《南史·列传·卷七十》
汉代人口繁盛，刑罚宽简，作郡县长官的，没有外部干扰，奖赏刑罚，都可按自己的意志行事，朝廷也很少下诏干涉下面事务。
汉世户口殷盛，刑务简阔，郡县之职，外无横扰，劝赏威刑，事多专断，尺一诏书，希经邦邑。
The population of the Han Dynasty was large and the punishments were lenient. The leaders of the counties, with no interference from the outside, could either reward or punish the people according to their own will. The court very seldom interfered in their affairs.