Qin and Han · Han Envoy

Zhuang Zhu 莊助

Zhuāng Zhù

Attested BC 140 - BC 122

Passages: 8
Chapters: 3
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhuang Zhu was a Han Envoy.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 138 建元三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passages 11, 15
BC 140 to BC 122 武帝時期
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 38
BC 136 to BC 135 閩越平後
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passage 44

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Palace Grandee 中大夫
BC 138 建元三年 · Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passage 15

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Tian Fen (田蚡)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passages 15-19
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Wu of Han (漢武帝) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passages 40-41

Events and relationships

Executed colonel
BC 138 建元三年 · Legal · Executor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passage 23
Mobilized Kuaiji troops
BC 138 建元三年 · Military · Envoy commander · At Kuaiji 會稽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 114, passages 22-23
Diplomatic · Envoy · With Zhao Hu (趙胡)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 113, passage 44

References in the histories

Search passages

History

8 passages

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

天子使莊助往諭意南越王，胡頓首曰：「天子乃為臣興兵討閩越，死無以報德！」 The Son of Heaven sent Zhuang Zhu to convey his intentions to the King of Nanyue. Hu prostrated himself and declared: "The Son of Heaven raised an army on my behalf to punish Minyue. Even in death, I could never repay such a kindness!"

謂助曰：「國新被寇，使者行矣。 He told Zhuang Zhu: "Our kingdom has only just been invaded. You may take your leave now.

助去後，其大臣諫胡曰：「漢興兵誅郢，亦行以驚動南越。 After Zhuang Zhu departed, the senior ministers remonstrated with Hu: "The Han raised an army to punish Ying, but their purpose was also to intimidate Nanyue.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 114Treatise on the Eastern Yue · 3 passages

於是中大夫莊助詰蚡曰：「特患力弗能救，德弗能覆； At this, the Palace Grandee Zhuang Zhu confronted Fen, saying: 'The only question is whether we lack the strength to rescue them or the virtue to shelter them;

乃遣莊助以節發兵會稽。 He therefore sent Zhuang Zhu with an imperial tally to raise troops from Kuaiji.

會稽太守欲距不為發兵，助乃斬一司馬，諭意指，遂發兵浮海救東甌。 The Grand Administrator of Kuaiji tried to obstruct the mobilization, but Zhu executed one of his colonels to demonstrate his authority, and the troops were duly dispatched across the sea to relieve Dong'ou.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 120Biographies of Ji and Zheng · 2 passages

最後病，莊助為請告。 When he fell ill for the last time, Zhuang Zhu petitioned the Emperor on his behalf for an extension of leave.

助曰：「使黯任職居官，無以踰人。 Zhuang Zhu replied: 'If Ji An were judged solely on his ability to handle official duties, he would be no better than any other man.