Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 26 Scroll 34
Duration of 3 years
The 2nd year of Emperor Ai’s Jianping Era (5 B.C.)
In January of spring, a comet appeared near the Cowherd star (Altair).
The Ding and Fu clans were growing increasingly imperious and extravagant, and all resented Fu Xi’s frugality and humility. In addition, Empress Dowager Fu wished to seek a more exalted title so as to place herself on the same level as Emperor Cheng’s Grand Empress Dowager(Wang Zhengjun). Fu Xi, together with Kong Guang and Shi Dan, all maintained that this was unacceptable. The Emperor greatly valued the opinions of his officials, yet he was also under internal pressure from Empress Dowager Fu, and so he remained indecisive on the matter for more than a year. Empress Dowager Fu became extremely angry, and the Emperor, having no other choice, first removed Shi Dan in order to give Fu Xi a warning. Fu Xi, however, ultimately did not heed it. Zhu Bo and Fu Yan, the Marquis of Kongxiang, formed an alliance and conspired to press for the exalted title. They met frequently with the Emperor in his leisure hours and submitted sealed memorials criticizing Fu Xi and Kong Guang. On February 20, the Emperor decided to dismiss Fu Xi from court and send him home with only his marquisate.
Since the abolition of the office of Grand Master of the Censorate, many had argued that the system had departed from ancient practice. In the Han dynasty, from the imperial title down to the assistant managers, nearly everything differed from antiquity, and only the Three Excellencies now had been altered, leaving their duties unclear and of no benefit to governance. Zhu Bo therefore proposed: “According to the old system, officials with salaries of two thousand piculs who had received the highest evaluations were selected from among the commanderies and principalities, and the best among them was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate. A capable Grand Master of the Censorate was then promoted to Chancellor. Thus the order of rank was established so as to honor the Emperor’s virtue and emphasize the importance of state affairs. Now, however, the Chancellor is appointed directly from among ministers of two thousand piculs, without first passing through the office of Grand Master of the Censorate. As a result, the authority of these offices has been diminished and no longer reflects the importance of affairs of state. I humbly suggest that the office of Grand Excellency of Works be abolished, that the office of Grand Master of the Censorate be restored, and that the old system be followed. I am willing to devote my utmost efforts as Grand Master of the Censorate, and thereby set an example for the other ministers.”
The Emperor agreed.
In the summer, on April 2, Zhu Bo was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate, having been demoted from Chancellor. In addition, Ding Ming, the elder brother of Queen Dowager Ding and Marquis of Yang’an, was appointed Grand Marshal and General of the Guards, with an office and official staff assigned to him; thus the office of Grand Marshal was reinstated according to the old system.
Empress Dowager Fu also issued decrees of her own to the Chancellor and the Grand Master of the Censorate, declaring: “Fu Xi, Marquis of Gaowu, has been disloyal to the Emperor. He colluded with the former Grand Excellency of Works, Shi Dan, disobeyed orders, and harmed the imperial clan. He must not be permitted to attend court, but should be banished to his march.”
During the reign of the late Emperor, Chancellor Kong Guang had disputed the succession of the King of Dingtao, the present Emperor, and in doing so had deeply offended Empress Dowager Fu. Consequently, once the Fu family came to power, they joined with Zhu Bo in discrediting and slandering Kong Guang. On April 19, Kong Guang was reduced to commoner status.
Grand Master of the Censorate Zhu Bo was promoted to Chancellor and granted the title of Marquis of Yangxiang, while Zhao Xuan, the Privy Treasurer, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate. When the certificate of appointment was issued and they ascended to the imperial hall to receive it, there arose a loud sound like that of a bell, heard by all the palace attendants. The Emperor inquired about it from Yang Xiong of Shu Commandery and Li Xun, both Yellow Gate Gentlemen-in-Attendance.
Li Xun replied: “This is what the Grand Laws chapter of the Book of Documents calls a drum demon. According to the text, when an unwise ruler is confused by the multitude, and admits into court men who possess reputation without substance, then there will be sound without form, and its source will be unknown. The book says, ‘If it occurs in the middle of the year, the month, and the day, it should implicate the prime ministers.’ Now it is April, and the strange phenomenon occurred around noon, which indicates the middle. The prime ministers refer to the executive ministers. It would therefore be appropriate to remove the Chancellor and the Grand Master of the Censorate in response to this sign from Heaven. Yet even if they are not removed, should they fail to retire within a year, misfortune will befall them of itself.”
Yang Xiong also chimed in: “The drum demon signifies a failure to heed counsel. Zhu Bo is obstinate and crafty, which suggests that he is suited to be a general rather than Chancellor; otherwise, if Heaven is angered, there may be sudden and severe calamities.”
The Emperor did not heed them.
As Zhu Bo was now Chancellor, the Emperor adopted his advice and issued an edict: “The title Emperor Gong of Dingtao shall no longer be used. The Empress Dowager Gong shall be honored as Grand Empress Dowager, and her residence shall be called Yongxin Palace. The Queen Dowager Gong(Consort Ding) shall be honored as Empress Dowager, and her residence shall be called Zhong’an Palace. A tomb shall be established in the capital for Emperor Gong, in accordance with the precedent set for Emperor Xuan’s father, Emperor Dao.”
Thus, each of the four empress dowagers came to have her own Privy Treasury and Imperial Stables, each headed by a minister with a salary of two thousand piculs. Empress Dowager Fu, now honored as the Grand Empress Dowager, became especially imperious. When speaking with the Grand Empress Dowager Wang, she even referred to her as the “old woman.”
At that time, the Ding and Fu clans rose rapidly in influence within the span of only a few years, and many high ministers and marquises emerged from their ranks. However, the Emperor did not grant them power on the same scale that the Wang family had enjoyed during the reign of Emperor Cheng.
Chancellor Zhu Bo and Grand Master of the Censorate Zhao Xuan submitted a memorial stating: “Dong Hong, the former Marquis of Gaochang, was the first to propose changing the honorific titles of the Emperor’s parents. Yet he was accused by Shi Dan, the Marquis Within the Pass, and was reduced to commoner status. At that time, the realm was in mourning and authority had been entrusted to Shi Dan. Failing to understand the significance of these honorific titles, Shi Dan made groundless objections and demeaned them, thereby injuring filial piety, which is a grave act of disloyalty. Your Majesty, in your benevolence and wisdom, should make these honorific titles manifest. Dong Hong ought to be restored as Marquis of Gaochang in recognition of his loyalty and filial piety. As for Shi Dan, who has shown himself rebellious and violent, although he has been pardoned, he should not be permitted to retain any title or fief. We request that he be reduced to commoner status.” The request was approved.
They further proposed: “Wang Mang, Marquis of Xindu, formerly held the office of Grand General. He did not uphold the significance of these honorific titles, but instead belittled them, thereby injuring filial piety, and should be severely punished. Although he has received a pardon, he should not be allowed to retain any title or land. We request that he be reduced to commoner status.”
The Emperor said, “Since Wang Mang is connected to the Grand Empress Dowager, do not reduce him to commoner status; instead, send him back to his march.” The same treatment was extended to Wang Ren, Marquis of Ping’e, who had sheltered the relatives of Zhaoyi(Consort) Zhao; all were sent back to their fiefs.
People throughout the realm felt that the Wang family had been mistreated and sympathized with them. The Grand Master of Remonstration Yang Xuan submitted a sealed memorial, saying: “Emperor Cheng gave profound thought to the importance of the ancestral temple and praised Your Majesty’s supreme virtue as the continuation of Heaven’s mandate. His sacred intentions were deep, and his grace was boundless. It is well known that the late Emperor intended for Your Majesty to succeed him and serve in the Eastern Palace. The Grand Empress Dowager, now seventy years of age, mourns constantly and has ordered her relatives to avoid contention with the Ding and Fu families, so that even people along the roads weep for her. How could this not cause Your Majesty to reflect deeply? At this moment, when Your Majesty stands aloft and gazes far off toward the Yanling Mauselum, does Your Majesty not feel humbled before Emperor Cheng?”
The Emperor was deeply moved by his words and restored the title of Marquis of Chengdu to Wang Yi, the second son of Wang Shang.
Zhu Bo also submitted a memorial: “According to Han precedent, the provincial inspectors held low salary ranks yet received substantial rewards, and thus achievements were encouraged and promotion advanced. Previously, however, the office of inspector was abolished and replaced by that of governor, which carried a full salary rank of two thousand piculs and stood just below the Nine Ministers. Whenever vacancies arose among the Nine Ministers, governors with the highest merit ratings were appointed to fill them. Those of middling ability merely guarded their positions. I fear that, as a result, the function of supervision has been weakened and deceitful practices are no longer restrained. I request that the office of provincial governor be abolished and that the office of inspector be restored.” The Emperor agreed.
On June 5, Empress Dowager Ding passed away. An edict was issued ordering her burial in the garden of Emperor Gong of Dingtao. Fifty thousand men were conscripted from the nearby commanderies of Chenliu and Jiyin to excavate the grave and complete the reburial.
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