Chapter 21 Chapter 20 Emperor Liu Da

Liu Da, Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty, the fifth son of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, was born in the second year of Jianwu Zhongyuan (AD 57) in the Eastern Han Dynasty.His biological mother was Jia Guiren.Because Empress Ma of the Ming Emperor had no children, and Jia Guiren was Empress Ma's half-sister, so Liu Da was adopted by Empress Ma when she was young, and she took Ma as her natal family.In the third year of Emperor Ming Yongping (AD 60), 4-year-old Liu Da was established as the crown prince.In the autumn of the eighteenth year of Yongping (AD 75), Emperor Ming died of illness, and Liu Da became emperor at the age of 19.The following year, Jianyuan "Jianchu".

During the reign of Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty, the issue of foreign relatives was a very prominent political event.Regarding the status of foreign relatives and the struggles between them, Emperor Ming was strict and lenient at times, loose at times and tight at times, vacillating.Correspondingly, the status of foreign relatives also rises and falls from time to time, with ups and downs.However, during the hesitation of Emperor Zhang, the foreign relatives took the opportunity to develop, and finally became a climate, which laid the root of the disaster for the dictatorship of foreign relatives in the middle of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

During the Guangwu and Emperor Ming dynasties of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in view of the lessons learned from Wang Mang's usurpation of the Western Han Dynasty, foreign relatives were not allowed to be appointed as marquises to intervene in politics.Empress Dowager Ma's brothers Ma Liao, Ma Fang, and Ma Guang were all officials in the Ming Dynasty, but Ma Liao was only a member of the Huben Zhonglang, and Ma Fang and Ma Guang were only Huang Menlang, and they were never promoted.As soon as Zhang Difu came to the throne, he promoted Ma Liao to Weiwei, Ma Fang to Zhonglang General, and Ma Guang to Yueqi School Captain.The Ma brothers were promoted at the same time, carried away with complacency and arrogance.And some spineless bureaucrats and clean-ups are also scrambling to flock to it, creating a miasma.Although Sikong Wulun and others tried their best to persuade him, Emperor Zhang just ignored it.

Then, Emperor Zhang wanted to confer marquis and homage titles on behalf of his uncle Ma's family. Empress Dowager Ma was afraid that it would hinder the establishment of the law and cause criticism, so she resolutely refused.In the second year of Jianchu (AD 77), some bureaucrats and bureaucrats attached to the Ma family wrote a letter requesting Emperor Zhang to confer the Ma brothers.Emperor Zhang wanted to comply with this proposal, but Empress Dowager Ma was stubborn and soberly issued an edict: "Anyone who writes a letter to seal their relatives wants to flatter me and seek benefits. All relatives are extremely wealthy and prosperous, and there are few who will not fall. Therefore, the first emperor Beware of my uncle in the world, so that he is not in the position of cardinal. Besides, the Ma brothers are not good enough. How can I bear the decree of the first emperor and the virtue of the ancestors, and repeat the mistakes of Xijing's defeat? I hereby announce to the world." When the edict of Queen Mother Ma came out, the ministers dared not say anything more.Only Emperor Zhang read the edict, and he still didn't give up with emotion, so he asked the queen mother: "After the rise of the Han Dynasty, my uncle's title of marquis, just like other princes' titles of kings, has become a custom. What about the good intentions of me dedicating to the third uncle Jia En? Besides, the uncles are getting older and sicker, and if they tell the truth, it will make me regret endlessly, I hope the Queen Mother will examine it, and it should be canonized in time, and there should be no delay!" Queen Ma persuaded Emperor Zhang said: "Why do I have to show humility and not allow you to be kind to your relatives? But after repeated consideration, it really shouldn't be granted. In the past, Empress Dowager Dou wanted to be the brother of the king and queen, but was opposed by the prime minister Zhou Yafu, saying that Gaozu had an appointment. Those who have no military merits are not nobles. How can today’s Ma family’s country without merit be compared with the Yin and Guo families of Zhongxing in Zuohan? And rich families and nobles, with overlapping positions, will never last long. I have thought about this carefully, so don’t mention it again. Besides, you have just taken over the throne, the weather is abnormal, disasters are frequent, and the price of grain is high. You should consider this matter, how to settle down the people and tide over the difficulties. Why don't you do your business and seal up your relatives first? " In one word, Emperor Zhang had to bow his head to be taught, but Weiwei withdrew.

In the third year of Jianchu (78 A.D.), Empress Matthew died.That year, Emperor Zhang appointed the great-granddaughter of the late Da Situ Dou Rong as the queen, and the power of his relative Dou's family grew rapidly.In the harem of Emperor Zhang, subtle struggles were also launched among the concubines for favor.It turned out that although Empress Dou was favored by Emperor Zhang, she had no sons; but the nobleman in the harem Song Dynasty gave birth to a son named Liu Qing, who was made the crown prince; in addition, Liang Gui, the niece of the former servant Liang Song, had a son named Liu Zhao.For Empress Dou, Song Guiren and Crown Prince Liu Qing are thorns in her eyes, which must be removed quickly.So he bribed the maid in the palace to testify and falsely accuse the nobles of Song Dynasty of making poisonous poison and cursing the emperor; on the other hand, Empress Dou took Liu Zhao as her own.The emperor was obsessed with Dou's beauty and believed in her words.An edict was issued to depose the nobleman of Song Dynasty and the crown prince Liu Qing, and to make Liu Zhao the crown prince.

Outside the palace, the relative groups also began to fight for actual political and economic interests.Due to the death of Queen Mother Ma, the Ma brothers lost their domestic support in the court, and the diners who had gathered under Ma's family in the past gradually dispersed.Soon, Dou took the opportunity to falsely accuse the Ma brothers of slander and extravagance. Emperor Zhang dismissed the three Ma brothers from their official positions and ordered them to move to the city.With the decline of the Ma family, the status of the relative Dou's rose sharply.Empress Dou's elder brother, Dou Xian, was appointed as Shizhong and Huben Zhonglang, and her younger brother Dou Du was appointed as Huangmen servant.The Dou brothers went in and out of the palace province, accumulated rewards, and transported guests.In this regard, Sikong Wulun once wrote a letter requesting Emperor Zhang to strictly restrain the Dou family, so as to prevent Weimeng from suffering, but it is a pity that Emperor Zhang did not pay more attention to it.In this way, not only failed to restrain the power of the Dou family, but even allowed them to become more domineering, killing and extorting goods, and even bullied the kings and princesses surnamed Liu, as well as the former queen Yin and Ma Zhu's family.

The vicious expansion of Dou's power finally attracted the attention of Emperor Zhang because Dou Xian seized Princess Qinshui's garden at a very low price.One day, Emperor Zhang ordered Dou Xian to go on a tour together, passing by the garden of Princess Qinshui.Emperor Zhang deliberately asked: "Whose family does Princess Sonotian belong to now?"Back in the palace, Zhao Dou Xian scolded: "You snatched the princess's garden without permission, what crime do you know? I'm afraid you are so arrogant, how is it different from Zhao Gao in the Qin Dynasty who pointed out that a deer is a horse? You are as expensive as a princess, but you still plundered it. What's more, ordinary people? I want to abandon you, just like treating a chick or a stinking mouse, what a pity!" Dou Xian hastily pleaded guilty.So far, the power of the Dou family has been restrained.

In order to restore the Guangwu and Ming Emperor's policy of restraining foreign relatives, Emperor Zhang appointed Zhou Yu, who was selfless and upright, as Luoyang Order.As soon as Zhou Yu took office, he ordered his subordinates to notify the list of powerful men in the capital, and strictly enforced the ban, declaring that no matter who breaks the law, he will be punished severely.As a result, the children of foreign relatives in Luoyang City restrained their behavior and did not dare to break the law easily.One day at dusk, Dou Du, the servant of the Huangmen, went out of the palace to go home, and passed by the Zhijian Pavilion.Dou Du's entourage and servants are usually domineering, pretending to be powerful, and they don't pay attention to a small pavilion chief at all, and push Huo Yan away.Huo Yan pulled out his sword and shouted loudly: "I am ordered by the Luoyang order that no matter whether the emperor's relatives or relatives pass by this pavilion at night, they must be investigated and let go. Who are you, dare to act wild here!" Dou's servants also asked Arguing with him, at this time, Dou Du, who had been sitting in the car, shouted loudly: "I am Dou Du, the servant of Huangmen. Can I pass this pavilion when I ask for leave from the palace?" The head of the pavilion heard Dou Du announce his name. , is allowed to release.Entering the palace the next day, Dou Du impeached Zhou Yu to run rampant with officials and insult his relatives.The queen cried again in front of Emperor Zhang.Emperor Zhang knew that what he said was not all the truth, and because of the queen's affection, he ordered Zhou Yu to be arrested pending trial.During the trial, Zhou Yu was upright and confident, and denounced Dou's evil deeds according to the law.Tingwei couldn't make the decision, so he had to report to Emperor Zhang according to the facts.Emperor Zhang also ordered Zhou Yu to be released and temporarily removed from his position as the Luoyang Commander.However, Emperor Zhang also knew Zhou Yu's loyalty very well, and soon appointed him as Yushi Zhongcheng.Emperor Zhang wavered in the handling of this matter, and was wary of the monopoly of his relatives, but he couldn't make up his mind to deal with it harshly, and finally failed to weaken the power of his relatives.

During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, Ban Chao was ordered to send an envoy to the Western Regions to subdue all the tribes in the Western Regions, and the central government established a Duhufu there.However, wars continue to break out in the area, and the situation is quite unstable.At the beginning of Emperor Zhang's accession to the throne, there was chaos at the border again. Yanqi, Qiuci, Cheshi and others allied with the Northern Huns to attack the military and political garrisons of the central government. The situation was quite tense.Emperor Zhang summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures, and everyone wanted to delay, but Situ Bao showed his strength and rushed to help.Emperor Zhang adopted Bao Xian's advice and sent troops westward to rescue the border crisis.

However, Emperor Zhang was hesitant about whether to continue to operate the Western Regions, and the ministers also had debates.Due to the real difficulties in manpower and material resources, Emperor Zhang finally gave up the Western Regions and ordered the Han Dynasty personnel who were stranded in the Western Regions to return to the country. At this time, Ban Chao lived in Shule State, and also received an edict to retreat.He packed up his luggage, prepared his horses, and prepared to return to his long-lost homeland.After living in the Western Regions for many years, he was somewhat reluctant to part with him, and the people of the Western Regions also loved and respected him.Hearing that Ban Chao was going back to the country, the people of Shule State were panicked, because Ban Chao had a way to deal with the Huns, and once Ban Chao left, there would be no peace.Lieutenant Shule drew out his long knife, with tears streaming down his face, and sighed to Tianchang: "If the envoys of the Han Dynasty abandon me, our country will be destroyed by the Huns. Rather than dying the next day, it is better to follow the envoys of the Han Dynasty today and send them back east!" After all, he killed himself with a knife.Although Ban Chao couldn't let go, but the emperor ordered him to turn eastward.Soon after arriving in Khotan, the people of Khotan blocked the road to welcome Ban Chao. When they heard that he was going back east, they all burst into tears. The people nearby hugged Ban Chao's feet and refused to let him leave.Ban Chao had no choice but to stay, and at the same time wrote to Emperor Zhang, asking him to stay in the Western Regions.Emperor Zhang agreed to Ban Chao's request.

Ban Chao united the people of all ethnic groups in the Western Regions and effectively curbed the invasion of the Northern Huns.All countries in the Western Regions, except Kucha, were willing to surrender to Han.In the sixth year of Jianchu (83 A.D.), Ban Chao wrote a letter to Emperor Zhang in Shule, requesting to send troops to support him, surrender Qiuci, and realize the strategic intention of "breaking the right arm of the Huns".Emperor Zhang supported Ban Chao's plan and recruited officials to go.At that time, Xu Gan from Pingling volunteered to write a letter to the court, willing to make contributions to the foreign land.Emperor Zhang was overjoyed, and ordered Xu Qian to be a fake Sima, and lead an expeditionary force composed of more than 1,000 people to go west to help Ban Chao.Among the countries in the Western Regions, Wusun was the most powerful, and Ban Chao asked Emperor Zhang to send envoys to visit King Wusun.Emperor Zhang agreed to Ban Chao's request and sent envoys to Wusun.King Wusun was very happy. In the eighth year of Jianchu (AD 85), he sent an envoy to visit the Han Dynasty to express his friendship.In the Western Regions, the Han Dynasty was supported by such a big country, and Emperor Zhang felt very satisfied.So he promoted Ban Chao to be the commander of the army, and granted him the power to act in the Western Regions on behalf of the Eastern Han government.Due to the close contact with the central government of the Han Dynasty, especially because of Wusun's attachment, Banchao's prestige in the Western Regions greatly increased.All the countries in the Western Regions were willing to be controlled by Ban Chao, which paved the way for the Eastern Han government to open up close exchanges with the Western Regions again. It is said in history that Emperor Zhang was loyal, benevolent and righteous, and he was devoted to his kinship.In fact, Emperor Zhang's decrees and penalties were relatively lenient.For example, according to the system of the Eastern Han Dynasty, official corruption should be imprisoned for three generations, that is, three generations are not allowed to be officials.Emperor Zhang abolished this system.However, Emperor Zhang's rewards to officials and nobles often exceeded the prescribed limit, causing financial difficulties for the country, and passed these burdens on to the people.It can be seen that Emperor Zhang's leniency is not entirely based on principles. Some of Zhangdi's decrees and punishments are sometimes not based on facts, but out of the science of prophecy and prophecy.In the first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (AD 76), severe droughts occurred in Yan, Yu, Xu and other prefectures.On the one hand, Emperor Zhang mobilized the national treasury to rescue the hungry people, and on the other hand, he called the ministers to discuss the solution. According to the popular opinion at that time, the years of floods, droughts and famines were due to the imbalance of yin and yang, and the imbalance of yin and yang was related to political affairs.Situ Baoyu lamented Chen Shihai: "In the past few years, hundreds of people were arrested in the Chu Wangying Prison. Not all of these people were guilty. I am afraid that half of the people who were implicated and imprisoned were wronged. Those who were sentenced Far from home, separated from flesh and blood, the soul cannot rest in peace after death. This leads to imbalance of yin and yang, floods and droughts. Now it is better to pardon these prisoners, release them from imprisonment, and let them go home and reunite with their relatives. Send down the nectar, relieve the drought, and relieve the suffering of the common people.” Shangshu Chen Chong also said: “Governing state affairs is like adjusting the strings of a lute. The people are dissatisfied. I suggest that Your Majesty further ease the punishment." Emperor Zhang followed their advice, amnesty the world, and eased the punishment. Just because he believed in the superstition of prophecy and weft, Emperor Zhang personally presided over the rectification of Confucian classics.In the eighth year of Jianchu (AD 79), Emperor Zhang accepted Yang Zhong's suggestion and personally convened a meeting in Baihu Temple with generals, doctors, doctors, Lang Gong and Confucian scholars to discuss the similarities and differences of the Five Classics. Finally, Emperor Zhang himself made the decision to decide right from wrong.The discussion records of this meeting were later compiled by Ban Gu into a book called "Bai Hu Tong".The Baihuguan meeting and the "seriousness and righteousness" advertised in "Baihu Tong" on the one hand use prophecy and taboo to study classics. On the one hand, it is to use the official will to learn seriously, so as to better serve the feudal rulers.Therefore, "Bai Hu Tong" has become a work that codifies Confucianism. In the second year of Zhanghe (88 AD), Emperor Zhang died at the age of 31 and reigned for 13 years.Buried in Jingling, the temple name is "Suzong".