Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)

Overview

Gongsun Hong was a Chancellor and Official.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Hong		Hong
Courtesy name	Ji	季	Ji

Life and dates

Death

BC 121 元狩二年
Died of illness in office as Chancellor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 77
BC 121 終丞相位
Died in office as chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 139
BC 121 至元狩二年
Peaceful death while still chancellor (善終于相位)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 270

Age

40
Reckoning Sui · Qualifier more-than
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 5
60
BC 141 武帝初即位…弘年六十 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 6
80
BC 121 年八十，終丞相位 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 139
60
BC 140 建元元年 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 6-7
over forty
BC 161 to BC 141 年四十餘 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 4

Attested activity

BC 140 建元元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 6-8
BC 126 元朔三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 31-48
BC 130 元光五年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 9-20
BC 128 to BC 127 下公卿議
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 224-225
BC 121 丞相弘
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 31
BC 129 to BC 128 二歲中
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 21-30

Show 33 more source-backed claims

BC 141 今上初即位
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 121
BC 124 to BC 121 位在丞相而为布被
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 261
BC 130 元光五年
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 8
BC 128 to BC 123 元朔中
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 110
BC 121 元狩二年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 109, passage 105; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 77
BC 200 to BC 121 公孫宰漢
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 38, passage 98
BC 124 公孫弘…取漢相
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58
BC 126 公孫弘
Directly stated · Book of Han 47, passage 149
BC 124 公孫弘為學官…制曰：「可。」
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 40, 67
BC 126 公孫弘言…遂誅偃
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 52, passage 154
BC 126 to BC 124 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 49-55
BC 135 及竇太后崩
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
BC 130 夫藺先生收功於章台…
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 107
BC 180 to BC 161 少時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 1-3
BC 122 居數月
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 76
BC 121 年八十，終丞相位
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 139
BC 161 to BC 141 年四十餘
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 4-5
BC 135 建元六年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 116, passages 18, 39
BC 124 to BC 121 弘希世用事，位至公卿
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 65, passages 354, 357
BC 124 to BC 121 御史大夫公孫弘議
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 104, passages 108-109
BC 124 to BC 121 御史大夫公孫弘議曰
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 117
BC 126 是時公孙弘为御史大夫
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 238
BC 141 武帝初即位
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 6
BC 140 to BC 121 武帝時期
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passages 58, 75
BC 126 汉興八十余年矣
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 243
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 56-59
BC 130 to BC 121 漢武之世
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 32, passage 4
BC 140 to BC 121 漢武帝世
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 30, passage 98
BC 140 to BC 121 漢武帝時
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 75, passage 304
BC 122 當是之時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passages 60-61
BC 140 to BC 121 自公孫弘得用
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 198, 200
BC 124 to BC 121 自孫弘以春秋之義繩臣下取漢相
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 27, passages 98, 101
BC 121 至元狩二年
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 270

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Ancestor of Next descendant of Gongsun Hong (公孙弘后嗣)
later descendants 后子孙 · paternal line
descendant 后 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 274
Parent of Gongsun Du (公孙度)
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 272
Parent of Du (度)
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 78
Parent of Gongsun Du (度)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 143
Child of Stepmother of Gongsun Hong (公孫弘後母)
stepmother 後母 · Step parentage · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 5, 19
Child of Stepmother of Gongsun Hong
stepmother 後母 · Step parentage
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 93

Kinship Role descendants · Quantity unspecified · Qualifier posterity and grandchildren
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 147

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Confucian scholar of the Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
Confucian scholarship 儒雅
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282
prison clerk 獄吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 3; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 2
Left Prefect of the Capital 左內史
BC 129 to BC 128 二歲中 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 21-22
erudite 博士
BC 130 元光五年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 68, passages 8, 66
chancellor 丞相
BC 128 to BC 123 元朔中 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 110

Show 52 more source-backed claims

Chancellor of Han 漢相
BC 124 to BC 121 孫弘…取漢相 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 98
erudite 博士
BC 141 武帝初即位 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 6
chancellor 丞相
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passage 183
Chancellor 丞相
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passages 63, 75
Left Metropolitan Superintendent 左內史
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 84
one of the Three Excellencies 天子三公
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
Academician 博士
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 建元元年 · Regnal Year: 1 · Western Year: BC 140
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 6-7
Imperial Secretary 御史大夫
Appointed · From 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
Academician 博士
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 元光五年 · Regnal Year: 5 · Western Year: BC 130
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 14
Chancellor 丞相
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯 · Western Interval: Start: BC 126 · End: BC 124
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 49
Chancellor 丞相
BC 121 元狩二年 · Died in office
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 77
Chancellor 宰相
BC 124 to BC 121 公孫弘以宰相 · Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 101
Imperial Counselor 御史大夫
BC 124 to BC 121 御史大夫公孫弘議 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 104, passage 108
Imperial Secretary 御史大夫
BC 126 是時公孙弘为御史大夫 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 238
Chancellor 丞相
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反 · Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 57-58
Han chancellor 漢相
BC 124 自公孫弘…取漢相 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58
Chancellor 丞相
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 260-261, 270
chief minister of Han 宰漢
Held
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 38, passage 98
Han chancellor 漢相
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 61
Imperial Chancellor 丞相
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 109, passage 105
Imperial Counselor 御史大夫
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 117
Imperial Secretary 御史大夫
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 116, passage 41
official overseeing scholarship 學官
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 40
one of the Three Excellencies 三公
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 67
prison clerk of Xue 薛獄吏
Held · At Xue 薛 · From Source Date: Text: 少時 · Western Interval: Start: BC 180 · End: BC 161
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 2
imperial counselor 御史大夫
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 94
the three dukes and ministers 公卿
Reached
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 354
chancellor 丞相
Directly stated · Book of Han 74, passages 6, 198
Chancellor 丞相
Directly stated · Book of Han 76, passage 226
chancellor 丞相
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 31
Imperial Clerk 御史大夫
Directly stated · Book of Han 102, passage 110
Marquis of Pingjin 平津侯
Enfeoffed · At Pingjin township in Gaocheng 高成之平津鄉 · Households 650
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 112
Marquis 列侯
Enfeoffed · Negated Merit true
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 57, 67
Marquis of Pingjin 平津侯
Enfeoffed · From Source Date: Text: 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯 · Western Interval: Start: BC 126 · End: BC 124
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 49
Marquis of Pingjin 平津侯
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
marquis 侯
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 75
Marquis of Pingjin 平津侯
Enfeoffed · From Source Date: Text: 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯 · Western Interval: Start: BC 126 · End: BC 124
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 49
marquis 侯
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passage 194
Marquis of Pingjin 平津侯
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 112; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 260
marquis 列侯
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 67
high ministerial rank 公卿
High minister · Attained
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 189
Entered
BC 140 建元元年 · Dismissed · Reason claimed illness after being deemed incompetent
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 8
Entered
BC 180 to BC 161 少時 · Dismissed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 2
Entered
In power
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 200
Granted
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反 · Sick leave
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 75
Gravely ill
Illness
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 120
commoner in plain clothes 白衣
Commoner · Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
Pleaded illness and resigned
Resignation
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 7
Suffered
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反 · Illness
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 57, 68, 73
swan's pinions among sparrows; tracks among sheep and pigs 鴻漸之翼困於燕爵，遠跡羊豕之間
Rose from humble circumstances
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 253
Committed
BC 180 to BC 161 少時 · Offense · Outcome Dismissed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 2
dismissed for an offense 有罪，免
Dismissal · Dismissed
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 3

Places and affiliations

Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 6, 111
Western Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 253, 258
Polity Han 汉 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 238, 260
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 75, passage 304
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 224-225, 276-277, 282; Records of the Grand Historian 116, passage 39; Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 58; Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 189
Polity Qi 齊 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 1

Show 14 more source-backed claims

Polity Western Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passages 98, 101; Book of Han 65, passage 354; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 6-7, 49, 57, 77; Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 38, 198, 200
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 104, passage 108
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 38, passage 98
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 61
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 52, passage 154
At Xue County in the State of Zichuan, Qi 齊菑川國薛縣
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 1
At Xue in Zichuan 菑川薛
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 2
At Xue 薛
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 121
BC 140 建元元年
At home 歸 · Relation Returned to
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 8
At Golden Horse Gate 金馬門 · Relation Awaited edicts at
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 66
At Qi 齊 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 1, 26
At State of Zichuan 菑川國 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 1
At the seashore 海上 · Relation Resided
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 3
At Xue County 薛縣 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 1

Learning and skills

BC 161 to BC 141 年四十餘
Subject Spring and Autumn Annals and miscellaneous commentaries 春秋雜說
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 4
Spring and Autumn Annals moral principles 春秋之義
Relation Used
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58
Subject Spring and Autumn Annals and miscellaneous expositions 《春秋》雜說 · Relation Studied
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 5
Subject Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋 · Teacher Person Id Humu Sheng (胡毋生)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 198
Subject Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 189
Belief Confucian learning 儒術 · Relation Used as adornment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 21

Show 2 more source-backed claims

Skill Spring and Autumn interpretation 春秋之義 · Level used-to-discipline-ministers
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 98
Skill legal and administrative affairs 文法吏事 · Level versed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 21

Works and attributed material

Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
Relation Applied principles of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58
Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
Relation Studied
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
Spring and Autumn 春秋
Relation Used as legal standard
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 98
Speech · Speaker · Addressee people of Zichuan · Direct quotation · Extent s0010
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 10
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to the Emperor (天子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 225
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Wu (孝武皇帝) · Direct quotation · Units s0238
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 238

Show 19 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Wu (天子) · Direct quotation · Extent s0028
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 28
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Wu (天子) · Direct quotation · Extent s0036
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 36
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Wu (天子) · Direct quotation · Extent s0041, s0042, s0043, s0044, s0045, s0046, s0047
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 41-47
a ruler's failing is lack of magnanimity; a minister's failing is lack of frugality
Saying · Speaker · Paraphrased · Extent s0017
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 17
Memorial · Author · With Emperor Wu (孝武) · Direct quotation · Extent s0059, s0060, s0061, s0062, s0063, s0064, s0065, s0066, s0067, s0068, s0069
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 59-69
Memorial · Author · Direct quotation · With Guo Xie (郭解)
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passages 108-109
Memorial · Author · With Guo Xie (郭解)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passages 117-118
Memorial · Author · Mode memorial Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 40-66
Memorial · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 67-73, 122-131
Oral advice · Speaker · With Emperor Wu (武帝) · Direct quotation · Units s0357 · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 357
Policy essay · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 25-63
Report · Speaker · With Emperor of Han (天子) · Mode named-source-report Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 116, passages 40-41
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Wu of Han (漢武帝) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 63
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passage 183
Speech · Author · Direct quotation · With Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 75-79
Only Dong Zhongshu is fit to serve as Chancellor to the King of Jiaoxi
Speech · Speaker · With Present Emperor (今上) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 191
Unless Zhu Fu Yan is put to death, the realm will not be satisfied.
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 52, passage 154
Speech · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 99, 102-108
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Han 47, passage 149

Events and relationships

Abandoned prior agreement to follow emperor
Court politics · Minister
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 25
Adopted teachings of
Scholarly · Official · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 200
Argued for condemning Guo Jie as great treason
Legal · Prosecutor · With Guo Xie (郭解)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passages 117-119
Argued Guo Xie guilty of great impiety
Legal · Prosecutor · With Guo Xie (郭解)
Directly stated · Book of Han 104, passages 108-110
Bound ministers with Spring and Autumn standards
BC 124 to BC 121 自孫弘以春秋之義繩臣下取漢相 · Political · Chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 98
Brought about execution
BC 126 to BC 124 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯 · Political · Instigator · With Zhufu Yan (主父偃)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 52

Show 57 more source-backed claims

Brought about transfer exile
BC 126 to BC 124 卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯 · Political · Instigator · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒) · At Jiaoxi 膠西
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 52
Caused Zhufu Yan's execution and Dong Zhongshu's transfer
Political · Instigator · With Zhufu Yan (主父偃)
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 119
Conceded Shuofang asked to drop southwest and Canghai
BC 126 元朔三年 · Policy · Proposer · Outcome Emperor approved
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 36-37
Could not refute ten arguments on Shuofang
BC 126 元朔三年 · Debate · Opponent · With Zhu Maichen (朱買臣)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 34-35
Criticized southwestern expansion as useless
BC 130 元光五年 · Remonstrance · Reporter · Outcome Emperor did not heed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 16
Essay raised to first by emperor
BC 130 元光五年 · Examination · Candidate · With Emperor Wu (天子)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 13
Failed ten strategies
Political · Challenged · With Zhu Maichen (朱買臣) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 38, passage 98
Frugality below rank became known at court
Political · Subject of challenge · With Ji An (汲黯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 264
Gathered and compared interpretations
Scholarly · Official · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 200
Granted sick leave with gifts; recovered and returned
Medical · Patient
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 137-138
Herded pigs by the sea
Livelihood · Herder · At by the sea 海上
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 4
Inspected southwestern Yi burden on Ba and Shu
Inspection · Inspector
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 81-82
Inspected
BC 130 元光五年 · Inspection · Imperial envoy · At Ba and Shu / southwestern tribes 西南夷、巴蜀
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 15
Investigated southwestern Yi road campaign and advised against it
Political · Inspector
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 116, passages 39-40
Laid out options without open confrontation
Court deliberation · Minister
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 20, 23
Likewise summoned
BC 141 今上初即位 · Summons · Summoned scholar · With Present Emperor (今上)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 121
Listed among Confucian scholars of the era
Career · Exemplar · Mode quotation Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282
Maligned by favorites but favored more
Court politics · Target of slander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 30
Mission to
BC 140 建元元年 · Diplomatic · Envoy · At Xiongnu 匈奴 · Outcome Report displeased the emperor
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 8
Mourned stepmother three years
Ritual · Mourner
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 93
Observed three years mourning
Mourning · Mourner · With Stepmother of Gongsun Hong (公孫弘後母)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 19
Opened east wing guest lodgings for worthies
Institution · Founder
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 115
Opposed Canghai and Shuofang burden
Political · Remonstrator
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 96, 99
Opposed shuofang as qin had failed
Political · Objector
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 225
Pleaded illness and begged to retire
Career · Official
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 266
Presented to Taichang
BC 130 元光五年 · Examination · Candidate
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 11-12
Private audience Hong followed Ji An
Audience · Joint petitioner · With Ji An (汲黯) · Outcome Emperor accepted their words; Hong grew in favor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 24
Ranked last by Chamberlain then first by emperor
Examination · Candidate
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 64-65
Ranked last among over 100
BC 130 元光五年 · Examination · Candidate
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 12
Recommended by Zichuan
BC 130 元光五年 · Recommendation · Nominee
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 9
Recommended Dong as Jiaoxi chancellor
Political · Recommender · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 191
Recovered after several months and resumed duties
Medical · Patient
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 269
Recovered and resumed duties
BC 122 居數月 · Medical · Patient
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 76
Requested return of marquis seal and retirement
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反 · Political · Petitioner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 69
Rose to high office after humble beginnings
Political · Subject · Mode quotation Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 276
Rose from commoner to excellency and marquis
BC 135 及竇太后崩 · Political · Beneficiary
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 38
Sent to the Xiongnu
Diplomatic · Envoy · Other Label Xiongnu 匈奴
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 7
Set frugal example
Political · Exemplar
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 61
Sidelong glance
BC 141 今上初即位 · Social · Observer · With Yuan Gu (轅固)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 121
Stood at head of those recommended
BC 126 汉興八十余年矣 · Scholarly · Foremost recommended
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 243
Submitted memorial on erudite disciples
Administrative · Memorialist
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 40, 65-66
Supported stepmother
Filial care · Caregiver · With Stepmother of Gongsun Hong (公孫弘後母)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 5
Transferred Dong Zhongshu to Jiaoxi
Political · Instigator · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 119
Urged abandoning frontier commandery projects
BC 126 元朔三年 · Remonstrance · Minister
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 32-33
Urged Dong be sent to Jiaoxi
Personnel · Recommender · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 357
Urged execution
Legal · Advocate of execution · With Zhufu Yan (主父偃) · Mode speech Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 238
Urgent investigation of co conspirators
BC 122 淮南、衡山謀反 · Political · Investigator authority · With King of Huainan (淮南王), King of Hengshan (衡山王)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 56, 58
Relation Successor of · Person Emperor Wen of Han (漢文帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 31
Relation Excluded · Person Zhufu Yan (主父偃) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 304
Relation Advocate of death of · Person Zhufu Yan (主父偃)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 238
Relation Rival of · Person Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 355; Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 189-191
Relation Compared to · Person Wang Tingzhen (汪廷珍) · Mode unnamed-contemporaries
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 364, passage 134
Relation On good terms with · Person Ji An (汲黯) · Mode self-report Speaker Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 42
Relation Colleague of · Person Ji An (汲黯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 86; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 24
Relation Deliberated with · Person Zang (臧)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 46
Relation Student of · Person Humu Sheng (胡毋生)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 198
Relation Deliberated with · Person Ping (平)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 46

Assessments and attributes

Assessment bound subordinates by Spring and Autumn moral principles · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 58
Assessment catered to the age · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 354
Assessment Confucian elegance (儒雅) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 258
Assessment could not answer Zhu Maichen's ten strategies, yet governed Han · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 38, passage 98
Assessment courted favor of the times and wielded real power · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 189
Assessment cultivated conduct and righteousness but also met with favorable times · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 242

Show 29 more source-backed claims

Assessment enfeoffed without merit and failed in chancellor duties regarding feudal treason · Mode self-report Source Person Id Gongsun Hong (公孫弘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 57-58, 67
Assessment knew the Annals less well than Dong Zhongshu · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 354
Assessment lamented the stagnation of the Way · Mode historian-narrative
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 40
Assessment mastery of Spring and Autumn Annals inferior to Dong Zhongshu · With Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 121, passage 189
Assessment model of frugality for the realm; used cloth coverlet and ate plain food · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 30, passage 61
Assessment modest and self-effacing · Assessor Person Id Emperor Wu (天子) · Mode named-person-judgment Source Person Id Emperor Wu (天子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 48
Assessment outwardly broad, inwardly deep and jealous · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 117
Assessment possessed the wings of the great wild goose but languished among sparrows until meeting the right time · Mode quotation Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 276
Assessment practiced flattery · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 355
Assessment practiced frugality below what rank prescribed, yet worthy of emulation; unlike those privately extravagant who put on a false show of austerity · Mode edict Source Person Id Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 264-265
Assessment prudent, substantial, fluent, versed in law, Confucian ornament · Mode narrative
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 84
Assessment regarded as virtuous by scholars for supporting guests · Mode named-source-report Source Work scholars of his day
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 55
Assessment restrained himself within while outwardly following proper regulations · Mode edict Source Person Id Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 263
Assessment second rank beside later famous ministers · With Bu Shi (卜式), Er Kuan (兒寬) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 261
Assessment since the founding of Han, no chief minister matched him in personal frugality, valuing righteousness over wealth, and clear illustrious example · Mode edict Source Person Id Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 260
Assessment sincere and generous conduct, persuasive debate, versed in legal and clerical affairs adorned with Confucian learning · Assessor Person Id Emperor Wu (天子) · Mode named-person-judgment Source Person Id Emperor Wu (天子)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 21
Assessment suspicious and jealous; outwardly magnanimous, inwardly scheming · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 50-51
Assessment unmatched thrift and righteousness among Han ministers · Mode edict Speaker Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 144-145
Assessment wide and remarkable learning · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 17
Assessment wore plain cloth and ate without layered flavors as an example for inferiors, yet this did not improve custom · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 101
long suffered 負薪之病; later frost-and-dew illness
Illness
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 68, 73
very handsome appearance 容貌甚麗
Physical description · Statement appearance very handsome
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 66
appearance and bearing greatly impressed the court
Physical description
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 14
Item cattle, wine, and assorted silks 牛酒雜帛 · Relation Bestowed · From Person Id Emperor Wu (孝武)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 75
Item cattle, wine, and assorted silks 牛酒杂帛 · Relation Bestowed · With Emperor Wu (孝武皇帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 268
Item cloth quilt 布被 · Relation Used
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passages 101, 104; Book of Later Han 30, passage 98; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 261
Item coarse cloth quilt 布被 · Relation Used
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 18, 39, 43
Item plain cloth bedding 布被 · Relation Used
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 101
Item seal of the marquisate 侯印 · Relation Sought to return
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 69

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 304; Book of Later Han 30, passage 98; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 225, 238; Records of the Grand Historian 121, passages 38, 189
Value historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 1, 57, 276, 282
As chancellor he ate coarsely hulled millet and never more than a single dish of meat.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 261
Ate a single meat dish with coarsely hulled millet.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 53
He did not eat more than a single meat dish.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 18, 53
He distributed his entire salary among old friends and favored guests, leaving nothing for himself.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 262

Show 2 more source-backed claims

His family was poor; he herded pigs by the seashore.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 3
Spent his entire salary supporting old friends and favored guests, leaving nothing for his household.
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 54

References in the histories

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History

164 passages

Book of Han, Chapter 27Volume 24b: Treatise on Trade 2 · 2 passages

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自孫弘以春秋之義繩臣下取漢相，張湯以峻文決理為廷尉，於是見知之法生，而廢格沮誹窮治之獄用矣。 Moralist and legalist techniques fused into a harsher prosecutorial regime, including broad guilt-by-knowledge doctrines.

公孫弘以宰相，布被，食不重味，為下先，然而無益於俗，稍務於功利矣。 Even under Gongsun Hong's austere personal style, court policy kept drifting toward utilitarian gain.

Book of Han, Chapter 47Volume 38: The Five Sons of Emperor Gao · 1 passage

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公孫弘曰：「齊王以憂死，無後，非誅偃無以塞天下之望。」 Gongsun Hong urged: "The king of Qi died heirless and broken-hearted; only Zhufu Yan's death will satisfy the realm."

Book of Han, Chapter 59Volume 50: Zhang, Feng, Ji and Zheng · 9 passages

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丞相弘宴見，上或時不冠。 With Chancellor Gongsun Hong at a casual audience he sometimes went bareheaded.

上方鄉儒術，尊公孫弘，及事益多，吏民巧。 The emperor meanwhile embraced Confucianism, elevated Gongsun Hong, and as business multiplied, officials and people grew expert at evasion.

而黯常毀儒，面觸弘等徒懷詐飾智以阿人主取容，而刀筆之吏專深文巧詆，陷人於罔，以自為功。 Ji An, meanwhile, trashed the Ru scholars and accused Hong to his face of faking wisdom to please the throne, while clerks twisted the code to frame the innocent and pad their résumés.

上愈益貴弘、湯，弘、湯心疾黯，雖上亦不說也，欲誅之以事。 Wu prized Hong and Tang all the more; they loathed Ji An, and the emperor himself cooled—yet all three looked for a charge that would let them kill him.

弘為丞相，乃言上曰：「右內史界部中多貴人宗室，難治，非素重臣弗能任，請徙黯。」 Once Gongsun Hong became chancellor, he told the emperor, "The district under the right metropolitan superintendent contains many nobles and imperial clansmen and is difficult to govern. Only a minister of established weight can bear the charge. I request that Ji An be transferred there."

至說公孫弘等，如發蒙耳。」 as for persuading Gongsun Hong and the rest, it would be like lifting a blind."

始黯列九卿矣，而公孫弘、張湯為小吏。 Ji An had been a nine-minister man when Hong and Tang were still clerks.

及弘、湯稍貴，與黯同位，黯又非毀弘、湯。 When they rose to his level, he still spoke of them with contempt.

已而弘至丞相，封侯，湯御史大夫，黯時丞史皆與同列，或尊用過之。 Soon Hong was chancellor and a marquis, Tang imperial counsellor, while Ji An's old subordinates passed him in rank.

Book of Han, Chapter 65Volume 56: Dong Zhongshu · 3 passages

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是時方外攘四夷，公孫弘治《春秋》不如仲舒，而弘希世用事，位至公卿。 The court was busy driving the barbarians back; Gongsun Hong knew the Annals less well than Dong yet flattered his way to the highest posts.

仲舒以弘為從諛，弘嫉之。 Dong despised him as a sycophant, and Hong hated Dong in return.

弘乃言於上曰：「獨董仲舒可使相膠西王。」 Hong told the emperor, "Only Dong Zhongshu should serve as chancellor to the king of Jiaoxi."

Book of Han, Chapter 68Volume 58: Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi and Er Kuan · 48 passages

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公孫弘 Gongsun Hong.

公孫弘，菑川薛人也。 Gongsun Hong was a native of Xue in Zichuan commandery.

武帝初即位，招賢良文學士，是時，弘年六十，以賢良徵為博士。 At the beginning of Emperor Wu's reign the court called for worthy men and literary scholars; Hong was sixty and was recommended as worthy and good and summoned to be a court erudite.

使匈奴，還報，不合意，上怒，以為不能，弘乃移病免歸。 Sent on a mission to the Xiongnu, he reported back in terms the emperor disliked. Enraged, the sovereign judged him useless; Hong pleaded illness, gave up his office, and went home.

元光五年，復征賢良文學，菑川國復推上弘。 In the fifth year of Yuanguang the court once more summoned worthy men and literary scholars, and the state of Zichuan again put Hong forward.

弘謝曰：「前已嘗西，用不能罷，願更選。」 Hong demurred: "I have already been summoned west once and was let go for incompetence; please select someone else."

國人固推弘，弘至太常。 The men of the state insisted on nominating him, and he was sent on to the Chamberlain for Ceremonials.

弘對曰： Hong answered:

臣弘愚戇，不足以奉大對。 Your servant is dull and unworthy and cannot sustain so great a theme.

時對者百餘人，太常奏弘第居下。 More than a hundred men had submitted answers; the Chamberlain for Ceremonials ranked Hong last.

策奏，天子擢弘對為第一。 When the papers went up, the emperor placed Hong's first.

弘復上疏曰：「陛下有先聖之位而無先聖之名，有先聖之名而無先聖之吏，是以勢同而治異。 Hong again memorialized: "You hold the throne of the ancient paragons but not yet their renown; you bear their reputation yet lack their ministers—so your position matches theirs, but your governance does not.

書奏，天子以冊書答曰：「問：弘稱周公之治，弘之材能自視孰與周公賢？」 The memorial reached the throne; the emperor replied in his own hand: "You praise the Duke of Zhou's rule—do you count your own gifts the equal of his?"

弘對曰：「愚臣淺薄，安敢比材於周公！ Hong answered: "I am shallow and coarse—how dare I measure myself against the Duke of Zhou!

期年而變，臣弘尚竊遲之。」 A single cycle for the first change—your servant would still call that slow."

時方通西南夷，巴、蜀苦之，詔使弘視焉。 The court was opening the southwest; Ba and Shu groaned under the burden; the emperor sent Hong to look into it.

於是上察其行慎厚，辯論有餘，習文法吏事，緣飾以儒術，上說之，一歲中至左內史。 The emperor saw that he was steady and substantial, fluent in argument, versed in the affairs of law clerks, and trimmed these with Confucian learning; he delighted in him, and within a year Hong rose to Left Metropolitan Superintendent.

弘奏事，有所不可，不肯庭辯。 When a memorial of his missed the mark, he would not wrangle over it in open session.

常與主爵都尉汲黯請間，黯先發之，弘推其後，上常說，所言皆聽，以此日益親貴。 He habitually sought private audience together with Ji An, Commandant of Nobility Ranks. Ji An would speak first, and Hong would then add his own view; the emperor was always pleased and accepted everything they said, so Hong grew more intimate and honored by the day.

汲黯庭詰弘曰：「齊人多詐而無情，始為與臣等建此議，今皆背之，不忠。」 Ji An challenged him in open court: "Qi men are smooth and faithless—first he pledged this plan with us ministers, then they all break the bargain; that is disloyalty."

上問弘，弘謝曰：「夫知臣者以臣為忠，不知臣者以臣為不忠。」 The emperor turned to Hong, who replied: "Those who know me call me loyal; those who do not call me false."

上然弘言。 The emperor accepted Hong's answer.

左右幸臣每毀弘，上益厚遇之。 The palace favorites slandered him all the more; the sovereign only treated him more generously.

弘為人談笑多聞，常稱以為人主病不廣大，人臣病不儉節。 In conversation he was witty and learned; he liked to say that rulers err by lacking breadth of mind, ministers by lacking thrift.

弘數諫，以為罷弊中國以奉無用之地，願罷之。 Hong remonstrated again and again that these schemes beggared the heartland to hold empty borderlands and should be dropped.

於是上乃使硃買臣等難弘置朔方之便。 The emperor set Zhu Maichen and others to debate him on the worth of Shuofang.

發十策，弘不得一。 They put ten questions; Hong could not best a single one.

弘乃謝曰：「山東鄙人，不知其便若是，願罷西南夷、蒼海，專奉朔方。」 Hong conceded: "I am a bumpkin from east of the passes; I did not see how useful Shuofang could be—let the southwest and Canghai go, and pour our strength into Shuofang alone."

汲黯曰：「弘位在三公，奉祿甚多，然為布被，此詐也。」 Ji An said, "Hong sits among the Three Excellencies on a fat stipend yet sleeps under a homespun quilt—that is a pose."

上問弘，弘謝曰：「有之。 The emperor questioned Hong, who confessed: "It is true.

夫九卿與臣善者無過黯，然今日庭詰弘，誠中弘之病。 Of the nine ministers none is closer to me than Ji An, yet he rebuked me in open court—and he put his finger on my fault.

今臣弘位為御史大夫，為布被，自九卿以下至於小吏無差，誠如黯言。 I am imperial counselor yet share a peasant's bedding with every clerk from the nine ministers down—Ji An had the right of it.

先是，漢常以列侯為丞相，唯弘無爵，上於是下詔曰：「朕嘉先聖之道，開廣門路，宣招四方之士，蓋古者任賢而序位，量能以授官，勞大者厥祿厚，德盛者獲爵尊，故武功以顯重，而文德以行褒。 Before Hong, every Han chancellor had held a marquisate; Hong alone had none. The emperor therefore proclaimed: "I honor the teaching of the ancient sages, throw wide the doors, and call talent from every quarter. Antiquity appointed the worthy by rank and matched office to ability—great toil won rich pay, towering virtue a high title—so martial deeds were exalted and civil grace rewarded.

其以高成之平津鄉戶六百五十封丞相弘為平津侯。」 I enfeoff Chancellor Hong as Marquis of Pingjin with six hundred fifty households at Pingjin township in Gaocheng."

其後以為故事，至丞相封，自弘始也。 Thereafter the grant of a marquisate with the seal of chancellor became precedent, and it began with Hong.

弘自見為舉首，起徒步，數年至宰相封侯，於是起客館，開東閣以延賢人，與參謀議。 Hong had been first on the list, a commoner who within a few years became chancellor and marquis; he now built guest quarters and opened the east wing to host scholars and take counsel with them.

弘身食一肉，脫粟飯，故人賓客仰衣食，奉祿皆以給之，家無所餘。 He himself dined on a single meat and millet rice, while friends and clients lived on his salary until his purse was empty.

諸常與弘有隙，無近遠，雖陽與善，後竟報其過。 Whoever crossed him, soon or late, might win a smiling face for a time, but Hong always settled scores in the end.

殺主父偃，徙董仲舒膠西，皆弘力也。 The killing of Zhufu Yan and Dong Zhongshu's transfer to Jiaoxi were Hong's work.

後淮南、衡山謀反，治黨與方急，弘病甚，自以為無功而封侯，居宰相位，宜佐明主填撫國家，使人由臣子之道。 When Huainan and Hengshan rose, the dragnet for their partisans tightened; Hong lay gravely ill, convinced that he—a man without battlefield merit who had still been made marquis and chancellor—should be steadying the realm and teaching subjects their duty to ruler and father.

今臣愚駑，無汗馬之勞，陛下過意擢臣弘卒伍之中，封為列侯，致位三公。 Yet I am a dull blade with no campaign sweat; you plucked me from the ranks, made me a full marquis, and set me among the Three Excellences.

臣弘行能不足以稱，加有負薪之疾，恐先狗馬填溝壑，終無以報德塞責。 My deeds do not match my titles, and I bear the 'wood-carrier's' sickness—likely I shall die in harness like a dog or horse and never repay your kindness.

元始中，修功臣後，下詔曰：「漢興以來，股肱在位，身行儉約，輕財重義，未有若公孫弘者也。 In Yuanshi the court ennobled the descendants of great servants and proclaimed: "Since Han began, no minister on the dais has matched Hong for thrift in his person and zeal for right over riches.

其賜弘後子孫之次見為適者，爵關內侯，食邑三百戶。」 Bestow marquis-within-the-passes rank and three hundred households on the senior legitimate heir among Hong's descendants."

上以語丞相弘。 The emperor mentioned it to Chancellor Hong.

弘曰：「此非人情。 Hong said, "That is not how ordinary men behave.

贊曰：公孫弘、卜式、兒寬皆以鴻漸之翼困於燕爵，遠跡羊豕之間，非遇其時，焉能致此位乎？ The historian sighs: Hong, Bu Shi, and Er Kuan were swans mistaken for hens, men of worth herding pigs and sheep—without a ruler who sought them, how would they ever have risen?

漢之得人，於茲為盛，儒雅則公孫弘、董仲舒、兒寬，篤行則石建、石慶，質直則汲黯、卜式，推賢則韓安國、鄭當時，定令則趙禹、張湯，文章則司馬遷、相如，滑稽則東方朔、枚皋，應對則嚴助、硃買臣，歷數則唐都、洛下閎，協律則李延年，運籌則桑弘羊，奉使則張騫、蘇武，將率則衛青、霍去病，受遺則霍光、金日磾，其餘不可勝紀。 Never did the dynasty gather talent so thickly: Hong, Dong, and Kuan for classical breadth; the Shi brothers for steadfast service; Ji An and Bu Shi for blunt loyalty; Han Anguo and Zheng Dangshi for lifting others; Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang for codifying law; Sima Qian and Xiangru for voice; jesters Dongfang Shuo and Mei Gao; debaters Yan Zhu and Zhu Maichen; calendar-makers Tang Du and Luoxia Hong; the harmonist Li Yan'nian; the reckoner Sang Hongyang; envoys Zhang Qian and Su Wu; blades Wei Qing and Huo Qubing; regents Huo Guang and Jin Midi—and a cloud of names besides.

Book of Han, Chapter 69Volume 59: Zhang Tang · 1 passage

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丞相弘數稱其美。 Chancellor Gongsun Hong often spoke of him in glowing terms.

Book of Han, Chapter 74Volume 64a: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 1 · 9 passages

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公孫弘起徒步，數年至丞相，開東閣，延賢人與謀議，朝覲奏事，因言國家便宜。 Gongsun Hong had risen from commoner to chancellor in a few years; he opened the eastern hall to scholars, drew them into counsel, and used each audience to speak plainly of what served the realm.

是時，方築朔方，公孫弘諫，以為罷敝中國。 While Shuofang fort was rising, Gongsun Hong argued that the work would beggar the interior.

上使買臣難詘弘，語在《弘傳》。 The emperor set Zhu Maichen to demolish Hong's argument—the exchange is recorded in Hong's biography.

丞相公孫弘奏言：「民不得挾弓弩。 Chancellor Gongsun Hong proposed: "Let the common people be forbidden to bear bows and crossbows.

書奏，上以難丞相弘。 When the memorial reached him, the emperor threw it in Gongsun Hong's teeth.

弘詘服焉。 Hong conceded defeat.

公孫弘曰：「秦時嘗發三十萬眾築北河，終不可就，已而棄之。」 Gongsun Hong objected: "Qin once threw three hundred thousand lives at the northern river works and gave up when the ditch would not hold."

朱買臣難詘弘，遂置朔方，本偃計也。 Zhu Maichen demolished Hong in debate, and Shuofang was founded on Yan's design after all.

上欲勿誅，公孫弘爭曰：「齊王自殺無後，國除為郡，入漢，偃本首惡，非誅偃無以謝天下。」 The emperor would have spared him, but Hong insisted: "Qi is now a commandery without an heir because of Yan. He is the author of the crime; spare him and you cannot face the realm."

Book of Han, Chapter 75Volume 64b: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 2 · 1 passage

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世稱公孫弘排主父，張湯陷嚴助，石顯譖捐之，察其行跡，主父求欲鼎亨而得族，嚴、賈出入禁門招權利，死皆其所也，亦何排陷之恨哉！ Posterity blames Gongsun Hong for sidelining Zhufu Yan, Zhang Tang for ruining Yan Zhu, and Shi Xian for destroying Jia Juanzhi—yet examine how these men lived. Zhufu Yan clawed after the honors of the high minister's tripod and instead won the execution of his entire kin; Yan Zhu and Jia Juanzhi used their passes through the forbidden gates to peddle influence and line their pockets. Each fell by his own doing; there is little cause to nurse a grudge against those who merely 'squeezed' or 'framed' them.

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 3 passages

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是時，朝廷多賢材，上復問朔：「方今公孫丞相，兒大夫、董仲舒、夏侯始昌、司馬相如、吾丘壽王、主父偃、硃買臣、嚴助、汲黯、膠倉、終軍、嚴安、徐樂、司馬遷之倫，皆辯知閎達，溢於文辭，先生自視，何與比哉？」 The court at that time teemed with talent, and the emperor pressed Shuo again: "Consider Chancellor Gongsun Hong, Censor-in-Chief Er Kuan, Dong Zhongshu, Xiahou Shichang, Sima Xiangru, Wuqiu Shouwang, Zhufu Yan, Zhu Maichen, Yan Zhu, Ji An, Jiao Cang, Zhong Jun, Yan An, Xu Le, Sima Qian, and men of that stamp. They are learned, articulate, and prolific writers. How do you measure yourself against such company?"

時方外事胡、越，內興制度，國家多事，自公孫弘以下至司馬遷，皆奉使方外，或為郡國守相至公卿，而朔嘗至太中大夫，後常為郎，與枚皋、郭舍人俱在左右，詼啁而已。 While the empire was busy with the Xiongnu and the Yue on the frontier and with new institutions at home, everyone from Gongsun Hong down to Sima Qian was dispatched abroad or made a regional governor or rose to the highest offices. Shuo had briefly reached grand counselor of the palace, but he usually held only the modest rank of gentleman-attendant and, with Mei Gao and Guo Sheren, hovered at the ruler's elbow cracking jokes.

其餘《封泰山》、《責和氏璧》及《皇太子生禖》、《屏風》、《殿上柏柱》、《平樂觀賦獵》，八言、七言上下，《從公孫弘借車》，凡劉向所錄朔書具是矣。 The remainder—his pieces on the Feng sacrifice at Mount Tai, the rebuke to the He-family jade, the birth prayer for the crown prince, the screen, the hall cypress pillars, the Pingle hunt rhapsody, suites of eight- and seven-syllable lines, and the skit on borrowing a carriage from Gongsun Hong—comprise everything Liu Xiang catalogued under Dongfang Shuo's name.

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 1 passage

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夫藺先生收功於章台，四皓采榮於南山，公孫創業於金馬，票騎發跡於祁連，司馬長卿竊訾於卓氏，東方朔割炙於細君。 Lord Lin won his fame on the Zhangtai terrace; the Four Whiteheads took honor on Mount Shang; Gongsun Hong built a career from the Golden Horse gate; Huo Qubing made his name beyond Qilian; Sima Xiangru wangled a fortune from the Zhuos; Dongfang Shuo carved a roast for his bride.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 2 passages

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時少能以化治稱者，惟江都相董仲舒、內史公孫弘、兒寬，居官可紀。 Few officials then won renown for civilizing rule through moral example; only Jiangdu Chancellor Dong Zhongshu, Capital Superintendent Gongsun Hong, and Ni Kuan left careers worth remembering.

仲舒數謝病去，弘、寬至三公。 Dong Zhongshu repeatedly begged off on grounds of ill health and left office, while Gongsun Hong and Kuan rose all the way to the rank of one of the Three Dukes.

Book of Han, Chapter 102Volume 90: Cruel Officials · 1 passage

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甯成家居，上欲以為郡守，御史大夫弘曰：「臣居山東為小吏時，甯成為濟南都尉，其治如狼牧羊，成不可令治民。」 The emperor considered Ning Cheng for a governorship, but Gongsun Hong objected: "As Jinan commandant he shepherded men like a wolf among sheep; do not put him over civilians."

Book of Han, Chapter 104Volume 92: Youxias · 1 passage

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御史大夫公孫弘議曰：「解布衣為任俠行權，以睚眥殺人，解不知，此罪甚於解知殺之。 Imperial Counselor Gongsun Hong argued, "A commoner who wields a lord's power so that men kill over a dirty look—even if he never gave the order—has committed a worse crime than murder itself.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 30Volume 27: Biographies of Xuan, Zang, Two Wangs, Du, Guo, Wu, Cheng, Zheng, Zhao · 1 passage

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公孫弘身服布被，汲黯譏其多詐。 Gongsun Hong affected a cotton quilt while drawing a minister's salary; Ji An called him out for shameless pretense.

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

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逮至晚世，董仲舒言道德，見妒於公孫弘，李廣奮節於匈奴，見排於衛青，此忠臣之常所為流涕也。 In more recent times Dong Zhongshu taught moral principle and was resented by Gongsun Hong; Li Guang held firm against the Xiongnu and was sidelined by Wei Qing—such things are why loyal ministers so often shed tears.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 38Volume 33: Biographies of Zhu, Feng, Yu, Zheng, Zhou · 1 passage

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論曰：吳起與田文論功，文不及者三，朱買臣難公孫弘十策，弘不得其一，終之田文相魏，公孫宰漢，誠知宰相自有體也。 The historian remarks: Wu Qi disputed merit with Tian Wen and surpassed him in three ways; Zhu Maichen posed ten challenges to Gongsun Hong that Hong could not meet—yet Tian Wen became chief minister of Wei and Gongsun governed Han. Chancellorship is a different art altogether.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 364Volume 364 Biographies 151: Ruan Yuan, Wang Tingzhen, Tang Jinzhao · 1 passage

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服用樸儉，或以公孫弘擬之，笑曰：「大丈夫不以曲學阿世為恥，而徒畏布被之譏乎？」 He dressed plainly; when compared to Gongsun Hong he laughed: "Should a true man fear crooked learning and fawning on the world, yet only dread ridicule for a cotton quilt?"

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 30Treatise on the Balanced Standard · 2 passages

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自公孫弘以春秋之義繩臣下取漢相，張湯用唆文決理為廷尉，於是見知之法生，而廢格沮誹窮治之獄用矣。 After Gongsun Hong used the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals to discipline his subordinates and attain the Han chancellorship, and Zhang Tang used severe legal arguments to decide cases and become Commandant of Justice, the law punishing officials who saw and knew of crimes without reporting them arose, and prosecutions for neglect, obstruction, disparagement, and slander were pursued exhaustively.

公孫弘以漢相，布被，食不重味，為天下先。 Gongsun Hong, as Han chancellor, used a cloth coverlet and ate plain food, and was regarded as a model for the realm.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 52House of Prince Daohui of Qi · 1 passage

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公孫弘言：「齊王以憂死毋後，國入漢，非誅偃無以塞天下之望。」 Gongsun Hong declared, 'The King of Qi died in anguish, leaving no heir, and his kingdom has reverted to the Han. Unless Zhu Fu Yan is put to death, the expectations of the realm will not be satisfied.'

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 109Biography of General Li · 1 passage

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元狩二年中，代公孫弘為丞相。 In the second year of the Yuanshou era, he succeeded Gongsun Hong as Imperial Chancellor.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 112Biographies of the Marquis of Pingjin and Zhufu · 51 passages

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丞相公孫弘者，齊菑川國薛縣人也，字季。 Chancellor Gongsun Hong hailed from Xue County in the State of Zichuan, within the lands of Qi. His courtesy name was Ji.

是時弘年六十，徵以賢良為博士。 Gongsun Hong was already sixty by then; he was summoned as a worthy scholar and appointed Academician.

使匈奴，還報，不合上意，上怒，以為不能，弘乃病免歸。 He was dispatched on a mission to the Xiongnu, but upon his return, his report displeased the Emperor. Furious, the Emperor deemed him incompetent. Gongsun Hong pleaded illness, secured his release, and went home.

元光五年，有詔徵文學，菑川國復推上公孫弘。 In the fifth year of the Yuanguang era, an imperial edict went out summoning men of learning, and once again the State of Zichuan put forward Gongsun Hong's name.

弘讓謝國人曰：「臣已嘗西應命，以不能罷歸，願更推選。」 Gongsun Hong demurred, telling his countrymen: 'I once answered the summons to the capital, only to be sent home for incompetence. Please select another candidate.'

國人固推弘，弘至太常。 But the people of his state insisted on putting him forward, and so Gongsun Hong presented himself before the Grand Master of Ceremonies.

太常令所徵儒士各對策，百餘人，弘第居下。 The Grand Master of Ceremonies ordered all the summoned scholars to submit policy essays. Among more than a hundred candidates, Gongsun Hong was ranked last.

策奏，天子擢弘對為第一。 Yet when the essays reached the Emperor, the Son of Heaven himself elevated Gongsun Hong's response to first place.

是時通西南夷道，置郡，巴蜀民苦之，詔使弘視之。 At that time, the court was opening roads into the lands of the southwestern tribes and establishing new commanderies. The people of Ba and Shu groaned under the burden, and the Emperor dispatched Gongsun Hong to investigate.

弘為人恢奇多聞，常稱以為人主病不廣大，人臣病不儉節。 Gongsun Hong was a man of wide and remarkable learning. He was fond of saying that a ruler's failing lay in a lack of magnanimity, while a minister's failing lay in a lack of frugality.

弘為布被，食不重肉。 Gongsun Hong slept under coarse cloth quilts and never had more than a single dish of meat at his table.

弘奏事，有不可，不庭辯之。 Whenever one of Gongsun Hong's proposals was rejected, he never argued about it at court.

嘗與主爵都尉汲黯請閒，汲黯先發之，弘推其後，天子常說，所言皆聽，以此日益親貴。 On one occasion, he and Ji An, the Commandant of Noble Ranks, jointly sought a private audience. Ji An spoke first, and Gongsun Hong followed up with supporting arguments. The Emperor was invariably pleased and accepted everything they said. In this way, Gongsun Hong's standing grew day by day.

汲黯庭詰弘曰：「齊人多詐而無情實，始與臣等建此議，今皆倍之，不忠。」 Ji An confronted him before the entire court: 'Men of Qi are full of deceit and devoid of sincerity. Gongsun Hong joined us in drafting this proposal, and now he has reversed himself entirely. This is disloyalty.'

上問弘。 The Emperor turned to Gongsun Hong for his response.

弘謝曰：「夫知臣者以臣為忠，不知臣者以臣為不忠。」 Gongsun Hong replied: 'Those who truly know me regard me as loyal; those who do not know me regard me as disloyal.'

上然弘言。 The Emperor accepted his answer.

左右幸臣每毀弘，上益厚遇之。 Though the imperial favorites continually maligned Gongsun Hong, the Emperor only treated him with greater generosity.

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.

弘數諫，以為罷敝中國以奉無用之地，願罷之。 Gongsun Hong remonstrated repeatedly, arguing that these ventures were exhausting the heartland in service of worthless territories, and urged that they be abandoned.

於是天子乃使朱買臣等難弘置朔方之便。 The Emperor then dispatched Zhu Maichen and others to debate Gongsun Hong on the merits of establishing the Shuofang Commandery.

發十策，弘不得一。 They put forward ten arguments, and Gongsun Hong could not counter a single one.

弘乃謝曰：「山東鄙人，不知其便若是，願罷西南夷、滄海而專奉朔方。」 Gongsun Hong conceded: 'I am but a rustic from east of the mountains and did not realize the advantages were so compelling. I would propose abandoning the southwestern tribes and Canghai to devote our resources entirely to Shuofang.'

汲黯曰：「弘位在三公，奉祿甚多。 Ji An declared: 'Gongsun Hong holds one of the highest offices in the realm, and his salary is exceedingly generous.

上問弘。 The Emperor put the question to Gongsun Hong.

弘謝曰：「有之。 Gongsun Hong bowed and replied: 'It is true.

夫九卿與臣善者無過黯，然今日庭詰弘，誠中弘之病。 Among all the Nine Ministers, none is closer to me than Ji An, yet today he has confronted me before the court and truly struck at the heart of my failing.

今臣弘位為御史大夫，而為布被，自九卿以下至於小吏，無差，誠如汲黯言。 Now I hold the office of Imperial Secretary, yet I sleep under the same coarse cloth quilts as everyone from the Nine Ministers down to the lowliest clerk. It is exactly as Ji An says.

卒以弘為丞相，封平津侯。 In the end, Gongsun Hong was elevated to Chancellor and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Pingjin.

弘為人意忌，外寬內深。 By nature, Gongsun Hong was suspicious and jealous—outwardly magnanimous, but inwardly scheming.

諸嘗與弘有卻者，雖詳與善，陰報其禍。 Anyone who had ever crossed him would find that, even as Gongsun Hong feigned goodwill, he was secretly engineering their downfall.

殺主父偃，徙董仲舒於膠西，皆弘之力也。 The execution of Zhufu Yan and the banishment of Dong Zhongshu to Jiaoxi were both the work of Gongsun Hong.

故人所善賓客，仰衣食，弘奉祿皆以給之，家無所餘。 Old friends and the guests he favored all depended on him for their clothing and food. Gongsun Hong spent his entire salary supporting them, leaving nothing for his own household.

弘病甚，自以為無功而封，位至丞相，宜佐明主填撫國家，使人由臣子之道。 Gongsun Hong's illness grew grave. He reflected that he had been enfeoffed without merit and had risen to the rank of Chancellor; it was his duty to assist the wise sovereign in pacifying the realm and guiding the people along the path of loyal subjects.

今諸侯有畔逆之計，此皆宰相奉職不稱，恐竊病死，無以塞責。 Now feudal lords had hatched treasonous plots—all because he, as Chancellor, had failed in his duties. He feared that if he died quietly of illness, he would have no way to atone for his failure.

今臣弘罷駑之質，無汗馬之勞，陛下過意擢臣弘卒伍之中，封為列侯，致位三公。 Your servant Hong is a man of worn and mediocre talent, with no battlefield merit to his name. Yet Your Majesty has, beyond all reason, raised me from the common ranks, enfeoffed me as a marquis, and elevated me to the highest echelons of government.

臣弘行能不足以稱，素有負薪之病，恐先狗馬填溝壑，終無以報德塞責。 My conduct and ability fall far short of the honor bestowed upon me. I have long suffered from an ailment of the back, and I fear I shall die like a worn-out beast discarded in a ditch, never having repaid Your Majesty's grace or discharged my responsibilities.

朕宿昔庶幾獲承尊位，懼不能寧，惟所與共為治者，君宜知之。 Ever since I was fortunate enough to inherit this exalted throne, I have lived in fear of failing to bring peace. It is only through those who share the burden of governance with me that the realm can be ordered—and this you should know well.

蓋君子善善惡惡，（君宜知之）君若謹行，常在朕躬。 A true gentleman commends the good and condemns the wicked—you should know this well. If you continue to conduct yourself with care, you shall always remain at my side.

君不幸罹霜露之病，何恙不已，乃上書歸侯，乞骸骨，是章朕之不德也。 You have had the misfortune of falling ill from exposure to the elements. Why has the ailment not yet healed? Yet to submit a memorial returning your marquisate and begging to retire would only proclaim my lack of virtue to the world.

元狩二年，弘病，竟以丞相終。 In the second year of the Yuanshou era, Gongsun Hong fell ill once more and died in office as Chancellor.

公孫弘曰：「秦時常發三十萬眾筑北河，終不可就，已而棄之。」 Gongsun Hong objected: 'In the Qin era, three hundred thousand men were deployed to build the northern river fortifications, yet the project could never be completed and was ultimately abandoned.'

上欲勿誅，是時公孫弘為御史大夫，乃言曰：「齊王自殺無後，國除為郡，入漢，主父偃本首惡，陛下不誅主父偃，無以謝天下。」 The Emperor was inclined to spare him. But at that time Gongsun Hong was serving as Imperial Secretary, and he spoke up: 'The King of Qi killed himself and left no heir. His kingdom has been abolished and absorbed as a commandery of the Han. Zhufu Yan was the root cause of it all. If Your Majesty does not execute Zhufu Yan, there will be no way to answer to the empire.'

太史公曰：公孫弘行義雖修，然亦遇時。 The Grand Historian remarks: Though Gongsun Hong cultivated his conduct and principles, he also benefited from fortunate timing.

漢興八十餘年矣，上方鄉文學，招俊乂，以廣儒墨，弘為舉首。 The Han dynasty had been established for over eighty years, and the Emperor was just then turning his attention to men of learning, recruiting the talented and the distinguished, and broadening the influence of the Confucian and Mohist traditions. Gongsun Hong stood at the head of those recommended.

維漢興以來，股肱宰臣身行儉約，輕財重義，較然著明，未有若故丞相平津侯公孫弘者也。 Since the founding of the Han dynasty, among all the chief ministers who personally practiced frugality, prized righteousness over wealth, and stood out as shining examples, none has equaled the late Chancellor Gongsun Hong, the Marquis of Pingjin.

位在丞相而為布被，脫粟之飯，不過一肉。 Though he held the highest office in the land, he slept under cloth quilts, ate coarsely hulled millet, and never had more than a single dish of meat.

弘子度嗣爵，后為山陽太守，坐法失侯。 Gongsun Hong's son Du inherited the title. He later served as the Governor of Shanyang, but was convicted of a legal offense and stripped of his marquisate.

其賜弘後子孫之次當為後者爵關內侯，食邑三百戶，徵詣公車，上名尚書，朕親臨拜焉。」 Let the next descendant of Gongsun Hong in the line of succession be granted the rank of Marquis Within the Passes, with an estate of three hundred households. He is to be summoned to the imperial carriage office, his name presented to the Imperial Secretariat, and I shall personally preside over his investiture.'

班固稱曰：公孫弘、卜式、兒寬皆以鴻漸之翼困於燕雀，遠跡羊豕之閒，非遇其時，焉能致此位乎？ Ban Gu remarked: Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi, and Er Kuan all possessed the wings of the great wild goose but languished among sparrows, their footprints lost among sheep and swine. Had they not been born at the right moment, how could they ever have risen to such positions?

儒雅則公孫弘、董仲舒、兒寬，篤行則石建、石慶，質直則汲黯、卜式，推賢則韓安國、鄭當時，定令則趙禹、張湯，文章則司馬遷、相如，滑稽則東方朔、枚皋，應對則嚴助、朱買臣，歷數則唐都、落下閎，協律則李延年，運籌則桑弘羊，奉使則張騫、蘇武，將帥則衛青、霍去病，受遺則霍光、金日磾。 In Confucian scholarship, there were Gongsun Hong, Dong Zhongshu, and Er Kuan. In steadfast conduct, Shi Jian and Shi Qing. In forthright character, Ji An and Bu Shi. In advancing the worthy, Han Anguo and Zheng Dangshi. In codifying laws, Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang. In literary achievement, Sima Qian and Sima Xiangru. In wit and humor, Dongfang Shuo and Mei Gao. In eloquent debate, Yan Zhu and Zhu Maichen. In astronomy and calendrical science, Tang Du and Luoxia Hong. In harmonizing music, Li Yannian. In strategic finance, Sang Hongyang. In diplomatic missions, Zhang Qian and Su Wu. In military command, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. In receiving the imperial testamentary charge, Huo Guang and Jin Midi.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 116Treatise on the Southwestern Yi People · 3 passages

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上患之，使公孫弘往視問焉。 The Emperor grew alarmed and sent Gongsun Hong to investigate the situation firsthand.

還對，言其不便。 Upon his return, Gongsun Hong reported that the enterprise was ill-advised.

及弘為御史大夫，是時方筑朔方以據河逐胡，弘因數言西南夷害，可且罷，專力事匈奴。 When Gongsun Hong rose to the position of Imperial Secretary, the court was then building the fortress of Shuofang to command the Yellow River and drive back the Hu. He repeatedly argued that the southwestern Yi campaign was doing more harm than good and ought to be suspended so that the court could concentrate its strength against the Xiongnu.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 120Biographies of Ji and Zheng · 10 passages

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治務在無為而已，弘大體，不拘文法。 His approach to governance remained one of non-interference—he upheld broad principles and refused to be constrained by the letter of the law.

丞相弘燕見，上或時不冠。 When Chancellor Gongsun Hong came for a private audience, the Emperor would sometimes receive him without even donning his formal cap.

上方向儒術，尊公孫弘。 The Emperor, however, was increasingly drawn to Confucian scholarship and had elevated Gongsun Hong to a place of honor.

而黯常毀儒，面觸弘等徒懷詐飾智以阿人主取容，而刀筆吏專深文巧詆，陷人於罪，使不得反其真，以勝為功。 Ji An was relentless in his criticism of the Confucians, confronting Gongsun Hong and others to their faces with the charge that they harbored nothing but deceit, dressing up their cleverness to flatter the Emperor. As for the legal clerks, he accused them of twisting the law and crafting specious accusations to entrap the innocent, denying them any chance of vindication—and counting each conviction as a triumph.

上愈益貴弘、湯，弘、湯深心疾黯，唯天子亦不說也，欲誅之以事。 Yet the Emperor continued to elevate Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang, who in turn harbored a deep hatred of Ji An. The Emperor too had grown weary of Ji An and wished to find some pretext to put him to death.

弘為丞相，乃言上曰：「右內史界部中多貴人宗室，難治，非素重臣不能任，請徙黯為右內史。」 When Gongsun Hong became Chancellor, he said to the Emperor: 'The district of the Right Prefect of the Capital is filled with nobles and members of the imperial clan—it is exceedingly difficult to govern. Only a minister of proven authority can manage it. I recommend that Ji An be transferred to the post of Right Prefect of the Capital.'

至如說丞相弘，如發蒙振落耳。」 But as for winning over Chancellor Gongsun Hong—that would be as easy as removing a blindfold or shaking off fallen leaves."

始黯列為九卿，而公孫弘、張湯為小吏。 When Ji An first took his place among the Nine Ministers, Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang were still petty officials.

及弘、湯稍益貴，與黯同位，黯又非毀弘、湯等。 As Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang gradually rose to stand at his level, Ji An continued to denounce them.

已而弘至丞相，封為侯； In time, Gongsun Hong ascended to the Chancellorship and was enfeoffed as a marquis;

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 121Biographies of Confucian Scholars · 9 passages

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及竇太后崩，武安侯田蚡為丞相，絀黃老、刑名百家之言，延文學儒者數百人，而公孫弘以春秋白衣為天子三公，封以平津侯。 After Empress Dowager Dou died, the Marquis of Wu'an, Tian Fen, became Chancellor. He dismissed the doctrines of Huang-Lao, Legalism, and the Hundred Schools, and recruited several hundred literary and Confucian scholars. Gongsun Hong, through his mastery of the Spring and Autumn Annals, rose from commoner to one of the Three Excellencies under the Son of Heaven, and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Pingjin.

公孫弘為學官，悼道之郁滯，乃請曰：「丞相御史言：制曰『蓋聞導民以禮，風之以樂。 Gongsun Hong, as the official overseeing scholarship, lamented the stagnation of the Way and submitted a memorial: "The Chancellor and the Imperial Secretary state: The imperial edict reads, 'We have heard that the people should be guided through ritual and transformed through music.

固之徵也，薛人公孫弘亦徵，側目而視固。 When Yuan Gu was summoned, Gongsun Hong of Xue was likewise summoned. He regarded Yuan Gu with a sidelong glance.

固曰：「公孫子，務正學以言，無曲學以阿世！」 Yuan Gu admonished him: "Master Gongsun, devote yourself to honest scholarship and speak the truth — do not twist your learning to flatter the world!"

是時方外攘四夷，公孫弘治春秋不如董仲舒，而弘希世用事，位至公卿。 At that time, the empire was engaged in campaigns to drive back the barbarians on all four frontiers. Gongsun Hong's mastery of the Spring and Autumn Annals did not match Dong Zhongshu's, yet Gongsun Hong courted the favor of the times, wielded real power, and rose to the highest ministerial rank.

董仲舒以弘為從諛。 Dong Zhongshu regarded Gongsun Hong as nothing more than a sycophant.

弘疾之，乃言上曰：「獨董仲舒可使相繆西王。」 Gongsun Hong, nursing a grudge, told the emperor: "Only Dong Zhongshu is fit to serve as Chancellor to the King of Jiaoxi."

齊之言春秋者多受胡毋生，公孫弘亦頗受焉。 Most of the Spring and Autumn Annals scholars in Qi had studied under Humu Sheng, and Gongsun Hong himself received considerable instruction from him.

自公孫弘得用，嘗集比其義，卒用董仲舒。 After Gongsun Hong rose to power, he once gathered and compared the interpretations of both traditions, but ultimately adopted the teachings of Dong Zhongshu.

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

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御史大夫公孫弘議曰：「解布衣為任俠行權，以睚眥殺人，解雖弗知，此罪甚於解殺之。 The Imperial Counselor Gongsun Hong argued: "Guo Jie is a commoner who practices knight-errantry and wields unauthorized power. Men are killed over the slightest grudge on his account. Even if he did not know of it, this crime is greater than if he had killed them with his own hand.