汉文帝与代臣——兼论昌邑王刘贺与昌邑臣

在西汉初期及中期发生的激烈政局变动中,代王刘恒与昌邑王刘贺,均以诸侯王身份入承大统,由于缺乏皇位法定继承人的权威性,不得不在相当程度上依靠王国旧臣以维系统治。由于文帝较为妥善地处理了代臣与汉大臣之间的关系,迅速稳定了其统治,亦为开启“文景之治”奠定了基础。反观昌邑王刘贺,既不能审时度势,又缺乏处理复杂政治局势之能力,虽然力图效法文帝故事,不仅没有收到任何效果,反而促使权臣霍光迅速采取行动,加速了被废黜的过程。

Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty and the Ministers of the State of Dai:with Reference to Prince Changyi and His Ministers

In the political upheavals of the early and mid Han Dynasty,both Liu Heng,the Prince of Dai,and Liu He,the Prince of Changyi,ascended to throne.However,as they were not legitimate successors of the throne and hence not powerful enough,they had to rely on the old ministers of his princedom to maintain their rule.Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty was more so in this aspect.He put the imperial guards under the control of a minister of Dai,in this way,the emperor rapidly consolidated his rule and laid foundation for the following prosperity that lasted for several decades.Liu He's case was just the opposite.In want of understanding of the situation and capability to deal with complicated politics,he tried to follow Emperor Wen's expmple,yet failed.As a result,Huo Guang,a powerful court minister,got excuses to take actions to dethrone him.