《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪二十九》
中国北部边疆，自从汉宣帝以来，百姓已数代看不见烽火的警报，人口繁殖，牛马遍野。及至王莽扰乱匈奴，与匈奴结成仇怨，沿边百姓或死亡，或被俘虏，几年之间，北方边疆一片荒凉，野外有无人掩埋的白骨。
北边自宣帝以来，数世不见烟火之警，人民炽盛，牛马布野；及莽桡乱匈奴，与之构难，边民死亡系获，数年之间，北边虚空，野有暴骨矣。
Since the reign of Emperor Xuandi of Han, the people of northern China had been safe from war for generations, and their population and livestock had flourished. When Wang Mang provoked the Xiongnu, enmity ensued, and the people along the border were either killed or captured. Within a few years, the northern border became desolate, and unburied remains lay on the ground.