“Emperor Wang Mang’s Reforms and Rebellions”

In the fourth year of the reign of Wang Mang, in the fifth month, he proclaimed: “To honor our eminent scholar and friend, the late Dr. Tang Lin, and the deceased Advisory Scholar, Lingya Ji Xun, who have demonstrated filial piety, loyalty, and benevolence, I bestow upon Lin the title of Marquis of Jiande, and Xun the title of Marquis of Fengde. They shall hold special positions and be treated with the same respect as the Three Dukes. They are granted one district and three million coins, and are awarded a ceremonial staff.”

In June, Wang Mang further issued land grants to the lords at the Ming Hall, saying: “I have organized the land into five grades of feudal territories based on ancient texts and records. This system, established nine years ago since the founding of the nation, is now finalized. I have personally set up the land and paid respect to the deities of the land and ancestors. Each lord is to manage their domain and ensure the prosperity of their people. Those in border regions like Jiangnan, who have not been summoned, are to contribute to the capital. They shall receive salaries: 800,000 coins for the lords, 400,000 for the earls, and 200,000 for the barons and their families.”

However, this distribution failed to resolve the problems completely. Wang Mang was known for his lofty speeches and admiration of ancient laws, yet his actions revealed a tendency towards extravagance and a lack of practical implementation. He delayed the definitive allocation of land, seeking to placate and reward his supporters with temporary measures.

In that year, Wang Mang also implemented the six-circuit system, establishing regulations for each circuit. Violators faced severe penalties, leading to widespread suffering and rebellion among the populace. The introduction of taxes on all public and private servants, including slaves, exacerbated the hardship, causing an increase in theft and banditry.

Minister Feng Chang advised against the harsh six-circuit regulations, but Wang Mang, enraged by the advice, dismissed Feng from office. He appointed new officials to manage these regions, with the aim of curbing rebellion and restoring order.

The rebellion of the Red Eyebrows, led by figures such as Zu and Fan Chong, emerged in response to the harsh conditions. Despite Wang Mang’s attempts to quash them by mobilizing troops, the insurgents proved resilient. Wang Mang’s regime continued to suffer from instability and dissent.

In the sixth year of Wang Mang’s rule, he decided to alter the calendar system, adopting a new era name, “Dihuang” (Earth Emperor). This was intended to signal a new beginning and to placate the discontented populace. Yet, the changes were met with skepticism, and the people remained unconvinced.

Wang Mang’s efforts to combat the escalating threats from the Xiongnu included recruiting soldiers and raising taxes to support military campaigns. He sought skilled individuals to assist in these efforts, including those with peculiar talents or ideas for warfare. Despite his attempts, many of these plans proved impractical or failed to achieve their intended results.

In a bid to strengthen his position and address the growing threat of Xiongnu incursions, Wang Mang arranged a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu by sending a diplomatic envoy to negotiate with the Xiongnu leader. However, internal disagreements and poor execution of policy led to further complications and unrest within the empire.

The tale of Wang Mang’s reign illustrates the complexities of governing an empire amid socio-economic turmoil and rebellion. His attempts to reform the land distribution, tax system, and military organization were met with mixed success and widespread resistance. Despite his lofty ambitions and numerous efforts, the stability of his regime remained fragile, ultimately leading to further instability and eventual downfall.

Through these historical accounts, we gain insight into the challenges faced by rulers in managing vast territories and diverse populations, as well as the consequences of mismanagement and the limits of even the most well-intentioned reforms.