Yuan Ang
Encyclopedia
Yuan Ang was a Han Dynasty
minister who served Emperor Wen
and Emperor Jing
. His biography appears in the Shi Ji, and a parallel one is in Han Shu. He was assassinated in 148 BC when his suggestions irritated Emperor Jing's powerful brother Liu Wu (劉武), the Prince of Liang, by assassins Prince Wu sent.
Yuan Ang was a minister under Emperor Wen of the Han dynasty. He was honest and outspoken, but was often vilified by Eunuch Zhao Tan who, thanks to his knowledge of astrology, had found favor with the emperor. Yuan Ang was upset.
"You need to humiliate the eunuch in public," his nephew suggested. "Then the emperor will stop listening to his slanders."
One day the emperor was going out and Eunuch Zhao Tan was seated by his side in the royal carriage. Yuan Ang came across them at the gate of the palace.
"It's a great honor to ride with Your Majesty," he said. "Only those who have outstanding merits and abilities should be given such honor. But we don't have many such people. I wonder why Your Majesty allows a eunuch to sit by your side."
Emperor Wen chuckled and ordered Eunuch Zhao Tan to get off his carriage. The latter was so humiliated he was on the edge of tears. Since then no matter how he bad-mouthed Yuan Ang, the emperor turned a deaf ear to his words.
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
minister who served Emperor Wen
Emperor Wen of Han
Emperor Wen of Han was the fifth emperor of the Han Dynasty in China. His given name is Heng.Liu Heng was a son of Emperor Gao of Han and Consort Bo, later empress dowager...
and Emperor Jing
Emperor Jing of Han
Emperor Jing of Han was an emperor of China in the Han Dynasty from 156 BC to 141 BC. His reign saw the limit and curtailment of power of feudal princes which resulted in the Rebellion of the Seven States in 154 BC. Emperor Jing managed to crush the revolt and princes were thereafter denied rights...
. His biography appears in the Shi Ji, and a parallel one is in Han Shu. He was assassinated in 148 BC when his suggestions irritated Emperor Jing's powerful brother Liu Wu (劉武), the Prince of Liang, by assassins Prince Wu sent.
Story about Yuan Ang
Eye for Eye, Tooth for ToothYuan Ang was a minister under Emperor Wen of the Han dynasty. He was honest and outspoken, but was often vilified by Eunuch Zhao Tan who, thanks to his knowledge of astrology, had found favor with the emperor. Yuan Ang was upset.
"You need to humiliate the eunuch in public," his nephew suggested. "Then the emperor will stop listening to his slanders."
One day the emperor was going out and Eunuch Zhao Tan was seated by his side in the royal carriage. Yuan Ang came across them at the gate of the palace.
"It's a great honor to ride with Your Majesty," he said. "Only those who have outstanding merits and abilities should be given such honor. But we don't have many such people. I wonder why Your Majesty allows a eunuch to sit by your side."
Emperor Wen chuckled and ordered Eunuch Zhao Tan to get off his carriage. The latter was so humiliated he was on the edge of tears. Since then no matter how he bad-mouthed Yuan Ang, the emperor turned a deaf ear to his words.