三王世家 — Shiji

The Grand Marshal Huo Qubing, with deepest humility, respectfully submits this memorial to Your Majesty: Your Majesty, in your infinite grace, has permitted this subject to serve in the military. This subject should devote himself entirely to thoughts of the frontier borders; to leave his bones bleaching in the wilderness with nothing to repay your benevolence—yet here I presume to raise other matters that concern those in power. Truly, I have witnessed Your Majesty's worries and labors for the realm, your compassion for the common people to the point of neglecting yourself, reducing your meals and lowering your music, curtailing the staff of palace attendants. The imperial princes, relying on Heaven's favor, have grown strong enough to dress themselves and bow in audience, yet to this day they hold no titles or positions among the instructors and officials. Your Majesty maintains a respectful humility and does not show favor, and the ministers harbor private hopes but dare not speak beyond their duties. This subject, unable to suppress the heart of a faithful dog or horse, begs with all humility that Your Majesty command the relevant officials, in this auspicious summer season, to determine the princes' positions. May Your Majesty in your grace consider this. Huo Qubing, in deepest humility, pays respects twice and submits this for Your Majesty's hearing.

On the day of Yihai, third month, the Censor-in-Chief Guang, acting as Secretary of the Chancellery, presented this memorial at Weiyang Palace. The imperial edict read: "Forward to the Censor-in-Chief."

In the sixth year, on the day of Yihai, first day of the Wu-shen cyclical month of the third month, Guang, Censor-in-Chief acting as Secretary of the Chancellery, together with the Chancellor, issued the following to the Censor-in-Chief: The Chancellor Gongsun Qing, the Censor-in-Chief Tang, the Grand Preceptor Chong, the Director of Embassies Xi, and the Acting Director of the Heir Apparent's Studies An, acting in his capacity as Director of the Clan of the Imperial Family, with deepest humility present this memorial: Grand Marshal Huo Qubing memorialized: "Your Majesty, in your infinite grace, has permitted this subject to serve in the military. This subject should devote himself entirely to thoughts of the frontier borders; to leave his bones bleaching in the wilderness with nothing to repay your benevolence—yet here I presume to raise other matters that concern those in power. Truly, I have witnessed Your Majesty's worries and labors for the realm, your compassion for the common people to the point of neglecting yourself, reducing your meals and lowering your music, curtailing the staff of palace attendants. The imperial princes, relying on Heaven's favor, have grown strong enough to dress themselves and bow in audience, yet to this day they hold no titles or positions among the instructors and officials. Your Majesty maintains a respectful humility and does not show favor, and the ministers harbor private hopes but dare not speak beyond their duties. This subject, unable to suppress the heart of a faithful dog or horse, begs with all humility that Your Majesty command the relevant officials, in this auspicious summer season, to determine the princes' positions. May Your Majesty in your grace consider this."

The imperial edict read: "Forward to the Censor-in-Chief."

This subject, together with officials of the second and first rank, He and others, respectfully deliberated: In antiquity, territories were divided to establish states, and marquises and dukes were enfeoffed to receive the mandate of Heaven, thereby honoring ancestors and reinforcing the state. Now your subject Huo Qubing has submitted this memorial, not abandoning his duty, and has thereby expressed your benevolence. He speaks of the Son of Heaven humble and yielding, self-diminishing for the sake of the realm, concerned that the imperial princes have no titles. Your subjects Qing, Tang, and others should follow righteousness and honor our posts, though we are foolish and dull and fall short of these matters. Now in this auspicious summer season, your subjects Qing, Tang, and others beg with all humility to establish the imperial princes Hong, Dan, and Xu as feudal lords. We beg for the names of the domains to be established. The imperial edict read: "I have heard that the Zhou enfeoffed eight hundred lords, with members of the Ji clan established side by side, some as dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts, or barons in attendance. The Rites state that younger sons do not offer sacrifice. The establishment of feudal lords to honor the state—I have heard nothing of this. Moreover, Heaven does not produce subjects for the ruler alone. My virtue is lacking, and the realm is not yet harmonious. Should I forcibly crown an immature son as ruler of connected cities, how then could the limbs be encouraged? Let this be reconsidered, placing them among the marquises."

On the day of Bingzi, third month, presented at Weiyang Palace. The Chancellor Gongsun Qing and the Censor-in-Chief Tang, with deepest humility, said: Your subjects, together with the Marquis Yingcheng and other officials of the second and first rank, the Director of Remonstrance and the Erudites, with deepest humility deliberated: We have heard that the Zhou enfeoffed eight hundred lords, with members of the Ji clan established side by side, serving the Son of Heaven. The Duke of Kang was honored through his ancestors, while Boqin was honored because the Duke of Zhou was his father—both became feudal lords to assist the succession. The hundred officials upheld the laws, each following their duties, and the realm's governance was complete. We believe that the establishment of feudal lords to honor the state means that the lords of the four seas each bring tribute and offerings according to their duties. Younger sons are not permitted to offer sacrifice to ancestors—this is the Rites. Feudal enfeoffment ensures that lords guard their border domains; this is how emperors uphold virtue and instruct the people. Your Majesty receives the mandate of Heaven, illuminates the sagely legacy, honors the worthy and displays merit, reviving the extinguished and continuing the broken. You restored the successor of Xiao Wensheng in Zou, and honored ministers such as those enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingjin. You have clarified the order of the six relations and the proper sequence of celestial favor, enabling feudal lords and marquises to extend private grace to their relatives, distributing villages and settlements. You have granted titles and established over a hundred domains. Yet if imperial princes are made marquises, then the distinction between noble ranks would be overturned and order lost—this cannot serve as a model for ten thousand generations. Your subjects request the establishment of Hong, Dan, and Xu as feudal lords. On the day of Bingzi, third month, presented at Weiyang Palace.

Therefore, auspicious beasts have arrived and fine grains have grown; Heaven's response is abundantly clear. Yet now, the collateral sons of the feudal lords are enfeoffed as kings, while the emperor's own sons are only made marquises. Your servants Zhuang Qingdi, Zhang Tang, and others have pondered this carefully and all agree that this confuses the proper hierarchy and will disappoint everyone in the empire—this must not be done. We beg to establish your servants Liu Hong, Liu Dan, and Liu Xu as kings. On the guiwei day of the fourth month, this memorial was presented at Weiyang Palace but was withheld and no decree was issued. The Chancellor, your servant Zhuang Qingdi; the Grand Coachman, your servant Gongsun He; the acting Imperial Counsellor and Minister of Ceremonies, your servant Ren Chong; and the Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent acting as Director of the Imperial Clan, your servant Kong An, dare to speak in peril of death: Previously, your servant Qingdi and others memorialized that the Grand Marshal, your servant Huo Qubing, had submitted a statement that the imperial sons had no titles or positions. We, together with the Imperial Counsellor, your servant Zhang Tang; the officials of the two thousand piculs and full two thousand piculs ranks; the Grandee Remonstrant; and the Erudite, your servant Qing, dare at the risk of death to request that the imperial sons, your servants Hong and others, be established as kings.

Your Majesty has been modest regarding civil and military achievements and very strict with yourself, but the imperial sons have not yet been instructed. The court officials' proposals: the Ruists praise their methods, but some are confused in their hearts. Your Majesty firmly declined and did not permit the enfeoffment of the imperial sons as marquises. Your servant Qingdi and others, along with the marquis your servant Shoucheng and twenty-seven others, privately discussed this; all said that the order of rank has become confused. Emperor Gao founded the empire, became the Grand Ancestor of Han, enfeoffed his sons and grandsons, and established many collateral branches to assist the dynasty. The former emperor's laws and regulations have not been altered, which serves to manifest the supreme dignity of the sovereign. Your servants request that the official historians select an auspicious day, prepare the ritual formalities and submit them, and that the Imperial Counsellor present the map of the realm; in all other matters, follow the precedents. The decree said: 'Approved.' On the bingshen day of the fourth month, the memorial was presented at Weiyang Palace.

In the fourth year of the sixth month, Yisi day, Emperor, through the Censor-in-Chief Tang, established Prince Hong in the ancestral temple as King of Qi. The edict read: "Alas, Hong, young son, receive this azure victim! I inherit from my ancestors, following the ancient ways, establish your domain, enfeoffed in the eastern lands, for generations the guarding walls of Han. Alas, bear this in mind! Respect my decree—for fortune is not constant. When men delight in virtue, it shines brightly; when they neglect righteousness, the exemplary man grows lax. With all your heart, truly hold to the mean, and the blessings of Heaven will last forever. If you have goodness and excellence, you will bring fortune to your domain; if you act wickedly, you will bring harm upon yourself. Alas, protect your domain and nurture your people—can you not be reverent? Guard against this!"

This is the commission for the King of Yan. In the fourth year of the sixth month, Yisi day, Emperor, through the Censor-in-Chief Tang, established Prince Xu in the ancestral temple as King of Guangling. The edict read: "Alas, Xu, young son, receive this vermillion victim! I inherit from my ancestors, following the ancient ways, establish your domain, enfeoffed in the southern lands, for generations the guarding walls of Han. The ancients had a saying: 'South of the great rivers, between the Five Lakes, the people are light-hearted. Yangzhou guards its borders; for three generations it was in the frontier territories, yet governance did not reach there.' Alas, with all your heart, be trembling and cautious, be harmonious and obedient, do not be willful or rash, do not draw near to petty men, uphold the law and the rules. The Book says: 'A subject should not wield authority or accumulate fortune, lest there be shame afterward.' Alas, protect your domain and nurture your people—can you not be reverent? Guard against this!"

Emperor Wu said, "Luoyang has the Imperial Arsenal and the Ao granary—it is a strategic stronghold and the greatest city of our realm. Since the former emperors, no princely son has ruled from Luoyang. Set aside Luoyang, and the rest would be suitable." Lady Wang did not respond.

Emperor Wu continued, "Among the domains east of the Pass, none exceeds Qi in size. Qi faces the sea to the east and has great walls; in ancient times Linzi alone had a hundred thousand households, and nowhere under heaven is the soil more fertile than in Qi."

Lady Wang struck her head with her hand and replied, "How fortunate!"

When Lady Wang died, the emperor grieved for her. He sent an envoy with this proclamation: "The Emperor, in reverence, dispatches his Grand Clerk of the West to present a jade disc, hereby granting you the title of Queen Mother of the King of Qi."

Her son, Prince Ji Hong, became King of Qi. He was young and had no children. When he died prematurely without heirs, his kingdom was dissolved and became a commandery.

The world said that Qi was unfit for a princely title.

What is called "receiving this soil" refers to the enfeoffment ritual: when lords first receive their domains, they must obtain soil from the imperial altar. They bring it back and establish it as their national altar, to be worshiped at the proper seasons. The Great Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals states: "The imperial domain has the Grand Altar."

The east is green, the south red, the west white, the north black, and the center above yellow. Thus, those to be enfeoffed in the east receive green earth; those in the south, red earth; those in the west, white earth; those in the north, black earth; and those in the center, yellow earth. Each takes earth of its proper color, wraps it in white straw, and seals it to create the altar. This is how one first receives enfeoffment from the Son of Heaven—this constitutes receiving the domain's earth. The ruler of this earth establishes an altar and reveres it.

"The Qi region is given to change and deception, unaccustomed to rites and righteousness. Therefore the admonition reads: 'Revere my decree, for fate is never constant. When men delight in virtue, its brightness shines forth. When righteousness is not valued, the noble become negligent. Hold fast to the mean with all your heart, and your favor shall endure. But if you commit wrongs, calamity shall visit your kingdom and harm your person.'"

Afterwards, Xu indeed acted tyrannically and secretly communicated with envoys of the King of Chu. The King of Chu declared openly: "My ancestor King Yuan was the younger brother of Emperor Gao and was enfeoffed with thirty-two cities. Now my territory is shrinking daily. I wish to raise troops together with the King of Guangling, with him as the leader, and I will restore Chu's thirty-two cities as in the time of King Yuan." When the plot was discovered, the high officials and authorities requested that punishment be carried out. The Son of Heaven, due to the bonds of kinship, could not bear to apply the law to Xu, so he issued an imperial decree not to prosecute the King of Guangling, and only executed the chief culprit, the King of Chu.

The text says: "Indigo comes from woad, yet its quality surpasses the woad—this is due to the teaching." The wise ruler sees clearly: he warns the King of Qi to be cautious within; he warns the King of Yan to harbor no resentment and not be perfidious; he warns the King of Guangling to be cautious without, to wield no arbitrary authority.

"Guangling lies in the land of Wu and Yue; its people are fierce and rash. Therefore the admonition reads: 'Between the rivers and lakes, the people are fickle of heart.'"

"In ancient times, the Three Dynasties' rulers of Yang Province maintained their borders through accommodation—compelling the people to adopt Chinese dress and customs, but not greatly imposing political instruction upon them, governing rather through persuasion."

"'Do not be reckless and love ease; do not draw near wicked men; let the law be your only standard. Do not constantly seek pleasure and entertainments, hunting and excess, but draw near the worthy. Constantly remember the law, and you shall have no cause for shame.'"

"The Three Rivers and Five Lakes provide fish and salt; the copper mountains yield wealth—all that the realm depends upon. Therefore the admonition reads: 'Officials should not confer bounty'—that is, do not employ wealth and gifts, generous rewards, to build personal reputation, so that all flock to you from every direction. And again: 'Officials should not wield authority'—that is, do not through rashness cause others to abandon righteousness."

When Emperor Wu died and Emperor Zhaodi first ascended the throne, he bestowed upon the former Guangling King Xu generous gifts of gold and treasure, over three thousand strings of cash, and added a hundred li of territory and ten thousand households to his domain.