Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 16 Scroll 24 (continued)
The 4th year of Emperor Xuan’s Benshi Era (70 B.C.)
In March of spring, Huo Chengjun, daughter of Huo Guang, was established as Empress. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.
The former Empress Xu had lived humbly and with frugality; but when Empress Huo was elevated, the splendor of her carriages and entourages, and the rewards lavished upon officials, rose into the tens of millions. Thus the restraint of the former Empress was cast aside.
In summer, on April 29, an earthquake shook forty-nine commanderies at once. Hills and mountains collapsed, city walls fell, buildings were destroyed, and more than six thousand perished. The ancestral temples in Beihai and Langya were also ruined. The Emperor issued an edict to the Chancellor, the Censors, the Marquises, and the ministers of two-thousand-picul rank, commanding them to confer with scholars versed in the classics, to examine the signs and omens, and to speak without concealment. He further ordered the intendants of the Three Metropolis regions, together with the Ministry of Rites and the internal commanderies, each to recommend one man of virtue and uprightness.
A general amnesty was again proclaimed. The Emperor, in mourning for the loss of life by the earthquake, refrained from appearing in the main hall for five days. Xiahou Sheng and Huang Ba were released from prison: Xiahou Sheng was appointed Grandee of Remonstrance and Palace Liaison, while Huang Ba was made Inspector of Yangzhou.
Xiahou Sheng was by nature simple and upright. His manner was plain and without ornament. At times he erred in speech, addressing the Emperor as “you” rather than “Your Majesty,” or calling ministers by their style-names in the Emperor’s presence. Yet the Emperor took no offense, and placed trust in him.
Once, after discoursing with the Emperor, Xiahou Sheng repeated their words to others. The Emperor rebuked him. Xiahou Sheng replied calmly: “What Your Majesty has spoken is right; I merely magnified it. The teachings of Emperor Yao were spread through the realm, and are recited to this day. I thought it proper to transmit your words, and therefore I did so.” The Emperor, perceiving his sincerity, accepted it.
In weighty councils, the Emperor trusted Xiahou Sheng for his plain dealing, saying: “Master Xiahou speaks truth. Let none withhold because of past faults.”
Afterward he served as Treasurer of Changxin Palace, and then as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. At ninety years he died. The Empress Dowager bestowed two million cash for his funeral, and mourned in white for five days, as for a great teacher. Among the Confucian scholars he was held in the highest esteem, and they gloried in his renown.
In May, phoenixes gathered in Anqiu and Chunyu of Beihai.
The Prince of Guangchuan, Liu Qu, slew more than ten of his tutors, consorts, and attendants. Some he drowned with molten lead and tin poured into their mouths; others he dismembered, poisoned, and boiled, that none might survive. For this he was deposed and removed to Shangyong, where he took his own life.
The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Di’jie Era (69 B.C.)
In January of spring, a comet appeared in the west sky.
The Prince of Chu, Liu Yanshou, suspected that the Prince of Guangling, Liu Xu, son of Emperor Wu, might ascend the throne should the order of succession be broken. Desiring to secure himself, he arranged for Zhao Heqi, brother of his mother-in-law, to take a daughter of Prince of Guangling in marriage. Liu Yanshou then bade Zhao Heqi to carry a letter to the Prince of Guangling, warning him to keep his eyes and ears keen, and not allow others to seize the throne. Zhao Heqi’s father, Zhao Changnian, reported this. When the matter was investigated, Zhao Heqi confessed. In November of winter, Liu Yanshou killed himself. The Prince of Guangling Liu Xu was not implicated.
On December 30, there was a solar eclipse.
That year Yu Dingguo was made Minister of Justice. Yu Dingguo was skilled in deciding difficult cases, impartial in judgment, and compassionate toward widows and orphans. In doubtful charges he reduced punishments, and always examined matters with care. The court praised him, saying: “When Zhang Shizhi was Minister of Justice, there were no unjust judgments in the empire. Now Yu Dingguo holds that office, and the people know themselves not to be wronged.”
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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