Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)

Overview

Emperor Xiaohui was an emperor of Han.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Liu Ying	劉盈	Liu Ying
Posthumous name	Emperor Hui	孝惠皇帝	Xiaohui Huangdi
Temple name	Emperor Hui	孝惠

Life and dates

Death

BC 188 七年秋八月戊寅
At Weiyang Palace 未央宮
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 62
BC 188 惠帝崩
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 94

Age

5
BC 206 高祖初為漢王
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 2

Attested activity

BC 210 to BC 188 Emperor Hui
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passages 117, 238
BC 189 七年冬十月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 59
BC 188 七年秋八月戊寅
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 62
BC 192 三年春
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 33
BC 205 二年
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 3
BC 194 二年冬十月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 27

Show 30 more source-backed claims

BC 190 五年春正月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 50
BC 195 元年冬十二月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 23
BC 194 元年春正月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 26
BC 190 六年冬十月辛丑
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 3, passage 67
BC 195 十二年四月
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passages 4-5
BC 191 四年三月甲子
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 41
BC 192 四年冬十月壬寅
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 39
BC 188 孝惠、高后之時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 4, passage 89
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠、高后之間
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 317
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠、高后時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 115, passage 6
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 101, passage 3
BC 192 孝惠三年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passage 7
BC 193 孝惠二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 109
BC 190 孝惠五年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 98, passage 17
BC 195 孝惠即位
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 170
BC 194 孝惠帝元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 81
BC 189 孝惠帝六年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 57, passage 83
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠帝在位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 44, passage 54
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 160
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠時
Directly stated · Book of Han 46, passage 21; Records of the Grand Historian 100, passage 29; Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 5, 7
BC 195 孝惠時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 212
BC 193 惠帝二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 88
BC 195 惠帝即位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 4, passage 92
BC 188 惠帝崩
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 4, passage 94
BC 198 漢九年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 160
BC 205 漢二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 17
BC 195 to BC 188 漢惠帝（比較典故）
Directly stated · Book of Chen 4, passage 128
BC 195 生惠帝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 4, passage 90
BC 195 to BC 188 高、惠之間
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 269
BC 206 高祖初為漢王
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 2

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Empress Lü (呂后)
bore 生
heir 太子
mother 母
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Han 4, passage 90; Book of Han 51, passage 48; Book of Han 3, passage 1; Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 68
Sibling of Eldest Princess (長公主)
brother 兄 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 68
Child of Liu Bang (劉邦)
son 子
crown prince 太子
crown prince 太子也
Emperor Hui 帝
Emperor Hui 惠帝
father 父
heir apparent 太子
Sources vary in certainty · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 81, 112; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 17; Book of Han 3, passage 1; Book of Han 48, passages 117, 239; Book of Han 4, passages 90-91; Book of Han 51, passage 44
Sibling of Princess Lu Yuan (魯元公主)
elder sister 帝姊 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 93
Kin of Empress Lü (呂后)
Empress Dowager Gao 高后
Emperor Hui 孝惠
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 115, passage 6
Spouse of Empress under Emperor Hui (皇后)
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 93
Spouse of Empress Zhang (皇后張氏)
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage · BC 192 四年冬十月壬寅
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 39
Child of Emperor Gao (高帝)
father 父
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 68, 160
Parent of Qiang (強)
harem son 後宮子 · Claimed parentage
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 5
Parent of Chao (朝)
harem son 後宮子 · Claimed parentage
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 5
Parent of Hong (弘)
harem son 後宮子 · Claimed parentage
Claimed parentage · Relationship negated in the source
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passages 5, 87
Parent of Wu (武)
harem son 後宮子 · Claimed parentage
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 5
Parent of Buyi (不疑)
harem son 後宮子 · Claimed parentage
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 5
Kin of Imperial Clan Princess married to the Xiongnu Chanyu (宗室女)
imperial clan daughter 宗室女 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 34
Kin of Liu Fei (劉肥)
kin 親親
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 3, passage 64
Kin of Liu Ruyi (劉如意)
kin 親親
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 3, passage 64

Key source chapters

Book of Han, Chapter 3 Volume 2: Annals of Emperor Hui 7 passages
Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 99 Biographies of Liu Jing and Shusun Tong 14 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 48 Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen 13 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 4 Volume 3: Annals of Empress Lü Zhi 7 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 51 Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu 7 passages

Career and standing

Emperor Xiaohui 孝惠帝
Directly stated · Book of Han 1, passages 30, 34
Appointed
BC 205 二年 · Crown prince
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 3
BC 195 十二年五月丙寅
emperor 皇帝
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 5
BC 195 孝惠即位
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 170
BC 195 惠帝即位
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 92

Places and affiliations

Han 漢
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 269; Records of the Grand Historian 115, passage 6
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Of
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 10
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 5; Book of Han 4, passage 92; Book of Han 26, passage 317; Book of Han 46, passage 21; Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 5
BC 188 七年九月辛丑
At Anling 安陵 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 63
BC 188 七年秋八月戊寅
At Weiyang Palace 未央宮 · Relation Died at
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 62

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Cao Zhu (曹窋) · About Person Id Cao Shen (曹參) · Mode quotation Speaker Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 239-240
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Xiao He (蕭何) · Mode quotation Speaker Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 118, 120
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Cao Zhu (曹窋)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 112-113
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Cao Shen (曹參) · Mode quotation Speaker Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 243-244, 246, 248, 251-252
BC 195 十二年
Edict · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passages 20-21
Speech response · Addressee · With Cao Shen (曹參) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 65

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 116-117, 119, 121, 124-125

Events and relationships

Abolished law against possessing books
BC 191 四年 · Legal · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 43
Again mobilized labor to wall chang'an
BC 190 五年春正月 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 50
Approved wiman vassalage
Diplomatic · Approver
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 115, passage 8
Built western market and repaired ao granary
BC 189 六年 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 3, passage 58
Capping ceremony
BC 191 四年三月甲子 · Ritual · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 41
Completed chang'an walls
BC 190 五年九月 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 53

Show 16 more source-backed claims

Dispatched forces to xingyang
BC 189 七年冬十月 · Military · Actor · With Guan Ying (灌嬰) · At Xingyang 滎陽
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 59
Established yao as king of donghai
BC 192 三年夏五月 · Political · Actor · With Yao (搖)
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 35
Feared on hearing admonition
Political · Addressee · With Shusun Tong (叔孫通)
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 65
Granted ranks to people
BC 195 十二年五月 · Ritual · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 6
Married clan princess to chanyu
BC 192 三年 · Diplomatic · Actor · With Imperial Clan Princess married to the Xiongnu Chanyu (宗室女)
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 34
Mobilized convict labor to wall chang'an
BC 192 三年六月 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 36
Mobilized labor to wall chang'an
BC 192 三年春 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 33
Ordered gaozu temples
BC 195 十二年 · Ritual · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 22
Pardoned the realm
BC 191 四年三月甲子 · Legal · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 41
Presided during early Han social recovery
Governance context
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 160
Reduced land tax restored one in fifteen
BC 195 十二年 · Legal · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 16
Walled chang'an
BC 194 元年春正月 · Construction · Actor · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 26
Type son · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 1, passages 30, 32
Type son · Person Empress Lü (呂后)
Directly stated · Book of Han 1, passage 30
Relation Patron of · Person Hong Ru (閎孺)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 5-6
Type son-of · Person Local Id Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 2, passage 48

Assessments and attributes

Assessment cultivated kinship affection and ritually respected the chancellor; favor toward King Dao of Qi and King Yin of Zhao was generous · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 64
Assessment held to a hands-off posture (non-action) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 4, passage 89
Assessment lenient and benevolent ruler · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 65

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 317; History of Jin 33, passage 7

References in the histories

Search passages

History

86 passages

Book of Chen, Chapter 4Volume 4: Emperor Fei · 1 passage

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史臣曰：臨海雖繼體之重，仁厚儒弱，[13]混一是非，不驚得喪，蓋帝摯、漢惠之流也。 The historian writes: Though Linhai held the heir's place, he was gentle, mild, and timid in the Confucian way; he blurred right and wrong and was unmoved by gain or loss—in the line of Emperor Zhi and Emperor Hui of Han.

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 3 passages

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呂公女即呂后也，生孝惠帝、魯元公主。 This daughter of Lü Gong would become Empress Lü. She gave birth to Emperor Xiaohui and Princess Lu Yuan.

令相兩子，見孝惠帝，曰：「夫人所以貴者，乃此男也。」 He had him read the faces of the two children. When he saw Emperor Xiaohui, he said: "Madame's nobility comes from this male child."

漢王道逢孝惠、魯元，載行。 King Han met Xiaohui and Lu Yuan on the road and had them ride in the carriage.

Book of Han, Chapter 2Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 · 3 passages

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尊王后曰皇后，太子曰皇太子，追尊先媼曰昭靈夫人。 He honored the queen as empress, the crown prince as imperial crown prince, and posthumously honored his late mother as Lady Zhaoling.

上乃發上郡、北地、隴西車騎，巴蜀材官及中尉卒三萬人為皇太子衛，軍霸上。 The emperor then dispatched chariots and cavalry from Shang commandery, Beidi, and Longxi, along with trained soldiers from Ba and Shu and soldiers of the Commandant, 30,000 men in all, to serve as guard for the imperial crown prince, encamping at Bashang.

已下，皇太子群臣皆反至太上皇廟。 After descending, the imperial crown prince and ministers all returned to the Taishang Huang temple.

Book of Han, Chapter 3Volume 2: Annals of Emperor Hui · 7 passages

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孝惠皇帝，高祖太子也，母曰呂皇后。 Emperor Hui was Gaozu's crown prince. His mother was Empress Lü.

帝年五歲，高祖初為漢王。 The emperor was five years old when Gaozu first became King of Han.

二年，立為太子。 In the second year, he was established as crown prince.

五月丙寅，太子即皇帝位，尊皇后曰皇太后。 In the fifth month on the day bingyin, the crown prince ascended the imperial throne. He honored the empress as empress dowager.

三月甲子，皇帝冠，赦天下。 In the third month on the day jiazi, the emperor was capped. He pardoned the world.

秋八月戊寅，帝崩于未央宮。 In autumn, eighth month, on the day wuyin, the emperor passed away in Weiyang Palace.

贊曰：孝惠內修親親，外禮宰相，優寵齊悼、趙隱，恩敬篤矣。 The appraisal says: Emperor Hui cultivated affection for his kin at home and showed ritual respect to the chancellor abroad. His favor toward King Dao of Qi and King Yin of Zhao was generous, and his kindness and respect were deeply sincere.

Book of Han, Chapter 4Volume 3: Annals of Empress Lü Zhi · 7 passages

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元年春正月，詔曰：「前日孝惠皇帝言欲除三族罪、妖言令，議未決而崩，今除之。」 In the first year, during the first month of spring, an imperial edict declared: 'Previously, Emperor Xiaohui had expressed a desire to abolish the punishment of the three clans and the ordinance against demonic speech, but the discussion remained unresolved when he passed away. We now abolish them.'

立孝惠後宮子強為淮陽王，不疑為恆山王，弘為襄城侯，朝為軹侯，武為壺關侯。 The sons of Emperor Xiaohui's harem were enfeoffed: Qiang as King of Huaiyang, Buyi as King of Hengshan, Hong as Marquis of Xiangcheng, Chao as Marquis of Zhi, and Wu as Marquis of Huguan.

高皇后呂氏，生惠帝。 Empress Gao, née Lü, bore Emperor Hui.

惠帝即位，尊呂后為太后。 When Emperor Hui ascended the throne, Empress Lü was honored as Empress Dowager.

惠帝崩，太子立為皇帝，年幼，太后臨朝稱制，大赦天下。 When Emperor Hui died, the crown prince was installed as emperor. Because he was young, the Empress Dowager presided over court and issued edicts on his behalf, granting a general amnesty throughout the realm.

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.

贊曰：孝惠、高后之時，海內得離戰國之苦，君臣俱欲無為，故惠帝拱己，高后女主制政，不出房闥，而天下晏然，刑罰罕用，民務稼穡，衣食滋殖。 The commentator says: During the reigns of Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Lü, the realm obtained release from the sufferings of the Warring States period. Ruler and ministers alike wished for non-action; therefore Emperor Hui held to a hands-off posture, while Empress Lü, as female ruler, held power without leaving her chambers—yet the realm remained peaceful, punishments were rarely used, the people devoted themselves to farming, and clothing and food grew ever more abundant.

Book of Han, Chapter 5Volume 4: Annals of Emperor Wen · 2 passages

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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.

二月，出孝惠皇帝後宮美人，令得嫁。 In the second month, he released the palace ladies from Emperor Hui's harem and allowed them to marry.

Book of Han, Chapter 6Volume 5: Annals of Emperor Jing · 1 passage

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孝惠廟酎，奏文始、五行之舞。 At the autumn sacrifices in Emperor Hui's Temple, perform the dances of Literary Beginning and the Five Elements.

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

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當孝惠、高后時，百姓新免毒酿，人欲長幼養老。 Early Han society sought recovery and household stability after Qin-era trauma.

自建武、永平，民亦新免兵革之禍，人有樂生之慮，與高、惠之間同，而政在抑彊扶弱，朝無威福之臣，邑無豪桀之俠。 From the Jianwu through Yongping eras, the people had only recently emerged from the disasters of war and were mindful of preserving life, as in the time of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Hui. Government policy restrained the strong and supported the weak; at court no minister privately wielded the power to inspire fear or grant favors, and in the localities there were no domineering magnates.

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

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孝惠、高后之間，衣食滋殖。 Between Emperor Hui and Empress Lü, food and clothing gradually became more plentiful.

Book of Han, Chapter 41Volume 32: Zhang Er and Chen Yu · 2 passages

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及孝惠、高后、文、景時，張王客子孫皆為二千石。 By the reigns of Emperor Hui, Empress Gao, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing, the descendants of King Zhang's retainers all held offices at the two-thousand-bushel rank.

初，孝惠時，齊悼惠王獻城陽郡，尊魯元公主為太后。 Early in Emperor Hui's reign, Prince Daohui of Qi presented Chengyang Commandery and honored Princess Lu Yuan as empress dowager.

Book of Han, Chapter 44Volume 35: Princes of Jing, Yan and Wu · 1 passage

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會孝惠、高后時天下初定，郡國諸侯各務自拊循其民。 In the Xiaohui and Empress Gao years, with the realm just settled, each regional lord strove to win the goodwill of his subjects.

Book of Han, Chapter 46Volume 37: Ji Bu, Luan Bu and Tian Shu · 1 passage

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孝惠時，為中郎將。 Under Emperor Hui he rose to general of the palace gentlemen.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 13 passages

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高祖崩，何事惠帝。 After Gaozu’s death Xiao He served Emperor Hui.

何病，上親自臨視何疾，因問曰：「君即百歲後，誰可代君？」 When Xiao He fell ill, the Sovereign came to his bedside and asked, “When you are gone, who can take your place?”

帝曰：「曹參何如？」 “What of Cao Shen?” asked the Emperor.

孝惠二年，何薨，諡曰文終侯。 In the second year of Emperor Hui’s reign Xiao He died; his posthumous title was Marquis Wenzhong.

孝惠元年，除諸侯相國法，更以參爲齊丞相。 In Emperor Hui's first year, the office of minister of state in the vassal kingdoms was abolished, and Cao Shen was redesignated chancellor of Qi.

惠帝怪相國不治事，以為「豈少朕與？」 Emperor Hui wondered at the minister of state not governing affairs, thinking “Does he belittle Us?”

乃謂窋曰：「女歸，試私從容問乃父曰：『高帝新棄群臣，帝富於春秋，君為相國，日飲，無所請事，何以憂天下？』 He said to Cao Zhu, “When you go home, try privately and calmly asking your father: ‘The High Emperor has only just left his ministers, and the emperor is still young. You, as chancellor, drink every day and request no affairs of state; how does this show concern for the realm?

至朝時，帝讓參曰：「與窋胡治乎？ At the next audience Emperor Hui reproached him: “Why did you beat Cao Zhu?

參免冠謝曰：「陛下自察聖武孰與高皇帝？」 Cao Shen removed his cap and asked, “How do Your Majesty's wisdom and martial ability compare with those of the High Emperor?”

上曰：「朕乃安敢望先帝！」 “I dare not compare myself to him,” said the emperor.

上曰：「君似不及也。」 “You fall short,” the emperor admitted.

且高皇帝與蕭何定天下，法令既明具，陛下垂拱，參等守職，遵而勿失，不亦可乎？」 The Late Emperor and Xiao He set the laws in clear order. Your Majesty has only to fold your hands on the throne; we ministers need only hold the line without blunder—is that not enough?”

惠帝曰：「善。 “Well said,” said Emperor Hui.

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 7 passages

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及高帝欲廢太子，而立威姬子如意為太子，大臣固爭莫能得，上以留侯策止。 When the High Ancestor wanted to set aside the heir apparent in favor of Lady Qi's son Ruyi, his senior ministers argued themselves hoarse to no avail, until he dropped the idea on the advice of the Marquis of Liu.

陛下欲廢太子，臣期期不奉詔。」 If Your Majesty insists on deposing the heir, I—I will not carry out the edict."

呂後側耳於東箱聽，見昌，為跪謝曰：「微君，太子幾廢。」 Empress Lü had been listening from the eastern gallery. When she met Zhou Chang afterward, she knelt in gratitude and said, "Had it not been for you, the heir would have been lost."

堯曰：「陛下獨為趙王置貴強相，及呂後、太子、群臣素所敬憚者乃可。」 Zhao Yao said, "Then invest Zhao with a chancellor who is both weighty and formidable—someone the empress, the heir, and the whole court already fear and respect."

堯曰：「御史大夫昌，其人堅忍伉直，自呂後、太子及大臣皆素嚴憚之。 Zhao Yao answered, "Imperial Counsellor Zhou Chang is stubborn, plain-spoken, and unbending. The empress, the heir, and every senior minister already tread softly around him.

初，趙堯既代周昌為御史大夫，高祖崩，事惠帝終世。 Zhao Yao had succeeded Zhou Chang as imperial counsellor before the High Ancestor died, and he served out Emperor Hui's entire reign.

孝惠時，為淮陽守。 Under Emperor Hui he was governor of Huaiyang.

Book of Han, Chapter 96Volume 85: Gu Yong and Du Ye · 1 passage

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漢興，呂太后權私親屬，又以外孫為孝惠後，是時繼嗣不明，凡事多暗，晝昏冬雷之變，不可勝載。 When Han first rose, Empress Dowager Lü wielded power for her private relatives and also made a maternal grandson the successor to Emperor Xiaohui. At that time the line of succession was unclear and all affairs were largely dark; changes such as daytime gloom and thunder in winter were too many to record.

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

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孝惠垂拱，高后女主，不出房闥，而天下晏然，民務稼穡，衣食滋殖。 Under Emperor Hui the court scarcely stirred; the Grand Empress Dowager Gao ruled from behind the curtain without stepping beyond the inner palace, yet the realm stayed calm. Folk bent their backs to farming, and food and clothing grew more plentiful.

History of Jin, Chapter 33Volume 33 Treatises 14: Rites 6: Original Shrines, Invocation Ceremonies, Pilgrimages, Other Temples · 1 passage

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三代以前無原廟制，至漢惠帝始置廟于長安渭北，薦以時果，其後又置於豐、沛，不聞享薦之禮。 Before the Three Dynasties there was no institution of original shrines. Emperor Huidi of Han was the first to establish temples north of the Wei at Chang'an, offering seasonal fruits; later shrines were also set up at Feng and Pei, but no full rites of sacrifice and offering are recorded for them.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 53House of Chancellor Xiao · 4 passages

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漢二年，漢王與諸侯擊楚，何守關中，侍太子，治櫟陽。 In the second year of Han, the King of Han joined the other lords in attacking Chu. Xiao He remained to guard the lands within the passes, attend the crown prince, and govern from Yueyang.

何素不與曹參相能，及何病，孝惠自臨視相國病，因問曰：「君即百歲後，誰可代君者？」 Xiao He and Cao Shen had never been on good terms. When Xiao He fell gravely ill, Emperor Hui came personally to visit him at his sickbed and asked, 'When you are gone, who could take your place?'

孝惠曰：「曹參何如？」 Emperor Hui asked, 'What do you think of Cao Shen?'

孝惠二年，相國何卒，謚為文終侯。 In the second year of Emperor Hui's reign, Prime Minister Xiao He passed away. He was given the posthumous title of Marquis Wenzhong.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 54House of Chancellor Cao · 5 passages

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孝惠帝元年，除諸侯相國法，更以參為齊丞相。 In the first year of Emperor Hui's reign, the law governing the appointment of feudal chancellors was abolished, and Cao Shen's title was changed to Chancellor of Qi.

惠帝二年，蕭何卒。 In the second year of Emperor Hui's reign, Xiao He died.

惠帝怪相國不治事，以為「豈少朕與」？ Emperor Hui found it strange that the chancellor took no interest in governance, and wondered, "Could it be that he thinks little of me?"

至朝時，惠帝讓參曰：「與窋胡治乎？ At the next audience, Emperor Hui reproached Cao Shen: "Why did you punish Zhu?

惠帝曰：「善。 Emperor Hui said, "Very well.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 57House of Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang · 2 passages

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勃既定燕而歸，高祖已崩矣，以列侯事孝惠帝。 By the time Bo pacified Yan and returned, Emperor Gaozu had already passed away. He served Emperor Hui as a marquis.

孝惠帝六年，置太尉官，以勃為太尉。 In the sixth year of Emperor Hui's reign, the office of Grand Commandant was established, and Bo was appointed to it.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 98Biographies of Fu, Jin, and the Marquis of Kuaicheng · 1 passage

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孝惠五年卒，謚為景侯。 He died in the fifth year of Emperor Xiaohui's reign and was posthumously titled Marquis Jing.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 99Biographies of Liu Jing and Shusun Tong · 14 passages

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呂后日夜泣，曰：「妾唯太子、一女，柰何棄之匈奴！」 Empress Lu wept day and night, saying, "I have only the Crown Prince and one daughter. How can I cast her away to the Xiongnu?"

漢九年，高帝徙叔孫通為太子太傅。 In the ninth year of Han, Emperor Gao transferred Shusun Tong to the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

漢十二年，高祖欲以趙王如意易太子，叔孫通諫上曰：「昔者晉獻公以驪姬之故廢太子，立奚齊，晉國亂者數十年，為天下笑。 In the twelfth year of Han, Gaozu wished to replace the Crown Prince with King Ruyi of Zhao. Shusun Tong admonished the High Emperor, saying, 'Formerly, Duke Xian of Jin deposed the crown prince because of Li Ji and established Xi Qi, plunging Jin into disorder for several decades and making it the laughingstock of the empire.

今太子仁孝，天下皆聞之； The current Crown Prince is benevolent and filial—everyone in the empire has heard of this;

叔孫通曰：「太子天下本，本一搖天下振動，柰何以天下為戲！」 Shusun Tong said, 'The Crown Prince is the root of the empire. If the root shakes even once, the whole empire shakes. How can you treat the empire as a joke!'

及上置酒，見留侯所招客從太子入見，上乃遂無易太子志矣。 When the High Emperor held a banquet, he saw the guests recruited by Liu Hou following the Crown Prince in for an audience, and the High Emperor finally abandoned any intention to change the Crown Prince.

高帝崩，孝惠即位，乃謂叔孫生曰：「先帝園陵寢廟，群臣莫（能）習。」 After the High Emperor passed away and Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he said to Master Shusun, 'The assembled ministers are not familiar with the rituals for the late emperor's park tomb and ancestral temple.'

孝惠帝為東朝長樂宮，及閒往，數蹕煩人，乃作複道，方筑武庫南。 Emperor Hui held court at the Changle Palace to the east, and when he traveled there, the repeated clearing of the roads troubled the people. He therefore had a covered walkway constructed, just south of the armory.

叔孫生奏事，因請閒曰：「陛下何自筑複道高寢，衣冠月出游高廟？ Master Shusun memorialized on affairs, then requested a private audience and said, 'Why does Your Majesty personally build a covered walkway to the high chamber and, wearing court robes, go out monthly to tour the High Temple?

孝惠帝大懼，曰：「急壞之。」 Emperor Hui was greatly terrified and said, 'Destroy it immediately.'

願陛下原廟渭北，衣冠月出游之，益廣多宗廟，大孝之本也。」 I wish Your Majesty would establish a temple north of the Wei River and, wearing court robes, go out monthly to tour it. Moreover, expand and increase the ancestral temples—this is the root of great filial piety.'

上乃詔有司立原廟。 The Emperor then ordered the responsible officials to establish a branch temple.

孝惠帝曾春出游離宮，叔孫生曰：「古者有春嘗果，方今櫻桃孰，可獻，願陛下出，因取櫻桃獻宗廟。」 Once in spring, Emperor Hui went out to tour a detached palace. Master Shusun said, 'In ancient times there was the spring tasting of fruits. Right now the cherries are ripe and can be offered. I wish Your Majesty would go out and thereby take cherries to offer at the ancestral temple.'

上乃許之。 The Emperor then granted permission.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 100Biographies of Ji Bu and Luan Bu · 1 passage

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孝惠時，為中郎將。 During the reign of Emperor Hui, he served as Commander of the Palace Guard.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 114Treatise on the Eastern Yue · 1 passage

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孝惠三年，舉高帝時越功，曰閩君搖功多，其民便附，乃立搖為東海王，都東甌，世俗號為東甌王。 In the third year of Emperor Hui's reign, the court reviewed the wartime contributions of the Yue dating back to Emperor Gao's era. It was noted that Yao, the lord of Min, had distinguished himself through exceptional service and commanded the loyal devotion of his people. He was therefore made the King of the Eastern Sea, with his capital at Dong'ou—and so the people came to call him the King of Dong'ou.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 115Treatise on Korea · 2 passages

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會孝惠、高后時天下初定，遼東太守即約滿為外臣，保塞外蠻夷，無使盜邊； It happened that during the reigns of Emperor Hui and Empress Dowager Gao, when the empire had only just been pacified, the Governor of Liaodong made an agreement with Wiman to serve as an outer vassal. He was charged with keeping the barbarians beyond the frontier in check and preventing them from raiding the border.

諸蠻夷君長欲入見天子，勿得禁止。 In return, any barbarian chieftains who wished to travel to the capital for an audience with the Son of Heaven were not to be obstructed.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 125Biographies of Flatterers · 2 passages

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孝惠時有閎孺。 During the reign of Emperor Hui, there was Hong Ru.

故孝惠時郎侍中皆冠鵕鸃，貝帶，傅脂粉，化閎、籍之屬也。 And so during Emperor Hui's reign, every palace gentleman and attendant at court wore caps adorned with junyi feathers and belts studded with cowrie shells, their faces powdered and rouged—all in imitation of Hong Ru and Ji Ru.