Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 17 Scroll 25 (continued)
The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Yuan’kang Era (65 B.C. continued)
In that year, the Privy Treasurer, Song Chou, was demoted to Grand Tutor of the Prince of Sishui Liu Zong, for having once remarked: “When the phoenixes arrived at Pengcheng and had not yet reached the capital, the auspice lacked its full majesty; it might have been more fitting had they alighted upon the imperial precincts.”
The Emperor appointed erudites and court remonstrators, who had been familiar with the administration of state affairs, to serve as prefects of commanderies and prime ministers of principalities. Xiao Wangzhi was made Prefect of Pingyuan. He submitted a memorial:
“Your Majesty’s compassion for the people is admirable. Yet if erudites and remonstrators are sent forth to replace established officials, fearing only that Your benevolence might not reach afar, deeper concerns may be neglected. Should differing voices from remonstrators no longer be heard in court, errors may pass unnoticed, and matters of immediate urgency may overshadow the foundations of government.”
The Emperor summoned Xiao Wangzhi and appointed him as the Privy Treasurer.
The Prefect of Donghai, Yin Wenggui of Hedong, having excelled in his governance, was promoted to Intendant of Fufeng. Yin Wenggui was renowned for a penetrating insight into the virtues and faults of both officials and commoners under his jurisdiction. He recorded in detail the circumstances of each county and personally conducted oversight. When the magistrates handled the cases too harshly or swiftly, he made them slow down and be more lenient; If the magistrates got sloppy slightly, he reviewed their cases with careful diligence. Arrests were carried out during the autumn and winter assessments or when he visited the counties, ensuring that the accused would not linger long in confinement; those seized served as warnings to the rest. Thus officials and commoners alike held him in reverence and fear, and each strove to amend himself.
As Prefect of Fufeng, he selected incorruptible and capable subordinates, treated them with respect regardless of his personal preference, yet dealt strictly with those who betrayed his trust. Though his merits were eminent, he remained modest and without pride, and his name became highly esteemed in the court.
At first, Wannian, younger son of the Princess of Wusun Liu Jieyou, was cherished by the King of Shache. When the King of Shache died without an heir and Wannian was then residing at the Han court, the people of Shache, seeking alliance with Han and favor from Wusun, petitioned that Wannian be established as their king under Han authority. The court agreed and dispatched Xi Chongguo as envoy to escort Wannian back to Shache. Yet when Wannian ascended the throne, he proved cruel and harsh, and the people bitterly resented him.
The Emperor ordered his ministers to recommend envoys to the Western Regions. The General of Van Han Zeng recommended Feng Fengshi of Shangdang to serve as Captain of the Guard, bearing the imperial scepter and escorting the tribute envoys of Dayuan and other polities to Yixun City. Meanwhile, Hutu Zheng, younger brother of the former King of Shache, conspired with neighboring states to assassinate King Wannian and the Han envoy Xi Chongguo, and then declared himself king. At the same time, the Xiongnu attacked Jushi City, but failed to take it and withdrew. The new king of Shache then sent envoys falsely reporting that the northern states had submitted to the Xiongnu and began raiding the southern route, forming a coalition against Han and cutting off communications west of Shanshan.
At this time, the Protector-General of the Western Regions, Zheng Ji, and Colonel Sima Xi maintained military farms among the northern states. Feng Fengshi and his lieutenant Yan Chang argued that if they did not act quickly, Shache would grow powerful and threaten the entire Western Regions. Therefore, they issued an order in the Emperor’s name to the kings of the western states, mobilizing 15,000 troops from the northern and southern routes to attack Shache, and they captured its capital. The king committed suicide, and his head was sent to Chang’an. Another younger brother was appointed king in his stead. Peace having returned among the western states, Feng Fengshi disbanded the army and reported the victory to the court. The Emperor summoned Han Zeng and said: “Let congratulations be extended to General Han; you have chosen a worthy man.”
Feng Fengshi then journeyed farther west to Dayuan. When the people of Dayuan heard that he had slain the King of Shache, they received him with honor surpassing that shown to previous envoys, and presented him with a famed steed called the “Dragon Horse.” The Emperor was greatly delighted and considered granting Feng Fengshi a noble title. The Chancellor and the generals all agreed, but the Privy Treasurer Xiao Wangzhi remonstrated: “Feng Fengshi, though an envoy, acted on his own authority and forged an imperial command to mobilize troops. Though he achieved merit, such conduct must not be made precedent. If he is ennobled, future envoys will seek fame by raising arms, provoking distant tribes and inviting calamities upon the realm. Feng Fengshi should not be granted a noble.”
The Emperor approved Xiao Wangzhi’s counsel and instead appointed Feng Fengshi Grand Master of Merit.
The 2nd year of Emperor Xuan’s Yuan’kang Era (64 B.C.)
In January of spring, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
The Emperor intended to establish an Empress. At that time, the mothers of Princess Guantao, Hua Jieyu[Lady of Handsome Fairness], mother of Prince Xian of Huaiyang, Zhang Jieyu, mother of Prince Xiao of Chu, and Wei Jieyu were all in favor. The Emperor at first wished to install Zhang Jieyu as Empress. Yet wavering for long and taking lessons from the treasonous plot of Huo Chengjun against the Crown Prince, the Emperor resolved instead to choose a palace woman who had no children of her own and was prudent and discreet.
Accordingly, on February 26, Wang Jieyu[Lady of Handsome Fairness Wang] of Changling was established as Empress, and was commanded to rear the Crown Prince. Her father, Wang Fengguang, was ennobled as Marquis of Qiongcheng. The Empress was not beloved and seldom received imperial audiences.
In May, an edict was issued:
“The handling of legal cases concerns the lives of the people. If the living bear no resentment and the dead no grievance, then the officials may be deemed worthy. Yet it is not so today. Some officials manipulate the laws with cunning, twisting statutes to obscure their meaning, and justice fails to be impartial. Their written reports do not accord with the facts, and even We cannot discern the truth. How, then, can the people place their trust in their superiors? Let all officials of two-thousand-picul rank examine their subordinates and dismiss such men.
“Some officials impose excessive labor, embellish relay hostels, entertain travelers extravagantly, exceeding the law in pursuit of name and reputation. This is like treading thin ice beneath the burning sun—perilous indeed! Now an epidemic spreads widely, and We grieve for the suffering of the people. Wherever calamity has struck most severely, taxation for this year shall be remitted.”
Another edict declared:
“The ancient emperors chose personal names seldom encountered, so that prohibition of their use caused no hardship. Therefore, my personal name shall be altered to be Liu Xun, so that it may be easily avoided.”
Reflection by Rio Grande 
Leave a comment