Book of Wei · Annals of Emperor Wen (Cao Pi)

Emperor Wen (Cao Pi) <Civil Emperor; a posthumous imperial title>, whose personal name was Pi and courtesy name Zihuan, was the crown prince of Emperor Wu (Cao Cao) <Martial Emperor; a posthumous imperial title>. He was born at Qiao in winter of the fourth year of Zhongping.

In the sixteenth year of Jian'an he became General of the Gentlemen of the Household for the Five Offices and Deputy Chancellor. In the twenty-second year he was established as Crown Prince of Wei.

When Taizu (Cao Cao) died, he succeeded him as Chancellor and King of Wei (Cao Pi) <a royal title held before Cao Pi became emperor>.

He honored the queen as Queen Dowager (Lady Bian). The twenty-fifth year of Jian'an was renamed the first year of Yankang.

In the second month of the first year,

On the renxu day, Senior Palace Counselor Jia Xu became Grand Commandant, Imperial Counselor Hua Xin became Chancellor of State, and Chief Judge Wang Lang became Imperial Counselor. Four Regular Mounted Attendants and four Mounted Gentlemen Attendants were established. Eunuchs holding office were not to rise above directors of the various bureaus. This regulation was inscribed on a gold document and stored in a stone chamber.

Earlier, in the fifth year of Xiping under Han, a yellow dragon appeared at Qiao. Grand Palace Counselor Qiao Xuan asked Grand Astrologer Shan Yang, 'What omen is this?' Yang replied, 'A king will arise in this state hereafter. Within fifty years the dragon will appear again. Heaven's affairs follow constant patterns; this will be their fulfillment.' Yin Deng of Neihuang silently remembered this. Forty-five years later Deng was still alive. In the third month a yellow dragon appeared at Qiao. Hearing of it, Deng said, 'Has Shan Yang's prediction now come true?'

On the jimao day, General of the Front Xiahou Dun became General-in-Chief. The Yemaek, the Chanyu of Buyeo, and the kings of Yanqi and Yutian each sent envoys with offerings.

In summer, on the dingsi day of the fourth month, Rao'an County reported the appearance of a white pheasant.

On the gengwu day, General-in-Chief Xiahou Dun died.

In the fifth month, on the wuyin day, the Son of Heaven authorized the King (Cao Pi) to honor his late grandfather, the Grand Commandant (Cao Song), posthumously as Grand King (Cao Song) <a royal title conferred after death>, and Lady Ding as Grand Queen (Lady Ding). He enfeoffed the King (Cao Pi)'s son Rui as Marquis of Wude (Cao Rui).

That month, the mountain rebels Zheng Gan and Wang Zhao of Fengyi surrendered with their followers and were both enfeoffed as ranked marquises.

Huang Hua of Jiuquan, Zhang Jin of Zhangye, and others each seized their administrators and rebelled. Su Ze, Administrator of Jincheng, attacked Jin and beheaded him. Hua surrendered.

In the sixth month, on the xinhai day, the troops were reviewed in the eastern suburb.

On the gengwu day, he proceeded on a southern campaign.

In autumn, on the gengchen day of the seventh month, he ordered, 'Xuanyuan (Huangdi) <the legendary Yellow Emperor> had deliberations at the Bright Terrace, and Fangxun (Yao) <a legendary sage ruler> asked questions in the Hall at the Crossroads. Both sought advice widely from those below.

Let all officials earnestly fulfill their offices through advice and remonstrance: commanders shall state military rules; court officers shall clarify institutions; governors and administrators shall explain their administration; scholars shall examine the Six Arts. I shall review them all.'

Sun Quan sent an envoy with offerings. The Shu general Meng Da surrendered with his followers. Yang Pu, king of the Di of Wudu, brought his people into allegiance and settled in Hanyang Commandery.

On the jiawu day, the army halted at Qiao. A great feast was given east of the town for the six armies and the elders and common people of Qiao.

In the eighth month, Shiyi County reported that a phoenix had alighted there.

In winter, on the guimao day of the eleventh month, he ordered, 'On our generals' campaigns, some soldiers have died without their bodies being gathered and placed in coffins. I grieve deeply for them. Instruct the commanderies and kingdoms to provide small

coffins for their burial, convey them to their homes, and arrange sacrifices at public expense.'

On the bingwu day, he traveled as far as Quli.

The Han emperor, seeing that everyone's hopes rested with Wei, summoned the high ministers and officers

and announced the matter by sacrifice at the founder's temple. He sent acting Imperial Counselor Zhang Yin with credentials and the imperial seal and cord to convey the abdication. The document said, 'Ah, King of Wei (Cao Pi): Emperor Yao once abdicated in favor of Shun of Yu, and Shun likewise charged Yu with the succession. Heaven's mandate is not constant; it returns only to the virtuous. Han's way has declined, and successive ages have lost their order. In my own reign, great disorder darkened the world, violent men rebelled, and the realm was overturned. Through the extraordinary martial power of King Wu (Cao Cao) <Martial King; Cao Cao's posthumous royal title>, these calamities were relieved in all directions, the Chinese lands were cleared, and our ancestral temples preserved in peace. Not only I, but all the nine domains received his gifts. Now you respectfully continue his work, illuminate your virtue, enlarge the great civil and military enterprise, and display your father's magnificent achievements. The august powers send auspicious signs; men and spirits announce their portents. Your conduct is truly enlightened, and the multitude urges me to command you, all saying that your measure accords with Shun of Yu. Following our precedent of Yao of Tang, I reverently yield the throne to you. Ah! Heaven's succession rests in your person. Hold faithfully to the mean, and may Heaven's bounty endure forever [the formula's interpretation requires review]. Reverently observe the great rite, receive the myriad states, and solemnly accept Heaven's mandate.'

An altar was then constructed at Fanyang. On the gengwu day, the King (Cao Pi) ascended it and took the throne, with all officials attending in their places. Afterward he descended, watched the burnt offering to complete the rites, and returned. Yankang was renamed Huangchu, and a general amnesty proclaimed.

In Huangchu's first year, on the guiyou day of the eleventh month, Shanyang in Henei, with ten thousand households, was assigned to the Han emperor as Duke of Shanyang (Liu Xie) <the former Han emperor's title after abdication>. He retained Han's calendar and performed suburban sacrifices with the rites of a Son of Heaven. In memorials he did not call himself a subject. Whenever the capital held rites at the Grand Temple, sacrificial meat was sent to him. His four sons were enfeoffed as ranked marquises. The emperor posthumously honored his grandfather, the Grand King (Cao Song), as Emperor Tai (Cao Song) <Grand Emperor; a posthumous imperial title>, and his father, King Wu (Cao Cao), as Emperor Wu (Cao Cao). The queen dowager was honored as Empress Dowager (Lady Bian). Each man throughout the realm received one grade of rank; heirs continuing their fathers' lines, men noted for filial and fraternal conduct, and diligent farmers received two. Han's feudal kings became Marquises Who Honor Virtue, and its ranked marquises became Marquises of the Central Passes. Fanyang District in Yingyin became Fanchang County. Grants of rank and advancement varied. Chancellor of State was renamed Minister over the Masses; Imperial Counselor, Minister of Works; Minister of Ceremonies, Grand Minister of Ceremonies; Minister of the Household, Superintendent of the Imperial Household; Chief Judge, Commandant of Justice; and Minister of Agriculture, Grand Minister of Agriculture. Many commanderies, kingdoms, counties, and towns were renamed. The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan received a new Wei seal and cord, together with a blue-canopied carriage, a riding conveyance, a precious sword, and a notched jade ring. In the twelfth month construction began on the Luoyang palace. On the wuwu day the emperor visited Luoyang.

That year, Changshui Colonel Dai Ling remonstrated against frequent hunting expeditions. The emperor was furious; Ling's sentence was reduced by one degree from death.

In spring of the second year, in the first month, sacrifices were offered to Heaven and earth in the suburbs and at the Hall of Light. On the jiaxu day, a great hunt reached Yuanling, and an envoy was sent to sacrifice an ox, sheep, and pig to Shizu of Han (Liu Xiu) <Epochal Ancestor; the temple name of the Eastern Han restorer>. On the yihai day the rising sun was worshiped in the eastern suburb.

It was first ordered that commanderies and kingdoms with a population of at least one hundred thousand recommend one Filial and Incorrupt candidate annually; exceptional talent was exempt from population limits. On the xinsi day, households in the Three Excellencies' fiefs were divided off to enfeoff one son or younger brother of each as a ranked marquis. On the renwu day, Yingchuan Commandery was exempted from land tax for one year.

Xu County was renamed Xuchang. The eastern section of Wei Commandery became Yangping Commandery, and the western section Guangping Commandery.

An edict said, 'Confucius possessed a great sage's talent and the capacity of an emperor or king, yet in Zhou's declining end he had no destined opportunity to receive the mandate. At the courts of Lu and Wei and in teaching by the Zhu and Si rivers, he wandered sorrowfully and anxiously, wishing to bend himself to preserve the Way and humble himself to save the age. No king or lord could employ him. He therefore retired to examine the rites of the Five Ages and perform the work of an uncrowned king. Using Lu's histories he composed the Spring and Autumn Annals, and with the Grand Music Master he corrected the Court Hymns and Eulogies. For a thousand years afterward, authors have honored his writings and planners looked up to his sageliness. Ah, he may be called a great sage born for his age, a model teacher for countless years! Amid the realm's disorder, sacrifices have fallen into ruin. The temple at his old home is destroyed and unrepaired; the line of the Marquis of Baocheng is extinct and has no successor. At Queli no recitation or teaching is heard, and seasonal offerings are no longer seen. Can this be called honoring ritual and repaying merit, or ensuring sacrifice to abundant virtue for a hundred generations? Let Consultant Kong Xian become Marquis Who Honors the Sage, with a fief of one hundred households, to maintain Confucius's sacrifices.' Lu Commandery was ordered to rebuild the old temple and assign officials and soldiers from one hundred households to guard it. Additional buildings outside were constructed to house students.

In the third month, Gongsun Gong, Administrator of Liaodong, received the additional title General of Chariots and Cavalry. Five-zhu coins were restored for the first time. In summer, in the fourth month, Cao Ren, General of Chariots and Cavalry, became General-in-Chief. In the fifth month Zheng Gan rebelled again; Cao Ren was sent to attack and behead him. On the gengzi day of the sixth month, sacrifices were first offered to the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, with all the other sacrifices arranged in their proper order.

On the dingmao day, Lady Zhen died. On the wuchen day, the month's last, there was a solar eclipse. The authorities proposed dismissing the Grand Commandant. An edict said, 'Anomalies arise to admonish the head of government. To shift the blame to his supporting limbs can hardly accord with Yu and Tang's self-reproach. Let every official diligently fulfill his office. Hereafter, when anomalies occur in Heaven or earth, do not again impeach the Three Excellencies.'

In autumn, in the eighth month, Sun Quan sent an envoy with a memorial and returned Yu Jin and the others. On the dingsi day, Grand Minister of Ceremonies Xing Zhen was sent with credentials to appoint Quan General-in-Chief, enfeoff him as King of Wu (Sun Quan) <a royal title conferred by Wei>, and grant the Nine Bestowals. In winter, in the tenth month, Yang Biao was appointed Grand Palace Counselor.

Because grain was expensive, five-zhu coins were abolished.

On the jimao day, General-in-Chief Cao Ren became Grand Marshal. In the twelfth month the emperor began an eastern tour. That year Lingyun Terrace was built.

In spring of the third year, on the bingyin day, the first of the first month, there was a solar eclipse. On the gengwu day, the emperor visited Xuchang Palace. An edict said, 'Today's accounting examinations correspond to the ancients' presentation of worthy men. Even a village of ten households must contain loyalty and trustworthiness. If selection is restricted by age, Lü Shang and Zhou Jin would never have distinguished themselves in former times. Let the commanderies and kingdoms select without regard to age. Scholars versed in the classics and officials understanding law and administration shall all be tried in office upon arrival. The authorities shall investigate those deliberately making recommendations without regard to actual merit.'

In the second month, the kings of Shanshan, Qiuci, and Yutian each sent envoys with offerings. An edict said, 'The Western Rong taking their proper places and the Di and Qiang coming to the king are praised in the Odes and Documents. Recently the foreign peoples of the Western Regions have all knocked at our frontier gates and submitted.

Send envoys to comfort and reward them.' Thereafter communications with the Western Regions were established, and a Wuji Colonel was appointed.

On the yichou day of the third month, Duke Rui of Qi (Cao Rui) became King of Pingyuan (Cao Rui). Eleven of the emperor's younger brothers, including Duke Zhang of Yanling (Cao Zhang), likewise became kings. It was first prescribed that younger sons of newly enfeoffed kings become township dukes; younger sons of kings who inherited their titles become district marquises; and younger sons of dukes become district earls. On the jiaxu day, imperial son Lin became King of Hedong (Cao Lin). On the jiawu day, the emperor visited Xiangyi. In summer, on the wushen day of the fourth month, the Marquis of Juancheng (Cao Zhi) became King of Juancheng (Cao Zhi). On the guihai day, the emperor returned to Xuchang Palace. In the fifth month, eight commanderies south of the Yangzi in Jing and Yang provinces were constituted as Jing Province because Sun Quan concurrently governed them. Jing Province's commanderies north of the river became Ying Province.

In the intercalary month, Sun Quan defeated Liu Bei at Yiling. Earlier, hearing that Bei's army had advanced east to fight Quan and erected palisades linking camps for more than seven hundred li, the emperor told the ministers, 'Bei does not understand war. How could camps stretching seven hundred li resist an enemy? "An army encompassing plains, lowlands, and difficult terrain will be captured by the enemy": this is forbidden in war. Quan's report will arrive soon.' Seven days later, the report of Bei's defeat arrived.

In autumn, in the seventh month, a great locust infestation in Ji Province caused famine. Master of Writing Du Ji was sent with credentials to open the granaries for relief. In the eighth month, Shu's senior general Huang Quan surrendered with his followers.

In the ninth month, on the jiawu day, an edict said, 'Women participating in government are a root of disorder. Henceforth ministers shall not submit affairs to the empress dowager. Families related to the empress shall not hold responsibility for assisting the government, nor receive landed titles without due grounds. Transmit this edict to later generations. Should anyone violate it, all the realm shall join in punishing them.'

On the gengzi day, Lady Guo was established as empress. Each man throughout the realm received two grades of rank. Grain was granted to widowers, widows, the severely disabled, and the poor unable to support themselves.

In winter, on the jiazi day of the tenth month, a site east of Mount Shouyang was marked for the emperor's tomb. He composed his final burial regulations: 'According to ritual, a ruler has his inner coffin made upon accession,

so that in life he does not forget death.

Yao was buried at Gulin and trees grew over it as elsewhere; Yu was buried at Kuaiji, without farmers changing their furrows.

Thus a burial in the mountains and forests should merge with them. Raised mounds and planted trees are not the practice of high antiquity, and I reject them. My tomb shall take the mountain itself as its form, without a mound, planted trees, funerary hall, tomb settlement, or spirit road. Burial means concealment: one wishes people not to see it. Bones have no awareness of pain or pleasure, and a tomb is no dwelling for the spirit. Ritual excludes sacrifices at graves so that the living and dead do not profane one another. Coffins need only suffice for the decay of bones, and clothes and coverlets for that of flesh. I therefore choose this barren, unproductive ground so that later dynasties will not know its location. Lay down no reeds or charcoal; bury no gold, silver, bronze, or iron. Use only earthenware, following the ancient meaning of clay carriages and straw figures. Lacquer only the coffin's joints three times. Use no pearls or jade in the mouth-filling rite and provide no pearl jacket or jade casing: these are foolish popular customs. When Jisun used yufan jade for burial, Confucius hastened up the steps to stop him, comparing it to exposing bones in the open country. When the Duke of Song was buried lavishly, gentlemen judged Hua Yuan and Yue Ju unfaithful ministers, as though abandoning their ruler to harm. Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng)'s tomb was not opened because Baling offered nothing to seek; Guangwu (Liu Xiu)'s was dug up because Yuanling had a mound and planted trees. Baling's preservation was Zhang Shizhi's achievement; Yuanling's violation was Emperor Ming of Han (Liu Zhuang) <the second Eastern Han emperor>'s fault. Shizhi's loyalty benefited his ruler, while Emperor Ming of Han (Liu Zhuang)'s love harmed his parent. Loyal ministers and filial sons should reflect on Confucius, Qiuming, and Shizhi's words and heed the warnings of Hua Yuan, Yue Ju, and Emperor Ming of Han (Liu Zhuang). Their concern should be to secure ruler and parent and preserve their spirits from danger for ten thousand years: that is the loyalty and filial devotion of sages. From antiquity no state has avoided extinction, nor any tomb violation. Since the disorder began, all Han's imperial tombs have been opened. Jade suits have even been burned to recover their gold threads, destroying the bones as well: punishment by burning! Is this not grievous? The calamity arose from lavish burial, mounds, and planted trees. "Let Sang and Huo be my warning": is that not clear? As for the empress, the Honored Ladies, and those below them who do not accompany kings to their states, all who die shall be buried west of the ravine, at the site already marked. Shun was buried at Cangwu, but his two consorts did not follow him; Yanling (Ji Zha) buried his son far away between Ying and Bo. If souls have awareness, nowhere is beyond their reach. A single ravine is no great distance. Should anyone violate this edict and arbitrarily alter or add anything, I would be a corpse punished underground, punished again after punishment, dead again after death. A subject or son who despises his dead ruler or father is disloyal and unfilial. If the dead have awareness, they will not bless you. Store this edict in the ancestral temple, with copies in the offices of the Masters of Writing, Secretariat, and Three Excellencies.'

That month, Sun Quan rebelled again. Ying Province reverted to the name Jing Province. The emperor set out south from Xuchang, the armies advancing together, while Quan defended the river. On the xinchou day of the eleventh month, the emperor visited Wan. On the gengshen day, the month's last, there was a solar eclipse. That year Lingzhi Pool was excavated.

In spring of the fourth year, in the first month, an edict said, 'Since disorder began, warfare has continued and people throughout the realm have killed one another. Now that all within the seas have begun to be settled, anyone daring to pursue private revenge shall be executed with his clan.' The Southern Tour Terrace was built at Wan. On the bingshen day of the third month, the emperor returned from Wan to Luoyang Palace. On the guimao day, the moon encroached upon the great central star of the Heart lodge.

On the dingwei day, Grand Marshal Cao Ren died. That month there was a great epidemic.

In summer, in the fifth month, pelicans alighted at Lingzhi Pool. An edict said, 'These are the birds the poet describes at a muddy pool. The Odes of Cao criticize Duke Gong of Cao (Ji Xiang) <a ruler of the Spring and Autumn state of Cao> for keeping gentlemen distant and petty men close. Are worthy and wise men now left in low positions? Otherwise, why have these birds arrived? Recommend outstanding virtue, abundant talent, and gentlemen of independent conduct throughout the realm, answering the men of Cao's criticism.'

In the sixth month, on the jiaxu day, the King of Rencheng (Cao Zhang) died in the capital. On the jiashen day, Grand Commandant Jia Xu died. Venus was visible by day. That month heavy rain caused the Yi and Luo rivers to overflow, killing people and destroying houses.

In autumn, on the dingmao day of the eighth month, Commandant of Justice Zhong Yao became Grand Commandant.

On the xinwei day, a great hunt was held at Xingyang, followed by an eastern tour. Merits in the campaign against Sun Quan were assessed; generals and those below them received advancement in rank and additional households in varying amounts. On the jiachen day of the ninth month, the emperor visited Xuchang Palace.

In spring of the fifth year, in the first month, it was first ordered that people might inform against one another only for rebellion or great treason; other accusations were not to be heard or prosecuted. False accusers would receive the punishment for the offense they alleged. In the third month the emperor returned from Xuchang to Luoyang Palace. In summer, in the fourth month, the Imperial Academy was established, regulations were made for instruction and examinations in the Five Classics, and an Erudite of the Guliang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals was appointed. In the fifth month, it was arranged that when the high ministers attended audiences on the first and fifteenth days, disputed affairs would be submitted, major policies decided, and successes and failures debated. In autumn, in the seventh month, the emperor toured east and visited Xuchang Palace. In the eighth month, he organized a naval force, personally boarded the Dragon Boat, followed the Cai and Ying rivers, floated along the Huai, and visited Shouchun. Officials, soldiers, and commoners in Yang Province sentenced to five years' punishment or less were all pardoned. In the ninth month he reached Guangling, granted amnesty in Qing and Xu provinces, and reassigned generals and administrators. In winter, on the yimao day of the tenth month, Venus was visible by day. He returned to Xuchang Palace.

On the gengyin day of the eleventh month, because Ji Province was suffering famine, envoys were sent to open granaries for relief. On the wushen day, the month's last, there was a solar eclipse.

In the twelfth month, an edict said, 'The former kings established rites to display filial service to ancestors. The greatest sacrifices are to Heaven and the altar of soil, followed by ancestral temples, the sun, moon, and stars, the Five Phases, and renowned mountains and great rivers. Anything outside these classes has no place in the sacrificial canon. In declining and disordered ages, people honored and trusted shamans and ritual scribes, until they poured libations everywhere, even within palaces and between doors and windows. How extreme their delusion! Henceforth anyone daring to establish unauthorized sacrifices or utter shamans' invocations shall be tried for practicing heterodox arts. Enter this in the statutes.' That year Tianyuan Pool was excavated.

In spring of the sixth year, in the second month, envoys were sent through the region east of Xuchang as far as Pei Commandery to inquire into the people's hardships and give relief and loans to the poor.

In the third month, the emperor visited Shaoling and opened the Canal for Attacking the Enemy. On the yisi day he returned to Xuchang Palace. Liang Xi, Inspector of Bing Province, attacked the Xianbei leader Kebineng and decisively defeated him. On the xinwei day, the emperor organized a naval force for an eastern expedition. On the wushen day of the fifth month he visited Qiao. On the renxu day, Mars entered the Supreme Enclosure.

In the sixth month, Cai Fang and other soldiers of Licheng Commandery rebelled with the commandery and killed Administrator Xu Zhi. Colonel of Garrison Cavalry Ren Fu and Colonel of Infantry Duan Zhao were sent with the Inspector of Qing Province to suppress them. All who had been coerced or carried away, as well as fugitives, were pardoned.

In autumn, in the seventh month, imperial son Jian was made King of Dongwuyang (Cao Jian). In the eighth month, the emperor took the naval force from Qiao along the Guo into the Huai, then traveled overland to Xu. In the ninth month the Eastern Tour Terrace was built. In winter, in the tenth month, he visited the old city of Guangling and reviewed the troops beside the Yangzi. More than a hundred thousand soldiers were present, their banners stretching for hundreds of li.

That year the cold was severe. Waterways froze, and the boats could not enter the Yangzi, so the emperor withdrew. In the eleventh month, the King of Dongwuyang (Cao Jian) died. In the twelfth month, passing from Qiao through Liang, the emperor sent an envoy to sacrifice an ox, sheep, and pig to the late Han Grand Commandant Qiao Xuan.

In spring of the seventh year, in the first month, the emperor was about to visit Xuchang when its southern city gate collapsed for no apparent reason. Taking this as an ill omen, he did not enter. On the renzi day he returned to Luoyang Palace. In the third month Jiuhua Terrace was built. In summer, on the bingchen day of the fifth month, the emperor became gravely ill. He summoned Central Army General-in-Chief Cao Zhen, General-in-Chief Who Guards the Army Chen Qun, General-in-Chief Who Conquers the East Cao Xiu, and General-in-Chief Who Pacifies the Army King Xuan (Sima Yi) <a posthumous royal designation for the man later honored as a Jin emperor>. They jointly received his final command to assist his successor. Palace women of the ranks Shuyuan and Zhaoyi and below were sent home to their families. On the dingsi day, the emperor died in Jiafu Hall, aged forty.

On the wuyin day of the sixth month, he was buried at Shouyang Mausoleum. From the lying in state to the burial, all arrangements followed his final regulations.

From the beginning the emperor loved literature and made authorship his occupation, personally completing nearly a hundred pieces. He also had scholars compile passages from the classics and commentaries by subject, amounting to more than a thousand chapters, entitled the Imperial Survey.

Assessment: Emperor Wen (Cao Pi) was naturally gifted in literary expression, and his writing formed polished compositions as soon as his brush touched the page. His learning was broad, his memory strong, and his talents and accomplishments comprehensive.

Had he added breadth of mind, strengthened himself with sincere impartiality, raised his aspirations to preserve the Way, and enlarged his virtuous heart, how far would he have been from the worthy rulers of antiquity?