Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 17 Scroll 25 (continued)
The 3rd year of Emperor Xuan’s Yuan’kang Era (63 B.C.)
In March of spring, a decree was issued conferring the title of Marquis of Haihun upon the former Prince of Changyi, Liu He.
On March 2, another decree was proclaimed:
“In my humble beginnings, the Grand Minister of Justice Bing Ji; the Generals of the Household Shi Zeng and Shi Xuan; the Guard Commandant of Changle Palace, Xu Shun; and the Privy Counselor and Grand Master of the Chamberlain, Xu Yanshou, all rendered significant assistance to us. In particular, the former Director of the Women’s Quarter, Zhang He, instructed us in literature and the Confucian classics. His exceptional kindness and merit are the most distinguished. As the Book of Songs says: ‘No benevolence should go unrewarded.’ Therefore, Zhang Pengzu, the adopted son of Zhang He and a General of the Household, shall be granted the title of Marquis of Yangdu. Zhang He shall be posthumously honored as Marquis Ai of Yangdu. Bing Ji shall be made Marquis of Boyang, Shi Zeng Marquis of Jiangling, Shi Xuan Marquis of Pingtai, Xu Shun Marquis of Bowang, and Xu Yanshou Marquis of Lecheng.”
Zhang He had a grandson, Zhang Ba, seven years of age, who was appointed Cavalry Gentleman and General of the Household, bearing the title of Marquis of the Interior. Former acquaintances, down to the women housed in the commandery traveler lodges who had once nursed the Emperor, were all rewarded with offices, land, property, and wealth proportionate to the extent of their beneficence.
As Bing Ji was about to receive his marquisate, he fell ill. The Emperor, fearing he might not recover, intended to send an envoy to confer the title in person so that the seal could be bestowed while Bing Ji was still alive. Xiahou Sheng, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, said, “He will not die. It is said that those with hidden merit will enjoy blessings that extend even to their descendants. Now, Bing Ji has not yet been repaid for his service, and though his illness is grave, it is not one that leads to death.” Later, Bing Ji’s health indeed improved.
Zhang Anshi felt that the enfeoffment of both his father and himself as marquises was excessive, so he declined the stipend. A decree was then issued to reserve the emolument for the Zhang family in an unnamed account within the Ministry of Finance, and the sum eventually reached one million coins. Zhang Anshi was cautious and meticulous. Whenever major political decisions were settled, he would feign illness and withdraw early. When he later heard of the promulgation of an imperial decree, he acted as though he had never been informed and sent his subordinates to inquire at the Chancellor’s office. None of the senior ministers at court knew that he had conferred with the Emperor on these matters.
On one occasion, a man he had recommended came to express gratitude, but Zhang Anshi was displeased, saying, “Should the advancement of worthy men warrant personal thanks?” He thereafter severed all contact with him. There was once a young officer of exceptional merit who had not been properly recognized. The officer asked Zhang Anshi to intercede, but Zhang Anshi replied, “Your merit is great, and the enlightened ruler is already aware of it. As a subject, how can you speak of your own achievements?” He firmly refused to make any recommendation. Later, the officer was indeed promoted.
Still uneasy about the marquisates bestowed upon himself and his son, Zhang Anshi sought an appointment outside the capital for his son Zhang Yanshou. The Emperor appointed Zhang Yanshou as Prefect of Beidi. After a year, mindful of Zhang Anshi’s advanced age, the Emperor summoned Zhang Yanshou back to serve as Grand Coachman and Manager of the Left Office.
In the summer, on April 14, the Emperor appointed his son, Liu Qin, as Prince of Huaiyang. The Crown Prince, Liu Shi, twelve years of age, had already studied the Analects of Confucius and the Classic of Filial Piety. The Grand Tutor, Shu Guang, advised the Junior Tutor, Shu Shou: “I have heard that ‘those who know contentment will not be humiliated; those who know when to stop will not be imperiled.’ Now that we have attained the rank of Two Thousand Piculs, with established fame and position, if we do not retire now, we may come to regret it later.” That very day, both father and son feigned illness and submitted petitions for retirement. The Emperor granted their requests and awarded each twenty catties of gold. The Crown Prince additionally presented them with fifty catties of gold.
Former officials and acquaintances arranged a farewell ceremony outside the Eastern Gate, with hundreds of carriages joining the procession. Passersby along the road exclaimed, “Truly, two worthy grandees!” Some were moved to tears.
Shu Guang and Shu Shou returned to their hometowns and instructed their families to sell the gold bestowed upon them, using the proceeds to prepare a feast for relatives, longtime friends, and guests. Some advised Shu Guang to use the gold to establish property for his descendants, but Shu Guang replied: “Am I so old and forgetful that I fail to think of my descendants? I already have ancestral fields and houses. Let my descendants work diligently in them, sufficient to clothe and feed themselves as ordinary people. Adding more would only spoil them. Wealth in the hands of the virtuous weakens their aspirations; in the hands of the foolish, it multiplies their faults. Moreover, the wealthy are resented by the masses. Since I have no means to educate my descendants well, I do not wish to increment their faults or invite resentment. This gold was bestowed by the enlightened ruler to support these elderly officials. Thus I rejoice in sharing this gift with my kin and fellow villagers, to enjoy the remainder of my years in contentment. Is this not fitting?” His relatives were delighted and deeply moved.
Huang Ba, Prefect of Yingchuan, instructed relay lodges, postal stations and local offices to raise chickens and pigs to support widows, widowers, the poor, and the destitute. Thereafter, he drafted rules and regulations, appointed elders, teachers, leaders, and supervisors, and organized them to disseminate these ideas among the populace. He encouraged people to guard against evil impulses, cultivate their fields, practice thrift, increase their wealth, plant trees, and raise livestock, while eliminating unnecessary expenses on frivolous indulgences. Though his administrative measures seemed trivial and petty at first glance, Huang Ba was resolute and capable in enforcing them.
When speaking with officials or commoners, he questioned them closely, following their accounts in detail and probing for any hidden matters to use as reference. Admiring his keen intelligence and understanding, neither officials nor people knew whence his analytical ability came; they all called him divine and dared not deceive him in the slightest. Lawbreakers fled to neighboring counties, and bandits and thieves diminished day by day. Huang Ba prioritized education and moral guidance over punishment, striving for lasting stability and the wellbeing of both officials and the people.
The Associate Magistrate of Xu County had become deaf from old age, and the Investigator sought to dismiss him. Huang Ba said, “Master Xu is an upright official. Though elderly, he can still rise and greet people properly. What harm is there in impaired hearing? Assist him well, and do not disappoint the hopes placed in the virtuous.”
When asked for his reasoning, Huang Ba replied: “Frequent changes of officials incur expenses for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and unscrupulous officials exploit such transitions to embezzle funds and property, causing great losses to both government and people. Replacement officials are not necessarily better than their predecessors; they may even be worse, thereby aggravating disorder. In governing, one need only remove those who are greedy and extreme.”
With a broad mind and clear judgment, Huang Ba won the hearts of officials and commoners alike, and the population increased year by year. His administration was regarded as the best in the realm, and he was appointed Intendant of Jingzhao. After some time, he was implicated in a crime and demoted. A subsequent decree restored him to his former post as Prefect of Yingchuan, with a stipend of eight hundred piculs of grain.
Reflection by Rio Grande 