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Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 268): Abdication Is No Joke

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 27 Scroll 35 (continued)

Removal of Crown, Tomb Effigy in Paris

The 1st year of Emperor Ai’s Yuanshou Era (2 B.C.)

The case was handed over to the generals and ministers of the inner court. Grand Master of Merit Kong Guang and others accused Wang Jia of “deceiving the state and the Emperor and being disloyal and immoral,” and proposed that an envoy be sent to summon Wang Jia to the imperial prison of the Minister of Justice. Court Advisers Gong and others argued, “Wang Jia’s statements before and after are contradictory. He should be stripped of his titles and fiefs and reduced to commoner status.”

Meng, Privy Treasurer of Yongxin Palace, and others maintained, “Although Wang Jia’s offense technically warrants punishment under the law, it is not fitting, in honoring the state and exalting the ancestral temples, that a grand minister be shackled, pulled by hair and stripped of clothing, and flogged in bare skin.” The Emperor did not heed them.

In March, he issued an edict: “Grant the palace usher imperial credentials and staff, and summon the Chancellor to appear at the imperial prison of the Minister of Justice.”

When the envoy arrived, the aides and clerks of the Chancellery wept together and prepared poison for Wang Jia, but he refused to take it. The Chief Clerk said, “When high ministers face arraignment, they do not proclaim their grievances, following the precedents set by earlier ministers. My Lord should consider taking your own life.”

The envoy sat sternly at the gate of the Chancellor’s residence. The Chief Clerk again brought forward the poison. Wang Jia took the cup and dashed it to the ground, saying to his subordinates, “The Chancellor was fortunate to serve among the Three Excellencies. I have failed in my duty to the state and ought to be executed in the marketplace as a warning to all. Is the Chancellor a child or a woman, that I should chew medicine and die?”

Wang Jia then dressed himself in full formal attire, came out to meet the envoy, bowed twice, and received the imperial decree. He rode in a minor official’s carriage, bareheaded and uncovered, and followed the envoy to the imperial prison of the Minister of Justice. There, the Minister of Justice confiscated the seals and ribbons of his offices as Chancellor and Marquis of Xinfu, bound him, and sent him under guard of the Bearer of the Mace to the Duchuan imperial prison.

When the Emperor heard that Wang Jia had gone alive to the authorities, he was enraged and ordered that a general, together with five officials of the 2,000-picul rank, form a joint panel to investigate the case. The panel officials interrogated Wang Jia, who replied, “Those who investigate a case seek the truth. Formerly, when Liang Xiang and the others handled the case of the Prince of Dongping, they did not believe that Liu Yun’s death sentence was unjust. They wished only to refer the case to the ministers in order to demonstrate caution. I truly did not see them as wavering inwardly or outwardly, nor as siding with Liu Yun. They were fortunate to be pardoned by the general amnesty. Liang Xiang and the others are all good officials, and my private lament for them was on behalf of the state and not out of personal partiality.”

The panel officials said, “If that is so, then what crime are you guilty of? There must surely be some reason why you have come to prison; it cannot be without cause.”

The panel officials then began to assault and torment Wang Jia. He gave a deep sigh, looked up to Heaven, and lamented, “I was fortunate to serve as Chancellor, yet I failed to advance the worthy and dismiss the unworthy. In this I have failed the state, and even in death I have still more to answer for.”

The panel officials asked for the names of the worthy and unworthy ministers to whom Wang Jia referred. Wang Jia replied, “The worthy are former Chancellor Kong Guang and former Excellency of Works He Wu, whom I was unable to advance. The unworthy are Dong Xian, Marquis of Gao’an, and his father, who flatter and throw the court into disorder, yet whom I was unable to remove. My crime deserves death, and I have no regret in dying.”

Wang Jia remained imprisoned for more than twenty days and refused to eat. He vomited blood and died.

Later, the Emperor reviewed Wang Jia’s response and came to appreciate his words. After the Grand Master of the Censorate, Jia Yan, was dismissed, Kong Guang was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate in the summer, on May 17. In the autumn, on July 9, Kong Guang was appointed Chancellor and restored to his marquisate as Marquis of Boshan. In addition, He Wu, Marquis of Sixiang, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

The Emperor then realized that Kong Guang’s earlier dismissal had not been due to any fault of his own, but had been caused by slander from those close to the throne. He said, “Fu Jia, who formerly served as Privy Counselor, slandered the worthy and the upright and falsely accused high ministers, causing capable men to lose their positions for a long time. Let Fu Jia therefore be dismissed to commoner status and sent back to his original commandery.”

In August, He Wu was transferred to the post of General of the Van. On August 24, Peng Xuan, Grand Master of the Palace, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

Inspector Colonel of the Capital Region Bao Xuan was accused of humiliating the Chancellor, Kong Guang, rejecting an imperial envoy, and failing to conduct himself with the proper manners of a subject; his death sentence was commuted to the shaving of his head and the wearing of a cangue.

Grand Marshal Ding Ming had always respected Wang Jia and pitied him for his death. On September 19, he was dismissed by imperial decree and ordered to return to his residence.

In the winter, on October 16, Wei Shang, former Grand Tutor to the Prince of Dingtao and Grand Master of Merit, was appointed Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the intercalary November 24, Wei Shang died.

On December 6, Dong Xian, Privy Counselor and Commandant of the Cavalry Escort, was appointed Grand Marshal and General of the Guards. The decree of appointment stated: “We establish you among the Three Excellencies to assist the Han dynasty! We know that your heart is upright, that you are able to rectify all affairs, and that you will uphold the central authority with fairness and balance!”

At this time, Dong Xian was twenty-two years old. Although he held the rank of one of the Three Excellencies, he still served as Palace Steward and acting as the Recorder of the State Secretariat. All officials submitted their matters through Dong Xian. Since his father, Dong Gong, Commandant of the Guards, was not suited to ministerial rank, he was transferred to the post of Grand Master of Merit, with a salary equivalent to 2,000 piculs. His younger brother, Dong Kuanxin, succeeded Dong Xian as Commandant of Cavalry Escort. All members of the Dong family were made Privy Counselors, office managers, and court attendants, surpassing even the favor once shown to the Ding and Fu clans.

When Kong Guang served as Grand Master of the Censorate, Dong Xian’s father, Dong Gong, was an official under him. Later, when Dong Xian became Grand Marshal, he and Kong Guang served together among the Three Excellencies. The Emperor therefore ordered Dong Xian to pay Kong Guang a private visit. Kong Guang, naturally respectful and cautious, understood that the Emperor wished to honor and indulge Dong Xian. When he heard that Dong Xian was coming, he carefully adjusted his attire and waited outside the gate. As soon as he saw Dong Xian’s carriage in the distance, he withdrew indoors. When Dong Xian reached the central gate, Kong Guang entered the main hall. Only after Dong Xian had stepped down from his carriage did Kong Guang come out again, bowing, paying his respects, escorting him, and receiving him with the utmost caution and deference, not daring to treat him as an equal colleague. When the Emperor heard of this, he was pleased, and immediately appointed Kong Guang’s two nephews as Grand Master of Remonstrance and Attendant-in-Waiting. Thus did Dong Xian’s power come to rival that of the sovereign.

At that time, the Wang clan, the maternal relatives of Emperor Cheng, had already declined. Only Wang Quji, son of Marquis of Ping’e Wang Tan, served as a Privy Counselor, while his younger brother Wang Hong was an Attendant-in-Ordinary. Wang Hong’s father-in-law, General of the Household Xiao Xian, was the son of General of the Van Xiao Wangzhi. Dong Xian’s father, Dong Gong, admired Xiao Xian and wished his son Dong Kuanxin to marry Xiao Xian’s daughter. He therefore asked Wang Hong to convey his intention. Xiao Xian, fearful and not daring to accept, privately said to Wang Hong, “Lord Dong is Grand Marshal, and the wording in his appointment decree, ‘uphold the central authority,’ comes from Emperor Yao’s abdication to Emperor Shun; it is not language customarily used for the Three Excellencies. Anyone who understands this cannot but be filled with fear. How could it be fitting for a child of a family such as ours?”

Wang Hong, naturally intelligent and perceptive, understood Xiao Xian’s meaning as soon as he heard these words. He then reported back to Dong Gong, clearly conveying Xiao Xian’s humble refusal. Dong Gong sighed and said, “What has my family done to the world so that men fear us to this extent?” He was displeased.

Later, at a banquet in Qilin Hall, Dong Xian, his father, and other members of his family were present, while the Privy Counselors and Attendants-in-Ordinary stood in attendance. The Emperor, slightly intoxicated, looked at Dong Xian and smiled, saying, “I wish to emulate Emperor Yao and abdicate to Emperor Shun; what do you think?”

Wang Hong stepped forward and said, “The realm belongs to Emperor Gaozu, not to Your Majesty personally. Your Majesty inherited the ancestral temple and ought to transmit it endlessly to your descendants. The responsibility of the empire is immense; an emperor must not speak of such things in jest.”

The Emperor fell silent and was displeased, and all those present were filled with fear. Thereafter, he ordered Wang Hong to leave the court and return to the Office of the Gentlemen-at-Arms. Only after a long interval did the Grand Empress Dowager apologize on Wang Hong’s behalf, whereupon he was summoned back.

Wang Hong then submitted a memorial of remonstrance, advising: “I have heard that when the Son of Heaven appoints the Three Excellencies, it is in imitation of the three celestial luminaries—the sun, the moon, and the stars—and those who occupy these positions must be men of virtue. The Book of Changes says, ‘The tripod’s legs are broken, and the sacrificial food is overturned,’ meaning that if the Three Excellencies are unworthy, the state cannot stand firm. In former times, Emperor Wen favored Deng Tong, yet appointed him only Grand Master of the Palace. Emperor Wu pampered Han Yan and bestowed many rewards upon him, yet did not place him in high office. Now Dong Xian, Grand Marshal and General of the Guards, has rendered no meritorious service to the Han house, has no kinship ties with the imperial family, and has shown no outstanding virtue by which he might serve as an example to the world. Yet within a few years he has been raised to the rank of the Three Excellencies and entrusted with the imperial guards. Without merit, he has been enfeoffed, while his father and brother have all been arbitrarily promoted. These rewards have exhausted the treasury, and the common people murmur; rumors fill the roads. This is truly not in accord with the will of Heaven.

“In ancient times, the spirit of a serpent transformed into human form and gave birth to the beauty Bao Si, thereby bringing disorder to the Zhou dynasty. I fear that Your Majesty may incur the reproach of having erred, while Dong Xian may suffer the calamity that befalls a petty man who does not know when to advance and when to withdraw. Such conduct on Your Majesty’s part is not the way to leave an example for future generations.”

Although the Emperor did not heed Wang Hong’s words, he admired the strength of his character and youthful spirit and did not punish him.

October 14, 2026
Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 267): Cronies Ascending to Heaven

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 27 Scroll 35 (continued)

A joyful Taoist immortal rises among family, animals, clouds, and a heavenly palace.

The 1st year of Emperor Ai’s Yuanshou Era (2 B.C. continued)

On January 17, Empress Dowager Fu died. She was buried together with Emperor Yuan at Weiling and was posthumously styled Empress Dowager Fu of Emperor Yuan.

The Chancellor and the Imperial Censor memorialized the throne concerning the sins of Xifu Gong, Sun Chong, and others. Consequently, the Emperor dismissed Xifu Gong and Sun Chong from office and sent them back to their respective states. In addition, several dozen court attendants, officials of the various offices, and eunuch attendants were removed from their posts.

Bao Xuan submitted a memorial stating: “Your Majesty takes Heaven as father, Earth as mother, and nourishes the people as your children. Since ascending the throne, the ‘father’ has been obscured”—referring to the solar eclipse—“the ‘mother’ has been shaken”—referring to the earthquakes—“and the ‘children’ have been alarmed by false rumors. Today’s eclipse, occurring at the beginning of the three cycles of year, month, and day, is truly something to be feared. Even common people, on the first day of the new moon, are careful not to break their household utensils; how much more so when the sun itself is eclipsed? Your Majesty has deeply reproached yourself inwardly, withdrawn from the main hall, invited frank remonstrance, sought criticism, dismissed and sent away the imperial affines, and other sycophants who consumed without contributing, summoned Kong Guang to serve as Grand Master of Merit, exposed the wrongdoing of Sun Chong and Xifu Gong, dismissed them from office, and sent them back to their fiefs. The people are all pleased and joyful. When Heaven and the people are of one mind, the satisfaction of the people reflects the intent of Heaven.

“However, on February 16, a white rainbow crossed the sun, and continuous clouds gathered without yielding rain. This shows that the anxieties and resentments of the people have not yet been resolved. Dong Xian, Privy Counselor and Commandant of the Cavalry, is not related to Your Majesty by blood, yet he has risen through his good look, flattery, and sycophancy. The rewards bestowed upon him have been excessive, exhausting the state treasury. He has combined three residences into one and still finds them too small, even demolishing a court infirmary to enlarge his estate. Imperial envoys and laborers serve the residences of Dong Xian and his father, and even officials and soldiers on night duty are rewarded for serving his household. Whenever there is a sacrificial gathering at their ancestral tomb, the Imperial Kitchen is ordered to provide the food. The revenues of all under Heaven, which ought to sustain one sovereign, are instead exhausted upon the household of Dong Xian. Is this the will of Heaven, or the will of the people?

“Heaven cannot be deceived for long; when favor is carried to such an extreme, it becomes a means of harming the one so favored. If Your Majesty truly wishes to show compassion to Dong Xian, then you should apologize to Heaven and Earth, reconcile yourself with the people of the empire, dismiss Dong Xian, and send him back to his fief. Confiscate his carriages and household goods and return them to the state treasury. In this way, Dong Xian and his father may preserve their lives; otherwise, those hated by all under Heaven have never been able to enjoy lasting peace. Sun Chong and Xifu Gong as well are unfit to remain in their fiefs and should be removed as a gesture of repentance before the world. Recall He Wu, Shi Dan, Peng Xuan, and Fu Xi, so that the people may see clearly what accords with the will of Heaven, and establish great policies to inaugurate an era of great peace.”

The Emperor, moved by these extraordinary words, accepted Bao Xuan’s recommendations and recalled He Wu and Peng Xuan. Bao Xuan was appointed Inspector Colonel of the Capital Region.

The Emperor, under the pretext of a parting edict left by Empress Dowager Fu, ordered the Grand Empress Dowager to instruct the Chancellor and the Censorate to increase Dong Xian’s fief by 2,000 households and to grant him three additional marquisates: Marquis of Kongxiang, Marquis of Ruchang, and Marquis of Yangxin. Wang Jia, however, returned the imperial edict and submitted a sealed memorial of remonstrance, stating:

“I have heard that titles, rewards, and land allocations are bestowed by Heaven. As it says in the Book of Documents: ‘Heaven mandates virtue, giving five garments to men of different rank, each with its proper form and color.’ A ruler who confers titles on Heaven’s behalf must therefore be especially cautious. If land is granted improperly, the people will not be convinced, and the harmony of yin and yang will be disturbed, bringing deep and swift harm to Your Majesty’s health. That Your Majesty’s health has long been unsettled has caused me profound inward anxiety.

“As for Dong Xian, Marquis of Gao’an, he is a flattering favorite. Your Majesty has exhausted titles and ranks in honoring him, depleted the treasury in enriching him, and diminished the dignity of the sovereign in indulging him. Your authority has already been impaired, and the imperial treasury exhausted, yet you still fear that it is not enough. Wealth comes from the labor of the people. Emperor Wen once wished to build a terraced pavilion, but abandoned the project because it would have cost only a few hundred catties of gold, thus displaying his restraint. Now, by contrast, Dong Xian squanders public resources for private gain, and his household has received as much as a thousand catties of gold. Never in history has there been such favor shown to an eminent subject, and word of it has spread to every quarter, provoking universal resentment. A local saying has it: ‘When a thousand men point at someone, he will die though he is not ill.’ This has always been a matter of deep concern to me.

“Now the Empress Dowager, invoking the alleged final command of Empress Dowager Fu of Yongxin, instructs the Chancellor and the Censorate to increase Dong Xian’s fief and grant him three marquisates. I, Wang Jia, am profoundly perplexed by this. The collapse of mountains, the earthquakes, and the solar eclipse occurring on the first day of the first month are all warnings of yin encroaching upon yang. Dong Xian has already been enfeoffed twice; Fu Yan and Fu Shang have twice exchanged fiefs; Zheng Ye sought rewards through private favor. They have already received favor beyond all measure, yet they continue to demand without end, utterly ignorant of restraint. This gravely undermines the intention of honoring Empress Dowager Fu. It cannot be proclaimed to the realm; great harm has already been done.

“Excessive indulgence and deceit throw yin and yang out of harmony, and their mutual disturbances in turn affect the body. Your Majesty has long been unwell, and the heir has not yet been established. It is fitting that all affairs now be rectified, bringing them into accord with the hearts of Heaven and the people, so as to seek blessings and protection. Why should Your Majesty disregard your own safety and indulge private whims, forgetting the hardships endured by Emperor Gaozu in establishing these institutions and intending them to be transmitted for all eternity?

“I have sealed and returned this edict and do not dare allow it to be made public. It is not that I begrudge death or do not dare impeach myself for acting contrary to the decree; rather, I fear that news of this will spread throughout the land.”

The Minister of Justice, Liang Xiang, was handling the case of Liu Yun, Prince of Dongping. At the time, fewer than twenty days remained in the winter month, and Liang Xiang suspected that Liu Yun had been falsely accused and that the charges had been exaggerated. He proposed that the case be transferred to Chang’an and reviewed by the ministers and officials. The Director of the State Secretariat, Ju Tan, and the Deputy Director, Zongbo Feng, agreed that this should be permitted. The Emperor, however, believed that Liang Xiang and the others were merely acting with excessive caution while waiting to see how his illness would develop, maintaining a two-faced posture and hoping to let the winter pass without taking decisive action against evil and punishing wrongdoing. Consequently he dismissed Liang Xiang and the others from office and reduced them to commoner status.

A few months later, a general amnesty was proclaimed. Wang Jia submitted a memorial recommending that “Liang Xiang and the others are men of talent and good conduct. A wise ruler commends his ministers for their achievements and forgives their past faults. I privately feel regret on behalf of the court for these three men.”

When this memorial was presented, the Emperor was displeased. More than twenty days later, Wang Jia submitted the sealed memorial quoted above opposing the addition of further households to Dong Xian’s fief, which further angered the Emperor. The Emperor summoned Wang Jia to the State Secretariat and rebuked him, saying, “Liang Xiang and the others had previously been charged with disloyalty, and their crimes were already well established. You yourself had already impeached yourself on this matter. Why, then, are you now praising them and saying that you ‘regret this on behalf of the court’?” Wang Jia removed his cap and apologized for his offense.

October 10, 2026
Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 264): Seven Miseries And Seven Fatalities

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 26 Scroll 34 (continued)

A cuckoo bird feeds its hungry chicks fairly

The 4th Year of Emperor Ai’s Jianping Era (3 B.C. continued)

In June summer, Empress Dowager Fu was honored as Grand Empress Dowager.

In autumn, on August 19, the Emperor issued an edict sharply rebuking the ministers and the Three Excellencies, stating: “In former times, the state of Chu had Ziyu as a minister, and Duke Wen of Jin sat leaning to one side out of respect due to him. More recently, Ji An thwarted the rebellious designs of the Prince of Huainan. Now, when men such as Liu Yun, Prince of Dongping, have plotted to assassinate the Son of Heaven and commit treason, this shows that the ministers and the Three Excellencies, who ought to serve as the arms and legs of the state, have failed to devote themselves with vigilance and wisdom to suppressing trouble before it arose. Fortunately, through the blessings of the ancestral temples, Dong Xian, Privy Counselor and Commandant of the Cavalry, together with others, discovered the plot and reported it. All the conspirators have accordingly been punished. Does not the Book of Documents say, ‘Employ virtue and confer benefit in order to manifest good deeds’? Therefore, I hereby enfeoff Dong Xian as Marquis of Gao’an, Prefect of Nanyang Sun Chong, as Marquis of Fangyang, Left Bureau Chief and Grandee of Merit Xifu Gong, as Marquis of Yiling, and Youshi Tan as Marquis within the Passes.”

In addition, he enfeoffed Fu Ye, son of Fu Zhengyun, a half-brother of Empress Dowager Fu, as Marquis of Yangxin.

Xifu Gong, having now drawn close to the Emperor, frequently came forward to speak on affairs and argued without restraint, submitting memorials that sharply attacked the ministers and the Three Excellencies. People feared his words and avoided meeting his eyes when they saw him.

The Emperor ordered the eunuchs to remove weapons from the Imperial Armory and, on ten separate occasions, deliver them to the residences of Dong Xian and Wang E, the Emperor’s wet nurse. The Bearer of the Mace[capital police chief] Wujiang Long, submitted a memorial stating:

“The weapons in the Imperial Armory are intended for public use throughout the empire. The state’s military preparations, including repair and manufacture, are all funded by the Minister of Agriculture. Yet the funds of the Minister of Agriculture are not even used to support the Emperor’s personal needs; the Emperor’s maintenance labor and the granted rewards come from the Privy Treasury. In general, one must not draw upon what is stored for the root in order to supply the needs of the branches, nor must one harness the strength of the people for frivolous expenditures. To distinguish public from private and thereby manifest the proper way—herein lies the essential point.

“In ancient times, when the feudal lords and regional commanders were permitted to carry out punitive expeditions on their own authority, they were then granted axes and halberds; likewise, under the Han, when frontier officers were charged with repelling invaders, they too were granted arms from the state arsenal. In every such case, these favors were bestowed only after duties had first been entrusted to them. According to the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, private households do not store armor, precisely in order to restrain ministerial power and diminish private force.

“Now Dong Xian and the others are merely favored companions or petty consorts personally cherished by the Emperor, yet they are being supplied with the public resources of All-under-Heaven to provision their private residences; the awe-inspiring instruments of the state are being diverted to equip their households; the resources of the people are being apportioned to these frivolous favorites, and military weapons are being laid out for petty consorts. This is an arrangement contrary to propriety, one that fosters wantonness and usurpation. It is not the means by which an example is set for the four quarters. Confucius said, ‘If solemn music fit for the Son of Heaven is played in the halls of the three great ministerial families, what may not be done?’ I request that these arms be returned to the state arsenal.”

The Emperor was displeased.

Shortly thereafter, Empress Dowager Fu sent an usher to purchase eight female servantmaids from the Office of the Bearer of the Mace at a deliberately low price. Wujiang Long submitted a memorial, saying: “The purchase price was too low; I request that it be adjusted to the fair market value.”

The Emperor then issued an edict to the Chancellor and the Grand Master of the Censorate, stating: “Wujiang Long holds rank among the Nine Ministers, yet instead of addressing the deficiencies of the court, he submits a petition bargaining over prices with Yongxin Palace. This harms public morals and violates proper norms. In consideration of Wujiang Long’s earlier sound advice on matters of national security, he is hereby demoted to the post of Commandant of Pei Commandery.”

Toward the end of Emperor Cheng’s reign, Wujiang Long had served as a Grand Master of Remonstrance and had once submitted a memorial stating: “In ancient times, outstanding feudal lords were chosen to become senior ministers, thereby displaying honor for merit and virtue. It would be fitting to summon the Prince of Dingtao to reside in the State Guesthouse, so that he may serve the needs of all under Heaven.” For this reason, the Emperor, who had formerly been the Prince of Dingtao, remembered his words and treated him with leniency.

The Grand Master of Remonstrance, Bao Xuan of Bohai, submitted a memorial:

“I have observed that during the reign of Emperor Cheng, affinal relatives wielded power, and all men pulled strings through their connections, filling the court with their favorites. This obstructed the way of worthy men, brought disorder to the realm, encouraged unbridled extravagance, and impoverished the common people. As a result, there were ten solar eclipses and four appearances of comets—omens of impending disaster—which Your Majesty personally witnessed. How is it, then, that matters are now becoming even worse than before?

“Today, the people suffer from seven miseries. When yin and yang are out of harmony, floods and droughts arise: this is the first misery. When the government imposes heavy exactions and endlessly levies taxes and rents: this is the second misery. When greedy officials collude with one another and continue to extort bribes: this is the third misery. When powerful families prey upon the people and exploit them without restraint: this is the fourth misery. When oppressive officials conscript labor, disrupting the seasons of farming and sericulture: this is the fifth misery. When villagers beat the drum in alarm, and men and women pursue burglars along the roads: this is the sixth misery. When thieves and bandits plunder and seize the property of the people: this is the seventh misery.

“If these seven miseries were not enough, there are also seven fatalities. When cruel officials beat people to death: this is the first fatality. When judgments in legal cases are excessively harsh: this is the second fatality. When the innocent are wrongly convicted and perish: this is the third fatality. When thieves and bandits rise up and commit acts of violence: this is the fourth fatality. When feuds and vendettas lead to mutual destruction: this is the fifth fatality. When bad harvests bring hunger and starvation: this is the sixth fatality. When pestilence and epidemic disease break out: this is the seventh fatality.

“The people endure seven miseries without receiving a single benefit; to hope for peace in the state is indeed difficult. The people suffer seven fatalities without a single reprieve; to hope for leniency in the enforcement of the law and the abolition of harsh punishments is indeed difficult. Are these not the result of the greed and cruelty of ministers and prefects, who have brought about such degeneration?

“The officials have been fortunate enough to occupy high positions and receive generous emoluments, yet where are those who show compassion for the common people and help Your Majesty spread virtue and instruct the masses? They seek only to benefit their own households, satisfy their clients, and pursue deceitful gain. They take compliance and concession for virtue, and keep their mouths shut while drawing their salaries, calling this wisdom. They regard men such as me, Bao Xuan, as foolish. Yet Your Majesty raised me from obscurity in the wilderness, sincerely hoping that I might contribute even the slightest assistance, like the feathers of a bird. Was it merely to bestow upon me fine food, high office, and a distinguished residence for no reason?

“The realm belongs to Heaven above. Your Majesty is, above, the Son of August Heaven, and below, the father and mother of the common people. On behalf of Heaven, you shepherd and nurture the multitude and should regard them all alike, in accordance with the ode “The Cuckoo.” (an ode in the Book of Songs praising a cuckoo feeding all his seven offspring equally). Now the poor eat nothing but vegetables, wear tattered clothes, and cannot even protect their own families. This truly fills me with grief. If Your Majesty does not save them, to whom can they turn for help? How can Your Majesty instead lavish favor solely upon affinal relatives and beloved courtiers such as Dong Xian, bestowing rewards upon them in amounts of tens of thousands, and allowing their slaves, attendants, and retainers to drink wine as if it were water and consume veal as if it were beans, so that even lackeys and errand-runners become rich? This is not the will of Heaven.

“As for Fu Shang, Marquis of Ruchang, he was enfeoffed without merit. Official titles and ranks are not for Your Majesty alone to dispense; they are offices of the empire, to be bestowed for the public good. If Your Majesty raises the unworthy to high position, how can Heaven approve and the people submit? Sun Chong, Marquis of Fangyang, and Xifu Gong, Marquis of Yiling, are eloquent enough to sway the multitude and brazen enough to act without restraint; they are the standard-bearers of the wicked and the most treacherous deceivers in the empire. It is time they were dismissed. As for the younger affinal relatives who have not yet studied the Classics, they should all be sent away to learn under proper teachers. The former Grand Commandant Fu Xi should be summoned with all urgency to restrain the affinal clans. He Wu, former Excellency of Works; Shi Dan; Kong Guang, former Chancellor; and Peng Xuan, former General of the Left, all served as Erudites and held offices among the Three Excellencies. Gong Sheng served as Director of Justice, and the selection of officials in the commanderies and principalities was always conducted with care. These men can be entrusted with great responsibilities. Previously, because Your Majesty could not tolerate a minor offense, He Wu and the others were dismissed, causing disappointment throughout the empire. Can Your Majesty tolerate so many who lack merit and virtue, yet not endure men such as He Wu and the rest? To govern the empire, one must take the heart of the empire as one’s own, and not act solely according to personal desires.”

Although Bao Xuan’s words were caustic, the Emperor, recognizing him as a renowned Confucian scholar, treated him with forbearance.

September 30, 2026
Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 261): An Occultist’s Apocrypha

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 26 Scroll 34 (continued)

Oracle Bone Script Used for Divination

The 2nd year of Emperor Ai’s Jianping Era (5 B.C. continued)

During the reign of Emperor Cheng, a man from Qi named Gan Zhongke fabricated two texts, the Calendar of the Heavenly Offices and the Scripture of Great Peace, in twelve volumes. He claimed that the Han dynasty was approaching the great end of Heaven and Earth and should therefore receive a new mandate from Heaven. He transmitted these doctrines to Xia Heliang of Bohai and others. Liu Xiang, Colonel of the Central Garrison, reported that Gan Zhongke was feigning powers derived from ghosts and spirits in order to deceive the Emperor and delude the people. Gan Zhongke was imprisoned and confessed, but he died of illness before his sentence could be carried out. Xia Heliang and others nevertheless continued to spread his teachings in secret.

After the Emperor ascended the throne, Xie Guang, Inspector Colonel of the Capital region, and Li Xun, Commander of the Cavalry, introduced Xia Heliang and others, all of whom were then serving on temporary assignment as Yellow Gate attendants. They were frequently summoned to present their arguments, declaring:

“The House of Han had already declined in mid-course and ought to have received a new mandate. Emperor Cheng did not respond to Heaven’s command; therefore his line was cut off. Now the Emperor has long been ill, and prodigies and anomalies have repeatedly appeared. This is the means by which Heaven reproaches and warns mankind. It is fitting that the court swiftly change the era name and alter the imperial appellation; only then may the Emperor’s years be prolonged, imperial sons be born, and the omens of disaster cease. If that which has been obtained through the mandate is not put into practice, then there will be no calamity or misfortune that does not occur. A great flood will arise, and a disaster of fire will also come, sweeping the people away.”

The Emperor, having long been ill and hoping to derive some benefit from these measures, ultimately accepted the proposals of Xia Heliang and the others. He issued an edict granting a general amnesty throughout the realm, renamed the second year of the Jianping era as the first year of the Taichu era, and assumed the title “Divinely Blessed, Peaceful Emperor Liu.” The length of the day was set at 120 units on the water clock, an increase of twenty over the previous 100 units.

In July of autumn, the area of Yongling Pavilion on the northwestern plain of Weicheng was designated as the preliminary site of the Emperor’s mausoleum. No people from the commanderies or principalities were required to relocate there.

A little more than a month after the Emperor changed his title, his illness remained unabated. Xia Heliang and the others again sought to alter state affairs arbitrarily, but the senior ministers strongly opposed them and argued that such measures should not be permitted. Xia Heliang and his group then submitted a memorial stating: “The high ministers are ignorant of the heavenly mandate. The Chancellor and the Grand Master of the Censorate should be dismissed, and Xie Guang and Li Xun should be appointed to assist in governance.”

The Emperor, seeing that their prophecies were baseless and had not been fulfilled, issued an edict in August, stating: “The attendant candidates Xia Heliang and others proposed changing the era name and the imperial title, as well as increasing the unit of time measurement, in order to secure the enduring stability of the state. I trusted their doctrine without sufficient scrutiny and mistakenly listened to their words, hoping thereby to bring blessings to the people, yet no auspicious signs came to pass. To err and not correct it—this is truly a mistake. The edict of June 10, with the exception of the amnesty, is to be entirely revoked. Xia Heliang and the others, who have departed from the right way and misled the people, are to have their treacherous conduct thoroughly investigated.”

As a result, all of them were imprisoned and executed. Xie Guang and Li Xun had their death sentences commuted by one degree and were exiled to Dunhuang Commandery.

Because of his lingering illness, the Emperor restored all the temples to the gods that had been established by previous generations, more than seven hundred in number, and in a single year thirty-seven thousand sacrifices were offered.

Empress Dowager Fu continued to harbor resentment toward Fu Xi. She instructed Fu Yan, the Marquis of Kongxiang, to hint to Chancellor Zhu Bo that he should submit a memorial seeking Fu Xi’s removal from his marquisate. Zhu Bo discussed the matter with Zhao Xuan, Grand Master of the Censorate. Zhao Xuan remarked, “The Emperor has already made his decision; would it not be improper to raise the matter again?”

Zhu Bo replied, “I have already given my word to the Marquis of Kongxiang. Even an ordinary man may compel another to risk his life through a pledge; how much more so the supreme ruler, the Empress Dowager? I have no choice but either to do it or to die.” Zhao Xuan thereupon agreed.

Zhu Bo was reluctant to single out Fu Xi alone in his memorial. He recalled that He Wu, the former Grand Excellency of Works and Marquis of Sixiang, had likewise been dismissed for a similar offense and sent back to his fief. Accordingly, Zhu Bo submitted a memorial stating: “Fu Xi and He Wu, while in office, were of no benefit to the government. Although they have already been dismissed, it is inappropriate for them to retain their marquisates. I request that both be stripped of their titles and reduced to commoner status.”

The Emperor, knowing that Empress Dowager Fu had long borne a grudge against Fu Xi, suspected that Zhu Bo and Zhao Xuan were acting under her orders. He summoned Zhao Xuan to the Office of the State Secretariat for questioning, and Zhao Xuan confessed. An imperial edict was then issued: “Let Peng Xuan, General of the Left, together with the officials of the central court, investigate this matter.”

Peng Xuan and the others reported: “Zhu Bo, Zhao Xuan, and Fu Yan acted unrighteously and with disrespect. We request that they be summoned to the imperial prison and handed over to the Minister of Justice.”

The Emperor reduced Zhao Xuan’s death sentence by three degrees and confiscated one-fourth of Fu Yan’s fief. He also dispatched a special envoy to summon Chancellor Zhu Bo to the Minister of Justice. Zhu Bo committed suicide, and his marquisate was abolished.

In September, Ping Dang, the Grand Chamberlain, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate. In winter, on October 1, he was promoted to Chancellor. Because this appointment fell outside the customary season for the enfeoffment of marquises, he was instead granted the title of Marquis Within the Pass. Wang Jia of Pingling, Intendant of Jingzhao, was appointed the new Grand Master of the Censorate.

The Emperor wished to place members of the Ding and Fu clans in key positions. In this same year, Peng Xuan of Huaiyang, General of the Left, was dismissed and sent home with the title of Marquis Within the Pass. In his place, Ding Wang, the Grand Chamberlain, was appointed General of the Left.

Beiyuanzhi, chieftain of the Wusun, invaded and plundered the western borderlands of the Xiongnu. The Chanyu dispatched troops to attack him, killing several hundred people, capturing more than a thousand, and driving off cattle and other livestock. Fearing further retaliation, Beiyuanzhi sent his son Qulu to the Xiongnu as a hostage. The Chanyu accepted him and reported the matter to the Han court. The Emperor then sent an envoy to reprimand the Chanyu and demanded the return of Beiyuanzhi’s son. The Chanyu obeyed the order and sent him back.

September 19, 2026
Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 257): Rehabilitation of Chen Tang

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 25 Scroll 33 (continued)

Iron Swords of Han Dynasty. Photo by Gary Todd

The 2nd year of Emperor Cheng’s Suihe Era (7 B.C. continued)

Kong Guang and He Wu submitted a memorial, saying: “The timing for the demolition of the ancestral temples should be settled without delay. We request that this matter be discussed with the other officials.” Thereupon, Grand Chamberlain Peng Xuan and fifty-three others all agreed that, although Emperor Wu had great achievements and merits, it was appropriate to demolish his temple, since his degree of kinship to the current Emperor had become too remote.

Grand Coachman Wang Shun and Colonel of the Central Fortress Liu Xin argued: “According to the rites, the Son of Heaven has seven ancestral temples—the progenitor in the center, with the descendants of the second, fourth, and sixth generations on the left, and those of the third, fifth, and seventh generations on the right. The number seven represents the regular standard and is the fixed rule. However, for those emperors whose temple names include zong (‘ancestor’), they are not restricted by this fixed number. The number of such honored ancestors is not constant. Wherever there are merit and virtue, the ancestor should be included; this should not be predetermined. We believe that Emperor Wu’s achievements and merits were of such importance, and since Emperor Xuan so deeply revered him, it is not appropriate to demolish his temple.”

The Emperor reviewed their arguments and decreed: “The proposal of Grand Coachman Wang Shun and Colonel of the Central Fortress Liu Xin is acceptable.”

He Wu’s stepmother was in Shu Commandery, and he sent an official to bring her to the capital. When Emperor Cheng died, however, the official feared bandits along the road, and so his mother remained at home. Some of those close to the Emperor criticized He Wu for failing to care for his mother, and the Emperor also wished to replace his ministers. Thus, in October of winter, He Wu was dismissed from office and returned to his fief as a marquis. On October 9, Shi Dan was appointed Grand Excellency of Works.

Shi Dan, seeing that the Emperor had made many alterations to Emperor Cheng’s policies, submitted a memorial stating: “In ancient times, those in mourning remained silent, and state affairs were entrusted to the Chancellor. For three years, there should be no changes to the way of the late father. Yet while the late Emperor’s body still lay in the hall, Your Majesty’s attendants, relatives, and others were honored and promoted. Your uncle was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yang’an; the honorific title of the Empress had not yet been determined, yet her father had already been made Marquis of Kongxiang; among those dismissed were Privy Counselor Wang Yi and Colonel of Archers Wang Han. Multiple edicts were issued in haste, and thus changes in government followed in confused and abrupt succession of actions.

“Though I am unable to expound the great principles with clarity, nor have I firmly declined my own enfeoffment, but have merely followed the crowd and accepted the title of marquis, thereby increasing Your Majesty’s faults. Recently, many regions have suffered earthquakes and floods, with loss of life among the people; the sun and moon have failed to shine clearly, and the five planets have lost their proper courses. These are signs of error in administrative policies and violation of principles in law enforcement, reflecting disorder and confusion between yin and yang.

“I submit that even a common man without sons, though sixty or seventy years of age, still seeks to widen his household by taking additional concubines. Emperor Cheng, however, understood the Mandate of Heaven profoundly and recognized Your Majesty’s great virtue, choosing you in the fullness of his years as his heir. The late Emperor suddenly departed from the world, yet when Your Majesty succeeded him, peace prevailed within the Four Seas and the people felt no fear. This was due to the late Emperor’s divine virtue, which accorded with the harmony between Heaven and mankind. It is said, ‘Do not act contrary to Heaven’s will, for its might is but an inch away.’ Therefore, I urge Your Majesty to reflect deeply upon the late Emperor’s intention in establishing you as heir, to practice self-restraint in accordance with the tradition of silence during mourning, and to observe the custom of entrusting government to the ministers. All under Heaven already belongs to Your Majesty; there is no cause to fear that your kinsmen and favorites will not in time attain wealth and honor. To act with such haste is unwise, for what is gained so quickly cannot long endure.”

Shi Dan submitted numerous memorials, many of them containing direct and blunt remonstrance.

The son of Dowager Empress Fu’s younger cousin, Fu Qian, served as an attendant around the Emperor. Because of his vicious character, he was disliked by the Emperor, removed from his post, and sent back to his former commandery. The Dowager Empress Fu was enraged, and the Emperor, unable to resist her, had Fu Qian reinstated. Chancellor Kong Guang and Grand Excellency of Works Shi Dan then submitted a memorial, saying: “The edicts are contradictory, causing confusion and undermining public trust. We request that Fu Qian be returned to his former commandery, in order to dispel the dishonest cliques surrounding the Emperor.” Their request, however, was not granted, and Fu Qian was restored as Privy Counselor. This clearly showed the overriding influence of Dowager Empress Fu over the Emperor.

The court consultant Geng Yu submitted a memorial to redress the injustice to Chen Tang: “Gan Yanshou and Chen Tang magnified the awe-inspiring might of the Sacred Han and extended it to the deepest and farthest reaches. They washed away the state’s accumulated shame of many years. They campaigned against a rebellious ruler in distant lands and bound a captive difficult to subdue from ten thousand li away—what deed could compare with this?

“The Former Emperor commended them and thereupon issued a clear edict, proclaiming and manifesting their merit. He changed the era name and caused the event to be recorded in the calendar, so that it might be transmitted without end. In response, Nanjun Commandery contributed a white tiger as a present, and along the frontiers there were no alarms.

“When the Former Emperor fell gravely ill, he still did not forget this matter, but repeatedly sent the minister of the State Secretariat to question and press the Chancellor, urging that their merit be formally established without delay. Yet Chancellor Kuang Heng alone obstructed the matter and refused to approve it, enfeoffing Gan Yanshou and Chen Tang with only a few hundred households. For this reason, the meritorious officers and fighting men were left disappointed.

“Emperor Cheng inherited the foundations of an accomplished reign and rode upon the awe inspired by former campaigns. Weapons and armor were not put in motion, and the state was free of major troubles; yet the great ministers, perverse and devious, sought to monopolize the ruler’s authority, excluding and envying men of merit. Thus Chen Tang, solitary and forsaken, suffered false accusation, arrest, and imprisonment, and could not make his case clear. In the end, though guiltless, he grew old and was cast aside.

“Dunhuang stands directly upon the route to the Western Regions; yet a minister whose prestige and renown had overawed and vanquished the lands, before he could even turn his heel, was himself reduced to such a state, and again made an object of mockery to the surviving caitiffs of Zhizhi. This is truly lamentable!

“To this day, those who bear missions to the outer tribes have never failed to recount the execution of Zhizhi, thereby proclaiming the grandeur of the Han empire. To rely on this man’s merit in order to intimidate the enemy, yet cast aside his person in order to gratify slanderers—how could this not be grievous?

“Moreover, in times of peace one must not forget danger; in times of prosperity one must surely consider decline. Now the state possesses neither the accumulated abundance built up through Emperor Wen’s many years of thrift, nor generals like those repeatedly employed under Emperor Wu to strike down bold chieftains and capture the enemy. There is only one Chen Tang. Even had he lived in another age and failed to encounter Your Majesty, one might still have hoped that the state would have posthumously recorded his merit, enfeoffed his descendants, and marked his tomb, thereby encouraging those who would come after.

“Chen Tang was fortunate to have lived in a sacred age. His merit was not yet long past, the court instead listened to wicked ministers, who scourged him, drove him away, and cast him far off, so that he fled in exile and in the end died without a settled resting place. Those gentlemen who look far and judge broadly all reckon that Chen Tang’s merit is such that it cannot be matched for generations, while his faults were no more than what ordinary human feeling may contain. If even Chen Tang was treated in this manner, then though other soldiers should once more break sinews and bones and expose their bodies in the field, they would still in the end fall victim to men’s lips and tongues and be ruined by jealous ministers. This is why your servant is all the more deeply distressed for the sake of the state.”

The Emperor responded to the petition by allowing Chen Tang to return to Chang’an, where he ultimately passed away.

September 5, 2026
Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 255): A New Broom Sweeps Cleaner

Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Han Book 25 Scroll 33 (continued)

Liu Xin’s Handwriting

The 2nd year of Emperor Cheng’s Suihe Era (7 B.C. continued)

During the reign of Emperor Cheng, the folk music of Zheng was especially popular at the court. Renowned palace entertainers such as Bing Qiang and Jing Wu, had risen to prominence, and noble families even competed with the imperial house in employing female musicians and performers. The Emperor, who had disliked this music since his days as Prince of Dingtao and was personally averse to music in general, issued an edict in June: “Did not Confucius say, ‘The music of Zheng shall be banned, the music of Zheng is decadent’? Therefore, the officials of the Music Bureau shall be dismissed. Music for sacrifices and the ancient military music recorded in the classics, excluding that of Zheng and Wey, shall be administered by other offices.”

More than half of the musical officials were dismissed. However, as time passed, the people had become accustomed to this music, and since no more elegant alternative had been composed to replace it, the musical indulgence of the wealthy and the officials remained unchanged.

Wang Mang recommended Liu Xin, Colonel of the Central Citadel, on account of his talent and conduct. Liu Xin was appointed Privy Counselor, then promoted to Grand Master of Merit, and enjoyed the Emperor’s favor. He was given the name Liu Xiu, since the Emperor’s own name was also Liu Xin. The Emperor ordered Liu Xiu to oversee the annotation of the Five Classics and to continue the work of his father, Liu Xiang. Liu Xiu compiled and submitted a general catalogue of the various texts, producing seven summaries: Ji lüe (Summary of the Classics), Liuyi lüe (Summary of the Six Arts), Zhuzi lüe (Summary of the Masters and Philosophers), Shifu lüe (Summary of Poetry and Essays), Bingshu lüe (Summary of Military Texts), Shushu lüe (Summary of Techniques and Astronomy), and Fangji lüe (Summary of Magic and Occult). These summaries encompassed six broad categories, thirty-eight subdivisions, five hundred ninety-six works, and thirteen thousand two hundred sixty-nine scrolls.

The summaries classified the various schools of thought into nine streams: Confucianism, Daoism, Yin-Yang Theory, Legalism, the School of Names(Logicians), Mohism, the School of Diplomacy, Eclecticism, and Agriculturalism. Liu Xiu argued that “These nine schools of thought arose when the kingly way had declined and the feudal lords exercised power. At that time, rulers held different preferences, and thus these diverse schools of thought arose and reached their height, each advancing its own strengths and contending for influence. Although their teachings differ, they are like water and fire, opposing one another yet also complementing one another. Benevolence and righteousness, reverence and harmony, though opposed, are all intermingled. The Book of Changes says: ‘All under Heaven pursue the same end by different paths; they reach the same destination, though a hundred deliberations.’ Now those of the various schools press forward what each does best, exhausting knowledge and probing thought in order to make their purport clear. Though each has obscurities and deficiencies, if one gathers their essential return, they are also branches and later offshoots of the Six Classics. If such men should encounter an enlightened king and sagely ruler, and get what is properly balanced and harmonized from these schools of thought, they would all be material for the ruler’s limbs and wings, serving as indispensable aids.

“Confucius once said: ‘When rites are lost, seek them among the wilderness.’ Now, being long departed from the age of sages, the Way and its arts are broken and cast aside, and there is nowhere further to seek them. Are those Nine Schools not still better than the wilderness and countryside? If one can cultivate the arts of the Six Disciplines and, by them, examine the words of these Nine Schools—discarding the shortcomings and taking the outstanding—then one may thereby penetrate strategies suited to the myriad regions.”

Prince Hui of Hejian, Liu Liang, was able to live in accordance with the example set by Prince Xian of Hejian, Liu De. When his mother, the Queen Dowager, passed away, he observed the mourning rites in full accordance with ritual prescription. He was therefore granted an additional fief of ten thousand households, to serve as a model for the imperial clan.

Dong Zhongshu had advised Emperor Wu: “Qin adopted the laws of Shang Yang, abolished the well-field system, and allowed the people to buy and sell land. The wealthy accumulated vast estates, while the poor were left with only tiny plots. In small towns there were men as honored and powerful as princes; in the villages there were riches equal to those of dukes and marquises. How could the common people not be oppressed? Although the ancient well-field system cannot easily be restored in full, it would still be beneficial to move toward it gradually. Limit the amount of land the people may own, so that those without land may be provided for, and curb excessive annexation. Remove from masters the power they hold over enslaved laborers, who live in fear of cruel punishments. Reduce taxes and labor service to lighten the people’s burdens, and better governance will then become possible!”

When the Emperor ascended the throne, Shi Dan again submitted a proposal: “Now, after many generations of peace, the wealthy and the officials have greatly expanded their holdings, while the poor suffer ever more deeply. It would be appropriate to impose some limit on landownership.” The Emperor referred the proposal for deliberation.

Chancellor Kong Guang and Grand Excellency of Works He Wu proposed: “Let limits be set on the land owned by feudal princes, marquises, and princesses. Let the land owned by marquises within the Pass, officials, and commoners be limited to no more than thirty qing(Chinese hectare), and let the number of slaves be limited to no more than thirty. This should be enforced within three years, and the property of violators should be confiscated by the court.”

Then the market prices of land, houses, and household slaves fell sharply, and the nobles and ministers close to the Emperor did not regard the measure as beneficial to them. Another edict was therefore issued: “Let the matter be suspended for the present.”

In addition, an edict was issued to the officials overseeing the garment workshops in Qi, stating: “The officers of the Office of the Three Seasons shall halt the production of patterned silks and embroideries that are difficult to complete and harmful to women’s spinning and weaving. Those already produced shall not be transported to the capital.”

The edict further stated: “The law of ‘Affirming Patricians,’ which grants preferential advancement to the sons of officials of the 2,000-picul rank, and the laws prohibiting slander and defamation are hereby abolished. Women of the harem under thirty years of age shall be given in marriage. Slaves over fifty years of age shall be freed and made commoners. In addition, officials with salaries of three hundred piculs or less shall receive an increase.”

At a banquet in Weiyang Palace, the eunuch conductor arranged a seat for Empress Dowager Fu beside the Empress Dowager Zhao. Grand Marshal Wang Mang, while inspecting the seating, rebuked the conductor: “The Queen Dowager of Dingtao, merely a former concubine of a prince, how can she sit alongside the Supreme Sovereign?” He had her seat removed and another one arranged elsewhere. When Empress Dowager Fu heard of this, she was enraged, refused to attend the banquet, and conceived a deep resentment toward Wang Mang. Wang Mang thereupon petitioned for retirement. In autumn, on July 1, the Emperor granted him five hundred cattie of gold and a carriage drawn by four horses, and dismissed him to his residence.

Many among the Three Excellencies, the ministers, and the nobles praised Wang Mang, and the Emperor consequently showed him even greater favor. He sent palace eunuchs to attend Wang Mang’s household and had meals provided to him every ten days. In addition, a decree was issued increasing the fiefs of Wang Gen, Marquis of Quyang; Wang Shun, Marquis of Anyang; and Wang Mang, Marquis of Xindu. The fiefs of Chancellor Kong Guang, Grand Excellency of Works He Wu, and various other officials were likewise adjusted. Wang Mang was appointed Special Appointee and Palace Steward, granted court audience on the new moon and full moon of each month, and accorded ceremonial honors equivalent to those of the Three Excellencies. Furthermore, Wang Li, Marquis of Hongyang, was reinstated to the capital.

Queen Dowager Fu(Consort of Emperor Yuan)’s cousin, General of the Right Fu Xi, was a learned man of noble character. After Wang Mang was dismissed and retired, public hopes turned to Fu Xi. Earlier, when the Emperor’s affinal relatives were being advanced, Fu Xi alone remained modest and declined high office on the grounds of ill health. When Queen Dowager of Dingtao(Fu) began to take part in state affairs, he often offered advice in opposition to her wishes. As a result, she did not want Fu Xi to assist in the government. On July 4, General of the Left Shi Dan was appointed Grand Marshal and granted the title of Marquis of Gaoxiangting. Fu Xi was given one hundred catties of gold, relieved of his duty as General of the Right, his seal and ribbon taken away, and assigned the post of Grand Master of Merit so that he might recuperate from illness. The office of General of the Right was then given to Peng Xuan of Huaiyang, who was serving as Grand Chamberlain.

Grand Excellency of Works He Wu and Director of the State Secretariat Tang Lin both submitted memorials to the Emperor, saying: “Fu Xi is a man of righteousness, integrity, and loyalty, wholly devoted to the state. Now, because of illness, he is being sent away, to the disappointment of the people. All say, ‘The worthy son of the Fu family, because he disagreed with the Queen Dowager of Dingtao, has been dismissed,’ and the myriad officials grieve for the state. Loyal ministers are the protectors of a state. The state of Lu had Ji You to bring order out of disorder; the prestige of the kingdom of Chu depended on Cheng Ziyu(Cheng Dechen’s courtesy name); the state of Wei relied on Wei Wuji(Lord Xinling) to rally the feudal lords; and the preservation or destruction of Xiang Yu turned upon Fan Zeng. A single worthy man is worth more than a million soldiers. Thus Qin spent a thousand pieces of gold to sow dissension against Lian Po, and Han scattered gold to estrange Uncle Fan Zeng from Xiang Yu. So long as Fu Xi stands at court, he represents the Emperor’s glory and the rise or fall of the Fu family.”

The Emperor also valued Fu Xi, and he was therefore soon reinstated.

The Marquis of Jianping, Du Ye, submitted a memorial criticizing the Marquis of Quyang, Wang Gen, the Marquis of Gaoyang, Xue Xuan, and the Marquis of Anchang, Zhang Yu, and by contrast recommending Zhu Bo. The Emperor, having heard of the Wang family’s arrogance from a young age, could not endure it; yet, because his reign had only recently begun, he chose for the time being to tolerate them.

A little more than a month later, the Inspector Colonel of the Capital, Xie Guang, reported: “The Marquis of Quyang(Wang Gen) before the mourning for the late Emperor had been completed, openly summoned the former female musicians and entertainers of the imperial court, including Yin Yan and Wang Feijun. He also gave former imperial concubines in marriage as wives to Wang Kuang, the Marquis of Chengdu and son of his brother. In all this, they showed none of the propriety due from subjects, but instead displayed grave disrespect and a complete disregard for moral standards.”

Thereupon the Emperor said: “The late Emperor treated Wang Gen and Wang Kuang, father and son, with the utmost generosity, yet they have repaid that kindness with betrayal and ingratitude.” Since Wang Gen had once proposed that Emperor Ai be made crown prince, he was merely sent back to his marquisate. Wang Kuang was reduced to commoner status and returned to his native town. All officials who had been recommended or appointed by Wang Gen and Wang Shang(Wang Kuang’s father), were dismissed.

August 29, 2026