The Case of Prince Dongping's Curses: A Microcosm of the Western Han Imperial Political Crisis

Brief Introduction

The "Case of Prince Dongping's Curses" was a political case that caused a sensation throughout the court and country during the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Western Han Dynasty. In the second year of the Jianshi era (31 BCE), Prince Liu Yun of Dongping was accused by the court astrologer Xi Fu Gong and the eunuch Sun Chong of using witchcraft to curse the emperor and plotting treason. Involving core members of the imperial clan, this case not only directly resulted in the prince's demotion from his fiefdom and forced suicide, but also profoundly reflected the rampant interference of maternal relatives, frequent "witchcraft" scandals, and the escalating contradictions between imperial power and the nobility during the late middle period of the Western Han Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Curses and Witchcraft Culture
In ancient China, "Zhu Zu" (cursing/curse-rituals) referred to actions such as burying effigies, carving wooden tablets, or performing ritualistic cursing, with the intent of inflicting harm or misfortune upon others. Since the "Witchcraft Catastrophe" (Wugu Zhi Huo) during the reign of Emperor Wu (Liu Che), curse cases had become a political tool for eliminating political rivals and purging dissenters. In this case, "cursing" was not merely a superstitious act; rather, it was a criminalized legal charge that was often weaponized to remove obstacles in imperial succession or power struggles.

2. The Political Motivations of the Informants
The informants were Xi Fu Gong, a "Star and Qi" (astrologer-diviner) of the time, and Sun Chong, a court eunuch. Colluding with each other, their aim was to seek fame and profit by exposing Prince Dongping's "treasonous" acts and even to strike against the political factions supporting the prince. Their denunciations trapped Prince Dongping, who might otherwise have been marginalized for other reasons, in a judicial snare from which he could not argue his case.

3. The Conclusion and Impact of the Case
Although Prince Liu Yun was known for his gentle disposition, and his son, Liu Xin, did not immediately seize power during the restoration period of the Han Dynasty (Note: Historically, Prince Dongping died during Emperor Cheng's reign, specifically in the second year of Jianshi. This timeline must be observed carefully; the case is not related to a later "restoration" period that occurred later in history, but rather highlights the immediate threat to imperial stability), the court ultimately confirmed the charge of cursing. Liu Yun was stripped of his princely title, exiled to Shu Commandery, and forced to commit suicide. This event not only weakened the strength of the Liu imperial clan but also intensified Emperor Cheng's distrust of his ministers and imperial relatives, paving the way for the subsequent dominance of the Wang clan (the empress's family) in controlling the government.

Connections to the Book of Han

This incident is clearly and systematically recorded in the Book of Han (Hanshu), primarily in the following chapters:

Book of Han: Chronicle of Emperor Cheng*: Briefly records that in the winter of the second year of Jianshi, "Prince Yun of Dongping rebelled and died," establishing the official date and nature of the event.
*Book of Han: Biography of Du Zhou (with a supplementary biography of Xi Fu Gong)**: This is the core chapter for understanding the details of the event. It describes in detail how Xi Fu Gong, by observing celestial phenomena, advised Emperor Cheng that "there is a treacherous minister who should be deposed," identifying Prince Dongping as the culprit. It also records the process of Sun Chong collaborating in the accusation, as well as the court's deliberations and final verdict.
Book of Han: Biography of the Prince of Dongping*: From the perspective of Liu Yun's personal life, it records his tragic process of having his fief seized due to "cursing," being exiled, and ultimately losing his life. This reflects the historian's sympathy for this unfortunate member of the imperial clan.

Through the multi-faceted records in the Book of Han, we can clearly see that the case of Prince Dongping was not an isolated religious incident, but a continuation of the tradition of "convicting via witchcraft" within the political ecosystem of the Western Han Dynasty. It stands as a historical witness to how imperial power utilized the means of mysticism to maintain its absolute authority.