Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 16 Scroll 24
Duration of 7 years
The 1st year of Emperor Zhao’s Yuanping Era (74 B.C.)
In February of spring, an edict was issued to reduce the child head tax, levied upon those between the ages of seven and fourteen, by three-tenths.
In summer, on April 17, the Emperor, being twenty one years of age, passed away in the Weiyang Palace, leaving no heir.
At that time, among the sons of Emperor Wu, only the Prince of Guangling, Liu Xu, remained. The Grand General Huo Guang, together with the court officials, deliberated upon the succession, and all were in agreement to support the Prince of Guangling. Yet the Prince had formerly been disfavored for his wanton conduct, and Emperor Wu had never considered him worthy.
The Grand General was uneasy in heart. Then a Palace Gentleman memorialized, saying: “When King Tai of Zhou set aside Taibo in favor of King Ji of Zhou, and when King Wen of Zhou advanced King Wu above his elder son Bo Yikao, both decisions were founded upon virtue and capacity. To pass over an elder in favor of a younger may at times be fitting, yet the Prince of Guangling assuredly is unfit to inherit the ancestral temple.”
These words accorded with Huo Guang’s mind. He presented the memorial to the Chancellor, Yang Chang, and others, and advanced the Palace Gentleman to the Prefect of Jiujiang.
On the same day, acting under the decree of the Empress Dowager, Huo Guang dispatched the acting Grand Herald, the Privy Treasurer Shi Lecheng, the Imperial Clan Minister Liu De, the Grand Master of Chamberlain Bing Ji, and the General of the Household Lihan, together with others, to receive the Prince of Changyi, Liu He, and escort him to the capital in seven mail carriages. Liu He lodged in the Chang’an official residence of the Principality of Changyi.
At the same time, Huo Guang advised the Empress Dowager to appoint the General of the Right, Zhang Anshi, as General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Liu He was the son of Prince Ai of Changyi. In his native land he was famed for extravagance and wantonness. Even during the mourning for Emperor Wu, he indulged in dissipation, and would often ride out hunting without restraint. Once, hunting in Fangyu County, he covered two hundred li in less than half a day.
The Commandant of the Capital Guard, Wang Ji of Langya, submitted a memorial admonishing him:
“Sire neglects the pursuit of learning and delights only in pleasure and wandering. He rides in reckless haste, his horse’s bits and reins never held in check. His mouth grows weary from shouting, his hands sore from the bridle, his body exhausted by carriage and chariot. In the mornings he is drenched with mist and dew; by day he is covered with dust. In summer he is scorched by the fierce heat; in winter he is chilled by the bitter winds. Thus his frail and delicate frame is wearied with excessive exertion. Such practice neither preserves life nor advances benevolence and righteousness.
“Beneath the spacious hall, upon the fine mats, eminent teachers may sit in front, while diligent reciters attend behind. There he may discourse on the eras of Emperor Yao and Shun, and examine the prosperous reigns of Yin and Zhou; there he may study the spirit of humane sages, and practice the art of governing the state. Zealous and intent, he may forget his meals, daily renewing his virtue. How could such delight be found amidst the bustle of streets and markets?
“When at rest, let him bend and stretch to ease the body; when advancing and retreating, stepping and pacing, let him cultivate proper bearing and strength of limb. By inhaling the new and exhaling the old may he nourish his vitality; by concentrating the mind and gathering skill may he enrich his spirit. Thus shall he preserve life and attain longevity.
“If Sire would earnestly give heed, then your mind shall cherish the aspirations of Emperor Yao and Shun; your body shall enjoy the long years of Crown Prince Jin and Chisongzi; your illustrious renown, once heard above, shall bring blessings and honors, and the realm shall be at peace.
“The Emperor, benevolent and sagacious, even now remains ever mindful and admiring, and has not indulged in the pleasures of palace halls, gardens, ponds, or hunting. Sire ought from dawn till dusk to contemplate this, in order to carry forward the Emperor’s intent.
“Among the feudal lords and kinsmen, none are nearer than Sire. In kinship Sire is as a son; in office Sire is as a minister. One person thus bears the double charge of both duties. Should affection and righteousness fail to be fully displayed, and come to the notice of the Emperor, it will not redound to the blessing of the state.”
Prince Liu He issued a proclamation, saying: “We, being unable to restrain my misprision, acknowledge the earnestness of the Commandant of the Capital Guard, who often admonishes me for my faults.” He commanded the usher Qianqiu to present Wang Ji with five hundred catties of beef, five piculs of wine, and five bundles of dried meat. Yet thereafter he still abandoned himself to profligacy, without restraint.
Chamberlain Gong Sui of Shanyang was loyal and sincere, firm and resolute in character. Within the palace he would remonstrate and contend with the Prince; outside the palace he would censure the prime minister and grand tutor, citing principle and weighing consequences, even to the point of shedding tears. He was unyielding, facing the Prince directly and pointing out his faults. The Prince, on hearing him, would cover his ears and flee, saying, “The Chamberlain is truly skilled at shaming men!”
The Prince was often given to prolonged revels, gaming, and lavish gifts to his attendants and palace officials. Gong Sui came before him, weeping and crawling on his knees; all the attendants and ministers present were moved to tears. The Prince asked, “Why does Chamberlain weep?”
Gong Sui replied, “I grieve deeply for the peril of the state. I beg a moment’s attention to declare my humble counsel.” The Prince thereupon dismissed his attendants. Gong Sui said, “Does Sire know why the Prince of Jiaoxi was condemned for immorality?”
The Prince of Changyi said, “I do not know.”
Gong Sui said, “I have heard that the Prince of Jiaoxi had a sycophant named Hou De. The Prince of Jiaoxi imitated the deeds of the despots Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang, yet in Hou De’s mouth he was equal to Emperor Yao and Shun. The Prince delighted in Hou De’s words, favored his presence, lived and slept with him, and thus came to ruin. Now Sire is close to a band of petty men, gradually steeped in their corrupt ways. The border between survival and destruction must not be trifled with. It is meet and right so to choose men learned and upright, who follow the Way, to be Sire’s companions. When seated, let them recite the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents; when standing, let them practice ritual and propriety. This will bring benefits.”
The Prince assented. Gong Sui then selected ten men, led by Zhang An, who were versed in the Classics and possessed a sense of righteousness, to serve the Prince. Yet after a few days the Prince dismissed Zhang An and the rest.
Once, the Prince beheld a great white dog, whose form from the neck downward resembled that of a man. It wore a crown shaped like a square mountain and bore no tail. The Prince, in wonder, asked Gong Sui concerning it. Gong Sui replied: “This is a heavenly warning. It signifies that those who speak before Sire are dogs with human caps. If they are not kept away, calamity will follow.”
Later, the Prince heard one exclaim, “Bear!” Looking about, he saw a great bear, yet none of those present beheld it. The Prince asked Gong Sui about this. Gong Sui said: “The bear, a wild beast of the mountains, has entered the palace, yet only Sire can see it. This again is a divine portent, declaring that the palace will soon be desolate, and peril is near at hand.”
The Prince lamented, gazing upward to Heaven, and said: “Why do these ill omens keep appearing?”
Gong Sui knocked his head upon the ground and said: “I dare not conceal my loyal heart. I have often spoken of the impending danger, though I know it has displeased Sire. Yet whether the state endures or falls does not rest upon my words. I entreat Sire to reflect deeply. The Book of Songs contains three hundred and five odes, embracing the affairs of men and the Way of kingship. Which conduct of Sire accords with even a single verse therein? As a prince among the lords, Sire acts more soiled than the common people. This is to imperil your life and invite destruction. It is fitting to ponder with utmost seriousness!”
Later again blood stained the royal seat. The Prince asked Gong Sui about it. Gong Sui wailed and said: “The palace will long stand empty; portents of ill fortune are repeated. This blood signifies hidden and inauspicious omens. One must be prudent, fearful, and examine oneself!”
Yet despite these warnings, the Prince altered nothing in his behavior.
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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