Liu Hong, courtesy name Heji, was from the State of Pei. His grandfather Liu Fu once served as the Yangzhou Inspector of the Wei State; his father Liu Jing was once the General of the Northern Defense. Liu Hong had the ability to govern the country. When he was young, he lived in Luoyang, where he was neighbors with Emperor Jinwu, and they were born in the same year, studying together. Thanks to his previous friendship with Emperor Jinwu, he was first appointed as the Grand Master of the Crown Prince and later promoted step by step to the position of Chief Commandant, and then transferred to the position of Grand Master of Works. Zhang Hua held him in high regard. Therefore, Liu Hong was appointed as the General of Ning and Shuo, Acting General, Supervisor of Military Affairs in Youzhou, and concurrently as Colonel of the Southern Tribes, gaining prestige and grace in governing the region, resulting in the disappearance of thieves, with the people of Youzhou and Shuozhou praising him. Due to his outstanding achievements and character, he was granted the title Duke of Xuancheng.
During the Tai'an period, Zhang Chang rebelled, and Liu Hong was appointed as Commissioner, Colonel of the Southern Tribes, and Inspector of Jingzhou, leading General Zhao Xiang and others to put down the rebellion against Zhang Chang. They advanced from Fangcheng to Wancheng and Xinye, advancing with unstoppable momentum. After King Xin of Xinye was defeated, Liu Hong took over and served as General Who Guards the South, Commander of Military Affairs in Jingzhou, while retaining his other titles. Liu Hong appointed Tao Kan as Grand Protector of the Region, Kuai Heng as Supervisor of the Volunteer Army, and Pi Chu as Commander-in-Chief, leading the army to station in Xiangyang. Zhang Chang gathered his troops to besiege Wancheng, defeated Zhao Xiang's army, and Liu Hong withdrew to camp in Liangdi. Tao Kan, Pi Chu, and others engaged in numerous battles, defeating Zhang Chang and claiming the lives of tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. Upon Liu Hong's arrival in Jingzhou to take up his new post, Zhang Chang became afraid and fled, with his entire army surrendering. Peace was restored in the Jingzhou region.
At the beginning, Wang Hong was called back to the court, and Prince Xiao of Fanyang sent the Chief Water Officer Zhang Yi to take over Jingzhou. After Wang Hong arrived in Jingzhou, Zhang Yi refused to give up power and even raised troops in rebellion against Wang Hong. Wang Hong sent troops to attack Zhang Yi and ended up executing him on the spot. He then submitted a report to the court explaining: "Although I am mediocre in ability, I have been greatly favored by the state and have been appointed as the Inspector of Sifangzhou, tasked with suppressing the rebels. I could not match the might of the God of Thunder, sweeping all before him. In the Battle of Wancheng, the army retreated, and I should have taken responsibility and been punished. However, the Emperor generously forgave me and entrusted me with a significant responsibility, sending me to Jingzhou. However, Prince Xiao of Fanyang unexpectedly sent the former Chief Water Officer Zhang Yi to Jingzhou before my arrival. After I arrived, Zhang Yi refused to accept my authority and raised troops to resist me. The rebellion of Zhang Chang has just been suppressed, Zhang Chang himself has not been captured yet, and many refugees from Yizhou have fled to Jingzhou. Some troublemakers can easily be incited, and the situation is very dangerous. If anything goes wrong, the consequences could be dire. I should have submitted a report first, but fearing delays in military operations, I sent troops to attack Zhang Yi first and executed him on the spot. Although Zhang Yi was greedy and cruel, and wanted to do evil, it was also because of my inadequate ability and incompetence that he acted recklessly and squandered the state's resources. I am willing to accept responsibility for my unauthorized actions."
The court issued a decree saying: "General, you are talented in both civil and military affairs. Previously, you were entrusted with the important task of guarding Xiazhou, and Zhao Xiang is responsible for the loss of Wan Cheng. The army you dispatched successfully eliminated the rebels. Zhang Yi acted out of greed and defied the court's orders. General, you have defeated Zhang Yi and brought his head to the court. Although you acted without prior approval, there are historical precedents for acting first and reporting later. We hope you will continue to showcase your abilities in guarding the south and not let the court down." Zhang Chang fled to Mount Xiajue, and Wang Hong sent troops to attack Zhang Chang, which led to Zhang Chang's death and the surrender of his entire force.
There are many vacancies in Jingzhou, and Wang Hong requested the court to appoint officials to fill the positions, and the emperor agreed. Wang Hong assigned appropriate positions to individuals based on their merits and virtues, and everyone thought he did a great job. He submitted a memorial stating, "I have been ordered to appoint officials according to their ranks to fill the vacancies. Rewards and punishments are important matters that I alone cannot decide, and only a wise emperor can discern individuals. I lack the ability to weigh such matters. However, there are rules for everything, and caution must be exercised. I have arranged personnel to take up corresponding positions according to the imperial decree. To promote education, valuing virtues is of utmost importance, which is essential for governing the country well. Therefore, the highest realm is to establish virtues, followed by achievements. In recent years, there have been many upheavals, and the social climate has deteriorated. I have specifically promoted the recruit Wu Chao to the position of Prefect of Lingling, hoping to change the chaotic situation and cultivate the virtue of humility among officials. I myself am not good at military affairs. When I retreated from Wancheng, the Chief Clerk Tao Kan, the Military Advisor Kuai Heng, and the Gatekeeper Pi Chu bravely fought the enemy, quelling the rebellion. Tao Kan and Kuai Heng have always participated in military actions, and Pi Chu served as the vanguard, displaying bravery and skill in battle, stabilizing the Han River region. This is all due to their merits. The "Sima Fa" emphasizes the importance of timely rewards and punishments, so that people know that doing good deeds will be rewarded promptly. If rewards are not given in a timely manner, it will not be able to motivate those who have made contributions, nor console their ambitions. I was formerly appointed as the Prefect of Xiangyang, Tao Kan served as the Prefect of the Prefectural Office, responsible for assessing merits, and Kuai Heng served as the Prefect of Shandu. The imperial decree only required me to fill the vacancies, but the loyal and upright Prefect of Yixiang County, Yu Tan, responded first to the call, leading by example and inspiring underperforming officials. Therefore, I promoted him to be the Prefect of Liling. The upright official Qiu Bo of Nanchun, whose elderly and frail mother was often ill, stood his ground when the rebels attacked, refusing to abandon his post; he was tortured, nearly losing his life. The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Shi Guozhen, wanted him to serve as a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel to inquire about court affairs, but he fled. Zhang Chang subsequently detained his family to compel him to appear. Qiu Bo was filial and responsible in times of danger, while Shi Guozhen remained steadfast in the face of coercion. Although they are both fourth-rank officials, they are worthy of commendation and can be used to educate officials and improve the social atmosphere. Therefore, I promoted Qiu Bo to be the Prefect of Guixiang and Shi Guozhen to be the Prefect of Xinling. These individuals possess both merit and virtue. I have compiled their deeds, highlighting their merits and virtues, and submitted my report to the court.
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The court believed that although Pi Chu had merits, Xiangyang was an important prefecture, and the selection of the candidate must be made with caution. Pi Chu could not be appointed, so the former Dongping Prefect Xiahou Zhi is appointed as the Prefect of Xiangyang, and the rest of the candidates were handled according to Wang Hong's suggestion. Xiahou Zhi is Wang Hong's son-in-law. Wang Hong ordered, "Those who govern the world should be of one mind with the people of the world; those who govern a country should regard the country as their own. If relatives must be used to handle affairs, then for the ten counties of Jingzhou, wouldn't we need to find ten sons-in-law to govern them?" He further petitioned, "Xiahou Zhi is my son-in-law; according to the old rules, he cannot supervise me. Pi Chu's merits should be rewarded." The emperor approved his request.
Wang Hong, the Marquis of Hongnong, was a commendable official. He encouraged everyone to develop agriculture and sericulture, reduce penalties, reduce taxes, and have annual good harvests. The people liked him. Once, Marquis Hong woke up in the middle of the night and heard the heavy sighs of the guards on the city wall during the night, so he went to see what was going on. It turned out to be a soldier in his sixties, thin, sick, and lacking clothes. Marquis Hong sympathized with him, held the responsible parties accountable, then rewarded him with a fur coat and hat, and arranged for him a good job.
There was a rule that the lakes near Xianshan and Fangshan were not allowed for the common people to fish. Marquis Hong ordered, "According to the rites, famous mountains and great lakes should not be sealed off, and everyone should enjoy their resources together. The 'Record of Rites' says, 'Famous mountains and great lakes should not be sealed off, for the future.' Now the officials and the people are all fighting for possession; the common people don't even have a place to work. What kind of situation is this? Quickly abolish this rule!" He also said, "The wine in the wine cellar, such as Qizhong wine, Tingshi wine, and Weijiu, are all brewed with the same yeast, but the quality of the wine is divided into three grades. From now on, all soldiers should receive the same quality of wine; there should be no distinction."
At that time, Luo Shang, the Governor of Yizhou, was defeated by Li Te and sent a messenger to request food supplies. Prince Hong immediately ordered that food supplies be sent. The officials of the provincial government thought that the transportation route was too far and that the army was short on supplies, so they wanted to give only five thousand hu of Lingling rice to Luo Shang. Prince Hong said, "You all have not considered it carefully enough! The world is like a family; we are all in this together. If I support him now, he won't have to worry about the west." So, he sent thirty thousand hu of Lingling rice to Luo Shang. With this food supply, Luo Shang was able to hold on.
At that time, there were over a hundred thousand households of people living in poverty who were driven to become thieves in Jingzhou. Prince Hong allocated land for them to farm and encouraged them to grow food, and he promoted talented individuals and assigned them appropriate positions based on their skills. At that time, many musicians from the Royal Orchestra fled to Jingzhou seeking refuge, and some suggested having them perform music. Prince Hong said, "Previously, Liu Jingsheng composed music for the emperor, and when the music was completed, Liu Jingsheng wanted to perform it at court. Du Kui said, 'Composing music for the emperor but performing it at court may not be the intention of the general.' I have always lamented this. Now that the emperor is defiled, I have not been able to fulfill my duties as a subject; even if there are palace musicians, they should not perform, let alone the palace orchestra!" So, he sent people to comfort them in various counties, and once the court was stable, he would send them back to their original posts.
After quelling the rebellion of Zhang Chang, it was customary to appoint Zhang Chang's second son as a marquis based on his father's merit. Prince Hong firmly declined the offer in a memorial, but ultimately, the court insisted. Prince Hong was later promoted to Palace Attendant, General of the Southern Defense, and held the concurrent positions of Left and Right Supervisor of the Palace.
Emperor Hui fled to Chang'an, and Prince Yong of Hejian seized control of the emperor. He then issued an edict directing Liu Hong to support Liu Qiao. Liu Hong felt that Zhang Fang was excessively cruel and believed Prince Yong of Hejian was destined to fail. Therefore, he sent someone to place himself under the authority of Prince Yue of Donghai. Amidst the chaos, Liu Hong took full command of military affairs in the Jianghan region, and his fame spread throughout the southern regions. The former Prefect of Guanghan, Xin Ran, suggested some dubious strategies to Liu Hong, who, in his anger, had him executed. Prince Yong of Hejian appointed Zhang Guang as the Prefect of Shunyang. Wei Zhan, the Prefect of Nanyang, said to Liu Hong, "When Prince Pengcheng fled earlier, he spoke ill of many. Zhang Guang is the confidant of the Prime Minister and should be eliminated to demonstrate our stance." Liu Hong replied, "How can we hold Zhang Guang accountable for the Prime Minister's successes or failures? A gentleman would never jeopardize others for his own safety!" Wei Zhan harbored a profound resentment against him.
Chen Min led troops against Yangzhou, intending to continue westward. Liu Hong then mobilized the southern army and placed former Northern Army general Jiang Chao in command. He, along with Jiangxia Prefect Tao Kan and Wuling Prefect Miao Guang, led a large army to station at Xiakou. He also sent He Song to lead the armies of Jianping, Yidu, and Xiangyang to station at Badong as reinforcements for Luo Shang. Additionally, he promoted Nanping Prefect Ying Zhan to General Ningyuan, in charge of the navy of the three counties to provide naval support for Jiang Chao. Tao Kan and Chen Min were from the same hometown and passed the imperial examination in the same year. Some people spoke ill of Tao Kan to Liu Hong, but Liu Hong had complete faith in him. Therefore, he appointed Tao Kan as the vanguard commander and entrusted him with the task of subduing Chen Min. Tao Kan sent his son and nephew as hostages to ensure their safety. When Liu Hong sent them back, he said, "Your grandmother's getting on in years; you should go back and take care of her. Even ordinary friends must keep their promises, let alone great men like us!" In the end, Chen Min did not dare to overstep. In the third year of Yongxing, the court issued an edict elevating Liu Hong to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry, while retaining his other official positions. Every time Liu Hong dealt with government affairs, he would personally write letters to his subordinates in a sincere and intimate tone. As a result, everyone was very grateful to him and eager to work for him, saying, "Getting a letter from Lord Liu is better than having ten department heads." Later, Prince Donghai welcomed the emperor back to the capital, and Liu Hong sent Colonel Liu Pan to lead the army to meet up. After Liu Pan returned, Liu Hong felt that he was old and in poor health, so he planned to resign from his positions as governor and commandant. He was just about to report to the court when he passed away in Xiangyang. The people mourned deeply, feeling as though they had lost a family member. "The men and women mourned as if they had lost a dear family member."
At the beginning, Wang Ying of Chengdu wanted to escape back to his own country, and Sima Ying wanted to run away. Sima Hong stopped him. Later, Sima Hong died, and Sima Hong's subordinate, Sima Guo Mai, wanted to support Wang Ying of Chengdu's claim to the throne. Sima Hong's son, Sima Fan, carried on his father's ambitions, so he dressed in mourning attire, led the troops to attack Guo Mai, fought a battle at the Zhuo River, and killed Guo Mai. The Xiangyang and Mianyang areas also stabilized as a result. Earlier, Donghai Wang Sima Yue suspected that Sima Hong and Liu Qiao were not on the same page as them; although they gave him the position of military governor on the surface, he was never at ease. When Sima Hong stopped Wang Ying of Chengdu and Sima Fan killed Guo Mai, the court was very pleased. Sima Yue personally wrote a letter praising Sima Fan, submitted a memorial to the court to appoint Sima Hong as the Duke of Xincheng County, and posthumously honored him as "Yuan." Next, Gao Mi Wang Sima Lue was sent to guard the city, but the bandits and robbers were rampant and could not be controlled. The court recalled Sima Fan to the capital and appointed him as the internal governor of Shunyang. The people of the Jianghan region rallied behind him. When Sima Lue died, Shan Jian took over. After Shan Jian took office, he knew that Sima Fan had won the hearts of the people and was worried that the people would force him to become emperor. He explained the situation to the court, so the court summoned Sima Fan to enter the capital and serve as the captain of the cavalry. Sima Fan was also worried that he would be forced to rebel, so he wrote a letter, made a light journey to Luoyang, and then sent someone to pick up his family. Some expatriates, such as Hou Tuo and Lu Nan, spontaneously organized people and horses to escort him to the capital, and then he bid farewell to everyone. The Nanxia region soon fell into chaos. The local elders deeply missed Sima Hong, and even the poems that extolled Zhaobo in "Gantang" could not express their longing for him. Tao Kan, courtesy name Shixing, was from Poyang. After the fall of the Wu Kingdom, his family moved to Xunyang in Lujiang. His father, Tao Dan, was the Yangwu General of the Wu Kingdom. Tao Kan grew up in poverty and held a minor official position in the county.
Once, Fan Kui, a filial and incorruptible official from Poyang, came to visit Tao Kan. At that time, the family was very poor and had nothing to offer their guest. His mother, in order to host the guest, even cut her hair to fashion two hair buns, went to trade for some wine and food, and happily drank with Fan Kui, so cheerful that even the household servants were surprised by how lively it became. When Fan Kui left, Tao Kan accompanied him for over a hundred miles. Fan Kui said, "Do you want to be an official in the county?" Tao Kan replied, "I'm eager to, but I lack the connections." Fan Kui went to Zhang Kui, the Prefect of Lujiang, and praised Tao Kan highly. Zhang Kui then summoned Tao Kan to be the postal inspector, and later he became the magistrate of Zongyang County. Tao Kan was very capable and was later promoted to registrar.
Once, an official sent by the province came to the county to investigate a case. Tao Kan locked the door and gave his subordinates a stern reprimand, then said to the official, "If there is really any illegal activity in our county, you can of course deal with it according to the law. There is no need to pressure us like this. If you are unreasonable, I also have a way to deal with you!" The official, hearing this, left in embarrassment.
Zhang Kui's wife fell ill and needed to invite a doctor from hundreds of miles away. It was a heavy snowfall during the cold winter, and the other officials thought it was too challenging. Only Tao Kan said, "The principle of filial duty extends to serving one's ruler. The prefect's wife is like my mother. How can I not do my best when my parents are sick?" So he offered to go and fetch the doctor. Everyone admired his devotion to filial duty.
Later, when the Prefect of Changsha, Wan Silu, passed through Lujiang and saw Tao Kan, he expressed great admiration for him and said, "You will definitely have a great reputation in the future!" He even encouraged his son to befriend Tao Kan before departing.
Kui Cha Kan passed the imperial examination and became a loyal and upright official. When he arrived in Luoyang, he visited Zhang Hua several times. At first, Zhang Hua didn't think much of him since he was an outsider. However, Kui Cha Kan always visited with a cheerful demeanor. After chatting with him, Zhang Hua found him to be special and promoted him to a position of prominence.
General Fu Bo's relative, Sun Xiu, was a distant relative of a fallen royal family and not held in high regard in Luoyang. People felt ashamed to serve him, so he sought Kui Cha Kan, who hailed from humble origins, to be his aide.
At that time, Yang Zhu, the Prefect of Yuzhang, was from Kui Cha Kan's hometown and highly respected. When Kui Cha Kan visited him, Yang Zhu said, "The I Ching says 'steadfastness is key to achieving great things,' and that describes someone like you!" Later, Kui Cha Kan and Yang Zhu met Gu Rong, a court official, who admired him greatly. When a colleague questioned their association, Yang Zhu defended Kui Cha Kan, saying, "He is no ordinary person!"
Shang Shu Yue Guang wanted to gather talented individuals from Jingzhou and Yangzhou, so the armory supervisor, Huang Qing, recommended Kui Cha Kan. Despite opposition, Huang Qing was confident in Kui Cha Kan's potential. Later, Huang Qing became the supervisor of the Ministry of Personnel and recommended Kui Cha Kan to be the magistrate of Wugang County.
After a falling out with Magistrate Lü Yue, Kui Cha Kan resigned and returned home. He later took on a minor role in the county as Xiao Zhong Zheng. Fortunately, Liu Hong became the Inspector of Jingzhou and appointed Kui Cha Kan as the Chief of the Southern Barbarians. He was dispatched to Xiangyang to confront the rebel Zhang Chang, which he successfully accomplished. Impressed by his military success, Liu Hong granted Kui Cha Kan the title of Marquis of Dongxiang, with a fief of one thousand households.
During the chaos of the Chen Min Rebellion, the court appointed Liu Hong as Kan's superior and conferred the title of General Yan Yang on him. Kan placed great importance on his appearance, which earned him admiration from the locals when he welcomed his mother to live in the official residence. Chen Min dispatched his brother Chen Hui to attack Wuchang, and Kan led his troops to resist. At that time, the county historian Hu Gui slandered Kan before Liu Hong: "Kan and Chen Min are fellow villagers. Now he is in charge of such a large county and commands a powerful army. If he has any ulterior motives, then Jingzhou will be in trouble!" Liu Hong replied, "I have long known of Kan's loyalty and ability; how could he possibly do that!" Kan learned of this in secret and quickly sent his son Liu Hong and his nephew Liu Zhen to see Liu Hong to express his loyalty. Liu Hong appointed Liu Hong as an officer, provided him with some assistance, and then sent him back. He also bestowed the title of Inspector upon Kan, enabling him to resist Chen Hui alongside other troops. Kan converted transport vessels into warships. Some doubted it would work, but Kan said, "Using government resources to fight government enemies, as long as there is a record, it's fine." So he led the army to attack Chen Hui, achieving victory in every battle. Kan enforced strict discipline within his ranks, distributing the spoils of war among the soldiers each time, without keeping anything for his personal gain. Later, he resigned from his official position following the death of his mother. Two guests came to offer condolences, but when he did not cry, they left and transformed into two cranes, flying into the sky, which left the people of that time puzzled.
After the mourning period, Kan participated in Sima Yue's military campaigns as the Prince of Donghai. The Governor of Jiangzhou, Hua Yi, recommended Kan as General of Yangwu, stationed at Xiakou, and appointed Liu Zhen as his military advisor. Hua Yi and Emperor Yuan had always been at odds. Liu Zhen was worried that things would not work out, so he pretended to be sick and returned home, telling Kan, "Hua Yi is ambitious to save the world but lacks the capability. Moreover, he has a bad relationship with Prince Langye (Sima Rui), which makes collaboration challenging." Kan was furious when he heard this and sent Liu Zhen back to assist Hua Yi. Liu Zhen then returned to Emperor Yuan's side. Emperor Yuan was very pleased to see him and appointed Liu Zhen as his aide, and also promoted Kan to General of Fenwei, granting him flags, canopies, carriages, and musicians. Kan then severed ties with Hua Yi.
Later on, Kan was promoted to General of Longxiang and the Prefect of Wuchang. At that time, the region was experiencing famine, and mountain bandits continued to block the rivers and raid. Kan disguised his troops as merchant ships to lure the bandits. The bandits fell for the ruse and were captured; many were close associates of Prince Xiyang. Kan immediately sent troops to pressure Xiyang to deal with the bandits, while he set up defenses at Diaotai to assist. Xiyang obediently sent twenty prisoners, all of whom Kan put to death. From that point on, the waterways were safe, and the refugees began returning, crowding the roads. Kan used his own funds to assist them. He even established a market for the mountain people on the eastern side of the county, which proved quite profitable.
Later, the emperor sent Tao Kan to fight against Du Tao and also ordered General Zhen Wei, Zhou Fang, and General Guang Wu, Zhao You, to follow Tao Kan's command. Tao Kan designated these two generals as the vanguards, with his nephew Tao Yu on the left wing, and they achieved a great victory over Du Tao's army. At that time, Zhou Yi was the governor of Jingzhou, stationed in Xunshui City, and the city was raided by bandits. Tao Kan sent his subordinate, Zhu Si, to provide assistance, and the bandits withdrew to Lingkou. Tao Kan said to his generals, "These bandits will definitely attack Wuchang again. We must hurry back to the city. We can reach there in three days, traveling day and night. Who can endure hunger and continue fighting?" General Wu Ji said, "I can go without food for ten days if needed. Fighting during the day and catching fish at night is enough to sustain us." Tao Kan replied, "You're a real trooper!"
Sure enough, the bandits increased their troops to attack. Tao Kan sent Zhu Si and his men to confront them, and they won a great victory, seizing a vast amount of supplies and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Tao Kan also sent his staff officer Wang Gong to report the victory to Wang Dun. Wang Dun remarked, "Without Lord Tao, Jingzhou would have been lost. Bo Ren was defeated by bandits as soon as he arrived in Jingzhou. The governorship is still up for grabs!" Wang Gong replied, "We're dealing with a tough situation in Jingzhou. Except for Lord Tao, no one can solve it." Wang Dun was thrilled to hear this and quickly recommended Tao Kan, appointing him as the General of Order, General of Ningyuan, Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, and Governor of Jingzhou, overseeing the three counties of Xiyang, Jiangxia, and Wuchang, stationed at Dunkou and later relocated to the Mian River. Tao Kan dispatched them to eliminate the bandits in Jiangxia, and they wiped them out.
At this point, a thief named Wang Chong declared himself the governor of Jingzhou and occupied Jiangling. When Wang Gong returned, he arrived at Jingling and, under the guise of an order from Tao Kan, appointed Du Zeng as the chief commander of the vanguard to attack Wang Chong, who ultimately surrendered. Tao Kan did not call for Du Zeng, and Wang Gong was worried about facing punishment for misrepresenting orders, so he joined Du Zeng in rebellion, defeated Tao Kan's commander Zheng Pan in Dunyang, and defeated Zhu Si at Miankou. Tao Kan planned to retreat to the Yan River, but his general Zhang Yi betrayed him, tricking him into believing, "Only move when the enemy arrives, so that everyone can work together." Tao Kan fell for his trick and did not move. It wasn't long before the enemy showed up, and Tao Kan's army was defeated. The enemy captured the ship Tao Kan was on, and in a panic, he jumped onto a small boat. Zhu Si fought fiercely to get away. Zhang Yi defected to the enemy. Tao Kan was later relieved of his duties. Later, Wang Dun requested that Tao Kan be allowed to keep serving in white clothes.
Kan led Zhou Fang and others into Hunan, with Captain Yang Ju as the vanguard, to attack Du Tuo and achieved a decisive victory. He then stationed his troops to the west of the city. Kan's staff wrote to Wang Dun, "Zhou Jiang Tao Shijun has risen from obscurity to prominence all on his own; his loyalty and effectiveness in all his actions are commendable. He served as an assistant in Nanxia, assisting Liu Zhengnan, and encountered Zhang Chang and later Chen Min. Kan led a small army to face powerful enemies alone and emerged victorious every time. Recently, Wang Ru rebelled in the north, and Du Tuo rebelled in the south, putting the entire province in a state of emergency, causing other counties to collapse. Kan used rituals to appease them and kindness to win them over; many people came to surrender. He faithfully executed orders, remained steadfast in times of danger, and did not waver or disperse when people left him. Dong Du previously led the army straight to Xiangcheng, with high aspirations and decisive decisions, but due to a lack of troops and food, he did not achieve the final victory. However, Du Tuo was intimidated and retreated to Xiakou. Not long after, the refugees from Jianping and the traitors who had welcomed the bandits rebelled together. Kan immediately led the army upstream, eliminated these rebellious bandits, and made it unnecessary to close the West Gate; the Huake area was safe and sound, all thanks to Kan! General, you pity the people of Jingchu and save them from fire and water; let Kan lead the remaining people, providing clothes to those who have none and food to those who have none, so that every household celebrates, warm like a thick quilt. The riverside is a perilous location, so he relocated to Gaoya to evade enemy assaults. The enemy underestimated him and advanced recklessly; Kan resisted all day and killed the enemy's commander. The enemy then united and attacked with all their might. Kan, demonstrating the loyalty of a devoted minister, donned sturdy armor and wielded sharp weapons, standing at the forefront of the army while the soldiers fought bravely against the enemy, with no one disobeying orders. The number of soldiers killed in battle was countless. The enemy was numerous, alternating between fighting and resting. Kan, leading a solitary force, found himself unable to resist alone; he weighed the pros and cons and decided to preserve strength and wait for future battles. However, his superiors blamed him and demoted him. Kan is known for his modesty and caution, achieving success and stepping back, now handing over his official position, fearing delay. However, we are genuinely concerned about mismanaging internal affairs and failing external matters; a small mistake could lead to losses from afar, causing the Jingman area to fall apart, the western border to be lost, and endless aggression." Wang Dun then requested to restore Kan's official position.
Second paragraph:
After listening to the statement of his staff, Wang Dun felt a deep sense of regret and realized Kan's achievements and difficulties. He understood that if this matter was not handled properly, it would not only dishearten the soldiers but also affect the stability of the entire Jingchu region. Therefore, he immediately submitted a memorial to the court, sought justice for Kan, and requested the restoration of Kan's official position. Wang Dun's memorial was heartfelt, outlining Kan's accomplishments and challenges, and emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability and morale in the Jingchu region. In the end, the court accepted Wang Dun's suggestion, restored Kan's official position, and revoked his previous punishment. This incident also deepened the court's understanding of Kan's loyalty and capabilities. This event strengthened his resolve to serve the country and continue to contribute to the stability of the nation. He refused to be disheartened by the injustice he faced, but instead worked even harder, devoting himself tirelessly to the country and its people. His story became a model for future generations of soldiers to aspire to.
Du Yu sent Wang Gong with three thousand elite soldiers to set out from the Wuling River to lure the Wuxi tribes, cut off the supply lines of the government with a fleet of ships, and head straight to Wuchang. On this side, Du Yu also sent Zheng Pan and General Fubo Tao Yan to rush to Baling overnight, set up a quiet ambush, catch the enemy off guard, and achieve a decisive victory, killing more than a thousand enemies and capturing over ten thousand people. Wang Gong fled back to Xiangcheng. The soldiers under Du Tuo's command were disheartened, and Du Tuo began to suspect Zhang Yi, so he killed him, which only increased everyone's fear, leading to more and more surrenders. Wang Gong issued another challenge, and Du Yu called out to him from a distance, "Du Tuo was originally a small official in Yizhou; he stole government money, his father died, and he didn't even go back for the funeral. You were once an honorable man; why did you choose to rebel with him? How can an old bandit have a good ending in this world?" At first, Wang Gong was still arrogant on horseback, but after Du Yu finished speaking, Wang Gong instantly composed himself, dismounted, and became very respectful. Du Yu knew that Wang Gong could be won over, so he sent someone to persuade him, even cutting off a lock of hair as a token of sincerity. In the end, Wang Gong surrendered. Du Tuo fled in defeat. Du Yu captured Changsha, seized Du Tuo's generals Mao Bao, Gao Bao, and Liang Kan, and then returned in triumph.
Wang Dun was very jealous of Du Yu's achievements. Du Yu was returning to Jiangling and wanted to first visit Wang Dun. Huangfu Fang, Zhu Si, and others warned him not to go, saying it was too dangerous. But Du Yu ignored their advice. Wang Dun indeed held Du Yu captive, demoted him to Governor of Guangzhou and General Who Pacifies the Yue, and then had Wang Yi replace Du Yu as Governor of Jingzhou. Du Yu's subordinates and soldiers pleaded with Wang Dun to let him stay. Wang Dun was furious and refused. Du Yu's subordinates Zheng Pan, Su Wen, Ma Jun, and others were unwilling to head south, so they went west to join Du Zeng against Wang Yi. Wang Dun, wanting to ingratiate himself with Du Yu, donned armor and carried a spear, considering killing Du Yu several times but hesitating. Du Yu sternly said, "As a regional lord, you should have great talent and strategy to unify the world. How can you be so indecisive?" After that, he excused himself to use the restroom. The military advisor Mei Tao and the chief of staff Chen Ban quickly told Wang Dun, "Zhou Fang and Du Yu are relatives; their relationship is like a person's left and right hands. How can you cut off the left hand and leave the right hand untouched?" Wang Dun then abandoned the thought of killing Du Yu and threw a lavish farewell banquet for him. Du Yu left that night. Wang Dun also placed his son, Wang Zhan, under Du Yu as a military advisor. After arriving in Yuzhang, Du Yu met Zhou Fang and said with tears in his eyes, "If it weren't for your help in secret, I would have been finished!" Later, Du Yu went to Shixing.
At that time, the people of Guangzhou betrayed Inspector Guo Ne and supported Wang Ji, a native of Changsha, to become the Inspector. Wang Ji then sent a messenger to request a transfer to Jiaozhou from Wang Dun. Wang Dun agreed, but Wang Ji had not set out yet. Soon after, Du Hong occupied Linhe, took the opportunity to ask for surrender from Wang Ji, and even persuaded Du Hong to attack Guangzhou. Du Hong conspired with Wen Shao and Liu Shen, a scholar from Jiaozhou. Some advised Tao Kan to stay in Shixing and assess the situation first, but Tao Kan ignored their advice and headed straight for Guangzhou. Du Hong sent a messenger to feign surrender. Tao Kan recognized it as a ruse, preemptively blocked the city gate, and readied stone carts. Soon after, Du Hong arrived with light troops, saw that Tao Kan was ready, and retreated. Tao Kan pursued and defeated Du Hong, capturing Liu Shen in Xiaogui. He then dispatched his general Xugao to confront Wang Ji, killed Wang Ji and sent his head to the capital. All the generals urged him to capitalize on the victory and pursue Wen Shao, but Tao Kan smiled and replied, "My reputation is already well-known; is there really a need to send troops? A letter will suffice." So he wrote a letter to Wen Shao. Wen Shao, fearing for his safety, fled but was ultimately captured in Shixing. Due to these accomplishments, Tao Kan was appointed Marquis of Chaisang, with a fief of four thousand households.
When Tao Kan had free time in Jiaozhou, he would move one hundred bricks from outside the dining hall to inside every morning, and then move them back at night. When asked why, he replied, "I am striving for the Central Plains. If I become too comfortable, I fear I won’t be able to achieve great things in the future." This kind of hardworking and inspirational spirit exemplifies his character.
In the early years of the Taixing era, Tao Kan was promoted to Pingnan General and shortly after was appointed as the Governor of Military Affairs in Jiaozhou. When Wang Dun rebelled, the court appointed Tao Kan as the Governor of Jiangzhou and later promoted him to Commander and Governor of Xiangzhou. After Wang Dun gained power, the court reinstated Tao Kan to his original position and additionally appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant. At that time, the Governor of Jiaozhou, Wang Liang, was overthrown by the bandit Liang Shuo. Tao Kan dispatched General Gao Bao to quell the rebellion and restore order. Tao Kan was then appointed as the Governor of Jiaozhou. The court commended his previous achievements, ennobled his second son, Tao Xia, as the Marquis of Duting, and further promoted Tao Kan to Grand General of Southern Expedition while appointing him as the Governor of Jing, Yong, Yi, and Liangzhou, concurrently serving as the Protector-General of the Southern Barbarians, Grand General of Western Expedition, and Governor of Jingzhou, with no change in other official positions. The people of Chu and Ying were all pleased by this. This Tao Kan, who is intelligent and diligent, takes his official duties seriously, is humble and courteous, and places great importance on interpersonal relationships. He sits upright all day, dealing with public affairs, which are as numerous as a tangled mess, yet he never falls behind. He personally replies to all documents, near or far, writing as smoothly as water flowing, never delaying. Visitors come in an endless stream, nearly wearing out his doorstep. He often tells others, "Even the wise Emperor Yu valued every moment, so ordinary people like us should cherish every minute and second. How can we indulge in pleasure and drift through life? If we live without contributing to society and die without leaving a mark, isn’t that just giving up on ourselves?"
If any subordinate neglects their work because of chatting and fooling around, he immediately orders someone to throw their wine glasses and gambling tools into the river, and then gives them a harsh beating and scolds them loudly: "Gambling is something slaves do! The abstract and elusive teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi are not the teachings left by the ancient kings; they should not be learned! One should be neat and dignified; how can you be scruffy and still think you’re something special!" If someone gives him a gift, he will ask where the gift came from. If it was hard-earned by someone, even if it's just a little something, he will be very happy and reward them doubly; if it’s not from a good source, he will sternly rebuke, even humiliate the giver, and return the gift.
Once when he was out inspecting, he saw someone holding immature rice ears, and Wang Kan asked, "What are you doing with that?" The person said, "I saw it on the road and picked it up." Wang Kan immediately became furious: "You don't even farm, yet you steal others' rice!" He gave him a beating right there. As a result, the people worked hard in their fields, and every household enjoyed a good life. When he was building a ship, he even had folks gather wood shavings and bamboo scraps, and no one understood what he was doing. Later, after a heavy snowfall followed by clear weather, there was still some snow on the ground where he worked, so he used those wood shavings to cover the ground. When Huan Wen attacked Shu, he reinforced the ships with the bamboo scraps he had saved up. He was meticulous in everything he did; that's just how he rolled.
Su Jun rebelled, Jiankang City was unable to withstand the siege, and Kan's son, Zhan, was killed by the rebels. General Wen Qiao of Pingnan wanted to invite Kan to return to the court together. When Emperor Ming died, Kan was not included in the list of important ministers, which had always weighed heavily on his mind. So he told Wen Qiao, "I am just a general serving on the frontier and cannot overstep my bounds." Wen Qiao repeatedly requested, and finally proposed that Kan take the lead. Kan then sent the inspector Gong Deng to support Wen Qiao with troops but later called them back. Wen Qiao, because Su Jun killed his son, wrote a letter to Kan to provoke him. Kan's wife, Lady Gong, also repeatedly urged him to take action. So Kan put on his military uniform, boarded a warship, and traveled day and night to meet with Wen Qiao, Yu Liang, and others at Shitoucheng in May.
All the armies were eager to confront Su Jun immediately, but Kan believed that the enemy forces were formidable, and a direct confrontation would be unwise. After numerous battles yielded little success, the generals suggested building defensive fortifications in Chapu. Chief military officer Li Gen suggested building a fortress at Baishi. Kan disagreed, saying, "If the fortress cannot be built, you will bear the consequences." Li Gen said, "Chapu is low-lying and surrounded by water; only Baishi Mountain is steep and difficult to attack. It can house thousands of troops, making it difficult for the rebels to launch an assault. This is a good way to eliminate the bandits." Kan smiled and replied, "You're quite the strategist!" So he adopted Li Gen's suggestion and worked tirelessly to build the fortifications overnight, completing them by daybreak. The bandits were very surprised to see the newly constructed defenses.
The rebel forces attacked Daye Fortress. Kan wanted to send troops to the rescue of Daye Fortress, but Chief Yin Xian said, "If we send troops to rescue Daye Fortress, our infantry can't compete with Su Jun's forces; it would be disastrous. We should quickly attack Shitou City; Su Jun will definitely come to the rescue, and then Daye Fortress will naturally be relieved." Kan followed Yin Xian's advice. Su Jun indeed abandoned Daye Fortress and came to the rescue of Shitou City. The various armies clashed with Su Jun in the east of Chenling, and Kan urged General Peng Shi of Jingling Prefecture to kill Su Jun in front of the battle line, leading to the collapse of the rebel forces. Su Jun's younger brother Su Yi gathered troops again. Kan and the various armies killed Su Yi in Shitou City.
Yu Liang was said to be very famous when he was young because his sister was Empress Mingmu. Therefore, he was entrusted by the court with quelling Su Jun's rebellion. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, everyone was afraid that Wen Qiao would be held responsible by the court. Yu Liang discussed with Wen Qiao and decided to personally visit him to express gratitude. However, Wen Qiao intercepted him and said, "Are you trying to visit me like you're visiting a recluse?" Wen Qiao also had his subordinates invite Wang Dao and asked him to bring the cane used during Su Jun's rebellion. Wen Qiao took a look and said with a smile, "Su Wu's cane doesn't look like this!" Wang Dao felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly had his subordinates take him aside.
Wen Qiao was later transferred to Jiangling and soon after was promoted to Shizhong and Taifu, granted ceremonial feathered banners and drums, titled as Marquis of Changsha County with a fief of three thousand households, rewarded with eight thousand bolts of silk, and put in charge of the military of seven states including Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Ningzhou. Because Jiangling was far from the court, he was then transferred to Baling to be stationed there. Wen Qiao also sent the consulting military officer Zhang Dan to subdue the tribes of the Five Streams, and in the end, they were all pacified.
General Guo Mo falsely pretended to have an imperial decree, killed General Liu Yin, and seized control of Jiangzhou. When Su Jun heard about this, he immediately exclaimed, "This can't be true!" He then sent Generals Song Xia and Chen Xiu with troops to occupy the Penkou Fortress, while he himself led a large army to follow. Guo Mo even sent a beautiful woman and one hundred pieces of silk, along with a fake imperial edict to Su Jun. Many of Su Jun's officials advised him, "Guo Mo did not actually receive an imperial decree, how could he even dare to do that! If we are to go to war, we should wait for the court's response before taking action." Su Jun's expression turned serious as he replied, "The Emperor is still young and can't see through the schemes of these people. Moreover, although Liu Yin may not be very capable, he is still a person highly regarded by the court. How can he be killed so casually? Guo Mo is cruel and brutal, raiding everywhere. Now that the court has just pacified a major rebellion, the laws are relaxed, he's clearly trying to exploit the situation!" After speaking, Su Jun sent a petition to impeach Guo Mo and also wrote to Wang Dao, "Guo Mo killed the governor and declared himself governor; if he kills a prime minister, will he declare himself prime minister too?" Wang Dao replied, "Guo Mo occupies advantageous terrain, has ships and supplies, so we're just biding our time with him, letting him hold the territory first. Let him quietly build up his strength for a month; when your army arrives, he'll respond in no time. Isn't this just the strategy of 'playing it smart to achieve big things'?" After reading the letter, Su Jun laughed and said, "This is obviously 'playing nice with thieves'!"
After Su Jun arrived in Jiangzhou, Guo Mo bound his own son and five other generals, including Zhang Chou, and surrendered to Su Jun. Su Jun executed Guo Mo, his son, and the others. Guo Mo had previously fought against Shi Le and others in the Central Plains region. The bandits greatly feared his bravery. When they heard that Su Jun was coming to attack him, they surrendered without a fight, even more terrified of Su Jun's might. Later, one of Su Jun's generals, Feng Tie, killed Su Jun's son and fled to Shi Le, who appointed him as a military commander. Su Jun informed Shi Le about this, and Shi Le had Feng Tie killed. The court issued a decree appointing Su Jun as the governor of Jiangzhou and also added a left and right chief, a sergeant, a Lang official, and twelve other officials. Su Jun later relocated his administration from Baling to Wuchang. Su Jun promoted Zhang Yin, son of Zhang Kui, to the position of military officer, and Fan Yao, son of Fan Kui, to be the governor of Xiangdong. He also appointed Liu An, the great-grandson of Liu Hong, as an official and recognized all those who had helped him in the past, repaying each and every one who had shown him kindness. I sent my son Zibin and the Southern General Huan Xuan to advance westward to Fancheng, defeating Shi Le's general Guo Jing. I also sent my nephew Zhen and Li Yang, the governor of Jingling, to attack Xinye together, ultimately bringing peace to Xiangyang. The Emperor promoted me to Grand Marshal, allowing me to wear shoes and a sword to court, not having to walk quickly or perform a formal bow when meeting the Emperor. I respectfully declined this honor in a memorial, saying, "I do not cling to past glories and riches, but am humbly declining today. If the circumstances warrant it, I would not dare to disobey Your Majesty's wishes; if it benefits the holy world, I dare not oppose the court. I have always sought to reduce ostentatious official positions and unnecessary expenditures, not solely for my benefit. If I, with the power of the state, eliminate tyrants like Shi Le, what further rewards could I expect?"
In June of the seventh year of the Xianhe era, I fell gravely ill and submitted another request to resign from my official post, saying: I have been poor and lonely since I was young, and my early aspirations were modest. Thanks to the grace shown to me by the imperial court for several generations and Your Majesty's wise judgment, the favor shown to me has grown increasingly abundant. Everything has a beginning and an end, as has always been the case. I am now nearly eighty years old, a high-ranking minister; having reached this point, what regrets could I possibly have? It is just because Your Majesty is in the prime of life, the enemies have not been eliminated, and the country's mountains and rivers have not been completely pacified, so my heart is filled with anxiety and frustration, leaving me restless. Although I do not know my fate, and I am old, the country's favor towards me is very special, granting me the title of Prince of Changsha. After my death, I wish to be buried in my homeland. My parents were buried in Xunyang before, where their tombs are located. I do not wish for them to be apart, so I have instructed court officials to manage the relocation of their graves, expecting it to be completed by autumn. When the time comes, I will personally go to receive their coffins, and after the burial is completed, I will retire. I did not expect my illness to worsen, and I can only lie in bed, overwhelmed with emotions that are difficult to articulate. I had thought before that as long as my health permitted, I wished to assist Your Majesty in pacifying Li Xiong in the west and conquering Shi Jilong in the north, which is why I sent Guanqiu Ao to Badong and Huan Xuan to Xiangyang. Regrettably, my grand ambitions remain unfulfilled, and I am on the verge of departing from this world! This position is related to internal and external security; therefore, I hope Your Majesty will promptly select my successor, and must choose a capable individual to carry on Your Majesty's grand vision and fulfill my wishes, so that even in death, I may live on through my legacy.
Your Majesty, while you are naturally wise and your talents continue to grow, the country faces many important matters that still require the assistance of the ministers. Lord Sima Dao is well-versed and has served three generations of emperors; Lord Sikong Jian is upright and honest, handling both internal and external affairs very well; General Pingxi Liang possesses a broad mind and exceptional talent, akin to the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao of the Zhou Dynasty. They provide counsel and strategies, refine governance, and bring peace to the realm, which is truly a blessing for the nation! I am now dispatching Left Chief Clerk Yin Xian with the flags, ceremonial items, the official attire of the Empress Dowager Diao Chan, the seal of the Grand Commandant, the seals of the Governors of Jingzhou and Jiangzhou, and other ceremonial items to convey my gratitude. We are immensely grateful for Your Majesty's grace, and our hearts are heavy with sorrow.
The next matter will be entrusted to Right Sima Wang Qi Qi. I will appoint him as the Commander-in-Chief to lead civil and military officials.
Lord Kan traveled by carriage to the ferry at Linjin, boarded a boat, and passed away the following day at Fanxi at the age of seventy-six. Emperor Cheng issued a decree stating: "The late Commander-in-Chief, Empress Dowager, Grand Commandant, and Governor of Jingjiang, Yongliang, Jiaoguang, and Yining, as well as Duke of Changsha, Lord Jing, was a man of noble character, extraordinary wisdom, and far-sighted strategies. He safeguarded the borders in foreign lands, stabilizing the eight states; he assisted me in the court, ensuring the tranquility of the royal family. He accomplished great merits akin to those of Huan Wen, and I relied on him significantly. I had hoped he would continue to contribute his talents and defend this solitary individual. I had intended to promote him to Grand Marshal and conduct a grand ceremony; however, before I could do so, he passed away unexpectedly, and I am profoundly saddened by this. I am now posthumously conferring upon him the title of Grand Marshal, granting him a seal made of honey wax, and offering sacrifices in his honor. If his soul in heaven is aware, it will surely find joy." He was posthumously honored with the title Duke Huan, and sacrifices were made with honey wax. Lord Kan's final wish was to be interred twenty miles south of the capital, and his former subordinates in Wuchang erected a stone monument bearing his likeness on the western side.
Tao Kan served in the army for forty-one years; he was a strong and resolute man, powerful and well-connected, with a clear mind and a knack for decision-making. From Nanling to Baidi City, a journey of thousands of miles, there wasn't a single theft reported along the way. During Su Jun's rebellion, Yu Liang recklessly deployed troops and ended up losing the battle. Yu Liang's Sima, Yin Rong, apologized to Tao Kan, saying, "General, this defeat was beyond our control." Later, General Wang Zhang also came and said, "This was my doing, General, and you were unaware." Tao Kan remarked, "Yin Rong was once a gentleman, while Wang Zhang was a rogue; now, however, Wang Zhang is the gentleman, and Yin Rong has become the rogue." Tao Kan was meticulous and cautious, had a penchant for getting to the bottom of things, somewhat like Zhao Guanghan. He once ordered each camp to plant willow trees, but Captain Xia Shi secretly transplanted the willow seedlings from the official residence to his own front yard. Later, Tao Kan noticed this, stopped his carriage, and asked, "These are the willow trees in front of Wuchang West Gate; how did you come to steal and plant them here?" Xia Shi, frightened, quickly confessed his wrongdoing.
At that time, there were many talented people in Wuchang, where Yin Hao and Yu Yi were serving in minor official positions. Tao Kan knew his limits when it came to drinking, often drinking happily but always stopped before he reached his limit. Yin Hao and others urged him to drink more, but Tao Kan stayed silent for a long time before saying, "When I was young, I got into trouble because of drinking. My late parents warned me about it, so I don't dare to drink excessively." Someone suggested stationing troops at Zhu City on the north bank. Tao Kan remained silent while they kept urging him. He crossed the river to go hunting and told his generals, "I chose this strategic spot to defend against the enemy because of the natural barrier provided by the Yangtze River. Zhu City is on the north bank, lacking internal support and bordering several tribes. The barbarians are driven by greed, and so are the people of the Jin Dynasty. If the barbarians can’t stand the oppression, it will surely attract invaders, and that's the root of the chaos. This isn’t the way to defend against outside threats. Besides, back in the Wu Kingdom days, it took thirty thousand troops to defend this city. Even if we station troops there now, it won't do Jiangnan any good. If the Jie people find an opening, this city won’t be of any use." Later, Yu Liang stationed troops at Zhu City, which ended in a disastrous defeat.
In his later years, Tao Kan wished to live a quiet life, stepping away from politics. A year before his death, he sought to resign from his official position and return to his hometown, but his subordinates earnestly urged him to remain. As he fell gravely ill and prepared to return to Changsha, all military supplies, equipment, livestock, and ships were registered and inventoried; the warehouses were sealed, and he personally locked them before handing everything over to Wang Qiqi. He then boarded the ship and departed. Both the court and the public regarded this as an exceptionally positive action. Just before leaving the mansion, he turned back and said to Wang Qiqi, "I'm leaving now; I entrust everything to you." The Minister of Personnel, Mei Tao, wrote to his relative Cao Shi, stating, "Tao Gong's talent and insight are comparable to those of Emperor Wei Wu, Cao Cao, while his loyalty and diligence surpass even Zhuge Liang and Lu Kang." Xie An frequently remarked, "While Tao Gong governs people through the law, he always grasps the deeper meanings beyond it." This is how Tao Kan earned the respect of the world.
However, Tao Kan had dozens of concubines living with him, thousands of slaves, and treasures as plentiful as those in a heavenly vault. It is said that when Tao Kan was young, he was fishing in Leize and caught a weaving shuttle. He hung it on the wall, and after a while, during a thunderstorm, it transformed into a dragon and flew away. He also dreamt that he had eight wings and flew up to the sky, seeing nine gates at Heaven's Gate. He had reached the eighth gate but couldn't enter the last one. The gatekeeper struck him with a stick, causing him to fall and break a wing. When he woke up, he still felt pain in his left armpit. He once saw a man in red clothing and a hat while he was in the restroom, respectfully telling him, "Because you are an elder, I have come to tell you. You will become a high-ranking official, overseeing eight provinces." A fortune teller named Shi Gui told Tao Kan, "There is a vertical line on your left middle finger, which means you will become a high-ranking official. If this line extends further up, your rank will be beyond measure." Tao Kan used a needle to pierce that line, causing it to bleed slightly. He splattered the blood onto the wall, forming the character "公" (public servant). He wiped his hands with a tissue, making the character more distinct. Later, he indeed became the governor of eight provinces, controlling a powerful army and nurturing ambitions of world domination. However, whenever he recalled the omen of his broken wing, he practiced self-restraint and avoided reckless actions. Old Mr. Kan had seventeen sons, but only Hong, Zhan, Xia, Qi, Bin, Cheng, Fan, and Dai are mentioned in historical records, while the others remain largely unknown.
His son Hong served as a counselor to the Prime Minister, but unfortunately died young. His other son Zhan, courtesy name Daozhen, showed great talent and ability from a young age. He served as the magistrate of Guangling County, the governor of Lujiang Commandery, and the governor of Jianchang Commandery. Later, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant and was granted the title of Marquis of Duting. Unfortunately, he was later killed by Su Jun and posthumously granted the title of Grand Herald, with the posthumous title of Prince Mindao. After his father's death, Xia was made the heir. When Kan's funeral was completed and they returned to Changsha, Xia, Bin, and Cheng, the three brothers, each raised thousands of soldiers and horses, planning to fight for power and profit. However, the fight did not happen, and the soldiers dispersed. Bin arrived in Changsha first and looted all the weapons and treasures from the treasury. After Xia arrived in Changsha, he killed Bin. Yu Liang submitted a memorial saying, "Although Bin was very wicked and deserved death, according to the court's regulations, personally executing one's own brother damages the bonds of family and shows no sympathy, and should be severely punished as a warning to others." Before Yu Liang's memorial reached the court, Xia died. The court issued an edict granting Zhan's son Hong the right to inherit Kan's title, and later he became the Grand Herald. After his death, his son Chuo succeeded to the title; after Chuo's death, his grandson Yanshou succeeded to the title. Later, during the Song Dynasty usurpation, the title was downgraded to Marquis of Wuchang, with a fief of five hundred households. His son Qi served as an advisor in the Ministry of Works. His other son Qi became Cavalier Attendant and was enfeoffed as Earl of Chenxian County. In the late Xianhe era, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant. This Qi had a notoriously violent disposition. After his death, his son Ding inherited the title; after Ding's death, his grandson Xi inherited the title; after Xi's death, his great-grandson Qian inherited the title. After the Song Dynasty usurpation, his title was also stripped. His son Bin served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Writing Office.
It is said that the man is named Cheng, holding numerous official titles, including East General Commander, Governor of Nanping, Colonel of Southern Barbarians, and an honorary title of General Jianwei. He has a notoriously fierce temper and has strained relationships with his brothers. In the fifth year of Xiankang, Yu Liang appointed him as the military commander over the three counties of Jianxia, Suiyi, and Yiyang, as well as General of Nan Commandery and magistrate of Jiangxia, and allowed him to lead two thousand troops. Upon arriving at Xiakou, he only brought two hundred men to see Yu Liang. Yu Liang summoned all his officials and publicly criticized Cheng for his past crimes. Cheng admitted his wrongdoings and was subsequently released. However, Yu Liang had him arrested right outside and executed. Yu Liang also submitted a memorial to the court, stating: "This Cheng is the grandson of Grand Marshal Wang Dao, through his son Wang Kan. After his father's death, he failed to observe the proper mourning rituals, spending his days drinking and coveting wealth and power, self-proclaiming as a military supervisor and arbitrarily summoning court officials to his military camp. Former General of Chariots and Cavalry Liu Hong's great-grandson An, as well as generals Yang Gong and Zhao Shao, were threatened by Cheng after offending him. An and Gong, fearing for their lives, committed suicide, while Zhao Shao committed suicide in prison. General Guo Kai accompanied Cheng to Changsha for the funeral, but Cheng suspected Guo Kai of conspiring with his brothers, so he bound Guo Kai, hung him from the mast of a ship, and pelted him with stones from a slingshot while sailing over twenty miles, with thousands of onlookers witnessing the shocking scene. He also secretly hoarded government troops, which was enough to warrant a death sentence. I hesitated to report him directly, but ultimately decided to remove him from his position as Grand Marshal. Cheng was arrogant and reckless, spouting nonsense fearlessly, even attempting to incite rebellion among the generals. The generals were too afraid to confront him, so his conspiracy has yet to be exposed. Considering Wang Kan's contributions to the court, I had been tolerating him and even promoted him to General of Nan Commandery in order to keep him close and under control. Unexpectedly, Cheng became increasingly wolf-like, speaking more outrageously, exhibiting extreme disloyalty and unfilial behavior. For the sake of the nation and its people, I had no choice but to take decisive measures and have him arrested and executed.
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Fan, with the greatest reputation, was appointed as Guanglu Xun in the early years of Taiyuan. Dai held the position of Sanqi Shilang. Zhen, styled Yanxia, was renowned for his bravery and strategic mind, and was made the Marquis of Dangyangting. During the Xianhe period, he served as the Governor of Nanjun, the Commander of the Southern Barbarian Scouts, and was posthumously honored with the title of General Who Pacifies the South, receiving the posthumous title of Su.
Zhen's younger brother, Tao Yu, who was Tao Kan's brother, was a formidable warrior, particularly skilled in battle. He climbed the ranks through his military accomplishments, eventually becoming the General of Wuwei. At first, a bandit leader named Zhang Yi emerged, originally from the Central Plains. During the Yuankang period, he was sent to fight in the west but chose to remain in Shu amidst the chaos. At this time, he led over three hundred households and intended to seek refuge with Du Tuo, but ended up being captured by Tao Kan.
His subordinates advised killing the young men under Zhang Yi and taking their wives and children as war trophies. However, Tao Yu said, "These people were originally soldiers of the court, who had fought in many battles. We can forgive them and recruit them to serve us." Tao Kan granted them amnesty and assigned them to Tao Yu. Later, Tao Kan faced Du Tuo in battle and was defeated. Du Tuo's army used fire rafts to sink the official ships, leading to panic among the ranks. Tao Yu led the charge, commanding a fleet of light boats to launch surprise attacks on the enemy from upstream, winning every battle.
Du Tuo then burned Tao Kan's supplies, but Tao Yu launched a fierce counterattack and defeated them. From then on, Tao Yu won every battle he fought. When the bandits saw Tao Yu's army, they would whisper to one another, "Run, Tao Wuwei is here!" No one dared to stand in their way. In a later confrontation with Du Tuo, Tao Yu was seriously injured and eventually died. Tao Kan was heartbroken, exclaiming, "I've lost my most treasured possession!" The entire army wept with him. The court posthumously honored Tao Yu with the title of Governor of Changsha.
It is said in historical records that in ancient times, the establishment of a country by wise rulers required dividing the territory into nine provinces. Then, wise ministers were appointed to assist, and opinions from officials from all regions were widely sought. This was the way to emulate the ancient sage kings, implement virtuous governance, ensure that laws and decrees were unimpeded, deter foreign powers, and standardize domestic etiquette. Appropriate appointments of talented individuals could create a lasting legacy, akin to the "Gantang" in the Book of Songs. However, appointing individuals of poor moral character would lead to resentment, much like that experienced by Chou Xiang. Yet, at that time, the court was complicated, obstacles were numerous, regional lords were in control, and the land was in chaos.
He Ji, driven by a sense of loyalty to his hometown, responded to Lu Wan's call and came to the south to serve as a local official, following Wu Qi's example in reforming and governing the region. From Youzhou to Jingzhou, he quickly quelled rebellions, promoted talented individuals, selected outstanding individuals, united the people and brought all ethnic groups under the authority of the court. The state capital was as tranquil as a calm lake in a stormy sea, while a hundred cities were peaceful like auspicious energy enveloping the entire world. Few officials governed as well as he did. The Book of Changes says, "Firmness and determination can accomplish great things," a sentiment validated by the Southern Expedition General. He Ji, born of humble origins and unfamiliar with the customs of the Central Plains, emerged from a remote region, rose to the ranks of outstanding officials, and eventually held high office with great authority.
He showed mercy to the border people, stabilizing the border cities so much that night patrols became unnecessary. He resigned to assist the monarch, restoring peace to the country. Yuan Gui, though of noble birth, showed him great respect; Mao Hong, though of high status, followed his advice. He Ji was highly esteemed and held a prominent position, which was only natural. However, as the situation in the country became turbulent, he, in charge of a prosperous region, harbored treacherous intentions and feared failure, revealing his inner contradictions. Confucius once said, "No one is perfect," and this proved true in his ultimate failure.
Praise: He Jicheng, established the Southern banner. Pacify the Jing region and promote prosperity in the Jiang estuary. Strive for the Heavenly Dynasty, never forget loyalty and integrity. Diligently supporting the king of Changsha, commanding troops on the battlefield. Accomplishing three tasks, promoting unity and justice. This gratitude carries significant weight.
