishment. Ruling solely by punishment is like trying to have spring without winter – it just won't work. The old jobs that taught people right from wrong have been abolished, and only law enforcement officials are valued to govern the people. That's all about punishment, isn't it? Confucius once said: "Punishing without teaching is just plain brutal." Governing the people with tyranny while trying to spread moral education throughout the world is very difficult to succeed.

According to the Spring and Autumn Annals, the concept of "yi yuan" (一元), meaning "one source," holds profound significance for governance. The Spring and Autumn Annals explains "yi yuan" as "yi" signifying the beginning of all things, and "yuan" referring to the utmost importance. Saying that "yi" is "yuan" emphasizes the importance of the beginning and the need to set the fundamentals right. The Spring and Autumn Annals delves deeply into these fundamentals, starting from the most noble individuals. Therefore, a ruler must first set their heart right in order to correct the court. When the court is corrected, the officials will follow suit, and when the officials are set right, the people can be reformed. When the people are set right, the entire realm can be rectified. When all corners are rectified, everyone, near and far, will follow the right path, and there will be no evil influences at play. In this way, yin and yang are harmonious, wind and rain are timely, a bountiful harvest will fill the fields, and the land will teem with life. A scene of abundance and beauty will be seen everywhere, and when the world hears of your great virtue, they will come to submit. Various auspicious signs and good things will come forth, and the kingdom will flourish.

Confucius said: "If the phoenix doesn't appear and the Yellow River doesn't produce a map, I'm done for!" He felt sorrowful because these auspicious signs could not appear, and his own status was humble, preventing him from bringing them about. Your Majesty, ruler of the four seas, is in a position to bring forth these auspicious signs, with the power and resources to do so. Your virtue, grace, wisdom, and care for your people and scholars make you a truly wise monarch. However, why are there no auspicious signs appearing in the world? The fundamental reason is that education has not been established, and the people have not received proper guidance. People are naturally drawn to profit, like water flowing downhill, and without guidance and restraint through education, this cannot be stopped. Therefore, when education is established, wickedness will cease, like a strong dam holding back the flood; when education is neglected, wickedness will swarm out, and punishment cannot stop it, like a broken dam unleashing a torrent. Wise monarchs of ancient times understood this principle, so they prioritized education in their governance. They established imperial schools to educate the nation, set up local schools in each town, used kindness to influence the people, relied on customs to regulate behavior, and provided moral guidance. As a result, their punishments were light, yet no one violated the laws, thanks to effective education and a positive social climate.

When a wise ruler inherits a kingdom in chaos, they will eliminate all disorder, restore proper governance and morality, and rebuild order. With good governance and strong traditions, a dynasty can last for centuries. However, by the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the world fell into chaos, ultimately leading to the downfall of the dynasty. But the Qin, who followed the Zhou, made things far worse, suppressing literature, burning books, rejecting tradition, and trying to wipe out the teachings of the ancients, ruling with brute force and disregard for anything but their own whims. Fourteen years after Qin Shi Huang took the throne, the Qin dynasty was done for. Never before had a dynasty, like the Qin, brought such misery to the people by ruling with such chaos. The damage done by the Qin continues to this day, leaving us with a morally bankrupt society, a stubborn and divided populace, and constant conflict. Could things possibly be worse? Confucius once said, "You can't polish a turd." Now the Han Dynasty inherits the Qin's mess – it's like trying to build on a rotten foundation; no matter how hard they try, it's hopeless. Laws breed corruption, and orders breed lies. It's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline – it only makes things worse.

I'll give you an example: if a zither is out of tune, in serious cases, it must be taken apart and restrung before it can be played; governing a country without the right methods, in serious cases, the methods must be changed in order to fix things up. If adjustments are needed but not made, even a highly skilled craftsman cannot tune it properly; if changes are needed but not made, even sages cannot govern well. Therefore, since the Han Dynasty came to power, they have always wanted to govern well, but have not been able to do so until now, because they did not make the necessary changes when they should have. As the ancients said: "It's better to take action than just wish for success." It has been seventy years since the country has been governed, but there have been no results, so it is better to step back and change the methods; changing the methods can lead to good governance, and with good governance, disasters will decrease day by day, and blessings will increase day by day. The Book of Songs says: "Love the people in order to gain their support." Those who govern the country and care for the people will naturally receive the blessings of heaven. The five Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are what kings should cultivate; if all five are cultivated well, they will receive the rewards of heaven, enjoy the protection of the spirits, and blessings will spread throughout the world, benefiting all things.

After the emperor read the memorial, he was moved and then reappointed him, saying: In ancient times, Yao and Shun enjoyed a carefree life on Mount Yanlang, and the world was at peace; King Wen of Zhou was so busy that the sun was setting and he hadn't even had time to eat, yet the world was well-governed. You see, the way of governing by emperors, isn't it the same in different ways? Why is there such a big difference?

As for thriftiness, you see, in ancient times, did emperors have so many fancy flags? It wasn't until the Zhou Dynasty that they started with the two views, riding on the main road, making redwood axles and jade-decorated chariots, while the Ba Yis danced in the court and praises were sung. Is this not a different way of ruling by emperors? Some say that some things are perfect as they are, and others say that good governance requires a strong cultural foundation; are these two statements not different?

During the Shang Dynasty, five brutal punishments were used to punish the wicked, employing cruel bodily punishments to address evil deeds. During the reign of King Cheng and King Kang of the Zhou Dynasty, they largely eschewed punishment, and the land enjoyed forty years of peace, with the prisons empty. However, the Qin State followed the methods of the Shang Dynasty, resulting in a horrifying toll of death and suffering. It was truly tragic!

Gosh! I burn the candle at both ends, always thinking about the governance experience of past emperors, pondering how to better govern the country and strengthen my kingdom; the key lies in hard work and appointing talented individuals. Now, I personally cultivate fields, set a good example, promote filial piety, value virtuous individuals, send out messengers to inspect everywhere, understand the grievances of the people, care for the elderly, and put a lot of effort into it, but so far, I have not achieved much. In today's society, the natural order is out of whack, disasters are constant, people's lives are difficult, morals are declining, and good and evil are indistinguishable. That's why I want to recruit talents and hope to make a difference! Now, all of you, my more than a hundred attendants, some of you may not be able to explain the ways of governing the country. Compare the ancient methods of governance with the current situation, and see what is feasible and what is not. Are you all bogged down in red tape, unable to fully utilize your abilities? Do you have other methods or have you learned different experiences from elsewhere? Tell me everything, don't hold back! Let's hear your ideas, and we'll see if they work for me.

Zhong Shu replied:

I heard that Emperor Yao, while in power, took the governance of the world as his responsibility and never considered being an emperor as a joyful matter. Therefore, he ruthlessly suppressed rebels and corrupt officials, wholeheartedly sought out talented individuals, and thus obtained talents such as Shun, Yu, Ji, Xie, and Jiu Yao. He was surrounded by wise advisors, capable individuals held important positions, and his teachings had a profound impact on the people. The world was peaceful, the common people lived in peace and contentment, everyone knew their role, their behavior and conduct were in accordance with etiquette, and everything ran smoothly. So Confucius said, "If there is indeed a wise king, it must be through the efforts of several generations to achieve just rule." That's the principle. Emperor Yao ruled for 70 years, then abdicated the throne to Yu Shun. After Emperor Yao's death, the people did not support Yao's son Dan Zhu, but supported Shun. Shun knew he had no choice, so he accepted the position of emperor, appointed Yu as prime minister, kept Yao's team in place and carried on his work, and without lifting a finger, the empire thrived. Confucius said, "'Shao' music was simply sublime, the peak of perfection," referring to this situation.

But under King Zhou of Shang, he defied Heaven, ruled cruelly and unjustly, murdered the wise, and oppressed his people. Both Boyi and Jiang Taigong were great sages of that time, but they chose to live in seclusion and not take up official positions. Honest officials fled to the deep mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes. With the realm in chaos and the people suffering, the Shang Dynasty fell, and the Zhou rose in its place. King Wen of Zhou followed the will of heaven, governed the people, and valued talented individuals, so figures like Hong Yao, Da Dian, and Sanyi Sheng all gathered in his court. His benevolent rule attracted widespread allegiance, allowing Jiang Taigong to emerge from seclusion and take up a high office. With Zhou still on the throne, the kingdom was in disarray, the people fleeing, and King Wen, heartbroken, toiled late into the night to restore order. Confucius' *Spring and Autumn Annals* celebrates wise rulers and chronicles the major events of the era, illustrating the principles of good governance. From these examples, the fundamental principles of governance remain constant, though the effort required varies with the times. Confucius himself noted that even excellent governance, like the music of Wu, could always be improved.

I have heard that ritual, literature, and bright colours served to demarcate social hierarchy and inspire virtue. The *Spring and Autumn Annals* records that newly mandated rulers first reformed the calendar and court attire, thereby aligning themselves with Heaven's mandate. Similarly, the system of ranks and insignia followed established protocols. Confucius said, "Excess breeds disrespect; frugality fosters stability." Frugality isn't just for saints. I have heard that the finest jade needs no polishing, just as some claim innate wisdom without study. But ordinary jade requires craftsmanship, and a gentleman needs learning to cultivate virtue.

A sage king governed the world, and the people learned from a young age. As they grew, they were appointed to office according to their talents, promoting virtue through rewards and deterring vice through punishment. Therefore, the people understood etiquette and righteousness and were ashamed to violate the law. King Wu's reign was marked by justice, pacifying the remnants of rebels, while the Duke of Zhou established rituals and music to educate the people. Prisons stood empty for over forty years. This wasn't achieved through punishment alone, but through the gradual spread of education and righteous conduct. In contrast, the Qin Dynasty adopted Legalist policies, following the precedents of the Shang and the doctrines of Han Fei. They neglected moral education. Officials were corrupt and disloyal. They prioritized self-interest over integrity. Cruel officials levied heavy taxes, impoverishing the populace. People were displaced, unable to farm or weave, leading to a surge in theft. Punishments were widespread, deaths frequent, yet corruption persisted – a consequence of the prevailing social climate. As Confucius observed, "Govern with virtue, regulate with law, and the people will be free from oppression, yet retain their sense of shame."

Now that Your Majesty has unified the world, all within the seas have submitted and obeyed. You have opened up avenues of speech, listening to all to gain clarity, fully understanding the thoughts of the people, and gathering talents and beautiful things from all over the world. Your virtue shines brightly, and your grace extends to distant lands. Even the far-off regions like Yunnan and Central Asia, thousands of miles away, have submitted due to your virtues, creating a scene of peace and prosperity. However, your merits have not fully benefited the people, perhaps because your thoughts have not been entirely dedicated to this cause. Zengzi said, "Respect what you hear, and you will be wise; act on what you know, and you will be great. True wisdom and greatness come from the effort put into them." I hope you can use what you have heard, sincerely treat the people, and put it into action, so that you will be no different from the Three Kings!

You personally engage in farming, leading by example, working tirelessly for the people, and studying the ways of ancient sages in governing the country, all with the earnestness of Yao and Shun! However, you have not yet found suitable talents, perhaps because you have not emphasized talent cultivation in peacetime.

It's like expecting a jade carving to shine without first carving and polishing it—how is that possible? Therefore, cultivating talents is the most important thing, and nothing is more crucial than establishing a great school. The great school is where talents are nurtured, and it is the foundation of educating the people. Nowadays, many counties do not even have officials capable of writing official documents, indicating that good governance has broken down. I hope you can establish the academy. Hire excellent teachers, cultivate outstanding talents from all over the world, regularly assess them, and evaluate their abilities. Excellent talents can surely be found.

The current prefects and county magistrates are the teachers and leaders of the people; they should uphold and promote the emperor's teachings. If these local officials are not wise, then the emperor's benevolent rule cannot be spread, and his blessings never reach the people. Many officials nowadays ignore the emperor's laws and fail to educate the people. They oppress the citizens and get in bed with bad actors, causing the poor, orphans, and the weak to suffer injustice and be unable to seek redress. This is why the world is in such a mess. The people live in hardship and cannot receive relief; it's all down to those rotten officials!

Most officials are promoted from the positions of langzhong and zhonglang, while the children of high-ranking officials are selected based on their family's power and wealth, not necessarily because of their abilities. In ancient times, "merit" referred to doing their jobs well during their tenure in office, rather than the length of time spent in office. Therefore, even if a mediocre person spends many years in government, they can only achieve a low position; whereas a talented individual, even with a short time in office, can become a vital asset to the nation. Officials strive to work hard, do their best, and excel in their work to establish merit. But today, it's all about seniority; people only care about staying in office longer to gain higher status and bigger positions, leading to a lack of shame and a mix of talents and unworthy individuals, making it difficult to distinguish true talents. It is suggested that regional governors, prefects, and high-ranking officials should select talented individuals from their respective regions and recommend two people each year for court service, which can also assess the abilities of these officials. Those recommended who are truly talented should be rewarded, while those who are unworthy should be punished. This way, regional governors and high-ranking officials will diligently seek talents, and the nation's talent pool would be fully utilized. If all talented individuals can find opportunities for service, it will be easy to recreate the glory days of the Three Kings' reign and achieve the status of wise monarchs like Yao and Shun. Do not measure merit by the length of time spent, but by assessing talents as the most important criterion, granting official positions based on abilities, and determining status based on merits. This way, those with shame and those without will take different paths, and talents and unworthy individuals will occupy different positions. With this system in place, Your Majesty's wise decision to reappoint him will bear even greater fruit.

The imperial edict says: I have heard that "those who are good at discussing the workings of Heaven will surely be proven true in the affairs of men; those who are good at discussing the ancients will surely be borne out in the present day." Therefore, I seek heavenly inspiration, drawing lessons from the glories of Yao, Shun, and the Tang dynasty, and heeding the warnings of Jie and Zhou's downfall, carefully studying the cycles of rise and fall, and humbly correcting my errors. Your Excellency, as a scholar versed in the principles of yin and yang changes and familiar with the governance of the sages, your writings are not yet perfect. Have you been distracted by the concerns of the present day? Your arguments are clear, but lack completeness; your principles are not fully established. Is it that my understanding is insufficient, making it sound like I'm hearing a foreign tongue? The Three Kings, while differing in their approaches, all had their flaws. Some say that that which endures is the true path. Is your thinking the same? Having expounded on the ultimate path and the keys to good governance, you should thoroughly study it, ponder on it repeatedly, and put it into practice. The Classic of Poetry states, "Gentleman, do not rest on your laurels; the spirits will hear you and bestow blessings upon you." I will personally read your writings, so you must work even harder to make it more perfect.

Dong Zhongshu replied again:

I have heard that in the Analects, it says: "Those who start must finish, probably only the sages!" Your Majesty's benevolence is deeply appreciated, for you are willing to hear the words of a humble student and allow me to carefully study the virtues of the sages to thoroughly understand your intentions. This is a task beyond the capabilities of one such as myself. My previous submissions were disorganized and poorly written, which shows my shallow knowledge.

This article begins by stating that if someone understands the ways of Heaven, they'll understand human nature; if they understand the past, they'll understand the present. I have heard that Heaven is the ultimate source of all things. It governs everything, arranging celestial bodies and the elements, making them coexist harmoniously, balancing yin and yang, regulating the seasons, fostering life. So wise rulers govern by the ways of Heaven, showing universal love and impartiality, spreading blessings to make the people prosperous and establishing rituals to guide them. Spring's growth mirrors a ruler's benevolence; summer's abundance reflects good governance, enabling the people to live and work in peace; frost signifies Heaven's destruction of all things, with punishment serving as the ruler's response to lawbreakers.

Heaven and humanity are interconnected, as are the past and the present. Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, which reflects both Heaven and humanity, referencing both ancient and modern matters. Therefore, the criticisms in the Spring and Autumn Annals address disastrous events; its aversions highlight aberrations. The text chronicles national and familial failings, disasters, and the full spectrum of human behavior, from virtue to vice, all of which resonate with the operation of Heaven and Earth. In those days, officials emphasized moral instruction, and good moral education led to low crime rates. Now, this is neglected, leading to a moral decline. The enduring relevance of these ancient practices is why the Spring and Autumn Annals criticizes deviations from them.

Heaven's will, or what we call "fate," can only be followed by the sage. Human nature is simple and pure, but needs cultivation to reach its full potential. Human desires, or passions, need to be regulated and restrained to avoid excess. Therefore, rulers must carefully follow Heaven's will and go with the flow of Heaven; they should strive to educate the people and perfect their nature; they must put strong laws in place and maintain social order to restrain human desires. By cultivating these three points, the country's foundation is secure.

Humans are nobler than other creatures. At home, we have family affection; outside, we have the rituals of ruler and subject. In social interactions, we observe the order of seniority and respect, being courteous and respectful, fostering mutual respect, intimacy, and care. This is the reason why humans are noble.

Humans can grow grains for food, raise livestock, and tame wild beasts—all blessings from Heaven that set us apart. Therefore, Confucius said, "Heaven and Earth have made humanity noble." Understanding our nature reveals our superiority to other creatures, leading to an understanding of benevolence and righteousness, which in turn fosters respect for etiquette, leading to a life of virtue, reason, and ultimately, the status of a true gentleman. That's the key to becoming a true gentleman.

According to the book, "praising Tang, Yao, and Shun, while lamenting Xia, Jie, and Zhou. The rise and fall of these figures are accumulated little by little, and one must be humble and open to correction." I have heard that small things add up, and the accumulation of small steps eventually leads to great achievements. Therefore, sages always rise from obscurity to greatness. So Yao rose from among the vassals, and Shun emerged from deep mountains, neither becoming prominent in a day, but succeeding through gradual accumulation. The Classic of Poetry says, "King Wen was ever so careful." Look at how Yao diligently followed his path every day, and Shun dutifully showed filial piety. They accumulated good deeds, earned a great reputation, shone with morality, and held respected positions, all because they followed the path of gradual enlightenment and prosperity.

Accumulating good deeds within oneself is like the sun growing brighter each day, unseen by others; accumulating evil deeds within oneself is like fire slowly melting fat, also unseen by others. Unless you're wise to the ways of the world, who can truly know? This is why Tang, Yao, and Shun gained good reputations, while Xia, Jie, and Zhou inspire fear and regret. Good and evil accompany each other, like shadows following forms. Therefore, Xia, Jie, and Zhou were cruel and unjust, allowing villains to rise, while virtuous individuals hid, evil deeds became more apparent, and the country fell into chaos. Their hubris led to their downfall. Those who are cruel and unjust do not perish in a day, but gradually decline. Therefore, although Xia, Jie, and Zhou lost their way, they held onto power for over a decade, experiencing a slow decline and fall.

The book says, "The approach to governance of the three kings of Xia, Shang, and Zhou came from different sources, but all have their shortcomings. Some people say that what remains unchanged over time is the right path. That's a little weird, huh?" What I have heard is that a good life without chaos, a life of contentment and order, is called the right path; the right path is the timeless foundation, and its shortcomings are the deficiencies of the right path itself. Even the wisest rulers make mistakes, so sometimes things can get messy. The governance philosophies of the three kings of Xia, Shang, and Zhou have different origins, not contradictory to each other, but meant to deal with different situations, support the weak, and solve problems. Therefore, Confucius said, "Only Shun could rule without breaking a sweat!" Shun changed the calendar and the attire, just to follow Heaven's will; everything else followed Yao's governance philosophy, so what else needed to be changed? Therefore, the changes were mostly for show, and in reality, it has not changed the governance philosophy. However, the Xia Dynasty advocated loyalty, the Shang Dynasty advocated awe, and the Zhou Dynasty advocated cultural governance, all of which were measures taken to deal with the situation at that time and solve the problems at that time. Confucius said, "The Shang Dynasty inherited the ritual system of the Xia Dynasty; we know what they added or took away; the Zhou Dynasty inherited the ritual system of the Shang Dynasty; we know what they added or took away; and the people who came after the Zhou Dynasty, even after several hundred years, can still know what they added or took away." This means that later rulers all followed the basic principles laid down by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou kings. The Xia Dynasty inherited the governance philosophy of the Yu Dynasty but did not say what it added or subtracted, because their governance philosophies were almost the same, and what they advocated was the same. The basic principles of good governance came from Heaven, and since Heaven doesn't change, neither did those principles. That's why Yu followed Shun, and Shun followed Yao—they all used the same methods, so there's nothing to add or subtract.

It's clear that those who inherit a prosperous era have the same way of governing; those who inherit a chaotic era will have changes in their way of governing. The Han Dynasty was established after a period of great chaos, so it should appropriately reduce the elements of the Zhou Dynasty's benevolent governance and adopt a strong emphasis on loyalty and duty from the Xia Dynasty.

Your Majesty sees the decline of the empire and the fading of righteous rule, and grieves for it. Therefore, you select virtuous and upright officials, conduct investigations, aiming to bring back justice and prosperity to the land. I'm just a simple scholar, sharing what I've learned from my studies and teachers. As for discussing the gains and losses of political affairs and examining the rise and fall of the world, that is the responsibility of government officials, not something I, Dong Zhongshu, can handle. However, I have always had a question in my heart.

In ancient times and now, it is actually the same world. In the past, the empire thrived in peace and harmony; people were naturally good, needing no laws to guide them; officials were honest, the people law-abiding, and prisons empty. Virtue flourished, blessings abounded, and auspicious creatures roamed the land. Comparing ancient times with the present, why is the difference so great? Why has it declined to such an extent? Have we strayed from the ancient ways? Have we gone against the natural order? I hope that by examining ancient times and tracing the laws of nature, I may find the answers.

God has a sense of balance. He gave birds wings but only two legs; He gave deer antlers but no wings. It means if you've got the big stuff, don't be greedy for scraps. In ancient times, government officials didn’t have to work with their own hands or engage in business. This also shows that they received great benefits and no longer coveted small gains, which is in line with God’s arrangement. If you’ve already received a lot and still strive for those small benefits, even God can’t satisfy you, let alone others. That’s why folks are always griping they don’t have enough.

Big shots, living high on the hog, use their money and power to screw over regular folks. What can the common people do? They desperately raise servants and livestock, expand their land and houses, and hoard wealth and material goods, only thinking of themselves, ignoring others, and squeezing the common people, making their lives harder day by day. The rich waste extravagantly, while the poor are down on their luck, broke and miserable, faces etched with worry. The poor are in distress but can’t get relief, so they don’t want to live anymore. If they’re that desperate, what do they care about dying or breaking the law? This is why there are more and more punishments, and criminals keep popping up. Therefore, those on the payroll should just accept their salaries and not compete with the common people for business. That’s the only way to make things fair and give everyone a decent life. That’s how things should be, from the top down.

Therefore, when Gongyi Zi became the chief minister of the state of Lu, he returned home to find his wife weaving and sent her away in displeasure; when eating at his residence, he was served wild vegetables, and upon seeing someone picking wild vegetables, he also angrily said, "Why should I be competing with them?" In ancient times, virtuous gentlemen and officials behaved in this manner, so the people respected their moral character, learned from their teachings, and became upright and incorruptible. However, when the Zhou dynasty declined, those in power no longer valued friendship, only focused on personal gain, lacked humility, and even fought over land. Therefore, poets angrily mocked them, saying, "In the southern mountain, only the stone rocks; the eminent teacher, the people look up to you." This poem criticizes officials who prioritize self-interest over the welfare of the people. If you value friendship, the people will be righteous, and society will be harmonious; if you pursue personal gain, the people will become wicked, and society will deteriorate.

From this, it can be seen that rulers and their officials are the role models for the people to follow, and even those from afar are watching them. Those nearby observe their actions, while those far away imitate them. How can one hold a high position but do what commoners do? Always fretting about finances is the mindset of commoners; always thinking about practicing righteousness and worrying about not being able to educate the people is the mindset of ministers. The *Yi Jing* warns that those in high positions who act like commoners invite disaster. If one holds a high position, they should act like a gentleman. This illustrates the importance of leaders setting a virtuous example for their people. Therefore, besides the example of Gongyi Zi resigning as the chief minister of Lu, what else is there to say?

"This whole Spring and Autumn Annals thing is supposed to be this timeless truth, right? Applies everywhere, always. But nowadays, teachers are all over the map, everyone's got their own take, and these different schools of thought can't agree on anything. So the country's a mess, the laws are always changing, and nobody knows what's up. I say, anyone who doesn't study the Six Arts or Confucianism, their ideas should be shut down. No more messing things up! Only then will the country get its act together, the laws will be clear, and people will know what to do."

Next, the emperor appointed Dong Zhongshu as the governor of Jiangdu to assist King Yi. This King Yi is the emperor's older brother, who is quite proud and likes to act tough. Dong Zhongshu advised him with etiquette and reason, and King Yi respected him highly. After some time, King Yi asked Dong Zhongshu, "Back then, Goujian of Yue conspired with his ministers Fan Li, Wenzhong, and Xieyong to defeat the state of Wu and eventually conquered it. Confucius said that the Shang Dynasty had three benevolent men, and I also think that the state of Yue had three benevolent men. Duke Huan of Qi could listen to the advice of Guan Zhong, so I can also listen to your advice." Dong Zhongshu replied, "I am dull and dare not make reckless comments. I heard that in the past, the ruler of the state of Lu asked Lü Shanghui, 'I want to attack the state of Qi, what do you think?' Lü Shanghui said, 'No.' When he came back, Lü Shanghui looked troubled and said, 'I heard that before attacking other countries, they never ask the opinions of benevolent men and righteous scholars. Why did they ask me about this matter?' He felt ashamed just to be asked, let alone to have actually plotted to attack Wu. So, it seems that the state of Yue does not have a single benevolent man. A true benevolent man does good deeds first and considers interests later, speaks reason first and considers achievements later. Therefore, Confucius' students, even a five-year-old, feel that those who dominate the princes are not worthy of being called benevolent men because they use force first and then pretend to be righteous. They're just playing games, so they shouldn't be boasting to true gentlemen. Those who dominate the princes may be considered wise among other princes, but compared to the Three Kings, they are like the difference between a brute and a beautiful jade." King Yi said, "You are right!"

Dong Zhongshu was in charge of the country by using the records of natural disasters and weird stuff happening in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to figure out how Yin and Yang were shifting. So, when he prayed for rain, he tried to manipulate the weather by focusing on the yin and yang. To stop the rain, he would reverse the operation. This worked everywhere he tried it – never a miss. Later, he was demoted to a less important job. Before this, there were fires at Gaomiao in Liaodong and Gaoyuandian in Changling. Dong Zhongshu speculated on the reasons at home, wrote a draft but hadn’t submitted it yet. Zhu Fu Yan, a high-ranking official, went to see Dong Zhongshu, got jealous, and snitched his paper to the emperor. The emperor summoned scholars to discuss, and Dong Zhongshu's student Lu Bushu didn’t recognize that it was his teacher who wrote the article and even said his teacher was very foolish. So the emperor arrested Dong Zhongshu and sentenced him to die, but then let him off. Dong Zhongshu never dared to talk about natural disasters again.

Dong Zhongshu was a particularly upright person. At that time, there were wars going on externally, and minority ethnic groups were being attacked everywhere. Although Gongsun Hong's study of the "Spring and Autumn Annals" was not as good as Dong Zhongshu's, he was very good at flattery and gained favor, and his official position grew larger and larger, eventually becoming a senior official in the court. Dong Zhongshu felt that Gongsun Hong was flattering the emperor, and Gongsun Hong held a grudge against him. Jiaoxi King was the emperor's brother, a real jerk who bullied big shots. Gongsun Hong said to the emperor, "Only Dong Zhongshu could handle the job." When Jiaoxi King heard that Dong Zhongshu was a great scholar, he treated him very well. Dong Zhongshu was afraid that staying too long would cause trouble, so he faked an illness and quit.

He assisted two princes successively, each time always setting a good example for those under him, often giving advice and teaching them how to run things, and governing the local areas well wherever he went. After resigning and returning home, he didn’t give a hoot about his family's business, focusing solely on academic research and writing.

When Dong Zhongshu was at home, if there were important matters to discuss in the court, either messengers or Zhang Tang, the chief justice, would be sent to his home for consultation. His answers were always spot-on and made perfect sense. Ever since Emperor Wu took the throne, the Marquis of Wei and the Marquis of Wu'an, when they served as prime ministers, began to pay attention to Confucianism. After Dong Zhongshu submitted his memorial, he really pushed Confucius's teachings and sidelined everyone else. He's the one who came up with setting up schools and having the states and counties recommend top talent. As he grew older, he retired and lived a quiet life at home, and after his death, he was buried in Maoling. His family went on to produce a lot of high-ranking officials due to their scholarly pursuits.

His writings explained Confucianism's main ideas, including his memorials totaling one hundred and twenty-three. In addition, he wrote his take on the ups and downs of the Spring and Autumn Annals, along with dozens of other essays like "Wen Ju," "Yu Bei," "Fan Lu," "Qing Ming," "Zhu Lin," etc., adding up to over one hundred thousand words—all of which survived. He put together the most useful ones into a book.

Right, let's talk about Dong Zhongshu. Liu Xiang raved about him, saying he was the ultimate emperor's advisor—better than Yi Yin and Lv Shang, and way better than those guys Guan Zhong and Yan Ying who just advised princes.

Liu Xiang's son Liu Xin disagreed. He believed that Yi Yin and Lv Shang were the perfect team for a sage king; without them, the sage king wouldn't have gotten anywhere. Look at Confucius' favorite disciple Yan Hui—when he died, Confucius wailed, "Oh heavens, this is the end of me!" This shows how important Yan Hui was to him; others like Zaiwo, Zigang, Ziyu, and Zixia didn't hold a candle to Yan Hui. Dong Zhongshu came of age after the Han's victory over the Qin. Scholarship was in disarray, the Six Classics scattered and fragmented. He shut himself away to study, determined to master the classics, setting a standard for later scholars and becoming a model for Confucian scholars of his time. However, when considering Dong Zhongshu's teachers and friends, they weren't in the same league as Ziyu and Zixia. So, when Liu Xiang said that Dong Zhongshu was stronger than Guan Zhong and Yan Ying, stronger than Yi Yin and Lv Shang, that was a bit of a stretch. Finally, Liu Xiang's great-grandson Liu Gong was also a true gentleman; he believed that Liu Xin was right.

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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 Qing (courtesy name Zhongqing, a common practice in ancient China) was the son of Zheng Ji, a native of Pingyang in Hedong. His father was a low-level clerk in the household of Marquis Pingyang Cao Shou, who was married to Princess Yangxin, the sister of Emperor Wu. Zheng Ji was involved with a maid named Wei Mao in the Marquis's household, and they had a son named Wei Qing. Wei Qing's mother, Wei Mao, also had a half-brother named Wei Zhangjun and a half-sister named Wei Zifu. Zifu caught the eye of Emperor Wu while in the Princess's household, so they all changed their surname to Wei. Wei Mao also had an elder daughter named Junru and a younger daughter named Shao'er, with Zifu being her second daughter. Zifu's younger brother Bu Guang also changed his surname to Wei.

As a kid, Wei Qing served in the Marquis's household, but later returned to his hometown to work with his father, who had him look after sheep. The rich kids treated him like dirt, not as a friend. Once, while accompanying someone to Ganquan Palace, a craftsman told Wei Qing, "You will be a nobleman in the future, becoming a high-ranking official and marquis!" Wei Qing laughed and replied, "Me? A marquis? I'd be lucky to avoid a beating!"

Wei Qing grew up and became a cavalryman in the princely household, following Princess Pingyang. In the spring of the second year of Jianyuan, Wei Qing's sister, Wei Zifu, entered the palace and caught the Emperor's eye. At that time, the Empress was the daughter of the Empress Dowager, who had no sons and seethed with envy. When the Empress Dowager heard that Wei Zifu was favored and pregnant, she became even more jealous and sent people to arrest Wei Qing. At that time, Wei Qing was serving in the Jianzhang Palace and was not well-known. The Empress Dowager wanted to kill Wei Qing, but luckily his friend, a cavalryman named Gongsun Ao, with a few burly lads, rescued him and saved his life. When the Emperor heard about this, he summoned Wei Qing to the Jianzhang Palace as an official and appointed him as an attendant. Wei Qing's mother and siblings all prospered, receiving rewards from the Emperor worth thousands in gold in just a few days. Wei Qing's eldest sister, Junru, married the High Minister Gongsun He, while his younger sister, Shao'er, got together with Chen Zhang, and the Emperor promoted Chen Zhang. Gongsun Ao also became more famous because of this incident. Wei Zifu became a lady, and Wei Qing was made a marquis.

In the sixth year of Yuanguang, Wei Qing was appointed as the Cavalry General to go to Shanggu to fight against the Xiongnu; Gongsun He became the Light Cavalry General to go to Yunzhong; Gongsun Ao became the Cavalry General to go to Daijun; Li Guang became the Agile Cavalry General to go to Yanmen; each army had an army of ten thousand cavalry. Wei Qing reached Longcheng and cut down hundreds of captured Xiongnu. However, Gongsun Ao lost seven thousand cavalry, Li Guang was captured by the Xiongnu, and although he escaped and returned, he should have been executed according to the law, but he eventually bought his way out of trouble and became a commoner. Gongsun He did not achieve much. Only Wei Qing was made a marquis Within the Pass. After that, the Xiongnu continued to invade the borders; for the full story, check out "The Xiongnu Biographies."

In the spring of 128 BC, Wei Zifu gave birth to a son, who later became the Emperor's wife. In the autumn, Huo Qubing led thirty thousand cavalry out from Yanmen Pass, while Li Xi led troops from Daijun. Huo Qubing killed several thousand enemy soldiers.

In the second year, Huo Qubing led troops from Yunzhong County all the way to the west, reaching Gaoque and finally arriving in Longxi. He captured thousands of enemy soldiers, seized over a million head of livestock, and scared away the White Sheep King and Loufan King. Then, Huo Qubing established Shuofang County in the Henan region. The Emperor rewarded Huo Qubing with 3,800 households as his fiefdom and made him the Marquis of Changping. His Captain Su Jian was made the Marquis of Pingling, and Zhang Cigong was made the Marquis of Antou. The Emperor also ordered the construction of Shuofang City.

The Emperor said, "Those Xiongnu are lawless, they're brutal, they terrorize our people, they live by robbing and cheating, they're always plotting and attacking our borders. That's why I sent my armies to wipe them out. Isn't it written in the Book of Songs? 'The thin vassal of Yan, reaching Taiyuan'; 'The chariots come forth in abundance, the city of Shuofang.' This year, General Qijun Huo Qubing crossed the Western River and reached Gaoque, capturing more than 2,300 enemy soldiers and seizing a mountain of war spoils such as vehicles, supplies, livestock, and more. He advanced west to pacify the Henan region, repaired the old Yuxi Pass, cut off the passage of Zilin and Liangbei River, attacked Boni and Fuli, killed the elite enemy forces, and captured a total of 3,117 surrendering and captured individuals. He brought back a large amount of war spoils, driving a million head of livestock back in triumph. I have also awarded Huo Qubing an additional 3,800 households."

Later, the Xiongnu constantly raided Daijun, Yanmen, Dingxiang, Shangjun, and Shuofang for several years, causing a great loss of life. These constant raids, as detailed in the *Xiongnu Chronicles*, devastated the northern frontier for years.

In the spring of 127 BC, the court ordered General Wei Qing, commander of the Chariot Cavalry, to lead 30,000 cavalry from Gaoque (a region in modern-day China) to attack the Xiongnu. Su Jian, the guerrilla general; Li Ju, the strong crossbow general; Sun He, the cavalry general; and Li Cai, the light chariot general, all followed General Wei Qing's command and set out together from Shuofang (a region in modern-day China). Daxing Li Xi and the Marquis of Antou, Zhang Cigong, each led troops from Youbeiping (a region in modern-day China).

The Xiongnu's Right Worthy King was careless, thinking that the Han army would not come here, so he got roaring drunk. As a result, the Han army launched a night attack and surrounded the Right Worthy King. Terrified, the Right Worthy King, grabbing his favorite concubine, fled north on horseback, hundreds of his men scrambling to keep up, barely escaping the encirclement. The Han cavalry captain Guo Cheng and others pursued for hundreds of miles but could not catch up. They captured over a dozen vassal kings, more than 15,000 male and female captives, and several million head of livestock, before returning to court.

The troops were back at the border, and the emperor sent an envoy with the Grand General's seal to appoint Wei Qing as the Grand General right there in camp. All the generals gave Wei Qing command of their troops and then headed back to the capital to report. The emperor said, "General Wei Qing led the troops to a smashing victory, bagging over a dozen Xiongnu kings. I'm adding another eight thousand seven hundred households to your holdings!" He also made Wei Qing's sons, Wei Kang, Wei Buyi, and Wei Deng, Marquises of Yichun, Yin'an, and Fagan respectively. Wei Qing firmly declined, saying, "I just got lucky to be on the battlefield, and it's all thanks to your blessings, Your Majesty, that the army achieved great victories. It's all thanks to my brave officers! Your Majesty has already rewarded me extra; my sons are still babies, they haven't done anything to deserve this, yet Your Majesty wants to appoint them as three marquises. This isn't right, and it won't encourage the troops. The three of us can't accept this!" The emperor said, "Don't you worry, I'll take care of the others."

So the Emperor decreed, "General Gongsun Ao followed the general on three expeditions, defeating the Xiongnu, and military officer Fu Xiao captured the Xiongnu king, and Gongsun Ao was made Marquis of Heqi. Officer Han Shuo followed the army from Tianhun and fought all the way to the Xiongnu king's camp, engaging in brutal melee, capturing the Xiongnu king, and Han Shuo was made Marquis of Long'e. Cavalry General Gongsun He captured the Xiongnu king, and Gongsun He was made Marquis of Nanyi. Light Chariot General Li Cai captured the Xiongnu king twice, and Li Cai was made Marquis of Le'an. Captains Li Shuo, Zhao Buyu, and Gongsun Rongnu followed the general three times to capture the Xiongnu king, and Li Shuo was made Marquis of Zhizhi, Zhao Buyu was made Marquis of Suicheng, and Gongsun Rongnu was made Marquis of Congping. Generals Li Ju, Li Xi, as well as Captains Dou Ruyi and Wuan all contributed and were granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. Li Ju, Li Xi, and Dou Ruyi each received a fief of three hundred households." That autumn, the Xiongnu invaded Daijun and killed a captain. The following spring, General Wei Qing marched from Dingxiang, with Gongsun Ao as his deputy, He as left general, Zhao Xin leading the vanguard, Su Jian commanding the right flank, Li Guang the rear, and Li Ju in charge of the strong crossbow units, all under Wei Qing's command. They returned victorious after slaughtering thousands of enemy soldiers.

A month later, they launched another attack from Dingxiang, annihilating tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. Su Jian and Zhao Xin led more than three thousand cavalry and encountered the army of the Chanyu alone, fighting fiercely for more than a day, during which almost the entire Han army was wiped out. Zhao Xin was originally a Xiongnu who, after surrendering, was appointed as Marquis Xi (a high-ranking title). Faced with imminent defeat, he was swayed by Xiongnu promises and led the remaining approximately eight hundred cavalry to defect to the Chanyu. Su Jian lost his entire command; only he escaped and returned to report the situation to Wei Qing.

Wei Qing turned to his advisors—Zheng Hong, Chang Shi An, and Zhou Ba—and asked, "What should be done with Su Jian?" Zhou Ba replied, "Since the Grand General went on campaign, he's never executed a subordinate general before. Now that Su Jian has abandoned the army and fled, he should be executed to show the General's authority." Zheng Hong and An countered, "No. The Art of War says, 'Only by holding the line against smaller forces can you crush the larger ones.' Now Su Jian led thousands of troops to confront the Chanyu's tens of thousands, fought fiercely for more than a day, and the soldiers fought without wavering. If he is killed when he returns, it will prevent future rebellions. He should not be killed." Wei Qing said, "I'm fortunate to have the Emperor's trust and serve in the army; I don't need to prove myself. Zhou Ba advises me to kill Su Jian to show authority, which is not in line with my intentions. Moreover, even though my position allows me to execute generals, with my current noble status, I dare not make decisions on my own outside the borders. We should report this to the Emperor; it'll serve as a warning against any future abuses of power, wouldn't you agree?"

All officials praised Wei Qing's actions. So, Su Jian was imprisoned in the military camp. Huo Qubing was made a marquis that year.

Huo Qubing, the son of General Huo Guang's sister. His father, Huo Zhongru, was with Huo Guang's sister and had Huo Qubing. Later, Empress Wei's status rose, and Huo Guang's sister married Chen Zhang, the Imperial Chamberlain. Because Huo Qubing was the Empress's nephew, he became an imperial attendant at the age of 18. He had exceptional archery skills and went on two expeditions with the General.

The General, following the Emperor's orders, selected elite soldiers and appointed Huo Qubing as Captain of the Cavalry. Leading 800 light cavalry troops, he left the main army far behind, achieving great victories and capturing more enemies than expected. The Emperor was pleased, praising him: "Marquis of Champion Huo Qubing has slain 2,028 enemy soldiers, captured their high officials and seized the enemy's Grand Minister and Prime Minister! He also killed the Xiongnu's grandfather and captured their uncle! For this glorious victory, I hereby bestow upon him the title of Marquis of Champion, with a fief of 2,500 households!" Hao Xian, the Shanggu Governor, also fought four battles with the General, capturing 1,300 prisoners and was appointed Marquis of Zhongli. Qigan Meng also contributed and was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei with a fief of 200 households.

That year, two generals were lost, and Xi Hou also died. Huo Guang didn't do much, so the Emperor did not reward him much. Su Jian was not executed but was demoted to commoner status. The Emperor also rewarded Huo Guang with 1,000 gold. At that time, Lady Wang was in the Emperor's favor, and Ning Cheng advised Huo Guang to use the reward to give Lady Wang a birthday gift. Huo Guang gave 500 gold to Lady Wang for her birthday. When the Emperor found out, he asked Huo Guang about it and then appointed Ning Cheng as the Donghai Prefect.

Lieutenant Zhang Qian followed the General on the expedition because he had previously been on a mission to Daxia and had stayed with the Xiongnu for a long time. He was familiar with the army's marching routes and knew where there was plenty of food and water, so the army did not suffer from hunger or thirst. Due to his previous achievements in the Western Regions, he was appointed as the Marquis of Bowang.

When Huo Qubing was three years old, in the spring of the second year of Yuanshou, he was appointed as the Flying Cavalry General and led a ten-thousand-strong cavalry force from Longxi, winning battles. The Emperor's voice rang with pride as he recounted, "The Flying Cavalry General led the army across Wuli, attacked Xiupu, crossed the Hunu River, and traveled through five kingdoms. Along the way, he left behind anyone who was afraid of being slowed down by the baggage and numbers, almost capturing the son of the Chanyu. After six days of continuous fighting, they crossed over a thousand li of Yanzhi Mountain, engaged in close combat with the enemy at the foot of Gaolan Mountain, killed the King of Zhe Lan, and beheaded the Marquis of Lu. Those fierce enemies were defeated, and the fully armed soldiers returned in triumph, capturing the attendants of the Prince of Hunxie, as well as the Prime Minister and Commanders, totaling eight thousand nine hundred and sixty enemy casualties, and seizing the gold objects used by King Xiutu to worship the heavenly gods. The army suffered a loss of one-seventh, and I further reward Huo Qubing with two thousand two hundred households."

The Emperor clearly described Huo Qubing's military achievements, from the expedition to the triumphant return, from geographical locations to the number of accomplishments, all explained with clarity. Just think, a three-year-old child leading troops into battle a few years later and still fighting so brilliantly—this is simply a child prodigy! Furthermore, the Emperor emphasized Huo Qubing's discipline, showing his decisiveness! Finally, the Emperor heavily rewarded him, which was a true testament to his accomplishments! "The Flying Cavalry General led the soldiers across Wuli, attacked Xiupu, crossed the Hunu, and traveled through five kingdoms..." Every phrase exudes the grandeur of a legendary victory.

This description is simply a brilliant battle report! From "fought for six days, passing through Yanzhi Mountain for over a thousand miles," we can see the intensity of the battle and the long duration; "fought a brutal close-quarters battle at Gaolan" demonstrates the cruelty and fierceness of the fight; "killed the Lan king, beheaded the Lu marquis, the fiercest warriors were killed, seized their remaining armor and weapons, captured the prince of the Hunxie, the prime minister, and the commandant, taking eight thousand nine hundred and sixty prisoners" directly points out the glorious achievements. And "seized the sacred golden statue of Xiu Tujitian" adds a touch of mystery, suggesting that this golden statue is extraordinary! Finally, the emperor specially mentioned the reduction of troops, "one-tenth of the army was lost," showing Huo Qubing's skill not just in battle, but also in protecting his men, which is true talent! "Huo Qubing got a massive reward of 2,200 households added to his fief," this reward is well deserved!

Word is that in that summer, Wei Qing's general Huo Qubing and the Marquis of Heqi, Gongsun Ao, set out from the Northern Territory, but did not take the same route. At the same time, the Marquis of Bowang, Zhang Qian, and the Prefect of Langzhong, Li Guang, also set out from Youbeiping, but they did not take the same route either. Li Guang, with four thousand cavalry, arrived first, while Zhang Qian, with ten thousand cavalry, arrived later. As a result, a massive cavalry force from the Xiongnu, led by the Left Wise King, surrounded Li Guang. Li Guang fought with them for two full days, losing more than half of his men, and killing many Xiongnu soldiers. After Zhang Qian arrived, the Xiongnu finally retreated. Due to Zhang Qian's slow action, he faced execution but bought his way out of it, becoming a commoner.

Huò Qùbìng, after leaving from the northern region, marched deep into enemy territory. Marquis Gongsun Ao, commander of the joint cavalry, became separated from Huò Qùbìng. Huò Qùbìng marched all the way to the Qilian Mountains, capturing many prisoners. The Emperor beamed, "General Huò Qùbìng went deep into enemy territory, reached Juyan, and then pressed on to the territory of the Xiongnu. He attacked the Qilian Mountains and achieved a great victory, capturing Chanyu Danhuan and Chief Tuwang, along with 2,500 Xiongnu officials who surrendered. What restraint! In this battle, a total of 32,000 enemy soldiers were captured, including five royal members, the queen mother, Chanyu Ěrshì, 59 princes, and 63 high-ranking officials. Although the army suffered a loss of one-third, I still rewarded Huò Qùbìng with an additional 5,400 households. The officers who accompanied Huò Qùbìng to Xiongnu territory were all appointed as Left Ministers. Eagle Strike Sima Pónú followed General Huò Qùbìng twice, killing King Xiūpú, capturing King Jīqiě, the queen mother, and 41 others, for a total of 3,330 captives. He was appointed as Marquis Congpiao. Captain Gāo Bùshí followed General Huò Qùbìng and captured King Hūyúqí and 11 others, totaling 1,768 captives. He was appointed as Marquis Yìguān. Captain Pú Duō also made great contributions and was appointed as Marquis Huìqú. As for Marquis Gongsun Ao, his slow pace cost him dearly; he should have been executed, but bought his way out of it, ending up a commoner.

No other veteran general could match Huo Qubing's troops, horses, or fighting prowess. The troops led by Huo Qubing are all elite, and he dares to venture deep into enemy territory, always leading the elite cavalry ahead of the army, and he was incredibly lucky, never facing true defeat. But those old generals constantly fell behind Huo Qubing. Because of this, Huo Qubing is increasingly trusted by the emperor, and his status can almost be compared to that of the great general Wei Qing at that time.

Later, because the Xiongnu Chanyu kept hanging around in the west, he was attacked several times by the Han Dynasty, losing tens of thousands of elite cavalry. Therefore, the Chanyu wanted to kill Hunxie. The king of Hunxie discussed surrendering to the Han Dynasty with King Xiutu and first sent someone to scout the route.

At this time, the Han Dynasty's ambassador Li Xi was stationed by the river and happened to receive the messenger from Hunxie. He immediately sent a rider to the capital. The Emperor feared a trap – Hunxie feigning surrender to launch a surprise attack – so he ordered Wei Qing's brother Huo Qubing to lead the troops to meet them.

After crossing the river, Huo Qubing and Hunxie's army faced off from across the river. When Hunxie's generals saw the Han army, many of Hunxie's officers tried to escape. Huo Qubing immediately charged in, met with Hunxie, and killed more than 8,000 of those who wanted to escape. Huo Qubing sent Hunxie ahead to meet the Emperor, then led the rest of the army across the Yellow River. Tens of thousands surrendered – they claimed it was a hundred thousand!

Back in Chang'an, the Emperor showered them with gifts worth millions! He made Hunxie the Marquis of Luoyin, Hudu Ni the Marquis of Xia Mo, Yan Yi the Marquis of Hui Qu, Qin Li the Marquis of He Qi, and Da Dang Hu Tiao the Marquis of Chang Le.

The Emperor was thrilled and gave Huo Qubing a load of praise, saying, "General Huo Qubing led the army to conquer the Xiongnu, the King of the Western Regions, and all his subordinates surrendered. We provided them with military supplies, and they brought over ten thousand soldiers. We hardly lost any men, captured more than eight thousand people, and subdued over thirty foreign kings. A hundred thousand strong army surrendered. This victory secured the Yellow River border, meaning no more wars, hopefully. Therefore, I will grant General Huo Qubing 1,700 households' worth of land. To ease the burden on the people, I have ordered to reduce the number of soldiers stationed in Longxi, Beidi, and Shangjun by half." He settled the surrendered Xiongnu in old border forts south of the Yellow River, across five counties. They could keep their customs and set up a few vassal states.

The next year, the Xiongnu attacked Youbeiping and Dingxiang again, killing over a thousand Han.

In the second year, the emperor discussed with the generals, saying, "Zhao Xin, the Marquis of Xi, keeps advising the Xiongnu that our army is too weak to go deep into their territory and will pull back soon. Now that we have deployed such a large army, we will definitely achieve our goal." This was the fourth year of the Yuanshu era. In the spring, the emperor ordered General Wei Qing and General of Chariots and Cavalry Huo Qubing to each lead fifty thousand cavalry, followed by hundreds of thousands of infantry and support troops. The elite assault troops daring to charge into enemy territory were all under Huo Qubing's command. Huo Qubing initially set out from Dingxiang with the goal of reaching the Chanyu (the Xiongnu leader). Captured prisoners reported the Chanyu was to the east. Therefore, the emperor ordered Huo Qubing to march from Daijun and Wei Qing to march from Dingxiang. Li Guang was the front general, Gongsun He the left, Zhao Shiqi the right, and Cao Xiang the rear, all under Wei Qing's command.

Zhao Xin's idea to the Chanyu was, "If the Han army truly penetrates deep into Xiongnu territory and the men and horses are exhausted, we can reap the rewards." So the Chanyu moved all the supplies deep into the north and used elite troops to defend the border. As a result, Wei Qing's army advanced over a thousand li beyond the border and saw the Chanyu's army ready to face them. Wei Qing then ordered the use of Wugang chariots (heavily armored siege vehicles) to create a fortified camp and sent five thousand cavalry to meet the Xiongnu army, which also sent out ten thousand cavalry. Just as the sun was setting, a strong wind blew and sand hit their faces, making it difficult for both armies to see each other clearly. The Han army boldly flanked the Chanyu from both sides. Seeing the vastly superior numbers and high spirits of the Han army, the Chanyu realized he would lose if they fought, so he fled in a six-mule cart with a few hundred elite cavalry, breaking through the Han army's encirclement and escaping northwest. Darkness descended, and the Han and Xiongnu armies clashed in a bloody melee, suffering heavy casualties. A captured Xiongnu prisoner revealed that the Chanyu had fled before dark. The Han army then sent light cavalry to pursue, with Wei Qing following closely behind. The Xiongnu army broke and scattered, fleeing in all directions.

Next morning, after a 200-mile chase, they did not catch up with the Chanyu but killed over 10,000 Xiongnu, reaching Zhaoxin City in the Yanshan Mountains, where they seized the Xiongnu's stored food and military supplies. They stayed a day, then burned the city and remaining supplies before heading back. Front General Li Guang and Right General Zhao Shiqi, taking a separate eastern route, got lost. Wei Qing's army ran into them near Muna on their return. Wei Qing planned to send a report and have the Chief Historian reprimand Li Guang, who then killed himself. Zhao Shiqi was dismissed. After Wei Qing's army returned to the border, a total of 19,000 Xiongnu were killed.

The Xiongnu were without a Chanyu for over ten days, during which the Right Gu Li King declared himself Chanyu. Once the Chanyu rejoined his forces, the Right Gu Li King relinquished his claim.

Huo Qubing's cavalry force was roughly the same size as Wei Qing's, though they lost some subordinate commanders. Huo Qubing promoted Li Gan and others to major, then led his army over 2,000 miles into Daijun and Right Beiping, striking the enemy's left flank. Huo Qubing's casualties inflicted on the enemy exceeded Wei Qing's.

After everyone got back home victorious, the emperor said, "General Huo Qubing led the army, personally commanded the battle, traveled light, deep into enemy territory, captured Chanyu Zhang Qu, defeated Beicheqi, then defeated the left general Shuang, seized the enemy's banners, conquered Nanhou and Jigonglu along the way, captured Wang Tun, King Han, and another, as well as 83 commanders, officials, and officers. He made offerings to Heaven and Earth on Wolf Juxu Mountain, held ceremonies on Guyan Mountain, reached the vast sea, and killed 74,443 enemy soldiers. The army lost less than two-tenths of its troops, lived off the land in enemy territory, and never ran short of supplies. Therefore, I will grant Huo Qubing an additional 5,800 households." Right Beiping Prefect Lu Bode assisted General Huo Qubing, met in Xingcheng without delay, and followed Huo Qubing to Mount Taoyu, where they killed and captured 2,800 enemies. Therefore, Lu Bode was titled the Marquis of Pili. Beidi Captain Wei Shan followed General Huo Qubing and also made military achievements, and was titled the Marquis of Yiyang. The former Marquis of Guiyi, Prince Chun, as well as Lu You, King Lou, and Wang Yi Jiandu who followed Huo Qubing, also made military achievements, so the former Marquis of Lu Zhi was titled the Marquis of Du, and Yi Jiandu was titled the Marquis of Zhongli. Pono and Changwu Marquis Anji, who defeated the Xiongnu with Huo Qubing, were also awarded an additional 300 households of land each. Yuyang Prefect Xie He and Captain Ganda captured enemy banners and were granted the title of the Marquis of Guannei, with Xie receiving 300 households and Ganda receiving 200 households. The captains were also each titled Left Shuchang. In this war, both officers and soldiers received many rewards and promotions. However, Wei Qing did not receive additional rewards, and his soldiers did not receive recognition. Only the prefects of Xihexian and Yunzhong, [Name of Xihexian prefect] and Suicheng, were rewarded; Suicheng became a marquis, receiving 200 households and 100 pounds of gold, while [Name of Xihexian prefect] was made an Inner Pass Marquis.

On campaign, there were a total of 140,000 horses brought along, including official and private horses. However, when they returned, fewer than 30,000 horses remained. So the emperor created the position of Grand Marshal, to whom both the Grand General and the Cavalry General were subordinate. The Cavalry General was given the same pay and perks as the Grand General. From then on, Wei Qing's influence waned, while Huo Qubing became more favored. Many of Wei Qing's former followers left him to join Huo Qubing and quickly received official titles, except for Ren An.

Huo Qubing wasn't one for chatter, not easily revealing his thoughts, but once he had a goal, he dared to take risks. When the Emperor wanted to teach him the military strategies of Wu Qi and Sun Tzu, he replied, "I'm only interested in strategy and tactics; there's no need to learn ancient military tactics." The Emperor had a mansion built for him and showed it to him, to which he replied, "Without defeating the Xiongnu, there is no home to return to!" This made the Emperor like him even more. However, when Huo Qubing was young, he served as an attendant, and even though he later held high positions, he did not promote scholars much. During campaigns, the Emperor sent dozens of carts of supplies with the Imperial Household Department, but when he returned, the carts were filled with discarded meat, while his soldiers were still hungry. When they were on the frontier, the soldiers lacked food, some could not survive, but Huo Qubing was still playing cuju! This pattern repeated itself many times. Wei Qing was kind and promoted humble scholars, using a gentle attitude to please the Emperor, but his contributions to the country were negligible.

After fighting for four years, Huo Qubing passed away three years later in the sixth year of the Yuanshu era. The emperor grieved deeply and ordered the Elite Imperial Guards from all vassal states to assemble and escort his funeral procession from Chang'an to Maoling, with full military honors and building his tomb as grand as the Qilian Mountains. He was posthumously honored as "Marquis Jinghuan" and granted the titles of "Marquis of Bingwu" and "Marquis of Guangdi." His son Huo Shan, whose courtesy name was Zihou, was highly favored by the emperor for his robust physique and was appointed to lead troops. He became the Imperial Attendant and died while accompanying the emperor to the Fengshan ceremony (a ritual sacrifice) at Mount Tai, leaving no heir, which resulted in the revocation of his fiefdom.

After Huo Qubing's death, Wei Kang, the eldest son of Wei Qing, lost his title due to breaking the law. Five years later, Wei Kang's two younger brothers, Marquis Yin'an Wei Nuyi and Marquis Fagan Wei Deng, also lost their titles due to the 酎金案 (zhòujīn'àn) incident. Two years later, the Guanjun Marquisate was abolished. Four years later, in the fifth year of Yuanfeng, Wei Qing passed away and was posthumously honored as "Marquis Lie." His son Wei Kang inherited the title but was dismissed from office six years later for breaking the law.

Wei Qing passed away fourteen years after his last campaign against the Xiongnu, and thereafter the Han Dynasty never launched large-scale attacks against the Xiongnu. This was due to the shortage of warhorses in the Han Dynasty, as well as ongoing military campaigns in the south against the two Yue states, in the east against Korea, and simultaneous battles against the Qiang and southwestern tribes, which led to a long period without attacking the Xiongnu.

Initially, Wei Qing was highly favored, but Marquis Pingyang Cao Shou fell seriously ill and returned to his fiefdom. The Princess Chang asked those around her, "Which marquis is the most outstanding among them?" Everyone replied that General Wei Qing was the most outstanding. The Princess Chang smiled and said, "He's family, and he's always been loyal to me. How could I...?" The people around her said, "He is now incredibly influential!" So Princess Chang informed the Empress, who then told the emperor, leading to the decree for Wei Qing to marry Princess Pingyang. Wei Qing and the princess were buried together in a tomb as grand as Mount Lu.

Wei Qing went on a total of seven expeditions against the Xiongnu, slaughtering and capturing over fifty thousand enemies. In one battle with the Xiongnu, he recovered the territory of Henan and established Shuofang County. The Emperor then rewarded him with a fief of 16,300 households; he also enfeoffed three of his sons as marquises, each with 1,300 households, totaling 22,000 households. Among his subordinates, nine were ennobled as marquises, and fifteen were enfeoffed as special generals. Notable among his subordinates were Li Guang, Zhang Qian, Gongsun He, Li Cai, Cao Xiang, Han Shuo, and Su Jian, all of whom have their own records.

Li Xi, a man from Yuzhi, served the emperor during the reign of Emperor Jing. In the eighth year of Emperor Wu's reign, he was appointed Cavalry General stationed in Mayi; six years later, he took up the post of general and went on an expedition to Dai territory; three years later, he followed the Grand General Wei Qing on an expedition to Shuofang; during these three campaigns, he achieved no distinction. After serving as a general three times, he later held the position of Daxing Ling (Grand Minister of Works).

Gongsun Ao, a Yiqu man, served the emperor as a junior official during the reign of Emperor Jing. Twelve years into Emperor Wu's reign, he became a general of the cavalry and led an expedition to Dai territory, where he lost a bunch of men. He got the death penalty but bought his way out and became a commoner. Five years later, he became a captain and was appointed Marquis of Heqi. A year later, he went on another expedition as a lieutenant general but didn't accomplish much. Two years later, he led troops to the northern region and later became a cavalry general, again paying off his sentence after he was late. Two years later, he followed the general as a captain, still not distinguishing himself. Fourteen years later, he was appointed as a general in charge of building the city of Shouxiang. Seven years later, he led another expedition against the Xiongnu, lost tons of soldiers, and was sentenced to death for desertion. He played dead and went into hiding for five to six years before being discovered and imprisoned. His family was wiped out due to his wife's involvement in witchcraft (a major political purge involving accusations of witchcraft). He held the title of general four times.

Li Ju, from Yunzhong, served the emperor during Emperor Jing's reign. Seventeen years into Emperor Wu's reign, he was appointed as a general of strong crossbows. A year later, he held the same position again.

Zhang Cigong, from Hedong, served as a lieutenant general under a general and was appointed as Marquis of Antou. After the empress dowager's death, he became a general stationed in the northern army. He led an expedition a year later and held the title of general twice before being stripped of his title for breaking the law.

Zhao Xin surrendered to the Xiongnu and became a prime minister, later becoming a marquis in the Han dynasty. He was only eighteen when Emperor Wu of Han ascended the throne and was appointed as a general, but he lost to the Xiongnu and surrendered again. What a flip-flopper!

Zhao Shiqi, from Yu County, followed the Grand General as a low-ranking officer during the 18th year of Emperor Wu of Han's reign and achieved great success by slaying 660 enemy soldiers. In the third year of Yuanshou, the Emperor rewarded him with the title of Marquis within the Passes and gave him 100 pounds of gold. The following year, he was promoted to Right General but became hopelessly lost while following the Grand General to Dingxiang! He was almost beheaded but managed to bribe his way out of trouble, becoming a commoner. Talk about bad luck!

Guo Chang, from Yunzhong, fought alongside the Grand General as a Colonel. In the fourth year of Yuanfeng, he was appointed as the General who subdued the Xiongnu, with the title of high-ranking official, stationed in Shuofang. Later, when he went to fight in Kunming, he achieved no military merits and lost the battle, lost his job, and that was that. What a disaster!

Xun Zhi, from Guangwu in Taiyuan, rose to the position of Attendant due to his capable work and often served as Colonel alongside the Grand General. In the third year of Yuanfeng, he was sent to fight in Korea, but achieved no merit and was ultimately executed for making mistakes. Talk about a meteoric rise and fall!

The most impressive was the nephew of the Flying Cavalry General Wei Qing, Huo Qubing! He went on six expeditions against the Xiongnu, four of which were as a general, and killed over 110,000 enemy soldiers in total. The Hunxie King surrendered to the Han Dynasty with tens of thousands of troops, opening up the Hexi Corridor in the Jiuquan area and reducing invasions from the western Xiongnu. Huo Qubing was showered with rewards, with a total of 17,700 households awarded to him. Six Colonels and officials who fought alongside him were granted marquis titles, and two were promoted to generals. He was truly a total war hero!

Lu Bod, from Xihe, followed General Huo Qubing into battle when he was the Governor of Northern Pingbei and was made the Marquis of Pili. After Huo Qubing's death, Lu Bod became the Palace Guard Commander and then the General of Fubo, defeating the Southern Yue and gaining further honors. Later, due to committing crimes, he lost his title. Ultimately, he became the Commander of the Heavy Crossbow Corps, stationed in Juyan, where he died. A remarkable life, full of twists and turns!

Zhao Pono, from Taiyuan, once fled to the Xiongnu but later returned to the Han Dynasty, becoming a subordinate of the Flying Cavalry General. He was sent on a campaign to the northern regions and made the Marquis of Congpiao, but lost his title due to the Zhujin case (a case involving the underweighting of gold offerings). A year later, he was appointed as the Commander of the Xionghe forces to attack the Xiongnu, but achieved little by the Xionghe River. The following year, he fought the King of Loulan and was later made the Marquis of Zhuoye. Six years later, he became the General of Junji and led twenty thousand cavalry to attack the Xiongnu Left King. However, the Left King surrounded Zhao Pono with eighty thousand cavalry, capturing him and annihilating his entire army. He spent ten years with the Xiongnu and eventually escaped back to the Han Dynasty with the Xiongnu Crown Prince Anguo. In the end, due to the witchcraft incident, his entire family was exterminated. A life marked by both triumph and tragedy.

After the rise of the Wei Qing family, Grand General Wei Qing was made a marquis, and later five of his relatives were also granted marquisates. However, after just twenty-four years, the titles of these five marquises were all revoked. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, when Crown Prince Liu Ju's rebellion failed, the Wei family was also exterminated. As for Huo Guang, Huo Qubing's brother, he had a remarkable career that is recorded elsewhere.

Let's take another look at the evaluation of Wei Qing: Su Jian once advised him, saying, "General, you hold a high position of power, but there are few talented men under your command. You should learn from how great generals of the past picked their people." Wei Qing replied, "Starting from Dou Ying, the Marquis of Weiqi, and Tian Fan, the Marquis of Wu'an, emperors always resented those who favored their cronies. Only the emperor gets to pick and choose his people, reward the good, and punish the bad. We're just officials; we follow the rules and do our jobs. Recruiting talent? That's the emperor's job!" Huo Qubing felt the same way – that's just how they operated as generals.