Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che: The Giant Shadow of the Era in Records of the Grand Historian and Documentary Truth

Brief Introduction

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che (156 BC – 87 BC), was the seventh emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, reigning for 54 years. He is one of the most influential emperors in Chinese history, laying the foundation for the Han Dynasty's prosperity and making "Han" a national designation. However, there is a common historical misconception regarding his records in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): there is no complete Biography of Emperor Wu in the Shiji. To understand Emperor Wu, one must combine the historical context of the Shiji with the supplementary records in the Book of Han (Hanshu) to see the full picture.

Core Knowledge Points

Political Centralization: Issued the "Order of Grace" (Tui En Ling*), cleverly weakening the power of vassal kings; adopted Dong Zhongshu's advice to "dismiss the hundred schools of thought and revere only Confucianism," laying the ideological foundation for China for two thousand years.
* Military Expansion: Initiated long-term wars against the Xiongnu, dispatched Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to attack the Xiongnu in the north, opened up the Hexi Corridor, pioneered the Silk Road, and expanded the territory to the Western Regions.
Economic Reform: Implemented state monopolies on salt and iron, as well as the Junshu and Pingzhun* policies, strengthening state control over the economy and providing financial support for the wars.
* Late-life Turnaround: In his later years, issued the "Edict of Luntai," reflecting on excessive military aggression and adjusting policies, demonstrating the responsibility and self-correcting ability of a statesman.

Connection with the Content of Records of the Grand Historian

The author of the Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian, lived during the reign of Emperor Wu. His work concludes around the Taichu era of Emperor Wu, making their relationship close yet complex.
1. Documentary Gap and Supplement: Due to Sima Qian suffering castration from the "Li Ling Incident," combined with the taboos of Emperor Wu's later years, Sima Qian did not complete the direct biography of Emperor Wu in the Shiji. The existing Biography of Emperor Xiaowu in the Records of the Grand Historian was actually completed by later generations, with content largely drawn from the Treatise on Feng and Shan Sacrifices, not Sima Qian's original writing.
2. Witness of the Era and Details: Although the biography is missing, chapters such as the Treatise on Pingzhun, Biographies of Dayuan, and Biographies of Xiongnu in the Shiji record in detail the economic policies and Western Regions exploration of the Emperor Wu era. These are first-hand historical materials for studying this period, preserving the social landscape of the time.
3. Historian's Perspective and Hidden Intent: Sima Qian implicitly criticized Emperor Wu's quest for immortality and the burdening of the people in the Shiji. This subtle writing style reflects the condition of survival for historians under imperial authority. The Shiji was completed in the later years of Emperor Wu's reign; some chapters even carry sighs in the "The Grand Historian says" sections, reflecting Sima Qian's profound insight into the great changes of the era.

Conclusion

Emperor Wu of Han was the terminator of the Records of the Grand Historian era and the opener of the Book of Han era. To fully understand Emperor Wu, one should primarily rely on the Book of Han·Biography of Emperor Wu, supplemented by relevant chapters in the Records of the Grand Historian, to restore the true face of this emperor with great talent and strategy. This documentary connection concerns not only historical facts but also the inheritance of the spirit of Chinese historiography.