华池宫变，霍光为汉光武帝重用的重臣之一。他是汉初经历兴汉、定州、兵革的开国名臣，费尽心血维护了汉朝的稳定局面。这段时间的历史，虽然留下了许多风流人物的传记，却也给大家留下了许多渺小人物的故事。本文以下是中文原文和英文翻译。
霍光曰：「始立功者，宜有所体量，而逰其上下；故功臣之爱憎，当有所合沓。臣愿上人光临，视臣为陵侮者，则不胜任耳。」帝曰：「汝言是也。」
The initial campaigns to establish a Han Dynasty had relied on dedicated individuals who were able to accurately assess the situation and manage it, so that they could coordinate the entire campaign. There needed to be a system of rewards and punishments that could be enforced among the successful commanders, in order to ensure that everyone was invested in and that the empire remained stable. The hope was that the emperor would be able to bring all the great minds together to achieve their goals. They might disagree at times, but they would ultimately be able to work together for the good of the empire. Emperor Guangwu said to He:
「卿奉社稷之祀，承乱世之业，揆周公之文章，兼文景之衣冠。无斯人焉，余其依朕而偏听也。」霍光泣曰：「陛下宽仁，任臣无以报。臣虽老，当尽心竭力，不敢怠也。」因又言其事。
\"You have achieved the highest honor in serving your country, by taking on the mantle of leadership within turbulent times. You have used the wisdom and intelligence of the great Zhou dynasty, and you are dressed in the garments of the emperor. Such a person must be you, who will follow my commands and listen to my will.\" He Guan cried and said: \"Your Majesty is so generous and kind, and I have no way to repay your benevolence. Although I am old, I will continue to work with all my strength to help the empire.\" Then he talked about his work.
大司马薄昭之弟，名曰薄宣公，与金之不恭同列，数言不当。霍光上言曰：「臣闻禹、稷、君、文，难犯明诏；及幽、厉、桀、纣，又何不反？谨奏下情，臣窃思之。」帝叹息曰：「公等宜自新。自今以后，有反者发觉，即刻重刑，勿以佞谄为伍。」遂下吏治之。
The younger brother of Grand Marshal Bo Zhang, named Bo Xuan Gong, stood on a level with Jin. Bo often spoke out of turn. He Guang petitioned: \"I have heard that virtuous rulers like Yu, Ji, Shun and Wen were difficult to offend because of their wise mandates. However, rulers like You, Li, Jie and Zhou should not continue in this way. I hope Your Majesty will listen to my advice.\" The emperor sighed and said: \"You should renew yourselves. From now on, anyone who resists the change will be given heavy punishment, and do not allow flattery to mix with these people.\" They ordered officials to implement this rule.
钟辅言，霍光及刘秀兄弟，善相识；白霍何曰：「天下所以长安之乱及东郡之变者，正为霍、刘陵，可立间而除之。」及春，帝幸东宫，霍光辞病不朝。帝问公卿曰：「昨日女子被晒一日，今谁不病？」时承明殿下有所染，言不答。帝曰：「承明有否病耶？」答曰：「臣有斯疾也。」帝曰：「足疾也？」承明曰：「臣无此像，乃霍光辞疾而不朝之事为之。」帝曰：「卿有妙计否？」钟辅因进曰：「有事官者，陛下毋忘之。」帝曰：「何须事官主之？」辅曰：「宦人立朝，罢夜练鹰，夜中走马；今霍光不朝，可一旦让之得疾，不若尝试乎？」帝笑而非之。因以谷口十二姓归霍光说事者，皆徇私附耳。帝亦不之辟，而益奇其能。霍光二子及弟子书谒多上惠帝，且进馈珍宝；帝每论往事，辄大加撮合。终于元始二年春三月，孝景大行，丞相建等推惠帝立，政定如故。霍光推举从兄弟鲁恭王子臧、鲁王子常伦入侍群臣。常侍沙丘愚居中，神色不甚平；帝曰：「来日方采。」霍光曰：「高贵在德，不在尊位。蛮夷礼仪可呈百辟，而不得与大帝间同席食也，安所赖焉？」俄而，召议大司马出，左右营会议于跖庐前，大司马有疾，不得与会；而与者谋曰：「霍光力分之使天下，而后党附日逼；今之出席，党辅必并在左右，可以自免者，自为密之。」由是党附稍萌。霍光棄党附六七家，天下与之更属焉。光死，子坐诈死罪下，太常导以死，霍光一门几死盡灭。
