釋鑑稽古略續集 2.36

2.36

In the eighth month, the Emperor personally wrote to Liu Ji inquiring about celestial phenomena. Ji answered point by point, holding that after snow and frost there must come the warmth of spring; now that the dynastic prestige had been established, it was fitting to temper it somewhat with leniency. The Emperor consigned his letter to the Historiography Institute. Someone remarked that the cycle of slaughter had not been removed for thirty years; Ji said: "If I were in charge of the realm to sweep away worldly ills, after one or two years lenient government could be restored." (Note: the cycle of slaughter was removed after the Jingnan Campaign).