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Tag: Feng Fengshi

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 223): Happy Household, Happy Realm

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 21 Scroll 29

    Duration of 9 years

    Fan Zhongyan’s family precepts. Calligraphy of Ai Xiongheng

    The 3rd year of Emperor Yuan’s Yongguang Era (41 B.C.)

    In February of spring, Feng Fengshi returned to the capital and was appointed General of the Left, and the title of Marquis Within the Passes was conferred upon him.

    In March, the Emperor’s son Liu Kang was made Prince of Jiyang.

    In April of summer, Wang Jie, Marquis Kao of Pingchang, passed away.

    In July of autumn, Xu Jia, Marquis of Ping’en, was appointed Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry.

    In winter, on November 8, there was an earthquake accompanied by rainfall.

    The offices of Salt and Iron were reinstated; the enrollment of court scholars was limited to one thousand. Because funds were insufficient and many among the people had been exempted from levies, the government lacked the means to sustain both internal and external labor services.

    The 4th year of Emperor Yuan’s Yongguang Era (40 B.C.)

    In February of spring, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.

    In March, the Emperor traveled to Yong to offer sacrifice at the Altars of the Five Deities.

    In summer, on June 26, a fire broke out at the eastern gate of the Mausoleum of Emperor Xuan.

    On June 30, at the new moon, a solar eclipse occurred.

    The Emperor then summoned and questioned those who had earlier spoken on the omens of the sun, including Zhou Kan and Zhang Meng. They bowed their heads and apologized. Thereupon the Emperor issued an edict praising Zhou Kan’s virtue, summoned him to the traveling court, appointed him Grandee of Merit with a stipend of two thousand piculs of grain, and placed him in charge of the State Secretariat. Zhang Meng was restored to the office of Grandee of the Palace and Palace Steward.

    The Chief of the Palace Secretariat, Shi Xian, controlled the State Secretariat entirely, and all five ministers within it were his clients. Zhou Kan seldom had an opportunity to see the Emperor and was compelled to speak through Shi Xian, with all decisions made according to Shi Xian’s word. Later Zhou Kan fell ill with a throat ailment, lost the power of speech, and died. Shi Xian then falsely accused Zhang Meng, who, in despair, took his own life at the palace concierge.

    Gong Yu had submitted a memorial stating: “The temples of Emperors Hui and Jing, having no direct descendants, should be dismantled. Furthermore, the temples maintained in the commanderies and kingdoms do not accord with ancient rites and should be rectified.” The Emperor approved this proposal.

    Thus in autumn, on July 10, the temples of Queen Zhaoling (mother of Emperor Gaozu), King Wu’ai (elder brother of Emperor Gaozu), Queen Zhao’ai (elder sister of Emperor Gaozu), Empress Wei Si (Wei Zifu, mother of Crown Prince Liu Ju), Crown Prince Li (Liu Ju), and Empress Dowager Li (consort of Liu Ju and grandmother of Emperor Xuan) were discontinued. None of these were thereafter to receive sacrifices; only a minimal guard of officials and soldiers was assigned.

    In winter, on October 19, the ancestral temples located in the commanderies and princedoms were likewise abolished.

    The various imperial tombs were assigned to the jurisdiction of the Three Metropolitan Regions. The area of the Shouling Pavilion in Weicheng was designated as the preliminary burial ground of the Emperor. An edict forbade the establishment of counties or towns there, and prohibited forcefully relocating people from the commanderies or kingdoms into that area.

    The 5th year of Emperor Yuan’s Yongguang Era (39 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor journeyed to Ganquan and performed the suburban sacrifice at the Taiyi Altar. In March, he traveled to Hedong and offered sacrifice to the Queen of the Earth.

    In autumn, great flooding struck Yingchuan, and many people perished.

    In winter, the Emperor traveled to Changyang Palace, where the Bear-Shooting Park lay, and held a great hunt.

    On December 16, the temples and tombs of the Grand Emperor Emeritus (father of Emperor Gaozu) and of Emperor Hui were destroyed in accordance with the counsel of Wei Xuancheng and others.

    The Emperor favored Confucian arts and literary cultivation, thereby greatly altering the policies of Emperor Xuan. Many who offered proposals were granted audience, and all believed themselves to have entered the Emperor’s favor. Moreover, Consort(Zhaoyi[Lady of Bright Deportment]) Fu and her son, the Prince of Jiyang, were cherished above the Empress and the Crown Prince.

    The Crown Prince’s tutor, Kuang Heng, submitted a memorial:

    “I have heard that the key to order and disorder, safety and peril, and the governance of all under Heaven, lies in discerning where the Sovereign directs his mind. A sovereign who receives the Mandate fixes his thoughts upon founding and perpetuating a dynasty, transmitting it endlessly to future ages. One who inherits the throne seeks to continue the virtues of the former kings and to magnify their achievements. In ancient times, when King Cheng of Zhou succeeded to the throne, he sought to follow the ways of King Wen and King Wu of Zhou to cultivate his heart. All his illustrious deeds and glorious accomplishments he attributed to the two kings, never daring to claim the merit for himself. Thus Heaven took delight in their offerings, and the spirits bestowed their blessings.”

    “Your Majesty possesses sacred virtue vast as the heavens and loves the people of the realm as your own children, yet the harmony of yin and yang has not been attained, and treachery and wickedness have not been curbed. This is likely because your advisers have not greatly extolled the achievements of the former emperors, but instead vie with one another to assert that established institutions cannot be used and must be changed. Some reforms prove impractical and are repeatedly altered and reversed, causing subordinates to dispute without end and leaving officials and people alike without trust. I privately lament that the state has cast aside what the people found successful and satisfying, and instead engages in fruitless back-and-forth.”

    “I wish that Your Majesty would carefully review the great matter of succession, and devote your mind to upholding established institutions and advancing the past achievements so as to steady the hearts of your subordinates. The Great Odes of the Book of Songs say: ‘Do not forget your ancestors; cultivate their virtue.’ This is the root of utmost virtue. The Commentaries say: ‘By discerning likes and dislikes and regulating emotion and nature, the royal Way is achieved.’ The means of regulating one’s nature is to examine one’s excesses and strengthen one’s deficiencies.

    “Those who are bright and perceptive must beware of being overly critical; those who are less informed must beware of being obstructive. The brave and strong must beware of undue violence; the benevolent and gentle must beware of indecision. The tranquil and easygoing must beware of negligence; the broad-minded and magnanimous must beware of forgetfulness. One must scrutinize the cautions appropriate to oneself and temper them with righteousness; then the influence of balanced harmony will respond, and the deceitful and cunning will not dare to scheme for advancement. If Your Majesty heeds this counsel, it will elevate your sacred virtue.”

    “I have also heard that when the Way of the household is cultivated, the governance of the realm is thereby achieved. Thus the Book of Songs begins with the ‘Airs of the States,’ and the Book of Rites begins with the ceremonies of capping and marriage. The Airs of the States reveal the origins of emotion and human relationships, thereby illuminating ethical norms. The ceremonies of coming-of-age and marriage set the household in order and lay the foundation for preventing future disorder. Therefore, the sage kings carefully managed the relationships among consorts and queens, distinguished between the heir-apparent and the lesser sons, and observed the rites within the household. The lowly did not overstep the honored, nor the new precede the old, thus harmonizing human sentiments and regulating the yin force.

    “By honoring the rightful heir and subordinating the lesser sons, the legitimate son is capped at the Eastern Terrace and receives the sweet-wine rite; the lesser sons do not join the ranks. Thus the legitimate lineage is exalted and doubts and suspicions are dispelled. This is not merely a matter of adding external ritual forms, but of manifesting a true internal distinction. Therefore, ritual inquires into inner emotion and makes it visible outwardly. When the sage’s movements—whether in formal intercourse or in leisurely intimacy—accord with proper order, then everything follows its correct pattern, self-cultivation is achieved, and the people are transformed by his example.

    “If those who should be near are pushed afar, and those who should be honored are disgraced, then the treacherous and cunning will seize the chance to disturb the state. Thus the sage vigilantly prevents wrongful beginnings and forbids troubles before they arise, never allowing private affection to injure public righteousness. The Commentaries say: ‘When the household is in order, the realm will be at peace.’”In earlier times, after Emperor Wu had blocked the breach of the Yellow River and built Xuanfang Palace to commemorate the achievement, the river later burst northward again at Guantao, forming the Tunshi River, which flowed northeast into the sea. The Tunshi River grew as broad and as deep as the main course of the Yellow River, and thus it was left unblocked. In this year, the Yellow River broke through at Lingmingdu Estuary in Qinghe Commandery, causing the Tunshi River to dry up.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 222): It Takes What It Takes

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 20 Scroll 28 (continued)

    General Feng Fengshi

    The 2nd year of Emperor Yuan’s Yongguang Era (42 B.C.)

    In February of spring, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.

    On February 5, Wei Xuancheng, Grand Master of the Censorate, was appointed Chancellor, and Zheng Hong, Intendant of Fufeng, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

    On March 1, at the new moon, a solar eclipse occurred.

    In June of summer, a general amnesty was again granted to the empire.

    The Emperor asked the Palace Steward Kuang Heng about the meaning of the earthquake and the solar eclipse. Kuang Heng submitted a memorial:

    “Your Majesty embodies sacred virtue and opens the way to peace, showing compassion even to foolish officials and commoners who violate the law. In recent years Your Majesty has repeatedly granted general amnesties, allowing the people to correct themselves and begin anew—this is a great blessing to the realm.

    “However, I observe that after the amnesties, deceit and wickedness have not diminished. One day there is a general amnesty; the next, crimes are committed anew; prisons are continually filled. This reveals that the root of the problem has not been addressed.

    “The customs of our age are such that people are greedy, valuing wealth over righteousness; they pursue pleasure and extravagance, belittle the bonds of kinship, seek alliances through marriage, and dare to test the boundaries of the law as they pursue profit by opportunistic means. Without altering these underlying causes, even if amnesties were granted every year, it would be difficult to eliminate crime and make punishments unnecessary. In my humble view, it is essential to profoundly transform the ethos of the land.

    “The court is the pillar of the realm. If the court speaks words of discontent, contention will arise below; if those above act for private gain, those below will become unyielding; if those above use unprincipled means to overcome others, those below will harbor harmful intent; if ministers seek profit, the people will turn to theft. The court is the root of society.

    “To govern the realm, it is essential that the example be set from above. The transforming influence of instruction does not come from preaching alone, but from virtuous men holding office and capable men fulfilling their duties. When the court reveres propriety, the officials will act with deference; moral conduct will spread outward, beginning with those near at hand. Only then will the people know whom to emulate, gradually improving themselves without being aware of the change.

    “As the Book of Songs says: ‘The city of Shang is orderly, the supreme model for the four quarters.’ Today’s Chang’an, seat of the Son of Heaven, should directly inherit the sacred teachings. Yet its customs differ little from those of distant regions. Visitors from commanderies and principalities find no model to follow; at times they witness extravagance and emulate it. This is the root of education and transformation, the pivot of reforming customs; it must be rectified first.

    “I have heard that the interaction between Heaven and humanity is such that spiritual omens answer one another, and good and evil move in mutual response. Events below are mirrored above. When Yin stirs and changes, the still is shaken, as in an earthquake; when Yang is obscured, the bright grows dark, as at a solar eclipse; thereafter follow the disasters of flood and drought.

    “Your Majesty should, in awe of Heaven’s warnings, take pity upon the people; reduce extravagance, examine institutions, cherish loyalty and integrity, and distance yourself from the cunning and the fawning. By exalting supreme benevolence, correcting corrupt customs, and elevating moral conduct in the capital, virtuous influence will flow beyond the borders, producing great transformation, renewing propriety and deference.”

    The Emperor found his words pleasing and promoted Kuang Heng to Grand Master of Merit.

    Xun Yue’s commentary: An amnesty is a measure suited to particular times; it is not a constant policy. When the Han first arose, it followed upon the tumult of Qin’s wars, in an age of great confusion when almost every household was liable to punishment. Therefore the simple law of three articles and the general amnesty were instituted to purge corruption and give the people a new beginning—such measures accorded with the times.

    Later generations inherited these practices without adapting them to changing circumstances, and thus their appropriateness was lost.

    In the reigns of Emperors Hui and Wen, there was no need for an amnesty. But in the time of Emperor Jing, the Seven Kingdoms rebelled; factions arose with divergent aims, and deceit became widespread. By the end of Emperor Wu’s reign, excessive taxes and labor levies gave rise to banditry, and the affair of the Crown Prince together with the witchcraft calamity plunged the people into fear and disorder. Likewise, under Emperor Guangwu, following the restoration after turmoil, conditions made an amnesty fitting.

    In July of autumn, the Qiang tribes of Longxi rebelled. An edict summoned Chancellor Wei Xuancheng and others to deliberate. At that time, the year’s harvest was poor, and the court was already anxious; suddenly the Qiang uprising erupted, yet Wei Xuancheng and the others remained silent, none venturing a word.

    General of the Right, Feng Fengshi, said: “The Qiang barbarians lie close at hand and have risen against us. If we do not strike quickly, we cannot overawe the tribes afar. I am willing to lead a host to suppress them.”

    The Emperor asked how many troops were needed. Feng Fengshi replied: “I have heard that those skilled in war do not repeatedly mobilize troops, nor store provisions for more than three years. Thus their forces are not left long in exposure, and they swiftly enact Heaven’s punishment. The rebels number some thirty thousand; therefore we should employ twice that number—sixty thousand men. Yet the Qiang and Xirong chiefly use bows and spears, weapons not exceptionally keen; forty thousand should suffice. One month will settle the matter.”

    The Chancellor, the Grand Master of the Censorate, and the Two Generals (the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the General of the Left) all said: “The people are still recovering; it is unwise to mobilize great numbers. Ten thousand garrison troops will suffice.”

    Feng Fengshi objected, saying: “No—it will not suffice. Famine spreads, our soldiers and horses are weak, and our defenses have long been neglected. The barbarians may deem our garrisons feeble and feel no fear. If we fight in the field, our troops may break and suffer wounds; if we cling to our forts, the people will not be rescued. This will reveal our weakness. The Qiang will seize the moment, and the tribes will unite and rise. I fear that the levies of the Central Plain will surpass even forty thousand, and the matter cannot be settled with coins alone. Thus a small force will protract the war, whereas a decisive strike will settle it swiftly. The difference is ten thousandfold.”

    Feng Fengshi pressed his argument vigorously but could not prevail. An edict was issued adding only two thousand more troops. Thereafter Feng Fengshi was dispatched with twelve thousand cavalry, ostensibly for garrison duty, with the Minister of Vassal Affairs Ren Li and the Protection Commandant Han Chang as his lieutenants.

    Upon reaching Longxi, they established three garrisons. Han Chang first sent two colonels against the Qiang, but the enemy were numerous, overwhelmed them, and the two colonels were slain.

    Feng Fengshi then submitted detailed calculations of the terrain and the forces required, requesting an additional thirty-six thousand troops to settle the matter decisively. His memorial persuaded the Emperor, who mobilized more than sixty thousand soldiers.

    In  August, the Emperor appointed the Minister of Rites and Marquis of Yiyang, Ren Qianqiu, as General of Fervent Resolve to assist in the campaign.

    By October of winter, the troops had reached Longxi; in November they advanced in unison. The Qiang suffered a crushing defeat; several thousand heads were taken, and the remainder fled beyond the borders.

    While the campaign was still underway, the court again levied ten thousand troops and appointed Han Anguo, Prefect of Dingxiang, as General of Establishing Might. But when news arrived of the Qiang defeat, they returned without advancing.

    An edict was issued demobilizing the officers and troops, leaving a portion to remain in garrison-farms and guard the strategic passes.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 198): Asking for Forgiveness Rather Than Permission

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 17 Scroll 25 (continued)

    Shache(Yarkand) in 1870, Xinjiang

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Yuan’kang Era (65 B.C. continued)

    In that year, the Privy Treasurer, Song Chou, was demoted to Grand Tutor of the Prince of Sishui Liu Zong, for having once remarked: “When the phoenixes arrived at Pengcheng and had not yet reached the capital, the auspice lacked its full majesty; it might have been more fitting had they alighted upon the imperial precincts.”

    The Emperor appointed erudites and court remonstrators, who had been familiar with the administration of state affairs, to serve as prefects of commanderies and prime ministers of principalities. Xiao Wangzhi was made Prefect of Pingyuan. He submitted a memorial:

    “Your Majesty’s compassion for the people is admirable. Yet if erudites and remonstrators are sent forth to replace established officials, fearing only that Your benevolence might not reach afar, deeper concerns may be neglected. Should differing voices from remonstrators no longer be heard in court, errors may pass unnoticed, and matters of immediate urgency may overshadow the foundations of government.”

    The Emperor summoned Xiao Wangzhi and appointed him as the Privy Treasurer.

    The Prefect of Donghai, Yin Wenggui of Hedong, having excelled in his governance, was promoted to Intendant of Fufeng. Yin Wenggui was renowned for a penetrating insight into the virtues and faults of both officials and commoners under his jurisdiction. He recorded in detail the circumstances of each county and personally conducted oversight. When the magistrates handled the cases too harshly or swiftly, he made them slow down and be more lenient; If the magistrates got sloppy slightly, he reviewed their cases with careful diligence. Arrests were carried out during the autumn and winter assessments or when he visited the counties, ensuring that the accused would not linger long in confinement; those seized served as warnings to the rest. Thus officials and commoners alike held him in reverence and fear, and each strove to amend himself.

    As Prefect of Fufeng, he selected incorruptible and capable subordinates, treated them with respect regardless of his personal preference, yet dealt strictly with those who betrayed his trust. Though his merits were eminent, he remained modest and without pride, and his name became highly esteemed in the court.

    At first, Wannian, younger son of the Princess of Wusun Liu Jieyou, was cherished by the King of Shache. When the King of Shache died without an heir and Wannian was then residing at the Han court, the people of Shache, seeking alliance with Han and favor from Wusun, petitioned that Wannian be established as their king under Han authority. The court agreed and dispatched Xi Chongguo as envoy to escort Wannian back to Shache. Yet when Wannian ascended the throne, he proved cruel and harsh, and the people bitterly resented him.

    The Emperor ordered his ministers to recommend envoys to the Western Regions. The General of Van Han Zeng recommended Feng Fengshi of Shangdang to serve as Captain of the Guard, bearing the imperial scepter and escorting the tribute envoys of Dayuan and other polities to Yixun City. Meanwhile, Hutu Zheng, younger brother of the former King of Shache, conspired with neighboring states to assassinate King Wannian and the Han envoy Xi Chongguo, and then declared himself king. At the same time, the Xiongnu attacked Jushi City, but failed to take it and withdrew. The new king of Shache then sent envoys falsely reporting that the northern states had submitted to the Xiongnu and began raiding the southern route, forming a coalition against Han and cutting off communications west of Shanshan.

    At this time, the Protector-General of the Western Regions, Zheng Ji, and Colonel Sima Xi maintained military farms among the northern states. Feng Fengshi and his lieutenant Yan Chang argued that if they did not act quickly, Shache would grow powerful and threaten the entire Western Regions. Therefore, they issued an order in the Emperor’s name to the kings of the western states, mobilizing 15,000 troops from the northern and southern routes to attack Shache, and they captured its capital. The king committed suicide, and his head was sent to Chang’an. Another younger brother was appointed king in his stead. Peace having returned among the western states, Feng Fengshi disbanded the army and reported the victory to the court. The Emperor summoned Han Zeng and said: “Let congratulations be extended to General Han; you have chosen a worthy man.”

    Feng Fengshi then journeyed farther west to Dayuan. When the people of Dayuan heard that he had slain the King of Shache, they received him with honor surpassing that shown to previous envoys, and presented him with a famed steed called the “Dragon Horse.” The Emperor was greatly delighted and considered granting Feng Fengshi a noble title. The Chancellor and the generals all agreed, but the Privy Treasurer Xiao Wangzhi remonstrated: “Feng Fengshi, though an envoy, acted on his own authority and forged an imperial command to mobilize troops. Though he achieved merit, such conduct must not be made precedent. If he is ennobled, future envoys will seek fame by raising arms, provoking distant tribes and inviting calamities upon the realm. Feng Fengshi should not be granted a noble.”

    The Emperor approved Xiao Wangzhi’s counsel and instead appointed Feng Fengshi Grand Master of Merit.

    The 2nd year of Emperor Xuan’s Yuan’kang Era (64 B.C.)

    In January of spring, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.

    The Emperor intended to establish an Empress. At that time, the mothers of Princess Guantao, Hua Jieyu[Lady of Handsome Fairness], mother of Prince Xian of Huaiyang, Zhang Jieyu, mother of Prince Xiao of Chu, and Wei Jieyu were all in favor. The Emperor at first wished to install Zhang Jieyu as Empress. Yet wavering for long and taking lessons from the treasonous plot of Huo Chengjun against the Crown Prince, the Emperor resolved instead to choose a palace woman who had no children of her own and was prudent and discreet.

    Accordingly, on February 26, Wang Jieyu[Lady of Handsome Fairness Wang] of Changling was established as Empress, and was commanded to rear the Crown Prince. Her father, Wang Fengguang, was ennobled as Marquis of Qiongcheng. The Empress was not beloved and seldom received imperial audiences.

    In May, an edict was issued:

    “The handling of legal cases concerns the lives of the people. If the living bear no resentment and the dead no grievance, then the officials may be deemed worthy. Yet it is not so today. Some officials manipulate the laws with cunning, twisting statutes to obscure their meaning, and justice fails to be impartial. Their written reports do not accord with the facts, and even We cannot discern the truth. How, then, can the people place their trust in their superiors? Let all officials of two-thousand-picul rank examine their subordinates and dismiss such men.

    “Some officials impose excessive labor, embellish relay hostels, entertain travelers extravagantly, exceeding the law in pursuit of name and reputation. This is like treading thin ice beneath the burning sun—perilous indeed! Now an epidemic spreads widely, and We grieve for the suffering of the people. Wherever calamity has struck most severely, taxation for this year shall be remitted.”

    Another edict declared:

    “The ancient emperors chose personal names seldom encountered, so that prohibition of their use caused no hardship. Therefore, my personal name shall be altered to be Liu Xun, so that it may be easily avoided.”