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高皇后呂氏，生惠帝。佐高祖定天下，父兄及高祖而侯者三人。惠帝即位，尊呂后為太后。太后立帝姊魯元公主女為皇后，無子，取後宮美人子名之以為太子。惠帝崩，太子立為皇帝，年幼，太后臨朝稱制，大赦天下。乃立兄子呂台、產、祿、台子通四人為王，封諸呂六人為列侯。語在外戚傳。 |
| | Empress Gaohou Lü Shi gave birth to Emperor Hui. She assisted Emperor Gaozu in pacifying the world; three people, including her father, brothers, and Emperor Gaozu himself, were made marquises. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he honored Empress Dowager Lü as Grand Empress Dowager. The empress dowager made the daughter of Princess Lu Yuan, Emperor Hui's elder sister, empress. Since she had no son, she took a child from among the palace beauties and named him as the crown prince. Emperor Hui died; the crown prince was enthroned as emperor, but he was still young, so Empress Dowager took over court affairs and assumed imperial authority, issuing a general pardon throughout the realm. She then made four of her nephews—Lü Tai, Chan, Lu, and Tong—their son—into kings, and enfeoffed six members of the Lü clan as marquises. This is recorded in the biography of relatives by marriage.
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元年春正月，詔曰：「前日孝惠皇帝言欲除三族罪、妖言令，議未決而崩，今除之。」二月，賜民爵，戶一級。初置孝弟力田二千石者一人。夏五月丙申，趙王宮叢臺災。立孝惠後宮子強為淮陽王，不疑為恆山王，弘為襄城侯，朝為軹侯，武為壺關侯。秋，桃李華。 |
| | In spring, first month of the first year, an edict was issued: "On a previous occasion Emperor Xiaohui expressed his wish to abolish the law of three-generation punishment and the decree against superstitious speech, but before this could be decided he passed away. Now we shall abolish them." In the second month, ranks of nobility were bestowed upon commoners, one rank per household. lington At first, a single official was appointed to hold the position of "Filial Piety and Brotherhood Promoting Agriculture" with an annual salary equivalent to two thousand dou. On the Bingshen day of the fifth month, summer, a fire broke out at the Congtai in the palace of King Zhao. The son of Emperor Hui from the concubine Qiang was enfeoffed as King of Huaiyang, Bu Yi as King of Hengshan, Hong as Marquis of Xiangcheng, Chao as Marquis of Zhi, and Wu as Marquis of Huguan. In autumn, peaches and plums blossomed.
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二年春，詔曰：「高皇帝匡飭天下，諸有功者皆受分地為列侯，萬民大安，莫不受休德。朕思念至於久遠而功名不著，亡以尊大誼，施後世。今欲差次列侯功以定朝位，臧于高廟，世世勿絕，嗣子各襲其功位。其與列侯議定奏之。」丞相臣平言：「謹與絳侯臣勃、曲周侯臣商、潁陰侯臣嬰、安國侯臣陵等議，列侯幸得賜餐錢奉邑，陛下加惠，以功次定朝位，臣請臧高廟。」奏可。春正月乙卯，地震，羌道、武都道山崩。夏六月丙戌晦，日有蝕之。秋七月，恆山王不疑薨。行八銖錢。 |
| | In spring of the second year, an edict was promulgated: "Emperor Gaozu brought order to the world; all those who had rendered service were granted fiefs as marquises, and the people lived in great peace, none failing to benefit from his virtue. I have been thinking about those whose contributions were long-lasting but not widely recognized; there is no way to honor their great virtue and extend it to future generations. Now I wish to rank the marquises according to their merits in order to determine court ranks, record them in the temple of Emperor Gaozu, and ensure that they are never discontinued through generations; each heir shall succeed his ancestor's merit and position. You should discuss this matter with the marquises and submit a proposal." Chancellor Minister Ping stated: "I have carefully discussed this matter with Lord Jiang Hou Bo, Quzhou Hou Shang, Yingyin Hou Ying, and Anguo Hou Ling. The marquises are fortunate to receive stipends for their fiefs; Your Majesty has shown further grace by determining court ranks according to merit. I respectfully request that these records be enshrined in the temple of Emperor Gao." The proposal was approved. In spring, first month, on the Yimao day, an earthquake occurred; mountains collapsed in Qiangdao and Wudou Dao. On the Bingxu final day of the sixth month, summer, there was a solar eclipse. In autumn, seventh month, King Hengshan Bu Yi died. The eight-zhu coin was put into circulation.
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三年夏，江水、溢，流民四千餘家。秋，星晝見。 |
| | In summer of the third year, the river overflowed its banks, causing floods that displaced more than four thousand families. In autumn, stars were visible during the day.
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四年夏，少帝自知非皇后子，出怨言，皇太后幽之永巷。詔曰：「凡有天下治萬民者，蓋之如天，容之如地；上有驩心以使百姓，百姓欣然以事其上，驩欣交通而天下治。今皇帝疾久不已，乃失惑昏亂，不能繼嗣奉宗廟，守祭祀，不可屬天下。其議代之。」群臣皆曰：「皇太后為天下計，所以安宗廟社稷甚深。頓首奉詔。」五月丙辰，立恆山王弘為皇帝。 |
| | In summer of the fourth year, Crown Prince Shaodi realized he was not a son of the empress and made resentful remarks; Empress Dowager had him confined in Yongxiang. An edict was issued: "Whoever rules the world and governs its people should cover them as the sky covers all, and accommodate them as the earth supports all; those above should have joy in their hearts to serve the people, while the people should be happy to serve those above; when joy and happiness are shared between them, the world will be well governed. Now, the emperor has been ill for a long time without recovery; he is confused and disoriented, unable to succeed in upholding ancestral rites or safeguarding sacrifices. He cannot be entrusted with ruling the realm. You should deliberate on who will replace him." All the ministers said: "Empress Dowager, for the sake of the realm, has deeply considered how to ensure the safety of the ancestral temple and state. We bow our heads in reverence and obey the edict." On the Bingchen day of the fifth month, King Hengshan Hong was enthroned as emperor.
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五年春，南粵王尉佗自稱南武帝。秋八月，淮陽王彊薨。九月，發河東、上黨騎屯北地。 |
| | In spring of the fifth year, Nan Yue Wang Yu Jia declared himself Emperor Nanwu. In autumn, eighth month, King Huaiyang Qiang died. In the ninth month, cavalry forces were mobilized from Hedong and Shangdang to be stationed in Beidi.
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六年春，星晝見。夏四月，赦天下。秩長陵令二千石。六月，城長陵。匈奴寇狄道，攻阿陽。行五分錢。 |
| | In spring of the sixth year, stars were visible during daylight. In summer, fourth month, a general pardon was issued throughout the realm. The rank of the magistrate of Changling was elevated to two thousand dou per annum. In June, construction began on the city walls of Changling. The Xiongnu raided Didaodao and attacked Ayang. The five-fen coin was put into circulation.
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七年冬十二月，匈奴寇狄道，略二千餘人。春正月丁丑，趙王友幽死于邸。己丑晦，日有蝕之，既。以梁王呂產為相國，趙王祿為上將軍。立營陵侯劉澤為琅邪王。夏五月辛未，詔曰：「昭靈夫人，太上皇妃也；武哀侯、宣夫人，高皇帝兄姊也。號諡不稱，其議尊號。」丞相臣平等請尊昭靈夫人曰昭靈后，武哀侯曰武哀王，宣夫人曰昭哀后。六月，趙王恢自殺。秋九月，燕王建薨。南越侵盜長沙，遣隆慮侯灶將兵擊之。 |
| | In winter, twelfth month of the seventh year, the Xiongnu raided Didaodai and captured more than two thousand people. In spring, first month on the Dingchou day of the seventh year, King Zhao You died in confinement at his residence. On the Jichou final day, there was a total solar eclipse. Liang Wang Lü Chan was appointed as Chancellor, and Zhao Wang Lu as Supreme General. Yingling Hou Liu Ze was enfeoffed as the King of Langya. In summer, fifth month on the Gengwei day, an edict stated: "Zhao Ling Fu Ren was the consort of Emperor Tai Shang Huang; Wu Ai Hou and Xuan Fu Ren were Emperor Gaozu's elder brother and sister. Their posthumous titles do not adequately reflect their status; you should deliberate on more appropriate honorifics." Chancellor Minister Ping and others requested that Zhao Ling Fu Ren be honored as Empress Zhao Ling Hou, Wu Ai Hou as King Wu Ai Wang, and Xuan Fu Ren as Empress Zhao Ai Hou. In June, King Zhao Hui committed suicide. In autumn, ninth month, King Yan Jian died. Nanyue invaded and raided Changsha; Longlv Hou Zhao was dispatched to lead troops against them.
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八年春，封中謁者張釋卿為列侯。諸中官、宦者令丞皆賜爵關內侯，食邑。夏，江水、漢水溢，流萬餘家。 |
| | In spring of the eighth year, Zhongyezhe Zhang She Qing was enfeoffed as a marquis. All middle officials and officers of the eunuch administration were bestowed ranks of Guannei Hou, with stipends from their fiefs. In summer, the rivers Jiangshui and Hanshui overflowed their banks, flooding more than ten thousand households.
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秋七月辛巳，皇太后崩于未央宮。遺詔賜諸侯王各千金，將相列侯下至郎吏各有差。大赦天下。 |
| | In autumn, seventh month on the Xinsi day, Empress Dowager passed away in Weiyang Palace. The posthumous edict bestowed a thousand gold pieces to each of the kings among the feudal lords, and varying amounts were given to generals, ministers, marquises down to officials in the Langshi ranks. A general pardon was issued throughout the empire.
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上將軍祿、相國產顓兵秉政，自知背高皇帝約，恐為大臣諸侯王所誅，因謀作亂。時齊悼惠王子朱虛侯章在京師，以祿女為婦，知其謀，乃使人告兄齊王，令發兵西。章欲與太尉勃、丞相平為內應，以誅諸呂。齊王遂發兵，又詐琅邪王澤發其國兵，并將而西。產、祿等遣大將軍灌嬰將兵擊之。嬰至滎陽，使人諭齊王與連和，待呂氏變而共誅之。 |
| | Supreme General Lu and Chancellor Chan, holding military power and governing affairs, were aware that they had violated Emperor Gaozu's covenant. Fearing punishment from the ministers or kings of feudal lords, they plotted to rebel. At that time, Zhu Xu Hou Zhang, the son of Qi Dao Hui Wang, was in the capital. He had married Lu's daughter and learned about their plot; he then sent someone to inform his elder brother, King Qi, to raise troops and march westward. Zhang wished to act as an inside ally with Taiwei Bo and Chancellor Ping in order to eliminate the Lü clan. King Qi then raised his troops, and also fraudulently ordered King Langya Ze to mobilize forces from his own state; they marched westward together. Chan and Lu dispatched Grand General Guan Ying to lead troops against them. Guan Ying arrived at Xingyang and sent envoys to King Qi, urging him to form an alliance, waiting for the Lü clan's situation to change before jointly eliminating them.
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太尉勃與丞相平謀，以曲周侯酈商子寄與祿善，使人劫商令寄紿說祿曰：「高帝與呂后共定天下，劉氏所立九王，呂氏所立三王，皆大臣之議。事以布告諸侯王，諸侯王以為宜。今太后崩，帝少，足下不急之國守藩，乃為上將將兵留此，為大臣諸侯所疑。何不速歸將軍印，以兵屬太尉，請梁王亦歸相國印，與大臣盟而之國？齊兵必罷，大臣得安，足下高枕而王千里，此萬世之利也。」祿然其計，使人報產及諸呂老人。或以為不便，計猶豫未有所決。祿信寄，與俱出遊，過其姑呂嬃。嬃怒曰：「奴為將而棄軍，呂氏今無處矣！」乃悉出珠玉寶器散堂下，曰：「無為它人守也！」 |
| | Grand Marshal Bo and Chancellor Ping plotted together. Since Quzhou Hou Li Shang's son Ji was on good terms with Lu, they sent someone to coerce Shang into instructing Ji to deceive Lu by saying: "Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Lü jointly pacified the world; nine kings of Liu clan and three kings of Lü clan were established through deliberations among ministers. The matter was announced to all feudal lords, who believed it appropriate. Now that the empress dowager has passed away and the emperor is young, you have not hurried back to your state to safeguard its borders but instead remain here as supreme general with troops, arousing suspicion from ministers and feudal lords. Why not return your general's seal quickly, hand over the troops to Grand Marshal Bo, and request King Liang also to return his chancellor's seal? Then you can form an alliance with ministers and return to your state. The Qi forces will surely withdraw, the ministers will be at peace, and you can rest easy as a king ruling over thousands of li. This is in your interest for generations to come." Lu accepted this plan and sent someone to report it to Chan and the elder members of the Lü family. Some, however, considered it disadvantageous; their decision remained uncertain. Lu trusted Ji and went out with him to tour, passing by his aunt Lu Xu. Xu angrily said: "A servant abandoning the army—there is no place left for the Lü clan now!" She then took out all her jewels, treasures, and precious objects and scattered them in the hall below, saying: "Do not let others guard these for me!"
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八月庚申，平陽侯窋行御史大夫事，見相國產計事。郎中令賈壽使從齊來，因數產曰：「王不早之國，今雖欲行，尚可得邪？」具以灌嬰與齊楚合從狀告產。平陽侯窋聞其語，馳告丞相平、太尉勃。勃欲入北軍，不得入。襄平侯紀通尚符節，乃令持節矯內勃北軍。勃復令酈寄、典客劉揭說祿，曰：「帝使太尉守北軍，欲令足下之國，急歸將軍印辭去。不然，禍且起。」祿遂解印屬典客，而以兵授太尉勃。勃入軍門，行令軍中曰：「為呂氏右袒，為劉氏左袒。」軍皆左袒。勃遂將北軍。然尚有南軍，丞相平召朱虛侯章佐勃。勃令章監軍門，令平陽侯告衛尉，毋內相國產殿門。產不知祿已去北軍，入未央宮欲為亂。殿門弗內，徘徊往來。平陽侯馳語太尉勃，勃尚恐不勝，未敢誦言誅之，乃謂朱虛侯章曰：「急入宮衛帝。」章從勃請卒千人，入未央宮掖門，見產廷中。日餔時，遂擊產。產走。天大風，從官亂，莫敢鬥者。逐產，殺之郎中府吏舍廁中。 |
| | On the Gengshen day of August, Pingyang Hou Zhu, acting as Grand Censor-in-Chief, met with Chancellor Chan to discuss affairs. Langzhong Ling Jia Shou, who had come from Qi, took the opportunity to rebuke Chan: "You did not return to your state early enough; now that you wish to go, is it still possible?" He fully informed Chan of the situation in which Guan Ying had allied with Qi and Chu. Pingyang Hou Zhu heard their conversation, rushed to inform Chancellor Ping and Grand Marshal Bo. Bo wanted to enter the Northern Army but was denied entry. Xiangping Hou Ji Tong, who still held the imperial seal and token of authority, was ordered to carry a forged order allowing Bo entry into the Northern Army. Bo then ordered Ji Ji and Dianke Liu Jie to persuade Lu, saying: "The emperor has assigned Grand Marshal Bo to command the Northern Army and wishes for you to return to your state; quickly return your general's seal and resign. Otherwise, disaster will soon befall you." Lu then removed his seal and handed it over to Dianke, transferring command of the troops to Grand Marshal Bo. Bo entered the military gate and issued an order in the camp: "Those who support the Lü clan, show your right shoulder; those who support the Liu clan, show your left." The entire army showed their left shoulders. Bo then took command of the Northern Army. However, there was still the Southern Army; Chancellor Ping summoned Zhu Xu Hou Zhang to assist Bo. Bo ordered Zhang to supervise the gate of the military camp and instructed Pingyang Hou to inform the Weiwei, not to allow Chancellor Chan into the palace gates. Chan was unaware that Lu had already left the Northern Army and entered Weiyang Palace intending to start a rebellion. The palace gates would not let him in, so he paced back and forth outside. Pingyang Hou rushed to inform Grand Marshal Bo. Still fearing he might not prevail, Bo did not yet dare openly declare Chan's execution; instead, he told Zhu Xu Hou Zhang: "Hurry into the palace and protect the emperor." Zhang followed Bo's request for a thousand soldiers, entered Weiyang Palace through the side gate, and confronted Chan in the courtyard. At dusk, they attacked Chan. Chan fled. The sky was filled with strong winds, and the attendants were in chaos; none dared to fight back. They chased Chan down and killed him in a latrine of the Langzhong Fu official residence.
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章已殺產，帝令謁者持節勞章。章欲奪節，謁者不肯，章乃從與載，因節信馳斬長樂衛尉呂更始。還入北軍，復報太尉勃。勃起拜賀章，曰：「所患獨產，今已誅，天下定矣。」辛酉， |
| | After Zhang had killed Chan, the emperor ordered Yezha to carry an imperial token and commend Zhang. Zhang wanted to seize the token, but Yezha refused; so Zhang followed him in his carriage and used the token as authority to swiftly execute Lü Gengshi, the Weiwei of Changle. He returned into the Northern Army and reported back to Grand Marshal Bo. Bo rose, bowed in congratulations to Zhang, and said: "Our only concern was Chan; now that he has been executed, the empire is at peace." On the Xinyou day,
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殺呂祿，笞殺呂嬃。分部悉捕諸呂男女，無少長皆斬之。 |
| | Lü Lu was killed and Lü Xu was beaten to death. Units were dispatched to capture all male and female members of the Lu clan; without regard for age, they were all executed.
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大臣相與陰謀，以為少帝及三弟為王者皆非孝惠子，復共誅之，尊立文帝。語在周勃、高五王傳。 |
| | The senior ministers conspired secretly and considered that the Young Emperor and his three brothers who had been kings were not sons of Emperor Hui; they thus jointly executed them and enthroned Emperor Wen. The account is recorded in the biography of Zhou Bo and the Five Kings of Gao.
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贊曰：孝惠、高后之時，海內得離戰國之苦，君臣俱欲無為，故惠帝拱己，高后女主制政，不出房闥，而天下晏然，刑罰罕用，民務稼穡，衣食滋殖。 |
| | Commentary: During the reigns of Emperor Hui and Empress Dowager Gao, the realm was relieved from the hardships of warring states; both ruler and subjects desired non-interference. Thus, Emperor Hui remained passive in governance while Empress Dowager Gao controlled political affairs as a female sovereign without stepping beyond her private quarters, yet the empire enjoyed peace, punishments were rarely applied, and people focused on farming, leading to an increase in clothing, food, and prosperity.
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