Emperor’s Sacred Journeys
Divine Rites and Grand Proclamations”
Emperor Wu, after his coronation, ascended Mount Song the next day. The Yushi rode along, with subordinates calling out “Long live!” thrice near the temple. The Emperor silently ascended without responding to these rites. He commanded the temple officials to expand the Taishi shrine and forbade the cutting of trees and grass there. Three hundred households below the mountain were assigned as vassals, named Chonggao, exclusively serving the shrine, exempt from previous obligations.
He continued on an eastern tour, reaching the sea in the fourth month of summer, and returned, ascending Mount Tai to sit in the Mingtang hall. A decree stated, “I, with humble body, have inherited the highest honor. Despite my limited virtue, unclear in rites and music, I have thus utilized the eight deities to handle matters. Encountering the changing circumstances of heaven and earth, remarkable phenomena were observed, seeming almost audible. Shocked by strange occurrences, I wished to stop but dared not, thus ascending Mount Tai and then to Liangfu, only then solemnly performing the abdication ritual. Henceforth, celebrating anew with scholars and grand officials, it was proclaimed the first year of Yuanfeng in October.”
Wherever he journeyed, in Bo, Fenggao, Sheqiu, Licheng, and Liangfu, he rectified issues such as land, rent, debt, and tax, erasing arrears. Those aged seventy and above received cloth and two bolts, with four counties exempted from this year’s assessments. All subjects were granted a nobility rank, and women received one hundred households of cattle and wine.
Traveling from Mount Tai, he again toured the eastern sea, reaching Jieshi from Liaoxi, returning via Ganquan in autumn. In summer, a star was observed crossing Dongjing, followed by another crossing Santai. Prince Qi of Qi passed away.
In the second year of winter, in October, he traveled to Yong, offering sacrifices at the Five Fields. In spring, he visited Goushi, then proceeded to Donglai. In summer, he returned to sacrifice at Mount Tai, arriving at Huzi, inspecting the Yellow River. He ordered officials and generals to dam the river, composing the “Song of Huzi”. Amnesty was granted to those relocated along the journey, with the elderly and widowed receiving four stones of grain per person. Upon return, he constructed the Ganquan Hall and Chang’an’s Feilian Palace.
In June, a decree stated, “Within the Ganquan Palace, rare mushrooms sprouted, nine stalks with connected leaves. The Emperor gazed, not different from an earthly palace. Thus, I expanded the Fengshan ritual. Granting amnesty to all, counties favored by my visit shall not pay this year’s rent, and the destitute received cloth and grain.”
Returning to Ganquan, he worshiped at the Taizhao. General Yang Pu and Left General Xun Zhi led death row volunteers to attack Joseon. Moreover, General Guo Chang and Commandant Wei Guang deployed troops from Ba and Shu to pacify the unsubmitted Southwest Yi, elevating it to Yizhou commandery.
In the third year, he staged the Jiaodi Play over a span of three hundred li. In summer, King of Joseon killed the Liao Dong prefecture, so I recruited death row criminals across the country to attack Joseon. In June, it was decreed, “Inside the Ganquan Palace, in the central area, chi mushrooms sprouted, nine in total, united with leaves. By Heaven’s decree, not different from the lower palace, I bestowed it upon myself. Granting amnesty to all, Yunyang Du received a hundred households of cattle and wine.”
In autumn, the Ming Hall was built at the foot of Mount Tai. General Lou Chuan, Yang Pu, and Left General Xun Zhi responded to the recruitment of criminals. Furthermore, General Guo Chang and Middle General Wei Guang dispatched troops to pacify the unsubmitted regions of Ba and Shu, transforming them into Yizhou commandery.
In the fourth year of winter, in October, he traveled to Yong, sacrificing at the Five Fields. Passing through the center route, he continued north, exiting through Xiao Pass, passing Dulu and Mingze, then returning to visit Hedong. In spring, in March, he worshipped the Earth Mother. A decree stated, “I personally sacrifice to the Earth Mother’s deity, seeing the light gather at the spiritual altar, illuminating the palace overnight. Thus, amnesty was granted to all in Fenyin, Xiayang, and Zhongdu, below death row, granting the counties of Yang and Shizhong exemption from this year’s rent.”
In summer, a severe drought caused many to die early. In autumn, since the Xiongnu were weak and could be made to submit, envoys were sent to negotiate. A Chanyu envoy came, dying in the capital. The Xiongnu raided the border, so General Guo Chang stationed troops in Shuofang. In the fifth year of winter, the Southern Tour reached Shengtang, worshiping Yu Shun at Jiuyi. He ascended Lingtian Pillar Mountain, floating on the river in Xunyang, personally shooting a dragon in the river and capturing it. Sailing for a thousand miles, they barely reached Zongyang, composing the “Shengtang Zongyang Song”. Proceeding north to Langye, along the coast, wherever they went, they worshiped at famous mountains and great rivers.
In spring, in March, amnesty was granted, and the Earth Mother was worshipped in the Hedong. A decree stated, “I held a ceremony at Shoushan, where Kun field produces rare treasures, which may transform into gold. I worship the Earth Mother, whose divine light appeared three candles. Therefore, I exempted all from Fenyin to Xiayang’s death row, granting the poor of the world cloth and silk, one per person.” Rebellion occurred in Yizhou and Kunming, exempting criminals from the capital and sending General Guo Chang to attack.
In summer, the people of the capital saw the Jiaodi at Shanglin Pingleguan. In autumn, a severe drought and locust plague occurred. Tai Chu in winter, held a ceremony at Tai Shanyuan. At the beginning of October, on the first day of December, the Emperor sacrificed to the Ming Hall. On November 12, the Bai Liang platform was changed. In December, the ceremony was held in Gan Lu, and the Earth Mother worshipped in Penglai. In spring, back, count at Gan Lu, and raised Jin Zhan palace. In summer, Li Yi launched a plan for the outer city and founded the surrender city. In autumn, go to Anjing. The dispatchers are re-appointed.