Story Introduction
Records of the Grand Historian: “Biographies of Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo”
When the emperor visits Shanglin Park, the empress and Lady Shen accompany him. Normally, they would sit together within the palace. However, this time, when it is time to sit, Yuan Ang, the official in charge of arranging the seating, moves Lady Shen’s seat back. Lady Shen becomes angry and refuses to sit. The emperor also becomes angry, stands up, and returns to the palace. Yuan takes the opportunity to explain to the emperor: “Your Majesty, I have heard that when ranks are respected, harmony will prevail. Now that you have established the empress, Lady Shen, being a concubine, should not sit on the same level as the empress. This confusion of ranks creates problems. Also, by favoring her, you actually harm her. Do you not recall the case of ‘human swine’?” Consequently, the emperor is persuaded and relays the message to Lady Shen. Lady Shen then rewards Yuan with fifty catties of gold.
Story
One day, Emperor Wen of Han, Empress Dou, and Lady Shen visit Shanglin Park for pleasure. Inside the palace, Lady Shen usually sits at the same rank as the emperor and empress. However, this time, Yuan Ang, responsible for arranging the seating, deliberately guides her to a lower seat. Lady Shen becomes angry and refuses to sit; Emperor Wen is also enraged and stands up to return to the palace. Yuan finds an opportunity to explain to the emperor: “Order between ranks ensures harmony. Lady Shen is a concubine; how can she sit alongside the emperor and empress? Such favoritism could actually harm her. Do you remember the past incident where Consort Qi was subjected to cruel punishment by Empress Lü, becoming a ‘human swine’?” Emperor Wen accepts his advice and communicates this to Lady Shen, who then rewards Yuan with a substantial sum of money.
