Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 12 Scroll 20 (continued)
The 4th year of Emperor Wu’s Yuan’ding Era (113 B.C.)
In October of winter, the Emperor conducted a tour to Yong, performing sacrifices at the Five Deity Altars. A decree stated: “Currently, We personally attend the altars to worship the Heavenly God, yet the Earth has no shrine; this renders the ritual incomplete. Let the relevant officials consider and make arrangements.” A shrine for the Earth was established at a circular mound in the midst of a marsh. The Emperor then traveled from Xiayang to the east, visited Fenyin.
At this time, the Emperor commenced touring commanderies and principalities. The Prefect of Hedong, unprepared for the Emperor’s arrival, could not provide for the Emperor’s cavalcade, took his own life.
On November 8, a shrine dedicated to Mother Earth was erected atop a man-made hill (shui) in Fenyin. The Emperor personally offered his respects, following the rites observed for the Heavenly God. After completing the ceremony, he traveled to Xingyang before returning to Luoyang. Additionally, Princess Ji Jia, a descendant of the Zhou dynasty, was granted the title of Lady Zinan of Zhou.
In February of spring, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, passed away.
The Marquis of Lecheng, Ding Yi, recommended the occultist Luan Da, who claimed to have studied under the same tutor as General Wencheng (Shaowong). The Emperor, still regretful over executing General Wencheng, was pleased to discover Luan Da. Luan Da had previously served Prince Kang of Jiaodong, and was tall and handsome, renowned for his eloquence and strategic acumen. Speaking boldly, he expressed his beliefs without hesitation.
Luan Da said, “I often travel across the seas and encounter immortals such as Anqi Sheng and Xianmen Gao, who regard me as a lowly man and question my credibility. They see Prince Kang merely as a regional lord, unworthy of receiving the elixir’s prescription. My mentors say, ‘Gold can be created, the Yellow River can be dammed, the elixir of life can be obtained, and immortals can be summoned.’ But I fear emulating General Wencheng. If the same fate that befell General Wencheng happens to me, all occultists will cover their mouths and dare not speak of their arts!”
The Emperor replied, “General Wencheng died from eating horse liver. If you can truly perfect your craft, why should I be stingy?”
Luan Da said, “My mentor does not seek others; rather, others seek him. If Your Majesty truly desires his presence, honor his messenger, treat him as kin, and show hospitality. Only then can he convey your wish to the divine beings.”
Thus, the Emperor tested a minor magic by Luan Da, called the Chess Piece Fight: Xiangqi(Chinese chess) pieces on a chess board clashed by themselves. At that time, the Emperor was anxious about the Yellow River flooding and issues related to gold smelting and alchemy. Consequently, he appointed Luan Da as the General of Five Boons, also bestowing titles such as General of Heavenly Practitioners, General of Earth Practitioners, and General of Great Communicator.
In April of the summer, Luan Da was made the Marquis of Letong and granted a fief of 2,000 households, a mansion, 1,000 servants, unused imperial carriages and horses, drapery, and vessels to decorate his residence. Additionally, he married Royal Princess Wei (the eldest sister of Crown Prince Wei), received 100,000 catties of gold, and the Emperor personally visited his residence, sending messengers to ensure his needs were met. From the Grand Princess Dou (Liu Piao, also known as Princess Guantao) down to generals and ministers, all held banquets and offered gifts at his home.
The Emperor even had a jade seal engraved with the title “General of the Heavenly Way” and sent messengers dressed in feathered attire, standing atop cogon grass. Luan Da, too, dressed in feathers, stood on the same grass, receiving the seal to demonstrate his equal status with the Emperor. Within several months, Luan Da was seen wearing six seals (five of generals and one of the marquis), and his prestige shook the entire realm. Henceforth, throughout the regions of Yan and Qi by the sea, everyone wrung their wrists in excitement and spoke of occult arts and the ability to summon immortals.
In June, a shaman named Jin from Fenyin discovered a large cauldron in the graveyard near the newly built shrine for Mother Earth. The Prefect of Hedong reported this to the Emperor. The Emperor sent investigators to inquire about it. The shaman Jin proved the cauldron’s authenticity, dispelling any doubts. As a result, it was ceremonially offered and brought to Ganquan Palace. The Emperor paraded it in a procession and presented it at ancestral temples and to the Highest Deity. It was then stored in the Ganquan Palace, and all court officials offered congratulations and extended their wishes for the Emperor’s longevity.
In the autumn, the son of Prince Xian of Changshan, Liu Shang, was established as the Prince of Sishui.
When the Marquis of Tiao, Zhou Yafu, held the position of Chancellor, Zhao Yu served as the Chief Staff of the Chancellor. He was known for his honesty and fairness. However, Zhou Yafu did not promote Zhao Yu, stating, “Although I know Zhao Yu bears no ill will, his rigid enforcement of the law makes it unsuitable for him to hold higher office.” Later, when Zhao Yu became the Privy Treasurer, his governance was austere compared to the other nine ministers. As he grew older, the style of the other ministers became more draconian, but Zhao Yu’s reputation shifted to one of leniency and fairness.
Yin Qi, known for his notorious audacity in executing and cutting down large figures, was appointed Commandant of the Capital Guards. However, during his tenure, both officials and common people suffered greatly, and he eventually left the service. In that year, Yin Qi was found guilty of incompetence. Subsequently, Wang Wenshu was reinstated as the Commandant of the Capital Guards, while Zhao Yu was appointed as the Minister of Justice. Four years later, due to his old age, Zhao Yu was demoted to the position of the Prime Minister of Yan.
During that time, governance was characterized by harshness and severity, yet the Left Interior Minister, Ni Kuan, stood out. He promoted agriculture, advocated for leniency in punishments, resolved legal disputes, and prioritized winning the people’s hearts. He selected kind and honest individuals, empathized with the people’s plight, and was not concerned with personal reputation. Consequently, both officials and the people greatly trusted and loved him.
In terms of tax collection, he was flexible, often adjusting the tax rates, and sometimes even lending to or deferring payments from people. This resulted in a significant portion of taxes remaining unpaid. Later, when there was a call for military mobilization, the Left Interior Minister faced dismissal for failing to collect overdue taxes. Knowing that Ni Kuan might be deposed, the people feared losing such a good magistrate and hastened to pay their dues. Wealthy households delivered grain with cattle carts, while poorer ones contributed goods with shoulder poles—an unceasing flow of payments to the treasury. As a result, the tax amount even exceeded expectations. The Emperor was increasingly impressed by Ni Kuan.
In the beginning, King Wen of Nanyue (Zhao Hu) sent his son, Zhao Yingqi, to serve the imperial court as a guard. During his stay in Chang’an, he married a lady from the Jiu clan of Handan, and they had a son named Zhao Xing. When King Wen of Nanyue passed away, Zhao Yingqi ascended the throne and secretly retained the imperial seal of the former Emperor Wu of Nanyue (Zhao Tuo). He then submitted a petition, requesting that the lady from the Jiu clan be established as the queen and that Zhao Xing be named his heir. The Han court repeatedly sent envoys urging Zhao Yingqi to come to the court.
However, Zhao Yingqi was known for his arbitrary killings and reckless behavior. Fearing the appearance before the imperial court and the need to adhere to the Han laws like other feudal lords, he feigned illness to avoid attending. After Zhao Yingqi‘s death, he was posthumously honored as the King Ming of Nanyue. Zhao Xing succeeded him, and Zhao Xing’s mother became the Queen Dowager of Nanyue.
Before becoming Zhao Yingqi‘s consort, the Queen Dowager Jiu had a romantic relationship with a man named Anguo Shaoji from Baling. In that year, the Emperor dispatched Anguo Shaoji to persuade the Nanyue king and the Queen Dowager to come to the court and be treated like other feudal lords. Lobbyists, including Grand Master of Remonstration Zhong Jun and other advisers, were tasked with presenting their arguments, while warriors like Wei Chen were sent as emergency support. The Commandant of Guard, Lu Bode, stationed troops at Guiyang to await the envoy.
As the King of Nanyue was young and the Queen Dowager was from the Middle Kingdom, Anguo Shaoji rekindled their previous affair during his visit. Many people in the kingdom became aware of their liaison, leading to a lack of support for the Queen Dowager. Fearing potential unrest and wanting to rely on the Han authority, she often advised the king and his officials to seek vassalage to the Han. Subsequently, she sent a letter to the Han court through the envoy, requesting to be treated like other feudal lords, to visit the court once every three years, and to have the border defense removed.
The Emperor granted her request, bestowing a silver seal upon her Prime Minister Lü Jia, as well as seals for the Interior Minister, Commandant of the Capital, and Grand Tutor, granting her autonomy to appoint other officials. The laws of the Han, banishing punishments such as branding and facial mutilation, were adopted, aligning her with the other feudal lords. The envoys remained there to assist in managing state affairs.
The Emperor proceeded to Yong County and prepared to hold worship ceremonies. Someone suggested, “The Five Deities (the Highest Deities of the Five Regions) were assistants to Taiyi (the god of Polaris). It is fitting to establish a Taiyi Altar and conduct a solemn sacrifice.” The Emperor hesitated, uncertain of the decision.
Gongsun Qing from Qi said, “This year, we obtained the Treasure Cauldron. On the morning of November 1, it aligns with the time of the winter solstice. This mirrors the experience of the Yellow Emperor.” Gongsun Qing presented bamboo slips stating, “The Yellow Emperor obtained the Treasure Cauldron on the morning of the winter solstice, November 1. After living a total of 380 years, the Yellow Emperor ascended to heaven as an immortal.” This information was then presented to the Emperor by a favored attendant.
The Emperor was greatly pleased and summoned Gongsun Qing to inquire further.
Gongsun Qing explained, “This Script (i.e., the bamboo slips he has) was passed down by Sage Mr. Shen. Mr. Shen said, ‘When the Han Dynasty reaches its prime, it will resemble the era of the Yellow Emperor. The saintly figure of Han will be a grandson or great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu. The emergence of the Treasure Cauldron is linked to divine signs. The Yellow Emperor received myriad spirits in the bright court, which was Ganquan Palace. The Yellow Emperor smelted copper from Mount Shou and cast the cauldron beneath Jing Mountain. Once the cauldron was completed, a dragon dropped its beard from the sky to welcome the Yellow Emperor. He rode the dragon’s beard to heaven with more than seventy ministers and consorts.’”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor exclaimed, “Alas! If only I could truly be like the Yellow Emperor! I would regard leaving my wife and children as casually as removing my slippers!” He appointed Gongsun Qing as a gentleman of the household and sent him to Mount Taishi in the east to await the emergence of the gods.
The 5th year of Emperor Wu’s Yuan’ding Era (112 B.C.)
In October of winter, the Emperor went to Yong County for the sacrifice ceremony of the Five Deities. He then crossed Long Mountain, ascending westward towards Kongtong Mountain. The prefect of Longxi, unprepared for the sudden influx of visitors, found that the Emperor’s attendants did not have enough to eat. In a state of distress, the prefect committed suicide.
The Emperor traveled north, passing through the Xiao Pass, leading tens of thousands of riders to hunt in the Xinqinzhong region, inspecting the border troops, and then returning. In Xinqinzhong, there were stretches of a thousand miles without safety pavilions(posts). Consequently, the officials from the Prefect of Beidi downwards were executed.
The Emperor then arrived at Ganquan Palace, where he erected the Taiyi Altar, equipping it with sacrificial vessels similar to those at one of the deity altars in Yong County, but with additional offerings. Surrounding the Taiyi Altar were altars for the Five Deities, offering sacrifice to the groups of attendant deities and the Northern Dipper. On November 1, the day of the Winter Solstice at dawn, the Emperor began to make suburban sacrifices at the Taiyi Altar, saluting the Sun facing east in the morning and bowing to the Moon facing southwest in the evening. During the sacrifice, fires were arranged all over the altar, with cooking vessels placed nearby.
Officials reported, “There is light above the altar,” and also mentioned, “During the day, yellow smoke rises to the sky.” The Grand Astronomer Sima Tan and the rites officer, Kuan Shu, and others requested that the Emperor should perform suburban sacrifices every three years. The proposal was granted.
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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