On the diversity of three aspects of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty

The first lecture: royal facial makeup

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty is one of the most influential emperors in the history of China. We can sum up the important deeds of his life in sixteen words: "strengthening imperial power at home, serving the four foreigners abroad, superstitious about immortals, and turning over evil in his later years." However, for the same Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the three most famous historical works in China's history, Historical Records, Hanshu and Zitongzhi Bamboo Slips, are quite different, outlining three different faces of the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Why is this? Is it like people say that "history is a little girl who can dress up"?

Lecture 2: The Prince of Order

Although Qin Shihuang initially unified China, it did not let the county system take root. The vigorous resistance movement at the end of Qin Dynasty was essentially a contest between enfeoffment system and county system. The struggle between the two systems continued until the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and a lot of bloodshed was brewing. Liu Bang's eradication of princes with different surnames and the chaos of the Seven Kingdoms in the era of Emperor Han Jingdi are all manifestations of this struggle. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty continued to crack down on the vassal forces by various means, such as pushing favor orders, and gradually consolidated the foundation of unified imperial power. In order to consolidate the rule, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty even spared no expense to create unjust, false and wrong cases.

The third lecture: Huainan unjust case

A rebellion case that was actively planned for 14 years, with more than 10,000 people as the mastermind, eventually did not move to a single soldier, but moved with one knife and one gun. It sounds like a fantasy, but it's not a fantasy. It is a true portrayal of the case of Liu An, the king of Huainan in the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Huainan case is the most influential case of the rebellion of the King Zong handled during the period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, and it is also a landmark event that the struggle between the central government and the forces of the King Zong came to an end. However, a careful examination of the details of this case makes people feel cloudy and suspicious. How many fascinating secrets are behind this scene?

Lecture 4: Death of a Hero

Purple Tongzhi Sword, which is famous for its concise writing style, unexpectedly tells a little person in the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: Guo Jie, a folk ranger. Guo Jie was a folk leader at that time and had great influence in the local area. But such a figure is very inconspicuous in the vast history. Why is Zi Tong Zhi Jian so concise that it doesn't even mention a word about Qu Yuan, but it tells and comments on such a small person at length? What's the story between him and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty?

Lecture 5: Respecting Confucianism alone

Today, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" is almost written into textbooks as common sense. However, if we carefully sort out the relevant records in Historical Records, Hanshu and Zitongzhijian, we will find that only Hanshu supports this statement. Both Historical Records and Zitongzhi Bamboo Slips raise objections from different angles. So what is the so-called "exclusive Confucianism"? What kind of mystery is hidden behind this?

Lecture 6: True and False Confucianism

The position of prime minister in the early Han Dynasty was monopolized by nobles. However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty used the palace from a poor background as the prime minister, which broke the pattern that the nobles held the position of prime minister. It is a miracle that a humble Confucian scholar palace can become prime minister at that time. But the bigger miracle is that Gong Sun Hong didn't become an official until he was 70, and it took him only six years to become prime minister. It's incredible. What is the secret of GongSunHong's success? What problems did his fate and destiny reflect in that era?

Lecture 7: The fate of the Prime Minister

After GongSunHong, Liang Wudi appointed seven more prime ministers. Sorting out the fate of these seven prime ministers, people will be surprised to find that five of them died unexpectedly and one almost committed suicide. So in the eyes of many people, the prime minister has become a lofty profession. This is the scene of "Gong Sunhe refused to shoot". Why did the Prime Minister become a senior professional? What drove these high-ranking officials below one person and above ten thousand people to the corner of death?

Lecture 8: The ups and downs of Zhang Tang

During the period of Ding Yuan, Wendi's cemetery was stolen. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. Surprisingly, however, the investigation result of this theft case was a life-and-death struggle between Premier Zhuang and Zhang Tang, two senior officials at that time. Finally, the thief didn't find it, but both Zhuang and Zhang Tang were killed. This is not the most bizarre case in the period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. Even more bizarre, a senior official was sentenced to death for moving his lower lip. These absurd stories truly reflect the political ecology in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Lecture 9: The cruel officials are in power.

Traditional historians usually call mean and vicious officials "cruel officials", while gentle and diligent officials who are good at serving the people are called "honest officials". Historical Records is the earliest work of these two kinds of officials. But strangely, none of the characters in Biography of Historical Records lived in the Han Dynasty, but all the characters in Biography of Historical Records lived in the Han Dynasty, especially in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Why is this happening? What does Sima Qian want to express through these two biographies?

Lecture 10: Attack from all sides

The era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty can be said to be the first great power rise in China's history, which laid the basic trend of China's territory. But in order to achieve this goal, it paid a heavy price. Historical Records describes the social form in the early Han Dynasty: first, material wealth; Second, mental health. After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, the situation took a turn for the worse, with financial distress and social unrest. It seems that the contradiction between strengthening the country and enriching the people has never been coordinated, and historians with different political inclinations will have different views. How should we treat these problems?

Lecture 11: Mayi's misunderstanding

Compared with Xiongnu, the Han Dynasty was at a strategic disadvantage for a long time. In the Han Dynasty, the central government managed to maintain peaceful relations with the Huns through kinship and other means. This fragile peace was finally broken by the young Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty deliberately opposed Gan Kun and attacked Xiongnu. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty organized the famous "Ant Ambush" at the suggestion of hawks. The operation failed because the plan was leaked. Interestingly, for such an important operation, neither Hanshu nor Zijian recorded who the commander in chief was. What happened?

Lecture 12: Huo Wei Gongye

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty took conquest as a national policy for a long time, and a number of dazzling generals emerged. Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the uncles, are undoubtedly the most dazzling Gemini. There are some very interesting stories about these two people. For example, Wei Qing, a teenager, was a shepherd boy who didn't even love his own father. Coincidentally, he can become the most trusted general of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Throughout Huo Qubing's life, it seems that he was born to help Emperor Wu solve the Xiongnu problem.

Lecture 13: nephews and uncles have different interests.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing are quite different in character and life. It is interesting to compare the similarities and differences between these two people. Wei Qing is modest and pays attention to interpersonal relationships. Huo Qubing has a strong personality and is self-centered. But even with such huge personality differences, they are strikingly similar in one point, that is, they can both straighten out their relationship with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Sima Qian listed them in Fu Le Zhuan, and hinted that they had "basic feelings" with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, whether Huo Wei and Huo Wei can make contributions or not depends on their special relationship with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty or their own abilities, which has aroused controversy in the field of history.

Lecture 14: Li Guang is hard to seal.

There is a famous saying in Wang Bo's Preface to Wang Tengting: "Feng Tang is easy to get old, but Li Guang is hard to seal". The second half of the sentence is about Li Guang, a famous soldier in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. He fought the Huns all his life, but he never won the title. Many historians are indignant at Li Guang's fate, and think that Li Guang didn't become a marquis because of his misfortune. At this point, it also shows that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was unfair in employing people. However, Sima Guang put forward a unique point of view in "Learning from the Same Resources", that is, Li Guang's fate should be his own responsibility. How do we understand these views?

Lecture 15: Communication with Western Regions

Out of Yumen Pass, the sun went west and reached Qingji, which is today's Pamirs generation, which is the "Western Regions" in China's ancient appellation. The western regions have entered the vision of the Han people since the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent envoys to the Western Regions. The original purpose was to form an alliance to jointly deal with the Huns. This goal has never been achieved. However, the horizons of the Han people were unexpectedly broadened. Chinese civilization has also had unprecedented exchanges with western civilization. The history of human civilization is constantly advancing under the impetus of these accidents.

Lecture 16: Bloody BMW

In the distant kingdom of Dawan, there is a sweaty BMW, so it is called "Blood BMW". Legend has it that this kind of horse is the son of Tianma and has the characteristics of being tall and powerful. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty envied this kind of BMW, and sent Li Guangli to attack Dawan twice, and finally succeeded in winning the BMW. Historians have always had different opinions about the motives of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is said that this was done by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to satisfy his curiosity and possessiveness. It is said that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty wanted to ascend to heaven in the "Tianma". However, some people say that these are all misunderstandings. It is not the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty who needs BMW, but the Han Empire.

Lecture 17: financial crisis

From the early Han dynasty to the rule of Wenjing, social production was restored and people's livelihood was alleviated. In the era of Liu Bang, even Tian Zi could not find four horses with the same coat color. After Wenjing's rule, ordinary people can not only afford to ride horses, but also choose whether they are men or women. Visible social and economic prosperity. However, after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, this prosperity was broken by years of conquest. But also opened a big funding gap. In order to solve this problem, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty adopted a series of financial reform measures.

Lecture 18: Bo Shi as a "Trust"

In order to solve the financial difficulties, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty increased tax channels. This move was strongly opposed by the society. To this end, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had to issue a "whistle-blowing order" to ensure fiscal revenue by encouraging whistle-blowing. But at this stage, a character appeared and did an incredible thing. This man's name is Bo Shi. Not only did he not oppose Emperor Wu's policy of collecting money, but he also took the initiative to donate his property to the government. Therefore, Bo Shi was appreciated by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and embarked on his official career. What is the "special" mystery behind this "special" event?

Lecture 19: Shi Gong was punished.

For the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Qian's identity and connotation are comprehensive. He not only participated in the process of this era, but also suffered physical and mental persecution in this era environment. The Liling incident turned Sima Qian into an incomplete person. This has aroused the thinking of future generations. How did these events affect Sima Qian's writing historical records and evaluating Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty? Is the Liling incident itself really as described by Sima Qian?

Lecture 20: Gathering People and Employing People

Undoubtedly, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, many outstanding talents were indeed gathered. For example, civil servants Gong Sunhong and Dong Zhongshu; Military commanders Wei Qing and Huo Qubing; Article masters Sima Qian and Sima Xiangru; Legal experts Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang, diplomatic talents Zhang Qian and Su Wu, and so on. It can be said that there are many types of people. Can gather people, does it also mean that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty can employ people? Historians have different standards on this issue.

Lecture 2 1: Seeking eternal life from the Tao

Among the various figures gathered around Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, there is a very special group, that is, the alchemist. These alchemists sold the secret recipe of immortality to Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty and guided Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty to worship God. Under the temptation of these alchemists, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty repeatedly made absurd things. In order to attract immortals, it takes a lot of money to patrol around and build temples. Many alchemists, no one can really recruit immortals for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was obsessed with ignorance and "hoped to meet the truth".

Lecture 22: prelude to amenorrhea.

The communication between Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and the gods of heaven and earth seems to be very fruitful, and the "auspicious spirit" presented by heaven and earth appears constantly. Kirin from the sky, Baoding from the world. All this seems to announce Liang Wudi's success in communicating with heaven and man, and also affirm Liang Wudi's ruling achievements. Due to the frequent occurrence of auspicious events, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, at the suggestion of ministers, used these auspicious events to mark the year, forming the tradition of "year number" for the emperor for more than two thousand years. The alchemist and some courtiers, according to auspicious omen, led Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to a higher level of communication ceremony between heaven and man: closed meditation.

Lecture 23: The Ritual of Retreating Zen

Legend has it that Lapras died after the Yellow Emperor closed his doors and meditated on Mount Tai, reaching the realm of immortality. In BC 1 10, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also embarked on a journey of meditation after a long period of preparation. Trying to imitate the Yellow Emperor and become a fairy. However, in this process, there was a serious conflict between the will of the emperor and the position of the literati. Sima Tan, Sima Qian's father, was not allowed to participate in this important activity by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty because he held different opinions on Zen. Sima Tan finally died in anger. What influence does this have on Sima Qian's image of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty?

Lecture 24: Witchcraft is a curse.

Due to the superstition of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, besides a large number of alchemists, there are also a large number of "witches" in Chang 'an. These wizards pretend to be ghosts, pray for blessings and drive away diseases, thus making friends with powerful people. However, these wizards later frequently intervened in court struggles and political disputes. First appeared in the case of the waste queen, and then appeared in the case of Wei Qing's parents. After combing Sha Rujin, we find that all these witchcraft cases are closely related to the Wei family. Is it just a coincidence, or is there a terrible conspiracy behind it?

Lecture 25: between father and son

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty gave birth to his first son, Herry Liu, at the age of 29, so he loved Herry Liu very much. However, with the increase of children of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, the court struggle became more and more complicated, and the gap between Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty and Herry Liu became deeper and deeper. In addition, there are great differences in personality between father and son. One is brave and arrogant, the other is honest and quiet. This difference also affects their political ideas, and both sides have their own supporters. The gap between father and son is exploited by greedy people, and a bloody conflict is about to begin.

Lecture 26: Fighting with each other

In 9 1 BC, an incredible thing happened in the Han empire: the usually kind and generous prince sent troops to rebel and bloodbath Chang' an! On the surface, Jiang Chong and other hooligans planted the prince and queen with witchcraft, forcing the prince to rise up and rebel. But can such a big game of chess be manipulated by people like Jiang Chong? Looking closely at all the clues, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Herry Liu, the father and son, all fell into the trap of others.

Lecture 27: Shi Gong's Last Words

The book Historical Records is full of all kinds of mysteries. One of them is where is its masterpiece? There is a view that Li Guangli's surrender to Xiongnu in 90 BC is the last record in history books. If this view holds, then why Sima Qian stopped writing historical records in this place is a question worthy of consideration. There are indications that Sima Qian's stroke is probably a response to witchcraft. This practice is closely related to Sima Qian's political stance.

Lecture 28: Letters from criminals

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty experienced a serious social crisis in his later years. There are not only millions of refugees in kanto region, but also anti-government forces in many places. However, the long-term implementation of the national policy of external expansion is unsustainable because of insufficient financial resources and unstable domestic society. In 89 BC, Sang Hongyang suggested that Emperor Wu continue to govern the Western Regions, but Emperor Wu refused, and took this opportunity to review the previous national policy. At the same time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty rehabilitated Herry Liu who died unjustly, and adjusted the national policy to the road of combining leniency with severity and civil administration advocated by Herry Liu before his death.

Lecture 29: Collecting orphans at the end of life

After more than half a century of ups and downs, the life of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty is coming to an end. After Yuan's death, it has always been a question who to choose as his successor. Surprisingly, Emperor Wu finally chose his youngest son, Liu Fuling. In order to prevent his mother from interfering in politics, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty killed Liu Fuling's biological mother, Zhao Jieyu. After that, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty chose four assistant ministers to assist Liu Fuling to ascend to the throne. Can these arrangements of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty make the Han Empire smoothly transition to another era?

Lecture 30: Right and Wrong

As the old saying goes, "a final decision". But many times we will find that the final conclusion is not necessarily. Records of the Historian, Han Shu, and Learning from the Same Resources each depict the different faces of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, which is actually an example of "the conclusion is untenable". Historians have different interpretations of the life and times of Emperor Wu in different contexts. This is a reasonable phenomenon of historical explanation, and we can't simply think that "history is a little girl who can dress up."