Chapter 29 Chapter 25 Changing the calendar and changing the sky

"Sima Aiqing, what's the big deal, report it quickly." Emperor Wu asked. "Your Majesty, it is very important, very important, because it is related to agricultural production, and it is related to the vital interests of the court and the common people." Sima Qian said solemnly. On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, the moonlight melts.Emperor Wu and Mrs. Li went boating in the newly built Jianzhang Palace Fairy Lake to enjoy the moon. Yang Deyi came to report: "Your Majesty, Taishi ordered Sima Qian to see you." Emperor Wu said angrily: "This Sima Qian doesn't care about the time when he asks for an audience. He even comes to ask for an audience on festivals. Tell him, I won't see you."

"yes." "Come back and let him come." "yes." Emperor Wu said: "This Sima Qian is a typical upright gentleman. If there is no major matter, he will not bother him. I will see what major matter he has." Emperor Wu and Mrs. Li got off the boat and sat in the pavilion in the garden to enjoy the shade. "Sima Qian pays respects to the emperor and empress." "Sima Qian, what's important, report it quickly." "Your Majesty, it is very important, very important, because it is related to agricultural production, and it is also related to the vital interests of the court and the common people." Sima Qian said solemnly.

"Oh, it's so important, what the hell is it?" "Your Majesty, you think the fifteenth day of today should be full moon, but what do you think the moon looks like?" The emperor walked out of the small pavilion and looked up at the moon... "Ah, why does it look like it is winding down, no wonder the moon is not bright today." "Your Majesty, the moonlight in Mid-Autumn Festival is not clear, and the full moon is turned into a waning moon, while the new moon is turned into a full moon. This means that today's calendar and festivals are far apart."

"Well, Aiqing is right, let's continue." Emperor Wu became interested. "Your Majesty, I have discovered that the Zhuanxu calendar inherited from the Qin Shihuang era is too inconsistent with the actual seasons, and the calendar should be changed." "Change the calendar?" Emperor Wu's eyes lit up. "Yes, Your Majesty, the calendar must be changed. The Zhuanxu calendar originally had a discrepancy with the actual month. Now it has been more than a hundred years since Qin Shihuang and now. If there is no change, the gap will only become wider, which is not good for agricultural production. "

When it comes to agricultural production, the talented Emperor Wu immediately became serious. "Let's go, Aiqing, go to the upper study and talk carefully. Aifei, enjoy the moon by yourself, I have something to do." "yes." "The emperor is driving." When he arrived at the upper study room, Emperor Wu sat down in front of the imperial case, and Sima Qian was given to sit aside. "Aiqing, let me ask you, why is the Zhuanxu calendar so inaccurate?" "Returning to the emperor, because the Zhuanxu calendar during Qin Shihuang's time used October as the beginning of the year, which did not match spring, summer, autumn and winter. I thought that the first month should be the beginning of the year, so that it is in line with the seasons, and the calendar that matches the seasons Applicable to agriculture. Didn’t the emperor want to vigorously develop agriculture and mulberry? Then there must be a correct calendar.”

"Okay, let's continue!" Emperor Wu's big eyes sparkled with excitement. "Your Majesty, in order to link the calendar with the seasons, I also suggest linking the twenty-four solar terms." "How to buckle?" Emperor Wu asked. Sima Qian replied: "The four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter should start from Lichun, Lixia, Liqiu, and Lidong, and the vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumnal equinox, and winter solstice should be fixed in February, May, August, and November." "Okay." Emperor Wu stood up and praised, "What other inventions does Aiqing have, let's continue."

"The leap month is not placed at the end of the year, but should be placed in a month with moderate energy." "What are the advantages?" "You don't have to think about how many years and how many intercalations!" "Sima Qian, you are too smart, do you have any ideas?" "Your Majesty, I thought Jia Yi's suggestion of changing the color of his uniform and changing the color of his flag to yellow was a good one." "Why?" Emperor Wu's eyes lit up again. "Your Majesty, since Qin Shihuang used black for Shui De, the Han Dynasty should use yellow for Yi Tude."

"Okay, I like yellow." Sima Qian also said: "Your Majesty, after calculation, I found that the midnight of Jiazi Day in November of the seventh year of Yuanfeng coincides with Heshuo and Winter Solstice. This is a golden opportunity to change the calendar. I hope the Emperor will not miss it." The fifty-year-old Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very excited when he heard this. He stood up and twitched his long black beard and said: "Sima Aiqing, you are so smart. I didn't expect that you, a historian, are also proficient in astronomy. I agree with your suggestion. However, changing the calendar to Jianyuan is a major matter for the court, let the ministers discuss it tomorrow morning, and then I will issue a decree to change the calendar."

"The emperor is holy." "Alright, Sima Aiqing, I give you these mooncakes, let's go home and make up for the Mid-Autumn Festival!" "Thank you, Your Majesty." When Sima Qian returned to the mansion, his wife, Qing'er, and Sima Qiong and his wife all came up to welcome him. Sima Qian said: "The emperor is worthy of a generation of British lords. The emperor very much agreed with my suggestion to change the calendar and Jianyuan, and even gave me mooncakes. Come, the whole family can come and taste them." Sima Qian took his little grandson from his daughter's arms and said, "Yun'er, grandfather will give you mooncakes...slow down, don't choke."

He also said: "Yun'er, when you grow up, study history hard and help grandpa, okay?" The three-year-old little Yun'er half-understood and said, "Okay." In the early dynasty, Emperor Wu said: "Everyone loves you, the Taishi Ling Sima Qian suggested changing the calendar, and the ministers can give their opinions. Sima Qian, please tell everyone your suggestion." Sima Qian went out: "In view of the dark moon, the moon is full and the loss is not consistent, and the moon phase does not match the calendar. Considering that the calendar used by the Qin Dynasty should be changed, otherwise it is not suitable for the four seasons and agricultural production. It is recommended to use the first month as the beginning of the year and include the twenty-four solar terms."

Then Sima Qian recounted the reasons he told Emperor Wu yesterday. The ministers agreed with it very much. Hu Sui, the doctor of the Taizhong, went out and said: "Your Majesty, what the Taishi Order said is very true, and the veterans agree very much. The Zhuanxu calendar of the Qin Dynasty has been used for a hundred years. The error is too large. The calendar has been corrupted and discarded. It should be corrected." Gong Sunqing, a doctor of the Taizhong, also came out to play and said: "Reporting to the emperor, I also think that the calendar should have been changed long ago. Taishi Ling's suggestion is very good." Other ministers also agreed, so Emperor Wu announced: "I agree to correct Shuo and make a new calendar. The Taishi Ling Sima Qian presided over the reform of the calendar. Calendar scholars participate in calendar reform, and the prime minister and ministers should support it more." All the ministers shouted: "The emperor is wise." Sima Qian, Hu Sui, and Gongsun Qing came out and said, "I will obey the order." Since then, Sima Qian has entered the intense work of changing the calendar. Originally, Sima Qian was already very busy and tiring at work, but now he has added the work of organizing and presiding over the reform of the calendar. After half a year, he became dark and thin. That night, in the palace, after he, Hu Sui, and Gongsun Qing wrote the new calendar "Tai Chu Li", he finally fell ill in the imperial study.Emperor Wu was very concerned and sent the imperial physician to diagnose his pulse. The imperial doctor said: "Weak pulse is due to weak qi and blood, and it will be cured by tonifying and tonifying." The imperial physician prescribed a prescription and withdrew. Emperor Wu said to Yang Deyi: "Give Sima Aiqing antler blood." "yes." Yang Deyi brought the antler blood, and Emperor Wu personally brought the bowl to Sima Qian. "Ah, thank you Lord Ron." After Sima Qian drank deer blood, he became more energetic, so Hu Sui and Gongsun Qing sent him home. Sima Qian was lying on the sickbed, and Wang Wenzhen said distressedly: "You, don't die of exhaustion, I don't think you are reconciled." "The emperor is really a promising emperor. Changing the calendar is like changing the sky. It's not easy! How can we change the calendar without his support?" Qing'er brought the medicine: "Teacher, drink it quickly!" "it is good." "Teacher, I will also participate in the reform of the calendar tomorrow. Teacher has two days off. You are too tired." "Alright, when the calendar reform is over, you still go to the archives room of the National History Museum." "it is good." On a winter morning in 104 BC (the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty), the weather was clear and sunny. The newly built Ming Hall by Jianzhang Guan was flying with colorful flags and drums. Emperor Fu's new calendar ceremony. The auspicious time has come, and the master of ceremonies shouted: "The emperor is here." Emperor Wu ascended to the Dragon Platform of the Ming Hall to the sound of drum music. "Long live the emperor, long live, long live!" the ministers shouted. "I am exempt from courtesy." Sima Qian, Hu Sui, and Gongsun Qing stood in front of the officials in high spirits. "The emperor issued a decree." Emperor Wu stood up excitedly, took the imperial decree and declared: "I announce that the old calendar will be abolished from now on, and the "Taichu Calendar" will be changed: the seventh year of Yuanfeng will be changed to the first year of Taichu, and Yi Zhengshuo will use the first month as the beginning of the year and Meng Chun The month of Jianyin is positive, and Pingdan is the new moon. I admire this." "Long live the emperor, long live, long live!" Emperor Wu took over the second imperial decree and declared: "I declare: Changing the color of clothing, from now on, the color of clothing and the color of Jing for big men will all be changed to yellow." Yang Deyi put the yellow dragon robe on Emperor Wu, and Emperor Wu looked more and more energetic. The ministers shouted again, "Long live the emperor, long live, long live!" The palace band led by Li Yannian played a cheerful Yuefu song, making the newly built Jianzhang Palace Mingtang even more brilliant. Sima Qian had just recovered from a serious illness. He stood in front, his pale face brimming with joy, thinking to himself, after all, he had done a great thing for the court and the world. At this time, a group of soldiers came in and replaced the black banners with yellow ones. At this time, the whole bright hall was shining with golden light, and the ministers shouted again, "Long live the emperor, long live, long live!" Emperor Wu's son-in-law Zhaoping Jun committed the crime of murder and should be sentenced to death. Tingwei Du Zhou dared not sentence him, but he was afraid of public anger, so he asked the emperor to execute him. Sima Qian gave this memorial to Emperor Wu, who was saddened to read it, and the scene of the death of Princess Longli, the emperor's sister, came before his eyes again... "Imperial brother... my sister is going." Pointing to her son who was crying by the bed, she said to Emperor Wu, "Sister only has such a single seedling, and his father died long ago. My sister presented a thousand gold for him in advance." Redeem the death penalty..." "Sister Huang, I promise you, Miss Huang..." "Thank you, brother..." Princess Longli closed her eyes. "Mother……" "Miss Huang..." Sima Qian also knew that Princess Longli had used a thousand pieces of gold to redeem her son's death penalty from the emperor in advance when she was dying, so he also felt in a dilemma. "Sima Aiqing, what do you think I should do?" "Your Majesty, I know you are in a difficult situation. You made a promise to Princess Longli, but Mr. Zhaoping committed the crime of murder. Princes commit the same crime as ordinary people. This is a law that everyone in the world knows." "However, he is my sister's only son, killing him is equivalent to destroying the family of Huang Jie." Sima Qian said solemnly: "Tingwei Du Zhou entrusted you with the case. They were afraid of offending the emperor, but they killed countless people unjustly when they handled the Queen's Witch Gu case! They didn't even know how many people were sitting in the Huainan King's treason case! Now if you If you are a relative of the emperor, you will not act in accordance with the law, and I am afraid that the world will not accept it." Emperor Wu was silent. "Besides, the emperor now emphasizes the rule of law every day, but he is protecting the royal family, I'm afraid the subjects will not obey." Emperor Wu said in a low voice: "Okay, you step back and let me think about it." "yes." Emperor Wu leaned against the window and stared at the vast sky, and said helplessly: "Sister Huang, if you have a spirit in heaven, please tell me, brother, what should I do?" Emperor Wu was promoted to the palace, and all civil and military officials were listed under his highness. "Bring Mr. Zhaoping." The court deacon shouted. Mr. Zhaoping was taken into the main hall and knelt on the ground. Emperor Wu asked loudly, "Mr. Zhaoping, are you guilty?" "Forgive me, the emperor. The son-in-law accidentally killed someone while drunk. I hope that the emperor will see the death of his sister and give him a light sentence." "Shut up, there is no emperor of yours here, you are now the cause of death." "The emperor spares my life, the prisoner Zhaoping Jun will never dare again." "It's too late. When your mother was alive, she broke her heart for your arrogance and violence. You have wronged your dead mother too much. Now you have committed a capital crime. I can't forgive you. I will cut you down." Emperor Wu solemnly said Announce. "The emperor has mercy." "Slow!" shouted a minister. Everyone turned around and saw that it was the new prime minister, Gongsun He. They only heard him say: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhaoping cannot be killed. His mother, Princess Longli, gave him a thousand pieces of gold to atone for his death before she died. This is what the Emperor promised. Your Majesty He is the king of a country, how can he be dishonest? If the emperor kills him, how will he face Princess Longli's spirit in heaven, so Lord Zhaoping cannot kill him." "Your Majesty, what the prime minister said is very true. Lord Zhaoping is the only descendant of Princess Longli, so he cannot be killed!" Another minister came out to intercede. Another minister also came out and said, "Your Majesty, please spare his life!" Emperor Wu was silent for a while and said: "I don't want to kill him. If I kill him, I'm sorry for my imperial sister... But if I set this precedent, I'm afraid the world will not accept it. The law is made by me. How can I take the lead?" Bend the law for personal gain...Kill! Take the murderer Zhaoping Jun down and behead him for public display!" "Your Majesty, please forgive me..." "emperor……" Another minister came out to plead for mercy, and Emperor Wu said solemnly: "Are those who plead for mercy want to make me fall into injustice? If there are any pleaders, behead!" "Mother, why didn't your spirit in heaven save your son..." Mr. Zhaoping cried and was dragged down. Emperor Wu looked up at the sky, "Sister Huang, forgive me..." Two lines of hot tears welled down his cheeks... There was a sigh in the hall. Sima Qian was also moved to tears, and he quickly recorded this noble move of Emperor Wu with a knife and pen, and recorded it in the annals of history. Dongfang Shuo, who was deposed as a commoner by Emperor Wu because of Huiran's respect in the hall, and was later restored as a doctor because of his good advice, held a glass of wine and shouted: "Your Majesty is amazing. Rewards do not avoid enemies, punishments do not avoid relatives, right It's what the "Shangshu" said, unbiased, and a kingly move! I wish your majesty is popular today, please drink this glass of wine, and I wish your majesty a long life!" Emperor Wu only said "Back to court" and left. "The emperor doesn't drink it, but the ministers drink it on behalf of the emperor. The emperor has a long life and a long life!" Dongfang Shuo raised his wine pot and began to drink loudly. "Dongfang Shuo, you are drunk and making trouble in the palace, aren't you afraid that the emperor will depose you as a commoner again?" Sima Qian came over to help him up, "Come on, take my car, and I'll take you home." Sima Qian supported Dongfang Shuo and walked out of the palace.