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Tag: Yang Yun

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 212): Intendant with Five Day Tenure

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 19 Scroll 27 (continued)

    Xi’an(Jingzhao), Shaanxi Province. Photo by xiquinhosilva

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Ganlu Era (53 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor visited Ganquan and performed the sacrifice to Heaven at Taizhi Altar.

    When Yang Yun was executed, the three excellencies and ministers accused Zhang Chang, the intendant of Jingzhao, of being Yang Yun‘s associate and therefore unfit for office. ‘

    The Emperor valued Zhang Chang‘s talent and quietly withheld the accusation, not allowing it to proceed. Zhang Chang ordered his subordinate Xu Shun to conduct an investigation. Xu Shun discreetly returned home and said, “He’ll only be the intendant of Jingzhao for another five days; how could he still hand down more errands?” 

    Upon hearing this, Zhang Chang ordered officials to arrest Xu Shun and imprison him. They interrogated him day and night, which eventually led to his death sentence. As Xu Shun was about to be executed, Zhang Chang instructed his chief clerk to hand his handwritten notes to Xu Shun, “Do you want to know how your ‘Intendant with five days tenure’ is doing? The winter month is over; Do you want to extend your life?” Xu Shun was executed in a public market.

    Coinciding with the start of spring, the court sent envoys out to investigate wrongful imprisonments. Xu Shun’s family carried his corpse and attached a copy of Zhang Chang‘s note to the appeal, presenting it to the envoy. The envoy reported Zhang Chang for killing an innocent man. The Emperor intended to be lenient to Zhang Chang and thus sent down the previous tabled accusation regarding Yang Yun, dismissing Zhang Chang from his position and demoting him to a commoner. Zhang Chang presented his official seal at the palace gates and fled immediately.

    Several months later, there was negligence among officials and citizens in the capital, with frequent alarm drums being sounded about bandits, and a major rebellion occurred in Jizhou. The Emperor, recalling Zhang Chang‘s abilities, sent an envoy to summon him. Zhang Chang had been seriously impeached, and when the envoy arrived, his family wept in fear, but Zhang Chang laughed and said, “I am a regular fugitive, and the local officials should have arrested me. Now that the envoy is here, it means the Emperor wants to employ me.” 

    He prepared to leave with the envoy and submitted a letter to the envoy to present to the Emperor, stating: “I was fortunate to hold a high office and serve as the Intendant of Jingzhao, but I was dismissed for killing my subordinate Xu Shun. Xu Shun had been a close associate who had often received mercy pardons from me. When I was accused, he thought I would be dismissed.  He went home to rest when I ordered him to do an investigation, mocking me as ‘Intendant with five day tenure,’ showing ingratitude and spreading evil influence around. I executed him for his misconduct to get revenge on him, disregarding the law. Therefore I wrongfully killed an innocent man, mishandled the case, and thus deserve to be punished under the law. Even if I am executed, I will have no regrets!” 

    The Emperor personally met Zhang Chang and appointed him inspector of Jizhou. Upon Zhang Chang‘s arrival, the bandits and robbers disappeared.

    The Crown Prince, gentle and benevolent, admired the Confucian scholars. Seeing that the Emperor often employed legalistic officials and used punishments to discipline subordinates, he once expressed his thoughts during a leisurely conversation: “Your Majesty, you enforce laws too harshly and severely. It would be better to employ Confucian scholars.” 

    The Emperor’s expression changed, and he said: “The Han dynasty has its own system, originally a combination of the way of the hegemon and the way of the holy king. How could we solely rely on moral teaching and use the policies of the Zhou dynasty? Furthermore, the lowborn Confucians do not understand the needs of the time. They praise the ancient and criticize the present, causing people to be blinded by dazzling fame, confusing renown and reality, not knowing what to adhere to. How could they be entrusted with responsibilities?”

    Then he sighed and said: “The one who brings chaos to my family will be the Crown Prince!”

    Sima Guang’s Commentary: The way of the benevolent king and the hegemon is not different. In the past, during the flourishing periods of the three dynasties, rituals, music, and military expeditions were ordained from the Son of Heaven, and this was called the way of the Holy king. When the Son of Heaven was weak and unable to govern the vassal states, and a vassal state leader could lead allied states to punish those who did not submit, thereby upholding the royal court, this was called the way of the hegemon. The ways they take may differ, but were based on benevolence and righteousness, employing the worthy and the capable, rewarding good and punishing evil, prohibiting violence and exterminating chaos. The differences lay only in the hierarchy of titles, the depth of virtue, the magnitude of achievements, and the scope of decrees, not like the contrast between black and white or sweet and bitter.

    The reason why the Han dynasty could not restore the governance of the three ancient dynasties was due to the rulers’ lack of effort, not because the ways of the former kings could not be implemented in later generations. Confucians include both gentlemen and scoundrels. Those lowborn Confucians are indeed not fit for governance, but why couldn’t true Confucians be sought and employed? Hou Ji, Xie of Shang, Gao Yao, Bo Yi, Yi Yin, Duke of Zhou, and Confucius were all great Confucians. If the Han dynasty could have employed them, wouldn’t their achievements have been much greater? Emperor Xuan believed that the Crown Prince was weak and unfit to rule, and that his lack of understanding of governance would bring chaos to the imperial family, which might be acceptable. But to say that the way of the Holy king could not be practiced and that Confucians could not be employed was extreme! This is not the way to instruct descendants and establish lasting principles.

    The Prince Xian of Huaiyang, Liu Qin, loved legal studies and was intelligent and capable; his mother, Jieyu(Consort) Zhang, was especially favored. Because of this, the Emperor distanced himself from the Crown Prince and favored Liu Qin, often sighing and saying, “He is truly my son!” The Emperor frequently considered making Liu Qin the Crown Prince. However, since the Crown Prince had been raised from humble beginnings, and the Emperor had been indebted to Xu clan when he ascended the throne, and considering that Empress Xu had been killed after his enthronement, he could not bear to replace the Crown Prince. After a long time, the Emperor appointed Wei Xuancheng as the Commandant of Huaiyang, because Wei Xuancheng had once yielded his rank to his elder brother, hoping this would serve as an example to enlighten Liu Qin. In any case, the Crown Prince’s position was secured.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 211): Subsidizing Grain Market

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 19 Scroll 27 (continued)

    Xiyue Temple, Huayin(Yang Yun’s hometown), Shaanxi Province. Photo by: Acstar

    The 4th year of Emperor Xuan’s Wufeng Era (54 B.C.)

    In the spring, Prince Li of Guangling Liu Xu committed suicide.

    The Xiongnu Huhanye Chanyu declared himself a vassal and sent his younger brother, the Right Luli King, to serve at the Han court as hostage. Because there were no more marauders at the border, the garrison troops were reduced by twenty percent.

    The Chief Associate of the Agriculture Ministry, Geng Shouchang, submitted a memorial stating: “In years of abundant harvests, grain is cheap, and farmers earn little profit. According to precedent, each year, four million bushel of grain are transported from the East of Hangu Pass to supply the capital, using sixty thousand laborers. It would be better to purchase grain from the regions of the Three metropolises, Hongnong, Hedong, Shangdang, and Taiyuan to supply the capital. This would reduce the number of laborers needed for transporting grain from the east of Hangu Pass by more than half.” The Emperor approved his plan. 

    Geng Shouchang further proposed: “The border regions should all build granaries. When grain is cheap, the government should buy it at higher prices to benefit the farmers; when grain is expensive, the government should sell it at lower prices to stabilize the market. This system would be called ‘Always-Fair Granaries’.” 

    The people found this beneficial. The Emperor then issued an edict granting Geng Shouchang the title of Marquis within the Passes.

    On April 1 of the summer, there was a solar eclipse.

    Yang Yun, having lost his rank and title, lived at home purchasing real estates and found amusement in his wealth. His friend, Sun Huizong of Xihe, the Prefect of An’ding, wrote to Yang Yun advising and warning him, stating that “a high-ranking official who has been dismissed should shut his doors in fear and humility, drawing sympathy; he should not be purchasing real estates, entertaining guests, and seeking accolades.” 

    Yang Yun, being the son of the former chancellor, had talents and abilities and had gained prominence in the court from a young age. Having been suddenly dismissed due to innuendos, he harbored resentment and wrote back to Sun Huizong:

    “I have deeply reflected, realizing my great errors and shortcomings, and resolved to live the rest of my life as a farmer. Thus, I have led my wife and children to dedicate ourselves to farming and mulberry cultivation, not expecting this to be a cause for criticism. Human emotions cannot be entirely restrained, and even sages do not prohibit them. Therefore, when mourning the death of one’s lord or father, there is a timebox to end it. It has been three years since my punishment. The work of farming is toiling of four seasons, and at the end of the year, we slaughter sheep, roast lamb, and share wine to comfort ourselves. After drinking, feeling warm and tipsy, I look up to the sky, beat earthenware, and sing loudly for emotional relief. 

    “As the poem goes: ‘In the fields by the southern mountain, weeds grow unkempt; planting one hectare of beans, they fall and become stalks.’ Life is meant for the pursuit of joy today, why wait for wealth and status tomorrow? Indeed, such indulgence is excessive, but I do not realize its inappropriateness.”

    Yang Yun‘s nephew, Marquis of Anping, Yang Tan, said to Yang Yun: “Your offense was minor, and you have greater merit; you will be employed again!” 

    Yang Yun replied: “What good is merit! The Emperor is not worthy of serving my whole life.” 

    Yang Tan said: “The Emperor is indeed as you say. Officials like Colonel Gai Kuanrao and Left Pingyi Han Yanshou, who gave their all, were executed based on some accusation.”

    There was an eclipse, and a palace horseman named Cheng memorialized an accusation, “Yang Yun is proud and extravagant, unrepentant for his errors. The blame for the eclipse lies with him.” 

    The case was handed over to the Minister of Justice, who found Yang Yun‘s letter to Sun Huizong. The Emperor read it and was greatly offended. The Minister of Justice deemed Yang Yun guilty of grave treason and sentenced him to be waist-chopped; his wife and children were exiled to Jiuquan Commandery. Yang Tan was stripped of his title and made a commoner. Those in office who were close friends with Yang Yun, including Wei Xuancheng, the Guard Commandant of Weiyang Palace, and Sun Huizong, were all dismissed from their positions.

    Sima Guang’s commentary: Considering the wisdom of Emperor Xuan of Han, the fact that Wei Xiang and Bing Ji were chancellors, Yu Dingguo was the minister of Justice, and yet the deaths of Zhao Guanghan, Gai Kuanrao, Han Yanshou, and Yang Yun did not satisfy public opinion’s muster is indeed lamentable. This greatly tarnished his good governance. According to the Rites of Zhou, the law of the Minister of Justice includes discussions on virtuousness and capability. How could the governance of Zhao Guanghan and Han Yanshou not be considered capable? How could the integrity of Gai Kuanrao and Yang Yun not be considered virtuous? Thus, even if they had committed capital crimes, they should still have been pardoned, let alone for crimes not worthy of death. Yang Xiong considered Left Pingyi Han Yanshou‘s accusation of Xiao Wangzhi to be a self-inflicted wound by a minister. What caused Han Yanshou to commit such an offense to his superior was pushed by Xiao Wangzhi. The Emperor did not investigate this, and Han Yanshou alone bore the blame. Isn’t that unwarranted!

    The Xiongnu leader Runchen Chanyu led his troops eastward to attack Zhizhi Chanyu. Zhizhi Chanyu fought back, killed him, and merged his forces; then he advanced to attack Huhanye Chanyu. Huhanye Chanyu’s troops were defeated and fled, and Zhizhi Chanyu took Xiongnu‘s court as his headquarters.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 209): Xiongnu with Five Chanyus

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 19 Scroll 27 (continued)

    Huifeng Pagoda, Puyang(Dongjun), Henan Province

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Wufeng Era (57 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan to perform the suburban sacrifice to Heaven at the Taizhi Altar.

    The Crown Prince, Liu Shi, underwent the formal ceremony of capping and was invested with the rites of manhood.

    In autumn, the Xiongnu Tuqi Chanyu sent the Right Aojian King—brother of Xianxianchan—and the Wuji Commandant, each leading twenty thousand cavalry, eastward to guard against Huhanye Chanyu. At this time, King Hujie of the western division conspired with the Weili’danghu, falsely accusing the Right Tuqi King of plotting to make himself Chanyu. Tuqi Chanyu thereupon killed the Right Tuqi King and his son. When their innocence was later discovered, he executed Weili’danghu as well.

    Terrified, King Hujie rebelled and proclaimed himself Hujie Chanyu. Upon hearing this, the Right Aojian King also declared himself Cheli Chanyu. The Wuji Commandant followed suit, calling himself Wuji Chanyu.

    Thus, among the Xiongnu there arose five Chanyus at once.

    Tuqi Chanyu personally led his forces eastward to strike at Cheli Chanyu, sending Dulongqi to attack Wuji Chanyu. Both Wuji and Cheli Chanyu were defeated and fled northwest, joining Hujie Chanyu, forming a combined force of forty thousand. Wuji Chanyu and Hujie Chanyu then renounced their titles and supported Cheli Chanyu in unison.

    When Tuqi Chanyu learned of this, he dispatched the Left Grand General and Commandant with forty thousand cavalry east to guard against Huhanye Chanyu, while he himself led forty thousand cavalry west to attack Cheli Chanyu. Cheli Chanyu was defeated once more and fled to the northwest. Tuqi Chanyu then marched his army southwest and encamped in the Tadun region.

    At this time many advisers at the Han court said: “The Xiongnu have long harmed the frontier. Now, amid their internal chaos, we should seize the opportunity to mobilize troops and destroy them.”

    The Emperor asked the Grand Master of the Censorate, Xiao Wangzhi, for his view. Xiao Wangzhi wrote:

    “In the Spring and Autumn Annals, when Shi Gai of Jin invaded Qi, he withdrew his troops upon hearing that the Marquis of Qi had just died. The gentlemen esteemed this—attacking not during mourning—holding that benevolence wins the hearts of filial sons, and righteousness moves the feudal lords.

    “The late Chanyu admired our culture, sought harmony, called himself our younger brother, and sent envoys requesting peace and marriage alliance. The whole nation rejoiced, and the tribes of all directions heard of it. Yet before these accords could be fulfilled, he was slain by traitorous ministers.

    “If we now strike them, it would be taking advantage of their misfortune. They will surely scatter and flee. To deploy the army for an unjust cause is to labor in vain and fail to achieve success.

    “It is fitting instead to send envoys to offer condolences, aid the weak, and relieve them in their calamity. When all the tribes hear of this, they will revere the benevolence and righteousness of the Middle Kingdom. Should the rightful Chanyu receive our support and be restored, he will surely submit and serve, manifesting the greatness of our virtue.”

    The Emperor accepted his counsel.

    In winter, on December 1, there was a solar eclipse.

    Han Yanshou succeeded Xiao Wangzhi as Intendant of Pingyi. When Xiao Wangzhi heard that Han Yanshou had allegedly squandered more than ten million coins of public funds during his term in Dongjun, he dispatched an imperial censor to investigate. When Han Yanshou learned of this, he immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate Xiao Wangzhi’s use of over one million coins of public funds during his own tenure in Pingyi.

    Xiao Wangzhi reported: “My duty is to supervise the realm. I dare not disregard a reported case—yet now Han Yanshou retaliates against me.”

    The Emperor, displeased with both, ordered that each be thoroughly investigated. No substantive evidence was found against Xiao Wangzhi. However, the imperial censor sent by Xiao Wangzhi to investigate Dongjun discovered that Han Yanshou had extravagantly exceeded his official allowance in hosting guests; had taken copper from public warehouses to cast swords during lunar eclipses, imitating the operations of the imperial armories; and had used state funds and silk to recruit officers responsible for levying labor, outfitting his carriages with armor—all costing the state more than three million coins.

    Han Yanshou was ultimately convicted of deception and improper conduct, and was executed in the marketplace.

    Thousands of officials and commoners accompanied him to Weicheng. Elders and children pushed his carriage, vying to offer him wine and meat. Unable to refuse their kindness, Han Yanshou drank from each vessel, consuming more than a dou (roughly 10 liters) of wine. He instructed his clerks and scribes to thank the people who escorted him, saying: “I am grateful for the trouble you have taken to see me off. I die without regret!”

    All the common people present wept.

    The 2nd year of Emperor Xuan’s Wufeng Era (56 B.C.)

    In January of spring, the Emperor traveled to Ganquan and performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven at the Taizhi Altar.

    The General of Chariots and Cavalry, Han Zeng, passed away. In May, Xu Yanshou was appointed Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry.

    Chancellor Bing Ji, advanced in age, was greatly esteemed by the Emperor. Xiao Wangzhi, however, frequently spoke to him with disrespect, which displeased the Emperor. The Chancellor’s Assistant reported that Xiao Wangzhi had treated the Chancellor insolently and had also used his subordinates for private trade, gaining profits amounting to 103,000 coins. He petitioned that Xiao Wangzhi be arrested and investigated.

    In autumn, on August 2, an edict demoted Xiao Wangzhi to serve as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Huang Ba, who had previously held that post, was appointed Grand Master of the Censorate.

    The Huhanye Chanyu sent his younger brother, the Right Luli King, and others westward to attack the garrison of Tuqi Chanyu, killing more than ten thousand. Upon hearing of this, Tuqi Chanyu led sixty thousand cavalry to retaliate against Huhanye Chanyu. Tuqi’s forces were defeated, and he took his own life. Dulongqi and Tuqi Chanyu’s young son, the Right Luli King Gumouloutou, fled to the Han. In the east, Cheli Chanyu surrendered to Huhanye Chanyu.

    In August of winter, Huhanye’s Left General Wuli Qu, together with his father—the Husulei (title) Wuli Wendun—observed the disorder among the Xiongnu and led tens of thousands of their people to surrender to the Han. Wuli Qu was granted the title Marquis of Xincheng, and Wuli Wendun was granted the title Marquis of Yiyang.

    At this time, the son of Li Ling reinstated the Wuji Commandant as Wuji Chanyu, but Huhanye Chanyu captured him and had him beheaded. Huhanye Chanyu then returned to the central Chanyu court, yet his following numbered only in the tens of thousands. Tuqi Chanyu’s cousin, the Xiuxun King, declared himself Runzhen Chanyu in the western region. Huhanye’s elder brother, the Left Tuqi King Hutuwusi, likewise proclaimed himself Zhizhi Guduhou Chanyu in the eastern region.

    The Chamberlain, Marquis of Pingtong, Yang Yun, was honest and impartial, but proud of his own virtue and talent. He was naturally abrasive and sharp-tongued, enjoyed exposing the faults of others, and thus provoked many resentments at court. He fell into enmity with the Grand Coachman Dai Changle. When someone submitted a memorial accusing Dai Changle of crimes, Dai Changle suspected that Yang Yun had instigated it.

    Dai Changle, in turn, submitted a memorial accusing Yang Yun, stating:

    “Yang Yun submitted a memorial defending Han Yanshou. The Court Assistant Manager Qiu Chang said to him: ‘I hear you, Marquis, spoke in defense of the Intendant of Pingyi—can you save his life?’

    Yang Yun replied: ‘Such matters are difficult; even a man of integrity may not survive! I cannot even protect myself—just like the saying, a mouse cannot hide in its hole because it is nibbing a grass crown in its mouth.’

    He also said to me: ‘Since January the skies have remained overcast without rain—so recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals, and as Master Xiahou Sheng explained—this is the omen of a minister’s rebellion.’”

    The case was referred to the Minister of Justice. Yu Dingguo, Minister of Justice, ruled that Yang Yun harbored malice and uttered pernicious words, constituting grave treason. The Emperor, unwilling to execute him, ordered instead that both Yang Yun and Dai Changle be dismissed from office and reduced to commoner status.