Jia Chong, courtesy name Gonglu, hailed from Xiangling in Pingyang. His father, Jia Kui, once served as the Inspector of Yuzhou in the Wei Kingdom and was granted the title of Marquis of Yangli Pavilion. Jia Kui was already old when he had Jia Chong and predicted that the Jia family would one day experience a "Chonglu celebration" (indicating prosperity and joy in the family), so he named him Jia Chong. Jia Chong lost his father at a young age and gained a reputation for his filial piety while in mourning. Later, he inherited his father's title and became a marquis. He was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, tasked with formulating and refining legal texts and overseeing financial assessments. He was knowledgeable in legal texts, handled government affairs methodically, and his measures were very effective. He gradually rose in ranks and also served as the Chief Agriculture Officer of Ji County.
He also participated in military operations with the Grand General, following Emperor Jing to Lejia to suppress Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin. When Emperor Jing fell gravely ill and returned to Xuchang, he left Jia Chong in charge of military affairs and, in recognition of his contributions, was rewarded with the stewardship of three hundred and fifty households. Later, Jia Chong was appointed Grand General and Marshal under Emperor Wen and was promoted to Chief of the Right. When Emperor Wen just took control of the court, he was worried about local forces not obeying, so he sent Jia Chong to meet with Zhuge Dan, under the pretense of discussing an attack on Wu, but actually to secretly observe Zhuge Dan's intentions. When Jia Chong discussed the current situation with Zhuge Dan, he asked him, "Everyone is looking forward to a change of dynasty, what is your opinion?" Zhuge Dan responded emphatically, "You are Jia Yuzhou (Jia Kui)'s son; your family has enjoyed the Wei Kingdom's favor for generations. How can you just hand over the country to others? If Luoyang is in danger, I will defend it with my life!" Jia Chong said nothing.
After Jia Chong returned, he reported to Emperor Wen, saying, "Zhuge Dan has been in Yangzhou for a long time, with high prestige and loyal followers. Looking at his demeanor, he is definitely going to rebel. If we take action against him now, we can quickly resolve the situation with minimal losses. If we do not take action, the longer we wait, the greater the danger." Emperor Wen then ordered the summoning of Zhuge Dan as Minister of State, and as a result, Zhuge Dan did indeed rebel. Jia Chong accompanied Emperor Wen in the campaign against Zhuge Dan, and he suggested, "Although the Chu army is elite, they are few in number. If we dig deep trenches and build high ramparts, and close in on the enemy's cities, we can achieve victory without fighting." Emperor Wen accepted his advice. After the city was captured, Emperor Wen ascended a high platform and specially commended Jia Chong for his contributions. Emperor Wen returned to Luoyang first, leaving Jia Chong to handle the aftermath. As a result, Jia Chong was appointed as Marquis of Xuanyang and was granted an additional thousand households of land. Later on, Jia Chong was promoted to the position of Minister of Justice. He was proficient in law, fair in his judgments, and highly praised. He was known for his ability to rectify wrongful convictions.
At that time, the Duke of Gaogui attacked the Prime Minister's residence, and the Central Guard General, Shi Chong, led his troops to resist at the Southern Gate. Realizing they were on the verge of defeat, Shi Ji, the brother of the Cavalry Commander Cheng Cui and the Prince's Attendant, asked Shi Chong, "What should we do now?" Shi Chong replied, "You’ve followed me for this moment, haven’t you? What is there to hesitate about?" Upon hearing this, Shi Ji immediately drew his sword and charged forward. Later, Sima Yan became Emperor and appointed Shi Chong Marquis of Anyang, granting him an additional twelve hundred households of land to command the troops outside the city, and also adding the title of Cavalier Attendant.
Zhong Hui plotted a rebellion in the Shu region, so the emperor sent Shi Chong to quell the rebellion, entrusting him with the command of the armies from Guanzhong and Longyou, stationed in Hanzhong. Before Zhong Hui could arrive, he was killed. At that time, there were numerous pressing national matters, and many of the court's sensitive documents were decided by Shi Chong. The emperor trusted Shi Chong especially, regarding him as a trusted minister alongside Pei Xiu, Wang Shen, Yang Hu, and Xun Xu. The emperor also entrusted Shi Chong with revising the laws, bestowing upon him a golden seal, and giving him the best armor. When the five ranks of nobility were established, Shi Chong was appointed as the Marquis of Linyi, thus becoming a founding figure of the Jin Dynasty. The emperor favored him greatly, giving him more rewards than other officials.
Shi Chong was talented in writing and good at understanding the emperor's thoughts. Initially, Emperor Wen thought that Emperor Jing governed the country well after inheriting the throne and was preparing to pass the throne to Marquis Wuyang, Sima You. Shi Chong suggested that Emperor Wu, Sima Yan, was generous and kind, and as the eldest son, possessed the virtues to be emperor, so he should inherit the throne. Later, when Emperor Wen fell ill and Emperor Wu asked how to handle affairs after his passing, Emperor Wen said, "The only person who truly understands my intentions is Jia Gonglu." After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he appointed Shi Chong as the General of the Jin State, the Yitong San Si, and the Attendant of the Secretariat, and changed his title to Marquis of Linyi. When Emperor Wu proclaimed himself emperor, he promoted Shi Chong to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cavalry Commandant, Supervisor of the Secretariat, and Duke of Lu County. His mother, Lady Liu, was also granted the title of Lady of Lu County.
After the Han Dynasty, new laws were introduced nationwide, and the common people found it very convenient. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Since the Han Dynasty, the laws have always been quite strict. Therefore, from the time of Emperor Yuan Cheng to the periods of Jian'an and Jiaping, everyone wanted to modify the old legal texts and simplify the penal code. This was a large-scale task that took many years to complete. The previous emperor understood the people's suffering and personally ordered the correction of errors in the legal texts. General Jia Chong faithfully implemented the previous emperor's wishes and extensively sought opinions. He led the effort, gathering input from various officials, including Grand Tutor Zheng Chong, Minister of Works Xun Yi, Director of the Palace Library Xun Xu, General of the Central Army Yang Hu, Guard General Wang Ye, Minister of Justice Du You, Intendant of Henan Du Yu, Cavalier Attendant Pei Kai, Administrator of Yingchuan Zhou Xiong, Prime Minister Guo Qi, Cavalry Commandant Cheng Gong Sui Xun Hui, Gentleman of the Imperial Library Liu Gui, and others, all of whom participated in this work. I have always valued their efforts and am truly grateful. Now that the laws have finally been completed and are being implemented nationwide, punishments have been lightened, and prohibitions simplified, in complete accordance with the previous emperor's intentions. In the past, after Xiao He established the laws, he was enfeoffed as a marquis, and after Shusun Tong established the rites, he was appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies and was rewarded with five hundred catties of gold, with his students all appointed as gentlemen. Contributing and achieving has always been vital throughout history. From the Grand Tutor down to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, everyone has been promoted and rewarded with gifts." So the emperor granted Jia Chong's descendants the title of Marquis of Guannei and five hundred bolts of silk. Jia Chong declined, but the emperor insisted.
Later, Pei Xiu became the Minister of Personnel, while still retaining the positions of Grand Palace Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry. Shortly after, the position of Grand Palace Attendant was changed to Palace Attendant-Director, and the Emperor rewarded him with seven hundred rolls of silk. Pei Xiu resigned from his position due to his mother's passing, and the Emperor sent the Yellow Gate Minister to offer condolences. Due to military conflicts in the southeast region, the Emperor sent General Yang Shao to convey orders, instructing him to return to the court after sixty days. During his time in office, Jia Chong emphasized agricultural production, promoted frugality, and streamlined the government structure, earning the Emperor's approval. Jia Chong, known for his prowess in both civil and military affairs, requested to resign from his military duties. When Yang Hu and others were stationed at the border, Jia Chong petitioned to serve on the frontier, but the Emperor did not agree. Jia Chong performed his duties quietly and maintained clear standards for rewards and punishments. He was keen on promoting talent, closely monitoring the development of those he recommended, earning the support of many scholars. The Emperor's uncle, Wang Xun, once slandered Jia Chong, but Jia Chong promoted him instead. Some people went against Jia Chong in order to curry favor with the powerful, but Jia Chong kept up appearances with them. However, Jia Chong lacked principles and failed to set a good example, relying solely on flattery to please the Emperor. Ministers such as Ren Kai and Yu Chun, who were upright and principled, could not tolerate Jia Chong. Furthermore, Jia Chong's daughter became the Princess of Qi, raising concerns about Jia Chong's growing influence.
Later, the Di and Qiang tribes revolted, and the emperor was very worried about this. Jia Chong proactively offered a suggestion, requesting to defend the Guanzhong region. The emperor then issued an edict saying: "In recent years, regions such as Qinzhou and Liangzhou have faced multiple defeats, and the Hu people have grown increasingly arrogant and overbearing, inflicting great suffering on the common people. They have even incited rebellion among other tribes, threatening the Central Plains region. Even the rebellions in Wu and Shu have not been as severe as this. This is all because the talents we have employed are insufficient to pacify the people both domestically and abroad, to suppress the rebellions, and we have rashly used the military without being able to unleash their full potential. If we do not find truly trustworthy ministers to entrust with important responsibilities to thoroughly resolve this issue, the troubles are unlikely to cease. I've been so worried about this that I can't sleep. Minister of the Interior, Minister of State, and General Jia Chong has a broad mind, extensive knowledge, military talent, and the ability to govern the country. He is deeply trusted by the people and has a reputation that extends overseas. Let him command the army to pacify the western tribes, so I need not worry about the west anymore, and the entire nation can be stable. Therefore, I appoint Jia Chong as the envoy in charge of military affairs in Qin and Liang provinces, while his positions as Minister of the Interior and General remain unchanged, and I bestow upon him a feathered cloak and a drum, with privileges equal to those of the first prince consort." Those virtuous individuals in the court who wished to offer counsel were all relieved by Jia Chong's appointment, hoping it would usher in a new era.
Since Jia Chong was about to go on an expedition, he felt that it was a neglect of duty and harbored deep resentment towards Ren Kai, but he didn't know what to do. Just before he was to depart to guard the region of Guanzhong, the officials held a farewell for him at the Sunset Pavilion, and Xun Xu privately approached Jia Chong. Jia Chong, worried, explained the situation to Xun Xu. Xun Xu said, "You are the chief advisor to the state, yet you're being led around by one person—doesn't that feel shameful? However, it is indeed difficult to refuse this expedition. There is only one way: marry your daughter off to the Crown Prince, and then you can stay in the capital." Jia Chong replied, "That's true, but who can help me accomplish this?" Xun Xu said, "I will find a way." Soon, at the banquet, when everyone discussed the Crown Prince's marriage, Xun Xu mentioned that Jia Chong's daughter was both talented and beautiful, making her a perfect match for the Crown Prince. Empress Yang and Xun Yi also agreed with this statement. Upon hearing their suggestion, the Emperor consented. At that moment, heavy snow fell in the capital, piling up to two feet, stopping the army from moving out. Later, when the Crown Prince got married, Jia Chong did not go to the west. The Emperor issued an edict permitting Jia Chong to remain in his original position. Previously, Yang Hu had secretly requested the Emperor to keep Jia Chong, and the Emperor later informed Jia Chong about this. Jia Chong thanked Yang Hu, saying, "Now I know you are a true elder."
After Sun Xiu surrendered to Wu, he was appointed as the General of Cavalry. The Emperor thought highly of Shi Chong as an old minister and wanted to promote him, aiming to place the role of Charioteer General above that of the General of Cavalry. Shi Chong firmly declined, and the Emperor ultimately agreed. Not long after, Shi Chong was promoted to the role of Minister of Works, while also taking on roles as a palace attendant and the Minister of Personnel, retaining his command over the troops as before.
The emperor fell seriously ill, and Shi Chong, along with Prince Sima You and Xun Xiu, participated in the emperor's medical treatment. When the emperor recovered, he rewarded each of them with five hundred pieces of silk. In fact, during the emperor's serious illness, the court favored Sima You during the emperor's illness. Xiahou He, the Governor of Henan, said to Shi Chong, "Your two sons-in-law are about the same; who should become emperor should depend on character." Shi Chong ignored him. Later, the emperor learned of this matter and transferred Xiahou He to Guanglu Xun, while stripping Shi Chong of his military power, though his official position remained unchanged. He was later promoted to Grand Commandant and served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, also overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. In the third year of Xian Ning, there were three consecutive solar eclipses, and Shi Chong requested to resign, but the emperor did not agree and even increased his fief, showing him even greater favor, causing great envy among the court ministers.
Governor Wang Xun reported, "Empress Dowager Hongxun wants to enter the temple to make sacrifices, and she should sacrifice together with Emperor Jing. Prince Sima You cannot perform the rites of a son." Shi Chong believed, "The rites and laws state that feudal lords cannot sacrifice to the emperor, and princes cannot sacrifice to their ancestors, referring to the rituals of flattery and ancestral worship, not that they cannot sacrifice to their own forefathers. Sima You should observe the mourning rites as a subject for three years." The relevant authorities reported, "If we follow Shi Chong's opinion, Sima You would mourn as a son but perform the rites of a subject, which has no historical precedent. It should follow Wang Xun's memorial, and Sima You's mourning attire should be according to the rites of a feudal lord." The emperor accepted Shi Chong's proposal.
The campaign against the State of Wu has begun. The emperor appointed Shi Chong as envoy with special mandate, granting him a ceremonial yellow seal, and made him the Grand General, commanding an army of ten thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry. He was also provided with left and right chief historians, a military strategist, and a junior officer, adding ten military advisors and ten cavalry officers to his staff, with twenty subordinate officers, and thirty supply wagons and official mounts each. Shi Chong was worried that this great battle might not be winnable and submitted a memorial stating that: "In the west, there is a threat from the Kunyi, and in the north, there are the garrisons in You and Bing. The people are exhausted and the wealth of the land has been depleted, and there have been years of failed harvests. Now, raising troops for an expedition may not be timely. Furthermore, I am too old to shoulder this heavy responsibility." The emperor replied, "If you do not go, I will go myself!" Shi Chong had no choice but to accept the seal and lead the central forces, overseeing the various armies, with General Yang Ji as his deputy, stationed the forces in Xiangyang. The defenders in Jiangling and other areas of the Wu state surrendered, and Shi Chong then moved to station in Xiang County.
After Wang Jun captured Wuchang, he dispatched a report: "The eastern Jiang region has not yet been completely pacified, it is now summer, and the Jianghuai area is humid and hot, making it highly susceptible to outbreaks of plague. The troops should be recalled to prepare for future contingencies. Even if Zhang Hua were executed, it would not quell the public's grievances." Zhang Hua had previously formulated the strategy to pacify the State of Wu, which is why Wang Jun made this statement. Chief Minister Xun Xu also recommended adopting Wang Jun's suggestion. However, the emperor did not concur.
Du Yu heard that Wang Jun had submitted a memorial on this matter, so he quickly sent someone to deliver a memorial strongly opposing it, saying that the Wu kingdom would soon be pacified. However, just as his messenger arrived at Huan Yuan, Sun Hao surrendered. With the Wu kingdom pacified, the army also withdrew. The emperor sent the palace attendant Cheng Xian to reward Wang Jun, giving him 8,000 bolts of silk and increasing his fief by 8,000 households; he also appointed his grandson Wang Chang as the Marquis of Xincheng Pavilion, Wang Gai as the Marquis of Anyangting, his younger brother Wang Hun as the Marquis of Yangliting, his grandson Wang Zhong as the Marquis of Guanneihou, and all of them were given additional land and households. Wang Jun had never intended to march south to attack Wu, and he had strongly advised against it, but his counsel was ignored. After the Wu kingdom was pacified, he felt deep shame and fear, wishing to request punishment from the emperor. When the emperor heard that Wang Jun was coming to court, he specifically went to the East Hall to await him. Although he removed Wang Jun's ceremonial axe and retinue, he still provided him with musicians and ceremonial guards. Wang Jun and the court officials conducted a victory ceremony together and requested the relevant departments to handle the procedures. However, the emperor graciously declined.
Later, Wang Jun fell seriously ill, surrendered his seal, and resigned from his official position. The emperor sent attendants to convey his wishes and express their concern for his health; the palace physicians sent him medicine, and he was also rewarded with a canopy bed, money, and silk. Even the crown prince and royal relatives visited him in person. In April of the third year of Tai Kang, Wang Jun passed away at the age of sixty-six. The emperor was deeply saddened by Wang Jun's passing and sent envoys with an edict posthumously conferring him the title of Grand Chancellor, along with ceremonial robes, a green silk ribbon, an imperial sword, secret ceremonial items from the Eastern Garden, a set of court attire, and an additional piece of clothing. He also entrusted the Grand Minister of Ceremonies with the funeral arrangements, granting him ceremonial axes, feathered cloaks for the front and back, drums and trumpets, a grand carriage, a ceremonial carriage, and a large chariot for the chief officer, along with ceremonial weapons and light chariots. The funeral was conducted according to the standards for Huo Guang and the Prince of Anping, and he was granted a burial plot. He was to be honored alongside Shi Bao and others in the ancestral temple, with the posthumous title of "Martial." The emperor also posthumously conferred Wang Jun's son, Wang Limin, the title of Duke of Lu.
Guo Huai was known for her extreme jealousy. Her husband, the Duke of Guangcheng, Guo Huai, had a wife named Chong. Chong's first child, Limin, was only three years old and was being cared for by a wet nurse in the attic. When Limin saw Chong, he smiled happily, and Chong went over to touch him. Guo Huai saw this and suspected there was some sort of inappropriate relationship between Chong and the wet nurse, and she brutally beat the wet nurse to death! Limin, heartbroken over missing his wet nurse, also succumbed to grief.
Later, Chong had another son, and when the child was a bit older, he was once again held by a wet nurse. Chong simply touched the child's head, but Guo Huai again suspected the wet nurse and Chong had an inappropriate relationship, leading her to kill the wet nurse once more. This child also died from sorrow over missing his wet nurse. Thus, Chong no longer had any children. After Chong's death, Guo Huai even named her own grandson Han Mi as Chong's son, allowing him to inherit Chong's title and estate.
Director of Physicians Han Xian and Lieutenant Cao Zhen advised Guo Huai, saying: "According to customary law, if there are no heirs in the clan, a collateral relative of the same surname should be appointed as the heir. There is no provision for allowing someone from a different surname to inherit! We cannot let the deceased lord rest in peace underground and leave such a blemish in history. Don't you feel sorry for this?" Guo Huai completely ignored them. Han Xian and others again petitioned for the appointment of an heir, but this matter ultimately came to nothing. Guo Huai simply said it was the deceased lord's dying wish.
The emperor issued a decree, stating: "The late Grand Duke Lu Chong made outstanding contributions and diligently assisted the court. Unfortunately, he passed away, and all his sons died young, leaving no successors. In ancient times, if a vassal state had no heir, an heir would be chosen from collateral relatives to continue the family line, but this practice has been abolished recently. Figures like Gong Dan of the Zhou Dynasty and Xiao He of the Han Dynasty were either appointed heirs in advance or ennobled because of their great achievements, so they were exceptions. Before his death, the Grand Duke chose his grandson Han Mi as the heir to the people. After careful consideration, I have decided that a grandson is indeed a close relative, and it is also in line with human sentiment. Let Han Mi be designated as the Grand Duke's heir and inherit his title! If someone does not have outstanding achievements like the Grand Duke did, starting with no successors at the beginning and not being like the Grand Duke when choosing an heir, then they cannot be compared to the Grand Duke."
Later, when a posthumous honor was to be given to Chong, Doctor Qin Xiu suggested the posthumous title "Huang," but the emperor did not agree. Doctor Duan Chang, understanding the emperor's intentions, suggested the title "Wu," which the emperor agreed to. From Chong's death to his burial, the court granted twenty million coins. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Jia wielded power and added the Six Yues music to Chong's temple. Guo Huai was enfeoffed as the Duke of Yicheng. After Guo Huai's death, he was posthumously conferred the title "Xuan," and special rites were added. At that time, people were discussing this matter, but no one dared to speak out openly.
It is said that Sima Yi's original wife, Lady Li, was beautiful and talented. She gave birth to two daughters for him: the elder daughter named Bao, nicknamed Quan, and the younger daughter named Yu, nicknamed Jun. Later, Sima Yi's father, Sima Fang, passed away, and Lady Li was exiled due to her involvement. Afterwards, Sima Yi married Guo Pei's daughter, who later became Lady Guangcheng. When Emperor Wu Sima Yan ascended to the throne, Lady Li was granted a general amnesty and permitted to return to the capital. The Emperor specially decreed for Sima Yi to bring Lady Li by his side to serve him, and Sima Yi's mother also urged him to bring Lady Li back.
When Guo Huai heard this, he became furious and criticized Sima Yi, saying, "You have made great contributions to assist the Emperor in ascending to the throne, and I also played a part! Why should Lady Li be on equal footing with me?" Although Sima Yi received the decree from the Emperor, he was afraid of Guo Huai, so he declined, claiming to be humble and cautious and not daring to accept the grand ceremony of having two wives serving him at the same time. His elder daughter Bao (Quan) became the official concubine of Prince Qi Sima You, and she wanted Sima Yi to divorce Guo Huai and bring her mother back. At that time, the mother of Liu Han from the State of Pei, as well as the former wife of the Emperor's uncle Wang Qian from the Yulin Guard, were both granddaughters of Mu Qiu Jian. This was not an unusual situation, and even after consulting officials from the Ministry of Rites, there was no clear answer. Although he could not divorce his second wife, many people still secretly communicated with each other. Sima Yi saw himself as a prime minister and a national role model, so he built a house for Lady Li in Yongnian, but he never went there himself.
The sisters Quan and Jun often cried and begged Sima Yi to visit their mother, but Sima Yi stubbornly refused to go. Later, Sima Yi was appointed to guard the Guanzhong region, and all the court officials came to see him off. Quan and Jun were worried that Sima Yi would never return once he left, so they lifted the curtain and rushed in front of everyone, knelt down and knocked their heads until blood dripped, crying to Sima Yi and the officials that their mother should come back. Everyone was taken aback to see it was the Princess of Qi, and immediately scattered. Sima Yi was very embarrassed and shocked, and quickly sent a palace maid to assist the princess in leaving. Later, Guo Huai's daughter became the Crown Prince's consort, and the emperor ordered that situations like Li's could not be taken back. Quan died of anger because of this incident.
At first, Guo Huai wanted to visit Li, and Sima Yi said, "She is very proud, you might as well not go." When Guo Huai's daughter became the Crown Prince's consort, Guo Huai finally made a grand visit to Li. As soon as he entered, Li came out to greet him, and Guo Huai's legs went weak, bowing twice to Li. From then on, every time Sima Yi went out, Guo Huai would send someone to follow him, afraid that he would go to see Li. Sima Yi's mother, Lady Liu, held integrity in high regard and remained unaware of Sima Yi's affair with Cheng Ji until her death, because she believed Cheng Ji was disloyal and often berated him. The attendants couldn't help but chuckle at this. Before Sima Yi passed away, he asked his mother if she had anything else to say, and Lady Liu said, "You wouldn't even agree to bring Li back, what more is there to say!" So she didn't say anything else. After Sima Yi's death, Li's two daughters wanted their mother to be buried with Sima Yi, but Empress Jia refused. Only after Empress Jia was deposed could Li finally be buried with Sima Yi. Li also wrote a book called "Female Admonishments," which has been handed down through generations.
Let me tell you about Han Shou. This young man is quite the looker. His name is De Zhen, he's from Du Yang in Nanyang, and he's the great-grandson of Jia Kui, the Minister of State of Wei. Not only is he good-looking, but he also has a certain charm in the way he carries himself. Jia Chong, also known as Sikong, took a shine to Han Shou and brought him on as his aide.
Every time Jia Chong entertained guests, his daughter would secretly peek through the screen and was instantly smitten with Han Shou at first sight. She asked the people around her if they knew him, and a maid said she did, spilling the beans about Han Shou's name and mentioning that he used to be their master. The young lady of the Jia family was thrilled and couldn't get Han Shou out of her mind, day and night. Later, the maid went to Han Shou's house and filled him in on the young lady's feelings, even mentioning how beautiful she was, describing her as a real beauty.
Hearing this, Han Shou felt a spark and immediately asked the maid to convey his feelings. The maid went back and filled the young lady in on this, and she started secretly seeing Han Shou, showering him with gifts and even allowing him to sneak in at night. Han Shou was agile and managed to slip in without anyone else in the house catching on, except Jia Chong noticed that his daughter seemed unusually happy lately, unlike before.
At that time, the Western Regions presented a unique fragrance as tribute, with an exceptionally pleasant smell that could last for a month with just a sniff. The Emperor treasured it greatly and only bestowed it upon Jia Chong and the Grand Marshal Chen Qian. The Jia family's young lady secretly gifted this special fragrance to Han Shou. When Jia Chong's men dined with Han Shou and caught a whiff of the fragrance on him, they rushed to tell Jia Chong.
Since then, Jia Chong suspected that his daughter had a relationship with Han Shou, but his family had tight security, and he had no idea how Han Shou managed to get in. So, Jia Chong pretended to be scared on purpose in the middle of the night, claiming that a thief had broken in, and asked the servants to check the situation along the wall. The servants replied, "Nothing seems out of the ordinary, only a fox seemed to have run past the northeast corner." Jia Chong then interrogated his daughter's maid, who spilled the whole story.
Although Jia Chong knew the truth, he kept it quiet and went ahead to marry his daughter to Han Shou. Han Shou later became the Cavalier In Regular Attendance and Intendant of Henan, and passed away in the early years of Yuankang, being posthumously honored as the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Shi Chongmi was a studious and talented individual. He inherited his father's title, and thanks to Empress Jia's favoritism, his influence even surpassed that of the emperor. He could even lock up the Minister of the Yellow Gates. His immense power was clear. Relying on the emperor's trust, he lived an extravagantly luxurious life, constructing towering and lavish homes, flouting the rules, and dressing in incredibly lavish and exquisite garments and accessories. The singers and dancers were the most stunning of their time. He often held banquets at home to entertain guests, and people from all over the country came to curry favor with him. Officials, wealthy families, and those seeking fame and fortune all catered to him respectfully. Some even penned articles praising him, likening him to Jia Yi. Shi Chongmi's circle of friends included Shi Chong from Bohai, Ouyang Jian, Pan Yue from Yingyang, Lu Ji and Lu Yun from Wuguo, Miao Zheng from Lanling, Du Binzhiyu from Jingzhao, Zhuge Quan from Langye, Wang Cui from Hongnong, Du Yu from Xiangcheng, Zou Jie from Nanyang, Zuo Si from Qiguo, Cui Ji from Qinghe, Liu Gui from Peiguo, He Yuzhou Hui from Runan, Qian Xiu from Anping, Chen Zhen from Yingchuan, Guo Zhang from Taiyuan, Xu Meng from Gaoyang, Liu Ne from Pengcheng, Liu Yu and Liu Kun from Zhongshan, who were all his close friends, famously known as the "Twenty-Four Friends." Others found it impossible to break into this circle.
He successively served as a Cavalier Attendant and later General of the Rear Army. After the death of Guangcheng Jun, he resigned from his post. Before his mourning period had ended, he was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, responsible for managing the national historical records. At that time, the court was discussing the issue of how to date the "History of Jin." Xun Xu, the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, argued that it should start from the Zhengshi period of the Wei Dynasty, while the Compiler Wang Zan wanted to include all court officials after the Jiaping period in the "History of Jin." At that time, there was no consensus among the officials. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, the court once again discussed this issue. Shi Chongmi submitted a memorial suggesting that it should start from the Taishi period. This matter was then submitted to the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers. The Minister Over the Masses, Wang Rong, the Minister of Works, Zhang Hua, the General Who Directs the Army, Wang Yan, the Palace Attendant, Le Guang, the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Ji Shao, and the National Teacher, Xie Heng, all agreed with Shi Chongmi's opinion. Only the Marquis of Jibei, Xun Jun, the Palace Attendant, Xun Fan, and the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Hua Hun, believed it should start from the Zhengshi period. The Scholar Xun Xi and Diao Xie believed it should start from the Jiaping period. Shi Chongmi once again memorialized, insisting on the opinions of Wang Rong and Zhang Hua, and this matter was finally implemented.
Jia Mi was first appointed as a Palace Attendant, and his position as Director of the Imperial Secretariat remained the same. During the hunt, the Emperor secretly had the Minister summon Jia Mi to accept a new appointment on the hunting grounds. The Emperor specifically instructed those around him not to let others know about this matter. This led everyone to start suspecting that Jia Mi had ulterior motives. Because of his close relationship with the imperial family, Jia Mi often entered the palace and played with the Crown Prince, showing no sign of being servile. He even played chess with the Crown Prince to see who was faster. Once, Prince Ying of Chengdu was also present and sternly criticized Jia Mi, saying, "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. How can you, Jia Mi, be so disrespectful!" Jia Mi was frightened and quickly reported the matter to the Emperor. As a result, the Emperor appointed Ying as the General Who Pacifies the North in Ye City, effectively transferring him away.
Later, Jia Mi was promoted to be a court attendant in the Eastern Palace, teaching the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince seemed dissatisfied with him, which caused Jia Mi great concern. Strange things kept happening in his family, such as a strong wind blowing his court attire hundreds of feet high and dropping it on the Central Secretariat; snakes crawling out of his bedding; a sudden thunderstorm hitting his house at night, causing the pillars to sink into the ground and crushing his bed and canopy. These strange occurrences made Jia Mi even more fearful. When Jia Mi was promoted to be an attendant in charge of palace affairs, he conspired with the Empress to frame the Crown Prince. Later, Prince Zhao Lun deposed the Empress, and the Emperor ordered Jia Mi to be summoned to the court to be executed. Terrified, Jia Mi ran to the West Bell Tower, shouting, "Empress, please save me!" In the end, he was executed anyway. Han Wei, the younger brother of his brother Han Shou, along with Han Shou’s older brother Han Gong, younger brother Han Yu, and Prince You Jian of Wu, and their mother, Jia Wu, were all executed together.
At the start, when Shi Chong was attacking Wu, he was stationed in Xiangcheng. Suddenly, Shi Chong went missing from the army. Zhou Qin, the general under Shi Chong, was sleeping during the day when he dreamed that over a hundred people had bound Shi Chong and were leading him down a narrow path. When Zhou Qin woke up, he learned that Shi Chong was missing, so he went out to search and soon stumbled upon the road from his dream. He followed the road and soon saw Shi Chong entering a mansion surrounded by many guards, where a stern-faced official sat in the southern part, who said to Shi Chong, "You have disrupted my family affairs, just like Xun Xu, confusing my son and disturbing my grandson. I sent Ren Kai to reprimand you, but you did not change; then I sent Yu Chun to berate you, yet you remained unrepentant. Now that the war with Wu is about to be settled, you want to kill Zhang Hua. Your foolishness and recklessness stem from these issues. If you do not take this seriously, I will punish you whenever I see fit!" Shi Chong then kowtowed until he bled. The official said, "The reason you've lived so long and gained such a prominent reputation and status is all thanks to the Wei family. Eventually, your descendants will die by the bells, your son will die from golden wine, and your grandson will perish beneath withered trees. Xun Xu will have a similar fate, but his ancestors' merits are slightly greater, so he will be later than you. After several generations, your descendants will also decline." After saying this, he allowed Shi Chong to leave. Shi Chong suddenly returned to camp, looking haggard and dazed, and it took him several days to recover. Eventually, Shi Chong did die beneath the bells, Jia Hou drank golden wine and perished, and Jia Wu was ultimately executed after severe punishment. All of this occurred just as the official had foretold.
After the failure of King Zhao Lun, the court recognized Shi Chong's contributions and discussed the establishment of his descendants. They wanted Shi Zhong, the great-grandson of Shi Chong, to inherit the title, but Shi Zhong pretended to be mad and refused the offer. So Shi Chong's son, Shi Tu, was appointed as his successor and titled Duke of Lu, but he later died from illness. During the Yongxing period, Shi Zhan, Shi Chong's great-grandson, was appointed Duke of Lu, inheriting his ancestor's title, but later died in the chaos of war, and his title was revoked. During the Taishi period, rumors circulated about Shi Chong and others, which referred to the overthrow of Wei and the establishment of Jin.
Shi Chong's brother, Shi Hun, courtesy name Gongqi, was a kind-hearted and content individual, lacking any notable talents. During the Taikang period, he served as the Minister of the Imperial Family. Later, he held several military titles, including General of the Guards, Commander of the City Gates, and was appointed Palace Attendant, and was titled Marquis of Yongping. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Grand General of the Central Army and Yitong Sanqi.
Shi Yi, the son of Shi Chong, and Shi Zun were both insightful and talented, and both served as Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate. Shi Zun's younger brother, Shi Mo, was the most renowned.
Now, as for this Wang Shen, he had ambitions from a young age and was quite driven. He was well-read and had a particularly sharp mind; once he set his mind to something, it was hard to sway him. Jia Chong placed great trust in him and consulted him on all matters. Later, as Jia Chong grew older and his health deteriorated, he constantly worried about his legacy after he passed. Wang Shen advised him, "In time, the truth will come to light, and nothing can be concealed." Wang Shen first took on the role of Magistrate of Shaoling County, then rose through the ranks to become a Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. After being dismissed from his position due to official matters, he became the Director of Chariots and Cavalry. He also participated in the killing of Yang Jun and was granted the title of Marquis of Pingyang Township, with a fief of one thousand households.
When King Chu, Sima Wei, falsely claimed to have issued an imperial edict to kill Wang Sima Liang of Runan and Grand Tutor Wei Guan, the court sent Wang Shen with two hundred Imperial Guards to rescue them. At that time, Empress Jia had already become involved in state affairs and wanted to transfer power to her trusted aides, so she first appointed Wang Shen as a Cavalry Attendant, and two days later promoted him to Grand Master of Ceremonies. Wang Shen dedicated himself to assisting in state affairs and also recommended Zhang Hua and Pei Yi to help Empress Jia with governance. After several years, the court and the populace were quite stable, all thanks to Wang Shen's efforts. Later, he was further appointed as Minister of Rites. However, although Wang Shen appeared low-profile on the surface, he actually held significant power. He often appeared particularly anxious every time he submitted memorials to Empress Jia and sometimes pretended to be ill to avoid seeing her.
Moreover, he often secretly retaliated against those who had conflicts with him, and the court officials were very afraid of him. Worse still, he engaged in embezzlement and corruption, exploiting the wealth of the people, and his family's fortune was as great as that of the nobility. However, Empress Jia had a notably irritable temperament, and Wang Shen often frankly advised her, warning that her actions could have dire consequences, but she completely ignored him and instead thought Wang Shen was deliberately undermining her plans. As a result, Empress Jia's trust in Wang Shen diminished day by day, and those who spoke ill of him behind his back became increasingly arrogant. Wang Shen, feeling discontented and despondent, eventually died of illness. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry and the position of Grand Minister of State, with the posthumous title "Cheng." His son, Wang You, styled Yanjiang, inherited his title and eventually served as the Crown Prince's Tutor and an Attendant at Court.
Guo Zhang, styled Shuwu, hails from Taiyuan and was the uncle of Empress Jia. He was very close to Jia Chong, and Jia Chong's wife treated him as her own son. He served as a Cavalier Attendant, Minister Steward, and Guard General, and was granted the title of Marquis of Guanjun County. During the height of Empress Jia's power, Guo Zhang also participated and held significant power. Everyone sought his favor, and many guests visited him every day. They were collectively referred to as "Jia Guo," a reference to Jia Chong and Guo Zhang. Guo Zhang was posthumously conferred the title "Lie."
Yang Jun, styled Wenzhang, was from Hongnong Huayin. When he was young, he served as the magistrate of Gaolu County and later became the Sima of the Cavalry and Garrison. Due to the considerable power held by his father-in-law, Yang Chao, he was elevated from Garrison General to Chariot and Cavalry General, and was also titled as the Marquis of Linjin. Many learned individuals remarked, "The enfeoffment of marquises is to strengthen the rule of the imperial family and serve as a barrier; the empresses and concubines are to bear the sacrificial offerings and promote court education. Yang Jun's father-in-law was just enfeoffed, and he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Linjin, signaling that trouble was on the horizon!" Minister Chuzhu and Guo Yi jointly submitted a memorial stating that Yang Jun was narrow-minded and unfit for important national responsibilities. However, Emperor Wu dismissed their concerns.
Since the Taikang period, the realm enjoyed peace, and Emperor Wu became increasingly indifferent to state affairs, indulging in wine and pleasure, favoring relatives in the harem, and openly entertaining various requests and accepting bribes. The power of Yang Jun, Yang Yao, and Yang Ji continued to grow, and they were known as the "Three Yangs" at the time. "The concubines are there to provide offerings and promote internal education. The father was just enfeoffed as the Marquis of Linjin, indicating signs of chaos." Reflecting on this now evokes a profound sense of emotion.
The emperor fell seriously ill before he had a chance to leave a last will. The courtiers who had helped the emperor conquer the realm were all gone. The court officials were in a state of panic, unsure of how to proceed. At that moment, Yang Jun sidelined the ministers and stayed close to the emperor. He took the opportunity to replace a group of court officials and appointed his own confidants.
When the emperor's condition slightly improved, he realized that Yang Jun's appointees were not suitable and sternly told him, "How could you do this?" He then ordered the Ministry of Personnel to have Prince Ru'nan Liang and Yang Jun assist the imperial family together. Fearing the loss of power and favor, Yang Jun borrowed the edict from the Ministry of Personnel to read, then secretly stashed it away. The Director of the Ministry of Personnel, Hua Yi, was quite anxious and personally went to retrieve it, but Yang Jun refused to give it. A few days later, the emperor's condition deteriorated, and Yang Jun requested to take on political duties. The emperor agreed.
Yang Jun immediately summoned Hua Yi and the official He Shao from the Ministry of Personnel, verbally conveyed the emperor's decree, instructing them to draft the testament. The testament read: "In the past, Yi Yin assisted King Tang, his achievements remembered for generations; during the Zhou dynasty, Huo Guang was appointed to assist in governance, his name renowned in history. The Central Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Acting Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Leading General Yang Jun, of noble character and broad knowledge, assisting the two palaces with loyalty and integrity, and with remarkable accomplishments, should be granted a high position, following in the footsteps of Yi Yin and Huo Guang. He shall assume the role of Grand Commandant, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, hold the seal of authority, command the national army, while keeping his titles as Central Attendant, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, and Leading General. Additionally, he shall be provided with six aides, three thousand infantry, one thousand cavalry, and reside in the former residence of the Former Vanguard General Yao. If residing in the palace, he should have guards for protection. Twenty men will be chosen from the Left and Right Guard divisions, and ten from the Palace Guard division to serve as Yang Jun's guards, allowing him to move freely with his troops."
The will was completed, and Yang Jun presented it to He Shao and Hua Xiang before submitting it to the emperor together. The emperor read the will but said nothing. Two days later, the emperor passed away, and Yang Jun then seized power, taking residence in the Taiji Hall. As the emperor's coffin was being prepared for burial, the concubines of the harem were to come out to bid farewell, but Yang Jun remained in the hall and even brought along a hundred elite soldiers for protection. His arrogant and domineering behavior began from that moment onward.
After Emperor Hui took the throne, he immediately promoted Yang Jun to Grand Tutor and Grand General, also granting him the yellow imperial seal, symbolizing the highest power, allowing him to handle state affairs, and all officials were required to obey him. Yang Jun was also worried that someone would gossip about him in the emperor's presence, so he arranged for his nephew Duan Guang and Zhang Shao to serve as close attendants to the emperor. Any orders from the emperor had to be reviewed by the empress dowager first and could only be issued with her approval. Yang Jun knew that Empress Dowager Jia had a bad temper and a strong need for control, and he was very afraid of her. Empress Dowager Jia also gathered a large group of trusted aides, who held power over the imperial guards. This led to widespread discontent among the court officials, and there was significant dissatisfaction with Yang Jun throughout the country.
Yang Jun's brothers, Yang Yao and Yang Ji, were both intelligent and repeatedly advised him to be more restrained and not to be so power-hungry, but Yang Jun refused to listen and sent them both home to idle. Yang Jun did not understand the ancient rules and violated many ancestral systems. Less than a year after Emperor Wu's death, he changed the era name, which many believed violated the principle outlined in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" that states one should not ascend the throne within the year of the previous emperor's death. To conceal this error, the court ordered the historians to conceal this issue, but as a result, the following January, they were forced to change the era name again.
Yang Jun himself knew that he had a bad reputation and was afraid that he could not control the court, so he followed the example of Emperor Weiming of Wei when he ascended the throne, lavishly rewarding others to win their favor. However, his governing style was harsh and stubborn; he completely ignored the opinions of others. Sun Chu, the Prefect of Fengyi, was on good terms with Yang Jun and cautioned him, "As a member of the imperial family, holding power as great as Yi Yin and Huo Guang, assisting the young emperor, you should learn from the ancients about fairness, honesty, and humility. Look at the Zhou Dynasty, with the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao in power, and the Han Dynasty, with the Marquis of Zhu Xu and the Marquis of Dong Mou assisting the emperor. None of them monopolized court politics as outsiders and still managed to have a good ending. Now the royal family is powerful, the princes are in their prime, while you alone hold power, distrust ministers, and form factions. If this continues, trouble will inevitably arise!" Yang Jun did not listen at all.
Kuai Qin, the Minister of Hongxun and Yang Jun's uncle, had been close to Yang Jun since childhood. He was honest and dared to speak up, advising Yang Jun several times. Even Yang Yao and Yang Ji were worried for him. Kuai Qin said, "Although Yang Wenchang is incompetent, he still understands that innocent people shouldn't be killed indiscriminately. He will definitely target me first. As long as I can stay out of it, I can avoid going down with Yang Jun. Otherwise, our whole family will be in trouble. How much longer can we last?"
Inside the palace, the officials Meng Guan and Li Zhao had a poor relationship with Yang Jun and were secretly conspiring to overthrow him, plotting against the stability of the country. Empress Jia wanted to participate in political affairs, but due to Yang Jun's obstruction, she had not been able to fulfill her wishes, and she was also unwilling to adhere to the traditional roles expected of women in serving the Empress Dowager. Dong Meng, a palace official who had served as the head eunuch since the emperor's days as crown prince, attended to Empress Jia in the Eastern Palace. Empress Jia secretly reached out to Dong Meng to plot the downfall of the Empress Dowager. Dong Meng then secretly colluded with Li Zhao and Meng Guan. Empress Jia also instructed Li Zhao to inform General Wang Liang of Runan, asking him to lead troops to attack Yang Jun. Wang Liang said, "Yang Jun's cruelty and tyranny could lead to his death at any moment; there's no need to be concerned about that." Li Zhao then informed Prince Wei of Chu, who agreed. Consequently, Prince Wei of Chu requested to enter the court. Yang Jun had always feared Prince Wei of Chu and had initially planned to summon him to the palace first as a precaution, but instead, he agreed to his request. After Prince Wei of Chu arrived, Meng Guan and Li Zhao advised the emperor, and that night they drafted an edict, declaring a lockdown both inside and outside the palace, sending envoys to carry the edict to depose Yang Jun and allow him to return to his residence as a marquis. Duke Yao of Dong'an led four hundred palace guards in pursuit of Yang Jun. Duan Guang knelt before the emperor and said, "Yang Jun has received the previous emperor's grace and has devoted himself to assisting in state affairs. Moreover, he is all alone without a son; how could he possibly rebel? I hope Your Majesty will give this careful thought." The emperor ignored him.
At that time, Yang Jun lived in the former mansion of Cao Shuang, south of the Arsenal. He heard about the incident in the palace and summoned the officials for a discussion. Zhu Zhen, the chief scribe of the Grand Tutor, said to Yang Jun, "There has been an incident in the palace; the situation is quite clear. It must be those eunuchs scheming on behalf of Empress Jia, which is unfavorable to you. You should burn down the Yunlong Gate to show your power, capture the ringleader of the rebellion, open the Wanchun Gate, mobilize the troops from the Eastern Palace and the outer camp, personally guard the Crown Prince, and enter the palace to arrest those traitors. The people in the hall will be terrified, and you will be able to eliminate them, thereby averting disaster." Yang Jun had always been timid and indecisive, so he said, "How can we burn down such a great project that Emperor Ming of Wei built!" Fu Zhi, the attendant, visited Yang Jun at night, asking him and Wu Mao to enter the Yunlong Gate to observe the situation. Fu Zhi also told other officials, "The palace must not be left unguarded," then he got up and bowed, and everyone left.
It is said that at that time, a squad of soldiers burst out of the hall and set fire to Jun's mansion. Then they ordered archers to shoot arrows at the mansion from the attic, and Jun's soldiers couldn't come out at all. Jun fled to the stable and was eventually killed with a halberd. Those watching received a covert order from Empress Jia to eliminate Jun's supporters, exterminating his entire clan, with the death toll in the thousands. Empress Jia also had Li Zhao burn Jun's personal belongings and letters; she didn't want Emperor Wu's testament to reach the public. After Jun's death, no one dared to retrieve his body; only Yan Zuan, the attendant of the Grand Tutor, buried him.
Initially, Jun summoned Gao Shisun and gave him a cloth quilt. Sun Deng cut the quilt in two, threw it out the door, and shouted, “Zhuo zhuo la la!” (This sentence is the original text and does not need translation.) He then pretended to be ill for more than ten days, feigning death. In retrospect, his initial prophecy has truly come to pass. During the Yongxi period, there was a crazy person in Wen County who penned a piece that read, “Guang guang wen chang, da ji wei qiang. Du yao sui xing, ji hai zi shang.” (This sentence is also the original text and does not need translation.) This aligns perfectly with Jun's use of a halberd for self-defense in the inner court. During the Yongning period, the emperor issued a decree stating, “My uncle's family has erred, leading to the decline of the clan. I am filled with sadness and nostalgia. Thus, I hereby appoint Yang Chao as Feng Chaoqing and Qi Duwai to ease my longing for my family.” (“Weiyang zhi si, Kong huai gan shang. Qi yi Siting Hou Yang Chao wei Feng Chaoqing, Qi Duwai, yi wei ‘Liao E’ zhi si yan.” This sentence is the original text and does not need translation.)
Yang Yao, styled Wenju, rose to the position of Grand Secretary and General of the Guards. He had a good reputation and was deeply favored by Emperor Wu, his status at that time even surpassed that of his brother Yang Jun. Because his brother Yang Jun held too much power, Yang Yao knew that such power and favor could not last long. He repeatedly requested to resign from his position, pleading earnestly, but the Emperor never agreed. Initially, when the Emperor was selecting an empress, Yang Yao submitted a memorial stating, "I have observed the history of ancient and modern times; seldom has there been a family with two empresses, which often leads to the family's downfall. Please hide my memorial in the ancestral temple. If in the future it turns out as I have said, disaster can be avoided." The Emperor agreed. Later, the Commander of the Right Army, Zhao Xiu, submitted a memorial saying, "In the Wang Mang family, five ministers took turns in power. Now, the Yang family has three ministers simultaneously in high positions, and natural disasters are frequent. I privately worry for Your Majesty." This situation made Yang Yao even more fearful, once again requesting to resign, and the Emperor finally agreed, rewarding him with one million coins and five thousand rolls of silk. Yao, at first known for his humility, later became involved in factionalism and framed Prince Qi. The Central Protector Yang Xiu and the Northern Army Lieutenant Colonel Cheng Can conspired to kill him when they met Yao. Yao, aware of this, pretended to be sick and did not leave his house. He then hinted to the relevant authorities to investigate Yang Xiu, who was transferred to the position of Minister of Works. After that, no one in the court dared to oppose him, and his reputation was utterly ruined. Before his execution, Yao protested, claiming, "The truth is inscribed in the stone box; you can ask Zhang Hua." At the time, everyone felt he should be given a chance to defend himself, following the example of Zhong Yu. However, the Jia family and the Yang family were mortal enemies, and they pushed for the execution, resulting in Yao's death. People at the time couldn't help but feel regret and sigh.
Ji, styled Wentong, held the positions of General of the Southern Garrison and General of the Northern Campaign, eventually rising to the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Ji was very capable; once, while accompanying Emperor Wu on a hunt in Beimang, he and the attendant Wang Ji both wore rough linen trousers and jackets, riding horses and holding horn bows in front of the emperor's chariot. Suddenly, a wild beast suddenly leaped out, and the emperor ordered Wang Ji to shoot. Wang Ji struck it down with a single arrow, and the beast collapsed with a thud. After a while, another beast suddenly appeared, and Ji was ordered to shoot again, successfully killing it, resulting in cheers of approval from the entire army. The emperor placed great importance on military power, and many important military positions were given to royal relatives and individuals of high standing. Ji, due to his exceptional martial skills, was regarded as highly capable. He and his brother Yao were concerned about the concentration of power, so they, along with several of their nephews, including Li Bin, counseled the emperor. They proposed demoting Wang You to the governorship of Hedong and establishing the position of crown prince, all of which were Ji's proposals.
At first, Sima Jun resented the Grand General Wang Liang of Runan and insisted on sending him back to his fief. Sima Ji and Sima Bin repeatedly advised Sima Jun, trying to stop him from doing so; this caused Sima Jun to grow distant from Sima Ji. Sima Ji said to Fu Xian, "If my brother is summoned back to court as the Grand General, we should probably hide far away; that way, our family can ensure its safety. If we don't hide, our entire family will be doomed!" Fu Xian replied, "As long as he is summoned back to court, we can together promote justice, and peace will prevail; there’s no need to hide at all. How can a minister only care about himself? Are maternal relatives exempt? Right now, the royal family's power is weak, and stability relies on the connections with the maternal relatives. If the maternal relatives are in danger, they will rely on the royal family's power for help; this is what we call mutual dependence, and it’s the right approach!" Hearing this, Sima Ji became even more frightened and went to ask Shi Chong, "What does everyone think?" Shi Chong said, "Your brother is in power but is alienating the royal clan; this behavior needs to be known." Sima Ji asked, "If I go to see my brother, can I persuade him?" Shi Chong went to see Sima Jun, hoping to persuade him, but Sima Jun ignored him completely. Later, Sima Ji and several of his brothers were all killed.
On the night before his death, an envoy from the Eastern Palace came to summon Sima Ji. Sima Ji asked Pei Kai, "Where am I going?" Pei Kai replied, "You were the tutor to the Young Emperor, so of course, you are going to the Eastern Palace." Sima Ji was generous and charitable, having long overseen the military. He had over four hundred subordinates from Guanzhong, all strong and capable men, who were all skilled archers, and they all wanted to save Sima Ji. Once Sima Ji entered the palace, everyone sighed in lament.
The historical records say that Jia Chong was merely a sycophant, with mediocre abilities, merely capable of penning a few essays. He was lucky to be in a good era, which allowed him to rise to power and wealth, entirely untrustworthy. He led a rebellion fearlessly; later, he feigned a request for abdication, which was nothing short of a betrayal of the Wei state and a crime against the Jin dynasty! Yet he rose to great heights, amassing immense power and indulging in wealth and honor, truly a person lacking any real talent yet reaping so many rewards; this downfall was bound to come sooner or later. After his death, his descendants fell to the level of beggars, inheriting the mess he left behind, continuing to commit crimes and do evil. They even incited Jia Chong's wife to fight for family property, and in the end, they were all killed; what could possibly amend such wrongs? In the past, Jia Chong exerted considerable effort during his time in the Wei state; later, when the Jin dynasty was established, he also contributed significantly. Truly, it proved that "how you started out is how you will end," and this saying is absolutely correct.
As for Yang Jun, he also became a high official due to favoritism shown towards him; no matter how respectful one is to him, it may still not be enough. He was extravagant and indulgent; how could he escape retribution? His mother was very clever and saved herself; his brother Yang Hui escaped punishment due to an early prophecy; Yang Wenju also had foresight like his brother, but his punishment differed from those of his predecessors, which is indeed unfortunate!
It is said that Gong Lü was a smooth talker, yet his heart was unprincipled. When fortune smiled upon him, he soared to success. His descendants fell to the level of beggars, leading to chaos within his household. Yang Jun, although he wrote well, climbed to a high position. He occupied a position he should not have had and ultimately met his demise. Despite Yang Yao's early foresight, he ultimately could not evade disaster.
