Imperial Edicts and Family Strife in Han Dynasty
During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, and the early years of Emperor Xiaozhao, Grand Prince of Guangling, Xu, was rewarded with a vast sum of money, exceeding thirty million coins, along with additional lands extending a hundred li and a township of ten thousand households.
After the death of Emperor Xiaozhao and the ascension of Emperor Xuan, due to his grace and benevolence, in the first year of the Ben Shi era, he partitioned the Han lands and fully enfeoffed Xu, the Grand Prince of Guangling’s four sons: one as the Marquis of Chaoyang, one as the Marquis of Pingqu, one as the Marquis of Nanli, and his youngest beloved son Hong was established as the Prince of Gaomi.
Later, Xu indeed wielded power and influence, acting as an envoy to the King of Chu. The King of Chu declared, “I, the former Yuan King, was the younger brother of Emperor Gao. I was bestowed with thirty-two cities. Now, the territories and cities are diminishing. I intend to join forces with the Prince of Guangling to launch a military expedition. The Prince of Guangling shall be the leader, and I shall regain the thirty-two cities of Chu, as in the time of King Yuan.” When this plot was uncovered, the court officials pleaded for punishment and execution. Due to familial ties, the Emperor could not bear to apply the law to Xu and issued a decree to pardon the Prince of Guangling, but only executed the main instigator, the King of Chu.
It is said, “A plant growing among hemp, without assistance, stands upright; white sand amidst mud, all is dark.” This is the influence of the land’s teachings. Later, Xu again resorted to cursing and plotting rebellion, and eventually committed suicide, leading to the abolition of his principality.
The region of Yantumoqiu, bordering the Xiongnu to the north, its people brave yet lacking foresight, hence the warning, “The Huns, though without filial piety and with hearts of beasts, resort to thievery and encroach upon the border residents. Our edict commands the generals to punish their crimes. Thirty-two lords, a thousand leaders, and a hundred leaders have all come, lowering their flags to our generals. The Huns are to be relocated, and the northern regions pacified.”
“Sincerely commit, without harboring grievances,” to avoid following the customs with resentment. “Without deceit” means not to act treacherously, and “without neglecting preparations” means to always be prepared for military needs, constantly guarding against the Xiongnu.
During the aging of Emperor Wudi and the unfortunate demise of the Crown Prince, without a successor yet determined, when a foreign envoy arrived to petition to reside in the guard at Chang’an. Emperor Xiaowu, upon seeing the petition, struck the ground in anger, saying, “When a son is born, he should be placed in the land of etiquette and righteousness, not in Yan and Zhao. If he shows signs of ambition, it is evident.” Thus, he sent an envoy to behead the petitioner below the palace gate.
After Emperor Wudi’s death and the ascension of Emperor Xiaozhao, Crown Prince, the Yuanling King Liu Xu, rewards him generously with gold, money, and treasure, totaling more than three thousand, and a hundred miles of territory.、