| | Xiaoming Huangdi, whose personal name was Yang and another name Zhuang, was the second son of Shizu. In the fourth year of Jianwu, on the Jia Shen day of the fifth month, Crown Prince Yang was born. He had a sharp upper body and a full lower body, with a reddish complexion resembling that of Yao. The emperor named him "Yang" because of his red coloration. At the age of ten he understood the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the emperor, running his hand through his hair, said, "He is like Wu Jizi." Yang replied, "I am foolish and clumsy beyond comparison." When his nurse asked the tutors about it, they said, "He should be encouraged to speak sincerely from an early age." The tutors had no words with which to change his statement. His mother, Guanglie Empress, initially declined the imperial title and was honored as a "guiren" (a high-ranking concubine). Therefore, when he was twelve years old, he was established as Gong of Donghai as a royal prince, and three years later his title was elevated to that of a king. From an early age, he was intelligent and wise, with a handsome and stately appearance. Shizu regarded him as exceptional and often asked him about political affairs; his responses were prompt and insightful, and his strategies were very profound. He was warm-hearted, respectful, and fond of learning; he revered and loved his tutors. In dealing with brothers and relatives, he showed affection and closeness to all nine clans, maintaining harmonious relations both within the family and outside. Shizu valued his virtue even more highly, believing that he was suitable to succeed in the imperial line. In the tenth month of the seventeenth year of Jianwu, an edict was issued to depose Empress Guo and to establish Yin Gui Ren as empress. Yang was appointed Crown Prince. He studied the Book of Documents, prepared under the guidance of tutors, and also became well-versed in four Confucian classics, grasping their main principles. He extensively read various books to assist his scholarly studies, gaining insight into all matters without exception. In the second month of the second year of Zhongyuan, Shizu died and Crown Prince ascended to the throne. The emperor assumed the throne. After a long period of contemplation and yearning, more than a year later, he led the various kings, marquises, princesses, relatives by marriage, and officials from commanderies and states in paying homage to his father's tomb, following the ceremonial rites performed before the Hall of Assembly. In the first month, the emperor visited Yuanling and dreamed of his late father and empress dowager as if they were alive. He personally led all officials to pay homage at the tomb. On that day, sweet dew fell and accumulated on trees; the officials collected it and presented it in tribute. After the ceremony was completed, the emperor knelt by the imperial bed and looked at objects in Empress Dowager's mirror casket. Deeply moved, he wept bitterly and ordered new cosmetics and toiletries to be provided for her. Those around him all wept, unable to look up. Changshui Jiao Wei Fan You presented a memorial stating that the great achievements of the late emperor should be implemented in due time, and he wished to have Confucian scholars together correct the meanings of classical texts so that students could also assist themselves in their studies. Thus, the emperor summoned officials from Taichang, generals, grandees, doctors of literature, advisory scholars, clerks, and various kings and Confucian scholars to gather at Baihu Guan (White Tiger Pavilion) to discuss and debate the similarities and differences among the Five Classics. Mingdi bestowed the title of Diyang Hou on Yin Qing, the son of Empress Dowager's younger brother Yin Xing; the title of Yin Qiang Hou on his son Bo; the title of Wuxi Hou on Yin Sheng; and the title of Longshu Hou in Xu Chang on the maternal uncle of Prince of Chu. In the first month of the second year of Yongping, the emperor conducted a sacrifice at Mingtang Temple to honor Emperor Guangwu. For the first time, he and the high officials as well as marquises donned ceremonial caps (mianguan), robes, and skirts. After the sacrifice was completed, he ascended Lingtai. 隆重 In March, the emperor made his first visit to Biyong and performed the grand archery ceremony. In October, the emperor visited Biyong, where he conducted the ceremonial rite of honoring the elderly for the first time. The edict stated: "On the first day of October, we begin to honor the Three Elders with reverence and treat the Five Elders as elder brothers. A carriage with padded wheels will be provided for their comfort. I myself shall personally slaughter the sacrificial animal bare-chested, with prayers before me to prevent choking and behind me to ease swallowing." Sanlao Changshan Li Gong was an elderly man of advanced age and profound learning, who would be granted a lifelong pension equivalent to the salary of a second-rank official (erqianshi). Wugeng Peiguo Huan Rong, who had taught me the Book of Documents for more than ten years, shall be granted the title of Guannei Hou and given a fief of 5,000 households." On the Jiazi day, the emperor went to Chang'an, paid homage at Gao Temple, and then made offerings at the eleven tombs. He visited former residences and official buildings, convened local officials from commanderies and counties, and rewarded them with performances of music and dancing. An elderly man from a certain county loudly said, "When Your Majesty entered the Eastern Capital, I observed your countenance and demeanor, which resemble those of the late emperor. This filled me with great joy." The officials were strictly arranged as in former times; this is my second source of joy. Seeing the officials receiving rewards and recognizing matters from the late emperor's time, this is my third source of joy." Your Majesty listens to honest remonstrances and accepts them in silence; this is my fourth source of joy. Your Majesty is supremely wise, punishing cruel officials and treating the people as one's own children; this is my fifth source of joy. Promoting virtue and employing capable individuals so that each finds his proper place, this is my sixth source of joy. The empire enjoys peace and prosperity; Your Majesty's virtue matches that of Yao; this is my seventh source of joy." The emperor ordered him to ascend the hall, wishing to see his attire. As a result, he raised the tiger-head robe in reverence toward the Three Elders. The emperor said, "What was just said about me being like Yao—cutting down chapters is not as good as having a full meal." In the eleventh month, an edict was issued ordering Jingzhao and Youfufeng to offer sacrifices with medium-level offerings (Zhonglao) to Xiao He and Huo Guang. The commandery's money and grain were to be used to support the descendants of Xiao He living within three hundred li; all such descendants were ordered to serve as attendants during the ceremonies. In the third year of Yongping, an edict stated: "Ascend Lingtai and correct ceremonial standards." In the second month of spring, portraits of the Twenty-Eight Generals were displayed at Yuntai. The inscription read: "Some received their titles and marquisates through military achievements or became prominent for their virtue." In the eighth month of autumn, an edict stated: "The Xuanji Qian said: 'A Han emperor shall arise, whose virtue brings harmony and music; his name will be Yu.'" At this time, Emperor Ming changed the name. The music used in sacrifices at the altars was called Taiyu Yue (Music of Great Granting), and the official responsible for court music was titled Taiyu Yue Guan (Officer of Music of Great Granting) to correspond with the prophecy. In October, the emperor and Empress Dowager visited Zhangling in Nanyang, toured the old dwellings, and summoned for an audience former associates of the Yin and Deng families. Along the way, the emperor met officials he favored; after rewarding them and finishing his inspection of their duties, he walked to observe the arrangements without using a palanquin. He read various books until midnight; after finishing, he would sleep only until early dawn and then rise before the fifth drum, following this routine regularly. In the fourth year, an imperial edict stated: "I shall personally plow in the ceremonial fields to pray for a good harvest." In October of the fifth year, the emperor visited Ye. Prince Zhao Xuxu met him in Ye and was granted 100,000 coins as a gift. In the sixth year, the governor of Lujiang presented a precious tripod, which was said to have emerged from Wangluo Mountain. It was placed in the Grand Temple. The edict stated: "The tripod, symbolizing the three pillars of state (the Three Dukes), does this not indicate that the high officials and ministers have fulfilled their duties properly?" "Taichang should display the tripod in the temple on the day of Yue sacrifice, to be used as ceremonial equipment." In the seventh year, high officials and grandees presented cups of wine in celebration after lingzhi (a type of fungus considered an omen) was found growing on the front hall. In October of the eighth year, the emperor visited Biyong to honor the Three Elders and Five Elders in a ceremony. After the ceremony was completed, His Majesty personally wrote an edict of amnesty, which was delivered by the Shangshu Puye holding a ceremonial staff to the Three Dukes. In the ninth year, an edict ordered the establishment of schools for the young marquises of the four noble families. In the intercalary month of the tenth year, the emperor traveled to Nanyang and paid homage at Zhangling. As the day marked the winter solstice with the sun farthest north, he again offered sacrifices at his ancestral home. After the ceremony was completed, school officials and students were summoned to perform refined music, playing "Luming." The emperor himself played the xun (an ocarina-like instrument) and chen (a reed pipe), harmonizing with them to entertain distinguished guests. Upon arriving at Nandun, he rewarded and entertained the Three Elders and his officials. At that time, the empire was at peace; people were free from corvée labor. Harvests were abundant year after year, and the common people became prosperous. A hu of grain cost only thirty coins, and cattle roamed freely in the fields. In the twelfth year, because the King of Ailao beyond the borders of Yizhou Commandery led his people to seek civilization and culture, and since the land was vast and remote, Yongchang Jun (Yongchang Commandery) was established. In February of the thirteenth year, after completing the ceremonial plowing in the ritual fields, food was granted to those who had observed the ceremony. One scholar stepped forward and raised his hand, saying: "
|
| | Well done! This is how King Wen treated Tai Gong." The emperor wrote on a wooden tablet: "You are not Tai Gong, and I am also not King Wen." Officials reported that Prince of Chu Ying had gathered wicked and deceitful people. In the fourteenth year, the emperor built his tomb, Shouling. To the northeast of the tomb he constructed a wu (a side building), three zhang long; every five bu outside it was a small kitchen, with sufficient property for sacrificial rites. Emperor Ming personally designed the stone coffin, which was twelve chi wide and twenty-five chi long. In February of the fifteenth year, the emperor conducted an eastern inspection tour. On the Guihai day, the emperor plowed in Xuzhou (Xiaopi). In March, he visited Confucius's former residence and paid homage to Confucius as well as his seventy-two disciples. He entered the lecture hall and ordered the Crown Prince and various princes to expound on the classics. He visited the palace of the Prince of Dongping. The emperor took pity on the brothers of Guangling Hou and bestowed upon them items used by himself. He also gave them all the carriages, horses, and other possessions belonging to his sons. In spring of the seventeenth year, sweet dew continued to fall; tree branches bent inward. Lingzhi grew on the front hall, and five-colored divine quails gathered in the capital city. That night, the emperor dreamed of his late father and Empress Dowager. Upon waking from the dream with joy, he became sorrowful and could not sleep. The next morning, the emperor visited the tomb, where all officials and foreign guests gathered. The assistant to Taichang reported that sweet dew had appeared on trees at the tomb; the emperor ordered the officials to collect it. After receiving their gifts and the ceremony ended, the emperor knelt before the imperial bed from his seat, looked at objects in Empress Dowager's mirror casket, wept bitterly, and ordered that new cosmetics and toiletries be placed inside. Since ascending the throne, the emperor strictly followed the policies of Jianwu era, adding to them but never diminishing their principles. Initially, Shizu was deeply concerned about the excessive power of former high ministers and the interference of relatives by marriage in politics. He believed that this corrupted rulers above and endangered officials below; during the revival of the Han dynasty, only Emperor Xuan had followed a proper model. By the Jianwu era, there were no powerful ministers in court. The families of Yin and Guo from outside the imperial clan did not exceed the rank of Nine Ministers; the influence and status of relatives could not even reach half that of the Xu, Shi, or Wang clans. By the Yongping era, among those from the families of empresses and concubines who were honored with high status, only one person per family could serve as a general or officer in the military. They held positions within the imperial guards but did not receive marquisates or participate in court politics; their entire household remained without such privileges. The titles granted to royal princes were all reduced from previous standards. Once, while examining a map of the empire's territories, with the empress by his side, he mentioned that Ju Lu, Lecheng, and Guangping each had several counties producing millions in grain taxes. The emperor ordered that this be limited to two million bushels at most. The smaller kings were all given slightly less than the Princes of Chu and Huaiyang, reduced by about three or four tenths. The emperor said: "My sons should not be equal to those of my father." Moreover, since the fiefs were distant and smaller than those of kings, he demonstrated such virtue in practicing frugality and humility. In August, the emperor died at Qian Dian of Donggong. He reigned for eighteen years and was forty-eight years old when he passed away. His posthumous title was Xiaoming Huangdi (the Filial Ming Emperor), and he was buried in Xianjie Ling. In December, the officials presented a proposal to bestow on him the honorific title Xianzong. His temple was to be honored together with that of Shizong on the same day; during the combined sacrifice (xia ji) in the hall of Shizu, his rites would proceed alongside those for Wude's dance, following the precedent set by Emperor Xiaowen when he conducted a combined sacrifice at Gao Temple. Xiaoming Huangdi especially valued Confucian classics. After ascending the throne, he revised and finalized proposed discussions, verified them against prophecies and diagrams, bestowed the title Guannei Hou on Taichang Huan Rong as his teacher, and personally composed commentaries on the Five Elements (Wuxing). After each banquet or archery ceremony was completed, he would sit upright and personally lecture; Confucian scholars all listened together, bringing joy to people from all directions. At that time, scholarly pursuits were especially flourishing; countless officials and scholars in official attire visited Biyong to observe the cultural influence, numbering in the tens of millions.
|
