Ethical Leadership and Reform in Early Han Dynasty
During the early Han Dynasty, Emperor Xiao of Han, known as the youngest son of Emperor Wu, ascended to the throne amidst political turmoil and familial intrigues. His mother, Zhao Jieyu, was initially favored and continued to wield influence even after his birth, a situation documented in the “Biography of Empresses and Consorts”. Following the decline of Crown Prince Liu Ju and the rise of ambitious princes like Prince Dan of Yan and Prince Xu of Guangling, Emperor Xiao was enthroned at the tender age of eight in the second year of Houyuan.
In the wake of Emperor Wu’s passing, Emperor Xiao assumed the imperial mantle, paying respects at Gao Temple the following day. His sister, the Princess Eyi of Eyi, was granted the status of Chief Princess, co-nurturing in the palace. General-in-Chief Huo Guang was entrusted with regency as Grand Marshal and Grand General, acting upon the late emperor’s will to assist the young sovereign. Emperor Wu passed away on the day of Wu Chen.
Hu Guang wielded significant political power, taking charge of the Secretariat, supported by Generals of Chariots and Cavalry Jin Ridi and Left General Shangguan Jie. In the summer of the sixth month, a general amnesty was decreed across the realm, while in the autumn of the seventh month, a comet appeared in the eastern sky. Wang Kuan, the Prince of Jibei, took his own life after being found guilty of crimes. The Princess Eyi of Eyi and various royal relatives received distinctions. Zhao Jieyu, honored as Empress Dowager, was interred at Yunling.
In winter, the Xiongnu raided Shuofang, slaughtering officials and civilians. Troops were dispatched to Western River and Left General Jie patrolled the northern frontier. In the first year of Shiyuan, in the spring of the second month, a yellow crane descended into the Taiye Pond of Jianzhang Palace. Officials celebrated longevity. Princes, marquises, and royal relatives were granted varying amounts of gold and silver. On Jihai, the emperor personally plowed in the Goudun farming fields. Prince Dan of Yan, Prince Xu of Guangling, and Princess Eyi of Eyi were each given additional landholdings.
In summer, the Empress Dowager commissioned the construction of gardens and temples at Yunling. The regions of Liantou, Guzeng, Zhangji, and twenty-four other districts in southern Yue rebelled. Lu Pohu, the Water and Land Lieutenant, recruited officials and civilians and mobilized troops from Jianwei and Shu counties to suppress Yi Province, achieving a great victory. The Ministry proposed transferring Henei to Ji and Hedong to Bingzhou.
In the autumn of the seventh month, a general amnesty was decreed, and the people were given cattle and wine. Heavy rains severed the Wei Bridge in August. In the same month, Qi’s King Xiaowang Sun Liuze conspired to rebel, attempting to kill Qingzhou Inspector Jun Buyi, who uncovered the plot. All conspirators were executed. Jun Buyi was appointed as the Commandant of Jingzhao and awarded one million coins. On the day of Bingchen, General of Chariots Jin Ridi passed away. In the intercalary month, former Minister of Justice Wang Ping and four others were dispatched as envoys to govern the counties, select virtuous individuals, and address grievances, injustices, and derelictions of duty among the people.
In winter, there was no ice. In the spring of the first month of the second year, the late Empress Dowager’s father was posthumously ennobled as Marquis Shuncheng. The Empress’s father, the General of the Cavalry Shangguan An, was enfeoffed as Marquis Sangle. A decree ordered three Fuguo scholars, Liu Biqiang and Liu Changle, to serve as Grand Masters of the Household, with Biqiang appointed as the Commandant of Changle Guard. In the third month, messengers were sent to support poor peasants who lacked the means to plant and eat.
In autumn, the seventh month of Guihai, the decree stated: “In previous years, disasters were numerous, and this year’s silkworms and wheat were damaged. As a result, those who were supported and loaned to the people would not be charged, so as not to allow the people to leave this year’s land rent.” The rain was heavy, and the Wei Bridge was severed. In August, Xiaowang of Qi, the grandson of Sun Liuze, plotted to rebel, intending to kill Qingzhou inspector Junchi Jun Buyi, who was discovered and executed.