Emperor Wen of Han (漢文帝)

Overview

Emperor Wen of Han was a Fifth emperor of the Western Han dynasty, remembered for restrained government.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Emperor Wen	孝文	Xiào Wén
Courtesy name	Shu	叔	Shū
Alternate name	Zhang Shu	張叔	Zhāng Shū

Life and dates

Birth

BC 203 historical identification
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 38, passage 32; Book of Han 70, passage 55

Death

BC 157 historical identification
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 38, passage 32; Book of Han 70, passage 55
BC 157 二十二年，文帝崩
Directly stated · Book of Han 56, passage 9
BC 157 後七年六月
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 3
BC 157 文帝崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 70
BC 157 梁王二十二年，孝文帝崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 24
died 崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 31

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Place En Weiyang Palace · Place Zh 未央宮 · 帝崩于未央宮
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 256

Attested activity

BC 180 to BC 157 BC 180-157
Uncertain · Book of Southern Qi 48, passage 145
BC 180 to BC 157 BC 180-157
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 113, passage 229
BC 180 to BC 157 Emperor Wen of Han (reigned BC 180-157)
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 109, passage 51
BC 203 to BC 157 Emperor Wen
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 129
BC 180 to BC 157 Western Han Emperor Wen reign
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 109, passage 20
BC 180 代王入長安即帝位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passages 275, 277

Show 70 more source-backed claims

BC 156 元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 6
BC 180 八年…尊立文帝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 4, passage 87
BC 180 太后崩
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passages 275-276
BC 180 to BC 157 太宗
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 101, passage 74
BC 180 to BC 157 太宗/文帝
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 47
BC 180 to BC 157 太宗克光於漢世
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 4, passage 75
BC 180 to BC 157 太宗孝文皇帝
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 162
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 67, passage 118
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 37, passage 112
BC 203 to BC 157 孝文
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 70, passage 55
BC 178 孝文二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 56, passage 3
BC 175 孝文五年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 98, passage 66
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文即位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 340
BC 180 孝文即位
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22
BC 180 孝文即位
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 23
BC 196 to BC 180 孝文在代時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 3
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文帝
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 3
BC 179 孝文帝元年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passage 22
BC 166 孝文帝十四年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 109, passage 5
BC 178 孝文帝即位二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 50, passage 32; Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 7
BC 157 孝文帝崩
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 24
BC 180 孝文帝立
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 135
BC 161 孝文後三年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 98, passage 56
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Directly stated · Book of Han 42, passage 176; Book of Han 46, passage 32; Records of the Grand Historian 26, passage 44; Records of the Grand Historian 100, passage 38; Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 129; Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 52; Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 9
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 55, passage 147; Book of Han 59, passages 246, 279
BC 180 孝文時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 140
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文曰
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 26
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文為令主
Directly stated · History of Ming 135, passages 288, 291
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文皇帝
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 328; Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 132
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文皇帝時
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 86
BC 157 後七年六月
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 3
BC 180 to BC 157 文、景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 101, passage 4
BC 180 to BC 157 文、景
Directly stated · History of Ming 8, passage 159
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 32, passage 3; Book of Later Han 39, passage 23
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝之世
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 31, passage 136
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝初封代
Directly stated · History of Liao 41, passage 322
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝即位
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 318
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝在位
Directly stated · History of Yuan 191, passage 2
BC 157 文帝崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 31
BC 167 文帝廢肉刑
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 169
BC 168 文帝從錯之言
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 26, passage 196
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 33, passage 3; Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 35
BC 180 文帝時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passages 11, 13
BC 179 文帝除收孥相坐律
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 158
BC 157 景帝時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 142
BC 180 to BC 157 漢之文、景
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 331
BC 209 to BC 141 漢初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 51, passage 23
BC 180 to BC 157 漢孝文帝
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 63, passage 25
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 103; Old Book of Tang 113, passage 66
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67; Draft History of Qing 374, passage 11
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文之世
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 242
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文之露臺
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 118
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文已前
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 77, passage 146
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 162; New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 113, passage 183; History of Song 2, passage 264
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 150, passage 62
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝之世
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 38, passage 246
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝之世
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 56, passage 8
BC 179 漢文帝以為不正之法反害於民
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 163
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝在位
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 37, passage 153
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝時
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passage 182
BC 167 漢文所謂刻肌膚痛而不德者
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 176
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文改肉刑
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 128, passage 66
BC 170 漢文誅薄昭
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 45, passage 131
BC 168 漢興三十九年，孝文時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 29, passage 24
BC 203 to BC 157 漢興三十有九年，孝文時
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 38, passage 32
BC 180 立孝文帝
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 104, passage 20
BC 180 to BC 157 立孝文皇帝
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 57, passage 88
BC 180 to BC 157 至孝文乃高顏題
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 131, passage 115
BC 180 to BC 157 逮至聖文
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 21

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Liu Can (劉參)
begot 生
father 父
Directly stated · Book of Han 56, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 58, passages 3, 5
Parent of Liu Wu (劉武)
begot 生
father 父
Directly stated · Book of Han 56, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 1
Parent of Liu Yi (劉揖)
begot 生
youngest son 少子
Directly stated · Book of Han 56, passages 2, 78
Parent of Emperor Jing (孝景帝)
begot 生
Directly stated · Book of Han 56, passage 2
Parent of Emperor Jing of Han (漢景帝)
Crown Prince 太子
father 父
middle son 中子
son 兒子
imperial heir 皇太子
Sources vary in certainty · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 28-29; Book of Han 6, passage 1; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 1; Records of the Grand Historian 102, passages 31, 33; Records of the Grand Historian 103, passages 13, 80; Book of Han 44, passage 56
Parent of Princess, daughter of Emperor Wen (公主)
daughter 女
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 57, passage 103
Child of Empress Dowager Xiaowen (孝文太后)
Empress Dowager Xiaowen 孝文太后
empress dowager 太后
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 11
Child of Empress Dowager Bo (薄氏)
empress dowager 太后
mother 母
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 33; Book of Han 6, passage 4
Spouse of Empress Dowager Dou (竇太后)
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage
won his favor 得幸 · Secondary marriage
Directly stated · Book of Han 51, passage 110; Book of Han 6, passages 2, 4; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 3; Book of Han 56, passage 2
Parent of Liu Sheng (劉勝)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passages 3, 6
Parent of Emperor Jing (孝景帝)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passages 1, 3
Spouse of Former consort of Emperor Wen (前后)
former consort 前后 · Primary marriage · Ended
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 3
Child of Zhang Shuo (張說)
son by a concubine 庶子
youngest son 少子
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 139; Book of Han 55, passage 146
Parent of King of Liang (梁王)
son 兒子
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passages 31, 33
Parent of King Huai of Liang (梁懷王)
youngest son 少子
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 234

Kinship Role sons · Count 3 · With Person Id Former consort of Emperor Wen (前后)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 3
Kinship Role sons · Count 4
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 58, passage 3
Kinship Role descendants · all reached high office · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 157
Kinship Role sons and younger brothers · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 242

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Zhou 周氏
Line Zhou
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 98, passage 57

Career and standing

practitioner of Legalist / Xingming learning 治刑名
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 140
Commandant of Justice 廷尉
Appointed · With Zhang Shizhi (張釋之)
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 345
Imperial Clerk 御史大夫
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 149
Imperial Secretary 御史大夫
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 元朔四年 · Western Year: BC 125
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 143
Imperial Secretary 御史大夫
Dismissed · Until Source Date: Text: 元朔三年 · Regnal Year: 3 · Western Year: BC 126
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 31
attendant to the Heir Apparent (forms and names) 治刑名侍太子
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 147

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one of the Nine Ministers 九卿
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 148; Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 142
Minister of Justice 廷尉
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 429
Dai 代
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 41, passage 322
Title En King of Dai · Title Zh 代王 · Capital En Zhongdu · Capital Zh 中都
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 2
Taizong 太宗
Temple name used
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 6
Emperor Xiaowen of Han 漢孝文帝
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 63, passage 25
Entered
BC 126 元朔三年 · Dismissed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 31
Entered
Retired
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 155
Entered
Retirement
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 150
Held
Emperor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 23
Abolished corporal punishments and ordered fixed term substitutes
BC 167 即位十三年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passages 360-362
Acceded
BC 180 孝文即位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 340
Acceded
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 318
Reigned
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文帝在位
Derived from the source · History of Yuan 191, passage 2
BC 180 太后崩
Emperor
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 276
BC 179 孝文帝元年
From Dai 代
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passage 22
BC 180 尊立文帝
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 87
enthroned as Emperor Wen
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 276
ascended the imperial throne
遂即天子位
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 312
established as emperor 立
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 104, passage 20
BC 180 孝文即位
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22; Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 23
Emperor Wen 孝文皇帝
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 132

Places and affiliations

BC 180 to BC 157 文帝時
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 33, passage 3
Han 漢
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 44
Han 漢
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 76, passage 203
Han 漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22
Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 86
Han
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 132

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Western Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passage 246
Western Han 西漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 246; Book of Southern Qi 37, passage 153
Polity Han · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 26, passage 44
Polity Han
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passages 277, 384
Polity Western Han · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 328
Polity Dai 代 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 275
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Of
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 1
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 87; Book of Han 26, passage 318; Book of Han 44, passage 276; Book of Han 46, passage 32; History of Jin 45, passage 131; Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67; Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passage 182; Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 118; History of Ming 135, passage 288; Draft History of Qing 143, passages 158, 163; Draft History of Qing 374, passage 11; Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passages 242, 331; Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 23; Records of the Grand Historian 29, passage 24; Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 9; New Book of Tang 150, passage 62
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 38, passage 32; History of Liao 41, passage 322; History of Song 2, passage 264
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 146; Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 3
Polity Western Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passages 11, 143; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 31
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 113, passage 183
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Polity Western Han · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 47
At Ba Mound plain 霸陵原 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 113, passage 183
At Dai 代 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 3
At Xijing, Fengxiang, Xiong, Yao and other prefectures 西京、鳳翔、雄、耀等州 · Relation Tomb
Directly stated · History of Song 2, passage 264
At Yangling 陽陵 · Relation Residence
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 156; Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 151

Learning and skills

Subject Daoist learning 道家之學
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22
Belief Daoist learning 道家之學 · Relation Adherent of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Jing of Han (漢景帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 80
Edict · Issuer · Direct quotation · Topic abolition and replacement of corporal punishments
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passages 351-362
Narrative · Addressee
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passages 140, 142, 197, 319
Speech · Speaker · With Zhang Shizhi (張釋之)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 8
Speech · Speaker · With Tian Shu (田叔)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 104, passages 21, 23, 26-28, 36
Speech · Speaker · With Deng Tong (鄧通)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 22-23, 27

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Speech · Speaker · With Lady Shen (慎夫人)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passages 38-40
Speech · Speaker · With Feng Tang (馮唐)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 102, passages 89-90, 92-94, 96, 99-100, 104, 108
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Jing (景帝) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 57, passage 150
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passages 163, 176
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passages 26-33; Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 232; Records of the Grand Historian 102, passage 33

Events and relationships

Abandoned calendar reform after Xinyuan Ping disorder
Administrative · Ruler · With Xin Yuanping (新垣平)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 26, passage 48
Abolished ancient mutilating punishments from compassion, but Linzhi judged the replacement penalties harsher in practice
Legal reform
Directly stated · Book of Song 56, passages 87, 91
Abolished corporal punishment and branding
Legal · Ruler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 169
Abolished joint punishment of wives and children
Legal · Ruler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 158
Adapted rites to circumstance
Ritual · Exemplar · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Miao Jinqing (苗晉卿)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67
Announced sacrifice as Taizong
AD 85 癸酉 · Ritual · Recipient · At Bright Hall 明堂
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 109, passage 51

Show 54 more source-backed claims

Ascended throne
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 23
Changed corporal punishment
Legal reform · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Jin 128, passage 66
Dismissed rite discussion
BC 180 孝文即位…故罷去之 · Ritual · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 23, passage 22
Dreamed of ascent to heaven
Personal · Dreamer
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 14
Eased Qin's harsh laws, reduced corvée, and enfeoffed sons and brothers as a screen for Han
BC 180 to BC 157 漢文之世 · Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 242
Encouraged farming and frugality
Agricultural · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 328
Enfeoffed sons of
Political · Ruler · With Prince Li (厲王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 235
Enthroned as Son of Heaven
BC 180 太后崩 · Political · Acceding ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 44, passage 276
Honored ancestral tombs
Diplomatic · Sovereign · With Zhao Tuo (趙佗)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passages 23-24
Invoked as merit standard surpassed by Guangwu
Rhetorical comparison · Exemplar · Mode quotation Speaker Liang Tong (梁統)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 39, passage 28
Kept peace and rest
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passages 34-35
Opened imperial fields and personally plowed
Ritual · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 141
Ordered grain submission to frontiers for ranks
Fiscal · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 196
Practiced austerity and sought to settle the people
Policy · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 318
Promoted agriculture and reduced rents and levies
Economic governance
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passages 340, 342-344
Raised ze forehead tablet and universalized ze
Cultural · Innovator
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 131, passage 115
Recruited grain contributions for rank and redemption
Policy · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 58, passage 182
Rejected military discussion
Political · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passages 26-33
Remitted half rent tax in year 12 then abolished field tax
Fiscal · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passages 204-205
Removed mutilating punishments and linked guilt laws
Legal · Ruler · Mode named-source-report Speaker Liang Tong (梁統)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 39, passage 23
took carved patterns as hindering farming and brocade as harming women work 雕文之妨農事，錦繡之害女紅
Policy · Ruler · Restricted luxury to protect farming · With Emperor Jing of Han (景)
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 331
Sent envoy
Diplomatic · Sovereign · With Lu Jia (陸賈)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passages 25-26
Suffered abscess
Medical · Patient
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 26
Tomb remained intact
Burial · Deceased · At Ba Mound 霸陵
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 113, passage 183
Tomb robbed then reburied and sacrificed
AD 970 甲辰 · Ritual · Deceased · Posthumous true
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 2, passage 264
Yellow River burst at Suanzao
BC 168 漢興三十九年，孝文時 · Disaster response · Reigning ruler · At Suanzao 酸棗
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 29, passage 24
Legal · Execution authority · With Bo Zhao (薄昭)
Directly stated · History of Jin 45, passage 131
Type consort-of · Person Lady Shen (慎夫人) · favored Lady Shen
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 52
Type nephew · Target Liu Jiao (劉交) · King of Chu is uncle (季父)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 46
Type elder-brother · Target Liu Chang (劉長) · King of Huainan as younger brother
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 48
Type younger-kinsman · Target King of Wu (吳王) · King of Wu as elder brother
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 47
Type son · Target Liu Bang (劉邦) · middle son
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 1
Type son · Target Lady Bo (薄姬) · mother Lady Bo
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 1
Relation Successor of · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passages 23, 29
Relation Advised by · Person Chao Cuo (晁錯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passages 142, 196
Type father-of · Person Emperor Jing of Han (漢景帝)
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 58, passages 132, 466
Relation Failed to employ · Person Li Mu (牧)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Relation Predecessor of · Person Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 31
Relation Patron of · Person Deng Tong (鄧通)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 246; Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 9, 16
Relation Predecessor of · Person Emperor Jing of Han (景)
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 65, passage 331
Relation Advised by · Person Jia Yi (賈誼)
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passages 141, 319
Relation Successor of · Person Han Anguo (韓安國)
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passage 149
Type brother-of · Person Liu Chang (劉長)
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 24
Relation Patron of · Person Zhao Tong (趙同)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 9, 11
Relation Failed to employ · Person Lian Po (廉頗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Relation Patron of · Person Beigong Bozi (北宮伯子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 9-10
Type son-of · Person Empress Dowager (太后)
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 58, passage 33
Type husband-of · Person Empress (皇后)
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 52
Type husband · Target Empress Dowager Dou (竇太后)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 65
Type father · Target Liu Can (劉參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 107
Type favored-consort · Target Lady Shen (慎夫人)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 288
Type father · Target Liu Wu (劉武)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 107
Type father · Target Liu Yi (劉揖)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 107
Type father · Target Liu Qi (劉啟)
Directly stated · Book of Han 5, passage 60

Assessments and attributes

Assessment added reverence and frugality · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 190
Assessment brought-peace-by-not-disturbing-the-people · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 35
Assessment civil administration flourished without sinking into wickedness because the people were governed with affection · Mode quotation Speaker Yao Wentian (姚文田)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 374, passage 11
Assessment compassionate elder who hated to press cases · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 55, passages 150, 154
Assessment compassionate-toward-prisoners · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 148
Assessment excellent ruler who had the time to restore rites and music of the Three Dynasties but hesitated and did not act · Mode named-person-speech Speaker the Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · History of Ming 135, passages 288-289, 291

Show 11 more source-backed claims

Assessment frugal-and-plain · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Taizu (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 113, passage 183
Assessment humbled imperial dignity to trust Zhou Yafu's army, yet (per Yang Xiong) failed to employ Lian Po and Li Mu type generals · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Yang Xiong (揚雄)
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passages 279-280
Assessment led-by-frugality · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Shi Dan (師丹)
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 328
Assessment model of imperial enterprise for later Han rulers · Mode quotation Speaker Shentu Gang (申屠剛)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 22
Assessment practiced great virtue; realm at peace · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 119
Assessment practiced thrift and humane government · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passages 48-49
Assessment regarded collective punishment as improper law harmful to the people · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Shen Jiaben (沈家本)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 163
Assessment virtuous-gentleman · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Confucius (孔子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 37
Assessment 盛德 great virtue/mercy · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 143, passage 158
dropsy in old age
Illness
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 149
Item open terrace 露臺 · Relation Associated with · Mode quotation Speaker Xue Rong (薛融)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 118

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 318; Book of Later Han 33, passage 3; Records of the Grand Historian 50, passage 32; New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Value historical
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67; History of Ming 135, passage 288
had sons and grandsons (unspecified number)
Kinship Role sons and grandsons
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 103, passage 152

References in the histories

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History

343 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Emperor Xiaozhao · 1 passage

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其喪紀之禮一同漢文，三十六日悉從公除，山陵施用，務從儉約。」 As for mourning rites, follow entirely the precedent of Emperor Wen of Han. After thirty-six days all mourning shall be removed according to public rule, and the mausoleum expenses must be kept frugal."

History of the Northern Dynasties, Chapter 88Volume 88 Biographies 76: Recluses · 1 passage

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賾答曰：「謹案：漢文帝已前，未有冠幘，即是文帝以來所制也。 Ze replied: 'I respectfully consider: before Emperor Wen of Han there were no caps with headwraps; this must have been made from Emperor Wen's time onward.

Book of Han, Chapter 4Volume 3: Annals of Empress Lü Zhi · 1 passage

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大臣相與陰謀，以為少帝及三弟為王者皆非孝惠子，復共誅之，尊立文帝。 The ministers secretly plotted together, determining that the young emperor and his three younger brothers who were kings were all not sons of Emperor Xiaohui. They executed them as well and honored Emperor Wen by establishing him on the throne.

Book of Han, Chapter 5Volume 4: Annals of Emperor Wen · 45 passages

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孝文皇帝，高祖中子也，母曰薄姬。 Emperor Xiaowen was the middle son of Emperor Gaozu, born to Lady Bo.

高祖十一年，誅陳豨，定代地，立為代王，都中都。 In the eleventh year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, after executing Chen Xi and pacifying the Dai region, he was established as King of Dai with his capital at Zhongdu.

丞相陳平、太尉周勃、朱虛侯劉章等共誅之，謀立代王。 Chancellor Chen Ping, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, the Marquis of Zhuxu Liu Zhang, and others joined together to execute the Lü clan and plotted to establish the King of Dai on the throne.

大臣遂使人迎代王。 The ministers then dispatched envoys to welcome the King of Dai.

今已誅諸呂，新喋血京師，以迎大王為名，實不可信。 Now that the Lü clan has been executed and the capital still runs with fresh blood, their claim of welcoming Your Majesty is utterly untrustworthy.

願稱疾無往，以觀其變。」 We urge Your Majesty to feign illness and decline to go, so that we may observe how the situation develops.'

方今高帝子獨淮南王與大王，大王又長，賢聖仁孝，聞於天下，故大臣因天下之心而欲迎立大王，大王勿疑也。」 Of Emperor Gaozu's surviving sons, only the King of Huainan and Your Majesty remain. You are the elder brother, renowned throughout the empire for your virtue, wisdom, benevolence, and filial piety. The ministers, following the will of the people, wish to welcome you as emperor. Do not doubt this.'

代王報太后，計猶豫未定。 The King of Dai informed the Empress Dowager, but his plans remained uncertain and unresolved.

代王曰：「寡人固已為王，又何王乎？」 The King of Dai replied: 'I am already a king—what greater kingship could there be?'

卜人曰：「所謂天王者，乃天子也。」 The diviner explained: 'The heavenly king of which I speak is none other than the emperor himself.'

於是代王乃遣太后弟薄昭見太尉勃，勃等具言所以迎立王者。 At this the King of Dai dispatched Bo Zhao, the Empress Dowager's younger brother, to meet with Grand Commandant Zhou Bo. Zhou Bo and his colleagues explained in detail the reasons for welcoming and enthroning the king.

代王笑謂宋昌曰：「果如公言。」 The King of Dai smiled and told Song Chang: 'Just as you predicted.'

昌還報，代王乃進至渭橋。 Song Chang returned with his report, and the King of Dai then proceeded to Wei Bridge.

群臣拜謁稱臣，代王下拜。 The assembled ministers bowed low and acknowledged him as their sovereign. The King of Dai returned the courtesy with a bow.

代王謝曰：「至邸而議之。」 The King of Dai politely declined, saying: "Let us discuss this when we reach the residence."

群臣從至，上議曰：「丞相臣平、太尉臣勃、大將軍臣武、御史大夫臣蒼、宗正臣郢、朱虛侯臣章、東牟侯臣興居、典客臣揭再拜言大王足下：子弘等皆非孝惠皇帝子，不當奉宗廟。 The ministers followed and arrived. The court deliberated, saying: "Chancellor Chen Ping, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, General-in-Chief Chai Wu, Grandee Secretary Zhang Cang, Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Ying, Marquis Zhu Xu Liu Zhang, Marquis Dong Mou Liu Xingju, and Court Receptionist Liu Jie bowed twice and addressed Your Majesty: Zi Hong and the others are not sons of Emperor Xiaohui and should not serve at the ancestral temple.

臣謹請陰安侯、頃王后、琅邪王、列侯、吏二千石議，大王高皇帝子，宜為嗣。 We ministers respectfully requested deliberation by the Marquis of Yin'an, the queen dowager of King Qing, the King of Langye, the ranked marquises, and officials of two thousand shi. They agree that Your Majesty, as a son of Emperor Gao, should be the successor.

願大王即天子位。」 We wish Your Majesty to immediately ascend the imperial throne."

代王曰：「奉高帝宗廟，重事也。 The King of Dai said: "Serving at Emperor Gao's ancestral temple is a grave matter.

代王西鄉讓者三，南鄉讓者再。 The King of Dai declined three times while facing west and twice while facing south.

丞相平等皆曰：「臣伏計之，大王奉高祖宗廟最宜稱，雖天下諸侯萬民皆以為宜。 Chancellor Ping and the others said: "We ministers have considered this carefully. Your Majesty is most fitting and worthy to serve at Emperor Gao's ancestral temple, and the feudal lords and people throughout the realm all agree.

願大王幸聽臣等。 We beg Your Majesty to hear your ministers.

代王曰：「宗室將相王列侯以為其宜寡人，寡人不敢辭。」 The King of Dai said: "The imperial clan, generals, chancellors, kings, and marquises all consider me the suitable one. I do not dare decline."

皇帝即日夕入未央宮。 The emperor entered Weiyang Palace that same evening.

元年冬十月辛亥，皇帝見于高廟。 On the xinhai day of the tenth month of winter in the first year, the emperor appeared at Gaozu's ancestral temple.

上曰：「楚王，季父也，春秋高，閱天下之義理多矣，明於國家之體。 The emperor replied: 'The King of Chu is my uncle. Advanced in years and experienced in the world's moral principles, he understands the proper order of the state.

上乃許之。 The emperor then gave his approval.

乃脩代來功。 He then recompensed the merits earned during his time as King of Dai.

上幸甘泉，遣丞相灌嬰擊匈奴，匈奴去。 The emperor journeyed to Ganquan and sent Chancellor Guan Ying to attack the Xiongnu invaders, who then retreated.

上自甘泉之高奴，因幸太原，見故群臣，皆賜之。 The emperor traveled from Ganquan to Gaonu, then proceeded to Taiyuan where he met his old ministers and bestowed gifts upon them all.

濟北王興居聞帝之代，欲自擊匈奴，乃反，發兵欲襲滎陽。 King Xingju of Jibei learned that the emperor was on his tour in Dai territory. He wanted to lead his own campaign against the Xiongnu, but instead he rebelled and mobilized troops to attack Xingyang.

秋七月，上自太原至長安。 In the seventh month of autumn, the emperor returned to Chang'an from Taiyuan.

春正月，上自代還。 In the first month of spring, the emperor returned from Dai.

上親勞軍，勒兵，申教令，賜吏卒。 The emperor personally inspected the troops, conducted military drills, reinforced the orders, and distributed rewards to the officers and soldiers.

皇太后固要上，乃止。 The Empress Dowager firmly prevented the emperor from going, and so he abandoned the plan.

上乃下詔議郊祀。 The emperor then issued an edict calling for deliberation on suburban sacrifices.

夏四月，上幸雍，始郊見五帝，赦天下，修名山大川嘗祀而絕者，有司以歲時致禮。 In the fourth month of summer, the emperor traveled to Yong and began the suburban sacrifices to the Five Emperors. He granted amnesty to the entire empire and restored the seasonal sacrifices to famous mountains and great rivers that had lapsed, with officials performing the rites at the proper times.

九月，詔諸侯王公卿郡守舉賢良能直言極諫者，上親策之，傅納以言。 In the ninth month, he commanded feudal lords, nobles, ministers, and commandery governors to recommend worthy individuals capable of speaking frankly and offering bold criticism. The emperor personally examined them and accepted their counsel.

十六年夏四月，上郊祀五帝于渭陽。 In the fourth month of summer in the sixteenth year, the emperor performed suburban sacrifices to the Five Emperors at Weiyang.

七年夏六月己亥，帝崩于未央宮。 On the day Jihai in the sixth month of summer in the seventh year, the emperor passed away in Weiyang Palace.

贊曰：孝文皇帝即位二十三年，宮室苑囿車騎服御無所增益。 The commentator states: Emperor Xiaowen reigned for twenty-three years without adding to the palaces, parks, carriages, horses, or furnishings.

上曰：「百金，中人十家之產也。 The emperor said: 'One hundred jin represents the combined wealth of ten middle-class families.

南越尉佗自立為帝，召貴佗兄弟，以德懷之，佗遂稱臣。 Wei Tuo of Nanyue proclaimed himself emperor. The emperor summoned and honored Tuo's brothers, winning Tuo over with virtuous conduct, whereupon Tuo submitted as a vassal.

吳王詐病不朝，賜以几杖。 The King of Wu feigned illness and failed to attend court. The emperor granted him a table and staff as symbols of his advanced age.

張武等受賂金錢，覺，更加賞賜，以媿其心。 Zhang Wu and others accepted bribes of gold and cash. When this was discovered, the emperor instead increased their rewards to shame their consciences.

Book of Han, Chapter 6Volume 5: Annals of Emperor Jing · 11 passages

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孝景皇帝，文帝太子也。 Emperor Xiaojing was Emperor Wen's crown prince.

後七年六月，文帝崩。 In the seventh year of the Later era, in the sixth month, Emperor Wen passed away.

孝文皇帝臨天下，通關梁，不異遠方； Emperor Xiaowen, in governing the realm, opened the passes and bridges, making no distinction between distant and nearby regions;

此皆上世之所不及，而孝文皇帝親行之。 These are all achievements that previous eras did not attain, yet Emperor Xiaowen personally accomplished them.

其為孝文皇帝廟為昭德之舞，以明休德。 Therefore, create the Dance of Illustrious Virtue for Emperor Xiaowen's temple, to illuminate his blessed virtue.

丞相臣嘉等奏曰：「陛下永思孝道，立昭德之舞以明孝文皇帝之盛德，皆臣嘉等愚所不及。 Chancellor Jia and others submitted: 'Your Majesty perpetually reflects on the path of filial piety, establishing the Dance of Illustrious Virtue to illuminate Emperor Xiaowen's abundant virtue—all of this exceeds what we foolish ministers can fathom.

臣謹議：世功莫大於高皇帝，德莫盛於孝文皇帝。 We respectfully propose: No achievement in history surpasses Emperor Gao's, no virtue is more abundant than Emperor Xiaowen's.

高皇帝廟宜為帝者太祖之廟，孝文皇帝廟宜為帝諸太宗之廟。 Emperor Gao's temple should serve as the Grand Ancestral Temple of the emperors; Emperor Xiaowen's temple should serve as the Grand Progenitor Temple of the emperors.

郡國諸侯宜各為孝文皇帝立太宗之廟。 The feudal lords of the commanderies and kingdoms should each establish a Grand Progenitor Temple for Emperor Xiaowen.

三月，臨江王榮坐侵太宗廟地，徵詣中尉，自殺。 In the third month, King Rong of Linjiang was convicted of encroaching on the Grand Progenitor Temple grounds. He was summoned before the Commandant of the Capital and committed suicide.

至于孝文，加之以恭儉，孝景遵業，五六十載之間，至於移風易俗，黎民醇厚。 When it came to Emperor Xiaowen, he added reverence and frugality; Emperor Xiaojing followed his precedent, and within fifty to sixty years, they transformed the prevailing customs, making the common people pure and upright.

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 2 passages

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及孝文即位，躬脩玄默，勸趣農桑，減省租賦。 When Emperor Wen took the throne, he personally cultivated quiet governance, urged farming and silk production, and cut rents and levies.

書奏天子，天子憐悲其意，遂下令曰：「制詔御史：蓋聞有虞氏之時，畫衣冠異章服以為戮，而民弗犯，何治之至也！ When the memorial reached the emperor, he pitied her intent and issued an order: "By edict to the imperial secretary: I have heard that in the age of the Youyu clan, painted caps and differing robes served as punishment, yet the people did not offend—what supreme governance!

Book of Han, Chapter 26Volume 24a: Treatise on Trade 1 · 4 passages

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文帝即位，躬修儉節，思安百姓。 When Emperor Wen took the throne, he personally practiced austerity and sought to settle the common people.

於是文帝從錯之言，令民入粟邊，六百石爵上造，稍增至四千石為五大夫，萬二千石為大庶長，各以多少級數為差。 Emperor Wen then followed Cuo's advice and ordered the people to submit grain to the frontiers under a tiered grain-to-rank schedule with escalating thresholds for higher titles.

孝文皇帝承亡周亂秦兵革之後，天下空虛，故務勸農桑，帥以節儉。 Emperor Wen inherited the ruin left by the fall of Zhou and Qin's wars; the realm was empty, so he urged farming and sericulture and led by austerity.

宮室苑囿府庫之臧已侈，百姓訾富雖不及文景，然天下戶口最盛矣。 Palaces, parks, and treasuries were already extravagant; popular wealth still fell short of the Wen and Jing reigns, yet registered households reached their peak.

Book of Han, Chapter 38Volume 29: Treatise on Rivers and Canals · 1 passage

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漢興三十有九年，孝文時河決酸棗，東潰金隄，於是東郡大興卒塞之。 Thirty-nine years into the Han, in Emperor Wen's reign, the Yellow River breached at Suanzao and smashed the Golden Dike; Dong Commandery mounted a major closure effort.

Book of Han, Chapter 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 1 passage

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至孝文時，頹當及嬰率其眾降。 By the time of Emperor Wen, Tuidang and Ying led their followers to surrender.

Book of Han, Chapter 44Volume 35: Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu · 10 passages

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代王亦從代至。 The King of Dai also came from Dai.

諸將相與琅邪王共立代王，是為孝文帝。 The generals and ministers together with the king of Langye enthroned the King of Dai, who became Emperor Wen of Han.

文帝元年，徙澤為燕王，而復以琅邪歸齊。 In the first year of Emperor Wen, Ze was transferred to be king of Yan, and Langye was returned to Qi.

孝文時，吳太子入見，得侍皇太子飲博。 In Emperor Wen’s reign the crown prince of Wu attended court and was allowed to drink and play liubo with the imperial heir.

及後使人為秋請，上復責問吳使者。 Later, when Wu sent an envoy for the autumn audience, the emperor again questioned and rebuked him.

於是天子皆赦吳使者歸之，而賜吳王几杖，老，不朝。 The Son of Heaven pardoned the envoys and sent them back, then gave the king of Wu a folding stool and staff in token of old age, freeing him from court calls.

數上書說之，文帝寬，不忍罰，以此吳王日益橫。 He submitted memorial after memorial urging this course, but Emperor Wen was lenient and could not bear to punish Wu. As a result, the King of Wu became more overbearing by the day.

文帝不忍，因賜几杖，德至厚也。 Emperor Wen could not bear it and therefore granted him an armrest and staff—a kindness of the utmost depth.

高皇帝親垂功德，建立諸侯，幽王、悼惠王絕無後，孝文皇帝哀憐加惠，王幽王子遂，悼惠王子卬等，令奉其先王宗廟，為漢藩國，德配天地，明並日月。 Gaozu established the kingdoms. When the lines of King You of Zhao and King Daohui of Qi had been cut off, Emperor Wen compassionately made You’s son Sui, Daohui’s son Ang, and others kings so that they could tend their forefathers’ shrines and serve as Han’s outer bulwarks. His virtue matched Heaven and Earth, and his brilliance equaled the sun and moon.

有司數請濞罪，孝文皇帝寬之，欲其改行為善。 Officials begged his head; Wendi spared him, hoping he would mend his ways.

Book of Han, Chapter 46Volume 37: Ji Bu, Luan Bu and Tian Shu · 3 passages

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孝文時，人有言其賢，召欲以為御史大夫。 Under Emperor Wen, word of his talent reached the throne; he was summoned with a view to making him grandee secretary.

孝文時，為燕相，至將軍。 Under Emperor Wen he served as chancellor of Yan and rose to general.

孝文帝初立，召叔問曰：「公知天下長者乎？」 Soon after Emperor Wen took the throne, he summoned Tian Shu and asked, "Sir, can you name the worthiest men in the realm?"

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 2 passages

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孝文元年，罷同，更封延為酇侯。 In Emperor Wen’s first year Tong was stripped of her fief and Yan was reassigned as Marquis of Zan.

文帝復以遺弟則嗣，有罪免。 Emperor Wen then named Yi's younger brother Ze heir; Ze was later dismissed for an offense.

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 8 passages

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而新垣平以望氣見，頗言正歷服色事，貴幸，後作亂，故孝文帝廢不復問。 Xinyuan Ping had meanwhile won an audience by reading the clouds and airs, held forth on revising the calendar and ritual colors, rose to favor—and then turned traitor. Emperor Wen therefore dropped the whole matter and never reopened it.

孝文元年薨，諡曰懿侯。 He died in the first year of Emperor Wen's reign and was given the posthumous title Yi—the Gracious Marquis.

蒼與絳侯等尊立代王為孝文皇帝，四年，代灌嬰為丞相。 Zhang Cang joined the Marquis of Jiang and the others in raising the King of Dai to the throne as Emperor Wen; in the fourth year of his reign, Cang succeeded Guan Ying as chancellor.

其後黃龍見成紀，於是文帝召公孫臣以為博士，草立土德時曆制度，更元年。 Later, when a yellow dragon was sighted at Chengji, Emperor Wen summoned Gongsun Chen, appointed him an erudite, and had him draft the calendar and institutions for the Earth era and proclaim a new inaugural year.

孝文元年，舉故以二千石從高祖者，悉以為關內侯，食邑二十四人，而嘉食邑五百戶。 In the first year of Emperor Wen's reign, every former official at the two-thousand-dan level who had served the High Ancestor was ennobled as a noble within the passes; twenty-four were granted revenue from estates, among them Jia, with five hundred households.

張蒼免相，文帝以皇后弟竇廣國賢有行，欲相之，曰：「恐天下以吾私廣國。」 When Zhang Cang left the chancellorship, Emperor Wen wished to appoint the empress's brother Dou Guangguo—virtuous and well regarded—to the post, but said, "I am afraid the realm would think I am playing favorites for Guangguo."

文帝常燕飲通家，其寵如是。 Emperor Wen often dropped in informally to drink at Deng Tong's house; such was the extent of his favor.

嘉為丞相五歲，文帝崩，孝景即位。 Shentu Jia had been chancellor five years when Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing came to the throne.

Book of Han, Chapter 55Volume 46: The Lords of Wan, Wei, Zhi, Zhou and Zhang · 5 passages

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卷四十六萬石衛直周張傳第十六 Volume 46: Biography 16 — The Lords of Wan, Wei, Zhi, Zhou, and Zhang.

張敺字叔，高祖功臣安丘侯說少子也。 Zhang Ou—styled Shu—was the youngest son of Zhang Shuo, the Anqiu marquis who had served the dynastic founder.

敺孝文時以治刑名侍太子，然其人長者。 Under Wen he tutored the heir in legalist “forms and names,” though his manner remained that of a gentleman.

敺為吏，未嘗言按人，剸以誠長者處官。 He never boasted of cracking cases; he ran his bureau as a patient elder.

贊曰：仲尼有言「君子欲訥於言而敏於行」，其萬石君、建陵侯、塞侯、張叔之謂與？ The appraisal says: Confucius said, “The gentleman wishes to be slow in speech yet quick in action.” Was he not speaking of the Lord of Wan, the Marquis of Jianling, the Marquis of Sai, and Zhang Shu?

Book of Han, Chapter 56Volume 47: The Three Sons of Emperor Wen · 5 passages

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卷四十七文三王傳第十七 Book 47: “The Three Princes of Emperor Wen,” Treatise 17.

孝文皇帝四男：竇皇后生孝景帝、梁孝王武，諸姬生代孝王參、梁懷王揖。 Emperor Wen had four sons. Empress Dou gave birth to Emperor Jing and King Xiao Wu of Liang; other consorts bore King Xiao Can of Dai and King Huai Yi of Liang.

梁孝王武以孝文二年與太原王參、梁王揖同日立。 In the second year of Emperor Wen’s reign, King Xiao Wu of Liang was enfeoffed on the same day as the King of Taiyuan, Can, and the King of Liang, Yi.

二十二年，文帝崩。 In the twenty-second year Emperor Wen died.

梁懷王揖，文帝少子也。 King Huai Yi of Liang was the last son born to Emperor Wen.

Book of Han, Chapter 58Volume 49: Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo · 70 passages

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上禮之恭，常目送之。 The Son of Heaven showed him marked courtesy and would stand watching until he was out of sight.

上曰：「社稷臣。」 He replied, "A pillar of the state."

丞相如有驕主色，陛下謙讓，臣主失禮，竊為陛下弗取也。」 If the chancellor wears insolence toward his sovereign while you defer to him, the proper order between lord and minister is broken; I beg you not to indulge it."

後朝，上益莊，丞相益畏。 At the next audiences the emperor carried himself with greater gravity, and the chancellor grew visibly uneasy.

盎諫曰：「諸侯太驕必生患，可適削地。」 Yuan Ang urged the throne: "Overmighty vassals breed calamity; Your Majesty should trim their domains while there is still time."

上弗許。 The emperor refused.

謀反發覺，上征淮南王，遷之蜀，檻車傳送。 When his treason came to light, the emperor recalled him, reassigned him to the Shu frontier, and shipped him west in a prison wagon.

盎時為中郎將，諫曰：「陛下素驕之，弗稍禁，以至此，今又暴摧折之。 Yuan Ang, then a chief of the household guard, said: "You have spoiled him for years without a word of restraint until things came to a head; now you mean to break him in an instant.

淮南王為人剛，有如遇霜露行道死，陛下竟為以天下大弗能容，有殺弟名，奈何？」 He is a proud man; if he should sicken and die on the march, the empire will say you could not abide your own brother and you will wear the stain of fratricide—how will you answer that?"

上不聽，遂行之。 The emperor would not be moved and carried out the transfer.

聞，上輟食，哭甚哀。 Word reached the throne; the emperor pushed away his meal and wept as if his heart would break.

上曰：「以不用公言至此。」 The emperor said, "We are here because I would not heed you."

盎曰：「上自寬，此往事，豈可悔哉！ Yuan Ang said, "Set your mind at ease, Son of Heaven—what is done cannot be undone.

且陛下有高世行三，此不足以毀名。」 Besides, you have three acts that set you above ordinary rulers; this affair cannot undo your reputation."

上曰：「吾高世三者何事？」 The emperor said, "My three deeds that tower above the age—what are they?"

盎曰：「陛下居代時，太后嘗病，三年，陛下不交睫解衣，湯藥非陛下口所嘗弗進。 Yuan Ang said: "In your years at Dai the empress dowager lay ill three full years; you went without sleep and without changing your robes, and no draught touched her unless you had sipped it first.

夫曾參以布衣猶難之，今陛下親以王者修之，過曾參遠矣。 Even Zeng Shen, a commoner, struggled to match such devotion; you did it as heir to a kingdom—you have outdone Zeng Shen by a wide margin.

諸呂用事，大臣顓制，然陛下從代乘六乘傳，馳不測淵，雖賁、育之勇不及陛下。 When the Lü faction held the court in thrall and great ministers ruled by fiat, you rode post-haste from Dai with a six-horse relay train into mortal uncertainty—courage like Ben and Yu's would not have matched yours.

陛下至代邸，西鄉讓天子者三，南鄉讓天子者再。 At the lodge in Dai you declined the imperial seat three times while facing west, and twice more while facing south.

夫許由一讓，陛下五以天下讓，過許由四矣。 Xu You yielded the world once; you yielded it five times—you have exceeded him fourfold.

且陛下遷淮南王，欲以苦其志，使改過，有司宿衛不謹，故病死。」 You sent him away to humble his spirit and teach him amendment; the guards were negligent and he died—that is the truth of it, not your hand."

於是上乃解，盎繇此名重朝廷。 The emperor's grief lifted, and Yuan Ang's standing in the capital was never higher.

宦者趙談以數幸，常害盎，盎患之。 The palace eunuch Zhao Tan, often in the emperor's confidence, worked steadily against him, and Yuan Ang lived in dread of it.

盎兄子種為常侍騎，諫盎曰：「君眾辱之，後雖惡君，上不覆信。」 His nephew Zhong, a household cavalry attendant, warned him: "Humiliate him before the court and, however much he hates you afterward, the Son of Heaven will not give him the same credence."

於是上朝東宮，趙談驂乘，盎伏車前曰：「臣聞天子所與共六尺輿者，皆天下豪英。 At the next audience in the Eastern Palace Zhao Tan took the attendant's seat in the imperial car; Yuan Ang threw himself across the shafts and said, "They say whoever rides beside the ruler must be a champion of the empire.

今漢雖乏人，陛下獨奈何與刀鋸之余共載！」 Han may be short of talent, but must you share your coach with a man mutilated by the executioner's blade?"

於是上笑，下趙談。 The emperor laughed and ordered Zhao Tan down from the chariot.

上從霸陵上，欲西馳下峻阪，盎攬轡。 On a visit to Baling the emperor wished to race his team down the western escarpment; Yuan Ang caught the horses' bits.

上曰：「將軍怯邪？」 "Are you afraid?" asked the emperor.

今陛下聘六飛，馳不測山，有如馬驚車敗，陛下縱自輕，奈高廟、太后何？」 Now Your Majesty drives a team of six swift horses over perilous mountains. If the horses were startled and the chariot overturned, even if Your Majesty held your own life lightly, what would become of Gaozu's temple and the Empress Dowager?"

上乃止。 The emperor reined in.

上幸上林，皇后、慎夫人從。 When the Son of Heaven hunted Shanglin, the empress and Lady Shen went along.

上亦怒，起。 The emperor was also angry and rose.

盎因前說曰：「臣聞尊卑有序則上下和，今陛下既以立後，慎夫人乃妾，妾、主豈可以同坐哉！ Yuan Ang said: "Rank exists for a reason; you have named a queen, and Lady Shen is a concubine—lord and servant cannot share one bench.

且陛下幸之，則厚賜之。 Honor her with gifts and titles if you favor her.

陛下所以為慎夫人，適所以禍之也。 The favor you think you show her is the very thing that will destroy her.

於是上乃說，入語慎夫人。 The emperor saw his point, went within, and explained it to Lady Shen.

且陛下從代來，每朝，郎官者上書疏，未嘗不止輦受。 Since the emperor returned from Dai, not once has he let a coach roll past a memorial from the gentlemen attendants without stopping to take it in hand.

孝文時，天下亡治《尚書》者，獨聞齊有伏生，故秦博士，治《尚書》，年九十餘，老不可征。 Under Emperor Wen no one in the empire still taught the Book of Documents except old Master Fu in Qi—a former Qin academician, past ninety and too frail to travel to court.

臣竊觀皇太子材智高奇，馭射技藝過人絕遠，然於術數未有所守者，以陛下為心也。 His wit and his riding and shooting are superb, yet he has no anchor in statecraft because he trusts wholly in you.

竊願陛下幸擇聖人之術可用今世者，以賜皇太子，因時使太子陳明於前。 Choose from the sages' teaching what fits this age, give it to the heir, and bid him rehearse it in your presence from time to time.

唯陛下裁察。」 I beg you to weigh this memorial."

上善之，於是拜錯為太子家令。 The emperor approved the plea and named Chao Cuo household commandant to the crown prince.

今茲隴西之吏，賴社稷之神靈，奉陛下之明詔，和輯士卒，底厲其節，起破傷之民以當乘勝之匈奴，用少擊眾，殺一王，敗其眾而大有利。 Yet today Longxi's magistrates, by the grace of the state altars and your orders, have steadied their troops, hardened their nerve, and led a battered populace against a triumphant foe; outnumbered, they slew a king, shattered the horde, and won a signal success.

陛下又興數十萬之眾，以誅數萬之匈奴，眾寡之計，以一擊十之術也。 You field hundreds of thousands against tens of thousands—classic odds of one beating ten.

令明將能知其習俗和輯其心者，以陛下之明約將之。 Place them under a general who knows their ways and can bind their loyalty with your clear orders.

臣錯愚陋，昧死上狂言，唯陛下財擇。 I am a dull man offering rash advice at the peril of my head; I leave every word to your judgment.

文帝嘉之，乃賜錯璽書寵答焉，曰：「皇帝問太子家令：上書言兵體三章，聞之。 Wen praised the memorial and answered with an edict under the imperial seal: "The throne acknowledges your three-part essay on the nature of war.

陛下不救，則邊民絕望而有降敵之心； Fail to answer a raid and the frontier folk lose hope and think of yielding to the raiders;

陛下幸憂邊境，遣將吏發卒以治塞，甚大惠也。 Your care for the border—sending officers and men to rebuild the wall—is already a vast mercy.

以陛下之時，徙民實邊，使遠方亡屯戍之事，塞下之民父子相保，亡系虜之患，利施後世，名稱聖明，其與秦之行怨民，相去遠矣。 Resettle the interior on the wall, end the annual relay of conscripts, let frontier fathers and sons shield one another, and free the realm from slave raids—your name will shine for ages where Qin's only legacy was hatred.

上從其言，募民徙塞下。 The throne adopted the plan and opened recruitment for colonists beyond the wall.

陛下幸募民相徒以實塞下，使屯戍之事益省，輸將之費益寡，甚大惠也。 Your order to shift households to the border has cut rotating guard duty and supply trains—that is already a great boon.

陛下絕匈奴不與和親，臣竊意其冬來南也，壹大治，則終身創矣。 You have renounced heqin with the Xiongnu; I expect a winter raid—one crushing response now cripples them for a generation.

愚臣亡識，唯陛下財察。 I am a dull man; I leave the decision to you.

上親策詔之，曰： The emperor set the examination question in his own hand:

惟十有五年九月壬子，皇帝曰：「昔者大禹勤求賢士，施及方外，四極之內，舟車所至，人跡所及，靡不聞命，以輔其不逮； On renzi, in the ninth month of the fifteenth year, the emperor said, "In former times, Great Yu diligently sought out worthy men, extending his search even beyond the settled lands. Within the four extremities, wherever boats and carts could reach and wherever human footprints went, all heard his command, so that they might aid him where he fell short;

今陛下講於大禹及高皇帝之建豪英也，退托於不明，以求賢良，讓之至也。 You rehearse the deeds of Yu and Gaozu, then call yourself dim while summoning talent—that is humility carried almost too far.

臣竊觀上世之傳，若高皇帝之建功業，陛下之德厚而得賢佐，皆有司之所覽，刻於玉版，藏於金匱，歷之春秋，紀之後世，為帝者祖宗，與天地相終。 Your servant has privately examined the traditions of high antiquity: matters such as the High Emperor's founding of merit and enterprise, and Your Majesty's deep virtue in obtaining worthy assistants, are all surveyed by the responsible offices, engraved on jade tablets, stored in golden coffers, passed through the years, and recorded for later generations, so that they become ancestral models for emperors and endure together with Heaven and Earth.

今陛下人民之眾，威武之重，德惠之厚，令行禁止之勢，萬萬於五伯，而賜愚臣策曰「匡朕之不逮」，愚臣何足以識陛下之高明而奉承之！ You surpass the hegemons in every measure—people, arms, bounty, command—yet you ask me to "mend your faults." I am too dull to compass your heights, let alone answer them.

今陛下配天象地，覆露萬民，絕秦之跡，除其亂法； You mirror heaven and earth, shelter every subject, and have torn up Qin's cruel code;

所為天下興利除害，變法易故，以安海內者，大功數十，皆上世之所難及，陛下行之，道純德厚，元元之民幸矣。 You have scored dozens of reforms our ancestors never matched—pure policy, deep virtue, and the black-haired millions are the better for it.

今以陛下神明德厚，資財不下五帝，臨制天下，至今十有六年，民不益富，盜賊不衰，邊境未安，其所以然，意者陛下未之躬親，而待群臣也。 Now, with Your Majesty's divine clarity and deep virtue, and resources no less than those of the Five Thearchs, you have overseen and ruled the realm for sixteen years, yet the people have not become richer, bandits have not declined, and the borders are not yet secure. The reason, I suspect, is that Your Majesty has not personally attended to these matters but has waited on the ministers.

今執事之臣皆天下之選已，然莫能望陛下清光，譬之猶五帝之佐也。 Your bench is full of picked men, yet none basks in your full light—they are assistants, not partners.

陛下不自躬親，而待不望清光之臣，臣竊恐神明之遺也。 If you stay aloof from what only you can see, the "numinous clarity" of rule will slip away.

日損一日，歲亡一歲，日月益暮，盛德不及究於天下，以傳萬世，愚臣不自度量，竊為陛下惜之。 Each day the chance ebbs; your towering virtue may never fully reach the people or be sealed for posterity—I grieve for that, though I am unworthy to say so.

昧死上狂惑草茅之愚，臣言惟陛下財擇。 I risk execution to bleat like a fool from the weeds; use or discard these words as you will.

孝文雖不盡聽，然奇其材。 Wen did not adopt every plan but admired the man.

後十餘日，丞相青翟、中尉嘉、廷尉歐劾奏錯曰：「吳王反逆亡道，欲危宗廟，天下所當共誅。 A little more than ten days later, Chancellor Zhuang Qingdi, Commandant Jia of the Capital, and Minister of Justice Zhang Ou jointly impeached Chao Cuo, saying, "The King of Wu has rebelled in lawless defiance and seeks to endanger the ancestral temples. All under Heaven should join in executing him.

遭孝文初立，資適逢世。 He rose while Wen was founding the new reign and his temper fit the times.

Book of Han, Chapter 59Volume 50: Zhang, Feng, Ji and Zheng · 2 passages

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鄭君死孝文時。 Lord Zheng died during the reign of Emperor Wen.

揚子以為孝文帝詘帝尊以信亞夫之軍，曷為不能用頗、牧？ Yang Xiong objected: Emperor Wen once bowed his imperial pride to trust Zhou Yafu's camp—how could the same man fail to use Lian Po and Li Mu?

Book of Han, Chapter 67Volume 57b: Sima Xiangru · 1 passage

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相如拜為孝文園令。 Xiangru received appointment as steward of Emperor Wen's mausoleum park.

Book of Han, Chapter 70Volume 60: Du Zhou · 1 passage

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見國家承武帝奢侈師旅之後，數為大將軍光言：「年歲比不登，流民未盡還，宜修孝文明政，示以儉約寬和，順天心，說民意，年歲宜應。」 Seeing the empire still reeling from Emperor Wu's wars and waste, he urged Huo Guang more than once: "Harvests have failed year after year and refugees have not all come home. We should revive the restrained, humane government of Emperor Wen, teach frugality and mercy, and align policy with Heaven and the common people—then the seasons will answer in kind."

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 1 passage

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願近述孝文皇帝之時，當世耆老皆聞見之。 Instead I would speak of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, which the old men still living today actually heard and saw for themselves.

Book of Han, Chapter 85Volume 74: Wei Xiang and Bing Ji · 1 passage

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孝文皇帝時，以二月施恩惠於天下，賜孝弟力田及罷軍卒，祠死事者，頗非時節。 Emperor Wen once showered favors in the second month—filial sons, diligent farmers, discharged veterans, rites for the war dead—slightly off the canonical calendar.

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 3 passages

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逮至聖文，隨風乘流，方垂意於至寧，躬服節儉，綈衣不敝，革□不穿，大夏不居，木器無文。 Then came Emperor Wen, who moved with the times and set his heart on deepest peace. He lived plainly himself—homespun that never wore through, leather soles that never split—shunning grand summer halls and keeping wooden vessels free of carving.

亦所以奉太宗之烈，遵文、武之度，復三王之田，反五帝之虞； It is also how he honors Taizong’s martial legacy, holds to the models of Wen and Wu, revives the royal hunts of the Three Kings, and walks again in the royal parks of the Five Sovereigns.

昔老聃著虛無之言兩篇，薄仁義，非禮學，然後世好之者尚以為過於《五經》，自漢文、景之君及司馬遷皆有是言。 Laozi wrote two brief texts that spurned benevolence, right, and ritual learning—yet later admirers ranked them above the Five Classics. Emperors Wen and Jing of Han, and Sima Qian, said as much.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 1 passage

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至於文、景，遂移風易俗。 By the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, customs had begun to change for the better.

Book of Han, Chapter 102Volume 90: Cruel Officials · 2 passages

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以郎事文帝。 He served Emperor Wen in the corps of gentlemen.

由以宗家任為郎，事文帝。 Through clan privilege he entered the gentleman corps under Emperor Wen.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 31Volume 28a: Biographies of Huan Tan; Feng Yan · 1 passage

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繼高祖之休烈，修文武之絕業，社稷複存，炎精更輝，德冠往初，功無與二。 He took up Gaozu's torch, restored the broken work of Wen and Wu, relit Han's red mandate, outshone every predecessor, matched by no successor.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 32Volume 28b: Biography of Feng Yan · 1 passage

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以文帝以明而魏尚之忠，繩之以法則為罪，施之以德則為功。 Consider Emperor Wen's clarity of judgment and Wei Shang's loyalty: judged strictly by the statutes they could be called crimes; weighed with humane virtue they count as service.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 33Volume 29: Biographies of Shentu Gang; Bao Yong; Zhi Yun · 2 passages

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七世祖嘉，文帝時為丞相。 Seven generations back, his ancestor Shentu Jia had served as chancellor under Emperor Wen of Han.

陛下宜遂聖明之德，昭然覺悟，遠述帝王之跡，近遵孝文之業，差五品之屬，納至親之序，亟遣使者征中山太後，置之別官，令時朝見。 Your Majesty should recover enlightened rule: look far to the ancient kings and near to Emperor Wen—order the five grades of kin, restore precedence among close relatives, send envoys at once to bring the Queen Dowager of Zhongshan to a separate residence, and let her appear at court on schedule.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 37Volume 32: Biographies of Fan Hong; Yin Shi · 1 passage

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昔孝文竇後性好黃老，而清靜之化流景、武之間。 Empress Dou under Emperor Wen loved Huang-Lao, yet her quiet influence lasted into the reigns of Emperors Jing and Wu.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 39Volume 34: Biography of Liang Tong · 2 passages

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文帝寬惠柔克，遭世康平，惟除省肉刑、相坐之法，它皆率由，無革舊章。 Emperor Wen ruled gently in tranquil times, trimming only the mutilating punishments and clan liability—otherwise he followed Han precedent untouched.

伏惟陛下包元履德，權時撥亂，功逾文、武，德侔高皇，誠不宜因循季末衰微之軌。 Your Majesty embraces primal virtue and has acted as the times required to restore order; your achievements surpass those of Kings Wen and Wu, and your virtue matches that of the Exalted Emperor. You truly should not follow the declining precedents of the dynasty's final years.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 89Volume 80a: Biographies of Writers 1 · 3 passages

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太宗承流，守之以文。 Emperor Wen inherited that tide of fortune and sustained it with humane government.

富衍于孝、景，功传于后嗣。 Prosperity spilled into the reigns of Xiaowen and Xiaojing; their achievement flowed to succeeding generations.

故创业于高祖，嗣传于孝惠，德隆于太宗，财衍于孝景，威盛于圣武，政行于宣、元，侈极于成、哀、祚缺于孝平。 The line began with Gaozu, flowed through Emperor Hui, rose in virtue with Emperor Wen, spread wealth with Emperor Jing, blazed in might with Emperor Wu, ran smoothly under Emperors Xuan and Yuan, burned brightest in excess under Cheng and Ai, and shattered under young Emperor Ping.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 109Volume 98: Rituals and Worship Part Two · 1 passage

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癸酉，更告祀高祖、太宗、世宗、中宗、世祖、显宗于明堂，各一太牢。 On guiyou he reported separately to Gaozu, Taizong, Shizong, Zhongzong, Shizu, and Xianzong in the Bright Hall, each with a full tailao.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 110Volume 99: Rituals and Worship Part Three · 2 passages

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四时祫祀，高帝为太祖，文帝为太宗，武帝为世宗，如旧。 At the four seasonal xia sacrifices, Emperor Gao was honored as Taizu, Emperor Wen as Taizong, and Emperor Wu as Shizong, as in the old system.

太祖东面，惠、文、武、元帝为昭，景、宣帝为穆。 The founding ancestor faced east; Hui, Wen, Wu, and Yuan were zhao; Jing and Xuan were mu.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 131Volume 120: Treatise on Carriages and Dress, Part Two · 1 passage

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至孝文乃高顏題，續之爲耳，崇其巾爲屋，合後施收，上下群臣貴賤皆服之。 By Emperor Wen’s time the ze had acquired a tall front panel, side “ears,” a domed crown, and rear ties—universal from palaces to yamen.

History of Jin, Chapter 45Volume 45 Treatises 26: Punishment · 1 passage

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昔漢文誅薄昭，有足取者。 When Emperor Wen of Han put Bo Zhao to death, he showed the right way forward.

Book of Jin, Chapter 101Volume 101 Records 1: Liu Yuanhai and Liu Xuan · 2 passages

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二生遇高皇而不能建封侯之業，兩公屬太宗而不能開庠序之美，惜哉！」 Those worthies served Han's founder yet never matched his martial glory, and aided Wenjing yet never spread culture—what a waste!"

太宗孝文皇帝重以明德，升平漢道。 Han Wendi lifted the realm with pure virtue.

Book of Jin, Chapter 128Volume 128 Records 28: Murong Chao · 1 passage

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肉刑者，乃先聖之經，不刊之典，漢文易之，輕重乖度。 “Mutilation was sage law; Han Wendi’s mercy upset proportion.”

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 117Volume 113 Biographies 63: Miao Jingqing, Pei Mian, Pei Zunqing · 1 passage

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沿革不一，今古異同，而周武、漢文，合於通變，垂範作則，可舉而行。 Customs have changed from age to age, yet King Wu of Zhou and Emperor Wen of Han adapted rites to circumstance and left models we may follow today.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 58Volume 58 Book of Later Tang 34: Biographies 10: Zhao Guangfeng, Zheng Jue, Cui Xie, Li Qi, Xiao Qing · 1 passage

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臣伏思漢文帝時，欲人務農，乃募人入粟，得拜爵及贖罪，景帝亦如之。 Your subject respectfully recalls that Emperor Wen of Han, wishing the people to devote themselves to farming, offered to ennoble men who contributed grain and to allow grain contributions to redeem crimes. Emperor Jing did the same.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 93Volume 93 Book of Later Jin 19: Biographies 8: Lu Zhi, Li Zhuanmei, Lu Zhan, Cui Zhuo, Xue Rong, Cao Guozhen, Zhang Renyuan, Zhao Xi, Li Xia, Yin Yuyu, Zheng Yunsou · 1 passage

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所費雖寡，猶多於漢文之露臺。 and although the expense may be small, it is still greater than Emperor Wen of Han's open terrace.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 113Volume 113 Book of Later Zhou 15: Taizu Annals 4 · 1 passage

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汝不聞漢文帝儉素，葬在霸陵原，至今見在。 Have you not heard that Emperor Wen of Han was frugal, buried on Ba Mound plain, and remains intact to this day?

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 143Volume 143: Treatises 5 Rites 2 · 1 passage

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爰自漢文，益尊神器，務徇公絕私之義，行以日易月之作制，事久相沿，禮從順變。 From Emperor Wen of Han, the sacred vessel was increasingly honored; striving to embody the principle of serving the public and cutting off the private, the regulation of substituting days for months was instituted—long handed down, ritual followed accommodating change.

Book of Liang, Chapter 38Volume 38: Zhu Yi; He Chen · 1 passage

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漢文雖愛露臺之產，鄧通之錢布於天下，以此而治，朕無愧焉。 Han Wendi loved his terrace garden and Deng Tong's wealth filled the realm. I rule no worse and feel no shame.

History of Liao, Chapter 41Volume 41 Treatises 11: Geography 5 · 1 passage

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文帝初封代； Emperor Wen first enfeoffed Dai here;

History of Liao, Chapter 109Volume 109 Biographies 39: Music and Imperial Officials · 1 passage

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重元既恃梁孝王之寵，又多鄭叔段之過，朝臣無敢言者，道路以目。 Chongyuan enjoyed favor comparable to Prince Xiao of Liang under Emperor Wen of Han and repeated the overreaching of Duke Zhuang's brother Shuduan; no minister dared remonstrate, and travelers only dared signal their alarm with their eyes.

History of Ming, Chapter 8Volume 8 Annals 8: Renzong · 1 passage

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使天假之年，涵濡休養，德化之盛，豈不與文、景比隆哉。」 Had Heaven granted him more years to nurture and restore the people, would not the fullness of his moral sway have rivaled the glory of the Wen and Jing reigns?"

History of Ming, Chapter 135Volume 135 Biographies 23: Chen Yu, Ye Dui, Fan Chang, Song Siyan, Guo Jingxiang, Yang Yuangao, Ruan Hongdao, Kong Keren · 2 passages

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孝文為令主，正當制禮作樂，以復三代之舊。 Emperor Wen was an excellent ruler; precisely then he should have made rites and music to restore the institutions of the Three Dynasties.

三代之王有其時而能為之，漢文有其時而不為，周世宗則無其時而為之者也。」 The kings of the Three Dynasties had their time and were able to act; Emperor Wen of Han had his time but did not act; Emperor Shizong of Zhou had no proper time yet acted anyway."

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 4Volume 4 Annals 4: Prince of Yulin · 1 passage

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昔太宗克光於漢世，簡文代興于晉氏，前事之不忘，後人之師也。 Long ago Emperor Wen of Han lit the dynasty; Emperor Jianwen of Jin raised a new house—the past remembered is the teacher of those who follow.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 37Volume 37 Biographies 18: Dao Hui, Liu Quan, Yu Cong, Hu Xiezhi · 1 passage

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鄧通，南安人，漢文帝賜嚴道縣銅山鑄錢，今蒙山近青衣水南，青衣左側竝是故秦之嚴道地。 Deng Tong of Nan'an was granted Yandao county's copper mountains by Emperor Wen of Han to cast coin; Mount Meng now lies near the south bank of the Qingyi River, and the area to Qingyi's left is all the old Qin territory of Yandao.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 48Volume 48 Biographies 29: Yuan Tuan, Kong Zhigui, Liu Hui · 1 passage

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孝文國富刑清，事屈陵辱； Emperor Xiaowen made the state rich and punishments clear, yet affairs bent to insult and humiliation;

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 56Volume 56 Biographies 37: Trusted Officials · 2 passages

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漢文幸鄧通，雖錢徧天下，位止郎中。 Emperor Wen of Han favored Deng Tong; though his wealth reached every corner of the empire, his office never rose above Gentleman of the Palace.

宋文世，秋當、周糾竝出寒門。 In the reign of Emperor Wen of Song, Qiu Dang and Zhou Jiu both rose from humble households.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 143Volume 143 Treatises 118: Penal Law 2 · 4 passages

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漢高後除三族令，文帝除收孥相坐律，當時以為盛德。 Empress Lü abolished clan extermination; Emperor Wen ended the seizure of wives and children for joint punishment—both hailed as great acts of mercy.

夫以一人之故而波及全家，以無罪之人而科以重罪，漢文帝以為不正之法反害於民，北魏崔挺嘗曰『一人有罪，延及闔門，則司馬牛受桓魋之罰，柳下惠膺盜跖之誅，不亦哀哉』，其言皆篤論也。 Punishing an entire family for one person's crime and imposing heavy penalties on the innocent—Emperor Wen of Han called such law harmful to the people; Cui Ting of Northern Wei wrote that when one person's guilt reaches the whole household, "Sima Niu would suffer Huan Tui's punishment and Liu Xiahui would bear Zhi's execution—is this not lamentable?"—sound judgment all.

文帝廢肉刑而黥亦廢，魏、晉、六朝雖有逃奴劫盜之刺，旋行旋廢。 Emperor Wen abolished corporal punishment and branding with it; Wei, Jin, and Six Dynasties occasionally tattooed runaway slaves and robbers, but the practice came and went.

夫肉刑久廢，而此法獨存，漢文所謂刻肌膚痛而不德者，未能收弼教之益，而徒留此不德之名，豈仁政所宜出此。 Corporal punishment was long abolished, yet tattooing alone survived—what Emperor Wen called "cutting flesh and causing pain without virtue." It aided neither reform nor instruction but left only a stain on humane governance.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 374Volume 374 Biographies 161: Yao Wentian, Dai Dunyuan, Zhu Shiyan, He Linghan, Li Zhenhu, Zong Shiengui · 1 passage

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漢文吏治蒸蒸，不至於姦，愛故也。 Under Emperor Wen of Han the civil service thrived without sinking into corruption—because the people were governed with affection.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 391Volume 391 Biographies 178: Wo Ren, Li Tangjie, Wu Tingdong · 1 passage

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棠階因講漢文帝卻千里馬事，反复推言人主不宜有所嗜好，以啟窺伺之端。 In lecturing on how Emperor Wen of Han refused a thousand-li horse, Tangjie argued again and again that a ruler must not indulge private tastes, lest others seize the chance to pry and flatter.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 65Volume 65: Book of Wu 20: Biographies of Wang, Lou, He, Wei, and Hua · 2 passages

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臣聞漢文之世，九州晏然，秦民喜去慘毒之苛政，歸劉氏之寬仁，省役約法，與之更始，分王子弟以藩漢室，當此之時，皆以為泰山之安，無窮之基之也。 They thought Han stability eternal as Mount Tai when Wen eased Qin's cruelty.

漢之文、景，承平繼統，天下已定，四方無虞，猶以雕文之妨農事，錦繡之害女紅，開富國之利，杜饑寒之本。 Han Wendi and Jingdi, though the realm was at peace, still banned luxuries that hurt farm and loom to stock the treasury and stop cold and hunger.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 11Annals of the Xiaojing Emperor · 4 passages

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孝景皇帝者，孝文之中子也。 Emperor Jing was the middle son of Emperor Wen.

孝文在代時，前后有三男，及竇太后得幸，前后死，及三子更死，故孝景得立。 While Emperor Wen was still in Dai, he had three sons by his former consort. After Lady Dou won his favor, that consort died, and the three sons died in turn as well. This was how Emperor Jing came to be named heir.

五月，除田半租，為孝文立太宗廟。 In the fifth month, he abolished the half-tax on agricultural land and established the Taizong temple for Emperor Wen.

太史公曰：漢興，孝文施大德，天下懷安，至孝景，不復憂異姓，而晁錯刻削諸侯，遂使七國俱起，合從而西鄉，以諸侯太盛，而錯為之不以漸也。 The Grand Historian says: When Han arose, Emperor Wen practiced great virtue, and the realm rested in peace. By Emperor Jing's time, there was no longer any fear of kings from other surnames. But Chao Cuo cut sharply into the power of the feudal lords, causing the seven states to rise together, join in alliance, and march west. The problem was that the feudal lords had grown too powerful, and Cuo did not proceed gradually.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 23Treatise on Ritual · 1 passage

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孝文即位，有司議欲定儀禮，孝文好道家之學，以為繁禮飾貌，無益於治，躬化謂何耳，故罷去之。 When Filial Wen ascended the throne, the officials discussed and wished to establish ceremony and rites. But Filial Wen was fond of Daoist learning and considered that elaborate rites and decorated appearances were of no benefit to governing—what mattered was personal transformation—so he dismissed them.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 25Treatise on the Pitch-Pipes · 4 passages

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歷至孝文即位，將軍陳武等議曰：「南越、朝鮮自全秦時內屬為臣子，後且擁兵阻阸，選蠕觀望。 By the time Emperor Wen ascended the throne, General Chen Wu and others deliberated, saying, "Nanyue and Joseon had been subjects within the realm since the unified Qin. Later, they held troops, blocked the passes, and lingered in hesitation, watching from the sidelines.

今陛下仁惠撫百姓，恩澤加海內，宜及士民樂用，征討逆黨，以一封疆。」 Now Your Majesty is benevolent and kind, bringing comfort to the common people, and your grace reaches everywhere within the seas. We should act while scholars and commoners are eager to serve, campaign against the rebellious factions, and bring the frontiers into unity."

孝文曰：「朕能任衣冠，念不到此。 Emperor Wen said, "I am able to wear the cap and gown, but my thoughts had not gone this far.

太史公曰：文帝時，會天下新去湯火，人民樂業，因其欲然，能不擾亂，故百姓遂安。 The Grand Historian says: In Emperor Wen's time, all under Heaven had only just emerged from hardship; the people were content in their work. By following their wishes and avoiding disturbance, he was able to keep order, and so the common people became peaceful.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 26Treatise on the Calendar · 2 passages

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至孝文時，魯人公孫臣以終始五德上書，言「漢得土德，宜更元，改正朔，易服色。 By the time of Emperor Xiaowen, Gongsun Chen of Lu memorialized on the succession of the Five Virtues, saying, “Han has obtained earth virtue. It should change the era, reform the calendar, and alter the clothing colors.

而新垣平以望氣見，頗言正歷服色事，貴幸，後作亂，故孝文帝廢不復問。 Xinyuan Ping, who became known through his observations of qi, spoke extensively on reforming the calendar and clothing colors, and he was favored and honored. Later he caused disorder, so Emperor Wen discarded the matter and did not pursue it again.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 29Treatise on Rivers and Canals · 1 passage

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漢興三十九年，孝文時河決酸棗，東潰金隄，於是東郡大興卒塞之。 In the thirty-ninth year after the Han rose, during Emperor Xiaowen's reign, the Yellow River burst at Suanzao and broke through the Eastern Golden Dike. Dong Commandery was then mobilized on a large scale to close the breach.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 50House of Prince Yuan of Chu · 1 passage

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孝文帝即位二年，立遂弟辟彊，取趙之河閒郡為河閒王，（以）［是］為文王。 In the second year after Emperor Wen took the throne, he established Sui's younger brother Piqiang as King of Hejian, carving out the Hejian commandery from Zhao for this purpose. He became known as King Wen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 54House of Chancellor Cao · 1 passage

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孝文帝立，免為侯。 When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Zhu was relieved of his post and reverted to his status as marquis.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 57House of Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang · 14 passages

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於是勃與平謀，卒誅諸呂而立孝文皇帝。 Thereupon Bo and Chen Ping conspired together and at last destroyed the entire Lu clan, establishing Emperor Wen on the throne.

其語在呂后、孝文事中。 The full account appears in the records of Empress Lu and Emperor Wen.

文帝既立，以勃為右丞相，賜金五千斤，食邑萬戶。 After Emperor Wen was enthroned, he appointed Bo as Right Chancellor, rewarded him with five thousand jin of gold, and granted him a fief of ten thousand households.

居月餘，人或說勃曰：「君既誅諸呂，立代王，威震天下，而君受厚賞，處尊位，以寵，久之即禍及身矣。」 After little more than a month, someone cautioned Bo: "Having destroyed the Lu clan and installed the King of Dai on the throne, your prestige now overawes the realm. Yet you continue to accept lavish rewards and hold a position of supreme honor in the emperor's favor. If this goes on too long, disaster will surely overtake you."

公主者，孝文帝女也，勃太子勝之尚之，故獄吏教引為證。 The princess was Emperor Wen's daughter; Bo's heir, Shengzhi, had married her. That is why the prison officials advised him to call upon her as a witness.

文帝朝，太后以冒絮提文帝，曰：「絳侯綰皇帝璽，將兵於北軍，不以此時反，今居一小縣，顧欲反邪！」 At Emperor Wen's morning audience, the Empress Dowager seized the emperor by his headdress cloth and said: "The Marquis of Jiang once held the imperial seal in his hands and commanded the Northern Army. If he did not rebel then, why would he now, living in some small county, suddenly wish to rebel?"

文帝既見絳侯獄辭，乃謝曰：「吏［事］方驗而出之。」 After Emperor Wen reviewed the Marquis of Jiang's prison deposition, he apologized and said: "The officials are finishing their verification, and he will be released."

孝文帝十一年卒，謚為武侯。 He died in the eleventh year of Emperor Wen's reign and was given the posthumous title of Marquis Wu.

絕一歲，文帝乃擇絳侯勃子賢者河內守亞夫，封為條侯，續絳侯後。 After a lapse of one year, Emperor Wen chose the most worthy of the Marquis of Jiang's sons, Yafu, who was then serving as Governor of Henei, and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Tiao to continue the line of the Marquis of Jiang.

居三歲，其兄絳侯勝之有罪，孝文帝擇絳侯子賢者，皆推亞夫，乃封亞夫為條侯，續絳侯後。 Three years later, his elder brother Shengzhi, the Marquis of Jiang, was found guilty of a crime. Emperor Wen selected from among the Marquis of Jiang's sons the most worthy; all agreed on Yafu. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Tiao to carry on the line of the Marquis of Jiang.

文帝之後六年，匈奴大入邊。 In the latter sixth year of Emperor Wen's reign, the Xiongnu launched a major invasion of the frontier.

文帝曰：「嗟乎，此真將軍矣！ Emperor Wen exclaimed: "Ah, now that is a true general!

孝文且崩時，誡太子曰：「即有緩急，周亞夫真可任將兵。」 When Emperor Wen lay on his deathbed, he admonished the Crown Prince: "If ever there is an emergency, Zhou Yafu is the man you can truly entrust to command the army."

文帝崩，拜亞夫為車騎將軍。 After Emperor Wen passed away, Yafu was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 58House of Prince Xiao of Liang · 5 passages

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梁孝王武者，孝文皇帝子也，而與孝景帝同母。 King Xiao of Liang, whose given name was Wu, was a son of Emperor Wen, born of the same mother as Emperor Jing.

孝文帝凡四男：長子曰太子，是為孝景帝； Emperor Wen had four sons in all. The eldest was appointed Crown Prince and would later become Emperor Jing.

孝文帝即位二年，以武為代王，以參為太原王，以勝為梁王。 In the second year after Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he enfeoffed Wu as King of Dai, Can as King of Taiyuan, and Sheng as King of Liang.

梁王之初王梁，孝文帝之十二年也。 The King of Liang first received his fief in the twelfth year of Emperor Wen's reign.

二十二年，孝文帝崩。 In his twenty-second year, Emperor Wen passed away.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 63Biographies of Laozi and Han Fei · 1 passage

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宗子注，注子宮，宮玄孫假，假仕於漢孝文帝。 Zong's son was Zhu. Zhu's son was Gong. Gong's great-grandson was Jia. Jia served Han Emperor Xiaowen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 84Biographies of Qu Yuan and Master Jia · 13 passages

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孝文皇帝初立，聞河南守吳公治平為天下第一，故與李斯同邑而常學事焉，乃徵為廷尉。 When Emperor Wen first ascended the throne, he heard that Wu Gong, the Governor of Henan, governed so well that he was reckoned the finest administrator in the realm. Wu Gong had come from the same town as Li Si and had often studied under him. The emperor summoned Wu Gong to serve as Commandant of Justice.

文帝召以為博士。 Emperor Wen summoned him and appointed him as an Erudite.

孝文帝說之，超遷，一歲中至太中大夫。 Emperor Wen was delighted with him and promoted him rapidly. Within a single year, he rose to the rank of Grand Palace Grandee.

賈生以為漢興至孝文二十餘年，天下和洽，而固當改正朔，易服色，法制度，定官名，興禮樂，乃悉草具其事儀法，色尚黃，數用五，為官名，悉更秦之法。 Jia Sheng believed that more than twenty years had passed since the founding of the Han, and that the realm was now at peace. It was therefore time to reform the calendar, change the ritual colors, revise the laws and institutions, establish proper official titles, and promote the rites and music. He drafted a comprehensive plan for all of these measures, proposing yellow as the dynastic color, the number five as the governing numeral, and new official titles — entirely replacing the old Qin system.

孝文帝初即位，謙讓未遑也。 Emperor Wen had only recently ascended the throne and, out of modesty and restraint, had not yet found the occasion to act.

於是天子議以為賈生任公卿之位。 The emperor then considered promoting Jia Sheng to the rank of one of the great ministers of state.

於是天子後亦疏之，不用其議，乃以賈生為長沙王太傅。 The emperor afterward also distanced himself from Jia Sheng and ceased to follow his counsel. He appointed Jia Sheng as Grand Tutor to the King of Changsha.

孝文帝方受釐，坐宣室。 Emperor Wen had just performed a sacrificial offering and was seated in the Xuanshi Hall.

至夜半，文帝前席。 By midnight, Emperor Wen had moved forward to the edge of his mat, leaning in to listen.

梁懷王，文帝之少子，愛，而好書，故令賈生傅之。 King Huai of Liang was Emperor Wen's youngest son, whom the emperor loved dearly. The prince was fond of learning, and so the emperor appointed Jia Sheng as his tutor.

文帝復封淮南厲王子四人皆為列侯。 Emperor Wen once again enfeoffed all four sons of the cruel King of Huainan as marquises.

文帝不聽。 Emperor Wen did not heed him.

及孝文崩，孝武皇帝立，舉賈生之孫二人至郡守，而賈嘉最好學，世其家，與余通書。 After Emperor Wen passed away and Emperor Wu ascended the throne, two of Jia Sheng's grandsons were promoted to the rank of commandery governor. Among them, Jia Jia was the most devoted to learning. He carried on the family tradition and exchanged letters with me.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 98Biographies of Fu, Jin, and the Marquis of Kuaicheng · 2 passages

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二十一年，坐事國人過律，孝文後三年，奪侯，國除。 After twenty-one years, he was convicted because subjects of his fief had violated the law. In the third year of the Houyuan era of Emperor Wen, his marquisate was stripped and his state abolished.

至孝文五年，緤以壽終，謚為貞侯。 In the fifth year of Emperor Xiaowen's reign, Xie died of old age and was posthumously titled Marquis Zhen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 100Biographies of Ji Bu and Luan Bu · 6 passages

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季布為河東守，孝文時，人有言其賢者，孝文召，欲以為御史大夫。 Ji Bu was serving as the Governor of Hedong when, during the reign of Emperor Wen, certain people praised his worthiness. Emperor Wen summoned him, intending to appoint him as the Imperial Censor-in-Chief.

陛下無故召臣，此人必有以臣欺陛下者； Your Majesty summoned me without cause—someone must have deceived Your Majesty about me;

今臣至，無所受事，罷去，此人必有以毀臣者。 Now I have arrived, received no duties, and been sent away—someone must have slandered me to Your Majesty.

夫陛下以一人之譽而召臣，一人之毀而去臣，臣恐天下有識聞之有以闚陛下也。」 If Your Majesty summons me because one man praises me and sends me away because one man slanders me, I fear that perceptive men throughout the empire, once they hear of it, will have reason to look into Your Majesty's judgment."

上默然慚，良久曰：「河東吾股肱郡，故特召君耳。」 The Emperor fell silent, ashamed; after a long while he said, "Hedong is my vital commandery, so I specially summoned you."

孝文時，為燕相，至將軍。 During the reign of Emperor Wen, he served as the Chancellor of Yan and eventually rose to the rank of general.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 102Biographies of Zhang Shizhi and Feng Tang · 17 passages

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以訾為騎郎，事孝文帝，十歲不得調，無所知名。 He purchased a position as a mounted attendant and served Emperor Wen, but for ten years received no promotion and remained entirely unknown.

文帝曰：「卑之，毋甚高論，令今可施行也。」 Emperor Wen said: "Keep it modest—do not discourse too loftily; speak of what can be put into practice now."

文帝稱善，乃拜釋之為謁者仆射。 Emperor Wen praised his discourse and appointed him Chief Usher.

文帝曰：「吏不當若是邪？ Emperor Wen said, "Is this not exactly how an official should be?

文帝曰：「善。」 Emperor Wen said: "Good."

薄太后聞之，文帝免冠謝曰：「教兒子不謹。」 When Empress Dowager Bo heard of it, Emperor Wen removed his cap and apologized, saying, "I have failed to teach my sons carefully enough."

文帝由是奇釋之，拜為中大夫。 From this, Emperor Wen came to regard Shizhi as remarkable and appointed him Palace Counselor.

文帝稱善。 Emperor Wen praised his words.

文帝怒曰：「此人親驚吾馬，吾馬賴柔和，令他馬，固不敗傷我乎？ Emperor Wen said angrily, "This man startled my horse in person. Fortunately my horse was gentle; if it had been another horse, would it not surely have thrown and injured me?

釋之曰：「法者天子所與天下公共也。 Shizhi said, "The law is something the Son of Heaven shares with all under heaven.

其後有人盜高廟坐前玉環，捕得，文帝怒，下廷尉治。 Afterward, someone stole the jade ring from before the throne in the Temple of Gaozu. The thief was captured, and Emperor Wen, furious, referred the case to the Commandant of Justice.

久之，文帝與太后言之，乃許廷尉當。 After a long while, Emperor Wen discussed the matter with the Empress Dowager and finally accepted the Commandant of Justice's ruling.

後文帝崩，景帝立，釋之恐，稱病。 After Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Shizhi grew fearful and feigned illness.

唐以孝著，為中郎署長，事文帝。 Tang was renowned for his filial piety and served as Captain of the Attendants under Emperor Wen.

文帝輦過，問唐曰：「父老何自為郎？ Emperor Wen passed by in his carriage and asked Tang, "Elder, why are you serving as a mounted attendant yourself?

文帝曰：「吾居代時，吾尚食監高袪數為我言趙將李齊之賢，戰於鉅鹿下。 Emperor Wen said, "When I was in Dai, my food supervisor Gao Qu often spoke to me of the worthiness of Li Qi, the Zhao general who fought at Julu.

文帝說。 Emperor Wen was delighted.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 103Biographies of Wan Shi and Zhang Shu · 16 passages

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其官至孝文時，積功勞至大中大夫。 By the time of Emperor Wen, he had accumulated enough merit to rise to the rank of Grand Palace Counselor.

文帝時，東陽侯張相如為太子太傅，免。 During Emperor Wen's reign, the Marquis of Dongyang, Zhang Xiangru, served as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince but was dismissed.

綰以戲車為郎，事文帝，功次遷為中郎將，醇謹無他。 Wan entered service as a mounted attendant through his skill in chariot games, serving Emperor Wen. Through accumulated merit he was successively promoted to Colonel of the Palace Guard—upright and cautious, with no other notable qualities.

孝景為太子時，召上左右飲，而綰稱病不行。 When Emperor Jing was still Crown Prince, he summoned Emperor Wen's attendants to drink with him, but Wan pleaded illness and did not go.

文帝且崩時，屬孝景曰：「綰長者，善遇之。」 When Emperor Wen was near death, he charged Emperor Jing, saying, "Wan is a man of mature character. Treat him well."

及文帝崩，景帝立，歲餘不噍呵綰，綰日以謹力。 After Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing ascended the throne, more than a year passed without his ever scolding or rebuking Wan. Wan redoubled his cautious diligence each day.

為郎，事文帝。 He served as a mounted attendant under Emperor Wen.

文帝稱舉，稍遷至太中大夫。 Emperor Wen praised and promoted him, and he gradually rose to the rank of Grand Palace Counselor.

景帝為太子時，拜為舍人，積功稍遷，孝文帝時至太中大夫。 When Emperor Jing was still Crown Prince, Ren was appointed as a retainer. Through accumulated merit he was gradually promoted, reaching the rank of Grand Palace Counselor by Emperor Wen's time.

御史大夫張叔者，名歐，安丘侯說之庶子也。 The Imperial Secretary Zhang Shu, whose given name was Ou, was a concubine's son of the Marquis of Anqiu, Yue.

孝文時以治刑名言事太子。 During Emperor Wen's reign, Ou was known for his command of penal law and legal terminology and reported on affairs to the Crown Prince.

然歐雖治刑名家，其人長者。 Yet although Ou was a practitioner of the Legalist school, he was himself a man of integrity.

至武帝元朔四年，韓安國免，詔拜歐為御史大夫。 In the fourth year of Emperor Wu's Yuanshuo era, Han Anguo was dismissed, and an edict was issued appointing Ou as Imperial Secretary.

自歐為吏，未嘗言案人，專以誠長者處官。 From the time Ou first became an official, he never once spoke of prosecuting anyone, devoting himself entirely to administering his office with sincerity and the manner of a man of integrity.

上具獄事，有可卻，卻之； When the emperor had prison cases prepared, Ou sent them back whenever they could be returned;

太史公曰：仲尼有言曰「君子欲訥於言而敏於行」，其萬石、建陵、張叔之謂邪？ The Grand Historian says: Confucius said, "The gentleman wishes to be slow in speech but quick in action." Was this not said of men like the Marquis of Wanshi, Jianling, and Zhang Shu?

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 104Biography of Tian Shu · 2 passages

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叔為漢中守十餘年，會高后崩，諸呂作亂，大臣誅之，立孝文帝。 Tian Shu served as Governor of Hanzhong for more than ten years. Then Empress Dowager Gao died, and the Lü clan attempted to seize power. The senior ministers suppressed the Lü faction and placed Emperor Wen on the throne.

孝文帝既立，召田叔問之曰：「公知天下長者乎？」 After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he summoned Tian Shu and asked: "Do you know who the truly worthy men of the realm are?"

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 109Biography of General Li · 3 passages

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孝文帝十四年，匈奴大入蕭關，而廣以良家子從軍擊胡，用善騎射，殺首虜多，為漢中郎。 In the fourteenth year of Emperor Wen's reign, the Xiongnu launched a major invasion through the Xiao Pass. Guang, as the son of a respectable family, joined the army to fight the barbarians. His skill in horsemanship and archery allowed him to kill a great many of the enemy, and he was appointed as an Attendant at the Han court.

嘗從行，有所衝陷折關及格猛獸，而文帝曰：「惜乎，子不遇時！ Once, while accompanying the Emperor on campaign, Guang charged through barriers and grappled with fierce beasts, and Emperor Wen said, "What a pity that you were not born in your season!

初，廣之從弟李蔡與廣俱事孝文帝。 Earlier, Guang's younger cousin Li Cai had entered service alongside Guang under Emperor Wen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 112Biographies of the Marquis of Pingjin and Zhufu · 1 passage

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元朔三年，張歐免，以弘為御史大夫。 In the third year of the Yuanshuo era, Zhang Ou was removed from office, and Gongsun Hong was appointed Imperial Secretary.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 113Treatise on the Nanyue · 3 passages

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及孝文帝元年，初鎮撫天下，使告諸侯四夷從代來即位意，喻盛德焉。 In the first year of Emperor Wen's reign, he set about bringing stability to the realm. He dispatched envoys to inform the feudal lords and the peoples of the four quarters that he had come from the Kingdom of Dai to take the throne, proclaiming his benevolent virtue.

皇帝，賢天子也。 The Emperor is a virtuous Son of Heaven.

陸賈還報，孝文帝大說。 When Lu Jia returned with this report, Emperor Wen was greatly pleased.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 120Biographies of Ji and Zheng · 1 passage

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鄭君死孝文時。 Lord Zheng lived until the reign of Emperor Wen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 124Biographies of Knight-errants · 1 passage

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解父以任俠，孝文時誅死。 His father had practiced knight-errantry and was executed for it during the reign of Emperor Wen.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 125Biographies of Flatterers · 11 passages

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孝文時中寵臣，士人則鄧通，宦者則趙同、北宮伯子。 Among the favored intimates at Emperor Wen's court, the gentleman was Deng Tong, and the eunuchs were Zhao Tong and Beigong Bozi.

而趙同以星氣幸，常為文帝參乘； Zhao Tong found favor through his knowledge of astrology and divination by cloud formations, and he regularly rode beside Emperor Wen in the imperial chariot.

孝文帝夢欲上天，不能，有一黃頭郎從後推之上天，顧見其衣裻帶后穿。 Emperor Wen once dreamed that he was striving to ascend to heaven but could not reach it, when a Yellow-Cap Boatman came up behind him and pushed him aloft. Glancing back, the emperor noticed that the man's robe was torn at the seam in the back.

召問其名姓，姓鄧氏，名通，文帝說焉，尊幸之日異。 The emperor summoned the man and asked his name. His surname was Deng, his given name Tong. Emperor Wen was delighted, and from that day forward his favor toward Deng Tong only grew.

於是文帝賞賜通巨萬以十數，官至上大夫。 Emperor Wen showered him with gifts totaling tens of millions of cash, and raised his rank to Senior Grand Master.

文帝時時如鄧通家遊戲。 From time to time, Emperor Wen would visit Deng Tong's residence to amuse himself.

文帝曰：「能富通者在我也。 Emperor Wen said, "The power to make Tong rich rests with me.

文帝嘗病癰，鄧通常為帝唶吮之。 Once Emperor Wen developed an abscess, and Deng Tong would regularly suck the pus from it for him.

文帝不樂，從容問通曰：「天下誰最愛我者乎？」 Emperor Wen, ill at ease, asked Tong casually, "Who in all the realm loves me the most?"

太子入問病，文帝使唶癰，唶癰而色難之。 When the Crown Prince came to inquire about the emperor's illness, Emperor Wen bade him suck the abscess. The prince did so, but his face betrayed his disgust.

及文帝崩，景帝立，鄧通免，家居。 When Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing took the throne, Deng Tong was removed from office and lived at home.

History of Song, Chapter 2Volume 2 Annals 2: Taizu 2 · 1 passage

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甲辰，詔︰西京、鳳翔、雄、耀等州，周文、成、康三王，秦始皇，漢高、文、景、武、元、成、哀七帝，後魏孝文，西魏文帝，後周太祖，唐高祖、太宗、中宗、肅宗、代宗、德、順、文、武、宣、懿、僖、昭諸帝凡二十七陵嘗被盜發者，有司備法服、常服各一襲，具棺槨重葬，所在長吏致祭。 He decreed reburial for twenty-seven violated imperial tombs in the west—ranging from the Zhou kings Wen, Cheng, and Kang and Qin Shihuang through seven Han emperors, Northern Wei Xiaowen, Western Wei Wendi, Later Zhou Taizu, and the thirteen Tang emperors Gaozu, Taizong, Zhongzong, Suzong, Daizong, Dezong, Shunzong, Wenzong, Wuzong, Xuanzong, Yizong, Xizong, and Zhaozong. Each site was to receive fresh ceremonial and everyday robes, new coffins, and sacrifices from the local magistrate.

History of Song, Chapter 359Volume 359 Biographies 118: Li Gang 2 · 1 passage

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昔漢文帝聞季布賢，召之，既而罷歸，布曰：'陛下以一人之譽召臣，一人之毀去臣，臣恐天下有以窺陛下之淺深。 Formerly Emperor Wen of Han heard that Ji Bu was worthy and summoned him; soon afterward he was dismissed and sent home. Ji Bu said: "Your Majesty summoned me on one man's praise and dismissed me on one man's slander — I fear the realm will read the depth or shallowness of Your Majesty's judgment."

Book of Song, Chapter 56Volume 56 Biographies 16: Xie Zhan, Kong Linzhi · 2 passages

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漢文發仁惻之意，傷自新之路莫由，革古創制，號稱刑厝，然名輕而實重，反更傷民。 Emperor Wen of Han acted from compassion, grieving that offenders had no path to reform; he reformed the ancient laws and claimed punishments were set aside—yet the names were mild while the reality was harsh, and in the end the people suffered all the more.

棄市之刑，本斬右趾，漢文一謬，承而弗革，所以前賢恨恨，議之而未辯。 The punishment of exposure in the marketplace originally meant amputation of the right foot; Emperor Wen made one error, and later rulers inherited it without reform—this is why former worthies grieved over it, debating the matter without resolution.

Book of Sui, Chapter 77Volume 77 Biographies 42: Recluses · 1 passage

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詔問群臣，莫有識者，賾答曰：「謹按漢文已前，未有冠幘，即是文帝以來所製作也。 The emperor asked his ministers, but none could identify it. Ze answered: "I respectfully observe that before Emperor Wen of Han there was no such headcloth; it must have been made since Emperor Wen's reign.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 113Volume 113 Biographies 38: Tang, Zhang, Xu · 1 passage

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然釋之當漢文帝時，中外無事，守法而已。 But Shizhi served Emperor Wen of Han when the realm was at peace and he needed only to uphold the law.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 150Volume 150 Biographies 75: Li, Chang, Zhao, Cui, Qi, Lu · 1 passage

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袞以為：「漢文帝還千里馬不用，晉武帝焚雉頭裘，宋高祖碎琥珀枕，是三主者，非有聰明大聖以致治安，謹身率下而已。 Gun argued: "Emperor Wen of Han sent back a thousand-li horse and would not use it; Emperor Wu of Jin burned the pheasant-head fur robe; Emperor Gaozu of Song smashed the amber pillow. These three rulers did not owe their peace and order to surpassing wisdom and sagacity; they simply guarded themselves and led those below by example.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 173Volume 173 Biographies 98: Pei Du · 1 passage

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陛下當饋而歎，恨無蕭、曹，今一裴度擯棄於外，所以馮唐知漢文帝有頗、牧不能用也。」 Your Majesty sighs at table, lamenting the lack of men like Xiao He and Cao Shen. Yet Pei Du alone has been cast aside. This is why Feng Tang knew that Emperor Wen of Han possessed generals like Lian Po and Li Mu yet could not use them."

History of Yuan, Chapter 191Volume 191 Biographies 78: Virtuous Officials 1 · 1 passage

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班固有曰：「漢興，與民休息，凡事簡易，禁罔疏闊，以寬厚清靜為天下先，故文、景以後，循吏輩出。」 Ban Gu once wrote: "At the founding of the Han, the dynasty let the people recover from war; government was kept simple, legal restraints were broad and sparse, and the realm was led by clemency and restraint. After Emperors Wen and Jing, capable and honest administrators appeared in succession."