In the annals of Chinese history, few emperors loom as large as Han Wudi, or Emperor Wu of Han. His reign marked the zenith of the Western Han dynasty’s power, territorial expansion, and cultural flourishing. Yet beneath the grandeur of his achievements lay a darker, more enigmatic episode—the mysterious palace incident and the infamous witchcraft scandal that shook the imperial court in 92 BCE. This event not only exposed the vulnerabilities of imperial authority but also led to a brutal political purge with lasting consequences for the Han dynasty’s elite families.

Han Wudi: A Brief Historical Context

Emperor Wu of Han was a transformative figure in Chinese history. Ascending the throne at age 15, he ruled for 54 years, one of the longest reigns in Chinese imperial history. His era was marked by military conquests that extended China’s borders deep into Central Asia and Vietnam, the establishment of Confucianism as the state ideology, and an unprecedented expansion of the imperial bureaucracy.

Yet, Emperor Wu’s reign was also characterized by political intrigue, paranoia, and harsh crackdowns on perceived threats to his authority. The witchcraft scandal of 92 BCE reflects the growing tensions within the court and the emperor’s increasing suspicion of those around him.

The Palace Incident at Jianzhang Palace

In the winter of 92 BCE, during the first year of the Zhenghe era, Emperor Wu experienced a sudden and unsettling event that would trigger a cascade of political turmoil. After waking in his palace, he noticed a stranger—a man holding a sword—lurking suspiciously near the palace gates. This unknown figure’s furtive behavior and weapon caused immediate alarm.

The emperor shouted for his guards, who rushed to the scene. In the ensuing commotion, the mysterious man fled. The emperor, enraged by this breach of palace security, executed the official responsible for guarding the palace gates. However, despite mobilizing troops to conduct thorough searches of the imperial gardens and the city of Chang’an, the intruder vanished without a trace.

This incident, seemingly minor, was the spark that ignited a far-reaching investigation into subversion and witchcraft within the imperial family and court.

The Gongsun Family: From Privilege to Disgrace

At the time, the prime minister was Gongsun He, a man closely connected to the emperor through marriage alliances. Gongsun He’s wife was the elder sister of Empress Wei Zifu, Emperor Wu’s favored consort. This made Gongsun He and the emperor relatives by marriage, a relationship that initially afforded the Gongsun family considerable influence at court.

Gongsun He’s son, Gongsun Jing Sheng, exploited this connection shamelessly. Known for his arrogance and extravagance, he abused his official position, embezzling military funds for personal use. While the emperor tolerated minor indiscretions, the misuse of military funds was intolerable, and Gongsun Jing Sheng was promptly imprisoned.

Faced with his son’s incarceration, Gongsun He sought a way to redeem the family name and secure his son’s release.

The Pursuit of Zhu Anshi: A Risky Gambit

Simultaneously, Emperor Wu had ordered a nationwide manhunt for a figure known as Zhu Anshi, a so-called “hero” or outlaw suspected of being the mysterious intruder seen near the palace. Gongsun He, seeing an opportunity, volunteered to capture Zhu Anshi himself, believing that by delivering the fugitive, he might earn the emperor’s favor and secure a pardon for his son.

Zhu Anshi was elusive, known for his unpredictable movements, yet Gongsun He managed to apprehend him. However, this triumph backfired spectacularly.

Zhu Anshi’s Shocking Accusation: Witchcraft and Scandal

While in custody, Zhu Anshi submitted a secret memorial to Emperor Wu, revealing a scandal that rocked the imperial court to its core. He accused Gongsun Jing Sheng of illicit relations with Princess Yangshi, one of Emperor Wu’s daughters, and of engaging in witchcraft by performing malicious rituals against the emperor.

Specifically, Zhu Anshi alleged that Gongsun Jing Sheng and Princess Yangshi conspired to curse the emperor by burying effigies—wooden dolls inscribed with the emperor’s name—and stabbing them with needles and knives, a form of witchcraft believed to cause harm to the victim.

This accusation was explosive for several reasons. The alleged incestuous liaison with a princess was a grave violation of imperial decorum and morality. More seriously, the use of witchcraft against the emperor was not only a political crime but a deeply sacrilegious act, punishable by death.

Witchcraft in Han China: Fear and Political Control

The phenomenon of witchcraft accusations during the Han dynasty must be understood within the broader cultural and political context. “Witchcraft” was not merely superstition but a feared form of political subversion. The Han emperors, particularly Wu, were deeply concerned about threats to their authority, and suspicions of witchcraft often served as pretexts for political purges.

Moreover, the Han dynasty’s understanding of “xia” differed from later interpretations. In this period, “xia” often implied defiance of authority through martial prowess, sometimes crossing into outlaw behavior. Zhu Anshi himself was described as a “heroic outlaw,” a figure straddling the line between popular hero and dangerous rebel.

The Fallout: The Purge of the Gongsun Clan and the Wei Family

Following Zhu Anshi’s revelations, Emperor Wu ordered a thorough investigation. The results were damning. Gongsun He, his son Gongsun Jing Sheng, and their entire family were implicated and sentenced to death. The purge extended beyond the Gongsun household to other members of the imperial family.

Princess Zhuyi, another daughter of Emperor Wu, and Wei Kang, son of the famous general Wei Qing, were also implicated and died as a result of the scandal. The Wei family, related to the empress and prominent in military affairs, saw its political power decisively curbed.

This ruthless elimination of the Gongsun and Wei clans effectively dismantled the influential external factions surrounding the emperor, consolidating imperial power but at a high human cost.

The Political Implications: Paranoia and Centralization of Power

The witchcraft scandal and the resulting purges highlight the increasing paranoia within Emperor Wu’s court as his reign progressed. The emperor’s long rule was marked by growing suspicion toward his own officials and relatives, leading to frequent purges and a tightening grip on power.

The elimination of powerful clans such as the Gongsun and Wei families removed potential rivals but also destabilized court politics. The emperor’s efforts to centralize authority often came at the expense of trusted advisers and family members, sowing distrust and fear.

The Legacy of the Witchcraft Scandal

The witchcraft scandal of 92 BCE remains one of the most intriguing and tragic episodes of Han history. It has been interpreted in various ways by historians:

– As a genuine case of subversion and treason within the royal family.

– As a politically motivated purge by Emperor Wu to eliminate rivals.

– As an example of the dangerous interplay between superstition, power, and paranoia in imperial China.

Whatever the interpretation, the scandal left a lasting mark on the Han dynasty’s political landscape. It exposed the vulnerabilities of imperial authority and the potential for personal vendettas and fears to escalate into state crises.

Moreover, it served as a cautionary tale about the costs of unchecked power and the dangers of internal court intrigues.

Conclusion: The Emperor’s Enduring Regret

Emperor Wu’s reign is remembered for its monumental achievements but also for its darker shadows. The palace incident and witchcraft scandal illustrate the complexities of his rule—a blend of visionary leadership and ruthless suppression, grandeur and tragedy.

The emperor’s legacy, like that of many great rulers, is a mixture of glory and regret. The purge of the Gongsun and Wei clans, triggered by fear and suspicion, remains a poignant reminder that even the most powerful emperors are vulnerable to the consequences of their actions.

In the end, history leaves the verdict on Emperor Wu’s choices to future generations, revealing the eternal human drama behind the grandeur of empire.