Huo Guang (霍光) | 24 Histories

Overview

Huo Guang was a Western Han statesman and regent for Emperors Zhao and Xuan.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Zimeng	子孟	Zimeng
Posthumous name	Xuancheng	宣成

Life and dates

Death

Context died; afterward Xuan took personal charge
Directly stated · Book of Han 101, passage 13
BC 68 historical identification
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 70, passage 60
BC 68 終沒之後
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12
BC 68 霍光薨（宣帝時，相為御史大夫四歲後）
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 85, passage 228
died 薨
Directly stated · Book of Han 70, passage 60
Natural death
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 207

Attested activity

BC 87 to BC 68 伊、霍之傳
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 89
BC 87 to BC 68 伊霍之舉
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 4, passage 76
BC 87 to BC 68 其后霍光、王凤等皆然
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 125, passage 79
BC 87 to BC 68 周霍
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 27, passage 137
BC 68 大將軍霍光
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 198
BC 85 始元二年春正月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 8, passage 33

Show 28 more source-backed claims

BC 82 始元五年
Directly stated · Book of Han 82, passages 28, 30
BC 87 to BC 68 子孟
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 130
BC 87 to BC 68 孝昭幼沖，霍光秉政
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 101, passage 10
BC 87 後元二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 8, passage 5
BC 80 故當其有事也，非蕭、曹…
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 70
BC 87 to BC 74 昭帝
Directly stated · History of Song 339, passage 307
BC 74 昭帝崩
Directly stated · Book of Han 82, passage 210
BC 68 時大將軍霍光薨
Directly stated · Book of Han 89, passage 199
BC 87 to BC 68 時無伊、霍之輔
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 6, passage 177
BC 87 to BC 68 武昭宣
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 85, passages 10, 228
BC 87 to BC 68 漢大將軍霍光
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 79
BC 87 to BC 68 漢朝霍光
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 13, passage 226
BC 141 to BC 87 漢興六十餘載
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 68, passages 254, 258; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 277, 282
BC 87 to BC 68 西漢昭宣之際
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265
BC 80 遂與上官桀等謀反，誅滅
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 273
c. BC 68 量交
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 246
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 50, passage 56
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光
Directly stated · Book of Song 55, passage 14; New Book of Tang 121, passage 123
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 140, passage 212
BC 87 霍光
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 445, passage 199
BC 74 霍光定策立宣帝
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 42, passage 188
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光廢昌邑
Directly stated · Book of Song 7, passage 198
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光秉政，輔翼少主
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12
c. BC 87 to c. BC 68 霍光秉政
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 70, passage 26
BC 74 霍光立宣帝
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 45, passage 178
BC 68 霍光薨
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 85, passage 228
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光輔幼歸政之義
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 108, passage 118
BC 87 to BC 68 韋、彭、伊、霍
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 48, passage 43

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Huo Shan (霍山)
elder brother's son 兄子
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 228
Parent of Daughter of Huo Guang (霍光女)
daughter 女
Directly stated · Book of Han 82, passage 30
Sibling of Elder Brother of Huo Guang (霍光兄)
elder brother 兄 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Han 89, passage 199
Sibling of Brother of Huo Guang (霍光兄)
elder brother 兄
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 85, passage 228
Parent of Huo Yu (霍禹)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 228; Book of Han 69, passages 121, 183; Book of Han 70, passage 60; Book of Han 89, passage 199
Spouse of Huo Xian (霍顯)
wife 夫人
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 232

Kinship Role brothers and sons-in-law · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 231
Kinship Role clan line · Quantity whole gate/line
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12
Kinship Role daughters · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 232

Key source chapters

Book of Song, Chapter 55 Volume 55 Biographies 15: Zang Dao, Xu Guang, F Long 1 passage
Book of Han, Chapter 69 Volume 59: Zhang Tang 15 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 70 Volume 60: Du Zhou 15 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 85 Volume 74: Wei Xiang and Bing Ji 15 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 8 Volume 7: Annals of Emperor Zhao 12 passages

Origins and identity

Descent descendant of the Yellow Emperor 黃帝後世 · Ancestor Person Id Yellow Emperor (黃帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 79
Descent later descendant of the Huo ducal house 霍公後世 · Ancestor Person Id Duke Huo (霍公)
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passages 79, 84

Career and standing

receiving the imperial testamentary charge 受遺
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282
Grand Marshal and Grand General 大司馬大將軍
BC 87 後元二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 8, passage 5
General-in-Chief 大將軍
BC 80 遂與上官桀等謀反，誅滅 · Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 273
holder of government 秉政
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光秉政，輔翼少主 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12
General-in-Chief 大將軍
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 79
Grand General 大將軍
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 10

Show 5 more source-backed claims

Grand Marshal crowning generalship 大司马
Held
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 125, passages 78-79
Grand General 大將軍
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 82, passages 28, 30
Grand General 大將軍
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 198
大將軍
Text En Grand General
Directly stated · Book of Han 102, passages 287, 399
Marquis of Bolu 博陸侯
BC 85 始元二年春正月 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Han 8, passage 33

Places and affiliations

Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 10
Western Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 258
Polity Han · Relation Regent of
Directly stated · Book of Han 82, passage 28
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 273; Records of the Grand Historian 112, passages 277, 282; History of Song 339, passage 307; New Book of Tang 140, passage 212
Polity Han 漢
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 198
Polity Western Han 漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12

Show 5 more source-backed claims

Polity Western Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 45, passage 178
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 8, passage 5
At Pingyang in Baiyan 平陽白燕
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 91
At Pingyang 平陽 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passages 84, 91

Events and relationships

Abolished harsh measures
BC 87 to BC 74 昭帝 · Administrative · Minister · Mode quotation Speaker Zhe (轍)
Directly stated · History of Song 339, passage 307
Assisted young ruler and returned power
Political · Exemplar · Mode quotation
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 108, passage 118
Died
Death · Subject
Directly stated · Book of Han 69, passage 207
Established
Political · Kingmaker · With Emperor Xuan (宣帝) · Mode named-speech Speaker Cui Qingyuan (崔慶遠)
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 45, passage 178
Executed conspirators
Political · Executor · With Shangguan Jie (上官桀)
Directly stated · Book of Han 101, passage 52
Governed for a boy emperor; his gate was later exterminated
BC 87 to BC 68 霍光秉政，輔翼少主 · Political · Regent
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12

Show 10 more source-backed claims

Held grand marshal over generalship like wei qing
Political · Office holder
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 125, passage 79
Invoked with Yi Yin as regent usurpation model
Allusion · Exemplar · With Yi Yin (伊尹)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182
Listed among Han talents of the era
Career · Exemplar · Mode quotation Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282
Listed faults
Political · Accuser · With Marquis of Haihun (昌邑)
Directly stated · Book of Song 7, passage 198
Passed Wangzhi over after Wangzhi criticized his audience precautions
Political · Regent · With Xiao Wangzhi (蕭望之)
Directly stated · Book of Han 89, passage 14
Received the imperial testamentary charge
Political · Recipient · Mode quotation Speaker Ban Gu (班固)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282
at the time there were no Yi and Huo to assist 時無伊、霍之輔
Relation Would have assisted · Person Emperor Jing of Liang (梁敬帝) · Negated true · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 177
Du Yannian served Huo Guang and repeatedly moderated his policies.
Person Du Yannian (杜延年) · Type superior-adviser
Directly stated · Book of Han 70, passages 26, 34, 55
Relation Resented by · Person Sang Hongyang (桑弘羊)
Directly stated · Book of Han 27, passage 273
Relation Trusted minister of · Person Emperor Zhao (昭帝)
Directly stated · History of Song 339, passage 307

Assessments and attributes

Assessment loyal minister of the state · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Zhao (孝昭皇帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 8, passage 86
Assessment passed for loyal and upright yet exalted his own clan and crushed outer kin · Mode quotation Speaker Shentu Gang (申屠剛)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 12
Assessment testamentary appointee (受遺) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 258
Assessment understood what the times required; lightened corvée and reduced taxes · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 8, passage 147

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 1; Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Han 27, passage 273; Book of Later Han 33, passage 12; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265; Book of Song 7, passage 198
Value historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 112, passage 282; History of Song 339, passage 307
Neither short nor tall; held government under an infant ruler 不短不長…持天下之政，時有嬰兒主
Mode prophecy Source Work Yellow Emperor's Chronicles of Beginning and End 黃帝終始傳
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passages 90-91

References in the histories

Search passages

History

108 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 13Volume 13 Biographies 5: Gao Chen; Gao Rui (Northern Qi); Gao Yue (Northern Qi); Gao Mai · 1 passage

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至若負博陸之圖，處藩屏之地，而欲迷邦違難，其可得乎。 But for one who holds a Huo Guang's map yet stands as a screen for the realm — if he would lose the state and turn from hardship, can he succeed?

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 28Volume 28 Biographies 20: Yuan Tan (Eastern Wei); Yuan Bin; Yuan Xiaoyou; Yuan Huiye; Yuan Bi; Yuan Shao (Eastern Wei) · 1 passage

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對曰：「數尋伊、霍之傳，不讀曹、馬之書。」 He replied, "I pore over the lives of Yi Yin and Huo Guang — not the chronicles of Cao Cao and the Sima clan."

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 39Volume 39 Biographies 31: Cui Jishu; Zu Ting · 1 passage

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珽乃遺陸媼弟悉達書曰：「趙彥深心腹深沈，欲行伊、霍事，儀同姊弟豈得平安，何不早用智士耶？」 Ting sent a letter to Dame Lu's younger brother Sida: "Zhao Yanshen's heart runs deep and hidden. He means to play Yi Yin and Huo Guang—the lady's brother and sister, how will they stay safe? Why not take a clever man into counsel early?"

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 48Volume 48 Biographies 40: Imperial Affines · 1 passage

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文略嘗大遺魏收金，請為其父作佳傳，收論尒朱榮比韋、彭、伊、霍，蓋由是也。 Wenlüe once paid Wei Shou heavily to glorify his father in print—hence Shou’s likening of Erzhu Rong to Wei Qing, Peng Yue, Yi Yin, and Huo Guang.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 50Volume 50 Biographies 42: Favored by Nobles · 1 passage

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世祖謂士開有伊、霍之才，殷勤屬以後事，臨崩，握士開之手曰：「勿負我也。」 Shizu declared that Shikai had the gifts of Yi Yin and Huo Guang and earnestly entrusted the aftermath to him; dying, he clasped Shikai's hand and said, "Do not betray me."

Book of Han, Chapter 8Volume 7: Annals of Emperor Zhao · 12 passages

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以侍中奉車都尉霍光為大司馬大將軍，受遺詔輔少主。 He appointed Huo Guang, Chamberlain of the Palace and Chariot Commandant, as Grand Marshal and Grand General; he received the testamentary decree to assist the young ruler.

大將軍光秉政，領尚書事，車騎將軍金日磾、左將軍上官桀副焉。 Grand General Guang held the government, led the Secretariat affairs, with Chariot Cavalry General Jin Midi and Left General Shangguan Jie as his assistants.

二年春正月，大將軍光、左將軍桀皆以前捕斬反虜重合侯馬通功封，光為博陸侯，桀為安陽侯。 In the first month of spring of the second year, Grand General Huo Guang and Left General Shangguan Jie were both enfeoffed for their previous merit in capturing and executing the rebel bandit Marquis Ma Tong of Chonghe. Guang became Marquis of Bolu, Jie became Marquis of Anyang.

初，桀、安父子與大將軍光爭權，欲害之，詐使人為燕王旦上書言光罪。 Initially, Shangguan Jie and his son An contended for power with Grand General Huo Guang and wished to harm him. They falsely had someone submit a memorial in the name of King Dan of Yan accusing Guang of crimes.

後有譖光者，上輒怒曰：「大將軍國家忠臣，先帝所屬，敢有譖毀者，坐之。」 Later, when anyone slandered Guang, the emperor would always say angrily, 'The Grand General is a loyal minister of the state, entrusted with his charge by the late emperor. Anyone who dares slander him will be punished.'

光由是得盡忠。 Because of this, Guang was able to serve with complete loyalty.

語在燕王、霍光傳。 The story is told in the Biographies of King Yan and Huo Guang.

冬十月，詔曰：「左將軍安陽侯桀、票騎將軍桑樂侯安、御史大夫弘羊皆數以邪枉干輔政，大將軍不聽，而懷怨望，與燕王通謀，置驛往來相約結。 In the tenth month of winter, an edict stated: 'Left General Marquis Jie of Anyang, Flying Cavalry General Marquis An of Sang Le, and Imperial Secretary Hongyang all repeatedly interfered in the auxiliary government with crooked and perverse actions. The Grand General would not listen, so they harbored resentment and communicated with King Yan in plotting, establishing post stations for coming and going and mutually agreeing to join together.

燕王遣壽西長、孫縱之等賂遺長公主、丁外人、謁者杜延年、大將軍長史公孫遺等，交通私書，共謀令長公主置酒，伏兵殺大將軍光，徵立燕王為天子，大逆毋道。 King Yan sent Shou Xichang, Sun Zongzhi, and others to bribe and give gifts to the Elder Princess, Ding Wai, Usher Du Yannian, the Grand General's Chief Secretary Gongsun Yi, and others. They communicated with private letters and together plotted to have the Elder Princess host a wine banquet with ambush troops to kill Grand General Guang, and summon and establish King Yan as Son of Heaven - a great rebellion against the proper way.

賜諸侯王、丞相、大將軍、列侯、宗室下至吏民金帛牛酒各有差。 The feudal kings, Chancellor, Grand General, marquises, imperial clansmen, and all officials and commoners down to the lowest ranks were granted gold, silk, cattle, and wine according to their respective statuses.

成王不疑周公，孝昭委任霍光，各因其時以成名，大矣哉！ King Cheng did not doubt the Duke of Zhou; Emperor Zhao entrusted Huo Guang with power. Each, in his own time, achieved renown thereby. How great this was!

承孝武奢侈餘敝師旅之後，海內虛耗，戶口減半，光知時務之要，輕繇薄賦，與民休息。 Inheriting the aftermath of Emperor Wu's extravagance, the lingering exhaustion of military campaigns, and widespread depletion across the realm, with household registers reduced by half, Huo Guang understood what the times required: he lightened corvée labor and reduced taxes, allowing the people to recover.

Book of Han, Chapter 27Volume 24b: Treatise on Trade 2 · 1 passage

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弘羊自以為國興大利，伐其功，欲為子弟得官，怨望大將軍霍光，遂與上官桀等謀反，誅滅。 Hongyang believed that he had brought great profit to the state and boasted of his achievements. He sought offices for his sons and younger kin, resented General-in-Chief Huo Guang, and then plotted rebellion with Shangguan Jie and others; he and his clan were exterminated.

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

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增少為郎，諸曹侍中光祿大夫，昭帝時至前將軍，與大將軍霍光定策立宣帝，益封千戶。 Zeng entered palace service as a young man and served in the various bureaus, as Palace Attendant, and as Grandee of Splendid Light. Under Emperor Zhao he rose to Front General. Together with Grand General Huo Guang, he settled the succession and enthroned Emperor Xuan, for which his fief was increased by one thousand households.

Book of Han, Chapter 68Volume 58: Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi and Er Kuan · 1 passage

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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 · 15 passages

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昭帝即位，大將軍霍光秉政，以安世篤行，光親重之。 When Emperor Zhao came to the throne, Grand General Huo Guang held power. Because Zhang Anshi was known for upright conduct, Huo Guang personally valued him.

會左將軍上官桀父子及御史大夫桑弘羊皆與燕王、蓋主謀反誅，光以朝無舊臣，白用安世為右將軍光祿勳，以自副焉。 When Left General Shangguan Jie and his son, together with Grand Minister of Finance Sang Hongyang, were executed for plotting with the King of Yan and the Princess of Gai, Huo Guang—finding the court bereft of senior ministers—recommended Anshi as general of the right and superintendent of the masters of writing to serve as his deputy.

明年，昭帝崩，未葬，大將軍光白太后，徙安世為車騎將軍，與共徵立昌邑王。 The next year Emperor Zhao died. Before the funeral, Huo Guang reported to the empress dowager, transferred Anshi to general of chariots and cavalry, and together they summoned and enthroned the King of Changyi.

王行淫亂，光復與安世謀，廢王、尊立宣帝。 When the new king proved dissolute, Huo Guang again plotted with Anshi, deposed him, and enthroned Emperor Xuan in his place.

車騎將軍光祿勳富平侯安世，宿衛忠正，宣德明恩，勤勞國家，守職秉義，以安宗廟，其益封萬六百戶，功次大將軍光。」 General of chariots and cavalry, superintendent of the masters of writing, and Marquis of Fuping Anshi has guarded the palace with loyal rectitude, spread virtue abroad, toiled for the state, and upheld righteousness to secure the ancestral temple. Increase his fief by ten thousand six hundred households; his merit ranks next to Grand General Huo Guang."

大將軍光薨後數月，御史大夫魏相上封事曰：「聖王褒有德以懷萬方，顯有功以勸百寮，是以朝廷尊榮，天下鄉風。 Several months after Huo Guang died, Grand Minister of Works Wei Xiang submitted a sealed memorial: "The sage king praises the virtuous to win over the myriad regions and displays the meritorious to encourage the hundred officials, so that the court is honored and the realm takes its lead.

時，霍光子禹為右將軍，上亦以禹為大司馬，罷其右將軍屯兵，以虛尊加之，而實奪其眾。 At that time Huo Guang's son Huo Yu held the post of general of the right while also bearing the title of grand marshal. The emperor stripped him of his field command, leaving the grand marshal's title a hollow honor while removing his real military following.

安世尊為公侯，食邑萬戶，然身衣弋綈，夫人自紡績，家童七百人，皆有手技作事，內治產業，累織纖微，是以能殖其貨，富於大將軍光。 Though ennobled at the highest rank with a fief of ten thousand households, he dressed in plain black silk and his wife spun the household's cloth herself. Seven hundred retainers were each put to skilled manual labor. He micromanaged the family estates, pinching every cash, until his private wealth outstripped even Grand General Huo Guang's.

天子甚尊憚大將軍，然內親安世，心密於光焉。 The emperor treated Huo Guang with awe and kept him at a distance, but he was genuinely intimate with Anshi in a way he never was with Guang.

臨亦謙儉，每登閣殿，常歎曰：「桑、霍為我戒，豈不厚哉！」 Zhang Lin was as modest and frugal as his forebears. Whenever he climbed the towered halls of the palace, he would sigh, "The houses of Sang and Huo are my warning—how stern a lesson that is!"

初，安世長子千秋與霍光子禹俱為中郎將，將兵隨度遼將軍范明友擊烏桓。 Long before, Anshi's eldest son Zhang Qianqiu and Huo Guang's son Huo Yu had both been generals of the household gentlemen when they campaigned under the Trans-Liao general Fan Mingyou against the Wuhuan.

還，謁大將軍光，問千秋戰鬥方略，山川形勢，千秋口對兵事，畫地成圖，無所忘失。 On their return they called on Huo Guang, who questioned Qianqiu about tactics and terrain. Qianqiu answered from memory, sketching the campaign map in the dust without a single error.

光復問禹，禹不能記，曰：「皆有文書。」 When he put the same questions to Huo Yu, Yu could not recall a thing and said, "It is all on file somewhere."

光由是賢千秋，以禹為不材，歎曰：「霍氏世衰，張氏興矣！」 From that day Huo Guang respected Qianqiu and wrote Yu off as worthless, sighing, "The house of Huo is fading; the house of Zhang is on the rise!"

及禹誅滅，而安世子孫相繼，自宣、元以來為侍中、中常侍、諸曹散騎、列校尉者凡十餘人。 After the Huo clan was extirpated, Zhang Anshi's descendants held one high post after another. From the reigns of Xuandi and Yuandi onward, more than ten of them served as palace attendants, regular attendants, mounted escorts in the various bureaus, or colonels of the guard.

Book of Han, Chapter 70Volume 60: Du Zhou · 15 passages

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昭帝初立，大將軍霍光秉政，以延年三公子，吏材有餘，補軍司空。 When Emperor Zhao first came to the throne, Grand General Huo Guang dominated the government. Yannian, as a son of the highest ministers and a capable administrator, was appointed superintendent of works on the general's staff.

延年本大將軍霍光吏，首發大奸，有忠節，由是擢為太僕、右曹、給事中。 Yannian had begun as a clerk on Huo Guang's staff; he was the first to expose a major treason and proved utterly loyal, and on that basis rose to chamberlain for the imperial stud, supervisor of the right bureau, and palace attendant.

光持刑罰嚴，延年輔之以寬。 Where Huo Guang favored harsh sentences, Yannian softened the edge.

恐光不聽，千秋即召中二千石、博士會公車門，議問吳法。 Fearing Huo Guang would not relent, Che Qianqiu called a conference at the public carriage gate of every official from two thousand piculs down and the court erudits to debate how Wu should be charged.

議者知大將軍指，皆執吳為不道。 The participants knew which way Huo Guang leaned; one after another they condemned Wu for immoral conduct.

明日，千秋封上眾議，光於是以千秋擅召中二千石以下，外內異言，遂下延尉平、少府仁獄。 The next day the chancellor forwarded their unanimous opinion. Huo Guang, furious that Che Qianqiu had convened a quasi-judicial assembly without authorization, had Wang Ping and Xu Ren thrown into prison.

延年乃奏記光爭，以為「吏縱罪人，有常法，今更詆吳為不道，恐於法深。 Yannian then wrote privately to Huo Guang: "There are standing statutes for officials who let criminals escape. To relabel Wu as guilty of 'immoral conduct' stretches the code past breaking.

群下言讙譁，庶人私議，流言四布，延年竊重將軍失此名於天下也！」 Murmurs are rising from every quarter. I would hate to see Your Lordship's good name tarnished throughout the realm for prosecuting Che Qianqiu!"

光以廷尉、少府弄法輕重，皆論棄市，而不以及丞相，終與相竟。 Huo Guang condemned Wang Ping and Xu Ren to public execution for twisting the statutes, but dropped the matter against the chancellor, letting the affair end there.

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

光納其言，舉賢良，議罷酒榷、鹽、鐵，皆自延年發之。 Guang took his advice: the summons of worthy men, the debates on ending the wine monopoly and the salt and iron monopolies—all began with Yannian.

帝崩，昌邑王即位，廢，大將軍光、車騎將軍張安世與大臣議所立。 The emperor died. The king of Changyi was enthroned and then deposed. Grand General Huo Guang and Cavalry General Zhang Anshi deliberated with the great ministers on whom to enthrone.

時，宣帝養於掖廷，號皇曾孫，與延年中子佗相愛善，延年知曾孫德美，勸光、安世立焉。 At that time Emperor Xuan was being raised in the rear court under the title Imperial Great-Grandson. He and Yannian's middle son Tuo were on close terms. Knowing the great-grandson's virtue, Yannian urged Guang and Anshi to enthrone him.

詔有司論定策功：大司馬大將軍光功德過太尉絳侯周勃； An edict ordered the relevant offices to assess merits in settling the succession: Grand Marshal Grand General Huo Guang's merit surpassed that of Marquis of Jiang, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo;

霍光薨後，子禹與宗族謀反，誅。 After Huo Guang's death his son Huo Yu conspired with the clan and paid with his life.

Book of Han, Chapter 82Volume 71: Jun, Shu, Yu, Xue, Ping and Peng · 3 passages

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天子與大將軍霍光聞而嘉之，曰：「公卿大臣當用經術明於大誼。」 When the Son of Heaven and Grand General Huo Guang heard of this, they praised him, saying, "The high ministers should use classical learning to illuminate the great principles."

大將軍光欲以女妻之，不疑固辭，不肯當。 Huo Guang offered him a daughter in marriage, but Buyi steadfastly refused.

後王廢，宣帝立，大將軍光領尚書事，條奏群臣諫昌邑王者皆超遷。 After the king was deposed and Emperor Xuan took the throne, Grand General Guang directed the Masters of Writing and memorialized that every minister who had remonstrated the king of Changyi should be promoted out of turn.

Book of Han, Chapter 85Volume 74: Wei Xiang and Bing Ji · 15 passages

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相獨恨曰：「大將軍聞此令去官，必以為我用丞相死不能遇其子。 Wei Xiang brooded alone: ‘If Grand General Huo Guang learns the chancellor’s son has quit, he will think that on account of the chancellor’s death I failed to treat his son properly.

武庫令西至長安，大將軍霍光果以責過相曰：「幼主新立，以為函谷京師之固，武庫精兵所聚，故以丞相弟為關都尉，子為武庫令。 When the armory director reached Chang’an, Huo Guang rebuked Wei Xiang: ‘The boy emperor has just ascended the throne; we posted the chancellor’s brother at Hangu Pass and his son at the armory because the pass guards the capital and the depot holds the crack troops.

河南卒戍中都官者二三千人，遮大將軍，自言願復留作一年以贖太守罪。 Two or three thousand Henan conscripts then serving in the capital barracks waylaid Huo Guang and begged to work an extra year of labor to atone for their governor.

大將軍用武庫令事，遂下相廷尉獄。 Huo Guang seized on the armory incident and had Wei Xiang thrown into the commandant of justice’s jail.

四歲，大將軍霍光薨，上思其功德，以其子禹為右將軍，兄子樂平侯山復領尚書事。 Four years later Grand General Huo Guang died. The emperor recalled his service, made his son Huo Yu general of the right, and had his nephew Huo Shan, Marquis of Leping, again direct the Masters of Writing.

今光死，子復為大將軍，兄子秉樞機，昆弟諸婿據權勢，在兵官。 Now that Huo Guang is dead, his son again serves as grand general, his nephew holds the pivot of power, and brothers and sons-in-law hold authority in military offices.

光夫人顯及諸女皆通籍長信宮，或夜詔門出入，驕奢放縱，恐寖不制。 Huo Guang’s wife Xian and his daughters all had registry access to Changxin Palace; some came and went through the edict gate by night, arrogant and unrestrained, and I fear they may gradually escape control.

霍氏殺許后之謀始得上聞。 Only then did the Huo clan’s plot to murder Empress Xu reach the emperor.

及霍氏怨相，又憚之，謀矯太后詔，先召斬丞相，然後廢天子。 When the Huo clan both resented and feared Wei Xiang, they plotted to forge an empress dowager edict, summon and execute the chancellor first, and then depose the emperor.

後吉為車騎將軍軍市令，遷大將軍長史，霍光甚重之，入為光祿大夫給事中。 He rose to army market director under the chariot-and-cavalry general, then chief clerk to the grand general; Huo Guang valued him highly and brought him into court as supernumerary household grandee.

昭帝崩，無嗣，大將軍光遣吉迎昌邑王賀。 When Emperor Zhao died heirless, Huo Guang sent Bing Ji to escort Prince He of Changyi to the capital.

賀即位，以行淫亂廢，光與車騎將軍張安世諸大臣議所立，未定。 Prince He was enthroned but deposed for debauchery; Huo Guang and Zhang Anshi debated a replacement without reaching agreement.

吉奏記光曰：「將軍事孝武皇帝，受襁褓之屬，任天下之寄，孝昭皇帝早崩亡嗣，海內憂懼，欲亟聞嗣主，發喪之日以大誼立後，所立非其人，復以大誼廢之，天下莫不服焉。 Bing Ji wrote Huo Guang: ‘General, you served Emperor Wu, received the charge of the swaddling-clothes regency, and bear the empire’s trust; when Emperor Zhao died without heir the realm was anxious; you established a successor on the day mourning was announced, and when he proved unworthy you deposed him again by great duty—none under Heaven failed to submit.

光覽其議，遂尊立皇曾孫，遣宗正劉德與吉迎曾孫於掖庭。 Huo Guang accepted the plan, elevated Liu Bingyi, and sent Liu De with Bing Ji to fetch him from the harem compound.

及霍氏誅，上躬親政，省尚書事。 After the Huo family purge the emperor took personal charge and trimmed the inner court’s paperwork.

Book of Han, Chapter 89Volume 78: Xiao Wangzhi · 5 passages

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是時，大將軍霍光秉政，長史丙吉薦儒生王仲翁與望之等數人，皆召見。 While the great general Huo Guang governed, chief clerk Bing Ji nominated the scholar Wang Zhongweng along with Wangzhi and others; they were all called in.

先是，左將軍上官桀與蓋主謀殺光，光既誅桀等，後出入自備。 Earlier, Left General Shangguan Jie and the princess regent had conspired against Huo Guang; once Guang had put them to death, he went about heavily guarded.

光聞之，告吏勿持。 Huo Guang heard and ordered them to let him go.

於是光獨不除用望之，而仲翁等皆補大將軍史。 Huo Guang therefore passed Wangzhi over while Wang Zhongweng and the others became secretaries on his staff.

時大將軍光薨，子禹復為大司馬，兄子山領尚書，親屬皆宿衛內侍。 At that time Grand General Huo Guang died; his son Yu again became grand marshal, his elder brother's son Shan headed the Masters of Writing, and Huo kinsmen filled palace guard and inner service.

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

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故當其有事也，非蕭、曹、子房、平、勃、樊、霍則不能安； When trouble came, only Xiao He, Cao Shen, Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Zhou Bo, Fan Kuai, and Huo Guang could set it right.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 3 passages

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孝昭幼沖，霍光秉政，承奢侈師旅之後，海內虛耗，光因循守職，無所改作。 Emperor Zhao was still a child when Huo Guang took the reins. He stepped into power after years of costly wars and lavish spending had hollowed out the realm. Huo held the line and changed little.

自霍光薨後始躬萬機，厲精為治，五日一聽事，自丞相已下各奉職而進。 Only after Huo Guang died did he take personal charge of government. He threw himself into administration, holding court every five days, while everyone from the chancellor down brought forward their business in orderly turn.

昭帝立，幼，大將軍霍光秉政，大臣爭權，上官桀等與燕王謀作亂，光既誅之，遂遵武帝法度，以刑罰痛繩群下，由是俗吏上嚴酷以為能，而霸獨用寬和為名。 Emperor Zhao came to the throne as a child while Huo Guang held power. Court factions clashed until Huo executed Shangguan Jie and his allies in the plot with the Prince of Yan. Thereafter the regime clung to Emperor Wu's harsh precedents, and petty bureaucrats climbed by proving how cruel they could be—except Huang Ba, who made his name with lenience.

Book of Han, Chapter 102Volume 90: Cruel Officials · 10 passages

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延年以材略給事大將軍莫府，霍光重之，遷為長史。 By ability he served on Huo Guang's staff, won his trust, and rose to chief clerk.

會昭帝崩，昌邑王嗣位，淫亂，霍將軍憂懼，與公卿議廢之，莫敢發言。 At Emperor Zhao's death the licentious Prince of Changyi took the throne; Huo Guang consulted ministers about deposing him, but none dared speak up.

延年按劍，延叱群臣，即日議決，語在光傳。 Drawing his sword, Yannian rebuked the assembled ministers until they resolved the matter that day; details appear in Huo Guang's biography.

霍將軍召問延年，欲為道地，延年抵曰：「本出將軍之門，蒙此爵位，無有是事。」 General Huo summoned Tian Yannian for questioning and wanted to make room for an explanation. Yannian denied the charge, saying, "I came from your household and received these ranks through you; there was no such affair."

光曰：「即無事，當窮竟。」 Huo Guang answered, "If you are blameless, submit to a full inquiry."

願以愚言白大將軍。」 Let me speak to the general for you."

延年言之大將軍，大將軍曰：「誠然，實勇士也！ Du Yannian carried the plea to Huo Guang, who replied: "So he was—the bravest voice in the hall when we debated deposition.

光因舉手自撫心曰：「使我至今病悸！ Huo Guang pressed his palm to his chest: "Even now recalling it sets my heart racing!

是時，大將軍霍光廢昌邑王，尊立宣帝。 At that time Grand General Huo Guang deposed Prince He of Changyi and enthroned Emperor Xuan.

宣帝初即位，延年劾奏光「擅廢立主，無人臣禮，不道」。 At the beginning of Emperor Xuan's reign, Yan Yannian impeached Huo Guang, charging him with "arbitrarily deposing and enthroning rulers, lacking the propriety of a minister, and acting impiously."

Book of Later Han, Chapter 33Volume 29: Biographies of Shentu Gang; Bao Yong; Zhi Yun · 1 passage

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霍光秉政，輔翼少主，修善進士，名為忠直，而尊崇其宗黨，摧抑外戚，結貴據權，至堅至固，終沒之後，受禍滅門。 Huo Guang governed for the boy emperor, promoted good men, and passed for loyal—yet he exalted his own clan, crushed the imperial in-laws, bound himself to power so tightly that when he died his whole line was destroyed.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 39Volume 34: Biography of Liang Tong · 1 passage

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於是有司奏冀入朝不趨，斂履上殿，謁贊不名，禮儀比蕭何，悉以定陶、成陽餘戶增封為四縣，比鄧禹，賞賜金錢、奴婢、采帛、車馬、衣服、甲第，比霍光，以殊元勛。 Offices proposed that Liang Ji need not hasten at audience, might enter with shoes tied and go unnamed in obeisance—rites like Xiao He's; that Dingtao and Chengyang surplus households be added for four counties like Deng Yu's; and gifts of gold, slaves, silks, horses, carriages, clothes, and mansions like Huo Guang's—to mark singular founding merit.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 108Volume 97: Rituals and Worship Part One · 1 passage

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王莽以舅后之家、三司鼎足冢宰之权势，依托周公、霍光辅幼歸政之義，遂以篡叛，僭号自立。 Wang Mang, wielding the power of the empress's clan, the Three Excellencies, and the chancellor, invoked the precedent of the Duke of Zhou and Huo Guang assisting a young ruler and returning power—then usurped the throne and rebelled.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 125Volume 114: Officials Part One · 1 passage

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其后霍光、王凤等皆然。 Later Huo Guang, Wang Feng, and others held the same arrangement.

Book of Liang, Chapter 6Volume 6: Emperor Jing · 1 passage

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敬帝遭家不造，紹茲屯運，征伐有所自出，政刑不由於己，時無伊、霍之輔，焉得不爲高讓歟？」 Emperor Jing inherited a dynasty in ruin and an age of upheaval. Armies marched at another’s command, and neither government nor justice was his to direct. With no Yi Yin or Huo Guang to support him, how could he have avoided yielding the throne?"

Book of Liang, Chapter 14Volume 14: Jiang Yan; Ren Fang · 2 passages

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親則東牟，任惟博陸，徒懷子孟社稷之對，何救昌邑爭臣之譏。 Kin was the Prince of Eastern Mou, the charge was Bolu's—he only kept Zimeng's answer for throne and altar; how could he spare Changyi the rebuke of contentious ministers?

苞苴所入，實行張、霍之家。 wherever bribes enter, it is truly Zhang and Huo's home.

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

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鎮軍居正體道，家國是賴，伊霍之舉，實寄淵謨，便可詳依舊典，以禮廢黜。 The suppressing-army general holds to the upright Way; state and house depend on him; the act of Yi and Huo rests on grave design—follow the ancient precedents in full and remove him by ritual.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 45Volume 45 Biographies 26: The Imperial Clan · 3 passages

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霍光亦捨漢蕃親而遠立宣帝。」 Huo Guang also set aside the Han imperial clansmen and established Emperor Xuan from afar."

宏曰：「若爾，霍光嚮自立爲君，當復得爲忠臣不？」 Hong said, "If so, when Huo Guang formerly established himself as ruler, could he still have counted as a loyal minister?"

皇上豈得與霍光爲匹？ How could our emperor be matched with Huo Guang?

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 445Volume 445 Biographies 232: Wu Kedu, Zhu Yixin, Tu Keshou, An Weijun, Wen Ti, Jiang Chunlin · 1 passage

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窺竊神器之徒，姑置勿論，即功在社稷，如霍光、李德裕、張居正，亦以權寵太盛，傾覆相尋。 Those who stole the sacred vessel may be set aside; even those who served the altars of state, such as Huo Guang, Li Deyu, and Zhang Juzheng, because favor and power grew too great, downfall followed in turn.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 13Genealogical Tables of the Three Dynasties · 2 passages

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漢大將軍霍子孟名光者，亦黃帝後世也。 Huo Zimeng, the Han General-in-Chief whose given name was Guang, was also a descendant of the Yellow Emperor.

霍將軍者，本居平陽（自）［白］燕。 General Huo Guang originally lived at Pingyang in Baiyan.

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

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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.

History of Song, Chapter 339Volume 339 Biographies 98: Su Zhezu and Grandson: Yuanlao · 1 passage

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昭帝委任霍光，罷去煩苛，漢室乃定。 Emperor Zhao entrusted Huo Guang, who abolished harsh measures, and the Han house was stabilized.

Book of Song, Chapter 7Volume 7 Annals 7: Emperor Fei I · 1 passage

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霍光書昌邑之過，未足舉其毫釐。 when Huo Guang set down the faults of the Marquis of Haihun, he could not list one hair's breadth in a thousand.

Book of Song, Chapter 55Volume 55 Biographies 15: Zang Dao, Xu Guang, F Long · 1 passage

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又衛後既廢，霍光追尊李夫人為皇后，配孝武廟，此非母以子貴之例，直以高、武二廟無配故耳。 Again, after Empress Wei was deposed, Huo Guang posthumously honored Lady Li as empress and paired her with Emperor Wu's temple; that was not an instance of a mother elevated through her son, but merely because the temples of Gaozu and Emperor Wu had lacked consorts.

Book of Wei, Chapter 27Volume 22: Emperor Xiaowen's Five Princes · 1 passage

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靈太后以懌肅宗懿叔，德先具瞻，委以朝政，事擬周霍。 Empress Dowager Ling, seeing Yi as Xiaoming's honored uncle and a man all eyes followed, entrusted government to him on the model of the Duke of Zhou and Huo Guang.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 121Volume 121 Biographies 46: Liu, Zhong, Cui, and the Two Kings · 1 passage

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琚曰：「昔漢蓋主供養昭帝，其後與上官桀謀殺霍光，不及天子，而帝猶以大義去之。 Ju said, "Under Han, Princess Gai raised Emperor Zhao, then plotted with Shangguan Jie against Huo Guang; though she never touched the throne, the emperor removed her on principle.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 140Volume 140 Biographies 65: Cui Miao, Two Pei's, Lu · 1 passage

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漢興，蕭何、張良、霍去病、霍光以文武大略，佐漢致太平，一名不盡其善，乃有文終、文成、景桓、宣成之謚。 When Han rose, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Huo Qubing, and Huo Guang—with grand civil and military strategies—helped Han to peace; one character could not exhaust their excellence, hence the posthumous titles Wenzong, Wencheng, Jinghuan, and Xuancheng.