Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 15 Scroll 23 (continued)
The 1st year of Emperor Zhao’s Yuanfeng Era (80 B.C.)
In spring, the Di tribe of Wudu commandery rebelled. The Bearer of the Mace, Mashi Jian, the Marquis of Longluo, Han Zeng, and the Grand Herald, Tian Guangming, were dispatched, leading convicts drawn from the prisons of the three metropolitan districts and the Ministry of Ceremonies, to suppress the revolt. All who took part in the campaign were exempted from their punishments.
In June of summer, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
In autumn, on July 6, there was a total eclipse of the sun. In August, the reign era was changed.
After Shangguan Jie and his son rose to high station, they sought to requite the Princess Royal(Gai). They endeavored to obtain for her lover, Ding Wairen, the title of marquis, but Huo Guang refused. They then sought to make him Grandee of the Chamberlain, so that he might be summoned to court, but this also was denied. Thereupon the Princess Royal(Gai) bore deep resentment against Huo Guang; and Shangguan Jie and Shangguan An, ashamed of their failure to advance Ding Wairen, shared in her displeasure.
Moreover, the father-in-law of Shangguan Jie favored a man named Chongguo, Supervisor of Imperial Medicine. Chongguo trespassed into the bedchamber of the inner court, was cast into prison, his death impending as winter drew near. To redeem him, the Princess Royal(Gai) was compelled to offer twenty horses; only then was his sentence reduced. From this, Shangguan Jie and Shangguan An came to resent Huo Guang deeply, yet they strove to ingratiate themselves with the Princess Royal(Gai).
Since the reign of the late Emperor, Shangguan Jie had served among the Nine Ministers, ranking above Huo Guang. Later, both father and son were made generals, and the Empress was daughter to Shangguan An, while Huo Guang was her maternal grandfather. In time, Huo Guang gradually assumed control of court affairs, and thus the Shangguan clan contended with him for power.
Prince of Yan, Liu Dan, elder brother of the Emperor, harbored resentment for not being permitted to ascend the throne, and nursed his grievances for long. The Grand Master of Censorate, Sang Hongyang, had instituted the monopolies on liquor, salt, and iron, priding himself on replenishing the treasury. Yet he grew discontent with Huo Guang for failing to secure offices for his sons. Thus, the Princess Royal(Gai), Shangguan Jie, Shangguan An, Sang Hongyang, and Liu Dan came together in conspiracy.
Prince Liu Dan sent more than ten envoys, among them Sun Zongzhi, bearing gold, treasure, and steeds in abundance, to bribe the Princess Royal(Gai), Shangguan Jie, Sang Hongyang, and others. Shangguan Jie and his faction further contrived to draft a memorial in Liu Dan’s name, falsely declaring: “Huo Guang has gone beyond the capital to review the Capital Guard and the Feathered Forest troops. His attendants clear the way as though for the Emperor himself, and the Director of the Imperial Kitchen makes advance preparations for his feasts.”
The memorial also alleged: “Su Wu was detained by the Xiongnu for twenty years without yielding, yet upon return was made mere Minister of Foreign Affairs. Yang Chang, chief-of-staff to the Grand General, though without merit, was appointed Commandant of the Grain Foraging. Furthermore, Huo Guang underhandedly called up colonels to strengthen the office of Grand General. Huo Guang hoards power and lives in indulgence, raising suspicion of imminent peril. I, Liu Dan, am willing to return the seal of my princedom, join the Imperial Guard, and expose traitors and their plots.”
When Huo Guang was absent on leave, Shangguan Jie sought to act from within by presenting the memorial, expecting Sang Hongyang and others to join in demanding Huo Guang’s removal. Yet when the memorial was laid before the throne, the Emperor took no action.
On the morrow, when Huo Guang heard of it, he halted at the War Planning Chamber and dared not enter the main hall. The Emperor asked, “Where is the Grand General?”
General of the Left, Shangguan Jie, replied: “He has been accused by Prince Liu Dan, and therefore dares not enter.”
An edict summoned the Grand General. Huo Guang entered, his cap doffed, and bowed low in apology. The Emperor said: “General, put on your cap! I know the accusations in this memorial are false. You are not guilty.”
Huo Guang asked: “How does Your Majesty know this?”
The Emperor said: “Your inspection of the Guard Officers at Guangming Pavillion was recent, and the order to call up colonels was issued within ten days. How could Prince Liu Dan, a thousand miles away, know of it? Moreover, had you plotted wrongdoing, there would have been no need to summon colonels.”
At that time, the Emperor was only fourteen years of age, and the ministers of the State Secretariat and the courtiers alike were astonished. The messenger who had submitted the memorial vanished timely, and a great search was made for him. Shangguan Jie and his faction, stricken with fear, pleaded with the Emperor, saying: “This matter is not worth pursuing.” The Emperor gave no ear.
Thereafter, those who conspired with Shangguan Jie sought again to slander Huo Guang, but the Emperor grew angry and rebuked them, saying: “The Grand General is a loyal minister, appointed by the late Emperor to aid me. Whoever defames him shall be punished!”
From that time forth, Shangguan Jie and the rest dared not again speak ill of Huo Guang.
Li Deyu’s commentary: The virtue of a sovereign lies foremost in sagacity. With sagacity, falsehood is made plain, and a hundred evils cannot be concealed. Emperor Zhao of Han was such a person. King Cheng of Zhou should be ashamed; even Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing of Han cannot compare.
King Cheng, upon hearing slanders from Uncle Guan and Uncle Cai, drove the Duke of Zhou to a reluctant eastward campaign. Emperor Gaozu, upon learning that Chen Ping had forsaken Wei and turned from Chu, nearly cast aside his loyal minister. Emperor Wen, misled by rumor that Ji Bu was drunken and unfit for office, dismissed him back to his home; suspecting Jia Yi of holding too much power and sowing disorder, he kept distance from him as well. Emperor Jing, trusting the scheme that the execution of Chao Cuo would quell revolt, put to death one of the Three Excellencies.
Thus it is said: “Where there is first suspicion in the heart, thereafter comes the talk of slander.” If Emperor Zhao were aided by Yi Yinand Lü Shang, then King Chengand King Kangof Zhouwould not have been his equals.
Shangguan Jie and his faction plotted with the Princess Royal(Gai) to host a banquet, inviting Huo Guang and laying an ambush to slay him. Thereafter they would depose the Emperor and raise the Prince of Yan, Liu Dan, to the throne. Liu Dan sent secret letters by the postal service, promising to enfeoff Shangguan Jie as king, and forged alliances with many powerful men of the commanderies and principalities.
When Liu Dan consulted his Prime Minister, Ping, the latter said: “When Your Grace once conspired with Liu Ze, the plot was exposed. Liu Ze boasted of his talents and was reckless. Now I hear that the General of the Left is rash and indiscreet, and the General of Chariots and Cavalry is young and arrogant. I fear that, as with Liu Ze, the affair will not succeed; and if it should succeed, they may turn against Your Grace.”
Liu Dan answered: “Of late a man came forth, claiming to be the former Crown Prince. The people of Chang’an were thrown into tumult, and the uproar could scarcely be quelled. The Grand General, fearful, dispatched troops in precaution. I am the late Emperor’s eldest son, and all the people know me. Why then should there be fear of betrayal?”
Later he told his ministers: “The Princess Royal says that the great obstacle lies only with the Grand General and with the General of the Right, Wang Mang. Now the General of the Right is dead, and the Chancellor is ill—fortune is with us, and success is nearly certain. Soon all shall be proven.” He ordered his ministers to pack their goods and prepare for departure.
Shangguan An further conspired to ensnare the Prince of Yan, put him to death, and then depose the Emperor, setting Shangguan Jie upon the throne. Some asked, “What shall be done with the Empress?”
Shangguan An replied: “When a hound startles a moose, should one trouble himself over a hare? Moreover, the Empress serves for honor and station; once imperial favor shifts, it would be unattainable for her to survive even if she wanted to be a maid. This is an opportunity rare in a hundred generations!”
At that time, the father of an attendant to the Princess Royal, Yan Cang, was serving as a tax collector. Learning of the plot, he disclosed it to the Minister of Agriculture, Yang Chang. Yang Chang, ever cautious and fearful of entanglement, dared not speak openly. Feigning illness, he took a sick leave and informed the Grand Master of Remonstration, Du Yannian, who thereupon reported it to the throne.
In September, an edict commanded the Chancellor to lead the officials of two-thousand-picul rank and above to seize Sun Zongzhi, Shangguan Jie, Shangguan An, Sang Hongyang, Ding Wairen, and others, together with their clans, and all were executed. The Princess Royal Gai took her own life.
When the Prince of Yan, Liu Dan, heard this, he summoned his Prime Minister, Ping, and said: “The plot has failed. Shall we now rise in revolt?” Ping replied: “The General of the Left is already dead, and the affair is known to all. It cannot be done.”
The prince, in distress, held a farewell feast with his ministers and consorts. At that time, an edict was issued censuring Liu Dan. Liu Dan then took the ribbon of his princely seal and hanged himself; more than twenty, including his queen and favored consort, followed him in death.The Emperor extended clemency, pardoning Liu Dan’s son, Liu Jian, stripping him of titles to commoner rank. Liu Dan was granted the posthumous title “Prince La.” The Empress, being young, uninvolved in the plot, and also granddaughter of Huo Guang, was spared deposition.
Reflection by Rio Grande 