Changes

Huo Guang then found a remaining distant relative of Emperor Wu, who took the throne as [[Emperor Xuan of Han]]. In 73 BCE, Huo Guang's fiefs were expanded, in recognition of his great service and rectitude, and he continued to wield very considerable power. According to the ''Book of Han'', Emperor Xuan declined to take over true power, and like his predecessor entrusted Huo Guang with control of most matters.

Huo Guang then found a remaining distant relative of Emperor Wu, who took the throne as [[Emperor Xuan of Han]]. In 73 BCE, Huo Guang's fiefs were expanded, in recognition of his great service and rectitude, and he continued to wield very considerable power. According to the ''Book of Han'', Emperor Xuan declined to take over true power, and like his predecessor entrusted Huo Guang with control of most matters.

In 68 BCE, Huo Guang fell ill and died. He was given a lavish funeral, and his next of kin considerable benefits, including that their inherited lands be exempt from taxation, and from being divided up. Yet, they went on to live lavish lifestyles, and could not match up to the reputation of Huo Guang in rectitude and uprightness.

In 68 BCE, Huo Guang fell ill and died. He was given a lavish funeral, and his next of kin considerable benefits, including that their inherited lands be exempt from taxation, and from being divided up. Yet, while they continued honestly enough in their official duties, none could not match up to the reputation of Huo Guang in rectitude and uprightness, and so the elite lifestyle earned by Ho Kuang began to seem to the Emperor unearned, even undeserved, in the hands of his descendants. Thus, Emperor Xuan began to demote members of the Huo family, and to turn to other families (including his own relations) to occupy the highest posts in the realm. Rumors accusing the Huo family of plotting against the throne then led to several members of the family (Huo Guang's grand-nephews Huo Yun and Huo Shan, and son-in-law Fan Ming-you) committing suicide, and several others (including Huo Guang's son Huo Yu) being arrested and executed. Several thousand other households, accused of being in league with the Huo, were similarly wiped out.

 

A man named Master Xu of Mouling is quoted as saying <blockquote>He who indulges in extravagance will become rebellious, he who becomes rebellious will invariably despise his superiors, and he who despises his superiors will pursue the way of treason. When one rises to a position above others he is bound to be hated by the mass of men. The Huo family had held the reins of power for a long time now and the people who hate it are many - in the fact, the whole empire hates it. If in addition it pursues the way of treason, how can it help but be destroyed!<ref>Watson, 150.</ref></blockquote>

==References==

==References==