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The history of the former Han dynasty

Ban, Gu (32-92)
  
THE HISTORY OF THE FORMER HAN DYNASTY
  
[title page]
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS

collapse sectionVI. 
CHAPTER VI
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INTRODUCTION
  
The purpose of these introductions
  
The sources for this chapter—the corresponding chapter of the SC
  
A summary of Emperor Wu's reign
  
His subversion of the unwritten state constitution and the consequences thereof
  
The undue severity of his rule
  
Li Ling's brilliant military exploit
  
Ancient appraisals of Emperor Wu
  
The Emperor's favorite women and their relatives
  
The Emperor's superstitious practises
  
Luan Ta
  
The civil service examination system
  
The Emperor's gradual adherence to and advancement of Confucianism
  
The founding of the Imperial University
  
[Chapter] VI THE SIXTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
  
APPENDIX I
  
APPENDIX II
  
APPENDIX III
  
APPENDIX IV
  
APPENDIX V
  
APPENDIX VI
collapse sectionVII. 
CHAPTER VII
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INTRODUCTION
  
The sources and nature of this and the remaining "Annals"
  
The virtual regency of Ho Kuang
  
The control exercised by the Intendant of Affairs of the Masters of Writing
  
The abortive intrigue against Ho Kuang
  
Ho Kuang's lightening of the people's burdens
  
His conduct of foreign affairs
  
[Chapter] VII THE SEVENTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
  
APPENDIX I
  
APPENDIX II
collapse sectionVIII. 
CHAPTER VIII
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INTRODUCTION
  
The apogee of the Former Han period
  
Liu Ho4b's brief reign and deposition
  
The selection of Emperor Hsuan
  
The dangerous intrigues and downfall of the Ho clan
  
The kindly and generous rule of Emperor Hsüan
  
The submission of the Huns
  
The nature of Chinese external vassalage
  
The victory of Confucianism
  
[Chapter] VIII THE EIGHTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
  
APPENDIX I
  
APPENDIX II
  
APPENDIX III
collapse sectionIX. 
CHAPTER IX
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INTRODUCTION
  
Who wrote this chapter and the next?
  
The textual loss
  
The probable source of a significant imperial conversation
  
Summary of the reign
  
Foreign affairs
  
Ch'en T'ang's extraordinary expedition into Sogdiana and the treatment of him by the government
  
The complete victory of Confucianism
  
Visitations and calamities
  
Governmental reforms and economies
  
Enactment of fundamental features in the imperial ancestral cult
  
The "Ordinances for the Months"
  
A second civil service test added
  
Imperial adoption of the Confucian principle that one's relatives should be favored
  
Eunuch control of the government; Confucian attacks upon and eventual victory over the eunuchs
 IX. 
[Chapter] IX THE NINTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
  
APPENDIX I
  
APPENDIX II
  
APPENDIX III
collapse sectionX. 
CHAPTER X
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INTRODUCTION
  
Summary of the reign
  
The beginning of the future Grand Empress Dowager née Wang's career
  
Shih3 Tan frustrates an intrigue to change the Heir-apparent
  
The Wang clan controls the government. Their deeds
  
The rise of Wang Mang
  
Imperial economies and grants
  
The great imperial sacrifices removed to the capital
  
Corrupt government brings popular distress and rebellions
  
Divine visitations and prodigies
  
The status of Confucianism
  
Emperor Ch'eng's personal character
  
Lack of an heir induces the Emperor to change his Empress and distribute his favors
  
Emperor Ch'eng's infanticide of his two sons for love of the Brilliant Companion née Chao
  
The appointment of an Heir-apparent and the Emperor's death
  
[Chapter] X THE TENTH [IMPERIAL ANNALS]
  
APPENDIX

  
ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA TO VOLUME ONE
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THE HISTORY OF
THE FORMER HAN DYNASTY
BY
PAN KU
Translation, Volume Two
FIRST DIVISION
The Imperial Annals
Chapters VI–X

A Critical Translation with Annotations
by
HOMER H. DUBS
With the Collaboration of
P'AN LO-CHI and JEN T'AI

BALTIMORE
WAVERLY PRESS, INC.
1944

Copyright, 1944, by
The American Council of Learned Societies

Printed in United States of America
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