Reflection by Rio Grande

Tag: Huhanye

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 230): Appearance of Nepotism

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 21 Scroll 29 (continued)

    Changzhi (Shangdang), the Hometown of Feng clan, Shanxi Province

    The 1st year of Emperor Yuan’s Jingning Era (33 B.C. continued)

    At first, the Left Yizhizi King had proposed the strategy by which Huhanye Chanyu submitted to the Han, thereby bringing peace and stability. Later, however, slander arose against him, alleging that he boasted of his own merit. Huhanye Chanyu therefore grew suspicious and resentful. Fearing execution, the Left Yizhizi King fled to the Han with more than a thousand followers. The Han court granted him the title of Marquis Within the Passes, allotted him a fief of three hundred households, and permitted him to retain the seal and ribbon of a Xiongnu king.

    When Huhanye Chanyu later came to court, he met with the Left Yizhizi King and said, “Your counsel greatly benefited me, bringing peace to the Xiongnu. This merit is yours and cannot be forgotten. I failed to trust you and allowed you to depart without seeking to detain you—this was my fault. I now wish to report this to the Son of Heaven and request your return to the Xiongnu court.”

    The Left Yizhizi King replied, “The Chanyu relied upon Heaven’s mandate in submitting to the Han and thereby attained peace. This was due to the divine favor of the Chanyu and the blessing of the Son of Heaven—how could I claim such merit? Having already surrendered to the Han, to return again to the Xiongnu would be to serve two masters. I wish to serve the Chanyu by remaining as an envoy of the Han, and I dare not obey your command.”

    Though Huhanye Chanyu repeatedly urged him, he could not persuade the Left Yizhizi King to return, and thus departed alone.

    The Chanyu then conferred upon Wang Zhaojun the title of Ninghu Yanzhi (“Queen of Pacifying the Nomad”), and she bore him a son named Yituzhiyashi, who later became the Right Rizhu King.

    The Crown Prince underwent his capping ceremony.

    In February, the Grand Master of the Censorate, Li Yanshou, passed away.

    Earlier, Shi Xian had observed that Feng Fengshi and his sons were men of reputation and influence, and that Feng Fengshi’s daughter, Feng Yuan—known as Feng Zhaoyi[Lady of Bright Deportment]—served as a favored consort within the inner palace. Desiring to attach himself to their power, Shi Xian recommended Feng Qun, the older brother of Feng Yuan, saying: “The Feng Zhaoyi’s elder brother, Herald Feng, is deferential and punctilious in carrying out commands; he is fit to attend within the inner quarters.”  The Emperor summoned Feng Qun, intending to appoint him as Privy Counselor. Feng Qun, however, seized the occasion to speak openly against Shi Xian’s monopolization of authority. The Emperor was greatly annoyed and dismissed him back to a Palace Gentleman.

    When the office of Grand Master of the Censorate fell vacant, many officials recommended Feng Qun’s elder brother, the Grand Herald Feng Yewang. The Emperor ordered the Minister of State Secretariat to select the most worthy candidate among officials with 2000-picul rank, and Feng Yewang was judged to be best in conduct and ability. The Emperor then consulted Shi Xian, who replied: “Among the Nine Ministers, none surpasses Feng Yewang. Yet because he is the elder brother of Consort(Zhaoyi) Feng, I fear that later generations may say Your Majesty elevated him out of partiality toward your consort.”

    The Emperor agreed, saying, “Well spoken—I had not considered this.” He then told the officials, “If I were to appoint Feng Yewang among the Three Excellencies, future generations would surely say that I favored my consort’s kin, and would cite Feng Yewang as their example.”

    In March, the Emperor issued an edict, saying:

    “Firm and unyielding, steadfast and resolute, indeed without personal desire—such is Feng Yewang, Grand Herald. Clear of mind and skillful in speech, fit to be dispatched to the four quarters—such is Wulu Chongzong, Privy Treasurer. Upright and incorrupt, frugal and disciplined—such is Zhang Tan, Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent. Let the Junior Tutor be appointed Grand Minister of Justice.”

    The Prefect of Henan, Shao Xinchen of Jiujiang, was appointed Privy Treasurer. Formerly Prefect of Nanyang, and later transferred to Henan, Shao Xinchen consistently ranked first in governance. He treated the people as his own children, delighted in promoting their welfare, personally encouraged agriculture, and opened irrigation channels. The population of his commandery doubled. Officials and commoners alike cherished him and called him “Father Shao.”

    In the same month, the tombs and gardens of Emperor Hui (Liu Ying), Empress Dowager Wen (Empress Dou), and Empress Dowager Xiaozhao (Zhao Jieyu, Consort Gouyi of Emperor Wu) were restored.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 229): Ten Reasons for Securing Border

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 21 Scroll 29 (continued)

    Yin Mountains

    The 1st year of Emperor Yuan’s Jingning Era (33 B.C. continued)

    The Chanyu rejoiced greatly and submitted a letter, saying: “I am willing to guard the frontier from Shanggu to Dunhuang and transmit this charge to my descendants without end. I beg that the border defenses and garrisons be withdrawn, so that the people of the Son of Heaven may have rest.”

    The Emperor referred the matter to his ministers for deliberation, and all deemed it advantageous. Only the Court Attendant Hou Ying, well versed in frontier affairs, spoke in opposition.

    The Emperor asked for an explanation. Hou Ying replied:

    “Since the time of the Zhou and Qin, the Xiongnu have been violent and aggressive, constantly raiding the frontiers. Since the rise of the Han, we have suffered especially from their incursions. I have heard that the northern frontier stretches east to Liaodong and west beyond the Yin Mountains, extending for more than a thousand li, rich in grass, forests, and game. In former times, Modu Chanyu used this land as his hunting ground, fashioning bows and arrows there and launching his raids.

    “In the reign of Emperor Wu, when armies were dispatched on campaign, this territory was recovered and the Xiongnu were driven beyond the desert. Fortified barriers were erected, beacon towers and subterranean passes were established, outer walls were constructed, and garrisons were stationed to defend them. Only then did the borderlands attain a measure of peace.

    “North of the desert, the land is flat and barren, with little grass or timber and vast stretches of sand; when the Xiongnu come to raid, they have nowhere to conceal themselves. South of the barriers lie deep mountains and ravines, difficult to traverse. The elders of the frontier say: ‘Since the Xiongnu lost the Yin Mountains, they have never crossed them without weeping.’ If now the garrisons are withdrawn and the defenses abandoned, it would be to hand the eastern and northern tribes a single, immense advantage. This is the first reason it must not be done.

    “Now, under Your Majesty’s virtuous rule, Heaven shelters the Xiongnu, and they enjoy preservation and peace, bowing their heads in submission. Yet the nature of these tribes is such that when pressed they are humble and compliant, but when strong they grow arrogant and rebellious—such is Heaven’s design. Previously, the outer walls were already dismantled and the watchtowers reduced, leaving only what was needed to observe and signal. The ancients, even in times of peace, never forgot the possibility of danger; such defenses must not again be abolished. This is the second reason.”

    “Since antiquity, the Central State has established passes and bridges in order to restrain the feudal lords, thereby cutting off any thought of ambition among the people. The construction of frontier barriers and the stationing of garrisons were not undertaken solely because of the Xiongnu, but also on account of the various dependent states and surrendered peoples who had once belonged to them—lest they recall former ties and flee back. This is the fourth reason.

    “Recently, the Western Qiang have dwelt near the frontier posts and come into contact with the Han populace. Officials and commoners, driven by greed, have encroached upon them, seizing their livestock and taking their wives and children. For this they harbored resentment and rose in rebellion. Now, if the mounted frontier posts are abolished, arrogance and contempt will arise, disputes will multiply—this is the fifth reason.

    “In former times, many soldiers went to war and never returned; their sons and grandsons were left in poverty. If one day they should flee, they would surely seek refuge among their kin among the Xiongnu—this is the sixth reason.

    “Moreover, the bondservants and slaves of the border people live in hardship. Many long to flee, saying, ‘We hear that life among the Xiongnu is easy; only the strict watch and guard restrain us.’ Even now, some slip away beyond the frontier—this is the seventh reason.

    “Furthermore, bandits and violent men, when pressed by the law, often flee northward beyond the borders, beyond our ability to pursue or restrain them—this is the eighth reason.

    “Since the establishment of the frontier defenses, more than a hundred years have passed. Not all were built of rammed earth alone: some relied upon mountain cliffs, stone and timber, river valleys, and water-gates, which were gradually leveled and joined together. Soldiers and laborers toiled to construct and repair them; the hardship and expense accumulated through generations are beyond reckoning. I fear that those who now deliberate have not examined the matter from beginning to end, and wish to abolish at once all corvée service and garrison duties. Yet within ten years—or within a hundred—should circumstances change, and should the barriers collapse and the watch-posts and subterranean passes disappear, new garrisons would again have to be raised and the works rebuilt. The accumulated labor of generations cannot be restored in a single day. This is the ninth reason.

    “If the garrisons are withdrawn and the watch-posts reduced, the Chanyu, relying upon his own frontier defenses, will surely feel deep gratitude toward Han and will make incessant requests. Should we then displease him even slightly, the consequences would be beyond all calculation. To open a breach for the tribes and diminish the strength of the Central State—this is the tenth reason.

    “Withdrawing garrisons is not the long-term strategy by which lasting peace is preserved and the hundred tribes are held in awe.”

    After hearing this, the Emperor issued a decree: “Let there be no further discussion of dismountling the frontier defenses.”

    He then dispatched Xu Jia, General of Chariots and Cavalry, to convey this message to Huhanye Chanyu, saying:

    “The Chanyu has written, requesting that the northern frontier officials and garrisons be withdrawn, pledging that his descendants will guard the border for generations to come. The Chanyu’s admiration for propriety and his concern for the welfare of the people reveal a far-sighted intention, which We greatly commend.

    “The Central Realm, however, maintains barriers and defenses in all four directions—not solely to guard against external threats, but also to restrain disorder within. Clear laws and firm institutions are the means by which order is preserved. We fully understand and appreciate the Chanyu’s intent and harbor no suspicion. Yet, lest the Chanyu be perplexed by the continued maintenance of these defenses, we have therefore dispatched Xu Jia to explain the matter in person.”

    Huhanye Chanyu replied:

    “I did not comprehend this far-reaching design. I am deeply grateful that the Son of Heaven has sent a high minister to instruct me. I receive this with reverence and gratitude.”