五宗世家

Emperor Jing had thirteen sons who became kings, with five mothers. Those sharing the same mother were considered blood relatives.

When Rong arrived, he was interrogated at the office of the Commandant of Justice. The Commandant Zhizhi questioned him sternly. Rong was terrified and took his own life. He was buried at Lantian. Thousands of swallows carried earth and placed it on the tomb, and the people mourned him. Rong was the eldest son; with no heirs, his domain was abolished and incorporated into the empire as Nanjun Commandery.

King Duan of Jiaoxi, Duan, was made Prince of Jiaoxi in the third year of Emperor Jing's reign, after the seven-nation Wu-Chu rebellion was suppressed. Duan was cruel and violent, and also impotent. Whenever he approached a woman, he suffered for months. He favored a young attendant who became a palace officer; after a time this youth committed adultery with women of the inner palace, and Duan killed them both, along with their children.

King Duan of Jiaoxi, Duan, was made Prince of Jiaoxi in the third year of Emperor Jing's reign, after the seven-nation Wu-Chu rebellion was suppressed. Duan was cruel and violent, and also impotent. Whenever he approached a woman, he suffered for months. He favored a young attendant who became a palace officer; after a time this youth committed adultery with women of the inner palace, and Duan killed them both, along with their children.

He violated the law repeatedly, and the high ministers of state repeatedly requested his execution. The Son of Heaven, for the sake of their fraternal bond, could not bear to do it, and Duan's behavior grew worse. The concerned officials twice requested reducing his domain, and more than half was taken. Duan was resentful and thus deliberately ruined his treasury, allowing the buildings to leak and decay while accumulating vast wealth he would neither use nor distribute. He ordered his officials not to collect taxes or rents. He removed his guards, sealed his palace gates, and went out through a single gate, frequently changing his name and identity as a commoner, traveling to other commanderies and kingdoms.

King Pengzu of Zhao, Pengzu, was made Prince of Guangchuan in the second year of Emperor Jing's reign. After the Zhao kingdom's rebellion was suppressed, Pengzu became King of Guangchuan. Four years later he was transferred to become King of Zhao. Fifteen years later, Emperor Jing died.

King Pengzu of Zhao, Pengzu, was made Prince of Guangchuan in the second year of Emperor Jing's reign. After the Zhao kingdom's rebellion was suppressed, Pengzu became King of Guangchuan. Four years later he was transferred to become King of Zhao. Fifteen years later, Emperor Jing died.

Pengzu was cunning and servile, fawning yet inwardly sharp. He was excessively courteous but secretly calculating. He loved the law and used clever arguments to wound others. Pengzu had many favored consorts and descendants. When the Commandery Governor or officials wished to govern according to Han law, they threatened the royal family. Whenever a Commandery Governor arrived, Pengzu would dress in coarse black cloth, go personally to greet them, prepare lodging for the Commandery Governor, and fabricate suspicious matters to sway them. If the Commandery Governor said anything inappropriate, Pengzu would record it. If the Commandery Governor wished to govern fairly, Pengzu would threaten and coerce him; if he refused, Pengzu would petition the throne accusing him and staining him with corruption and profit-seeking.

Pengzu took as a consort a woman whom King Yiwang of Jiangdu's Prince Jianli had stolen and committed adultery with—Lady Zhuoji—and cherished her greatly. Pengzu did not enjoy building palaces or observing auspicious signs. He loved to handle official affairs and petitioned to supervise the kingdom's bandits. He often went out at night with his runners to patrol Handan. All traveling officials and guests, knowing Pengzu was treacherous, dared not linger in Handan.

He reigned for forty-two years and died. His son, King Ai Chang, succeeded him. One year later, Chang died, and his son Kunxi succeeded him as King of Zhongshan.

This one kingdom was the son of Lady Tang.

King Hui of Guangchuan, Yue, was made Prince of Guangchuan in the second year of Emperor Jing's reign. Twelve years later, he died. His son Qi succeeded him as king. Qi had a favored minister, Sang Ju. Later, Ju committed an offense and Qi wanted to execute him. Ju fled, and Qi captured and destroyed his entire clan. Ju bore a grudge against the king and petitioned the throne, reporting that Qi had committed adultery with his full sisters. After this, Qi repeatedly petitioned against officials and the favored ministers such as Zhong Sheng.

King Ai of Qinghe, Cheng, was made Prince of Qinghe in the third year of Emperor Jing's reign. Twelve years later, he died with no heir. His domain was abolished and incorporated into the empire as Qinghe Commandery.

When Han envoys inspected the King's funeral, Zhuo reported: "During the King's illness, the Queen and Crown Prince did not attend him. When he died, they left the funeral after six days. The Crown Prince Bo secretly committed adultery, drank wine, gambled, played the zither, rode in carriages galloping through the city, entered the prisons to gaze at prisoners." The Son of Heaven sent the Superintendent of the Imperial Stables Qian to examine the Queen and interrogate Crown Prince Bo. When asked to produce those with whom he had committed adultery, the Prince concealed them. The officials pressed urgently, even beating him. The Prince released prisoners without authorization. The concerned officials requested the execution of Queen Xiu and Prince Bo.

King Ping of Zhending, Ping, was made King of Zhending in the fourth year of Yuanding, as a son of King Xian of Changshan. King Si of Sishui, Shang, was made King of Sishui in the fourth year of Yuanding, as a son of King Xian of Changshan. Eleven years later, he died. His son, King Ai Anshi, succeeded him. Eleven years later, Anshi died with no heir.