Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 15 Scroll 23 (continued)
The 1st year of Emperor Zhao’s Yuanfeng Era (80 B.C. continued)
On September 2, Wang Xin of Fufeng was appointed Grand Master of Censorate.
In October of winter, Du Yannian was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jianping, and Yan Cang was made Marquis of Yicheng. Ren Gong, formerly a liaison in the Chancellery, who had seized Shangguan Jie, was ennobled as Marquis of Yiyang. Wang Shanshou, junior staff of the Chancellery, who enticed Shangguan An into the Chancellery and arrested him, was granted the title of Marquis of Shangli.
Long after, Literati Wei Xiang of Jiyin, in reply to the Emperor’s inquiry, said: “Of late, when the Prince of Yan committed injustice, Han Yi, though bound by close ties, dared to remonstrate sternly, and was slain by the Prince. Han Yi, though not kin to the Prince as Bi Gan was to King Zhou of Shang, followed Bi Gan’s principles. It is fitting that his son be rewarded, to proclaim to the world the righteousness of a loyal minister.” Accordingly, Han Yi’s son, Han Yanshou, was promoted to Grand Master of Remonstration.
The Grand General, Huo Guang, perceiving that the court lacked seasoned officials, appointed the Chamberlain Zhang Anshi—who had long been forthright and had served as Chief of the State Secretariat since the reign of the late Emperor—as General of the Right, concurrently holding his post as Chamberlain, to serve as his second in command. Zhang Anshi was the son of the former Minister of Justice, Zhang Tang. Huo Guang also esteemed the loyalty and integrity of Du Yannian, promoting him in succession to Grand Coachman, Right Office Administrator, and Palace Liaison.
Huo Guang upheld strict enforcement of laws and punishments, while Du Yannian oft aided in tempering them. When officials or commoners submitted petitions for reform, the court charged Du Yannian to review them and present them again for the Emperor’s decision. Those who passed vetting and were recommended for office, were appointed as county magistrates, or employed in the Chancellery or the Censorate. Their conduct was examined yearly, and if found wanting and punishment-warranted, they were disposed accordingly.
That same year, the Xiongnu dispatched twenty thousand cavalry in four columns from the Left and Right Divisions, breaking across the frontier to plunder. Han troops pursued them, beheading many, seizing nine thousand prisoners, and capturing their leader, the Outuo King. The Han suffered no loss. The Xiongnu, fearful that the Outuo King was now in the Han’s hands, and dreading confrontation, withdrew northwest, not daring to advance southward to seek water and pasture. The Han court then recruited settlers to cultivate and guard the land of Outuo.
The 2nd year of Emperor Zhao’s Yuanfeng Era (79 B.C.)
In April of summer, the Emperor moved from Jianzhang Palace to Weiyang Palace.
In June, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
That year, the Xiongnu again sent nine thousand riders to garrison near the City of Defectors, preparing against the Han’s attack. They built a northern bridge over the Yuwu River, to secure their retreat. They desired marriage alliance and peace, yet feared the Han’s refusal, and so dared not first make the request. Instead, their chieftains often hinted of it to the Han envoys. Meanwhile, their raids and thefts diminished, and they received the Han emissaries with increasing courtesy, thereby seeking gradually to achieve reconciliation. The Han, in turn, strove to win their allegiance.
The 3rd year of Emperor Zhao’s Yuanfeng Era (78 B.C.)
In January of spring, on Mount Tai a great stone arose of itself and stood upright. In the Shanglin Park, a willow tree long dead and withered revived and came back to life. Insects fed on its leaves, forming characters that read: “Gongsun Bingyi shall be enthroned.”
Sceptre Custodian Sui Hong of Lu memorialized, saying: “The stone that stands of itself, the withered willow revived—these portents signify that from among the common people one shall soon become Emperor. The tree that revives to life may be the restoration of the Gongsun clan, once cut off. The House of Han, inheriting the mandate from Emperor Yao, is destined now for transfer of reign. It should seek out the virtuous to receive the throne, abdicate willingly, and retain a fief of a hundred li, thus according with Heaven’s will.” For spreading blasphemy to mislead the people, Sui Hong was executed.
At that time, the Xiongnu Chanyu dispatched the Liwu King to reconnoiter the frontier, reporting that the garrisons of Jiuquan and Zhangye were weakened. He urged an expedition to probe their defenses, hoping to recover those lands. The plan was revealed by surrendered Xiongnu, and the Emperor ordered the border commanderies to maintain strict vigilance. Soon after, the Right Tuqi King and the Liwu King led four thousand riders in three columns, raiding Ri’le, Wulan, and Panhe. The Prefect of Zhangye and the Commandant of the colony mustered their troops and engaged them, winning a great victory; only a few hundred escaped.
The Yiqu chieftain, a vassal king, shot and killed the Liwu King with a bow. In reward, he received two hundred catties of gold, two hundred horses, and was ennobled with the title of Liwu King by the Han. From that time forth, the Xiongnu dared not again intrude into Zhangye.
During the turmoil of the Prince of Yan and the Princess Royal Gai’s rebellions, Sang Qian, son of Sang Hongyang, fled into exile and sought refuge with Houshi Wu, once a subordinate of his father. Later, Sang Qian was seized and put to death. When a general amnesty was proclaimed, Houshi Wu came forth of his own accord and was cast into prison. The Minister of Justice, Wang Ping, and the Privy Treasurer, Xu Ren, were charged with handling the cases of those implicated in the rebellion. They submitted: “Sang Qian, though son of a traitor, fled in fear; Houshi Wu sheltered him, not as an accomplice in treason but as one guilty by association. Both should be pardoned.”
Later, the Censorate re-examined the evidence, stating: “Sang Qian, though learned in the Confucian Classics, knew of his father’s conspiracy yet offered no opposition. His guilt is as that of the rebels themselves. Houshi Wu, a minor official of three hundred-picul rank, willingly harbored Sang Qian, unlike commoners who merely hid the implicated. Thus, he cannot be pardoned.” The case was reopened, and charges were pressed against Wang Ping and Xu Ren for showing leniency toward rebels.
Xu Ren, being son-in-law to the Chancellor, Tian Qianqiu, feared that the Grand General Huo Guang would not hear his defense. Tian Qianqiu therefore summoned officials of 2000-picul rank together with scholars to assemble at the palace gate, and deliberate on the case of Houshi Wu. Those present, discerning the intent of Huo Guang, all deemed Houshi Wu guilty. On the morrow, Tian Qianqiu presented their judgment to the Emperor.
The Grand General Huo Guang accused the Chancellor Tian Qianqiu of unilaterally summoning officials and scholars, thereby creating divisions within and without, stirring opposition and spreading rumor. He ordered that Wang Ping and Xu Ren be cast into prison, and the people feared the Chancellor himself might be implicated.
The Grand Coachman, Du Yannian, memorialized the Grand General: “When officials shelter criminals, the statutes already provide for due punishment. Now, to add the charge of Houshi Wu’s impropriety may be overly severe. Moreover, the Chancellor, long known for holding nothing firmly, has been accustomed to speak fair words to his subordinates, in keeping with his nature. That he summoned the 2000-picul officials was improper, yet it accords with his old habit. The Chancellor has long served the late Emperor; there is no grave cause for dismissal, nor should he be cast aside save for open and manifested crimes.
“Of late, the people speak much of harsh judgments and trumped-up charges. Now the Chancellor has spoken in matters of law. If in consequence he should be implicated, it will not accord with public sentiment. There may be unrest among the people, and rumors will spread. I, Du Yannian, humbly believe this will harm the Grand General’s good name.”
The Grand General, deeming the Ministers of Justice and the Privy Treasurer guilty of trifling with the law, sent them to prison.
In April of summer, Xu Ren took his own life. Wang Ping and Jia Shenghu, Prefect of East Pingyi, were executed by waist-chopping. The Chancellor, Tian Qianqiu, was not implicated, and continued thereafter to serve alongside Huo Guang. Du Yannian’s counsel, favoring moderation and concord in the court, helped bring resolution in similar cases.
In winter, the Wuhuan of Liaodong rebelled. In former days, when Modu Chanyu destroyed the Donghu, their remnants scattered, settling about Mount Wuhuan and Mount Xianbei, and from these arose two eponym tribes, long subject to the Xiongnu. Later, Emperor Wu, in his eastern expedition against the Xiongnu, subdued them, and relocated the Wuhuan to Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, and the outer marches of Liaodong, to watch the Xiongnu on behalf of the Han. A Colonel of Protecting the Wuhuan was set over them, charged to guide and restrain them, and to forbid dealings with the Xiongnu. With the passing of years, the Wuhuan waxed strong and rose in rebellion.
At that time, over three thousand Xiongnu cavalry entered Wuyuan, slaying and plundering thousands. Soon thereafter, tens of thousands of their riders ranged south along the frontier, hunting, assaulting the outer posts, and seizing officers and commoners. Yet the watchtowers of the Han stood alert, and the Xiongnu, gaining little by such raids, seldom forced the defenses. From surrendered Xiongnu it was learned that the Wuhuan had earlier despoiled the tomb of a former Chanyu, which roused the wrath of the Xiongnu, and now they were dispatching twenty thousand cavalry to smite the Wuhuan.
The Grand General Huo Guang sought to dispatch troops to intercept and strike. He asked counsel of the Army Protector Commandant, Zhao Chongguo. Zhao Chongguo said: “The Wuhuan have oft violated the passes; now that the Xiongnu assail them, it is as though they act for the Han. Moreover, the Xiongnu seldom raid of late, and the northern frontier enjoys peace. If the barbarians fight among themselves and we send troops to intervene, stirring disorder and kindling strife, it is not a prudent course.”
Huo Guang then consulted the General of Household, Fan Mingyou, who judged it feasible to advance. Fan Mingyou was accordingly appointed General of Crossing Liao and led twenty thousand cavalry to Liaodong. When the Xiongnu heard of the Han army’s arrival, they withdrew.
At first, Huo Guang had warned Fan Mingyou not to let the mobilization be wasted, and if he could not overtake the Xiongnu, to strike the Wuhuan instead. The Wuhuan, having just been harried by the Xiongnu, were weakened. Fan Mingyou attacked them, slew over six thousand, and took the heads of three kings. Thereafter, the Xiongnu, in fear of the Han, dared not again make incursions.
Reflection by Rio Grande 