從漢代律令考察「巫蠱之禍」——兼論事件對王莽代漢的影響

A Study on the“Witchcraft Incident”through Han Dynasty Law: with a Discussion on Its Impact on Wang Mang’s Usurpation of the Han Dynasty

漢武帝征和二年（91 B.C.E.）「巫蠱之禍」是西漢中期的一場巨大政治風波，皇帝、皇后、太子及大臣都牽涉其中。歷來史家研究「巫蠱之禍」都主要探究事件的爆發原因，前人的結論眾說紛紜，大抵圍繞著三方面作論述，包括：漢武帝與太子劉據之間的父子矛盾、太子據與使者江充的私人恩怨、兩大外戚集團衞氏和李氏奪嫡之爭。然而，本文認為前輩學者都忽略了太子據在事件中的過錯，而太子所犯的三大過錯也屬於「巫蠱之禍」的關鍵。是故，本文旨在以漢代律令考察太子據的過錯，以解釋為何他被親孫兒漢宣帝上「戾」之諡號。同時，前人指出太子據身邊的少傅石德便是《資治通鑑》所載的「寬厚長者」，惟此說實有值得商榷之處，本文亦會重新審視石德其人是否屬於「寬厚長者」。最後，「巫蠱之禍」與王莽代漢兩事看似沒有關聯，但王莽成功取代漢室的兩大因素，亦即外戚專權、儒學思想主導漢政，此兩大因素委實是「巫蠱之禍」所導致，故此本文亦會一併探討「巫蠱之禍」與王莽代漢之間的關聯。

The“Witchcraft Incident”, which erupted in 91 B.C.E., was a significant political upheaval during the mid-Western Han dynasty, drawing in the Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, and numerous high officials. Traditionally, historians have concentrated on the origins of the“Witchcraft Incident”, and their interpretations have varied considerably. These analyses have largely centered on three key factors: the conflict between Emperor Wu of Han and his son, Crown Prince Liu Ju; the personal animosity between Liu Ju and the envoy Jiang Chong; and the power struggle between the two imperial relatives, the Wei clique and the Li clique. Nevertheless, this article contends that historians have neglected three critical errors made by the Liu Ju during the incident, which are essential for comprehending the“Witchcraft Incident”. Consequently, this article seeks to scrutinize Liu Ju’s missteps through the lens of Han Dynasty law to elucidate why his grandson, Emperor Xuan of Han, bestowed upon him the pejorative posthumous title“Li”(to have faults and not to correct them戾). Furthermore, while some historians have characterized Liu Ju’s junior mentor, Shi De, as the“kuanhou zhangzhe”(the term used to describe the kind and generous elder) referenced in the Zizhi tongjian, this depiction is open to question. This article will reassess whether Shi De indeed embodies the qualities of a“kuanhou zhangzhe”. Lastly, although the“Witchcraft Incident”and Wang Mang’s usurpation of the Han throne may appear unconnected, the two factors that facilitated Wang Mang’s rise to power, namely“the significant influence of the imperial relatives”and“the prevailing influence of Confucian thought in Han governance”, were indeed direct consequences of the“Witchcraft Incident”. Therefore, this article will also delve into the relationship between the“Witchcraft Incident”and Wang Mang’s takeover of the Han throne.