On the Achievements and Mistakes of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty

This paper makes a historical judgment of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty based on four aspects of his both positive and negative rule-devoting to military conquests and territory expansion, promoting Confucianism and learning, good at sizing up people but beguiled by sycophantic officials, indulging in a luxurious life and ruthless politics, and making changes upon repentance. It concludes that his achievements were more important than his mistakes and he was an influential historical figure of great talent and ability.