Wang Dao, courtesy name Maohong, is the grandson of the Grand Master Wang Lan. His father, Wang Cai, is the military commander of the town. Wang Dao has always had remarkable insight and grand aspirations since he was young. At the age of fourteen, the esteemed scholar Zhang Gong from Chenliu was amazed when he saw him, and said to his brother Wang Dun, "This child's appearance and aspirations are definitely the makings of a future general!" He initially inherited his family's title as Jiqiu. Later, the Minister of Works, Liu Shi, recommended him to be the Eastern Pavilion's Libationer, and he was promoted to the Secretariat, the Prince's Attendant, and the Gentleman of the Imperial Archives, but he declined all of these positions. He later became involved in military affairs under Prince Yue of Donghai.
At that time, Emperor Yuan was still known as the King of Langya, and he had a very good relationship with Wang Dao. Wang Dao knew that the realm was in turmoil, so he wholeheartedly supported Emperor Yuan and secretly aspired to restore the Han Dynasty's glory. Emperor Yuan also held him in high esteem, and the two shared a bond akin to brothers. When Emperor Yuan was in Luoyang, Wang Dao consistently advised him to return to his fiefdom. Later, when Emperor Yuan was stationed in Xiapi, he appointed Wang Dao as the Military Commander of Andong. Wang Dao was well-versed in all matters of military planning and strategies. When Emperor Yuan moved to Jiankang, the people of Wu remained unyielding, and after a month passed, no one came to see Emperor Yuan, which left Wang Dao feeling quite anxious.
When Wang Dun came to pay a visit, Wang Dao said to him, "Although the King of Langya is kind and virtuous, his reputation is not yet well-known. Your prestige is already very high, so you should find a way to help him." Just in time for the Third Month Festival, Emperor Yuan personally attended the rites, riding in a grand palanquin with Wang Dun, Wang Dao, and other scholars from the Wu region following on horseback. Scholars from Wu, Ji Zhan and Gu Rong, both respected figures in the Jiangnan region, watched from a distance, feeling quite intimidated, and quickly knelt by the roadside to show their respect. Wang Dao took the opportunity to suggest, "In ancient times, emperors always respected the elderly and cared about customs and human relationships. They humbly treated others to attract talent. Moreover, with the current chaos in the world and the country divided, just beginning to establish a career, what is most needed now is talent! Gu Rong and He Xun are both respected figures in the local area, so why not invite them to help unite the people? Once these two come, others will follow." Emperor Yuan then personally sent Wang Dao to visit He Xun and Gu Rong, both of whom agreed to come. As a result, the people of Wu pledged their allegiance, and the common folk rallied behind Emperor Yuan. From then on, gradually everyone supported Emperor Yuan, and the formal etiquette between the ruler and his subjects was established. After the city of Luoyang was captured, many people from the Central Plains fled south to the Yangtze River, making up about sixty to seventy percent of the population. Wang Dao advised Emperor Yuan of Jin to recruit those talented and virtuous scholars to discuss national affairs collectively. At that time, the areas of Jingzhou and Yangzhou were relatively peaceful, with a significant population. Wang Dao advocated for peaceful governance and constantly advised Emperor Yuan to practice self-discipline and diligently govern the country. Therefore, Emperor Yuan trusted him more and more, and their bond grew deeper. Both the court and the populace respected him, referring to him as "Second Father."
Emperor Yuan once casually said to Wang Dao, "You are my Xiao He!" Wang Dao replied, "During the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, the people had grown weary of the chaos of war. The powerful were oppressing the common folk, and everyone yearned for the Han Dynasty's benevolence. That's why it was easy to overthrow the Qin Dynasty and establish the Han Dynasty. However, from the Wei Dynasty through the Taikang period, officials and aristocrats alike were indulgent and extravagant, competing with each other. The standards of political education declined; they disregarded the laws, and officials grew complacent with the status quo, which allowed unscrupulous individuals to exploit the situation and undermine the nation's foundations. But, all things that rise must fall; this is the natural order of things. Your Majesty, you are now about to forge a lasting legacy for generations, unifying the whole country. People like Guan Zhong and Yue Yi should be valued and employed now; this is not something that an ordinary subject can compare to! I hope you will take the time to carefully consider and broadly select talented individuals. Gu Rong, He Xun, Ji Shan, and Zhou Ji are all outstanding talents from the south; I hope you will honor them and bring peace to the realm." Emperor Yuan listened to his advice.
At the end of the Yongjia period, Wang Dao was appointed as the Governor of Danyang and also conferred the title of General Assistant to the State. Wang Dao wrote in a memorial: "In the past, Cao Cao was a wise ruler; Xun Yu was his most meritorious minister, but only granted the title of Marquis of a Pavilion. Cao Zhi, Cao Cao's most favored son, was only granted the title of a minor official. Following this example, we should not seek empty titles! Now that I am serving as the governor, regardless of one's wisdom or status, everyone is granted high ranks and generous rewards, accompanied by a retinue, constantly engaging in comparisons. Those who do not benefit from this will feel ashamed. As a result, the hierarchy of court officials becomes disordered, and court politics will be corrupted. Although I have taken on a heavy responsibility, I cannot govern the country as if it were merely managing mountains and seas; instead, I have nurtured the root of chaos, pursuing fame and fortune, which disrupts the established rites. Therefore, I return these retinues and conferred items, beginning with myself. Only then can we distinguish between the noble and the humble, and make everyone understand." Emperor Yuan ordered: "Wang Dao is highly esteemed, with significant contributions, and is someone I highly rely on. His merits should indeed be recognized. But he is even more self-disciplined, dedicated to the country, leading by example. We should follow his intentions and allow him to showcase his talents." He was subsequently appointed as General of Ningyuan and later promoted to General of Zhenwei. When Emperor Min ascended the throne, he summoned Wang Dao to serve as a Minister of Personnel, but Wang Dao declined.
When the state of Jin was newly established, Guan Lu was appointed as the Prime Minister's Military Advisor. Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Huan Yi saw the weakness of the court and said to Zhou Yi: "I came here to preserve my life, but I didn't anticipate the court being this weak. How can we survive under these circumstances?" He was worried and downcast. Later, he visited Guan Lu, had a meaningful discussion about important matters, and returned to Zhou Yi, saying: "I just met Guan Yiwu, a metaphor for Guan Lu, and now I am not worried at all."
At that time, many people from the north moved to Jiangnan, and whenever they had free time, they would meet at Xinting to drink and socialize. Zhou Yi sat in the middle, sighed, and said, "The scenery is still the same, but looking around, everything has changed." Everyone exchanged glances and began to cry. Only Guan Lu's expression shifted, and he spoke earnestly, "We should work together to revitalize the royal family and recover the Central Plains. How can we cry like the prisoners of Chu?" Everyone stopped crying after hearing his words and expressed their gratitude to him. Not long after, Guan Lu was appointed as the Right General, Governor of Yangzhou, and Commander of the Southern Forces. Later, he was promoted to Cavalry General and also appointed as the Cavalry Attendant, the Commander of both domestic and foreign armies, the Director of the Imperial Library, the Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, and granted the title of 'Jie' (节), while keeping his position as Governor. Guan Lu declined the position of Commander of both domestic and foreign armies because he had to command six provinces. Later, due to some incidents, his military power was revoked. At that time, there was constant warfare, and schools were not yet built. Guan Lu wrote: "The foundation of civilization lies in the establishment of proper human relationships, and the establishment of proper human relationships lies in the establishment of schools. When schools are established, the five teachings will be clear, virtues and rituals will be harmonious, the rules of propriety will be clear, and there will be shame and standards. The hierarchy of fathers and sons, brothers, husbands and wives, and elders and youth will be upheld, and the righteousness between sovereign and subject will be firm. This reflects the meaning of the Book of Changes, which states, 'when the family is in order, the world is at peace.'"
The foundation of governing a country lies in rectifying human relationships, and the key to rectifying human relationships lies in establishing schools. Once schools are established, the five types of education will prosper, moral etiquette will spread, human relationships will be followed, people will have a sense of shame and integrity, the order between father and son, brothers, husband and wife, and elders and youngers will be smooth, and the principles between rulers and subjects will be reinforced. As the Book of Changes says, "When the family is in order, then the world will be at peace," this illustrates the principle. Therefore, wise kings emphasize cultivating their sense of righteousness from an early age, educating them from childhood, so that education becomes ingrained in them, unknowingly moving towards goodness and away from evil, behaving properly, with noble character, and then arranging positions based on their talents. Even the monarch's son must study alongside ordinary students, first acquiring knowledge before gaining nobility. The selection of talent should begin with education. Therefore, the Book of Rites stipulates that ministers should recommend talented individuals to the monarch, and the monarch should respectfully accept them, in order to respect righteousness and value talent.
People know that the dignity of talent is due to the existence of righteousness, so they will cultivate themselves and manage their families; only then can they govern the country and bring peace to the world, learning from the village before entering the court. This emphasizes a return to the fundamentals; everyone must start from themselves, and simple customs will prevail, hypocritical competition will cease; this is the role of education. Therefore, those who serve the monarch will be loyal, and those who govern the people will be compassionate. Mencius said, "Without a heart of benevolence, one will abandon their parents; without principles, one will abandon the monarch."
Since the central authority has been weakened, the celebration of a peaceful and prosperous era has faded away for almost twenty years. The Book of Documents says, "If rituals are not practiced for three years, they will definitely deteriorate; if music is not practiced for three years, it will definitely collapse." What more now that it has been so long! The older generation has lost the value of humility, the younger generation is only familiar with violence, wars continue, sacrificial rituals are lost, the rules left by the ancestors are fading away, and the atmosphere of hypocrisy is becoming increasingly prevalent; this bodes ill for the stability of the country.
Your Highness, you are gifted and have caught the opportunity of a prosperous era. Whether in rituals or military conquests, you can achieve a great revival of the nation. You should study ancient classics diligently, prioritize moral education, use it to teach the younger generation, gradually promote education, revive the lost civil and military achievements, and restore the lost splendor of sacrificial rites. Currently, the barbarian tribes are powerful, the stain on the nation remains, and loyal ministers and righteous scholars are all deeply saddened by this. If rituals can be strengthened, and simple and honest customs can gradually flourish, then the impact of education will be far-reaching, and blessings will spread throughout the world. In this way, the lost imperial regulations can be restored, the waning imperial authority can be rejuvenated, the cruel and tyrannical can repent and transform, practice humility and courtesy, and bring neighboring states into submission, bringing peace to the world. As long as the methods are appropriate, how hard can it be! In the past, Yu Shun employed dance and arms to enlighten the Three Miao tribes, Duke Xi of Lu established the Pan Palace to enlighten the Huai Yi tribes, and Duke Huan and Duke Wen dominated the vassals, all through education before warfare. Now we should also follow the example of our predecessors, revive the Confucian orthodoxy, select the children of officials in the court for education, and choose those who are knowledgeable and proficient in rituals to be teachers; only then can we change customs and stabilize society; there is nothing more important than this. The Emperor highly agrees with this suggestion. When the Emperor ascended to the throne, all officials stood in line on the side, and the Emperor invited Dai to join him on the throne. Dai firmly declined, declining three or four times, saying, "If the Emperor is equal to all things like the sun, how could the common people look up to you?" It was only then that the Emperor relented. Later, Dai was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry and appointed as Minister of Rites. Due to his achievements in the campaign against Hua Yi, he was appointed as the Marquis of Wugang. He was later promoted to Palace Attendant, Minister of Works, Acting General, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
It just so happened that Xu Gan, the governor of Mount Tai, rebelled. The emperor wanted to find a suitable person to pacify the rebellion in Henan and recommended Yang Jian, the Left Guard of the Crown Prince. Consequently, Yang Jian suffered defeat in battle and faced punishment. Xu subsequently submitted a memorial stating, "Xu Gan rebelled and deserves death. I suggested the expedition and recommended Yang Jian. Yang Jian's incompetence in battle led to the army's failure, and he was punished by the relevant authorities. The emperor's benevolence is vast, so he pardoned his death sentence. However, I carry a heavy responsibility as the one in charge of military affairs, and the defeat of the army is my responsibility. I request to be demoted to uphold the order of the court." The emperor did not agree. Soon after, Xu replaced He Xun as the Prince's Grand Tutor. At that time, during the early phase of national rejuvenation, with many tasks needing attention, there was no official historian established yet. Xu was the first to propose the establishment of an official historian, leading to the gradual improvement of historical records and classics.
At that time, the Crown Prince Xiaohuai was murdered by barbarian invaders, and the court began to mourn for the Crown Prince. The relevant officials petitioned the emperor to hold a three-day mourning ceremony, with officials only required to weep once. Xu believed that the Crown Prince was the emperor's heir, and people under heaven should feel sorrow. Therefore, a three-day mourning ceremony should be held just like the emperor. The emperor accepted his suggestion. Later, when Liu Kui came to power, Xu was gradually neglected. However, he continued to diligently perform his duties and remained unfazed by these affairs. Many learned individuals commended Xu for his adeptness in managing matters of rise and fall.
During Wang Dun's rebellion, Liu Dao advised the Emperor to kill all of Wang's family members, which many considered too frightening. Liu Dao brought along his siblings, nephews, nieces, and over twenty others, coming to the palace gates every morning to beg for forgiveness. Knowing Liu Dao's loyalty, the Emperor allowed him to wear court attire and summoned him. Liu Dao bowed and thanked the Emperor, saying, "There have always been traitors in every dynasty, but I never expected this one to involve my own relatives!" The Emperor rushed over barefoot, grabbed Liu Dao's hand, and said, "Mao Hong, I was just about to hand this kingdom over to you, how could you say such things!" He then issued an edict, saying, "Liu Dao sacrificed his own family for the greater good; given his conduct as General An Dong, I must reward him." When Wang Dun gained power, he promoted Liu Dao to the position of Minister of Personnel.
Initially, the Western Capital (Chang'an) was captured, and the whole nation looked forward to the Emperor's rise. Officials and local administrators advised the Emperor to proclaim himself Emperor. At that time, the Wang family was very powerful and sought to dominate the land. Wang Dun feared the Emperor's strength and wanted to establish a new Emperor, but Liu Dao staunchly opposed this, which made Wang Dun back down. During Wang Dun's rebellion, he told Liu Dao, "If I hadn't listened to you, my family would have been wiped out!" Liu Dao continued to stand by his beliefs, leaving Wang Dun powerless.
Since the Han and Wei dynasties, the court bestowed posthumous titles upon ministers, usually accompanied by a noble title. Even if one held a high official position and displayed great virtue, without a noble title, they would not be granted a posthumous title. Liu Dao petitioned the Emperor, stating, "Military officials with noble titles always receive posthumous titles, but those without noble titles, like ministers and officials, do not, which contradicts the original purpose of the system!" The Emperor accepted his suggestion. Since then, even ministers without noble titles could receive posthumous titles, thanks to Liu Dao's proposal.
At first, the emperor held Wang Pu, the King of Langya, in high regard and intended to make him the crown prince. He asked for the advisor's opinion. The advisor replied, "The crown prince should be the eldest son, and since Wang Pu, the King of Langya, is virtuous, this decision should not be altered." The emperor hesitated somewhat. The advisor counseled him every night, so ultimately, Wang Pu was confirmed as the crown prince. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, the advisor was entrusted with assisting in government affairs by a posthumous decree. He was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou and later promoted to the position of Minister of Works, similar to how Chen Qun had assisted the Wei dynasty. Later, Wang Dun rebelled. At that time, Wang Dun had just begun to fall ill, so the advisor took his sons to pay their respects. When everyone heard this news, they believed Wang Dun had died, which boosted morale. When the emperor went to suppress Wang Dun, he appointed the advisor to lead the troops, command various armies, and continue serving as the Governor of Yangzhou. After Wang Dun was pacified, the advisor was granted the title of Duke of Shixing County, with a fief of three thousand households and a reward of nine thousand bolts of silk, promoted to Grand Preceptor while retaining his position as Minister of Works. He was allowed to wear a sword and shoes to court, walk at a leisurely pace, and did not have to announce his name when meeting the emperor. The advisor graciously declined all of these honors.
After the emperor's death, Dao, along with Yu Liang and others, was appointed by the imperial edict to assist the young emperor, known as Emperor Cheng. The emperor also gave him the feathered canopy and drum, as well as twenty sword-bearing guards. Later, when Shi Le invaded Fuling, the emperor appointed Dao as the Grand Marshal and granted him the Yellow Commander’s Seal to lead the campaign. When the army arrived in Jiangning, the emperor personally saw him off outside the city. Before long, the enemy retreated, and Dao resigned from his position as Grand Marshal. Yu Liang was preparing to attack Su Jun, so he first sought Dao's opinion. Dao said, "Su Jun is cunning and deceitful; he will definitely not obey the court's orders. Moreover, he is hiding in the mountains, like a disease that needs to be appeased first." Despite Dao's urgent counsel, Yu Liang still summoned Su Jun. As feared, the army suffered defeat, and Dao returned to the palace to serve the emperor. Su Jun, out of respect for Dao's reputation, did not dare to harm him and even allowed him to hold a higher position than his own. Su Jun forced the emperor to flee to Shitoucheng, and although Dao strongly advised against it, he was unsuccessful. Su Jun would come to the emperor every day and say unpleasant things, causing Dao great concern about the looming threat. At this time, Lu Yong, Kuang Shu, and Jia Ning persuaded Su Jun to eliminate Dao and execute all the ministers, and then support their own people in power. Su Jun respected Dao greatly and did not listen to them, so Lu Yong and the others betrayed Su Jun. Dao secretly sent the army officer Yuan Dan to persuade Lu Yong and the others, planning to support the emperor and flee to the rebel army. However, Su Jun's defenses were very tight, and the plan ultimately fell through. Thus, Dao and his two sons escaped to Baishi, following Lu Yong.
After the bandits were pacified, the imperial palaces and temples had been reduced to ashes. Wen Qiao suggested relocating the capital to Yuzhang, while the powerful clans in Jiangnan proposed moving the capital to Kuaiji. The two sides remained at an impasse over the relocation of the capital. Wang Dao said, "Jiankang, formerly known as Jinling, was the capital in ancient times. Sun Quan and Liu Bei both said that this was the residence of emperors. In ancient times, emperors did not necessarily have to relocate the capital based on the wealth or poverty of the treasury. As long as they could govern the country well, it didn't matter if they wore coarse hats. If even coarse cloth cannot be woven properly, then the idea of a 'land of joy' becomes mere empty talk. Furthermore, the bandits from the north are like restless souls, always watching for our weaknesses. If we show weakness and relocate the capital to the land of barbarians, they will definitely take advantage of it. This is likely not a viable solution. What we should do now is stabilize the situation and reassure everyone." Therefore, Wen Qiao's plan to relocate the capital was not implemented.
Wang Dao was adept at handling government affairs. Although he did not seem to have any outstanding achievements, there was always a surplus at the end of the year. At that time, the national treasury was empty, and there were only a few thousand bolts of coarse cloth in the warehouses, which were unsellable. The state finances were very difficult. Wang Dao was very worried about this, so he and the court ministers designed a kind of robe made of coarse cloth. As a result, the scholars and officials competed to wear it, causing the price of coarse cloth to skyrocket. The court then ordered the sale of these coarse cloths, each selling for one gold coin. This illustrates the popularity of these robes among people at the time.
In the winter of the sixth year, the emperor held a sacrificial ceremony and decreed that the meat used for the sacrifice should be given to Wang Dao, specifically instructing him, "There's no need to bow in thanks." Wang Dao declined, saying he was ill and could not accept this favor. Earlier, when the emperor was still young, he would bow deeply every time he saw Wang Dao. The emperor even personally wrote a letter to Wang Dao, referring to himself as "fearful and uneasy," while the edicts drafted by the Chancellery referred to him as "respectful inquiry," which became the custom later on. On New Year's Day, Wang Dao was summoned to the palace, and the emperor hosted a special feast in his honor.
During the severe drought that year, Wang Dao submitted a request to resign from his official position. The emperor issued a decree saying, "A wise and virtuous ruler governs the world in accordance with the will of heaven, and is capable of making strategic decisions to achieve prosperity for all. I carry the heavy burden of my ancestors' legacy while occupying a high position among nobles, but I cannot emulate your virtuous character as you do, bringing peace to the nation. The ongoing drought, the people's complaints, and the various issues facing the country are all my responsibility. Your noble character, exceptional wisdom, and achievements have greatly benefited the nation over the years, helping maintain the country's laws and systems to this day. Your humility and self-blame in requesting to resign and shifting the blame to the prime minister will only worsen the situation. The governance of the country cannot be delayed even for a moment. You need to set aside this excessive modesty and continue your governance strategies. Officials from the Ministry of State Affairs should be sent immediately to persuade you." Wang Dao remained determined to resign, but after the emperor's repeated persuasion, he reluctantly agreed to continue managing state affairs.
He lived a simple life with few desires, not even keeping much food at home and wearing simple clothes. When the emperor learned of this, he rewarded him with ten thousand bolts of cloth for his personal use. Wang Dao frequently fell ill and struggled to manage his court duties, so the emperor frequently visited his residence to share drinks and enjoy leisure time with him. Eventually, the emperor even allowed his carriage to drive directly into the palace, demonstrating the high regard in which he held Wang Dao.
Shi Jilong marched his army to Liyang and requested the emperor to send troops for an expedition. The emperor promoted him to Grand Marshal, bestowed upon him the Huang Yue, a jade axe symbolizing military authority, assigned him officials, including Left and Right Chief Historians and a Marshal, and rewarded him with ten thousand bolts of fabric. Before long, the enemy retreated, and the emperor stripped him of the Grand Marshal title, appointing him as the Grand Commander of both domestic and foreign territories, promoting him to Grand Tutor, and finally making him Prime Minister. In line with the Han Dynasty's practices, the position of Minister of Works was abolished to concentrate the powers of both Prime Minister and Grand Tutor in his hands. The emperor issued a decree that read: "Since I ascended the throne, I have endured many hardships, and the nation has faced numerous calamities. You possess both civil and military virtues and have governed the nation effectively, ensuring the nation thrives and the people are content. Your accomplishments rival those of Yi Yin, and your virtues are on par with Ji Dan. I have taken inspiration from the ancient sage kings to appoint talented individuals like you to manage state affairs and trust you will diligently fulfill your duties, uphold your morals, and bring honor to your ancestors. Isn't this a cause for celebration! You must always stay vigilant!"
This year, his wife Cao passed away, and the emperor posthumously honored her with a gold medal and purple ribbon. In fact, his wife Cao was naturally jealous, and he was very afraid of her, so he secretly built a small courtyard to accommodate his concubines. When Cao found out about this, she wanted to go check it out. He was afraid that his concubines would be mistreated, so he quickly ordered a carriage. Fearing it would be too slow, he even used the handle of his whisk to urge the ox cart along. When Cai Mo heard about it, he jokingly said to him, "The court wants to give you the Nine Treasures." He didn’t get it at all and just humbly declined. Cai Mo said, "I'm not talking about those things; I'm talking about your shabby ox cart and long-handled fly whisk." He got furious when he heard this and said to others, "When did I ever hear of someone named Cai Ke'er (Cai Mo) while hanging out with the virtuous scholars in Luoyang?" At that time, Yu Liang was held in high regard but found himself in a tricky position, so he was sent to guard the frontier. A southern officer named Tao Cheng whispered to Yu Liang, saying that he should raise troops to return to the court and seize power. Tao Cheng also advised Wang Dao to be careful and wary of Yu Liang. Wang Dao said, "Yu Liang and I share honor and disgrace; these baseless rumors should be shut down by silencing the gossips. Even if, as you say, Yu Liang really comes to attack me, I'll just wear my cap and go home, what's there to be scared of?" He also wrote a letter to Tao Cheng, saying that Yu Liang was the emperor's uncle and should be treated well. As a result, the rumors of discord ceased. Even though Yu Liang was stationed out there at the time, he actually held court power, occupied a favorable position, and had a strong army, so many people wanted to join him. Wang Dao felt pretty uneasy, and whenever the west wind kicked up dust, he would raise his fan to shield himself and slowly say, "That scoundrel Yuan Gui (Yu Liang) is such a sleazy guy!"
Since the Han and Wei periods, court officials have not visited the imperial tombs. Wang Dao felt that Emperor Yuan treated him as kindly as he did ordinary people; it was more than just a ruler-subject relationship! Every time his position was promoted by the court, he personally went to pay his respects at the imperial tombs, overcome with sorrow and sentiment. Therefore, the court mandated that all officials pay their respects at the imperial tombs, and Wang Dao was the first to lead the way.
In the fifth year of Xiankang, he passed away at the age of sixty-four years. The emperor held a three-day mourning ceremony for him in the court and sent the Grand Honglu, an official responsible for receiving foreign dignitaries, with a ceremonial staff to supervise the funeral arrangements. The funeral arrangements were conducted according to the standards set for the Marquis of Bolu and the Prince of Anping during the Han Dynasty. At the burial, the standards for accompanying funerary rites were exceptionally high, with nine decorated carriages, a yellow canopy, feathered umbrellas, and drum bands in front and back, a hundred warrior attendants, and a sword-bearing procession. This was unparalleled among renowned ministers. The emperor's edict proclaimed: "With your noble status, you have honored your integrity and upright character, and with your high rank, you have rewarded your outstanding achievements. Although you have left this world, your merits and reputation will last for generations. You were noble and wise, humble and generous, and benevolent towards the people. You were reclusive but famous, a strategist and victor. In the past, our emperors laid the foundation for prosperity; they focused on the country, set strategies, governed the nation, and made the people prosperous. Therefore, their reputation spread far and wide, criminals reformed, and the wicked became gentle. You inherited and expanded upon their great legacy, strengthened the country's military might, preserved our ancestral heritage, and made remarkable contributions. You assisted me in safeguarding the nation during crises, rescued the people from peril, and educated them through benevolence. You served three emperors with increasingly noble character. I had hoped you would continue to strategize for peace, but alas, you passed away unexpectedly. I am devastated by this loss! Even the Shang Dynasty's loss of Bao Heng and the Zhou Dynasty's loss of Er Nan cannot fully convey my current sorrow! Now I send an envoy bearing the ceremonial staff to bestow upon you the posthumous title of 'Wenxian' and to offer you sacrifices with the highest honors.
"Your soul is with the spirits in heaven; you must be feeling this great honor!"
His two younger brothers, Ying and Chang, were famous at a young age. People at that time thought that Ying's talent could rival that of Wen Taizhen, and Chang could be compared to Deng Bodao. They both died young. He had six sons: Yue, Tian, Qia, Xie, Shao, and Hui.
Yue was the eldest, and he gained a high reputation at a young age. He was very filial to his parents and was especially cherished by his father. Once, when they were playing chess, they had a minor dispute over the game, and his father smiled and said, "How can we, father and son, quarrel over such a small matter!" His father was very frugal, and when some fruits in the house went bad, he would have them thrown away, saying, "Don't let the eldest son (Yue) know." When Yue was young, he served his parents, later becoming a companion to the King of Wu and a minister in the Imperial Secretariat. Before his father passed away, he dreamt that someone was offering a million coins to buy Yue, so he secretly prayed for his son's safety. Later, when a million coins were actually found buried underground, he felt uneasy and hid the money.
When Yue fell seriously ill, his father was very worried and didn't eat for many days. One day, his father saw a tall man in armor with a sword and asked, "Who are you?" The man replied, "I am Marquis Jiang. Your son is in critical condition, and I have come to seek divine protection for him. Please don't worry anymore." The man asked for food, so his father gave him several liters of rice. After eating, the man suddenly said, "There is no way to save the Minister's illness." Then he disappeared, and Yue passed away. Yue always spoke very carefully to his father. Every time his father returned to court, Yue would see him off to the carriage and often helped his mother organize the boxes and baskets. After Yue's death, his father returned to court, crying all the way from where Yue used to see him off to the palace gate. His mother packed up Yue's belongings and could no longer bear to open the boxes.
Yue had no son, so he named his younger brother Tian Zikun as his heir, inheriting the title of his father Dan Yangyin, and later passed away and was posthumously appointed as the Grand Preceptor. His son Gu inherited the title, married Princess Poyang, and served as the General of the Central Army and Minister of Personnel. After his death, his son Hui inherited the title, serving as a General during the final years of the Yixi era.
Tian, courtesy name Jingyu, enjoyed practicing martial arts in his youth, but was not well-regarded in official circles. His father was happy to see Yue but angry to see Tian. When the province invited him to serve as an official, he declined, and after inheriting the title, he became arrogant and unruly, disregarding etiquette. Xie Wan once visited him, and although he was pleased to be received, Tian kept him waiting for a long time, coming out with disheveled hair and an arrogant demeanor, displaying no hospitality. Xie Wan left disappointed.
In his later years, Tian favored associating with scholars, was talented in various arts, and excelled in chess, and was regarded as the foremost figure of the Zhongxing period. He later rose to the role of Gentleman of the Palace Library. When the emperor sought to appoint him as the Prefect of the Palace Library, Tian firmly declined, and the emperor agreed. He was then appointed as the Rear General, Prefect of Wei Commandery, and also served as an Imperial Consultant, leading troops to guard Shitou City. After his father's passing, he resigned from his position. Shortly after, he was reinstated as Rear General and once again stationed at Shitou City. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Interior Minister for Wu and Kuaiji, and was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as General of the Central Army, with the posthumous title of Xian.
Qia, whose courtesy name was Jinghe, is the son of Tian and is one of the most famous among Tian's sons. He and Xun Xian were both well-regarded. Before he was twenty years old, he held various positions including Cavalier Attendant, Gentleman of the Palace Library, Chief Clerk of the Central Army, Left Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works, General Who Establishes Martial Might, and Interior Minister of Wu Commandery. The court summoned him to serve as General-in-Chief, and shortly after appointed him as Minister of the Palace Library, but he firmly declined, submitting more than ten petitions. Emperor Mu issued an edict stating, "Jinghe is honest, upright, and exceptionally talented. I have known him since childhood, often summoned him, and have grown quite close to him. I appointed him as Minister of the Palace Library because his talents are needed for the position, and because I want to see him often, discuss articles together, and treat him like a friend. But he has repeatedly declined, which goes against my intentions. Hurry and urge Jinghe to accept the appointment!" Despite his persistent refusals, he ultimately chose not to accept. In the second year of Shengping, he passed away in office at the young age of thirty-six. He had two sons: Xun and Min.
Xun, whose courtesy name was Yuanlin, was not yet twenty years old when he and Xie Xuan from Chen Commandery served as advisors to Huan Wen. Both of them were highly respected by Huan Wen, who once remarked, "Xie Yuan will surely hold a military seal and command troops when he reaches forty; Wang Yuan will become a high-ranking official in the court. They are truly rare talents!" Xun was later promoted to Chief Clerk. At that time, Huan Wen was campaigning in the Central Plains, waging continuous wars without a moment of peace, and entrusted all military affairs to Xun. He was well-known among the tens of thousands of soldiers. He followed Huan Wen in the campaign against Yuan Zhen, was granted the title of Marquis of Dongting, and later promoted to Chief Clerk of the Central Army, Companion to the Prince of Langye, and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
The Xie brothers all married daughters of the Xie family, but they fell out due to suspicion and resentment. The Grand Tutor Xie An first cut off his marital ties with Xie Shi, then divorced Xie Hun, which led to enmity between the two families. At that time, Xie Shi attempted to win favor with Xie An, which resulted in him being sent away to serve as the Prefect of Yuzhang, but he did not take up the position. He was later appointed as Cavalier In Regular Attendance, which he also turned down. He was then promoted to Secretary of the Directorate. After Xie An's death, Xie Shi was promoted to Court Attendant, and Emperor Xiaowu greatly valued him. He was further promoted to General Who Assists the State, Governor of Wu, and was well-loved by the local people. Later, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Right Minister of the Masters of Writing, concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He was then promoted to Left Minister, appointed as General Who Subdues the Rebels, and also acted as the Prince's Advisor.
At that time, the Emperor had a particular fondness for classical texts, and Xie Shi, along with Yin Zhongkan, Xu Miao, Wang Gong, and Chi Hui, were recognized by the Emperor for their talents and literary works. Later, Wang Guobao cultivated a friendship with Sima Daozi, the Prince of Kuaiji, and had a poor relationship with Xie Shi and the others. The Emperor was worried that conflicts might arise among them after his death, so he assigned Wang Gong and Chi Hui to local government positions and entrusted key positions to Xie Shi. Xie Shi once dreamed that someone presented him with a pen as large as a roof beam. Upon waking up, he told those around him, "Something significant is about to happen." Shortly thereafter, the Emperor passed away, and Xie Shi was responsible for drafting the Emperor's funeral oration and posthumous title.
In the early years of Long'an, Wang Guobao was in power and wanted to drive away the old ministers. He promoted Xie Shi to the position of Minister of State. Wang Gong went to participate in the emperor's funeral, wanting to seize the opportunity to assassinate Wang Guobao. Xie Shi advised him, saying, "Although Wang Guobao will eventually cause chaos, the evidence of his crimes is not yet clear. If we act now, we risk losing the support of the court and the people. Besides, he controls a powerful army. If a rebellion is launched near the capital, who would dare claim it’s not treason? Wait until Wang Guobao's evil deeds are exposed to the world; then we can remove him based on public opinion; it's not too late." Wang Gong listened to his words and abandoned his thoughts. Later, Wang Gong told Xie Shi, "Lately, I see you as being just like Hu Guang." Xie Shi replied, "When Wang Ling was battling in the court, Chen Ping remained silent. I’m only concerned with how things will unfold in the end." Later, Wang Gong did indeed rebel, and Wang Guobao wanted to kill Xie Shi and others. They managed to escape by a narrow margin, and this incident was chronicled in "The Biography of Wang Guobao." The following year, Wang Gong rebelled again, appointing Xie Shi as an acting general, bestowing upon him the titles of Guard General and Commander of the Land and Water Forces of Langye. After the situation was stabilized, the emperor awarded him the Golden Seal of Authority and further appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant.
Four years later, he resigned from office due to illness. Over a year later, he passed away at the age of fifty-two. The court posthumously granted him the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of "Xianmu," which means "Loyal and Mu." Huan Xun wrote to King Daozi of Kuaiji: "Xun was a man with a bright and open-minded demeanor, with a profound understanding of the classics and historical texts, and was a pillar of support for both the court and the common people. Although he had faced some unfounded accusations, his talents were not fully utilized; however, a gentleman in office will naturally do much good for the people. Given the current difficult times, he suddenly passed away, and I am deeply saddened. This is more than just mourning his talents and charm! He experienced many hardships in his life, and although he eventually gained your appreciation, it was because you understood his character. His passing was peaceful, so there’s no need for excessive grief. It's just that thinking of his life experiences, it's still hard to come to terms with it." After Huan Xun took office, he also posthumously conferred upon him the title of Minister of Works.
He had some conflicts with Xie An during his lifetime. Legend has it that after Xie An passed away, he immediately left the capital to pay his respects to Lord Xie, saying, "I want to mourn for Lord Xie." Xie Xianzhi was taken aback and replied, "You should go see Fahua instead!" So he went straight to mourn Xie An, weeping bitterly. "Fahua" was his nickname. He had five sons: Xie Hong, Xie Yu, Xie Liu, Xie Ru, and Xie Tanshou, all of whom were prominent figures during the Song Dynasty.
Xie Min, also known as Jiyuan. He was talented from a young age, excelling in calligraphy, and even outshining his brother Xie Shi. People used to say, "While Fahuo is good, Senmi is even better." "Senmi" was Xie Min's nickname. Back then, a foreign monk named Tipota was around, who was well-versed in Buddhist teachings and explained the Vimalakirti Sutra to the Xie brothers. Xie Min was still young at the time, and halfway through the scripture, he said he understood it and then ran to another room to explain the scripture to himself and a few others, including Fagang. Fagang sighed, saying, "He got the main ideas right, but he didn't quite grasp the details." Xie Min once served as the Chief Secretary of a province and also took the imperial examination, but was unsuccessful. Later, he held various positions such as Compiler of Imperial Rescripts, Cavalry Attendant, Doctorate of the National University, Yellow Gate Attendant, and Palace Attendant. He also served as the Chief Historian and also the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat under Prince Dai, Xie Xianzhi. The two were both well-known, with Xie Xianzhi being called the "Grand Prefect" among the people, and Xie Min being called the "Junior Prefect." In the thirteenth year of Taiyuan, Xie Min died at the age of thirty-eight, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the position of Minister of Ceremonies. He had two sons: Xie Lang and Xie Lian, both of whom served as Palace Attendants during the Yixi era. Xie Xie, styled Jingzu, once served as a Military Advisor to Emperor Yuan, inherited the title of Marquis of Wugang, died young and left no sons, and was succeeded by his brother Xie Shao's son, Xie Mi.
Mi, with the courtesy name Zhiyuan, had a good reputation since childhood and was renowned alongside Huan Yin of Qiao and Wang Sui of Taiyuan. He was first appointed as Gentleman of the Secretariat, inherited his father's noble title, then promoted to Chief of the Central Army Staff, and later served as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Attendant of the Palace, and Palace Attendant. When Huan Xuan rebelled, the court sent Mi to meet him, and Huan Xuan showed great respect and closeness to him. As a result, Mi was appointed as General of Might, Minister of the Interior for Wu, but before he could take office, Huan Xuan appointed him as Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, Leading General, Minister of Personnel, and later promoted to Director of the Palace Secretariat, granted the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance, and also appointed him as Minister of Works and Construction. When Huan Xuan wanted to usurp the throne, he appointed Mi as Grand Guardian as well and sent him with the imperial seal and edict to welcome Huan Xuan. After Huan Xuan seized the throne, he bestowed upon Mi the title of Duke of Kaiguo of Wuchang County and added twenty guards bearing swords to his retinue.
Initially, Liu Yu was just a commoner, and nobody knew him. Only Mi held him in high regard and once said to Liu Yu, "You will become a hero in the future." Later, Liu Yu defeated Huan Xuan. Mi, because of his previous official position, was appointed as an attendant minister and also served as the Governor of Yangzhou, in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. Due to his past ties with the Huan family, he had always felt uneasy. General Liu Yi once asked Mi, "Where are the Emperor's seal and ribbon?" Mi became even more afraid. Coincidentally, Wang Sui was suspected of plotting rebellion due to his connection to the Huan family, and as a result, he and his family were all killed. Mi's younger brother, Mi Chen, was brave and resolute in his youth and enjoyed associating with heroic figures. He sought to lure Mi back to Wu to initiate a rebellion and said to Mi, "Wang Sui clearly had no guilt, yet he was executed in the name of justice. This is to eliminate talents in the court! You are young and already famous, with such a high position, do you still want to remain safe?" Fearing for his safety, Mi fled. Liu Yu wrote a letter to Grand General Prince Wuling Zun and sent people to capture Mi. Upon Mi's return, his official position and benefits remained unchanged, and he was even given twenty more sword-bearing attendants. In the third year of Yixi, Mi passed away at the age of forty-eight. After his death, he was posthumously honored as an attendant minister and Minister of Works, with the posthumous title of Wengong. He had three sons: Gu, Qiu, and Xiu. All three later became high-ranking officials during the Song Dynasty.
Xie Shang, courtesy name Jinglun, held positions such as the Governor of Dongyang, Official of the Ministry of Personnel, Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and Intendant of Danyang. He was handsome and elegant, always maintaining a dignified demeanor even when interacting with family and close acquaintances. Huan Wen highly valued him. Later, Xie Shang was promoted to Minister of Personnel, Supervisor of the Left, and concurrently appointed as General of the Central Command. He was later appointed as General who Establishes Power and Governor of Wu. After his death, he was posthumously elevated to General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the posthumous title Jian. He had three sons: Xie Mu, Xie Mo, and Xie Hui. Xie Mu served as the Governor of Linhai; Xie Mo served as the Interior Minister of Wu, reaching the rank of 2,000 Stones; Xie Hui served as General of the Right Guard. Xie Mu had three sons: Xie Jian, Xie Zhi, and Xie Chao; Xie Mo had two sons: Xie Jian and Xie Hui. During the Yihe era, they all held prominent official positions.
Xie Hui, courtesy name Jingwen, had a gentle and unassuming nature, content with the present, not seeking fame or profit. He held some relatively low-pressure official positions when he was young, later serving as Official of the Ministry of Personnel, Palace Attendant, General who Establishes Power, and Governor of Wu. During a famine when food was scarce and many people were starving, Xie Hui used his own rice to make porridge and distributed it to those with empty stomachs, saving many lives. When summoned by the court to serve as General of the Central Command, he steadfastly declined. Later, he was transferred to the position of Minister, concurrently serving as Protector of the Central Command, and again as General who Conquers the Barbarians and Governor of Wu. After some time, Huan Chong recommended him to serve as Inspector of Jiangzhou, but he firmly declined. He was later transferred to supervise the five counties of Eastern Zhejiang, appointed as General of the Left, Interior Minister of Kuaiji, promoted to General Who Guards the Army, and appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. He died in office, posthumously elevated to Guard General.
Xie Xin served as the Chief Attendant to the Crown Prince and the Left Chief Historian. After his mother passed away, he mourned in Wu. When Wang Gong raised troops, the court appointed Xie Xin as General of Jianwu and the Interior Minister of Wu, ordering him to lead troops to support Wang Gong. Xie Xin, wearing mourning clothes, gathered a force and killed several of his opponents. He also sent the former Interior Minister of Wu, Yu Xiaofu, and others to recruit soldiers and gather supplies in Wuxing and Yixing counties, drawing in tens of thousands of supporters. Xie Xin thought that once the righteous troops were mobilized, the situation would surely become chaotic, and he could take advantage of the opportunity. However, within ten days, Xie Xin was granted death by the court, Wang Gong lost his command, and Xie Xin was stripped of his official title. Enraged, Xie Xin led his men to retaliate against Wang Gong. Wang Gong sent Sima Liu Laozhi to Qu'e to battle Xie Xin, resulting in a defeat for Xie Xin's army, which scattered. His whereabouts after that remain unknown. Xie Xin's eldest son, Xie Tai, was killed by Wang Gong, while his youngest son, Xie Hua, mourned his father's fate and endured a life of hardship until his cousin Xie Mi brought him the news of his father's death. Xie Hua then conducted the funeral rites and returned to public office.
To cross the Huai River, Guo Pu performed divination. After the results of the divination were revealed, Guo Pu said, "It is auspicious; there are no unfavorable signs. The water of the Huai River will cease flowing, and the Wang family will perish." Surprisingly, the descendants of the Wang family indeed faced the same fate as foretold by Guo Pu.
Historical records state: the flying dragon soars in the heavens, needing the assistance of clouds and rain; when an emperor ascends, they must rely on the support of their ministers. The Yellow Emperor, a sage, relied on his ministers to pass down the totem; King Tang of the Shang Dynasty, a wise ruler, achieved great success with the help of his ministers. Since then, all emperors have been the same. Think about it, the establishment of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was initially triggered by tomb robberies and power struggles, leading Jiankang to become the new political center, devoid of any virtue. The country was still unstable, and the border regions were already beset by conflict. Subsequently, the Central Plains were breached, and the area south of the Yangtze River rose to power, which defied the precedent set by Shao Kang in restoring the Xia Dynasty; there were no talents like Duke Wen of Jin or figures like Wen Shu to restore the Liu clan during that period; it was indeed a challenge to assist Emperor Zhongzong! Wang Dao, leveraging his reputation and connections, formed an alliance with Wang Dun, and with his talent and wisdom, sought to establish the restoration of the Central Plains and achieve the great accomplishments of Emperor Xuan of Jin through the power of the Yangtze River Basin. However, Wang Dun staged an internal rebellion, using the capital's power to plot against him; Su Jun united the army and launched an attack on the imperial palace. Thanks to Wang Dao's unwavering loyalty, he secretly devised strategies and ultimately defeated Su Jun and the other rebels. His loyalty shone like the sun, saving the emperor; his steadfast will was as unyielding as frost, securing the nation's continuity. Consider how he founded schools amid turmoil and established regulations under difficult circumstances; despite the chaos, the scale of his achievements was impressive.
Compared to Xiao He and Cao Can who assisted the Han Dynasty in unifying the realm, and Jiang Shang and Shao Gong who aided the Zhou Dynasty in achieving unity, although Wang Dao's achievements may not match theirs, they should not be underestimated. Like Yan Ying, who had benevolence and could assist small countries; like Zhuge Liang, who had a sense of justice and could support emerging nations, Wang Dao's deeds and their achievements are of a similar caliber. He assisted three generations of emperors of the Jin Dynasty, always maintaining his loyalty, and was called "Zhongfu," a truly fitting title. Wang Tian inherited Wang Dao's virtues and received praise similar to Lv Qian presenting a precious sword; Wang Mi, on the other hand, faced criticism for his indiscretion, like Liu Yi losing the throne due to a mistake. As the saying goes, "In deep mountains and vast swamps, both dragons and snakes can be found." Wang Dao and his brothers were just such people.
Let's first praise him: "Roaring and galloping, the dragon rises and the clouds reflect. Wugang is upright and strong, rectifying the times and governing the state." Look at him, with a momentum like a dragon soaring through the clouds, galloping like lightning! In Wugang, his upright and strong character, assisting the king and governing the country, is truly admirable!
Next, let’s talk about his achievements: "His merit is widely proclaimed, his loyal counsel is unmatched." His contributions are remarkable, and no one can compare to his loyal advice. He served three rulers, "Serving three rulers, worth more than nine lives." This is a remarkable honor, worth more than nine lives! You see, the sword he left behind symbolizes auspiciousness, "Presenting the sword signifies auspiciousness, the divination water flows with celebration." The divination water also foretells the prosperity of his family. "Distinguished is the family gate, the family's glory will shine even brighter." The glory of his family will be even more brilliant!
