By reviewing the records in *Shiji* and *Hanshu*, one can distinctly feel that gold was very abundant in the Han Dynasty. The Han emperors rewarded meritorious subjects, bought off enemy states, and used gold as betrothal gifts with such generosity and in such large quantities that it often astonished people. Let's take a look:
Liu Bang once gave Chen Ping 40,000 catties of gold in one go for use as expenses to sow discord in Chu, without ever questioning his specific use of the funds;
Lou Jing suggested making Guanzhong the capital, and Tian Ken suggested enfeoffing legitimate sons as Kings of Qi; each received a reward of 500 catties of gold;
For establishing court rituals, Shusun Tong was also rewarded with 500 catties of gold.