Since every six-year period was successively marked as yuannian (元年), eryuan (二元), sanyuan (三元), and so forth, this system was considered too cumbersome by the time it reached the fifth cycle wuyuan sannian (五元三年) in 114 BC.
Sejak setiap periode enam tahun secara siksesif ditandai sebagai yuannian (元年), eryuan (二元), sanyuan (三元), dan seterusnya, sistem tersebut dianggap terlalu rancu saat masa tersebut mencapai periode kelima wuyuan sannian (五元三年) pada 114 SM.