University of Virginia Library

Shih3 Tan frustrates an intrigue to change the Heir-apparent

When the Heir-apparent grew up, he proved generous and respectful,
but he gave himself up to drinking, music, and banqueting. His
father thereupon concluded that this son was incapable. The Emperor's
second son, Liu K'ang1a, who had been made King of Ting-t'ao, showed
much ability and skill, and was beloved by his father, who kept the boy
by him. He also highly favored the child's mother, the Brilliant Companion
née Fu. In 33 B.C., when Emperor Yüan was seriously ill, this
Brilliant Companion and her son were constantly in attendance upon
him, while the Empress née Wang and her son did not often see the
Emperor. He thought seriously of changing the succession, and several
times asked what previous emperors had done when they changed their
heirs.

Emperor Yüan had previously appointed, as the protector of his
Heir-apparent, Shih3 Tan, an intimate companion of the Emperor, who
was a younger son of the clan to which the Emperor's great-grandmother
had belonged. Shih3 Tan, who was attending upon the Emperor, took
the opportunity when the Emperor was alone to speak in behalf of the
Heir-apparent. He pointed out that the Heir-apparent had had that
position for more than ten years because he was the Emperor's eldest
son and had consequently become known to the people and the officials,

so that a change in the succession might bring about a rebellion. Emperor
Yüan was impressed by this reasoning. He considered that his
Empress née Wang had been very respectful and careful and that his
Heir-apparent had been loved by Emperor Hsüan, so he did not change
the Heir.