Huo Guang assisted in governance
Emperor Wu of Han, in order to defeat the Xiongnu and travel to the Western Regions, coupled with his extravagant lifestyle, liked to talk about extravagance, and also had a superstitious belief in immortals. He built extensively for years, destroying a large amount of manpower and material resources. For many years, the wealth and food accumulated during the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing have been almost spent.
In order to make money, he employed cruel officials, increased taxes and donations, and even allowed wealthy people to buy titles and sell official positions. These people became officials, and of course they had to work hard to plunder the people. In addition, floods and waterlogging forced the people to live in despair, and large numbers of farmers in various places rose up to resist the government.
In the final years of his reign, he decided to cease military action and advocated for the improvement of farming tools and techniques. He also personally went down to the fields and acted like a cultivator, instructing officials across the country to encourage farmers to increase production. In this way, the domestic situation gradually stabilized.
In 87 BC, Emperor Wu of Han fell ill and died. The enthroned Emperor Zhao of Han was only eight years old. According to Emperor Wu of Han's instructions before his death, General Huo Guang will assist him.
Huo Guang held great power in the imperial court and helped Emperor Zhao of Han continue to adopt a policy of recuperation, reducing taxes and labor, and effectively managing national affairs.
But several ministers in the court regarded Huo Guang as a thorn in their side and insisted on removing him.
General Zuo Shangguan Jie wanted to marry his six-year-old granddaughter to Emperor Zhao of Han as his empress, but Huo Guang did not approve. Afterwards, Shangguan Jie relied on the help of Princess Gaichang, the sister of Emperor Zhao of Han, to make his granddaughter the empress. Shangguan Jie and his son Shangguan An wanted to seal off one of the people around Princess Chang as a marquis, but Huo Guang refused no matter what.
The father and son of Shangguan Jie, as well as Princess Gaichang, regarded Huo Guang as a thorn in their side. They conspired with Prince Yan Liu Dan and tried every means to frame Huo Guang.
When Emperor Zhao of Han was fourteen years old, there was a time when Huo Guang reviewed the Yulin Army (the emperor's imperial guard) and even transferred a colonel to his general's mansion. Shangguan Jie and his team seized upon these two matters, created a virtual memorial from the King of Yan, and sent a trusted confidant to impersonate the envoy of the King of Yan and present it to Emperor Zhao of Han.
The letter roughly stated that when General Huo Guang was reviewing the Imperial Guards, he was riding in the same carriage and horse as the Emperor. He also took the initiative to call the school captain. There must be a conspiracy here. I am willing to leave my fiefdom and return to the capital to defend the emperor, so as not to cause chaos among the rioters.
Emperor Zhao of Han received the memorial, looked at it again and again, and put it aside.
The next day, Huo Guang was going to the palace to meet him. When he heard the news that King Liu Dan of Yan had reported him, he was so scared that he dared not enter the palace.
Emperor Zhao of Han ordered the eunuchs to summon Huo Guang out. As soon as Huo Guang came out, he took off his hat and knelt on the ground to plead guilty.
Emperor Zhao of Han said, "General, even though you wear your hat, I know someone is plotting to frame you
Huo Guang nodded and said, "How did Your Majesty know
Emperor Zhao of Han said, "Isn't this very clear? The General's Military Academy is near Chang'an, and the recent call for a lieutenant is less than ten days. The King of Yan is far north, how can he know these things? Even if he knows, he will write a memorial and send it to us immediately, and we won't be able to arrive here in time. Besides, if the General wants to rebel, he doesn't need to call for a lieutenant. This is clearly someone trying to frame the General, and the memorial of the King of Yan is virtual
Huo Guang and other ministers listened, and there was not a single one who did not admire the intelligence of the young Emperor Zhao of Han.
Emperor Zhao of Han's face darkened and he said to his ministers, "You must arrest and interrogate the person who sent the fake memorial
Shangguan Jie was afraid that Emperor Zhao would investigate closely, and their conspiracy would be exposed. He said to Emperor Han Zhao, "Your Majesty doesn't need to investigate such a small matter anymore
Since then, Emperor Zhao of Han has suspected the group led by Shangguan Jie.
Shangguan Jie and others did not stop there. They secretly agreed that Princess Gaichang would come forward and invite Huo Guang to drink. They set up an ambush and prepared to stab Huo Guang to death when he went to the banquet. They also sent someone to notify Prince Yan Liu Dan to come to the capital.
Shangguan Jie also planned to depose Emperor Zhao after killing Huo Guang and make himself the emperor. I didn't expect someone to have leaked this secret long ago and let Huo Guang know.
Huo Guang quickly reported to Emperor Zhao of Han. Emperor Zhao of Han ordered Prime Minister Tian Qianqiu to swiftly send troops and arrest and execute Shangguan Jie and his gang.
Emperor Zhao of Han died of illness at the age of 21 and had no children. Huo Guang listened to others' opinions and appointed Liu He, a grandson of Emperor Wu of Han and the Prince of Changyi, as the emperor. Liu He was originally a libertine. He brought more than 200 trusted aides from Changyi (now southeast of Juye, Shandong) and ate, drank, and played with them every day. After only 27 days on the throne, he did 1127 things he shouldn't have done, causing chaos in the palace.
Huo Guang and his ministers discussed and jointly submitted a letter, requesting the Empress Dowager to issue an edict to depose Liu He and establish Liu Xun, the great grandson of Emperor Wu of Han, as Emperor Xuan of Han.