Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 169): Propitious Birth

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang  

Annals of Han Book 14 Scroll 22

Duration of 12 years

The 3rd year of Emperor Wu’s Tianhan Era (98 B.C.)

In February of spring, the Grand Master of the Censorate, Wang Qing, accused of grave offenses, ended his life by suicide. In his stead, Du Zhou, the Bearer of the Mace, was appointed as the new Grand Master of the Censorate.

The monopoly on the sale of alcohol was established for the first time, consolidating the state’s control over this trade.

In March, the Emperor, embarking on an auspicious journey, ascended Mount Tai. There, he expanded the altar, performed rituals at the Bright Hall, and received statistics and registration accounts from commanderies and princedoms. Upon his return, he made a pilgrimage to Changshan, where he interred black jades. Although diviners and seekers of the mythical land of Penglai continuously pursued their quest, none succeeded in their efforts. However, Gongsun Qing persistently interpreted signs of giants as omens of great portent. Though the Emperor, weary and increasingly disenchanted with the eccentric and fantastical language of the diviners, kept them close in hopes of witnessing true abilities, his interest waned. Following this, an increasing number of diviners claimed the power to communicate with spirits, though their effectiveness remained unpromising as expected.

In April of summer, a severe drought ravaged the land. In response, the Emperor issued a general amnesty, extending mercy to the populace.

In the autumn, the Xiongnu launched an invasion of Yanmen Pass. The Prefect of Yanmen, charged with cowardice in the face of the enemy, was publicly executed as a warning to others.

The 4th year of Emperor Wu’s Tianhan Era (97 B.C.)

In January of spring, the Emperor convened a court at Ganquan Palace with various feudal lords in attendance.

The Emperor, seeking to augment his forces, dispatched seven categories of outcasts—convicted officials, escaped prisoners, matrilocal son-in-laws, merchants, former merchants, and those with a merchant father or grandfather—along with brave volunteers from the seven provinces, to serve in the army. Ershi General Li Guangli, leading sixty thousand cavalry and seventy thousand infantry, set forth from the Shuofang. The Commandant of the strong cross-bow, Lu Bode, with more than ten thousand soldiers, was assigned to rendezvous with Ershi General. Guerrilla General Han Yue, commanding thirty thousand infantry from Wuyuan, and Yinyu General Gongsun Ao, with ten thousand cavalry and thirty thousand infantry from Yanmen, also joined the expedition.

Upon learning of this mobilization, the Xiongnu relocated their possessions and families far to the north of the Yuwu River, while the Chanyu stationed his forces, numbering one hundred thousand, to the south of the river, preparing to confront Ershi General. After prolonged engagements lasting more than ten days, Ershi General was forced to retreat and return. Guerrilla General failed to gain any advantage in his maneuvers, and Yinyu General, having fought against the Left Tuqi King without success, eventually withdrew.

The Emperor dispatched Gongsun Ao deep into Xiongnu territory to seek out Li Ling. However, Gongsun Ao‘s mission yielded no results, and he reported, “I captured live captives who spoke of Li Ling advising the Chanyu to prepare troops against the Han army, but my efforts achieved nothing.” Upon hearing this, the Emperor ordered the execution of Li Ling‘s entire clan. Subsequently, it was discovered that the Han defector who had advised the Xiongnu was not Li Ling, but rather Li Xu. In response, Li Ling sent an agent and assassinated Li Xu.

Great Yanzhi, the Chanyu’s mother, sought to execute Li Ling, but the Chanyu concealed him in the northern regions. After the death of Great Yanzhi, Li Ling returned. The Chanyu, in recognition of Li Ling‘s service, married his daughter to him and appointed him as the Right Tuqi King, granting him substantial power alongside Wei Lü. While Wei Lü remained at the Chanyu’s side, Li Ling resided outside the Chanyu’s court, only entering to discuss matters of great importance.

In April of summer, the Emperor designated his son, Liu Bo, as the King of Changyi.

The 1st year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (96 B.C.)

In January of spring, Gongsun Ao was put to death by waist chop for the crime of his wife, who practiced the black magic of Gu, using venomous vermin to poison others.

Nobles and elites from various regions were relocated to the Mao Mausoleum.

In the sixth month of summer, a general amnesty was granted across the entire nation.

During this year, the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, Qiedihou, passed away, leaving behind two sons. The elder son was titled the Left Tuqi King, and the younger one, the Left Grand General. However, as the Left Tuqi King had not yet arrived, some nobles, suspecting an illness, proclaimed the Left Grand General as the new Chanyu. Upon hearing this, the Left Tuqi King hesitated to advance. The Left Grand General sent for the Left Tuqi King, offering his position. The Left Tuqi King, citing his illness, declined, but the Left Grand General insisted, saying, “If by ill fortune you die, then I shall succeed you.” The Left Tuqi King, accepting the offer, ascended to the throne as Hulugu Chanyu. The Left Grand General was made the Left Tuqi King, a position he held for several years until his death due to illness. His son, Xian’xian’shan, was unable to succeed him as the Left Tuqi King and was instead appointed as the Rizhu King. The Chanyu himself designated his own son as the Left Tuqi King.

The 2nd year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (95 B.C.)

In January of spring, the Emperor embarked on a journey to visit Huizhong Palace.

Du Zhou passed away, and the Grand Master of Chamberlain, Bao Shengzhi, was appointed as the Grand Master of the Censorate.

During the autumn, a severe drought ravaged the land.

The Grandee of the Palace in the Principality of Zhao, Bai Gong, proposed the construction of a canal to divert water from the Jing River. The canal was to originate from Gukou and end in Yueyang, flowing into the middle of the Wei River. It stretched for approximately two hundred li, irrigating over four thousand five hundred acres of farmland. The canal, named the Bai Canal, brought prosperity to the people.

The 3rd year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (94 B.C.)

In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan Palace. In February, he journeyed to Donghai and caught a red goose. He then visited Langya, performed rites to worship the Sun at Mount Cheng, ascended Mount Zhifu(island), sailed upon the sea, and eventually returned.

During this year, the Prince Liu Fuling, was born. His mother, Consort Zhao of Hejian, resided in the Gouyi Palace and gave birth after a gestation of fourteen months. The Emperor, upon hearing of this, remarked, “I have heard that Emperor Yao was born after fourteen months of pregnancy, and now, in Gouyi Palace, the same has just occurred.” Accordingly, he named the gate of her residence the Gate of Mother Yao.

Sima Guang’s commentary: For a ruler, every action and decision must be carefully considered, for what occurs within the court will invariably manifest outwardly, known to all. At that time, both the Empress and the Crown Prince were in good health, yet the naming of the gate of Gouyi Palace as the Gate of Mother Yao was ill-advised. This act exposed the Emperor’s extraordinary affection for the youngest son, thereby allowing cunning ministers to probe his intentions. Such knowledge gave rise to schemes that ultimately endangered the Empress and the Crown Prince, leading to the calamity of Gu poisoning. What a tragic outcome!