Reflection by Rio Grande

Tag: Huo Chengjun

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 191): After A Large Earthquake

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 16 Scroll 24 (continued)

    Anqiu, Shandong Province

    The 4th year of Emperor Xuan’s Benshi Era (70 B.C.)

    In March of spring, Huo Chengjun, daughter of Huo Guang, was established as Empress. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.

    The former Empress Xu had lived humbly and with frugality; but when Empress Huo was elevated, the splendor of her carriages and entourages, and the rewards lavished upon officials, rose into the tens of millions. Thus the restraint of the former Empress was cast aside.

    In summer, on April 29, an earthquake shook forty-nine commanderies at once. Hills and mountains collapsed, city walls fell, buildings were destroyed, and more than six thousand perished. The ancestral temples in Beihai and Langya were also ruined. The Emperor issued an edict to the Chancellor, the Censors, the Marquises, and the ministers of two-thousand-picul rank, commanding them to confer with scholars versed in the classics, to examine the signs and omens, and to speak without concealment. He further ordered the intendants of the Three Metropolis regions, together with the Ministry of Rites and the internal commanderies, each to recommend one man of virtue and uprightness.

    A general amnesty was again proclaimed. The Emperor, in mourning for the loss of life by the earthquake, refrained from appearing in the main hall for five days. Xiahou Sheng and Huang Ba were released from prison: Xiahou Sheng was appointed Grandee of Remonstrance and Palace Liaison, while Huang Ba was made Inspector of Yangzhou.

    Xiahou Sheng was by nature simple and upright. His manner was plain and without ornament. At times he erred in speech, addressing the Emperor as “you” rather than “Your Majesty,” or calling ministers by their style-names in the Emperor’s presence. Yet the Emperor took no offense, and placed trust in him.

    Once, after discoursing with the Emperor, Xiahou Sheng repeated their words to others. The Emperor rebuked him. Xiahou Sheng replied calmly: “What Your Majesty has spoken is right; I merely magnified it. The teachings of Emperor Yao were spread through the realm, and are recited to this day. I thought it proper to transmit your words, and therefore I did so.” The Emperor, perceiving his sincerity, accepted it.

    In weighty councils, the Emperor trusted Xiahou Sheng for his plain dealing, saying: “Master Xiahou speaks truth. Let none withhold because of past faults.”

    Afterward he served as Treasurer of Changxin Palace, and then as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. At ninety years he died. The Empress Dowager bestowed two million cash for his funeral, and mourned in white for five days, as for a great teacher. Among the Confucian scholars he was held in the highest esteem, and they gloried in his renown.

    In May, phoenixes gathered in Anqiu and Chunyu of Beihai.

    The Prince of Guangchuan, Liu Qu, slew more than ten of his tutors, consorts, and attendants. Some he drowned with molten lead and tin poured into their mouths; others he dismembered, poisoned, and boiled, that none might survive. For this he was deposed and removed to Shangyong, where he took his own life.

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Di’jie Era (69 B.C.)

    In January of spring, a comet appeared in the west sky.

    The Prince of Chu, Liu Yanshou, suspected that the Prince of Guangling, Liu Xu, son of Emperor Wu, might ascend the throne should the order of succession be broken. Desiring to secure himself, he arranged for Zhao Heqi, brother of his mother-in-law, to take a daughter of Prince of Guangling in marriage. Liu Yanshou then bade Zhao Heqi to carry a letter to the Prince of Guangling, warning him to keep his eyes and ears keen, and not allow others to seize the throne. Zhao Heqi’s father, Zhao Changnian, reported this. When the matter was investigated, Zhao Heqi confessed. In November of winter, Liu Yanshou killed himself. The Prince of Guangling Liu Xu was not implicated.

    On December 30, there was a solar eclipse.

    That year Yu Dingguo was made Minister of Justice. Yu Dingguo was skilled in deciding difficult cases, impartial in judgment, and compassionate toward widows and orphans. In doubtful charges he reduced punishments, and always examined matters with care. The court praised him, saying: “When Zhang Shizhi was Minister of Justice, there were no unjust judgments in the empire. Now Yu Dingguo holds that office, and the people know themselves not to be wronged.”

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 189): Murder She Committed

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 16 Scroll 24 (continued)

    Fuzi, A Poisonous Plant

    The 3rd year of Emperor Xuan’s Benshi Era (71 B.C.)

    On January 13, Empress Gong’ai Xu died. At that time, Grand Madame Xian, wife of the Grand General Huo Guang, desired to advance her youngest daughter, Huo Chengjun, to higher station, yet saw no means. It happened that Empress Xu, being pregnant, fell ill.

    There was then a woman physician, Chunyu Yan, favored by the Huo household, who had formerly entered the palace to attend Empress Xu. Her husband, Chunyu Shang, was a palace gatekeeper, and he said to her: “You should visit Grand Madame Xian, and in my name request the office of Supervisor of Anchi Pond.”

    Chunyu Yan accordingly went to Grand Madame Xian. Grand Madame Xian seized the occasion, dismissing attendants around her and received her in secret, and called her by her style-name, saying: “Shaofu, if you can do me a service, I shall assuredly requite it. Can you?”

    Chunyu Yan replied: “Whatever my lady commands, I can attempt.”

    Grand Madame Xian said: “The General has always loved our little daughter Chengjun, and longs to raise her station. I entrust this matter to you.”

    Chunyu Yan, startled, asked: “What can I do?”

    Grand Madame Xian said: “Childbirth is ever perilous; one may hardly escape the jaws of death. The Empress is about to give birth—this is the chance to rid ourselves of her with poison. Then Chengjun shall be Empress. If Shaofu can accomplish this, wealth and rank shall be shared with you.”

    Chunyu Yan hesitated, saying: “The medicines for the imperial house are compounded by many hands, and are always tested by others. How can poison be introduced?”

    Grand Madame Xian replied: “I am going to leave that to Shaofu. The General holds sway over the empire; who would dare to speak against him? If we act with care, no mishap will follow. My only fear is that Shaofu may not consent.”

    After a long silence, Chunyu Yan said: “I am willing to exhaust all effort.”

    Chunyu Yan compounded a potion with Fuzi(Carmichael’s monkshood) and other substances, and smuggled it into Changding Palace. After Empress Xu was delivered, Chunyu Yan mingled the poison with a great bolus prepared by the imperial physicians, and gave her to swallow.

    After a short while, Empress Xu said: “My head grows faint. Is there poison in the medicine?” Chunyu Yan answered: “There is none.” Soon the Empress’ distress increased, and she died.

    When Chunyu Yan departed from the palace, she ran into Grand Madame Xian on the way. They exchanged felicitations, though Grand Madame Xian dared not show her gratitude openly.

    Later, memorials were submitted accusing the physicians of mismanaging the care of the Empress. The Emperor commanded that all who had attended her be seized and cast into prison. Grand Madame Xian, struck with fear, hastened to inform Huo Guang, saying: “Since we have trespassed, do not permit the officials to pursue Chunyu Yan too closely!”

    Huo Guang was greatly shaken, and at first thought to deliver up his wife; but he could not bear it, and when he heard of Chunyu Yan’s part, he chose to conceal it.

    Thereafter, when the official report on the death of Empress Xu was submitted, Huo Guang ordered that Chunyu Yan not be investigated. Seizing the moment, Grand Madame Xian pressed Huo Guang to send their daughter into the palace.