Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 7 Scroll 15 (continued)
The 14th year of the Emperor Wen of Early Era (166 B.C.)
In the winter, Laoshang Chanyu of the Xiongnu led 140,000 cavalry and invaded Chaona County and Xiao Pass, killing the Commandant of Beidi Commandery, Sun Ang, and capturing a large number of people and livestock. They advanced to Pengyang County and sent elite troops in a surprise attack to burn down the Huizhong palace. Their reconnaissance cavalry even reached Yong County and Ganquan County.
The Emperor appointed Zhou She, the Commandant of the imperial guard, and Zhang Wu, the Chamberlain, as generals. They mobilized a force of 1,000 chariots and 100,000 cavalry to guard the outskirts of Chang’an, preparing to defend against the Xiongnu invaders. The Emperor also appointed the Marquis of Chang, Lu Qing, as General of Shangjun; the Marquis of Ning, Wei Chi, as General of Beidi; and the Marquis of Longlü, Zhou Zao, as General of Longxi, stationing them in the three commanderies of Beidi, Shangjun, and Longxi. The Emperor personally visited the troops, issued military orders, and bestowed rewards upon the officers and soldiers, intending to lead an expedition against the Xiongnu himself. His ministers’ advice against it, he did not listen. Only after the Empress Dowager strongly objected did he relent. As a result, Zhang Xiangru, the Marquis of Dongyang, was appointed Grand General, while Dong Chi, the Marquis of Cheng, and Luan Bu, the Minister of Interior, were also appointed as generals to lead the attack on the Xiongnu. The Chanyu remained within the borders for over a month before departing. The Han forces pursued them beyond the borders but returned immediately, unable to inflict any casualties.
As he passed by the office of the gentlemen-in-waiting, the Emperor asked the Director of the gentlemen-in-waiting, Feng Tang, “Where is your venerable ancestral home?”
Feng Tang replied, “My grandfather was from Zhao, and my father moved to Dai.”
The Emperor said, “When I lived in Dai, the chief of the imperial kitchen, Gao Qu, often praised the talented Zhao general Li Qi, who fought in the Battle of Julu. Even now, whenever I have a meal, my thoughts always turn to Julu. Do your venerable know Li Qi?”
Feng Tang replied, “Li Qi was not as accomplished a general as Lian Po or Li Mu.”
The Emperor, clutching his thigh, exclaimed, “Alas! If only I had Lian Po and Li Mu as my generals, would I still worry about the Xiongnu?”
Feng Tang responded, “Even if Your Majesty had Lian Po and Li Mu, you would not be able to utilize them.”
The Emperor was offended, stood up, and entered the Forbidden Chamber. After some time, he summoned Feng Tang and reproached him, saying, “How dare you insult me in front of so many people? Couldn’t you find a private moment to say that?”
Feng Tang apologized, replying, “I, a lowly person, did not realize what was inappropriate.”
Still concerned about the Xiongnu, the Emperor eventually asked Feng Tang again, “How do you know that I cannot use Lian Po and Li Mu effectively?”
Feng Tang responded, “I have heard that in ancient times, when kings dispatched generals, they would kneel and push the axle of the chariot, saying, ‘The things within the palace gates, I control them; those outside, the general commands.’ Military achievements, their merits, and the rewards were all determined by the generals in the field, not reviewed by central authorities. The rewards were only reported to the court when they returned from action. This is not mere hearsay.
“My grandfather said that when Li Mu served as a general of Zhao, he governed the border and used the proceeds from the military markets to feast with the soldiers. Rewards and gifts were distributed within the camp without interference from the central government. By entrusting him with responsibility and holding him accountable for success, the king fully utilized Li Mu‘s intelligence and abilities. Li Mu selected 1,300 chariots, 13,000 cavalry, and recruited 100,000 skilled soldiers. With this force, he drove the Xiongnu Chanyu out of the north, defeated the Donghu, annihilated the Danlin (also known as Chanlan) tribe, restrained the strong Qin forces to the west, and supported Han and Wei to the south. At that time, Zhao was on the verge of dominance.
“However, after King Zhao Qian ascended the throne, Guo Kai spread slanderous rumors, leading to Li Mu‘s execution, and Yan Ju took his place. As a result, the army was defeated, and the soldiers were captured and annihilated by Qin.”
“I have heard that Wei Shang used the proceeds from the military market to provide for the soldiers during his tenure as Prefect of Yunzhong Commandery. He slaughtered a cow every five days to reward guests, military officers, and attendants from his own salary. As a result, the Xiongnu kept their distance and did not approach the borders of Yunzhong. When the enemy invaded, Wei Shang personally led the cavalry in a counterattack and killed a great number of them. The soldiers, being sons of farming families, left their fields to serve in the army. How can they be expected to understand the military merit book and team registry? They fight all day, beheading enemies and capturing prisoners. Yet, when they submit their merits to the military headquarters, they are subject to judicial scrutiny if their reports cannot be verified. The civil officials, bound by law, must enforce it, and while the soldiers’ rewards are delayed, their punishments are promptly carried out. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty’s rewards are too meager, and the punishments too severe.
“Furthermore, when Wei Shang, the Prefect of Yunzhong, was accused of a discrepancy of merely six head counts in the recognition of enemy kills, Your Majesty handed him over to the judicial officers, stripped him of his rank, and imposed a one-year prison sentence. Based on this, even if Your Majesty had Lian Po and Li Mu, you would not be able to fully utilize them!”
The Emperor was pleased by the critique. That very day, he ordered Feng Tang to carry the imperial insignia to pardon Wei Shang, releasing him from prison and reinstating him as the Prefect of Yunzhong. Feng Tang was also appointed as the Commandant of the Chariots and Cavalry.
In the spring, a decree was issued to significantly expand the altars and ceremonial offerings of jade and silk for various sacrificial rituals. The decree stated, ‘We have heard that the officials in charge of sacrificial ceremonies attribute blessings solely to mine and not to the people. We are deeply ashamed of this. It reflects my own lack of virtue to enjoy exclusive blessings while the people are left out. Therefore, We command the sacrificial officials to pray without making any specific requests for mine.’
That same year, Prince Wen of Hejian, Liu Piqiang, passed away.
Initially, Chancellor Zhang Cang believed that the Han Dynasty was aligned with the essence of water, while Gongsun Chen of Lu believed it should be associated with the essence of earth, citing the sighting of a yellow dragon as evidence. However, Zhang Cang dismissed this, arguing it was senseless and rejecting the proposal to adopt yellow official gowns.
Reflection by Rio Grande 