Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 20 Scroll 28 (continued)
The 2nd year of Emperor Yuan’s Chuyuan Era (47 B.C.)
In January of spring, the Emperor journeyed to Ganquan and performed the suburban sacrifice at the Taiyi Altar.
The Marquis of Leling, Shi Gao—being a maternal kinsman of the Emperor—supervised the affairs of the State Secretariat, with General of the Van Xiao Wangzhi and the Grandee of Merit Zhou Kan as his deputies. Xiao Wangzhi, renowned for his learning in Confucianism, together with Zhou Kan, was trusted by the Emperor for their former service as tutors. The Emperor relied upon them, frequently hosting banquets at which they discoursed on governance, the restoration of order, and other affairs of state.
Xiao Wangzhi recommended Liu Gengsheng—learned in the Confucian classics and a virtuous member of the imperial clan, then serving as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grandee of Remonstration—to serve as Palace Steward together with the Privy Counselor Jin Chang, two of the Emperor’s closest advisors. These four men, sharing a common purpose, advised the Emperor in accordance with ancient precedent and sought to rectify many disorders. The Emperor esteemed and embraced their counsel. Shi Gao, however, merely held his office without meaningful contribution, whereby estrangement grew between him and Xiao Wangzhi.
The Chief of the Palace Secretariat, Hong Gong, together with his deputy, Shi Xian, had long overseen confidential and weighty affairs since the reign of Emperor Xuan. Both were eunuchs versed in statutes and regulations. When the present Emperor ascended the throne, he was frequently afflicted with illness. Because Shi Xian had long administered affairs, possessed no external ties or relatives, and was considered dependable in his expertise, the Emperor entrusted him with the conduct of government. All matters, great or small, were conveyed through Shi Xian to receive the Emperor’s decision. His favor and authority overshadowed the court, and all officials deferred to him.
Shi Xian was quick-witted and deft in managing affairs, keenly discerning the Sovereign’s slightest inclinations. Yet in nature he was malicious, skilled in calumny and sophistry; those who gave him the least offense were subjected to harsh reprisals under the law. He was also closely aligned with the General of Chariots and Cavalry(Shi Gao), forming a powerful nexus between the inner court and the army. In deliberations, they clung rigidly to established practice and would not heed the proposals of Xiao Wangzhi and his associates.
Xiao Wangzhi and the others were greatly troubled by the unchecked conduct of the Emperor’s maternal kin—the Xu and Shi clans—and were likewise concerned at the outsized influence held by Hong Gong and Shi Xian. They submitted a proposal, saying: “The Palace Secretariat is the pivot of governance and the vital mechanism of the state; it must be administered by upright and judicious ministers. Emperor Wu, because he often feasted and lingered in the rear chambers, employed eunuchs as his assistants; this was not in accord with ancient practice. The eunuchs serving in the Palace Secretariat should be dismissed, that we may conform to the ancient principle which forbids the mutilated from holding office.”
This recommendation brought them into sharp conflict with Shi Gao, Hong Gong, and Shi Xian. At the beginning of his reign, the Emperor was humble and averse to sweeping change, wavering long without decision. Liu Gengsheng was transferred to the post of Minister of the Imperial Clan.
Xiao Wangzhi and Zhou Kan frequently recommended eminent scholars and worthy men to serve as advisers. Zheng Peng of Kuaiji, seeking to attach himself to Xiao Wangzhi, submitted a memorial accusing the General of Chariots and Cavalry of dispatching agents to the commanderies and principalities to extort for private gain, and enumerating the crimes of the Xu and Shi clans. The memorial was handed down to Zhou Kan, who reported: “Let Zheng Peng be a scribe-in-waiting at the Jinma[gold horse] Gate.”
Zheng Peng then wrote to Xiao Wangzhi, saying: “General, whom do you take as your examples? Are they like Guan Zhong and Yan Ying, who retired from court at midday? Or like the Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao, who toiled past midday and forgot their meals, remaining at their posts until twilight? If you follow the way of Guan Zhong and Yan Ying and retire at noon, then I, a trifling man, shall return to the fields of Yanling and live out my days there like Ji Zha of Wu. But if you uphold the legacy of the Dukes of Zhou and Shao—working past sunset in attending state affairs, and listening broadly to all opinions—then I, a trifling man, am willing to devote the whole of my strength to but a ten-thousandth share of your exertions.”
At first Xiao Wangzhi received him warmly, but when he discerned Zheng Peng’s deceitful nature, he broke off all contact. Zheng Peng, being of Chu origin, grew resentful and sought alliance with the Xu and Shi factions, disclosing to them all he had spoken previously, saying: “It was Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng who taught me these things; how would one from east of Hangu Pass know such matters on his own?” Because of this, the Privy Counselor Xu Zhang summoned him for questioning.
Afterward, Zheng Peng publicly declared: “I have pointed out five lesser faults and one great crime of the General of the Van.” Hua Long, a scribe-in-waiting of sullied reputation, also sought to join Zhou Kan and his circle; when they refused him, he allied himself with Zheng Peng.
Hong Gong and Shi Xian instructed Zheng Peng and Hua Long to accuse Xiao Wangzhi and his circle of conspiring to depose the General of Chariots and Cavalry and to expel the Xu and Shi clans. They awaited a day when Xiao Wangzhi was absent from court and had Zheng Peng and Hua Long present their charges. The case was then committed to Hong Gong for inquiry. When interrogated, Xiao Wangzhi said, “The imperial kinsmen in office are often extravagant and wanton. My intent is to rectify the state, not to do harm.”
Hong Gong and Shi Xian memorialized: “Xiao Wangzhi, Zhou Kan, and Liu Gengsheng form factions, praising and promoting one another. They ceaselessly slander the high ministers, sow discord among the imperial relatives, and seek to monopolize authority. They are disloyal as ministers and deceitful toward the Throne. We request that palace heralds summon them to the Minister of Justice.”
At this time, the Emperor had only recently ascended the throne and did not understand that being summoned to the Minister of Justice meant imprisonment. He approved their memorial. Later, when the Emperor sent for Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng, the reply was: “They are in prison.” The Emperor was greatly alarmed and said, “Is not the Minister of Justice merely conducting an inquiry?”
The Emperor rebuked Hong Gong and Shi Xian; both knelt in supplication and begged forgiveness. The Emperor said, “Let them resume their duties.”
Hong Gong and Shi Xian then had Shi Gao propose: “His Majesty has newly ascended the throne and has not yet manifested his virtue to the world; let us display it first to the Grand Tutor. Since the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Grandee of Merit have already been imprisoned, it is fitting to pardon them through formal adjudication.”
Thus an edict was issued to the Chancellor and the Imperial Censor: “General of the Van Xiao Wangzhi has served as my tutor for eight years and has no other transgressions. Now, as time has passed and clarity is hard to obtain, let him be pardoned. He shall be relieved of the offices of General of the Van and Chamberlain; his seal and ribbons shall be rescinded; and Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng shall be dismissed and reduced to commoners.”
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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