Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 5 Scroll 13 (continued)
The 1st year of the Emperor Wen’s Early Era(179 B.C. continued)
The Emperor had been getting up to speed on state governance. One day, he asked the Right Chancellor, Zhou Bo, how many cases were resolved in a year and how much tax and grain were collected. Zhou Bo did not know the answers and felt embarrassed, sweating through his clothes on his back.
When the Emperor asked the Left Chancellor, Chen Ping, who replied that there were officials responsible for these matters.
The Emperor then asked, “Who is in charge of these matters?”
Chen Ping responded, “Your Majesty, when you inquire about criminal cases, the Minister of Justice is responsible; when you ask about money and grain, the Secretary of the Interior for Grain is in charge.”
The Emperor then asked, “If everyone has their own responsibilities, what is it that you are responsible for?”
Chen Ping apologized, “Your Majesty, you are unaware of my incompetence, yet I have been made Chancellor. The Chancellors assist the Emperor as his highest advisors, balancing yin and yang, following the four seasons, and ensuring the needs of all living things are met. We manage foreign relations, pacify the various vassal states, care for and support the people, and ensure that ministers and officials carry out their duties.”
The Emperor praised Chen Ping‘s answer.
The Right Chancellor, feeling ashamed, reproached Chen Ping after leaving, saying, “Why didn’t you teach me how to respond in that situation?”
Chen Ping laughed and replied, “Did you not understand your role when you accepted the position? Besides, if the Emperor asked about the number of thieves and bandits in Chang’an, would you really try to guess an answer?”
From then on, the Marquis of Jiang realized that his administrative abilities were far below Chen Ping‘s.
Not long after, someone warned Zhou Bo: “Since you executed the Lü clan and enthroned the Prince of Dai, you have wielded immense power and shaken the world. But you have been highly rewarded and held your position for a long time—disaster may soon befall you.” Worried, Zhou Bo pretended to be ill and requested to resign from his position as Right Chancellor, which the Emperor accepted. On August 20, Chen Ping became the sole Chancellor after Zhou Bo‘s resignation.
As previously stated, the Marquis of Longlü, Zhou Zao, launched an attack on the Nanyue kingdom, but his forces encountered hot and humid weather, leading to a severe epidemic among the soldiers, who were unable to clear the hills. After a year, following the death of Empress Gao, the troops were withdrawn. Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Tuo used his military power and wealth to bribe the Minyue, Âu Việt, and Luoyue kingdoms into submission. He controlled a vast territory spanning thousands of miles from east to west and adopted a yellow canopy and a flag on the left to claim equal status with the Han dynasty.
In response, the Emperor established a garrison town to honor Zhao Tuo’s ancestors and provided annual sacrifices. He also summoned Zhao Tuo‘s brothers, granting them high positions and generous rewards. The Emperor sent Lu Jia as an envoy to the Nanyue kingdom and wrote to Zhao Tuo:
“We are the son of Emperor Gaozu‘s concubine, abandoned and raised in the state of Dai, a remote place far from the capital. The road is long and winding, and I was isolated and ignorant. I had no opportunity to send your Majesty a letter before. After Emperor Gaozu passed away, Emperor Hui ascended the throne. When Empress Dowager Lü fell ill, the Lü clan rebelled. Thanks to the efforts of loyal ministers, we quelled the rebellion and exterminated them. However, by the insistence of princes, marquises, and officials, I had no choice but to be installed as emperor.
Now that We are on the throne, We received Your Majesty’s letter, sent to the Marquis of Longlü, General Zhou of the Han army, asking me to recall the two generals from Changsha and to seek your brothers. In accordance with your letter, We have recalled a general, Marquis of Boyang, and We have already sent someone to inquire about your relatives in Zhending and to repair your ancestors’ tombs.”
We have heard that you have launched attacks on our borders, causing great harm. The people of Changsha have suffered, and the people of Nanjun have endured the worst of it. Even for your own kingdom, are wars truly a gain? You will have to sacrifice many soldiers and harm excellent generals and officials. Wives will become widows, sons will become orphans, and parents will be left without care. Gaining one benefit that loses ten—We cannot bear to see this happen.
We wish to straighten out our borders, so they no longer zigzag like a dog’s bite. We asked mine officials why the border was drawn this way, and We were told it was to isolate the kingdom of Changsha. We cannot act rashly in altering the border. Even if We gained your territory, it would not significantly enhance mine empire, and even if We acquired your wealth, it would not make me rich. You may govern your lands south of the Wuling Mountains.
Now, Your Majesty calls himself an emperor. If we both use the title of emperor without establishing a diplomatic relationship, it will inevitably lead to conflict, which is not appropriate for benevolent rulers. We hope we can put the past behind us, and from now on, we can resume normal diplomatic relations.”
Lu Jia, the envoy from the Han dynasty, arrived in the kingdom of Nanyue, throwing the king into a panic. The king immediately apologized and expressed his willingness to obey the emperor’s orders, pledging loyalty and tribute to the Han dynasty. He issued an order to his subjects, “I have heard that two heroes cannot coexist, and two worthy men cannot live in the same era. The Han emperor is a wise ruler. From now on, we will abolish our imperial titles, the Yellow Canopy, and the Left Banner.”
He then wrote a letter, stating: “Great and noble Emperor, your old servant Zhao Tuo respectfully kowtows and presents this letter to Your Majesty. I was once a Han official stationed in the kingdom of Yue, and the late Emperor Gaozu bestowed upon me the seal of kingship over Nanyue. When Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he too treated me kindly, generously bestowing gifts.
However, during the reign of Empress Dowager Lü, policies were issued that discriminated against the Yue people, prohibiting trade in gold, iron, farmland, horses, cattle, and sheep. Even when trade was allowed, only male animals were permitted, not females. My horses, cattle, and sheep have since grown old, and I believed this misfortune was due to my neglect of the gods, for which I deserved punishment. I sent three delegations, led by Chief of Staff Fan, Capital Police Chief Gao, and Censor Ping, to Chang’an to apologize, but none returned. Rumors reached me that my parents’ tombs had been desecrated and my relatives executed. My officials and I then discussed the situation and decided that if we could not receive respect from the Han empire, we might as well elevate our own status. Thus, we declared ourselves an empire, though we never intended to harm the world. When Empress Dowager Lü learned of this, she grew angry and removed Nanyue from the registry, cutting off communication. I suspect the King of Changsha spread malicious lies about me, forcing me to raise an army for defense.
I have lived in Nanyue for forty-nine years and now hold my grandchildren in my arms. Yet, I have constantly worried about the welfare of the Han dynasty, day and night. I cannot sleep or eat properly, nor enjoy music or the beauty of life. Now, Your Majesty has shown mercy, restoring my former title and allowing communication with Han. Even if I were to die today, my bones would rest in peace. I will no longer dare to proclaim myself an emperor.”
Prince Ai of Qi, Liu Xiang, passed away.
The Emperor, having heard that Wu Gong, the grand administrator of Henan Commandery, was the most capable administrator in the empire, summoned him to serve as Minister of Justice. Wu Gong recommended Jia Yi, a man from Luoyang, and the Emperor summoned Jia Yi to serve as an Erudite. At the time, Jia Yi was just over twenty years old. The Emperor, impressed by his literary talent and vast knowledge, promoted him to the position of Grandee of the Household within a year. Jia Yi proposed reforms to the calendar, official gown colors, titles, and ceremonies to establish distinct Han dynasty customs, replacing the Qin rituals. However, the Emperor, being modest and frugal, did not prioritize these suggestions.
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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