238 Marriage with Huns

A10.30…33

In the 16th year (164 BC), Emperor Wen personally went to the Five Emperors Temple in Weiyang to hold a suburban sacrifice, and also thanked heaven for the auspiciousness in the summer, and the clothing advocated red.

In the 17th year (163 BC), Emperor Wen got a jade cup with "Longevity of the Lord" engraved on it. So Emperor Wen began to change the current year to the first year as the later era, and ordered the people of the world to gather and feast. That year, Xin Yuanping's conspiracy was exposed and his three clans were exterminated.

In the second year of later era of Xiaowen emperor (162 BC), Emperor Wen said: "I am not wise enough to extend my kindness to distant places, so some countries outside the border cannot be stable and harmonious. The people in the remote areas of the four directions cannot live and work in peace, and the people in the country work hard and cannot rest. These two faults are due to my shallow virtue and cannot benefit distant places. In recent years, the Huns have come to the border to cause trouble, killing many officials and civilians, and the officers and soldiers guarding the border cannot tell the Huns my thoughts, which makes my virtue even shallower. With such long-term grievances and wars, what will the countries in the world rely on to be peaceful? Now I have already I got up early and went to bed late, and I was busy with the world's affairs and worried about the millions of people. I was anxious and uneasy, and I never forgot this matter. So I sent envoys to tell the Chanyu my thoughts. Now the Chanyu has returned to the previous friendly path, considering the peace of the country and seeking benefits for the people. He has forgotten the small festivals with me, walked on the road together, and forged a brotherly friendship to protect the millions of people in the world. The marriage has been decided, starting right this year. "

In the winter of the sixth year of later era of Xiaowen (158 BC), 30,000 Huns entered Shangjun and 30,000 entered Yunzhong. Emperor Wen appointed Middle Minister Ling Mian as the general of chariots and cavalry, stationed in Feihu; appointed Su Yi, the former prime minister of Chu, as a general, stationed in Juzhu; ordered General Zhang Wu to station in Beidi; appointed Zhou Yafu, the governor of Henei County, as a general, stationed in Xiliu; appointed Liu Li, the chief of the clan, as a general, stationed in Bashang; and ordered Songzi Hou to station in Jimen to guard against the Huns people. A few months later, the Huns people withdrew, and the various armies also withdrew.

十六年，上亲郊见渭阳五帝庙，亦以夏答礼而尚赤。

十七年，得玉杯，刻曰“人主延寿”。于是天子始更为元年，令天下大酺。其岁，新垣平事觉，夷三族。

后二年，上曰：“朕既不明，不能远德，是以使方外之国或不宁息。夫四荒之外不安其生，封畿之内勤劳不处，二者之咎，皆自于朕之德薄而不能远达也。间者累年，匈奴并暴边境，多杀吏民，边臣兵吏又不能谕吾内志，以重吾不德也。夫久结难连兵，中外之国将何以自宁？今朕夙兴夜寐，勤劳天下，忧苦万民，为之怛惕不安，未尝一日忘于心，故遣使者冠盖相望，结轶于道，以谕朕意于单于。今单于反古之道，计社稷之安，便万民之利，亲与朕俱弃细过，偕之大道，结兄弟之义，以全天下元元之民。和亲已定，始于今年。”

后六年冬，匈奴三万人入上郡，三万人入云中。以中大夫令勉为车骑将军，军飞狐；故楚相苏意为将军，军句注；将军张武屯北地；河内守周亚夫为将军，居细柳；宗正刘礼为将军，居霸上；祝兹侯军棘门：以备胡。数月，胡人去，亦罢。

237 The Virtue of Earth

A10.26…29

In the winter of the 14th year (166 BC), the Huns planned to enter the border to plunder, they attacked the pass fortress and killed military head Sun Ang of Beidi. Emperor Wen then sent three generals to station in Longxi, Beidi, and Shangjun respectively, and appointed Zhou She as the General of Guards, and Supervisor Attendant Zhang Wu as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, stationed north of the Wei River, with 1,000 chariots and 100,000 cavalry. Emperor Wen personally comforted the soldiers, rectified the army, issued instructions, and rewarded the soldiers of the whole army. Emperor Wen wanted to lead the soldiers to attack the Huns in person, but the ministers dissuaded him, and Emperor Wen refused to listen. The Queen Mother resolutely stopped Emperor Wen, and Emperor Wen gave up. So he appointed Zhang Xiangru, Marquis of Dongyang, as the general, Dong Chi, Marquis of Cheng, as the internal historian, and Luan Bu as the general, and sent troops to attack the Huns. The Huns fled.

In spring, Emperor Wen said, "I have been able to offer sacrifices and jade to the Emperor of Heaven and the ancestral temple for fourteen years, which is a long time. I am not diligent and wise, but I have been able to govern the world for a long time. I feel ashamed for this. The altar should be expanded and more sacrifices should be provided. In the past, the former kings showed favors from afar without asking for returns, offered sacrifices to mountains and rivers from afar without praying for blessings, put talents prior to relatives, considered the people first and themselves next, and were extremely wise. Now I heard that the officials in charge of sacrifices prayed for blessings from the gods, but all of them were attributed to me, but they did not consider the people. I feel ashamed for this. People like me with shallow virtues enjoy the blessings of the gods alone, while the people cannot enjoy them, which makes my virtues even shallower. Now I order the officials in charge of sacrifices to express respect to the gods and not pray for me." 

At that time, Zhang Cang, the Marquis of Beiping, was the prime minister and was formulating music and calendar. Gongsun Chen, a native of Lu County, wrote a letter to explain the theory of the end and beginning of the five virtues, and proposed that the current one is the earth virtue, which corresponds to the appearance of the yellow dragon, and the calendar and clothing systems should be changed. The emperor referred the matter to the prime minister and other officials for discussion. After studying it, the prime minister believed that the present was the water virtue, and began to stipulate that October was the beginning of the year and that the clothing should be black. He believed that Gongsun Chen's theory was incorrect and requested that it should not be adopted.

In the 15th year (165 BC), a yellow dragon appeared in Chengji. The emperor then summoned Gongsun Chen of Lu County again, appointed him as a doctor, and asked him to explain the relevant theories of the earth virtue. So Emperor Wen issued an edict saying: "A strange divine creature appeared in Chengji, but it did not harm the people. This year's harvest is very good. I will personally go to the suburbs to sacrifice to the Emperor of Heaven and the gods. The officials in charge of etiquette will discuss it, and don't worry about my fatigue." The officials in charge of etiquette all said: "In ancient times, the emperor personally went to the suburbs in summer to sacrifice to the Emperor of Heaven according to etiquette, so it was called suburban sacrifice." So Emperor Wen personally visited Yong County for the first time, sacrificed to the Five Emperors in the suburbs, and thanked the heaven for the auspicious signs in the fourth month of summer. Xin Yuanping, a native of Zhao, was summoned because of his skill in the art of observing qi. He took the opportunity to persuade Emperor Wen to build the Temple of the Five Emperors in Weiyang. At the same time, he wanted to instigate the emperor to salvage the Nine Tripod Cauldrons of the Zhou, saying that there would definitely be a brilliant gem to be found.

十四年冬，匈奴谋入边为寇，攻朝冉阝塞，杀北地都尉卬。上乃遣三将军军陇西、北地、上郡，中尉周舍为卫将军，郎中令张武为车骑将军，军渭北，车千乘，骑卒十万。帝亲自劳军，勒兵申教令，赐军吏卒。帝欲自将击匈奴，群臣谏，皆不听。皇太后固要帝，帝乃止。于是以东阳侯张相如为大将军，成侯赤为内史，栾布为将军，击匈奴。匈奴遁走。

春，上曰：“朕获执牺牲珪币以事上帝宗庙，十四年于今，历日绵长，以不敏不明而久抚临天下，朕甚自愧。其广增诸祀墠场珪币。昔先王远施不求其报，望祀不祈其福，右贤左戚，先民后己，至明之极也。今吾闻祠官祝釐，皆归福朕躬，不为百姓，朕甚愧之。夫以朕不德，而躬享独美其福，百姓不与焉，是重吾不德。其令祠官致敬，毋有所祈。”

是时北平侯张苍为丞相，方明律历。鲁人公孙臣上书陈终始传五德事，言方今土德时，土德应黄龙见，当改正朔服色制度。天子下其事与丞相议。丞相推以为今水德，始明正十月上黑事，以为其言非是，请罢之。

十五年，黄龙见成纪，天子乃复召鲁公孙臣，以为博士，申明土德事。于是上乃下诏曰：“有异物之神见于成纪，无害于民，岁以有年。朕亲郊祀上帝诸神。礼官议，毋讳以劳朕。”有司礼官皆曰：“古者天子夏躬亲礼祀上帝于郊，故曰郊。”于是天子始幸雍，郊见五帝，以孟夏四月答礼焉。赵人新垣平以望气见，因说上设立渭阳五庙。欲出周鼎，当有玉英见。

236 Corporal Punishment Abolished

A10.23|24|25

In the summer of the 13th year (167 BC), Emperor Wen said: "I have heard that disasters arise from resentment, and good fortune arises from benevolence. This is in accordance with the way of heaven. I should bear the responsibility for the mistakes of all officials. Now the 

Mizhu office has blamed all the faults onto his subordinates, which shows my lack of humanity. I think this is unacceptable. I am abolishing this position."

In May, Chunyu Yi, Taicang magistrate of Qi, committed a crime and was about to be punished. The imperial court issued an edict to arrest him and escort him to Chang'an. Taicang Gong had five daughters but no son. When he was about to be taken away, he scolded his daughters, saying, "Giving birth to children without sons is useless in an emergency." His youngest daughter, Tiying, cried alone and followed her father to Chang'an, where she wrote a letter to the court, saying, "My father was an official, and the people of Qi praised him for his integrity and justice. Now he has committed a crime and should be punished. I am sad that the dead cannot come back to life, and the limbs of the punished cannot be reassembled. Even if they want to reform, there is no other way. I am willing to be punished as an official slave to atone for my father's sins so that he can reform." Tiying's letter was sent to the emperor, who sympathized with her filial piety and issued an edict saying, "I heard that in the time of You Yu, the criminals were punished by drawing patterns of corresponding punishments on their clothes and hats to distinguish them from the clothes of ordinary people, but the people did not violate the laws. Why was this? Because it was a peaceful and prosperous era. There are three things in the current laws. Is it because I have a shallow moral character and do not teach people clearly? I feel ashamed that my teaching methods are imperfect and have led to the ignorant people falling into lawlessness. The Book of Songs says: 'A harmonious and happy gentleman is the parent of the people.' Now when people commit crimes, they are punished before they are taught. Even if someone wants to change his ways, there is no chance. I feel very sorry for them. Punishment leads to the mutilation of limbs and tattoos on the skin, which cannot be restored for life. How painful and immoral, how can it meet the wishes of parents! Corporal punishment should be abolished. "

Emperor Wen said: "Agriculture is the foundation of the world. There is no more important matter than this. Now people have to pay taxes for hard work, which makes people who are engaged in the main industry and those who are engaged in the secondary industry the same. This is because the method of encouraging farming is not perfect. Immediately exempt farmland from taxes.”

十三年夏，上曰：“盖闻天道祸自怨起而福繇德兴。百官之非，宜由朕躬。今秘祝之官移过于下，以彰吾之不德，朕甚不取。其除之。”

五月，齐太仓令淳于公有罪当刑，诏狱逮徙系长安。太仓公无男，有女五人。太仓公将行会逮，骂其女曰：“生子不生男，有缓急非有益也！”其少女缇萦自伤泣，乃随其父至长安，上书曰：“妾父为吏，齐中皆称其廉平，今坐法当刑。妾伤夫死者不可复生，刑者不可复属，虽复欲改过自新，其道无由也。妾愿没入为官婢，赎父刑罪，使得自新。”书奏天子，天子怜悲其意，乃下诏曰：“盖闻有虞氏之时，画衣冠异章服以为僇，而民不犯。何则？至治也。今法有肉刑三，而奸不止，其咎安在？非乃朕德薄而教不明欤？吾甚自愧。故夫驯道不纯而愚民陷焉。诗曰‘恺悌君子，民之父母’。今人有过，教未施而刑加焉？或欲改行为善而道毋由也。朕甚怜之。夫刑至断支体，刻肌肤，终身不息，何其楚痛而不德也，岂称为民父母之意哉！其除肉刑。”

上曰：“农，天下之本，务莫大焉。今勤身从事而有租税之赋，是为本末者毋以异，其于劝农之道未备。其除田之租税。”

235 Rebels of kings

A10.21|22

When King of Jibei Liu Xingju heard that the emperor was in Dai and wanted to attack the Huns, he took the opportunity to rebel and mobilized his troops to launch a surprise attack on Xingyang. So the emperor issued an edict to withdraw the 85,000 cavalry led by the prime minister, and sent Chen Wu, the Marquis of Jipu, as the general to lead an army of 100,000 to counterattack the King of Jibei. Marquis Qi Zeng He was appointed general and stationed in Xingyang. In July, on the day of Xin Hai, the emperor returned to Chang'an from Taiyuan. So he issued an edict to the relevant departments, saying: "The King of Jibei has betrayed my kindness, disobeyed the monarch, and implicated the officials and people who followed him, committing the crime of high treason. If the officials and people of Jibei can settle it down before the arrival of the imperial army, and those who surrendered to the imperial court with the army, fiefdom and capital will be pardoned and restore their original official positions and titles. Those who had exchanges with Liu Xingju, the king of Jibei but did not participate in the conspiracy, will be also pardoned. In August, the imperial army defeated the Jibei army and captured the King of Jibei. The emperor pardoned the officials and people in Jibei who rebelled with the king of Jibei.

In sixth years (174 BC), officials of the relevant departments reported that Liu Chang, the king of Huainan, abandoned the decree of the previous emperor, and did not listen to the imperial order of the emperor. The specifications of the palace where he lived exceeded the limit, and the entrance and exit were similar to that of the emperor. He formulated the decree without authorization, planned to rebel with Chen Qi, the prince of the Marquis of Ji Pu, and sent people to send envoys to Minyue and the Huns, and trying to use the local army to endanger the ancestral temple. After discussion, the ministers all said, "Liu Chang should be executed in public." Emperor Wen couldn't bear to punish the King of Huainan, pardoned his death penalty, and deposed his throne. The ministers requested that the king of Huainan be exiled to Yandao and Qiongdu in Shu, and Emperor Wen approved it. Liu Chang died of illness on the way without arriving at the place of exile. Emperor Wen felt pity for him. Later, in the sixteenth year (164 BC.), Liu Chang was honored as the king of Huainan, nicknamed King Li, and made his three sons the king of Huainan, the king of Hengshan and the king of Lujiang.

济北王兴居闻帝之代，欲往击胡，乃反，发兵欲袭荥阳。于是诏罢丞相兵，遣棘蒲侯陈武为大将军，将十万往击之。祁侯贺为将军，军荥阳。七月辛亥，帝自太原至长安。乃诏有司曰：“济北王背德反上，诖误吏民，为大逆。济北吏民兵未至先自定，及以军地邑降者，皆赦之，复官爵。与王兴居去来，亦赦之。”八月，破济北军，虏其王。赦济北诸吏民与王反者。

六年，有司言淮南王长废先帝法，不听天子诏，居处毋度，出入拟于天子，擅为法令，与棘蒲侯太子奇谋反，遣人使闽越及匈奴，发其兵，欲以危宗庙社稷。群臣议，皆曰“长当弃市”。帝不忍致法于王，赦其罪，废勿王。群臣请处王蜀严道、邛都，帝许之。长未到处所，行病死，上怜之。后十六年，追尊淮南王长谥为厉王，立其子三人为淮南王、衡山王、庐江王。

234 Bronze Tiger and Bamboo Envoy

A10.16…20

The emperor said: "In ancient times, when the country was governed, there were flags for good and wood for slander, so that people could come to advise the government. Now the law has the crime of slandering and making false statements, which makes the ministers afraid to speak freely, and the emperor has no way to hear about mistakes. How can we attract virtuous people from far away? Get rid of it. Some people curse the emperor to make an agreement and then slander each other, and the officials think it is some big rebellion. If they say something else, the officials will think it is slander. This is the ignorance of the common people and they will die. I don't accept it. From now on, those who commit this will not be punished."

In September, bronze tiger talisman and bamboo envoy talisman were first made between the imperial court and governors of the counties and states.

In the third year, on the last day, the Dingyu, of the tenth month of the year, there was a solar eclipse. In November, the emperor said: "The day before yesterday, the emperor issued an edict to send the states of the marquisates, but some of them refused to go. The prime minister is my priority, so he should lead the states of the marquisates for me." Marquis Jiang Zhou Bo was dismissed from the position of the prime minister and returned to his office in his fiefdom, and Guan Ying, the Grand Commandant and Marquis Yingyin,  was appointed as the new prime minister. The position of the Grand Commandant was dismissed and subordinated to the prime minister. In April, King Chengyang Liu Zhang died. King Huainan Liu Chang and his follower Wei Jing killed Marquis Piyang Shen Yiji.

In May, the Huns entered the northern land and lived in Henan as a bandit. The emperor first visited Ganquan. In June, the emperor said: "Han and the Huns agreed to be brothers and not to harm the border, so they gave generous gifts to the Huns. Now the Virtuous King of the Right left his country and led his people to live in the surrendered land in Henan. He is not doing what he always does. He travels near the border, captures and kills officials and soldiers, drives away the local barbarians who protect the border and prevents them from living in their hometowns, bullies border officials, invades and steals, and is very arrogant and unruly. Immediately have the border officials recruit 85,000 cavalry to Gaonu, and sent the prime minister Marquis Yingyin Guan Ying to attack the Huns." The Huns retreated, and the emperor conscripted a number of lieutenant officers under the command of the general guard and stationed them in Chang'an.

On the day of Xinmao, the emperor went from Ganquan to Gaonu, and visited Taiyuan. He met all the old ministers and gave them gifts. He rewarded the people for their merits and gave cattle and wine to the people in the village. At the same time, he exempted the people of Jinyang and Zhongdu from taxes and corvee for three years, and stayed in Taiyuan for more than ten days.

上曰：“古之治天下，朝有进善之旌，诽谤之木，所以通治道而来谏者。今法有诽谤妖言之罪，是使众臣不敢尽情，而上无由闻过失也。将何以来远方之贤良？其除之。民或祝诅上以相约结而后相谩，吏以为大逆，其有他言，而吏又以为诽谤。此细民之愚无知抵死，朕甚不取。自今以来，有犯此者勿听治。”

九月，初与郡国守相为铜虎符、竹使符。

三年十月丁酉晦，日有食之。十一月，上曰：“前日诏遣列侯之国，或辞未行。丞相朕之所重，其为朕率列侯之国。”绛侯勃免丞相就国，以太尉颍阴侯婴为丞相。罢太尉官，属丞相。四月，城阳王章薨。淮南王长与从者魏敬杀辟阳侯审食其。

五月，匈奴入北地，居河南为寇。帝初幸甘泉。六月，帝曰：“汉与匈奴约为昆弟，毋使害边境，所以输遗匈奴甚厚。今右贤王离其国，将众居河南降地，非常故，往来近塞，捕杀吏卒，驱保塞蛮夷，令不得居其故，陵轹边吏，入盗，甚敖无道，非约也。其发边吏骑八万五千诣高奴，遣丞相颍阴侯灌婴击匈奴。”匈奴去，发中尉材官属卫将军军长安。

辛卯，帝自甘泉之高奴，因幸太原，见故群臣，皆赐之。举功行赏，诸民里赐牛酒。复晋阳中都民三岁。留游太原十余日。

233 Agriculture is the Foundation

A10.13|14|15

At the end of November, there was a solar eclipse. On December 15, there was another solar eclipse. The emperor said: "I have heard that Heaven first created the common people and then appointed a king to rule them. If a monarch is immoral and his policies are unfair, then Heaven will use natural disasters to warn him and remind him that he has not governed the country well. So at the end of November, a solar eclipse occurred, expressing Heaven's intention of condemnation. Is there any greater natural disaster than this! I have obtained the qualification to protect the ancestral temple and the state, and I am above the people and the king with my insignificant strength and body. The stability and chaos of the world depend on me alone. Only two or three ministers can assist me with all their strength like my arms and legs. I am unable to govern and educate all living beings, and I have also diminished the brilliance of the sun, moon and stars. This is a great lack of virtue. When an order is issued, you should think carefully about my mistakes as well as the limitations of my knowledge, insights and thoughts, and report them to me. And recommend those who are virtuous, upright and capable of speaking frankly to strongly advise me to correct the mistakes I made. You must manage your respective duties well and reduce corvée and taxes to facilitate the people. Since I am unable to travel far away to implement benevolent policies, I am extremely fearful and uneasy in my heart, always worrying that the barbarians outside will do wrongful things without scruples. Therefore, the military alert on the border cannot be lifted yet. Even though I cannot withdraw the troops stationed on the border now, but I have so many strict palace guards around me, so I have to withdraw the guards that General Wei has set up for me. The horses under the charge of the Imperial Coachman should only be kept as many as needed, and the rest should be placed in the post stations."

In January, the Emperor said: "Agriculture is the foundation of the world. Immediately open up the land for cultivation. I will personally lead the princes and the people to cultivate the land in order to provide grain for the ancestral temple for sacrifices."

In March, some officials requested to enthronize the prince as a vassal king. The emperor said, "King You of Zhao was imprisoned until his death. I feel very sorry for him. I have already enthroned King Zhao's eldest son Liu Sui as the new King of Zhao. Liu Sui's younger brother Liu Pijiang and King Daohui of Qi’s sons Liu Zhang, Marquis of Zhuxu, and Liu Xingju, Marquis of Dongmu, have made contributions to the country and can also be enfeoffed as princes. " So he made Liu Pijiang, the youngest son of King You of Zhao, the King of Hejian; several busy prefectures and counties of Qi were divided among Zhuxu Marquis, who was named the King of Chengyang; he made Dongmu Marquis the King of Jibei; he made the prince Liu Wu the King of Dai, the prince Liu Can the King of Taiyuan, and the prince Liu Yi the King of Liang. 

十一月晦，日有食之。十二月望，日又食。上曰：“朕闻之，天生蒸民，为之置君以养治之。人主不德，布政不均，则天示之以菑，以诫不治。乃十一月晦，日有食之，適见于天，菑孰大焉！朕获保宗庙，以微眇之身讬于兆民君王之上，天下治乱，在朕一人，唯二三执政犹吾股肱也。朕下不能理育群生，上以累三光之明，其不德大矣。令至，其悉思朕之过失，及知见思之所不及，匄以告朕。及举贤良方正能直言极谏者，以匡朕之不逮。因各饬其任职，务省繇费以便民。朕既不能远德，故闲然念外人之有非，是以设备未息。今纵不能罢边屯戍，而又饬兵厚卫，其罢卫将军军。太仆见马遗财足，余皆以给传置。”

正月，上曰：“农，天下之本，其开籍田，朕亲率耕，以给宗庙粢盛。”

三月，有司请立皇子为诸侯王。上曰：“赵幽王幽死，朕甚怜之，已立其长子遂为赵王。遂弟辟强及齐悼惠王子朱虚侯章、东牟侯兴居有功，可王。”乃立赵幽王少子辟强为河间王，以齐剧郡立朱虚侯为城阳王，立东牟侯为济北王，皇子武为代王，子参为太原王，子揖为梁王。

232 Zhou Bo Resigned

A10.9…12

In March, officials from relevant departments requested to establish a queen. Empress Dowager Bo said, "All the princes have the same surname, so the prince's mother should be the queen." The queen's surname was Dou. Emperor Wen granted a quota of cloth, rice and meat to widows, orphans, the poor and needy, the elderly over 80 years old and orphans under 9 years old because of the queen. Emperor Wen came to Chang'an from Dai State. As soon as he ascended the throne, he showed favor to the people of the world, appeased the princes and the tribes in all directions to make them harmonious and happy, and then rewarded the meritorious officials from Dai State one by one. Emperor Wen said: "When the ministers of the court exterminated the Lü family and welcomed me to the throne, I was hesitant and all my ministers stopped me. Only Lieutenant Song Chang encouraged me, so I was able to respect the ancestral temple. I have promoted Song Chang to General Wei, and now he is named Marquis Zhuangwu. The other six people who came with me were promoted to the rank of nine ministers."

Emperor Wen said: "The sixty-eight marquises who followed Emperor Gao to Shujun and Hanzhong were given an additional fief of 300 households each. The ten officials with the rank of over two thousand stones who followed Emperor Gao in the past, including Liu Zun, the governor of Yingchuan, were given a fief of 600 households each. The ten people including Shen Tujia, the governor of Huaiyang, were given a fief of 500 households each. The ten people including Wei Wei The Guard Captain Hu Ding were given a fief of 400 households each. Zhao Jian, the uncle of the King of Huainan, was named Marquis of Zhouyang, and Si Jun, the uncle of the King of Qi, was named Marquis of Qingguo." In autumn, Emperor Wen named Cai Jian, the former prime minister of Changshan State, as Marquis of Fan.

Someone advised the right prime minister, "You killed the Lü family and welcomed the King of Dai. Now you boast of your great achievements, receive the highest reward, and hold a prominent position. You will be in great trouble." The right prime minister Zhou Bo then resigned on the grounds of illness, and the left prime minister Chen Ping served as prime minister alone.

In October of the second year (178 BC), Prime Minister Chen Ping died, and the court reappointed Marquis Jiang Zhou Bo as prime minister. Emperor Wen said, "I heard that the princes in ancient times created more than a thousand countries. They each guarded their fiefdoms and paid tribute to the court on time. The people did not work hard, and the people were happy and joyful. There were no wise men who were not valued. Now most of the princes live in Chang'an, far away from their fiefdoms. The officials and soldiers supply and transport local taxes, which is lossy and hard, and the princes cannot teach their people. Now I’m ordering the princes to return to their respective fiefdoms, and those who hold official positions in the court and are allowed to stay by imperial decree should send their princes back."

三月，有司请立皇后。薄太后曰：“诸侯皆同姓，立太子母为皇后。”皇后姓窦氏。上为立后故，赐天下鳏寡孤独穷困及年八十已上孤儿九岁已下布帛米肉各有数。上从代来，初即位，施德惠天下，填抚诸侯四夷皆洽驩，乃循从代来功臣。上曰：“方大臣之诛诸吕迎朕，朕狐疑，皆止朕，唯中尉宋昌劝朕，朕以得保奉宗庙。已尊昌为卫将军，其封昌为壮武侯。诸从朕六人，官皆至九卿。”

上曰：“列侯从高帝入蜀、汉中者六十八人皆益封各三百户，故吏二千石以上从高帝颍川守尊等十人食邑六百户，淮阳守申徒嘉等十人五百户，卫尉定等十人四百户。封淮南王舅父赵兼为周阳侯，齐王舅父驷钧为清郭侯。”秋，封故常山丞相蔡兼为樊侯。

人或说右丞相曰：“君本诛诸吕，迎代王，今又矜其功，受上赏，处尊位，祸且及身。”右丞相勃乃谢病免罢，左丞相平专为丞相。

二年十月，丞相平卒，复以绛侯勃为丞相。上曰：“朕闻古者诸侯建国千余，各守其地，以时入贡，民不劳苦，上下驩欣，靡有遗德。今列侯多居长安，邑远，吏卒给输费苦，而列侯亦无由教驯其民。其令列侯之国，为吏及诏所止者，遣太子。”

231 Crown Prince

A10.8

In the first month of the year, officials from relevant departments suggested, "Appointing a crown prince early will honor the ancestral temple. Please appoint a crown prince." Emperor Wen said, "My virtue is shallow. The gods have not yet enjoyed the sacrifices, and the people of the world are not satisfied. Now even if I cannot find a wise, sage, and virtuous person in the world to abdicate the throne to him, I say that I want to appoint a crown prince in advance. This will make my virtue even shallower. How can I tell the people of the world? Let's put this matter aside for the time being." The official said, "Appointing a crown prince in advance is to honor the ancestral temple and the country, and to show that we have not forgotten the people of the world." Emperor Wen said, "The King of Chu is my uncle. He is old and understands many principles of the world and understands the general situation of the country. The King of Wu is my elder brother. He is kind and benevolent and likes morality. The King of Huainan is my younger brother. He upholds morality to assist me. Aren't they the heirs established in advance? The princes, brothers of the royal family, and meritorious ministers are many wise and virtuous people. If I recommend virtuous people to assist me in completing my unfinished business, it will be a good thing for the country and a blessing for the world. . If I do not recommend them now, but insist on appointing my own son, people will think that I have forgotten the virtuous and only care about my own son. I think this is not a way to share the worries of the people of the world. I think this is not advisable. "The officials all resolutely requested, "In ancient times, the Shang and Zhou dynasties established their countries and maintained peace for more than a thousand years. In ancient times, no dynasty that won the world lasted longer than this, because the emperors of these two dynasties must have chosen their own sons as their successors. This is a long-standing tradition. Emperor Gao personally led the civil officials and military generals, and as soon as he pacified the world, he established the vassal states and became the Taizu of the emperors of this dynasty. The vassal kings and marquises who first accepted the fiefdoms were also the ancestors of each country. The descendants inherit the throne and it will not be cut off from generation to generation. This is the great justice of the world, so Emperor Gao established this system to stabilize the people's hearts. Now abandoning what should be followed and selecting other vassal and royal family members is not Emperor Gao's original intention. It is not appropriate to discuss it further. Prince Liu Qi is the oldest and pure and kind, so I request to make him the crown prince. "Emperor Wen agreed. Therefore, he rewarded all the common people in the world who were destined to be fathers and heirs by promoting their titles one level higher. He conferred the title of Marquis of Chen on General Bo Zhao.

正月，有司言曰：“蚤建太子，所以尊宗庙。请立太子。”上曰：“朕既不德，上帝神明未歆享，天下人民未有嗛志。今纵不能博求天下贤圣有德之人而禅天下焉，而曰豫建太子，是重吾不德也。谓天下何？其安之。”有司曰：“豫建太子，所以重宗庙社稷，不忘天下也。”上曰：“楚王，季父也，春秋高，阅天下之义理多矣，明于国家之大体。吴王于朕，兄也，惠仁以好德。淮南王，弟也，秉德以陪朕。岂为不豫哉！诸侯王宗室昆弟有功臣，多贤及有德义者，若举有德以陪朕之不能终，是社稷之灵，天下之福也。今不选举焉，而曰必子，人其以朕为忘贤有德者而专于子，非所以忧天下也。朕甚不取也。”有司皆固请曰：“古者殷周有国，治安皆千余岁，古之有天下者莫长焉，用此道也。立嗣必子，所从来远矣。高帝亲率士大夫，始平天下，建诸侯，为帝者太祖。诸侯王及列侯始受国者皆亦为其国祖。子孙继嗣，世世弗绝，天下之大义也，故高帝设之以抚海内。今释宜建而更选于诸侯及宗室，非高帝之志也。更议不宜。子某最长，纯厚慈仁，请建以为太子。”上乃许之。因赐天下民当代父后者爵各一级。封将军薄昭为轵侯。

230 Fair Laws

A10.5|6|7

On the day of Xinhai of the 11th month, the emperor ascended the throne and went to the Gao Temple. The Right Prime Minister Chen Ping was transferred to the position of left Prime Minister, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo was transferred to the position of right prime minister, and the great general Guan Ying was transferred to the position of Grand Commandant. All the former territories of Qi and Chu that had been seized by the various Lu clans were restored.

On the day of Ren Zi, Emperor Wen sent General Bo Zhao to Dai to welcome the Empress Dowager. The Emperor said: "Lü Chan made himself as Prime Minister and Lü Lu as Superior General. They falsely issued an imperial edict to send General Guan to lead the army to attack Qi in order to replace Liu. Guan Ying stayed in Xingyang and did not attack Qi. He and the princes planned to destroy Lü. Lü Chan wanted to cause chaos. Prime Minister Chen Ping and Grand Commandant Zhou Bo planned to seize the military power of Lü Chan and others. Liu Zhang, Marquis Zhuxu, took the lead in arresting Lü Chan and others. The Grand Commandant personally led Liu Tong, Marquis Xiangping, to enter the Northern Army with the imperial edict. The Imperial Courtier Liu Jie personally seized the General Seal of King Zhao Lü Lu. Based on all the above, the Grand Commandant Zhou Bo was granted an additional fief of 10 thousand households and a reward of five thousand catties of gold. Prime Minister Chen Ping and General Guan Ying each were granted an additional fief of three thousand households and a reward of two thousand gold. Liu Zhang the Marquis Zhuxu, Liu Tong the Marquis Xiangping, and Liu Xingju the Marquis Dongmu each were granted an additional fief of two thousand households and a reward of one thousand gold. The Imperial Courtier Liu Jie was granted the title of Marquis Yangxin and a reward of one thousand gold."

In December, Emperor Wen said: "Laws are the guidelines for governing the country. They can be used to prohibit violence and persuade people to be good. Now, after the offenders are convicted, their innocent parents, wives, children and brothers are punished together, and their children are confiscated as official slaves. I think this practice is not advisable. Let the ministers discuss it." The officials of the relevant departments all said: "The people cannot govern themselves, so laws are made to restrain them. The family members who are implicated are also arrested, just to make people worry and make them look at the violation of the law carefully. This practice has a long history. Let's follow the original practice. The law is more appropriate." Emperor Wen said: "I have heard that fair laws make the people loyal and fair, and appropriate punishments make the people obedient. Moreover, officials are the ones who govern the people and persuade them to be good. If officials cannot persuade the people and use unfair laws to punish them, it will be harmful to the people and force them to do bad things. What should be used to prohibit it? I don't see why it is appropriate. The ministers should think about it in detail. "The officials of the relevant departments said: "Your Majesty's grace is great and his merits are great, which is beyond our imagination. We will obey the imperial edict and abolish the law that punishes innocent family members as official slaves."

辛亥，皇帝即阼，谒高庙。右丞相平徙为左丞相，太尉勃为右丞相，大将军灌婴为太尉。诸吕所夺齐楚故地，皆复与之。

壬子，遣车骑将军薄昭迎皇太后于代。皇帝曰：“吕产自置为相国，吕禄为上将军，擅矫遣灌将军婴将兵击齐，欲代刘氏，婴留荥阳弗击，与诸侯合谋以诛吕氏。吕产欲为不善，丞相陈平与太尉周勃谋夺吕产等军。朱虚侯刘章首先捕吕产等。太尉身率襄平侯通持节承诏入北军。典客刘揭身夺赵王吕禄印。益封太尉勃万户，赐金五千斤。丞相陈平、灌将军婴邑各三千户，金二千斤。朱虚侯刘章、襄平侯通、东牟侯刘兴居邑各二千户，金千斤。封典客揭为阳信侯，赐金千斤。”

十二月，上曰：“法者，治之正也，所以禁暴而率善人也。今犯法已论，而使毋罪之父母妻子同产坐之，及为收帑，朕甚不取。其议之。”有司皆曰：“民不能自治，故为法以禁之。相坐坐收，所以累其心，使重犯法，所从来远矣。如故便。”上曰：“朕闻法正则民悫，罪当则民从。且夫牧民而导之善者，吏也。其既不能导，又以不正之法罪之，是反害于民为暴者也。何以禁之？朕未见其便，其孰计之。”有司皆曰：“陛下加大惠，德甚盛，非臣等所及也。请奉诏书，除收帑诸相坐律令。”

229 A Five Days Feast

A10.3|4

Song Chang arrived at Wei Bridge, and all the officials from the Prime Minister down came to greet him. Song Chang returned to the King of Dai to report. The King of Dai drove to Wei Bridge, and all the officials came to pay respects to him. The King of Dai got out of the car and bowed. The Grand Commandant Zhou Bo stepped forward and said, "I would like to report to the King in private." Song Chang said, "If it is public affairs, then we will do it in public. If it is private affairs, the Emperor will not handle private affairs." The Grand Commandant then knelt and presented the Emperor's seal and imperial seal. The King of Dai declined and said, "Let's discuss this matter at Dai’s Mansion." So he drove into the Mansion. All the officials followed him. Prime Minister Chen Ping, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, General Chen Wu, Imperial Censor Zhang Cang, Imperial Clan Chief Liu Ying, Marquis of Zhuxu Liu Zhang, Marquis of Dongmu Liu Xingju, and Imperial Courtier Liu Jie all bowed again and said, "Liu Hong and others are not sons of Emperor Xiaohui, and should not preside over the ancestral temple sacrifices. We respectfully invite Marquis Yin'an, Marquis Queen of Qing, the King of Langya, the royal families, ministers, marquises, and officials above the rank of 2,000 stone to join the discussion and say that 'Your Majesty is the eldest son of Emperor Gao and should be the successor of Emperor Gao.' We hope that Your Majesty will ascend the throne of the Son of Heaven." The King of Dai said, "Respecting the ancestral temple of Emperor Gao is a matter of great importance. I am not qualified to be in the position to respect the ancestral temple. I hope to ask the King of Chu to reconsider. I dare not take the responsibility." All the ministers knelt and made a firm request. The King of Dai faced the west and declined three times, and faced the south and declined twice. Prime Minister Chen Ping and others said, "After discussion, we think it is most appropriate for Your Majesty to honor the ancestral temple of Emperor Gao. Even if the princes and people of the world consider it, they also think it is appropriate. We dare not make a rash decision for the sake of the country and the people. We hope that Your Majesty will listen to our advice. We bow again and present the seal and the imperial seal of the emperor." The king of Dai said, "The royal family, generals, princes, and marquises all think that no one is more suitable than me, and I dare not refuse again." So he ascended the throne of the emperor.

The ministers stood in order according to the etiquette. So he sent the Grand Coachman Xiahou Ying and the Marquis of Dongmu Liu Xingju cleaned up the palace, welcomed the emperor's carriage, and went to the official residence of the Dai mansion to welcome the emperor. The emperor entered the Weiyang Palace that night. So he appointed Song Chang as the general of the guard at night to appease the northern and southern armies. He appointed Zhang Wu as the imperial chief attendant to patrol the palace. The emperor returned to the front hall and sat down. That night, he issued an edict saying, "Previously, the Lü family was in power and plotted rebellion. They wanted to harm the Liu family's ancestral temple. They relied on generals, marquises, royal family members, and ministers to kill them and make them admit their guilt and be punished. I have just ascended the throne, and from now on I declare a general amnesty for the whole country, granting each adult male a noble rank, and granting each woman a cow and ten stones of wine for every hundred households, and the whole country will gather to drink and feast for five days." On the day of Gengxu of October in the first year of Emperor Xiaowen's reign, the former King of Langye Ze was moved and enthroned as King of Yan.

昌至渭桥，丞相以下皆迎。宋昌还报。代王驰至渭桥，群臣拜谒称臣。代王下车拜。太尉勃进曰：“愿请间言。”宋昌曰：“所言公，公言之。所言私，王者不受私。”太尉乃跪上天子玺符。代王谢曰：“至代邸而议之。”遂驰入代邸。群臣从至。丞相陈平、太尉周勃、大将军陈武、御史大夫张苍、宗正刘郢、朱虚侯刘章、东牟侯刘兴居、典客刘揭皆再拜言曰：“子弘等皆非孝惠帝子，不当奉宗庙。臣谨请阴安侯列侯顷王后与琅邪王、宗室、大臣、列侯、吏二千石议曰：‘大王高帝长子，宜为高帝嗣。’愿大王即天子位。”代王曰：“奉高帝宗庙，重事也。寡人不佞，不足以称宗庙。愿请楚王计宜者，寡人不敢当。”群臣皆伏固请。代王西乡让者三，南乡让者再。丞相平等皆曰：“臣伏计之，大王奉高帝宗庙最宜称，虽天下诸侯万民以为宜。臣等为宗庙社稷计，不敢忽。愿大王幸听臣等。臣谨奉天子玺符再拜上。”代王曰：“宗室将相王列侯以为莫宜寡人，寡人不敢辞。”遂即天子位。

群臣以礼次侍。乃使太仆婴与东牟侯兴居清宫，奉天子法驾，迎于代邸。皇帝即日夕入未央宫。乃夜拜宋昌为卫将军，镇抚南北军。以张武为郎中令，行殿中。还坐前殿。于是夜下诏书曰：“间者诸吕用事擅权，谋为大逆，欲以危刘氏宗庙，赖将相列侯宗室大臣诛之，皆伏其辜。朕初即位，其赦天下，赐民爵一级，女子百户牛酒，酺五日。” 孝文皇帝元年十月庚戌，徙立故琅邪王泽为燕王。