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Tag: Liu Fuling

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 175): The Rest of The Restless

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 15 Scroll 22 (continued)

    A Statue of Emperor Wu of Han

    The 1st year of Emperor Wu’s Houyuan Era (88 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan Palace, offered the suburban sacrifice at the Taiyi Temple, and proceeded to Anding.

    Prince Ai of Changyi, Liu Bo, died.

    In February, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.

    In June of summer, Shangqiu Cheng, accused of cursing and casting spells against the Emperor, took his own life.

    The Deputy Privy Counselor, Ma Heluo, maintained close ties with Jiang Chong. When the Crown Prince rose in arms, Ma Heluo’s younger brother, Ma Tong, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chonghe for his valor in battle. Thereafter, when the Emperor destroyed the family and faction of Jiang Chong, Ma Heluo and his brothers, fearing retribution, plotted rebellion. The Privy Counselor and Commandant of Escorting Cavalry, Jin Midi, perceiving their strange demeanor, grew suspicious. He kept watch over them, following their movements closely. Ma Heluo, wary of Jin Midi’s vigilance, delayed acting.

    When the Emperor was residing at Linguang Palace, Jin Midi feigned slight illness and rested in a small hut. That night, Ma Heluo, together with his brothers Ma Tong and Ma Ancheng, forged an imperial order, sneaked forth under cover of darkness, slew a court envoy, and raised troops in mutiny. By dawn, before the Emperor had risen, Ma Heluo had entered the palace precincts.

    Jin Midi, indisposed in the privy, felt a sudden foreboding. He hastened to the Emperor’s bedchamber and seated himself at the door. Ma Heluo came forth from the eastern wing with a dagger hidden in his sleeve; on seeing Jin Midi, his countenance changed. Seeking to enter the Emperor’s chamber, he stumbled against a treasured zither and fell. Jin Midi seized him, crying out, “Ma Heluo has rebelled!”

    The Emperor, startled, rose swiftly. The guards rushed forward with weapons drawn, but the Emperor, fearing Jin Midi might be harmed, commanded them to stay in their hands. Jin Midi subdued and bound Ma Heluo. Upon thorough investigation, all who had joined the plot confessed and were executed.

    In July of autumn, there was an earthquake.

    The Prince of Yan, Liu Dan, deeming himself the rightful heir, petitioned to enter the imperial guard. The Emperor, angered, executed his envoy at the northern gate. Moreover, for harboring fugitives, he confiscated from Liu Dan three counties—Liangxiang, Anci, and Wen’an. From this, the Emperor came to hold Liu Dan in deep aversion. Liu Dan was eloquent, keen-witted, and learned; his brother, the King of Guangling, Liu Xu, was strong and valorous. Yet both were unrestrained in conduct, committing many offenses, and thus the Emperor regarded neither as fit to succeed him.

    At this time, the son of Madame Gouyi, Liu Fuling, was seven years of age, sturdy in form and quick in understanding. The Emperor loved and favored him greatly and desired to set him as heir, but because of his tender years and his mother’s youth, he delayed the matter. Seeking worthy ministers to aid him, he looked among his courtiers and found the Commandant of Chariots and Grandee of the Chamberlain, Huo Guang, to be loyal, benevolent, and steadfast in managing great matters. Therefore, he ordered the Yellow Gate Attendants to paint the scene of the Duke of Zhou piggybacking King Cheng of Zhou, and bestowed this painting upon Huo Guang.

    A few days thereafter, the Emperor, without cause, reproached Madame Gouyi. She removed her hairpins and bowed her head to the ground. The Emperor said, “Take her away and send her to the court prison!” As she turned to look back and plead, the Emperor added, “Hasten! You shall not live!” In the end, she was put to death.

    Later, when the Emperor was in seclusion, he asked those around him, “What do the people say beyond the palace?” They replied, “The people say, ‘If you intend to enthrone her son, why put his mother to death?’”

    The Emperor said, “This is not something that the simpletons like you guys could comprehend. In the history of the realm, disorder often springs from a child-sovereign with a strong mother. A woman in high station, living free of restraint and alone in her chambers, will give herself to excess, and none will check her. Have you not heard of Empress Lü? Therefore, We have to remove her first.”

    The 2nd year of Emperor Wu’s Houyuan Era (87 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor held court with the vassal kings at Ganquan Palace. In February, he went on a royal procession to the Wuzuo Palace in Zhouzhi.

    The Emperor became gravely ill. Huo Guang, in grief and tears, asked, “If the unthinkable should occur, who should be established?” The Emperor said, “Have you not understood the meaning of the painting I bestowed upon you? Establish the younger son, and you shall act as the Duke of Zhou.” Huo Guang, with modesty, declined, saying he was not as fit for the role as Jin Midi.

    Jin Midi, in turn, said, “I am but a foreigner, less suited than Huo Guang; moreover, such a choice would cause the Xiongnu to hold Han in contempt.”

    On February 12, an edict was issued making Liu Fuling the Crown Prince, at the age of eight.

    On February 13, Huo Guang was appointed Grand Marshal and Grand General; Jin Midi, General of Chariots and Cavalry; Shangguan Jie, General of the Left—each charged, by posthumous decree, to assist the young ruler. Sang Hongyang, Commandant of Granary Collection, was made Grand Master of the Censorate. All received their commissions kneeling by the Emperor’s bed.

    Huo Guang had served within the palace for over twenty years. When the Emperor went abroad, he attended the chariot; when the Emperor ascended, he stood at his side. Meticulous and prudent, he was never in error. His manner was composed, calm, and thorough. Whether entering, leaving, or passing through the palace gates, his steps were measured and even; the palace attendants and servants, watching in secret, could find no deviation in his bearing or gait.

    Jin Midi had been by the Emperor’s side for decades, ever reverent, never meeting the Emperor’s gaze. When granted with palace women, he refused; when the Emperor urged him to take his daughter into the inner palace, he declined. His wariness and restraint in such matters amazed the Emperor.

    Jin Midi’s eldest son was a playboy of the Emperor and much beloved. As he grew older, he became unruly, engaging in wanton conduct with the palace maids. Jin Midi, seeing his son’s lewd behavior, abhorred it and slew him. When the Emperor heard, he was wroth. Jin Midi prostrated himself and explained the cause; the Emperor was deeply grieved and wept, and thereafter esteemed Jin Midi all the more.

    Shangguan Jie first gained favor for his strength and bodily vigor, serving as Superintendent of the Imperial Stables at Weiyang Palace. Once, when the Emperor had been ill and then recovered, he saw that the horses were emaciated, and in anger said, “Do you think I no longer see the horses?” He sought to punish the officer in charge.

    Shangguan Jie bowed low and said, “I have heard that when Your Majesty’s health is unsound, my days and nights are filled with anxiety; surely my mind has not been fixed on the horses.” Before he had finished, tears streamed down his face. The Emperor, taking this for sincere devotion, drew him nearer, making him a Privy Counselor and gradually advancing him to Grand Coachman.

    These three—Huo Guang, Jin Midi, and Shangguan Jie—were ever trusted and cherished by the Emperor, and thus were entrusted with the care of the realm after his passing.

    On February 14, the Emperor passed away at Wuzuo Palace, and was laid in state before the hall of Weiyang Palace, awaiting the funeral procession.

    The Emperor was intelligent and decisive, skilled in the selection of men, and upheld justice without compromise. Princess Longlü, daughter of Emperor Jing, had a son, Lord Zhaoping, who married the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Yi’an. When Princess Longlü fell gravely ill, she offered a thousand catties of gold and ten million coins as a preemptive ransom for Lord Zhaoping, should he commit any future offense; the Emperor accepted it.

    After the Princess’s death, Lord Zhaoping became wanton and lawless. Once, while drunk, he slew his nurse, and was imprisoned. The Minister of Justice appealed on his behalf, and many in the court said, “He has already been redeemed, and Your Majesty consented.”

    The Emperor said, “My younger sister, in her later years, had but this one son, and entrusted him to me.” He wept long, lamenting, and said, “The laws and statutes were set by the former Emperor. To use my sister’s case to break the laws of the former Emperor—how could I face the ancestral temple? I would also betray the trust of the people.”

    He approved the death sentence, yet could not restrain his grief, and all around him were sorrowful. Only the gate usher, Dongfang Shuo, offered congratulations, saying, “I have heard that in the rule of the virtuous sovereign, reward is given without regard to friendship, and punishment without regard to kinship. As the Book of Documents says, ‘Without bias or partisanship, the kingly way is broad and vast.’ These two principles were most prized by the Five Emperors and the Three Sage Kings. Now that Your Majesty has put them into practice, it is great good fortune for the world. I, Dongfang Shuo, dare offer this cup in congratulation, at the risk of my life, and humbly wish Your Majesty eternal years.”

    At first the Emperor was angered with Dongfang Shuo, but later admired him, and appointed him as a Palace Attendant.

    Ban Gu’s Appraisal:
    The Han inherited the flaws of its predecessors, yet Emperor Gaozu, the Founder, quelled disorder and restored peace. Emperors Wen and Jing devoted themselves to the nourishment of the people, though in the study of ancient rites and learning there still remained deficiencies.

    At the outset of his reign, Emperor Wu decisively set aside the hundred schools, compiled the Six Classics, and promulgated them throughout the realm. He selected men of talent and employed them, established the Imperial Academy, perfected the sacrificial rites, corrected the calendar, set in order the chronology, harmonized the musical tones, composed poems and music, revived the Feng Shan sacrifices, worshipped many deities, and honored the descendants of the Zhou. His edicts were brilliant in diction and elegant in form. Those who came after were able to emulate his illustrious achievements and carry forward the legacy of the Three Dynasties(Xia, Shang, Zhou).

    If, with his great talent and far-seeing vision, he had continued the frugality and humility of Emperors Wen and Jing, thereby bringing benefit to the people, he would have been counted among the loftiest sovereigns praised in the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents.

    Sima Guang’s Commentary:
    Emperor Wu gave rein to extravagance, imposed severe punishments and heavy taxes, squandered within the palace, and waged wars upon the surrounding tribes. He trusted in strange portents, was swayed by occultists, and undertook excessive journeys, exhausting the people, so that they grew weary and banditry arose. In these respects, his conduct differed little from that of the First Emperor of Qin.

    Yet, while Qin fell through such ways, Han endured. This was because Emperor Wu could honor the practices of the former kings, understood how to govern and preserve the state, accepted loyal and candid remonstrance, abhorred deceit, tirelessly sought out the worthy, was scrupulous in the dispensation of rewards and punishments, corrected his faults in later years, and entrusted the regency to capable ministers. Thus he committed the similar errors but escaped the perils that brought ruin to Qin.

    On February 15, the Crown Prince ascended the throne. The Emperor’s elder sister, the Princess of E’yi, dwelt with him in the palace, while Huo Guang, Jin Midi, and Shangguan Jie jointly oversaw the affairs of the imperial secretariat. Huo Guang assisted the young ruler, and all edicts and policies issued from his hand. The people of the realm all longed to behold his demeanor and bearing.

    Once, an odd occurrence took place within the palace. One night, the court was thrown into alarm, and Huo Guang summoned the Keeper of the Imperial Seal, seeking to take the seal. The keeper refused to yield it; when Huo Guang sought to seize it by force, he drew his sword, saying, “You may take my head, but not the seal!” Huo Guang greatly esteemed his loyalty, and on the morrow an edict was issued raising the keeper’s rank by two levels. The people respected Huo Guang all the more.

    On March 22, Emperor Wu was buried in the Maoling Mausoleum.

    In June of summer, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.

    In July of autumn, a comet appeared in the eastern sky.

    The Prince of Jibei, Liu Kuan, under investigation for incest, took his own life.

    In the winter, the Xiongnu raided Shuofang, killing and plundering officials and commoners. Troops were dispatched to garrison Xihe, and the General of the Left, Shangguan Jie, was sent to guard the northern frontier.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 169): Propitious Birth

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 14 Scroll 22

    Duration of 12 years

    Yanmen Pass, Shanxi Province

    The 3rd year of Emperor Wu’s Tianhan Era (98 B.C.)

    In February of spring, the Grand Master of the Censorate, Wang Qing, accused of grave offenses, ended his life by suicide. In his stead, Du Zhou, the Bearer of the Mace, was appointed as the new Grand Master of the Censorate.

    The monopoly on the sale of alcohol was established for the first time, consolidating the state’s control over this trade.

    In March, the Emperor, embarking on an auspicious journey, ascended Mount Tai. There, he expanded the altar, performed rituals at the Bright Hall, and received statistics and registration accounts from commanderies and princedoms. Upon his return, he made a pilgrimage to Changshan, where he interred black jades. Although diviners and seekers of the mythical land of Penglai continuously pursued their quest, none succeeded in their efforts. However, Gongsun Qing persistently interpreted signs of giants as omens of great portent. Though the Emperor, weary and increasingly disenchanted with the eccentric and fantastical language of the diviners, kept them close in hopes of witnessing true abilities, his interest waned. Following this, an increasing number of diviners claimed the power to communicate with spirits, though their effectiveness remained unpromising as expected.

    In April of summer, a severe drought ravaged the land. In response, the Emperor issued a general amnesty, extending mercy to the populace.

    In the autumn, the Xiongnu launched an invasion of Yanmen Pass. The Prefect of Yanmen, charged with cowardice in the face of the enemy, was publicly executed as a warning to others.

    The 4th year of Emperor Wu’s Tianhan Era (97 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor convened a court at Ganquan Palace with various feudal lords in attendance.

    The Emperor, seeking to augment his forces, dispatched seven categories of outcasts—convicted officials, escaped prisoners, matrilocal son-in-laws, merchants, former merchants, and those with a merchant father or grandfather—along with brave volunteers from the seven provinces, to serve in the army. Ershi General Li Guangli, leading sixty thousand cavalry and seventy thousand infantry, set forth from the Shuofang. The Commandant of the strong cross-bow, Lu Bode, with more than ten thousand soldiers, was assigned to rendezvous with Ershi General. Guerrilla General Han Yue, commanding thirty thousand infantry from Wuyuan, and Yinyu General Gongsun Ao, with ten thousand cavalry and thirty thousand infantry from Yanmen, also joined the expedition.

    Upon learning of this mobilization, the Xiongnu relocated their possessions and families far to the north of the Yuwu River, while the Chanyu stationed his forces, numbering one hundred thousand, to the south of the river, preparing to confront Ershi General. After prolonged engagements lasting more than ten days, Ershi General was forced to retreat and return. Guerrilla General failed to gain any advantage in his maneuvers, and Yinyu General, having fought against the Left Tuqi King without success, eventually withdrew.

    The Emperor dispatched Gongsun Ao deep into Xiongnu territory to seek out Li Ling. However, Gongsun Ao‘s mission yielded no results, and he reported, “I captured live captives who spoke of Li Ling advising the Chanyu to prepare troops against the Han army, but my efforts achieved nothing.” Upon hearing this, the Emperor ordered the execution of Li Ling‘s entire clan. Subsequently, it was discovered that the Han defector who had advised the Xiongnu was not Li Ling, but rather Li Xu. In response, Li Ling sent an agent and assassinated Li Xu.

    Great Yanzhi, the Chanyu’s mother, sought to execute Li Ling, but the Chanyu concealed him in the northern regions. After the death of Great Yanzhi, Li Ling returned. The Chanyu, in recognition of Li Ling‘s service, married his daughter to him and appointed him as the Right Tuqi King, granting him substantial power alongside Wei Lü. While Wei Lü remained at the Chanyu’s side, Li Ling resided outside the Chanyu’s court, only entering to discuss matters of great importance.

    In April of summer, the Emperor designated his son, Liu Bo, as the King of Changyi.

    The 1st year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (96 B.C.)

    In January of spring, Gongsun Ao was put to death by waist chop for the crime of his wife, who practiced the black magic of Gu, using venomous vermin to poison others.

    Nobles and elites from various regions were relocated to the Mao Mausoleum.

    In the sixth month of summer, a general amnesty was granted across the entire nation.

    During this year, the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, Qiedihou, passed away, leaving behind two sons. The elder son was titled the Left Tuqi King, and the younger one, the Left Grand General. However, as the Left Tuqi King had not yet arrived, some nobles, suspecting an illness, proclaimed the Left Grand General as the new Chanyu. Upon hearing this, the Left Tuqi King hesitated to advance. The Left Grand General sent for the Left Tuqi King, offering his position. The Left Tuqi King, citing his illness, declined, but the Left Grand General insisted, saying, “If by ill fortune you die, then I shall succeed you.” The Left Tuqi King, accepting the offer, ascended to the throne as Hulugu Chanyu. The Left Grand General was made the Left Tuqi King, a position he held for several years until his death due to illness. His son, Xian’xian’shan, was unable to succeed him as the Left Tuqi King and was instead appointed as the Rizhu King. The Chanyu himself designated his own son as the Left Tuqi King.

    The 2nd year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (95 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor embarked on a journey to visit Huizhong Palace.

    Du Zhou passed away, and the Grand Master of Chamberlain, Bao Shengzhi, was appointed as the Grand Master of the Censorate.

    During the autumn, a severe drought ravaged the land.

    The Grandee of the Palace in the Principality of Zhao, Bai Gong, proposed the construction of a canal to divert water from the Jing River. The canal was to originate from Gukou and end in Yueyang, flowing into the middle of the Wei River. It stretched for approximately two hundred li, irrigating over four thousand five hundred acres of farmland. The canal, named the Bai Canal, brought prosperity to the people.

    The 3rd year of Emperor Wu’s Taishi Era (94 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan Palace. In February, he journeyed to Donghai and caught a red goose. He then visited Langya, performed rites to worship the Sun at Mount Cheng, ascended Mount Zhifu(island), sailed upon the sea, and eventually returned.

    During this year, the Prince Liu Fuling, was born. His mother, Consort Zhao of Hejian, resided in the Gouyi Palace and gave birth after a gestation of fourteen months. The Emperor, upon hearing of this, remarked, “I have heard that Emperor Yao was born after fourteen months of pregnancy, and now, in Gouyi Palace, the same has just occurred.” Accordingly, he named the gate of her residence the Gate of Mother Yao.

    Sima Guang’s commentary: For a ruler, every action and decision must be carefully considered, for what occurs within the court will invariably manifest outwardly, known to all. At that time, both the Empress and the Crown Prince were in good health, yet the naming of the gate of Gouyi Palace as the Gate of Mother Yao was ill-advised. This act exposed the Emperor’s extraordinary affection for the youngest son, thereby allowing cunning ministers to probe his intentions. Such knowledge gave rise to schemes that ultimately endangered the Empress and the Crown Prince, leading to the calamity of Gu poisoning. What a tragic outcome!