Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 27 Scroll 35 (continued)
The 2nd year of Emperor Ai’s Yuanshou Era (1 B.C.)
In January of spring, Xiongnu Chanyu and Yizhimi, the Great Kunmi of Wusun, both came to court, which the Han regarded as a mark of great honor. At that time there were fifty nations in the Western Regions. Counting from chief interpreters up to generals, chancellors, marquises, and kings, there were altogether 376 persons who bore Han seals and ribbons. Kangju, the Great Rouzhi(Tokhara), Anxi(Farsi or Parthian), Jibin (Kaśmīra), and Wuyishanli (Alexandria Prophthasia), however, were considered too distant and were not included in this number. When they came to present tribute, they were answered with reciprocal gifts, but they were not placed under the strict supervision and control of the Protector-General.
Since the Huanglong era (49 B.C.), whenever the Chanyu came to court, the gifts like brocade, silk, and cotton bestowed upon him had been made more generous than before, in order to comfort and honor him. During a banquet attended by the Chanyu and the assembled ministers, the Chanyu was surprised by Dong Xian’s youth and asked the interpreter about him.
The Emperor instructed the interpreter to reply, “The Grand Marshal is young, but he holds office because he possesses great talent.”
The Chanyu then rose and congratulated the Han on having such a young and talented minister.
At that time Jupiter was in the southwest, and the Emperor, believing in Jupiter’s subduing or exorcising function under such a configuration, lodged the Chanyu in the Putao (Grape) Palace in Shanglin Garden, which was situated to the south, informing him that this was a mark of special honor. The Chanyu, however, upon learning the true reason, was displeased.
In the summer, on March 29, there was a solar eclipse.
On May 2, the duties of the Three Excellencies were formally divided. Dong Xian, Grand Marshal and General of the Guards, became Grand Marshal. Kong Guang, Chancellor, became Grand Excellency over the Masses. Peng Xuan, Grand Master of the Censorate, became Grand Excellency of Works and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping.
On June 26, the Emperor died in Weiyang Palace.
The Emperor had witnessed, during Emperor Cheng’s reign, the weakening of imperial authority. After ascending the throne, he repeatedly executed high ministers in an effort to strengthen the power of the throne, following the examples of Emperors Wu and Xuan. Yet he favored flatterers and slanderers while resenting the loyal and upright, and this led to the decline of the Han dynasty’s fortunes.
When the Grand Empress Dowager learned of the Emperor’s death, she immediately went to Weiyang Palace and took possession of the imperial seals and ribbons. She summoned the Grand Marshal Dong Xian and met him in the eastern chamber, asking him about the arrangements for the funeral. Dong Xian, overwhelmed by inward anguish, was unable to reply and removed his cap in apology. The Grand Empress Dowager said, “Wang Mang, Marquis of Xindu, formerly served as Grand Marshal and presided over the funeral of the late Emperor. He is well versed in these precedents. I shall have Wang Mang assist you.”
Dong Xian knocked his head to the ground and said, “How fortunate!” The Grand Empress Dowager then sent an envoy to summon Wang Mang with all haste. She issued an edict to the officials, placing the military orders and tally of command, all official affairs, the eunuchs, and the palace guards under Wang Mang’s authority.
Acting on the Grand Empress Dowager’s instructions, Wang Mang then had the ministers of the State Secretariat impeach Dong Xian for negligence during the Emperor’s illness, on the grounds that he had failed to ensure proper medical care, and forbade Dong Xian to enter the palace or the headquarters of the Commandant of the Palace Guards. Dong Xian, at a loss as to what to do, went to the palace gate, removed his cap, and walked barefoot while pleading guilty.
On June 27, Wang Mang, acting on behalf of the Grand Empress Dowager, sent an official to the palace gate to proclaim an edict, stating: “Dong Xian is young and inexperienced in affairs of state. As Grand Marshal, he has failed to win the hearts of the people. Therefore, his seals and ribbons as Grand Marshal are to be taken away, he is dismissed from office, and he is to return home.” That same day, Dong Xian and his wife both committed suicide, and their family, in fear, buried them by night.
Wang Mang suspected that they had feigned death. The officials therefore requested that Dong Xian’s coffin be exhumed, brought to the prison for examination, and then reburied within the prison grounds.
The Grand Empress Dowager issued a decree, saying: “Let the ministers recommend someone suitable for the office of Grand Marshal.”
Wang Mang, having formerly served as Grand Marshal, offered to yield the position out of deference to the Ding and Fu families, and the people praised his virtue. Moreover, he was a close kinsman of the Grand Empress Dowager. From Kong Guang, Grand Excellency over the Masses, downward, the entire court nominated Wang Mang. Only He Wu, General of the Van, and Gongsun Lu, General of the Left, stepped down from the hall and conferred privately, saying, “In former times, during the reigns of Emperor Hui and Emperor Zhao, the affinal clans of Lü, Huo, or Shangguan held power and nearly endangered the state. Now that Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ai have both died without heirs, it is fitting to choose and establish a young ruler from among the close kinsmen of the Liu clan. It would be unwise to allow a powerful affinal relative to control the government. To mix private kinship with affairs of state would not be to the benefit of the realm.”
Accordingly, He Wu nominated Gongsun Lu for Grand Marshal, and Gongsun Lu in turn nominated He Wu. On June 28, the Grand Empress Dowager personally appointed Wang Mang Grand Marshal and entrusted him with charge of the State Secretariat.
The Grand Empress Dowager and Wang Mang deliberated over the selection of a successor to the throne. Wang Shun, Marquis of Anyang and Wang Mang’s cousin, was a man of stern conduct whom the Grand Empress Dowager trusted and favored. Wang Mang recommended Wang Shun for the post of General of Chariots and Cavalry. In June of autumn, Wang Shun, together with the Grand Herald Zuo Xian, was sent bearing the imperial scepter to escort Liu Jizi, Prince of Zhongshan, to serve as heir.
Wang Mang also reported to the Grand Empress Dowager and had an edict issued through the proper authorities, stating that Empress Dowager Zhao had formerly monopolized favor together with her younger sister, Consort Zhao, blocked access to the palace, and cruelly extinguished the imperial line of succession. She was therefore reduced to the title of Empress Cheng and removed to the Northern Palace. Furthermore, because Empress Dowager Gong of Dingtao had conspired with Fu Yan, Marquis of Kongxiang, acting out of selfishness and ingratitude, and had behaved with extravagance and disorder, Empress Ai was moved to Gui Palace. The Fu and Ding clans were stripped of their official ranks and sent back to their home commanderies, and Fu Yan, together with his family, was exiled to Hepu.
Fu Xi alone was commended in an imperial edict, which stated: “Fu Xi, Marquis of Gaowu, was by nature sincere and prudent, whose remark was righteous and upright. Although he was related to the late Empress Dowager Gong of Dingtao, he did not follow her corrupt conduct, but preserved his integrity. He was therefore dismissed from office and sent back to his fief. As the saying goes, ‘Only in the depth of winter do we know the steadfastness of the pine and cypress.’ He is hereby recalled to Chang’an as special appointee and an Honorary court-attendee.”
Yet despite this outward mark of honor, Fu Xi felt isolated and fearful. He was later sent back to his fief, where he died in old age.
Wang Mang also demoted Empress Dowager Fu to the title “Mother of Prince Gong of Dingtao,” and Queen Dowager Ding to “Lady Ding.” Furthermore, he accused Dong Xian and his father of wantonness, extravagance, and overstepping their proper authority; their property was confiscated and turned over to the state. All officials who had been appointed through Dong Xian were dismissed. Dong Xian’s father, Dong Gong, his brother Dong Kuanxin, and their families were exiled to Hepu, while Dong Xian’s mother was sent back to her home commandery of Julu.
In Chang’an, lowly people made noise, and many gathered outside Dong Xian’s residence, weeping and hoping to break in and plunder it. State officials auctioned off Dong Xian’s estate, which amounted to 4.3 billion coins. Zhu Xu of Pei, who had been a close associate of Dong Xian, resigned from the Grand Marshal’s office, purchased a coffin and burial garments, and interred Dong Xian’s body. When Wang Mang heard of this, he had Zhu Xu executed on other charges.
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