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Han Yuandi, Reigned 48 to 33 B.C.E., and His Advisors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2014

Michael Loewe 魯惟一
Michael Loewe 魯惟一*
Affiliation:
Clare Hall, Herschel Road, Cambridge CB3 9AL, UK, manl100@cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

While Yuandi's reign is not known as a period of imperial expansion, discussions of the major questions of the concept of imperial government and the administrative problems of the day were to be of long-lasting influence. The views put forward by scholars and officials such as Xiao Wangzhi, Gong Yu, Wei Xuancheng, Kuang Heng, Liu Xiang and Yi Feng led the way to the open adoption of Zhou as the ideal which Wang Mang and subsequent emperors claimed to follow. Yuandi himself played little part in government; his advisors raised matters of religious cults, economic practice, the standards of officials, the extravagance of the palace, relations with non-Han leaders, and the value of holding outlying parts of the empire.

雖然漢元帝的統治并不是一個帝國擴張的時期，但對帝國統治觀念的主要問題以及當時管理問題的討論，仍有著長遠的影響意義 。 諸如蕭望之 、 貢禹 、 韋玄成 、 匡衡 、 劉向 、 翼奉這些學者及官僚所提出的觀點，使得周制被視作理想的體制被公開采納 。 王莽及其以後的皇帝也聲稱改從周制 。 元帝本人在政治上無甚建樹；關於宗廟制度 、 經濟措施 、 官制標準 、 朝廷的奢侈浪費 、 與胡人首領的關係，以及拓邊護疆的價值等問題，都是由其公卿提出的 。

Type
Articles
Information
Early China , Volume 35: Dedicated to LI Xueqin on the occasion of his eightieth birthday , 2013 , pp. 361 - 393
Copyright
Copyright © Society for the Study of Early China 2013

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References

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2. I have suggested elsewhere that Ban Zhao, who completed the tables of the Han shu, had access to official files, such as the lists of the nobilities, with which to complete her tasks. see Loewe, , Men who Governed Han China: Companion to A Biographical Dictionary of the Qi, Former Han and Xin Periods (Leiden, Boston: Brill, 2004)CrossRefGoogle Scholar, chapters 7 and 8. It may also be asked whether routine reports of provincial government, such as those found at Yinwan, were available.

3. The edition of Zhang Dunren 張敦仁, which derives from a print of 1501, includes the term Xuandi, which could not have been known before Yuandi's accession. See Liqi, Wang 王利器, Yan tie lun jiao zhu 鹽鐵論校注, rev. ed. (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1992) 6.356Google Scholar (29 “San bu zu” 散不足). In the edition of Zhang Zhixiang of 張之象 1554 this is replaced by Bi xia 陛下. See Loewe, , Dong Zhongshu, a ‘Confucian’ Heritage and the Chunqiu fanlu (Leiden, Boston: Brill, 2011), 160 n.176CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

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5. Han shu, 66. 2903.

6. A decree, probably of 47, took note of the complexity of the Statutes and Ordinances and the difficulty of understanding them, and called for a discussion of how they could perhaps be abbreviated; see Han shu, 23.1103 and 9.281; Hulsewé, A.F.P., Remnants of Han Law (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1955) 339, 393n.220Google Scholar; and Han shu, 9.285 for the decree of 44.

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10. Han shu, 78.3283.

11. Han shu, 78.3271. Li fu 禮服 is explained as the chapters on Sang fu 喪服 in the Li ji.

12. Han shu, 88.3604.

13. Han shu, 88.3610.

14. Han shu, 8.277.

15. For Yang Yun, charged with gross immoral behavior and executed at the waist, see Han shu, 66. 2889. Ge Kuanrao, similarly charged, committed suicide at the palace gates in 60 (Han shu, 77.2243).

16. Han shu, 78.3283; for the growth of the responsibility of the secretariat, see Twitchett, Denis and Loewe, Michael, eds., The Cambridge History of China, vol. 1 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986), 466–67CrossRefGoogle Scholar. Shi Gao received the title of Da sima; Xiao Wangzhi appointment as General of the van (Qian jiangjun 前將軍) and Commissioner for the palace (Guangluxun 光祿勳), and Zhou Kan that of Counsellor of the palace.

17. Han shu, 81.3338.

18. Han shu, 9.279, 18.696.

19. Han shu, 9.298, 10. 302, 19B. 822.

20. Han shu, 19B. 815, 819.

21. Li Yanshou was Commissioner for the capital (Zhijinwu 執金吾) in 46 and Commissioner of the guards (Weiwei) in 37, to be appointed Imperial counsellor in 36, dying in 33. As Imperial counsellor he gave Gu Yong 谷永 his start in official life by accepting him as a member of his staff, to become Assistant to the Commissioner for ceremonial (Taichang cheng 太常丞); Han shu, 85.3443.

22. Han shu, 79.3302.

23. Han shu, 71.3041.

24. Han shu, 64B.2835. For this incident, see p. 392 below.

25. Han shu, 66.2900.

26. Han shu, 72.3069.

27. Han shu, 88.3613.

28. There are several differences between the account of Kuang Heng in the Han shu and one that was inserted as an addendum in the Shi ji (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1959)Google Scholar. The Shi ji (96. 2688) has him eventually being graded at third class (bing 丙) as against the first class of the Han shu (81.3331). The Shi ji has him appointed Taizi shaofu 太子少傅 in Xuandi's reign and serving (shi 事) Yuandi, whatever that term may imply; the Han shu (81.3331) has him serving (shi xia 事下) Xiao Wangzhi the Taizi taifu, 太子太傅, being himself appointed Counsellor of the palace Guanglu dafu and Taizi shaofu in Yuandi's reign (Han shu 81.338). Xiao Wangzhi had been demoted Taizi taifu during Xuandi's reign.

29. Han shu, 78.3284, 93.3726.

30. The most conspicuous case in which a eunuch rose to prominence in Wudi's reign was that of Li Yannian 李延年, who was appointed Xielü duwei 協律都尉 presumably with the duties that concerned regulating the pitch-pipes.

31. Han shu, 93.3729.

32. Han shu, 93.3728.

33. Han shu, 81.3344, where Zhang Tan is erroneously given as Zhen Tan 甄譚. Zhang Tan, of Langye, had been Governor of the capital (Jingzhao yin 京兆尹 40–36) and then Senior tutor of the heir apparent, becoming Imperial counsellor shortly before Yuandi's death. Early in Chengdi's reign he acted with Kuang Heng in proposing the change in the religious cults of state (Han shu, 25B.1253).

34. Han shu, 71.3047. Xue Guangde had been a teacher of the Lu version of the Songs and was a subordinate of Xiao Wangzhi while the latter was Imperial counsellor. He took part in the Shiqu ge discussions of 51.

35. Han shu, 82.3376.

36. Han shu, 93.3726.

37. Han shu, 82.3376. Liu Dan called on the ideal of wen gu zhi xin 溫故知新 as expressed in Lun yu 2.4b (“Wei zheng” 為政) (see note 4 above). The expression is also seen in Li ji (Shisan jing zhushu 十三經注疏 edition) 53.8b (“Zhong yong” 中庸), Legge, , The Chinese Classics, vol. 2, 423 Google Scholar. Chong, Wang 王充 cites it twice, in Lun heng jiaoshi 論衡校釋, ed. Hui, Huang 黃暉, (rev. ed. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1990), 12.557 (36“Xie duan” 謝短)Google Scholar; Forke, Alfred, Lunheng (Shanghai: Kelly and Walsh, 1911), Part 2, 77Google Scholar; and Lunheng jiaoshi, 28.1139 (81 “Zheng shuo” 正說), Forke, Part 1, 457. Spokesmen for the government in the Yan tie lun or others known for their forthright criticism of those who praise the past and denigrate the present would have had little time for the principle of valuing the past as a means of judging the present.

38. Han shu, 10.301.

39. Han shu, 18.698.

40. Han shu, 9.298.

41. Zhu Yun, who had at one time openly criticized Wei Xuancheng, was accused of compliance with murders committed in the county of which he was magistrate and sentenced to death. Reduction to a sentence of hard labor and disqualification from office may have been due to Yuandi's intervention; Han shu 67.2914.

42. Han shu, 100B.4239.

43. Han shu, 12.357.

44. Han shu, 88.3596.

45. Jun guo wu jing bai shi zu shi 郡國五經百石卒史. See Han shu bu zhu 88.6a note.

46. For the part played by Dai De (the greater) and Dai Sheng (the Lesser) in the formulation of texts on li, see Riegel, Jeffrey, in Loewe, Michael, ed, Early Chinese Texts A Bibliographical Guide (Berkeley, California: The Society for the Study of Early China and the Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 1993), 293–94Google Scholar.

47. See his biography in Han shu, 73. 3167–78.

48. Han shu, 73.3173–74.

49. Han shu, 73.3176-7.

50. Han shu, 73.3168.

51. See p. 362, note 3 above.

52. This is as told in one of Chu Shaosun's own statements; Shi ji 49.1981.

53. Han shu, 62.2724. According to Zhang Yan 張晏 (3rd, 4th century) he wrote (zuo 作) chapters 12, 30, 128 and 127.

54. As in Shi ji 60, and 20.1059, 48.1962.

55. Shi ji, 128.3221.

56. See Hulsewé, A.F.P., “The two early Han I ching specialists called Ching Fang,” T'oung Pao 72 (1986), 161–62CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

57. Han shu, 75.3160.

58. The expression hao zhong lü 好鍾律 requires full comprehension.

59. See de Crespigny, Rafe, Portents of protest in the Later Han Dynasty: The Memorials of Hsiang K'ai to Emperor Huan (Canberra: Faculty of Asian Studies, 1976), 70–72 Google Scholar. For a recent study, see Yu, Guo 郭彧 Jing shi yi yuan shu 京氏易源疏 (Beijing: Huaxia chubanshe, 2007)Google Scholar.

60. Han shu, 30.1703.

61. Meng shi Jing Fang shi yi pian 孟氏京房十一篇; Zai yi Meng shi Jing Fang liushiliu pian 災異孟氏京房六十六篇.

62. Jing shi Duan Jia shi er pian 京氏段嘉十二篇.

63. Sui shu (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1973), 16.395Google Scholar.

64. As a descendant in the fourth generation of Liu Bang's brother Liu Jiao 交, he was not closely related to Xuandi or his successors.

65. Han shu, 36.1929.

66. Han shu, 36.1930.

67. Han shu, 36.1930.

68. Wei Xuancheng, who had been appointed Commissioner of the lesser treasury in 48 and was now demoted Senior tutor of the heir apparent in 46; and Gong Yu who became counsellor of the palace (Guanglu dafu) in 44.

69. Han shu, 36.1932–33, 19B.814.

70. Han shu, 36.1929.

71. Han shu, 36.1930–32 and 1932–47.

72. Han shu, 36.1957 and 97B.3974.

73. Han shu, 36.1950.

74. Han shu, 70.3017. See p. 391 below.

75. Han shu, 25B.1258.

76. Han shu, 25B.1271.

77. Han shu, 36.1948.

78. Han shu, 48.2265, 56.2526.

79. Han shu, 87A,B.3513–86.

80. For a translation of this text, see Nylan, , Exemplary Figures (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, forthcoming)Google Scholar.

81. See Nylan, , The Canon of Supreme Mystery by Yang Hsiung: A Translation with Commentary of the T'ai hsüan ching 太玄經 (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993)Google Scholar.

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83. Han shu, 56.2508.

84. Han shu, 75.3154.

85. Han shu, 51.2368.

86. Han shu, 72.3070.

87. See p. 385 below.

88. Han shu, 73.3118.

89. Han shu, 81.3338.

90. Yan tie lun jiao zhu 1 (6 “Fu gu” 復古), 80; 9 (52 “Lun gong” 論功) 543.

91. Han shu, 60.2671. Du Qin never held a high appointment, but was at times consulted by those who did.

92. Han shu, 85.3443.

93. Han shu, 85.3464.

94. Han shu, 36.1950.

95. See Loewe, , The Men who Governed Han China, 446–49Google Scholar.

96. Han shu, 9.280, 282, 287, 293, 294; 24A.1142. Solar eclipses were reported for 42 (Han shu, 9.289); 40 (Han shu, 9.291); 34 (Han shu, 9.297).

97. Han shu, 9.295.

98. Han shu, 73.3122.

99. Han shu, 75.3172.

100. Yan tie lun 9 (54 “Lun zi”), 557.

101. See Loewe, Men who Governed Han China, 516.

102. Han shu, 75.3154.

103. Han shu, 100A.4208.

104. Alternatively the methods of the jing.

105. Han shu, 78.3274. Like Shi Dan, he was alluding to a passage in the Lunyu; see note 4 above.

106. Han shu, 81.3334.

107. Han shu, 9.288, 291.

108. Han shu, 75.3160.

109. Han shu, 85.3458.

110. Han shu, 73.3116.

111. Han shu, 72.3079.

112. Zheng Hong, who was well versed in legal matters, had been Metropolitan commissioner of the right in 46. In 42 he was consulted about the right way to treat the Qiang rebels (see p. 391 below), and he had come to approve of Jing Fang's suggestions for testing the merits of officials; at Jing Fang's execution he was dismissed and reduced to commoner status. Han shu, 66.2902, 73.3117, 75.3161

113. Han shu, 73.3116, 3118.

114. Yin Zhong, of Weijun, was Commissioner for trials in 45, Counsellor of the palace in 31 and Imperial counsellor in 29.

115. Han shu, 73.3121.

116. Han shu, 9.297.

117. Han shu, 73.3117, 3124. For Shi Liangdi, see p. 366 above.

118. See entries for these years in Han shu, 9, e.g., p. 281.

119. Han shu, 25B.1253–54, 81.3344.

120. San guo zhi (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1959), 47.1136–37 n.1Google Scholar; Jin shu (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1974), 82.2141Google Scholar; Han shu, 25B.1254.

121. Han shu, 25B.1257.

122. Shi ji, 4.170, 12.461, 20.1046; Han shu, 9.285, 18.688, 67.2926.

123. Han shu, 10.328, 66.2926.

124. Han shu, 7.223, Yan tie lun, 1 (1 “Ben yi”), 1; Han shu, 9.279.

125. Yan tie lun, 7 (41 “Qu xia”), 463–64.

126. See p. 383 above.

127. Han shu, 9.280.

128. Han shu, 9.281.

129. Han shu, 9.285.

130. For Geng Shouchang, see Han shu 24A.1141.

131. Han shu, 9.291.

132. Han shu, 9.292, 293, 297.

133. Han shu, 72.3069–72.

134. Han shu, 72.3075–76, 24B.1176.

135. Han shu, 96.3923.

136. Han shu, 96A.3874; see also Hulsewé, A.F.P., China in Central Asia (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1979), 62–63 Google Scholar.

137. Han shu, 78.3282.

138. Han shu, 70.3015–17.

139. Hou Han shu (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1965), 87.2876Google Scholar.

140. Han shu, 9.290; 79.3296.

141. Han shu, 79.3296.

142. Han shu, 6.188, 7.223, 9.283, 64B.2830, 2834–35.