oy the glory of the state in order to raise a useless edifice is indescribable folly。 Confucius the Teacher said that princes should treat ministers with polite consideration； and ministers should serve princes with loyalty。 Without loyalty； without propriety； can a state endure？
〃I recognize that these words of mine mean death； but I am of no value； a mere bullock's hair； and my life is of no importance； as my death would be no loss。 I write with tears； bidding the world farewell。
〃Thy servant has eight sons； who will be a burden to Your Majesty after his death。 I cannot say with what trepidation I await my fate。〃
〃Has the man no fear of death？〃 said Cao Rui； greatly angered。
The courtiers requested the Emperor to put Dong Xun to death； but Cao Rui remembered his rectitude and proven loyalty and only degraded him； adding a warning to put to death those who would remonstrate。
A certain Zhang Mao； in the service of the Heir Apparent； also ventured upon a remonstrance。 Cao Rui put him to death immediately。
Then Cao Rui summoned his Master of Works； Ma Jun； and said； 〃I have built high terraces and lofty towers with intent to hold intercourse with gods and goddesses； that I may obtain from them the elixir of life。〃
＇e＇ Emperor Wu； aka Liu Che； （reigned BC 141…87） whose reign was longest among the Han emperors。 Emperor Wu was perhaps the most influential Han emperor who concerned not only about expanding territory but also about developing trade with other countries （the Silk Road； for example）。 Emperor paid special attention to longevity； and his court often had elaborate rituals。 。。。。。
Then Ma Jun replied； 〃Of the four and twenty emperors of the line of Latter Han； only Emperor Wu* enjoyed the throne very long and re