Reflection by Rio Grande

Tag: Gu Yong

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 251): Shady Succession

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang 

    Annals of Han Book 24 Scroll 32 (continued)

    Jetisu, Kazakhstan, which traced back to Wusun, Photo by Mheidegger

    The 2nd year of Emperor Cheng’s Yuanyan Era (11 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan and performed the rites at the Taiyi Altar. In March, he went to Hedong to offer sacrifices to Deity Earth. After completing the sacrifices, he proceeded to Mount Longmen, ascended the Daoist Temple at Mount Li(Li Guan), and climbed Mount Xiyue (Mount Hua, the western peak), before returning.

    In April of summer, he established Liu Shou, son of the Prince Xiao of Guangling Liu Ba, as the new Prince of Guangling.

    Earlier, the Wusun Minor Kunmi Anri had been killed by surrendered captives, plunging the Wusun chieftaincy into chaos. An edict summoned Duan Huizong, former Prefect of Jincheng, appointing him Left Bureau Manager, General of the Household, and Grand Master of Merit, and dispatching him to pacify the Wusun. Duan Huizong installed Anri’s brother Mozhenjiang as Minor Kunmi, restored stability to the state, and returned. 

    At that time, the Great Kunmi Cilimi was brave and powerful, and Mozhenjiang feared being absorbed by him. He therefore sent the nobleman Wu’riling to feign surrender and then assassinated Cilimi. The Han court intended to punish this with troops but was unable to do so, and instead sent General of the Household Duan Huizong to establish Yizhimi, grandson of Princess Liu Jieyou, as Great Kunmi.

    After some time, the Great Kunmi Yizhimi and the chieftain Nanqi killed Mozhenjiang, and Anri’s son Anlimi succeeded as Minor Kunmi. The Han regretted not having executed Mozhenjiang earlier and again sent Duan Huizong to mobilize the forces of the various states under the Wuji Colonel in order to put Mozhenjiang’s son Fanqiu to death. Duan Huizong feared that deploying a large army into Wusun territory would alarm Fanqiu and cause him to flee beyond reach. He therefore stationed the assembled troops at Dianlou, selected thirty elite crossbowmen, proceeded directly to the Kunmi’s camp, summoned Fanqiu, charged him with Mozhenjiang’s crimes, and personally executed him with his sword. The officials and attendants were struck with terror and hastened back.

    The Minor Kunmi Anlimi then surrounded Duan Huizong with several thousand cavalry. Duan Huizong explained the grounds for punishing Mozhenjiang, saying: “To surround and kill me now would be like plucking a single hair from a Han ox. The heads of the king of Dayuan and of Zhizhi Chanyu were hung in the marketplace—this is well known among the Wusun.”

    The Minor Kunmi and the others submitted, saying: “Mozhenjiang betrayed the Han, and the execution of his son was justified. But why were we not informed beforehand, so that we might have treated him to food and drink as a farewell?”

    Duan Huizong replied: “Had I informed Kunmi in advance, he would have fled and hidden himself, committing an even greater offense. Had he been treated to food and drink before being handed over, it would have wounded your family bonds. For these reasons, I did not give prior notice.” The Minor Kunmi and the others wept and withdrew.

    Duan Huizong returned and reported on his mission. The Emperor granted him the title of Marquis of the Inner Pass and awarded him one hundred catties of gold. Because Nanqi had killed Mozhenjiang, Duan Huizong appointed him Commandant of Solid Defense. He reprimanded the Dalu and the Dajian (Wusun officers) for their role in the assassination of Cilimi, stripped them of their golden seals and purple ribbons, and replaced these with copper seals and inked ribbons.

    Mozhenjiang’s brother, Beiyuanzhi, conspired to kill the Great Kunmi and led more than eighty thousand people north to Kangju, intending to borrow troops to annex the territories of the two Kunmies. The Han court again dispatched Duan Huizong, together with Protector-General Sun Jian, to guard against them.

    After the division of the Wusun into two Kunmies, the Han was beset by anxiety and unrest, and there were no years of peace. At this time, Kangju once more sent its prince to serve the Han and presented tributes. The Protector-General, Guo Shun, submitted a proposal, stating:

    “In the past, the Xiongnu were powerful not because they controlled both Wusun and Kangju; nor did they submit as vassals because they had lost these two states. Although the Han accepted hostages from all three countries, the states continued to exchange gifts and interact as before. They watched one another closely and seized opportunities to act aggressively. United, they could not trust one another; divided, none could dominate or control the rest.

    “At present, our alliance with Wusun has brought little benefit and instead caused trouble for the central regions. Yet since the alliance with Wusun was established earlier, and now both they and the Xiongnu acknowledge allegiance, it would be inappropriate to reject them. Kangju, however, is arrogant and deceitful, refusing to bow to our envoys. When the Protector-General’s officials arrive in their country, they are seated below the Wusun envoys, and the king and nobles finish eating and drinking before serving our representatives. This is done to display contempt and to boast before neighboring states. Given this, why would they send their son to serve us? It is a fraudulent gesture, feigning goodwill in order to facilitate trade and profit.

    “The Xiongnu, a great nation among the barbarians, now serve the Han with great respect. If the Chanyu hears that Kangju refuses to bow, he may regret having humbled himself. We should send Kangju’s prince back and sever all further exchanges, to demonstrate that the Han does not tolerate disrespectful states.”

    Despite this, as the relationship was newly established and the Han valued contact with distant lands and their envoys, the court did not completely sever ties with Kangju and maintained a relationship.

    The 3rd year of Emperor Cheng’s Yuanyan Era (10 B.C.)

    In spring, on January 10, a landslide occurred on Min Mountains in Shu Commandery, blocking the river for three days and causing it to run dry. Liu Xiang deeply lamented this, saying: “In the Zhou dynasty of antiquity, when Mount Qi collapsed, the Three Rivers(Jingshi, Weishui, Luoshui river) dried up, and King You of Zhou perished. Mount Qi was the place from which the Zhou arose. The Han dynasty originated in Shu and Hanzhong, and now, in the land of its origin, a mountain has collapsed, the rivers have dried up, and a comet has appeared in the constellation of Scorpius, stretching from Orion to Sagittarius. This is a most dire omen, and the dynasty is likely to fall!”

    On February 20, Chunyu Chang was granted the title of Marquis of Dingling.

    In March, the Emperor went to Yong and performed sacrifices at the Five-Deity Altars.

    The Emperor intended to overawe the nomadic peoples with a grand display of animals. In autumn, he ordered the Intendant of Fufeng to mobilize the populace to enter the southern mountains (Zhongnan Mountains), ranging from Bao Valley and Xie Valley in the west to Hongnong in the east, and south as far as Hanzhong, to set nets and traps and capture bears, wild beasts, and birds. These were loaded into caged carts and transported to the Animal House of Changyang Palace, where they were released into an enclosed ground for the nomadic visitors to engage in hand-to-hand combat. The Emperor personally watched the spectacle.

    The 4th year of Emperor Cheng’s Yuanyan Era (9 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor visited Ganquan Palace and performed sacrifices at the Taiyi Altar.

    The Emperor’s younger brother, Liu Xing, Prince of Zhongshan, and his nephew, Liu Xin, Prince of Dingtao, came to court. Prince Liu Xing brought only his tutor, whereas Prince Liu Xin was accompanied by his Grand Tutor, Prime Minister, and Central Commandant. Finding this curious, the Emperor questioned the Prince of Dingtao about it. Liu Xin replied: “According to Han laws and regulations, princes coming to court may bring officials from their state holding ranks of two thousand piculs. In my princedom, the Grand Tutor, Prime Minister, and Central Commandant all hold ranks of two thousand piculs; therefore, I brought them all.” The Emperor then ordered Liu Xin to recite from the Book of Songs. Liu Xin recited fluently and was able to explain the text.

    On another day, the Emperor asked the Prince of Zhongshan, “Why did you bring only your tutor? Which law or regulation permits this?” Liu Xing was unable to reply. The Emperor then ordered him to recite from the Book of Documents, but he failed. Moreover, when the Emperor granted meals to eat together, Liu Xing continued eating after the Emperor had finished, until he himself was full, which was deemed impolite. When he rose and departed, his socks came loose. The Emperor therefore judged him to be lacking in ability and increasingly favored the Prince of Dingtao, Liu Xin, often praising his talents.

    At that time, only these two princes were closely related to the Emperor. The grandmother of the Prince of Dingtao, Queen Dowager Fu, accompanied him to court. She secretly bribed Empress Zhao, Consort[Zhaoyi] Zhao, and Wang Gen, General of Agile Cavalry. Seeing that the Emperor had no sons, they sought to form alliances for the future and jointly recommended the Prince of Dingtao, Liu Xin, as heir. The Emperor himself admired Liu Xin’s abilities, granted him the rites of adulthood, and sent him back to his state. He was seventeen years old at the time.

    In March, the Emperor visited Hedong and performed sacrifices to the deity of the Earth.

    Two meteorites fell in Duguan county.

    Wang Gen recommended Gu Yong, who was summoned and appointed Grand Minister of Agriculture. Gu Yong submitted more than forty proposals, many of them repetitive and largely focused on personal criticism of the Emperor and his harem. He aligned himself with the Wang clan, which the Emperor was aware of, and thus did not fully trust him. After serving as Grand Minister of Agriculture for more than a year, Gu Yong fell ill. When his sick leave exceeded three months, he was dismissed without extension. He died several months later.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 249): Not Airing Dirty Laundry

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang 

    Annals of Han Book 24 Scroll 32

    Duration of 6 years

    Xia Ji, Mother of Xia Zhengshu

    The 4th year of Emperor Cheng’s Yongshi Era (13 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor visited Ganquan and offered sacrifices at the Taiyi Altar; a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire. In March, he visited Hedong and offered sacrifices to the Earth Deity.

    In summer, there was a severe drought.

    On April 11, Linhua Hall of Changle Palace and the Eastern Guarded (Sima) Gate of Weiyang Palace were both destroyed by fire. On June 23, the gate towers of the Baling Tomb also caught fire.

    In autumn, on the last day of July, there was an eclipse of the sun.

    In winter, on November 21, the General of the Guards, Wang Shang, was relieved of his duties due to illness.

    The Prince of Liang, Liu Li, was imperious and unrestrained, committing as many as eleven offenses in a single day. The Prime Minister of Liang, Yu, reported that Liu Li harbored resentment and spoke ill of the affine family. An investigation was conducted, and an illicit affair between Liu Li and his paternal aunt Liu Yuanzi was uncovered. On account of incestuous and beastly conduct, his execution was recommended.

    The Grand Master of the Palace, Gu Yong, submitted a memorial:

    “I have heard that propriety requires the Emperor to remain secluded behind screens, unwilling to see or hear of private matters. Thus, the intentions of former emperors lay in avoiding inquiry into personal affairs and refraining from listening to intimate conversations. The Spring and Autumn Annals deliberately concealed the faults of relatives. The Prince of Liang, Liu Li, is young and suffers from some mental infirmity. The investigation originally concerned malicious speech; when no substantial evidence was found, it extended instead into matters of private conduct unrelated to the initial charge. Though the prince denied the allegations, the authorities persisted, relying on dubious testimony to establish guilt on evidence difficult to substantiate—an approach that brings no benefit to governance. To expose the scandals of the royal house and proclaim them to the world neither preserves the dignity of the imperial clan nor enhances the authority of the court, nor does it advance moral transformation through virtue.”

    “In my foolish opinion, the prince is young, while his paternal aunt is older and of a different generation. The wealth of the Prince of Liang could attract flatterers and deceivers, while his aunt must surely possess a sense of shame. The investigation was originally concerned with malicious words against maternal relatives—why, then, would she gratuitously reveal her own private disgrace? Considering these three points, the alleged affair appears improbable and contrary to common sense. I suspect there was coercion or a slip of the tongue during interrogation. Under persistent pressure and questioning by officials, she was unable to retract her words and may have spoken in error.

    “At the first sign of transgression, leniency should have been applied. Since the investigation proceeded and the prince did not confess, the Minister of Justice should be ordered to select virtuous and knowledgeable officials to reexamine the case thoroughly, ascertain the facts, and correct any errors, then return the case to the lower authorities. This would extend the virtue of accommodating the distant branches of the imperial house and cleanse it of shame, truly embodying the principle of properly treating relatives within a family.”

    The Emperor thereupon halted further proceedings in the case.

    That year, He Wu of Shu Commandery, then Colonel of the Capital Inspectorate, was appointed Intendant of Jingzhao. As an official, He Wu adhered strictly to the law and acted with impartiality, promoting the honorable and dismissing the wicked. Wherever he served, he acquired no conspicuous fame, yet after his departure he was invariably remembered with affection.

    The 1st year of Emperor Cheng’s Yuanyan Era (12 B.C.)

    In spring, on January 1, there was a solar eclipse.

    On January 24, Wang Shang was reinstated as Grand Marshal and General of the Guards.

    In March, the Emperor visited Yong and offered sacrifices at the Five-Deity Altar.

    In summer, on April 1, there was thunder without clouds, and a meteor moved southeast from beneath the sun, its radiance spreading in all directions like rain, from afternoon until dusk.

    A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.

    In July of autumn, a comet appeared in the eastern Well Mansion.

    The Emperor, troubled by these omens and calamities, sought the counsel of his ministers. The Prefect of Beidi, Gu Yong, responded:

    “When a ruler personally cultivates virtue and accords with the natural order, the seasons arrive in due course, the people enjoy long lives, and auspicious signs appear. If, however, he loses the Way and acts recklessly—defying Heaven and harming the people—then ominous signs arise, disasters and anomalies occur, and famine becomes frequent. If he does not reform, evil accumulates and misfortune continues. In the end, Heaven will cease to issue warnings, and the Mandate of Heaven will pass to one who is virtuous. This is the constant principle of Heaven and Earth, observed by all the ancient kings. Moreover, the measure of an emperor’s merit differs; his lifespan may be long or short, his time earlier or later, and the Way of Heaven alternates between waxing and waning.

    “Your Majesty has inherited the accomplishments of eight generations, stands at the close of a luminous age, and has passed through a cycle of two hundred and ten years. You have encountered the fate of the hexagram Unexpected of the Book of Changes and now face a cycle of calamities in the one hundred and sixth year. Since the first year of the Jianshi era, disasters and anomalies of many kinds have converged and intertwined, now amounting to twenty years. Their number and strangeness exceed all that is recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals.

    “Internally, within the deep confines of the palace’s inner chambers, Your Majesty risks the influence of rash ministers and insolent consorts, and the dangers arising from drunkenness and reckless conduct, which could bring calamity upon the state. In the secluded quarters of the northern palace gardens and lanes, and within the houses of underlings and favored women, there lies the danger of upheavals like those of Xia Zhengshu or Cui Zhu—regicides brought about by adulterous entanglements. Externally, throughout the territories of the realm, there is the threat of uprisings like those led by Fan Bing, Su Ling, Chen Sheng, or Xiang Liang. The fine line between safety and peril, and the gravest concern for the ancestral temples—these are what fill me, Gu Yong, with deep apprehension and compel me to offer repeated warnings year after year.

    “Signs appear below before they manifest above—can we afford not to be cautious? Disasters arise from the smallest beginnings, and treachery grows from the most insignificant circumstances. I respectfully urge Your Majesty to rectify the principles governing ruler and minister, to cease indulging in casual and unrestrained banquets with petty officials, to adhere strictly to the three fundamental bonds—between lord and subject, father and son, and husband and wife—to reform the administration of the inner palace, to restrain and distance those who are insolent and jealous, and to promote and draw close those who are gentle and compliant. Only after proper court procedures are observed should you venture outside; roads should be cleared by troops in advance, and you should avoid traveling alone or visiting the homes of servants for food and drink. Eliminating such practices will block the path to internal disorder.

    “As for the uprisings in various regions, they arise from the people’s hunger and the officials’ indifference, from the people’s suffering under heavy taxation, and from grievances below that are unknown to above. The Hongfan (‘Great Plan’) of the Book of Documents states: ‘When there is hunger without relief, to proclaim peace and prosperity invites ruin.’ In recent years, many regions have suffered damage from floods, and harvests have failed. In such circumstances, it is appropriate to reduce the regular taxes. Yet officials have proposed increasing levies, which runs counter to the principles of good governance and violates the sentiments of the people, breeding resentment and inviting disaster. I hope Your Majesty will reject proposals to raise taxes, further curb extravagant expenditures, extend benevolence broadly, provide relief to the destitute, and encourage agriculture and sericulture, thereby soothing and stabilizing the hearts of the people. If this is done, the uprisings across the realm may yet be brought to an end.”

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 246): Mirror of History

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 23 Scroll 31 (continued)

    Bronze Mirror from Han Dynasty

    The 2nd year of Emperor Cheng’s Yongshi Era (15 B.C.)

    In the spring, on January 3, the Marquis Jing of Anyang, Wang Yin, passed away. Wang Yin was the only member of the Wang family who was diligent and upright, often offering corrections and counsel, and displaying loyalty and integrity.

    On February 28, meteors fell like rain, numerous and unceasing, yet they extinguished before reaching the ground. On February 30, a solar eclipse occurred.

    On March 12, the Marquis of Chengdu, Wang Shang, was appointed Grand Marshal and General of the Guards. The Marquis of Hongyang, Wang Li, was promoted as a special appointee and placed in charge of the city gate troops.

    The Intendant of Jingzhao, Zhai Fangjin, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

    Gu Yong served as Inspector of Liangzhou. When he reported to the capital and, having completed his business, was about to depart for his post, the Emperor sent a minister of the State Secretariat to ask whether he had any message to convey. Gu Yong wrote:

    “I have heard that for those who rule the realm and govern the state, the great concern is that urgent and disquieting speech may fail to reach the Emperor’s ears. If such words were always heard, then the dynasties of Shang and Zhou would not have changed their surnames in succession, nor would the calendars of the Three Dynasties have been altered in turn. When the Xia and Shang were about to fall, even the common people knew it, yet their rulers complacently believed themselves as secure as the sun in the sky and could not perceive the danger. Thus they were blind to the spreading evils, and their great mandate was overturned without their awareness.

    “The Book of Changes says, ‘Those who are mindful of danger will find safety; those who are mindful of peril will preserve themselves.’ If Your Majesty will listen with an open and unclouded mind, without censorship or punishment, allowing even the humblest laborers to speak what they know, it would be the greatest wish of your ministers and the lasting blessing of the state.

    “In the first year of the Yongshi era, in September, a black dragon appeared in the sky; at the end of that month, there was a solar eclipse. This year, on the night of February 7, a star fell; on the February 14, there was a solar eclipse. Within six months, there have been four great anomalies, occurring in pairs within the same months. Even at the end of the Three Dynasties and amid the turmoil of the Spring and Autumn period, such things did not occur. I have heard that the reason the Three Dynasties lost their altars and ancestral temples was the indulgence of women and in wine by a gang of evildoers inside palaces; the reason the Qin dynasty perished within sixteen years or mere two generations was the extravagance of life and the lavishness of funerals. Your Majesty has done both, and I beg your pardon to explain their consequences.

    “During the Jianshi and Heping eras, the households of Empress Xu and Consort Ban dominated the court and cast their influence in all directions. Favor toward women then reached its height and could not be surpassed; now, those who follow in their footsteps have risen ten times higher still. Your Majesty has abolished the laws and regulations of the late Emperor, taken these women’s words as truth, and bestowed offices and ranks without measure. You have released criminals from royal punishments, emboldened their relatives, granted them power and authority, and disrupted governance at will, so that officials fear to act in accordance with the law. Moreover, the inner court’s prison has become a private snare, where tortures more brutal than flogging, branding, and roasting are employed, and many perish. Your Majesty has repaid favors and pursued vendettas for the families of Zhao(Feiyan) and Li(Ping), overturning rightful judgments and punishing upright officials who seek reform. Many innocent officers are imprisoned, beaten, and coerced into confessions. The inner court issues loans for profit, shares in their gains, and accepts bribes. Countless enter and never return. This is why the two solar eclipses have appeared, to reveal these offenses.

    “Heaven withdraws its aid only after a ruler places himself in helplessness first. Now Your Majesty sets aside the supreme dignity of the imperial carriage, delights in the petty affairs of commoners, disdains the lofty and august title of the Son of Heaven, and prefers the lowly names of ordinary men. You elevate and gather frivolous and unworthy persons as private companions, often leaving the secure depths of the palace, traveling day and night with such men, flocking and mingling like crows, drinking in the houses of officials and commoners, sitting together in disordered attire, indulging in excessive revelry, mixing without distinction. You pursue pleasure eagerly, spending days and nights upon the road. Those who guard the gates and serve in the imperial guard hold their weapons and keep watch over an empty palace. For several years, ministers and officials have been wondering Your Majesty’s whereabouts.

    “The ruler takes the people as the foundation, and the people rely upon their private resources. When private resources are exhausted, the people rebel; when the people rebel, the ruler falls. Therefore, a wise ruler cherishes and nurtures the foundation, daring not to exploit it, and treats the people as if he were conducting a great sacrifice. Now Your Majesty casually seizes the people’s resources, does not cherish their toil, and listens to the schemes of deceitful ministers. You abandoned the original great mausoleum and rebuilt Changling, employing hundreds of thousands more laborers than were used in constructing the Ganxi tomb of King Ling of Chu, and incurring expenses comparable to Mount Li of the First Emperor of Qin, thereby exhausting the realm. After five years it remained unfinished, and you reverted to the original plan. The people’s sorrow and resentment have moved Heaven. Famine has followed; the people have scattered, and millions have starved, dying along the roads. The state has no yearly reserves, and the people have not even ten days’ provisions. Both high and low are impoverished, with no means to aid one another. The Book of Songs says, ‘The mirror of Yin(a.k.a. Shang) is not far; it lies in the late age of Xia.’ I urge Your Majesty to look back upon the failures of Xia, Shang, Zhou, and Qin as a mirror by which to reflect upon your own conduct. If anything I have said is improper, I am willing to accept punishment for reckless speech!

    “Since the founding of the Han dynasty, through nine generations and more than one hundred and ninety years, seven emperors have succeeded to the throne. All followed Heaven’s mandate and upheld the ways of their ancestors, either restoring the dynasty or preserving peace and order. Yet Your Majesty alone has departed from the proper path, indulged your cravings, and acted with reckless abandon; though still in the prime of life, you lack the blessing of an heir and face the peril of ruin. The accumulated failures in governance have become too numerous and do not accord with Heaven’s will. As heir to the legacy and achievements of your forebears, to guard them in this manner—is this not betrayal?

    “At present, the fate of the state, the ancestral temples, and the balance between safety and danger all rest in Your Majesty’s hands. If Your Majesty will truly awaken to this reality, devote himself to returning to the right path, correcting past errors, and establishing new virtue, then these great anomalies may well be dispelled, Heaven’s mandate restored, and the state and ancestral temples preserved. I implore Your Majesty to reflect deeply and weigh these words with care.”

    The Emperor was by nature lenient and fond of literature, yet he was addicted to pleasure and entertainment, a constant source of anxiety for the Empress Dowager and his many uncles. Because those closest to him found it difficult to speak frankly, they urged Gu Yong and others to invoke heavenly anomalies as a pretext for stern remonstrance, encouraging the Emperor to heed and adopt their counsel. Gu Yong, knowing that he had the support of powerful affinal kin, spoke his mind without restraint, and on each occasion he was received with deference. However, when he submitted this particular response, the Emperor was greatly angered.

    General Wang Shang secretly advised Gu Yong to flee. The Emperor dispatched an imperial censor to arrest him, with orders not to pursue him beyond the Jiaodao stables. The censor failed to overtake Gu Yong and returned. The Emperor’s anger then subsided, and he repented of his actions.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 244): Sculpting Rotten Wood

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 23 Scroll 31 (continued)

    Zhao Feiyan, by Ma Dai

    The 4th year of Emperor Cheng’s Hongjia Era (17 B.C.)

    In autumn, the Yellow River overflowed in Bohai, Qinghe, and Xindu, flooding thirty-one counties and towns and destroying more than forty thousand government posts and civilian dwellings. Li Xun of Pingling and others advised: “There has long been a wish to locate the old courses of the Nine Rivers and dredge them. Now that the Yellow River has breached by itself, we should not block the openings, but observe the pattern of the water’s flow. The river will seek its own course and naturally scour away the sand. Then, by following these natural tendencies, we may make our plans, achieving success with minimal expenditure of resources.”

    Accordingly, it was decided not to block the breaches. Court officials repeatedly expressed concern for the suffering of the people in the flooded regions, and the Emperor dispatched his representatives to provide relief and resettlement for the victims.

    In Guanghan, the cabal of Zheng Gong and his confidantes grew ever more widespread, spreading across four counties and mustering nearly ten thousand followers; the local authorities were unable to contain them. In winter, Zhao Hu, Commandant of Hedong, was appointed Prefect of Guanghan. He mobilized thirty thousand men from his own commandery and from Shu Commandery to attack the rebels. Some were captured and executed, and within a month order was restored. Zhao Hu was then promoted to Bearer of the Mace (Chief of Capital Police) and awarded one hundred catties of gold.

    That year, Wang Tan, Marquis of Ping’e, died. The Emperor regretted that he had deposed Wang Tan and prevented him from assisting in governance before his death. Accordingly, he reinstated Wang Shang, Marquis of Chengdu, as a Special Appointee to command the city gate guards, established a command post for him, and allowed him to appoint officials as a general would.

    At that time, Du Ye of Weijun, a Palace Gentleman who had long been on good terms with the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Yin, noticed that Wang Yin had previously fallen out with the Marquis of Ping’e, Wang Tan. Du Ye advised Wang Yin:

    “Among relatives, who does not harbor some resentment? In the past, Duke Jing of Qin ruled a state of a thousand chariots, yet could not get along with his own brother by the same mother, and the Spring and Autumn Annals censured him for it. The Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao were otherwise: they assisted one another with loyalty, corrected one another with righteousness, treated their kin as equals, and shared both the glory and the burdens of the realm without seeking to monopolize them. They divided the state at Shanzhou, each governing his own half, and together served the Son of Heaven as left and right hands. Thus they bore no resentments within and no reproach without, enjoying Heaven’s favor and enduring renown.

    “I have observed that the Marquis of Chengdu(Wang Shang) has been appointed Special Appointee to command the city gate guards, and that an edict permits him to appoint officials as do the Five Offices—the Chancellor, the Grand Master of the Censorate, and the Three Generals(General of the Left, Right, Chariots and Cavalry). This clearly shows the Emperor’s wish to favor him. You, General, should comply with His Majesty’s intent: treat him with exceptional courtesy, include him in every deliberation and decision, and extend to him sincere goodwill. With such sincerity, who would not be pleased?”

    Wang Yin greatly valued this counsel and thereafter became close with Wang Shang, the Marquis of Chengdu. Both men held Du Ye in high esteem.

    The 1st year of Emperor Cheng’s Yongshi Era (16 B.C.)

    In the spring, on January 22, a fire broke out in the icehouse of the Imperial Kitchen. On January 27, another fire occurred at the south gate of the tomb of Empress Li(Lady Shi, Liu Ju’s concubine).

    The Emperor wished to appoint Zhao Feiyan as Empress, but the Empress Dowager opposed it on account of her humble origins. The Empress Dowager’s nephew, Chunyu Chang, who held the post of Privy Counselor, frequently went to the Eastern Palace to convey messages from the Emperor. After more than a year, the Empress Dowager finally gave her consent.

    In summer, on April 15, the Emperor first enfeoffed Zhao Feiyan’s father, Zhao Lin, as Marquis of Chengyang. The Grand Master of Remonstration, Liu Fu of Hejian, submitted a memorial:

    “In former times, King Wu of Zhou and the Duke of Zhou accorded with Heaven’s will and thus received auspicious signs—the white fish entering the royal boat and the flames transforming into crows. Yet despite these portents, rulers and ministers alike remained humble and apprehensive, urging one another to act with caution. How much more should we do in these later days, when we lack even the fortune of a Crown Prince and yet repeatedly suffer Heaven’s displeasure through extraordinary phenomena! Though we reflect and reform day and night, revere Heaven’s mandate, and remember the great achievements of our ancestors—carefully selecting virtuous families from which to choose worthy women to serve the ancestral temples and satisfy both the spirits and the people’s expectations—we still fear it may be too late to secure the blessing of progeny. Yet now Your Majesty indulges in passion, favoring a woman of humble birth and intending to make her the mother of the nation, without fear of Heaven or shame before the people. Never has Your Majesty’s delusion been greater.

    “An old saying goes: ‘Rotten wood cannot be sculpted, nor can a servant girl become a master.’ Matters that Heaven and the people do not approve will inevitably bring disaster, not fortune. This is a principle even commoners understand, yet none at court dares to speak. I am deeply distressed and dare not refrain from offering this counsel, even at the risk of my life.”

    After submitting the memorial, the Emperor ordered the imperial inspector to arrest Liu Fu and detain him in the secret prison of the rear palace. The ministers did not know the reason for his arrest.

    Accordingly, Left General Xin Qingji, Right General Lian Bao, Grand Chamberlain Shi Dan of Langya, and the Grand Master of the Palace, Gu Yong, submitted a memorial, saying:

    “We observe that Liu Fu formerly served as a county magistrate and sought an audience with Your Majesty, who then promoted him to Grand Master of Remonstration. This shows that his words must have been of exceptional insight, fully in accord with Your Majesty’s intentions, and thus merited such rapid advancement. Yet in less than a month he was suddenly arrested and confined in the secret prison. We, in our simplicity, believe that Liu Fu, being newly come from the counties and unfamiliar with court protocol, may inadvertently have offended some imperial taboo. Such a fault should not be judged too severely. If his offense is minor, Your Majesty should show forbearance; if it is grave, it ought to be openly declared and handled by the judicial authorities, so that all may know his crime.

    “Now, with Heaven showing displeasure and calamities occurring frequently, this is a time for benevolence and tolerance, for seeking wide counsel, rewarding forthright speech, and encouraging ministers to speak their minds. To impose harsh and secret punishments upon those who remonstrate will shock the court and stifle loyalty and candor. If Liu Fu was not punished for speaking frankly, yet his crime is not made known, the public will not understand. Liu Fu, as both kinsman and minister, was advanced for his frankness; for the proper ordering of the imperial kindred and the encouragement of loyal counsel, he should not be detained in the prison of the rear palace.

    “Officials high and low, seeing Your Majesty swiftly promote and then as swiftly punish Liu Fu, will grow fearful, lose their resolve, and be discouraged from loyalty and frankness. This will neither display Your Majesty’s virtue in heeding honest advice, like Emperor Shun, nor uphold a noble standard of conduct. We are deeply distressed and respectfully beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”

    The Emperor then transferred Liu Fu to the Gonggong Prison and commuted his death sentence to three years of penal servitude, assigning him to gather firewood for the ancestral temple.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 237): The Five Marquises

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 22 Scroll 30 (continued)

    Chang’an(Xi’an), Jingzhao, Shaanxi Province

    The 2nd year of Emperor Cheng’s Heping Era (27 B.C.)

    In the spring, Xiongnu envoy Yiye Moyan prepared to return home but declared his intention to surrender, saying: “If you do not accept me, I will kill myself. I will never dare to return.” The envoy reported this, and the matter was referred to the ministers for deliberation. 

    Some proposed, “We should follow precedent and accept his surrender.” However, the Grand Master of Merit, Gu Yong, and the Counselor, Du Qin, argued:

    “Since the founding of the Han dynasty, the Xiongnu have repeatedly troubled the frontiers, and thus rewards of gold and titles were offered to those who surrendered. Now the Chanyu has submitted and become a vassal, sending envoys to pay tribute without duplicity. The response of the Han court should therefore differ from past practice. If, while enjoying the sincerity of a tribute mission, we were to shelter a fugitive from the Chanyu’s own envoy, we would be valuing the gain of a single man over the goodwill of an entire nation—harboring a criminal while alienating a lord who admires our virtue.

    “Suppose the newly enthroned Chanyu, uncertain of advantage and disadvantage, has secretly sent Yiye Moyan to feign surrender in order to test our intentions. To accept him would diminish our virtue and discourage future goodwill, causing the Chanyu to distance himself from the Central Realm and to cease friendly relations with our border officials. Alternatively, this may be a scheme to sow discord, using a pretended surrender to create a rift. To accept him would play into their design, allowing them to manipulate events to their advantage. This matter bears upon the security of our frontiers and the movement of our forces and must be weighed with care. It is better not to accept him, thereby demonstrating the integrity of the Han, thwarting deceitful plots, and fostering genuine loyalty. This would be more beneficial.”

    The Emperor accepted their counsel and dispatched General Wang Shun to inquire into Yiye Moyan’s intent. Yiye Moyan replied, “I spoke nonsense because of illness.” He was then sent back. Upon his return, his official rank remained unchanged, but he was not permitted to meet with the Han envoy.

    In April of summer, hailstones as large as cauldrons fell in the principality of Chu.

    The Prince of Shanyang, Liu Kang, was relocated and enfeoffed as Prince of Dingtao.

    In June, the Emperor ennobled his maternal uncles: Wang Tan was made Marquis of Ping’e, Wang Shang Marquis of Chengdu, Wang Li Marquis of Hongyang, Wang Gen Marquis of Quyang, and Wang Fengshi Marquis of Gaoping. All five were enfeoffed on the same day and were therefore collectively known as the “Five Marquises.”

    The Empress Dowager’s mother, Lady Li, remarried and became the wife of Gou Bin of Henei, by whom she had a son named Gou Shen. The Empress Dowager wished to follow the precedent of Tian Fen and have Gou Shen enfeoffed. The Emperor said, “Ennobling the Tian family was improper.” Accordingly, Gou Shen was appointed Privy Counselor and Commandant of Parks and Waterways.

    The Grand Master of the Censorate, Zhang Zhong, submitted a report accusing the Intendant of Jingzhao, Wang Zun, of being violent, arrogant, and disrespectful, which led to Wang Zun’s removal from office. Many officials and commoners expressed regret over this decision. A village educator (Three Elders) of Hu County, Gongsheng Xing, and others submitted a petition in his defense:

    “In Jingzhao, Wang Zun brought order out of chaos, punished the violent, and suppressed evil, achievements rarely matched even by renowned administrators. Aside from his appointment as Intendant, he has received no extraordinary honors. Yet the Grand Master of the Censorate accuses him of ‘disturbing the balance of yin and yang and bringing peril upon the state, of failing to receive and carry out the intent of the imperial edict,’ and brands his conduct with the words of the Book of Documents: ‘With placid words he habitually defies in governing; in semblance he is reverent, yet his ego swells to the sky.’

    “The source of these charges lies with Yang Fu, Deputy Chief Censor, who bears a personal grudge against Wang Zun. Yang Fu has used public office to fabricate accusations, composing documents that exaggerate and falsely malign Wang Zun. We are deeply grieved by this. Wang Zun has maintained personal integrity, upheld public principles, fearlessly criticized ministers and generals, and punished wrongdoing without regard for rank or power. He subdued lawless bandits and relieved the state of its anxieties, earning a reputation for diligence and resolute authority. Truly, he is an official who serves as the strong arm of the state, a minister who leads the vanguard.

    “Now, without just cause, he has fallen into the hands of his enemies, harmed by deceitful slander. His merits are not weighed against his alleged faults, and he is denied the opportunity for a proper defense. He is burdened by biased reports and bears a stigma as grave as that of the mythical villain Gonggong, without recourse to plead his case. Wang Zun was appointed because the capital was in turmoil, bandits ran rampant, and capable leaders were required. He restored order; yet once the bandits were subdued and the powerful criminals punished, he was dismissed as if unworthy. Within three years, the same Wang Zun has been deemed virtuous and then treacherous—how absurd this is!

    “Confucius said, ‘To love someone, you wish him to live; to hate someone, you wish him to die—how confused it is to wish both.’ He also said, ‘To discern slander that seeps in like water—this is wisdom.’ We ask that Your Majesty convene ministers, grand masters, and scholars to examine Wang Zun’s conduct thoroughly. If it is proven that he has disrupted the natural order, he deserves capital punishment. If he has committed treacherous acts under the guise of governance, he merits severe penalty. Should these charges be substantiated, Wang Zun ought to be executed or exiled to a remote frontier, without pardon, and those who recommended him should likewise be punished. If the accusations are false, then the accusers must be punished, to silence slanderous tongues and eradicate deceitful schemes. We implore Your Majesty to distinguish black from white and ensure that justice is done.”

    After this petition was submitted, the Emperor appointed Wang Zun as Inspector of Xuzhou.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 236): Infertility Paranoia

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 22 Scroll 30 (continued)

    Dujiangyan, Ancient Hydraulic Engineering Project Still in Use.

    The 1st year of Emperor Cheng’s Heping Era (28 B.C.)

    In the spring, Du Qin recommended Wang Yanshi of Qianwei to Wang Feng, and Wang Yanshi was appointed to oversee the breach of the Yellow River. Wang Feng designated him Special Envoy for the Yellow River embankments. Wang Yanshi employed bamboo crates, each forty feet in length and nine men in circumference, filled them with small stones, and floated them downstream, each crate pressed by two boats. Within thirty-six days, the embankment was completed.

    In March, an edict appointed Wang Yanshi Grand Master of Merit, with emoluments of the two-thousand-picul rank, and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis within the Passes, together with one hundred catties of gold.

    In summer, on April 30, a solar eclipse occurred. An edict was issued calling upon officials and ministers to discuss the court’s faults openly and without restraint, and a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.

    The Grand Master of Merit, Liu Xiang, responded: “In late April and early May, the month of this eclipse corresponds to that of the eclipse in the time of Emperor Hui, and the day of this eclipse corresponds to that in the time of Emperor Zhao. Neither of those emperors left a son. This portent thus suggests a threat to the dynastic succession.” At the time, Empress Xu monopolized the Emperor’s intimacy, and few in the harem had the opportunity to see him. Both within and beyond the palace, people feared there would be no heir. Accordingly, Du Qin, Gu Yong, and Liu Xiang all raised this concern in their responses.

    The Emperor then reduced expenditures for the Pepper Chamber—the Empress’s residence—and the rear quarters of the harem. Henceforth, outlays for clothing, carriages, and other necessities were to be supplied through the various government offices, and gifts to the Empress’s family and to ministers were to follow the precedents established before the Jingning era (under Emperor Yuan).

    The Empress submitted a memorial in her own defense, saying: “Times and institutions change; different measures may complement one another without departing from the Han system. Minor details cannot always be made to coincide exactly. To compare the period before the Jingning era (under Emperor Yuan) with the period before the Huanglong era (under Emperor Xuan) is unreasonable. My household staff does not understand, and this decree now makes it so that I cannot so much as move my hand freely. If I wish to have a screen made and placed somewhere, they will say, ‘There is no precedent for this,’ and I will be constrained by the decree. This truly cannot be carried out. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!

    “By precedent, sacrifices using a single head of cattle were offered to grandparents; yet my grandparents—Marquis Dai (Xu Guanghan, whose title was inherited by Xu Jia, her father) and Marquis Jing (Xu Yanshou, Xu Jia’s biological father)—have, by Your Majesty’s exceptional grace, received the honor of grand sacrifices. If we must adhere strictly to precedent, then we should offer only a single head of cattle. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!

    “Now, as soon as the officials received the decree and read it aloud, they made its meaning plain to me: that these resources are not to be treated as private household property, to be taken at will. This is the beginning of a slippery slope—constraining me in a manner contrary to human nature. I ask Your Majesty to examine this thoroughly!”

    The Emperor replied, citing the statements of Gu Yong and Liu Xiang concerning disasters and portents arising from the harem: “Officials are constrained by the law and should not be overly reproached. In rectifying excess, there is often the risk of overcorrection; this has been so throughout history. The reduction of expenditures and the offering of sacrifices with only a single head of cattle are intended to foster virtue and to win for you, Empress, greater praise and renown. If the root causes of calamity are not removed, disasters will continue, and our ancestors will not receive their proper sacrifices—still less the Marquis Dai. Does not the Classic say, ‘Those who are frugal seldom go astray’? Does the Empress truly wish to pursue a path of extravagance?

    “I could have followed the example of Emperor Wu; had I done so, the palaces of Ganquan and Jianzhang might have been restored. No—Emperor Wen is my model, and the Empress Dowager is the standard for the Empress. If the Empress Dowager, when she was Empress, did not attain such a standard, yet you now enjoy intimacy and favor, do you begrudge surpassing her example? The Empress should diligently cultivate virtue, practice modesty and frugality, and set a pattern for the other consorts, thereby establishing a lasting standard.”

    The Palace Steward, Ping Dang of Pingling, submitted a memorial stating: “The Emperor Emeritus, founding ancestor of the Han dynasty, should not have his mausoleum and temple precincts left in neglect.” The Emperor, who was also concerned about the lack of an heir, accepted this advice. In September of autumn, the mausoleum and temple precincts of the Emperor Emeritus were restored.

    An edict declared: “At present, there are more than a thousand provisions for capital punishment in the penal code, and the laws and decrees are numerous and intricate, amounting to over a hundred thousand words. Special statutes and far-reaching citations increase daily. Even those well versed in the law find them difficult to comprehend; how much more so the common people? This ensnares the innocent and leads to wrongful deaths. Is this not tragic? Discuss the reduction of capital penalties and the simplification of the laws so that they may be clear and easily understood, and submit your proposals.”

    At the time, officials failed to convey and propagate the Emperor’s intent in full, merely quibbling over minor points and listing a few matters to satisfy the edict superficially.

    At the New Year celebration in the first month of spring, the Chanyu of the Xiongnu sent the Right Gaolin King, Yiye Moyan, to present tributes at court.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 235): Paying Procrastination Tax

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 22 Scroll 30 (continued)

    Jindi Bridge, Puyang, Henan Province

    The 4th year of Emperor Cheng’s Jianshi Era (29 B.C.)

    In April of summer, snow fell.

    In late autumn, peach and plum trees bore fruit.

    Heavy rain fell for more than ten days, causing the Yellow River to breach the Jindi River Embankment in Dongjun Commandery. Earlier, Feng Qun, Commandant of Qinghe, had submitted a report stating: “This commandery lies downstream of the Yellow River, where the soil is light and prone to collapse. The absence of major disasters in recent times has been due to the Tunshi River connecting two streams and diverting the flow. Now that the Tunshi River is blocked, the Lingmingdu Outlet has become even more obstructed, leaving a single channel to bear the force of several rivers. Even if the embankments are raised, this cannot ultimately relieve the pressure. Should rain continue for ten days, an overflow will be inevitable.

    “The former courses of the Nine Rivers are now obliterated and difficult to trace, but the Tunshi River, having only recently been blocked, can easily be dredged. Its position is high, making it suitable for dispersing the water’s force and for constructing a water-control project. Dredging it would enable the Yellow River to discharge floodwaters and serve as a contingency against emergencies. If repairs are not undertaken in advance, a northern breach will damage four or five commanderies, while a southern breach will affect more than ten commanderies. To worry only after disaster strikes will be too late.”

    The matter was referred to the Chancellor and the Grand Master of the Censorate, who recommended dispatching the Erudite Xu Shang to conduct an inspection. Xu Shang proposed: “Given the present lack of funds, dredging may be deferred.”

    Three years later, the Yellow River indeed breached at Guantao and at the Jindi River Embankment in Dongjun Commandery, flooding Yanzhou and Yuzhou and reaching Pingyuan, Qiancheng, and Jinan. In total, four commanderies and thirty-two counties were inundated, submerging more than 150,000 acres of land, with depths reaching thirty feet in some places. Nearly forty thousand official pavilions and private dwellings were destroyed.

    In November of winter, the Emperor severely reprimanded Yin Zhong, Grand Master of the Censorate, for his ineffective and erroneous flood-control measures, accusing him of dereliction of duty. Yin Zhong thereupon committed suicide.

    The Grand Minister of Agriculture, Fei Diao, was dispatched to oversee the distribution of money and grain to the commanderies affected by the Yellow River floods. Two court ushers were sent east of Henan to mobilize five hundred boats, and more than ninety-seven thousand people were relocated to high ground to escape the floodwaters.

    On November 20, Zhang Zhong, the Privy Treasurer, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

    Bandits in the southern mountains, led by Peng Zong and numbering several hundred, were inflicting harm on officials and civilians. The Emperor issued an edict deploying one thousand troops to suppress them, yet after more than a year they could not be captured. Someone advised the Grand General Wang Feng, saying: “When several hundred bandits operate at our very doorstep and cannot be apprehended, it is difficult to display authority to the foreign tribes. Only by selecting an outstanding Intendant of Jingzhao can this be resolved.”

    Wang Feng recommended the former Magistrate of Gaoling, Wang Zun, who was summoned to serve as Grandee of Remonstrance and Commandant of Jingzhao, acting as Intendant of Jingzhao. Within a few months, the bandits were eliminated, and Wang Zun was thereafter formally appointed Intendant of Jingzhao.

    At the beginning of the Emperor’s reign, Chancellor Kuang Heng reported: “Chen Tang, Colonel of Shooting the Sound, while serving as an envoy of the two-thousand-picul rank, conducted himself improperly among the barbarians and stole treasures from Kangju, instructing his subordinates that ‘matters in distant territories are not subject to scrutiny.’ Although this occurred before the amnesty, he should not be allowed to hold office.” In consequence, Chen Tang was dismissed without formal charges. Later, Chen Tang reported that the hostage prince of Kangju was not the king’s son; upon investigation, however, it was found that the hostage was indeed the king’s son. Chen Tang was then imprisoned and faced the death penalty.

    The Grandee of the Palace, Gu Yong, submitted a memorial in Chen Tang’s defense, saying: “I have heard that when Chu had Cheng Dechen (courtesy name Ziyu), Duke Wen of Jin lost sleep over him; when Zhao had Lian Po and Lord Mafu, mighty Qin did not dare to advance through Jingxing Pass; and in more recent times, when the Han had Zhi Du and Wei Shang, the Xiongnu did not dare to move south of the Gobi. From this it may be said that victorious generals are the claws and fangs of the state and ought to be highly prized. A gentleman, upon hearing the drums of war, thinks of the ministers who serve as generals.

    “I have observed that the Marquis within the Passes, Chen Tang, who formerly beheaded Zhizhi, struck fear into all the barbarians and extended the military might of Han to the Western Seas. Since the founding of Han, there has been no such exemplary general who has led expeditions beyond the borders. Now Chen Tang is imprisoned for a minor fault of speech, detained for a long time without resolution, while the judicial officers intend to impose the death penalty.

    “In former times, Bai Qi of Qin conquered Yingdu in the south and buried Zhao Kuo alive in the north, yet was granted death at Duyou for a small fault. The people of Qin pitied him and wept. Today, Chen Tang personally wielded the axe and led troops thousands of miles, achieving merits that should be recorded in  the ancestral temple and reported to Heaven. The armored soldiers admire his righteousness. His error of speech does not constitute a grave offense. The Book of Zhou says, ‘Record a man’s merits and forget his faults; this is fitting for a lord.’ Even dogs and horses that serve men are given honorable burials; how much more should the state’s meritorious officers be so treated?

    “I fear that if Your Majesty disregards the sound of the war drums and does not heed the wisdom of the Book of Zhou, forgetting the principle of rewarding service, treating Chen Tang as an ordinary and undistinguished minister, and follows the judges’ proposal to condemn him, the people will harbor deep resentment, as did the people of Qin. This is not the way to encourage loyal ministers who face death and hardship for the sake of the state.”

    Upon receiving the memorial, the Emperor released Chen Tang from prison, stripped him of his marquisate, and reduced him to the status of a common soldier.

    Around this time, the Protector-General (Viceroy) of the Western Regions, Duan Huizong, was besieged by Wusun forces. A courier brought word and requested that troops be dispatched from the various western kingdoms and from Dunhuang for his relief. Chancellor Wang Shang, Grand General Wang Feng, and the other high ministers deliberated for several days without reaching a decision. Wang Feng then proposed: “Chen Tang is known for his strategic insight and familiarity with foreign affairs. We should consult him.”

    The Emperor summoned Chen Tang to the Xuanshi Hall. Chen Tang, who had suffered frostbite during his campaign against Zhizhi, had arms that could no longer be fully extended. When he entered, an edict exempted him from performing the bow of salutation, and he was shown Duan Huizong’s memorial. Chen Tang replied, “I believe there is no cause for concern.”

    The Emperor asked, “Why do you say so?”

    Chen Tang answered: “In combat, barbarian soldiers are but one-fifth the worth of Han soldiers, for their weapons are blunt and their bows and crossbows ineffective. Even though they have lately acquired some of our techniques, they are still no more than one-third as effective. Moreover, the Art of War says, ‘When the attacking force is twice that of the defender, the two are evenly matched.’ The troops besieging Duan Huizong are insufficient to overcome him; Your Majesty need not be anxious. Furthermore, light troops can march fifty li a day, and heavy troops thirty. If relief forces are summoned from the nomad kingdoms and from Dunhuang, they will require time to arrive and will be better suited for retaliation than for immediate rescue.”

    The Emperor asked, “What, then, should be done? Can the siege be broken, and when?”

    Chen Tang, knowing that the Wusun forces were loosely allied and unable to sustain a prolonged siege, and recalling past instances of short encirclements, replied, “The siege must already have been lifted.” Counting on his fingers, he added, “Within five days we will hear good news.”Four days later, a military report arrived confirming that the siege had indeed been raised. Thereupon, Grand General Wang Feng recommended appointing Chen Tang as Gentleman of the Central Staff, with all major decisions in the Grand General’s office to be entrusted to his discretion.