Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 23 Scroll 31
Duration of 9 years
The 3rd year of Emperor Cheng’s Yangshuo Era (22 B.C.)
In the spring, on February 27, eight meteorites fell in Dongjun Commandery.
In June of summer, the workers of the ironworks in Yingchuan—led by Shen Tusheng and numbering one hundred and eighty—killed their chief officials, seized weapons from the armory, proclaimed themselves generals, and roamed through nine commanderies. The government dispatched the Chancellor’s Chief of Staff and the Censor-in-Chief to pursue and capture them. The local armed forces were mobilized, the rebels were all brought to justice and executed.
In autumn, Wang Feng fell gravely ill, and the Emperor visited his home several times, personally holding his hand and weeping, saying, “General, should the unspeakable occur, Marquis of Ping’e, Wang Tan, will succeed you as Grand General.”
Wang Feng knelt and wept in reply: “Though Wang Tan and the others are my close kin, their conduct is extravagant and expropriating, and they cannot properly lead the people. The Grand Master of the Censorate, Wang Yin, is diligent and cautious; I avouch for his qualification, betting my life.”
As Wang Feng approached death, he submitted a final memorial to thank the Emperor and once again firmly recommended Wang Yin as his successor, insisting that Wang Tan and the other four marquises not be employed. The Emperor agreed.
Earlier, Wang Tan had been haughty and unwilling to serve under Wang Feng, whereas Wang Yin respected him and behaved with the humility of a son. For this reason, Wang Feng recommended Wang Yin.
On August 24, Wang Feng died. On September 2, Wang Yin was appointed Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry, while Wang Tan was promoted to Special Appointee and placed in charge of the capital gate guards. The Prefect of Anding Commandery, Gu Yong, believing that Wang Tan had lost out in the contest for the post of Grand General, urged him to decline the command of the city gates. From that time forward, Wang Tan and Wang Yin were on poor terms with one another.
In winter, on November 6, the Chamberlain Yu Yong was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate. Yu Yong was the son of Yu Dingguo.
The 4th year of Emperor Cheng’s Yangshuo Era (21 B.C.)
In February of spring, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
In April of summer, snow fell.
On September 16, Prince Si of Dongping, Liu Yu, died.
The Privy Treasurer, Wang Jun, was appointed Intendant of Jingzhao. Wang Jun was the son of Wang Ji. Previously, Jingzhao had had Intendants such as Zhao Guanghan, Zhang Chang, Wang Zun, Wang Zhang, and Wang Jun, all renowned for their ability. Hence there was a saying in the capital: “First came Zhao and Zhang; then came the three Wangs.”
On intercalary September 9, Yu Yong died.
The Minor Kunmi of the Wusun, Wujiutu, died, and his son Fuli succeeded him, but was killed by his younger brother, Ri’er. The Han court dispatched an envoy to install Fuli’s son, Anri, as the new Minor Kunmi. Ri’er fled and took refuge in Kangju. Anri then sent three nobles—Gumoni and others—who feigned defection to Ri’er and assassinated him. Thereupon, the states of the Western Regions submitted memorials requesting that the former Protector-General (Viceroy), Duan Huizong, be reinstated. The Emperor approved their request. When news of this spread, the states with walled cities in the region all vied eagerly to pledge allegiance to Han.
Gu Yong submitted a memorial, saying: “A wise ruler does not confer fame and titles without regard to actual ability and experience. The office of Grand Master of the Censorate bears heavy responsibility and is of the utmost importance. The Privy Treasurer, Xue Xuan, is well versed in governance. I beg Your Majesty to deliberate carefully.” The Emperor accepted his counsel.
The 1st year of Emperor Cheng’s Hongjia Era (20 B.C.)
In the spring, on January 9, Xue Xuan was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.
On February 28, the Emperor went to inspect his mausoleum at Chuling and granted a pardon to the convicts laboring there. Township Xi of Xinfeng County was designated as Changling County to finance the Chuling mausoleum.
The Emperor began to travel incognito, accompanied by more than ten palace guards or personal attendants, sometimes riding in a small carriage, sometimes on horseback, roaming through markets and countryside, and going to palaces as far as neighboring counties such as Ganquan, Changyang, and Wuzuo Palace. He engaged in cockfighting and horse racing, often claiming to be a family member of the Marquis of Fuping. The Marquis of Fuping, Zhang Fang, was the great-great-grandson of Zhang Anshi. Zhang Fang’s father, Zhang Lin, had married Princess Jingwu(Sister of Emperor Yuan). Zhang Fang served as a Privy Counselor and General of the Household, married the younger sister of Empress Xu, and was an unrivaled catamite at the time, which is why the Emperor used his surname as an alias.
On March 27, Zhang Yu was dismissed on account of age and illness. He was permitted, as a marquis and special appointee, to attend court on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, receiving ceremonial honors equivalent to those of the Chancellor, along with rewards amounting to several tens of millions.
In summer, on April 27, Xue Xuan was appointed Chancellor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoyang; the Intendant of Jingzhao, Wang Jun, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.
Wang Yin, as the Emperor’s maternal uncle, handled affairs with care and diligence. Since Wang Yin had advanced to the post of General of the Household from that of Grand Master of the Censorate without receiving the marquisate customarily granted to a Chancellor, on June 17 the Emperor enfeoffed him as Marquis of Anyang.
In winter, a yellow dragon appeared in Zhending.
That year, the Xiongnu’s Fuzhulei Chanyu died, and his younger brother, Jumixu, ascended the throne as Souxie Ruodi Chanyu. He sent his son, Xuliusihou, the Left Zhuduhan King, to serve at court as a hostage, and appointed Jumoche as the Left Tuqi King.
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