| | Initially, Guangwu had grown up among the common people and was quite perceptive of human nature; he understood the hardships of farming and the sufferings of the populace. After the empire was pacified, he emphasized tranquility and stability, abolishing the complex regulations of Wang Mang and restoring the lighter laws of the Han dynasty. He personally wore plain silk garments without rich colors, did not listen to music from Zheng or Wei regions, did not hold precious jewels for amusement, had no private favorites in his palace quarters, and showed no partial favoritism toward those around him. In the thirteenth year of Jianwu (19 AD), a foreign country presented a famous horse that could travel a thousand li a day, as well as a valuable sword worth hundreds of gold pieces. The emperor issued an edict to use the horse for pulling a ceremonial drum cart and gave the sword to a mounted soldier. He reduced the number of officials in charge of the Shanglin Park and hunting grounds, and abolished extravagant hunting expeditions. He frequently summoned high-ranking ministers and generals to private audiences, seeking public grievances and listening to folk songs and ballads. Thus he was able to maintain diligence both within and outside the court, allowing the people to live with ease. Those who governed regions or cities vied to perform their duties well; for example, Du Shi as governor of Nanyang was called "Du Mu," while Ren Yan and Xi Guang transformed the customs of border areas—these were among the most outstanding achievements. Also, figures such as Di Wu and Song Jun were certainly worth mentioning. However, during the reigns of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Ming, officials were strict and harsh in their governance; they frequently replaced magistrates based on rumors or single pieces of testimony. Therefore, Zhu Fu repeatedly submitted memorials to advise against severe policies. Zhongli Yi and others also earnestly advised with concern, urging a return to the virtues of elder statesmen, but without success. Therefore, the excellence of this revival was not fully realized.
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