釋氏稽古略 1.461

1.461

[Emperor] Kan. He was a grandson of Emperor Yuan and the son of Ji, King of Zhongshan. He reigned for five years. He ascended the imperial throne at the age of nine. The Empress Dowager presided over the court, and Grand Marshal Wang Mang held the reins of government. In the first year of Yuanshi, Mang was granted the title Duke Who Pacifies the Han. In the summer of the fourth year, the Duke Who Pacifies the Han was further elevated to Chancellor-Regent. In the fifth month, the summer of the fifth year, a decree was issued appointing the Duke Who Pacifies the Han, Wang Mang, conferring the Nine Bestowals and having him act as regent in conducting the affairs of the Son of Heaven. In the twelfth month, winter, taking advantage of the La Festival, Mang offered pepper wine, having placed poison in the wine. The Emperor fell ill. Mang falsely drafted a prayer requesting the [gods'] mandate at the Tai Altars, offering his own person as a substitute, and deposited the petition in the golden-ribboned casket before the palace hall, strictly ordering the dukes and ministers not to speak of it. On the bingwu day, the Emperor died at the age of fourteen. Reign era: Yuanshi (5).