Book 70: Accounts of Historical Figures

Ying Zhan, styled Siyuan, was from Nandun in Runan and was the grandson of Ju, an attendant of the Wei state. Ying Zhan lost his father at a young age and was raised by his grandmother. When his grandmother passed away during his teens, he was so overwhelmed with grief that he could barely stand without a cane, which earned him a reputation for being exceptionally filial. Although his family was wealthy, he voluntarily entrusted the family estate to his relatives to manage, treating them as if they were his own family, and everyone thought he was special.

He became famous at a young age for his refined demeanor. Even when others offended him, he brushed it off, and he was praised for his knowledge, talent, and writing. When Situ Heshao saw him, he said, "He is truly a gentleman!" Initially, he was appointed by the court as an aide to the Crown Prince. Later, he was appointed as the Chief Clerk for the Eastern Expedition by Zhao Wang Lun. After Zhao Wang Lun was killed, Ying Zhan was implicated and subsequently dismissed. Chengdu Wang Ying invited him to serve as his advisor. At that time, Zhuge Mei, the Chief of Cavalry, helped Prince Yi of Changsha escape to Ye City and openly disparaged Prince Yi. Zhuge Mei was known for his flamboyance and impulsiveness, yet he was very eloquent, and people from Linzhang flocked to him. Having known Zhuge Mei previously, Ying Zhan sighed and remarked, "Mr. Zhuge, how can you be so different from Yue Yi!" In the end, Ying Zhan did not go to see Zhuge Mei, and Zhuge Mei felt deeply ashamed upon hearing this.

General Liu Hong, known as Zhen Nan, was Ying Zhan's uncle, and he appointed Ying Zhan as his Chief Clerk, saying, "You possess remarkable insight, and you are destined to become a master in the Jingnan region!" He entrusted him with all military and political matters. Liu Hong's accomplishments in Hannan were closely tied to Ying Zhan's contributions. Eventually, Ying Zhan was promoted to Prefect of Nanping.

Wang Cheng became the Governor of Jingzhou, entrusting Zhan Pu with temporary command of military affairs in the counties of Nanping, Tianmen, and Wuling. When the city of Luoyang fell, Zhan Pu was so anxious that he rolled up his sleeves and pleaded tearfully, urging Wang Cheng to go for rescue. Wang Cheng then asked Zhan Pu to draft a proclamation, and Zhan Pu quickly penned it in a stirring and impassioned style that moved everyone who read it, but ultimately, they did not go. The local tribes in Tianmen and Wuling revolted, and Zhan Pu led his troops to quell the uprising and bring them to heel. At that time, the imperial commands were in disarray, and tribes across the regions were voicing their grievances, discussing rebellion together. Zhan Pu called the tribal leaders, smashed the bronze treaty before everyone, and renewed their vows with them. From then on, the tribes all came to trust him, and many counties enjoyed peace. Later, when the world was in turmoil, the territories under Zhan Pu's command remained tranquil, and the common folk sang his praises: "In the midst of the world's chaos, the people are displaced and wretched like ashes. We are fortunate to have been spared, all thanks to your protection. You are as resilient as the pines and cypresses in winter, standing guard over this land alone. You saved us from disaster, and your kindness reaches far across hills and fields. Your kindness is as vast as the rivers and seas, as deep as a parent's love."

General Zhennan temporarily entrusted General Shan Jian and let Zhan Pu take military command of five counties. By chance, bandits in Shu territory led by Du Chou rebelled and attacked the counties under Zhan Pu's jurisdiction. Zhan Pu valiantly resisted and defeated them. Later, he and Tao Kan together defeated Du Tao in Changsha. The enemy's treasures of gold and silver were heaped high, but Zhan Pu took none, only accepting a few books. Everyone greatly admired him. Emperor Yuan appointed Zhan Pu as General Jianwu, and Wang Dun appointed him to oversee military affairs in five counties in Badong, granting him the title of Marquis of Yingyang. Wang Chong of Chendi marched his troops against Jingzhou and, hearing of Zhan Pu's good reputation, wanted him to be governor. Zhan Pu felt that Wang Chong and his men were unreliable, so he refused and returned to Nanping County. Wang Chong bore him no resentment. This is how he won the people's affection. Later, Zhan Pu was transferred to Yizhou as governor and also served as commander in Badong. When Zhan Pu departed from Yizhou, the people clung to his carriage, weeping and unwilling to say goodbye, as if parting from their own kin. I met him; he was the Rear General. He wrote to the emperor, submitting his proposals, saying: "In ancient times, wise kings established official positions, maintaining the noble status of the monarch and the humble status of the subjects, without sudden whims from above or ambitious desires from below. Since the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, the abolition of vassals and the establishment of county governors have been replaced by the lowest ranks, causing the complete breakdown of order. After the rise of the Han Dynasty, although the old system was not fully restored, some vassals and county governors were still appointed, allowing the country to prosper for centuries, almost rivaling the golden ages of ancient times. After the great chaos, the system needs to be reestablished. We should take this opportunity to reform the laws and regulations, first honoring those meritorious and virtuous heroes, allowing them to be ennobled and appointed, so that the virtuous social atmosphere can match the times of Tang, Yao, and Shun."

He said, "Human nature is similar, but habits differ greatly. The educational environment should carefully select positive influences. During the Zhengshi era of Emperor Wen of Wei, literary culture thrived, and talented individuals emerged. By the Yuankang period, Confucian classics were undervalued, while Daoist philosophy gained favor. The esoteric and unrestrained were regarded as enlightened, while Confucian integrity was seen as vulgar. The turmoil of the Yongjia period may have resulted from this. Although there are Confucian officials now, education is still not perfect, which is not an effective way to nurture talent and instill adherence to norms. We should establish the Biyong Academy, emphasize education on Confucian classics, and first, we should ensure that the students of the Imperial Academy receive quality education. Then, the emperor and crown prince should personally participate in sacrificial ceremonies. This way, people all over the world will respect morality, and the citizens will be able to discern right from wrong." Emperor Yuan highly valued his ability and seriously adopted his suggestions.

After a while, he was appointed as the Interior Minister of Wu but was later dismissed due to administrative matters. General Liu Wei assigned him as a military officer at the border. He was later promoted to Cavalry Commandant and eventually to the position of Palace Attendant. Knowing that Wang Dun was becoming powerful and establishing his own influence, he casually composed poetry and essays, keeping his opinions to himself.

When Wang Dun revolted, Emperor Ming inquired how to respond. He firmly and passionately advised, "Your Majesty should show your authority, and we, your subjects, will surely charge into battle. I hope that, with the blessings of our ancestors, we can resolve this without conflict. Otherwise, the royal family is in danger!" The emperor appointed him as the Commander of the Vanguard, General of the Guard, and granted him a false title, tasked with the defense south of Zhuque Bridge. The rebels crossed the Yangtze River at Zhuge Crossing, but he and General Jianwei Zhao Yin successfully defeated them, killing the rebel leader Du Fa along with thousands of his men.

After the rebellion was quelled, Zhan was appointed Marquis of Guanyang, with a fief of 1,600 households and rewarded with 5,000 bolts of silk. He submitted a letter of thanks, saying: "I have heard that only those who have great merits in founding a country and restoring its territory should be rewarded with titles. Although I have only held a minor official position, I have neither outstanding strategies nor hard-won military achievements. My humble status and close relationship with the emperor are the only reasons I have been entrusted with such important responsibilities. I humbly request that Your Majesty revoke the reward and allow me to continue serving as a minor official." The emperor did not acquiesce. Later, he was appointed as Imperial Commissioner, Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Jiangzhou, General Who Pacifies the South, and Governor of Jiangzhou. As Zhan was about to take office, he submitted another letter stating:

If you want everyone in the world to contribute their wisdom and talents, the best way is to make them believe in you. Shang Yang's act of moving the trees—can this really be seen as adhering to ritual and law? Of course not! But it has its reasons for success. Since the country has been abandoned and in ruins, the laws have been corrupted, the spirit of integrity has vanished, and those bad habits still exist; they should be cleansed in the waters of the Canglang River and filtered through a vast net, in order to distinguish between good and bad and make the country stable and united. To accomplish this important task, the key lies in the officials. Currently, officials in various regions are disorganized; those who rise to power through connections lack responsibility and only focus on showing off their talents, so the selection of talents is lacking precision and administrative affairs often go wrong. Now, when employing people, it should be based on their abilities, and those who recommend them should share the responsibility for rewards or punishments, so that people will be cautious in their recommendations and officials will not be perfunctory. In the past, when Ji Que made a significant contribution, Xu Chen was rewarded; when Ziyu lost a battle, Ziwen faced punishment from Jia. This is how it was done in ancient times, and it should be done now. During the Han Dynasty, the governor inspected the local areas, reported on political matters while riding in a postal carriage, and still felt that officials were not being thoroughly examined, so they established the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The current situation is even worse than before, so officials such as the Yellow Gate, scattered riders, and the Secretariat should be dispatched to inspect the country, assess gains and losses, commend the good, impeach the bad, and put an end to reckless behavior. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, officials with the rank of two thousand stones who performed remarkably during their tenure could be promoted to public ministers; those who were incompetent and dismissed would return to the ranks of common people. A clear system of rewards and punishments is what allows the country to maintain lasting peace. Since Emperor Xuan of Han, promotions no longer suffice to motivate people, and dismissals are no longer enough to make people afraid. Some people become frustrated after being promoted, while others benefit from being demoted. Even if the position is good, demotions are only based on qualifications; even if they perform poorly during their tenure, their reputation will determine their position. They are judged by how many beautiful words they say, rather than how many practical things they do. I see little effect from this requirement on officials. Now we should restore a strict demotion system, where officials of the rank of two thousand stones cannot be reappointed for three years after dismissal, chamberlains after six years, household taxes halved, and travel distances doubled. If this system is strictly enforced and everyone knows that being an official is not easy, while losing an official position is very easy, then everyone will surely take their duties seriously, and there will be no lazy officials in the court. Commanders can levy taxes on twenty acres of land, states ten acres, counties five acres, and districts three acres. These taxes should be collected from civil and military officials, doctors, and fortune tellers, without disturbing the people. The Three Departments and Nine Ministries, as well as the internal and external armies, should all engage in agricultural production whenever feasible. Those involved in speculative businesses and idle wanderers should be restricted; with diligent farming, a bountiful harvest is guaranteed. Finally, increase officials' salaries so their income can adequately replace farming.

After the recent major events, people all over the world are looking forward to the court's grand plans, but there has been no movement so far. There should be a quick revitalization of the rules and regulations and the establishment of a good social atmosphere. It is said that Wang Dun had just pacified the rebellion not long ago, and the common people were still anxious, but Zhan Fu managed to calm their fears, and everyone was satisfied with him. Everyone was very grateful to him. When he was seriously ill, he wrote a letter to Tao Kan, saying, "Every time I think of our secret plan, entering the Xiang River from the Mian River, that friendship is like glue sticking together, unbreakable, as strong as gold! You went south and I went east, and in the blink of an eye, ten years have passed. In these ten years, how many things have we experienced! You have made great achievements in the south, and then returned to guard the old Chu. As for me, I was fortunate enough to meet you and came to this state to serve as an official. I thought I could work with you wholeheartedly to assist the court, repay the kindness of the young emperor, and continue our years of friendship after retirement, continuing this lingering friendship. Little did I know that things wouldn’t go as planned, and I am about to go to the afterlife, never to see you again. How can I not feel sad and regretful! The country is not yet completely unified, and warfare continues to rage in various regions. You are old and highly respected, with remarkable achievements, and you should work hard to contribute to the country. Even if you retire, you cannot truly rest. You must be fair and humble, so that heaven will bless you and everything will go smoothly. When a person is about to die, what they say is sincere. Please understand my sincerity!" Zhan Fu passed away in the sixth year of Xianhe, at the age of fifty-three. The court posthumously appointed him as General of Zhennan and Yitong San Si, conferred him the posthumous title of "Lie," and held a solemn sacrifice in his honor. His son Zhan Xuan inherited his title and eventually rose to the position of Sanqi Shilang. Zhan Dan, Zhan Xuan's younger brother, was very talented and served as the governor of six counties and the General of Longxiang successively. He was posthumously appointed as the Inspector of Jizhou after his death.

At first, Wei Hong, a resident of Jingzhao, encountered war and famine, and all his relatives and friends died of hunger and disease. He ran to Luoyang and heard that a certain man named Zhan was very famous, so he went to him. Mr. Zhan and he shared both joys and hardships, and their feelings were like brothers. Wei Hong followed Mr. Zhan for several years, and even helped him find a wife and acquire property. Later, Mr. Zhan recommended Wei Hong to Emperor Yuan, saying, "Since the war broke out, many people have changed. There are very few who can live in poverty and adhere to their principles. I have found Wei Hong, who is 38 years old and goes by the courtesy name Yuanliang, honest, upright, and well-rounded in talent and knowledge. He tends to his own farm, never bothers anyone, is quiet and reserved, and stays out of politics. A few years ago, he came to me, experienced war, lost all his property, lived alone, wore coarse clothes, ate wild vegetables, and lived a difficult life, but he always maintained noble character, never associating with people of questionable character. As Yan Hui once said, 'one should not change their joy,' and Wei Hong has achieved this. You support the emperor in ruling the country, open channels for discussion, recruit talent in the capital and search for it in remote areas. Wei Hong is like an uncut gem on Jing Mountain, still waiting to be discovered. If you can summon him to the court as an official and appoint him to a position, he will surely help you govern the country effectively." After Emperor Yuan listened, he summoned Wei Hong to the court as an official. Later, Wei Hong rose to the position of magistrate. Because he received great kindness from Mr. Zhan, after Mr. Zhan's passing, Wei Hong put on his friend's mourning clothes, wept at his grave all night, and emulated the stories of Cheng Ying and Chu Ju, mourning Mr. Zhan for the rest of his days.

Gan Zhuo, courtesy name Ji Si, hailed from Danyang and was a descendant of Gan Mao, the Prime Minister of the Qin Dynasty. His great-grandfather Gan Ning was a general of the State of Wu; his grandfather Gan Shu served as a Minister in Wu; his father Gan Chang held the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After the fall of Wu, Gan Zhuo retired and lived his own life. Later, he was appointed as the registrar and magistrate in his county, recognized for his filial piety and integrity, recommended as a scholar by the province, and eventually became an attendant to the King of Wu. He participated in the campaign against Shi Bing and was granted the title of Duting Marquis for his achievements. The Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, then recruited him as an army officer, and later transferred him to Lihuxian as the county magistrate.

Seeing the chaos in the world, Gan Zhuo resigned and returned home. When he arrived in Liyang, he encountered Chen Min. Chen Min held him in high regard, and they discussed how to expand their influence. They arranged a marriage between their daughters, forming a close relationship and supporting each other. Later, Zhou Ji rebelled and sent Qian Guang to attack Chen Min's brother, Chen Chang. Chen Min sent Gan Zhuo to fight Qian Guang, and Gan Zhuo's army camped south of Zhuque Bridge. Qian Guang killed Chen Chang, and Zhou Ji, together with Gu Rong, the Governor of Danyang, persuaded Gan Zhuo. Gan Zhuo, who had always respected Gu Rong and feared for his safety after Chen Chang's death, hesitated before agreeing. He pretended to be ill and brought his daughter back home, had the bridge severed, retrieved the boats on the south bank, and together with Gu Rong, eliminated Chen Min, delivering Chen Min's head to the capital.

Emperor Yuan of Jin appointed Gan Zhuo as the Commander of the Vanguard, General of Yangwei, and the Intendant of Liyang as soon as he crossed the Yangtze River. He was later tasked with suppressing Zhou Fu and Du Tuo, participating in numerous fierce battles and capturing a significant number of enemies. For his military achievements, he was granted the title of Nanxiang Marquis and promoted to Governor of Yuzhang. Shortly after, he was further promoted to the Governor of Xiangzhou, retaining his military position. Ultimately, he was ennobled as the Yuhu Marquis.

During the early period of the Southern Dynasties, due to ongoing border conflicts, schools were abandoned and the imperial court temporarily suspended the examination for filial piety and integrity. However, the scholar examinations continued as usual. A man named Zhuo submitted a memorial to the court, suggesting improvements to the examination system. Examiners must be well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, be knowledgeable about political systems, and draw knowledge from a vast amount of classical texts in order to be competent in selecting talents. He pointed out that in his province, due to the ongoing chaos of war, schools had long been non-functional and talents had scattered, which was different from other provinces. Since the scholar examination should assess academic knowledge, he proposed that a time limit should be set for the examination, similar to the filial piety and integrity examination. His memorial was submitted, but not approved by the court.

Zhuo secretly came up with a plan and strongly recommended Gu Jian from Guiyang to participate in the scholar examination. Gu Jian declined several times, but Zhuo insisted on sending him for the examination and even gave him many gifts. When scholars from other provinces heard about the examination, they were afraid of failing and did not show up, leaving Gu Jian as the only candidate at the provincial capital. As a result, the scholar examination was not carried out as intended, and Gu Jian was directly admitted. Feeling ashamed of the lack of talent in his province, Gu Jian voluntarily requested to take the examination and passed with top marks, being appointed as a Zhonglang. Gu Jian had aspirations and integrity from a young age, living a simple life and relying on his own efforts to extensively study classical texts. Despite the desolation and scarcity of books in the southern region at the time, Gu Jian could not travel far to seek teachers or make friends, so he dedicated himself to studying at home. Although he was knowledgeable, he was not well-known and remained humble, not seeking promotion or wealth. Eventually, he returned to his hometown, living a quiet life in retirement, and passed away peacefully at home.

Later, Zhuo was later promoted to General of Annan and Governor of Liangzhou, and was also granted the authority to command the troops in the northern region of Mian, stationed in Xiangyang. Zhuo had a gentle exterior but a strong will beneath. He governed simply and benevolently, and was adept at pacifying the people. He abolished all harsh taxes and eliminated market manipulation that inflated prices. In the past, all fish ponds in Liangzhou were subject to taxation, but Zhuo renounced this revenue and distributed the fish ponds among the poor, earning the praise of the people in the western region for his benevolent policies.

Wang Dun rebelled and notified Huan Wen (Zhuo), the Governor of Jingzhou. Huan Wen appeared to agree but did not genuinely approve. When Wang Dun boarded the ship, Huan Wen failed to attend the meeting and instead sent his officer Sun Shuang to dissuade Wang Dun from rebelling. After hearing Sun Shuang's words, Wang Dun was taken aback and said, "Marquis Gan (Huan Wen) didn't say this to me before, why the sudden change? Is he worried that I will pose a threat to the court? I only want to rid the world of evil! Tell him that once I succeed, I will make him a duke." Sun Shuang relayed the message to Huan Wen, who remained uncertain.

Some people suggested that Huan Wen should pretend to agree with Wang Dun first and then attack him when Wang Dun arrived in the capital. Huan Wen said, "When Chen Min rebelled before, I also pretended to go along at first and then figured out a way to deal with him. As a result, people said I was acting out of fear. Even though that wasn't my intention, it definitely looked that way. I have always felt guilty about it. If I were to do the same thing now, who would understand me?" At this time, the Governor of Xiangzhou, Prince Qiao, sent his chief clerk Deng Qian to persuade Huan Wen, saying, "Although Liu Wei has power, he has not harmed the world. The Grand General (Wang Dun) has rebelled out of personal grudges. Although he claims to be suppressing traitors, he has actually lost the support of the people. This is a perfect chance for loyal subjects to step up for the state. In ancient times, even a commoner like Lu Zhonglian had the courage to die for his beliefs. How much more should someone like you, who is a regional governor and whose fate is tied to the country, have such ambition! If you follow the will of the people and emulate Duke Huan's execution of traitors, eliminate the rebels with righteousness, and lead the loyal soldiers to defend the king diligently, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance that you can't afford to miss!"

Huan Wen smiled and said, "I cannot do what Duke Huan did. As for my desire to do my best to help the country through its crisis, we should have a good discussion about it." Lieutenant Li Liang persuaded Huan Wen, saying, "In the past, Wei Xiao caused chaos in Longyou, and Dou Rong protected Hexi and submitted to Emperor Guangwu. Today's situation is very similar to that. General, you have a great reputation throughout the country. As long as you hold your ground and observe quietly, it will be fine. If the Grand Marshal (Wang Dun) wins, the court will surely promote you to a significant position; if the Grand Marshal loses, the court will certainly allow you to take over his position. Why fret about missing out on wealth and glory and give up this opportunity to ensure victory, relying on one battle for survival?" Deng Qian said to Li Liang, "When Emperor Guangwu was establishing his reign, the country had not yet been pacified, so Wei Xiao occupied Longyou and Dou Rong occupied Hexi, each holding their own territory and forming a situation of three-legged balance, allowing them to submit to Emperor Guangwu and watch calmly. After the country was pacified, the relationship between the ruler and his subjects stabilized, Longyou was eventually pacified, and Hexi also submitted to the court. Why? Because their previous submission was not morally sound. General, your position in the court is not like Dou Rong's. Xiangyang is not as easy to defend as Hexi. Furthermore, how can a subject stand by while the country is in trouble without doing everything he can? How can he bow to the Emperor? If the Grand Marshal (Wang Dun) pacifies Liu Wei, returns to Wuchang, strengthens the defense of Shicheng, and cuts off the grain route between Jingzhou and Xiangzhou, where can you escape to, General? The situation is out of your control, yet claiming to be in a strong position, I've never heard of anything like that!"

Huan Wen was still hesitating, and Deng Qian said again: "Now, if we do not take righteous action and do not accept the General's call to arms, this will inevitably lead to disaster. This is obvious to both fools and wise men. Furthermore, those who oppose us say that we are weaker than the enemy, but they fail to grasp the reality of the situation. Currently, the General's forces number just over ten thousand, with less than five thousand troops stationed here, while your forces are more than twice theirs. Your reputation is well-known, and the Xiangyang army is an elite, undefeated force. With your powerful army and renowned reputation, leading the troops to march out, how could Wang Han, one of Wang Dun's generals, possibly stand against you! Even the upstream troops are struggling to defend themselves, so when you lead the troops to Wuchang, it will be as easy as cutting through dry twigs, so what is there to worry about! After capturing Wuchang, with the troops there, pacify the two provinces, show kindness to the soldiers, and make the surrendering people feel at home, just as Lu Meng did when he defeated the enemy. In this way, the General will see his forces crumble without a fight. Now, giving up a surefire strategy, sitting back and waiting for danger and destruction, this is simply an unthinkable strategy! I hope the General will think this over carefully."

At that time, Liu Yao felt that Shi Le would not easily attack him, but he was worried about future changes, so he sent the military officer Le Daorong to persuade Shi Le to join him. Le Daorong originally wanted to betray Liu Yao, so he advised Shi Le to take the opportunity to attack Liu Yao. This event is documented in "The Biography of Le Daorong." Shi Le originally did not want to listen to Liu Yao, but after hearing Le Daorong's words, he readily replied, "That was my plan all along!" So, he and the Ba Dong military supervisor Liu Chun, the Nanping governor Xiahou Cheng, the Yidu governor Tan Gai, and more than ten other people publicly issued a proclamation detailing Liu Yao's crimes, leading an army to confront him. He also sent military officers Sima Zan and Sun Shuang to inform the court, sent military officer Luo Ying to Guangzhou to agree on the timing of action with Tao Kan, and sent military officers Deng Qian and Yu Chong to Changsha, ordering Prince Qiao to defend the city. General Dairuo Si was in Jiangxi and received Shi Le's letter first, reporting to the court, and the court officials cheered, "Long live!" When the people of Wuchang City learned that Shi Le's army was approaching, they panicked and fled. The court issued a decree appointing Shi Le as the Grand General of Zhennan, as well as the attendant and commander of military affairs in Jingliang, while maintaining his position as governor of Jingzhou and Liangzhou. Upon receiving Shi Le's letter, Tao Kan quickly dispatched military officer Gao Bao to lead the troops south.

Although Zhuo Wenjun had justice in her heart, she lacked decisiveness, and as she grew older, she became more suspicious and indecisive. The army stationed at Zhukou had not moved for over ten days. Shi Chong was very afraid, so he sent her nephew to seek peace with her. Shi Chong said, "What you are doing is completely the duty of a minister, and I will not blame you. My family is in a desperate situation and we have no choice but to do this. I hope you can withdraw your troops back to Xiangyang immediately, and we can mend our relationship later." At that time, the imperial forces had suffered a defeat, and Shi Chong requested to use the imperial Zouyu banner to stabilize Zhuo Wenjun. Zhuo Wenjun heard that Zhou Yi and Dai Ruosi were killed, and wept to her nephew, "What I feared has come to pass today. Every time I received a letter from the court, it only mentioned the invasion of the barbarians, but I never expected a palace coup to happen. If the Emperor and Crown Prince are safe, I cannot risk jeopardizing the state by remaining upstream of Shi Chong. If I were to directly occupy Wuchang while Shi Chong's power looms closer, he would likely take the Emperor hostage, extinguishing the people's hope. It’s wiser to retreat to Xiangyang and devise a new strategy." So she ordered the troops to withdraw.

Colonel Qin Kang advised Zhuo Wenjun, saying: "It is not difficult to divide the troops and attack Shi Chong now. As long as we cut off the road to Pengze, they will not be able to support each other, and they will naturally disperse. We can capture them in one battle. General, since you have a heart of loyalty and righteousness, but abandon it halfway, you will end up as a defeated general. I am afraid your subordinates will also request to return west and will not be able to hold on." Zhuo Wenjun did not follow his advice. Le Daorong also urged Zhuo Wenjun day and night to attack quickly. Zhuo Wenjun, who was originally gentle in nature, suddenly became stubborn and returned directly to Xiangyang. She was restless and uneasy, her behavior was abnormal; she couldn’t see her own reflection in the mirror, and when she looked at the trees in the courtyard, it felt as if her head was up there among the branches, which left her feeling deeply unsettled. The golden cabinet in her house emitted a sound, crisp and mournful, reminiscent of a mirror being struck. The shaman said, "The golden cabinet is about to leave its owner, so it is crying." Registrar He Wuji and his family also urged her to stay vigilant. Zhuo Wenjun grew increasingly irritable and would lash out at any advice given. She was preoccupied with assigning soldiers to agricultural tasks, leaving her completely unguarded. The officer Rong Jian strongly advised her, but she did not listen. The magistrate of Xiangyang, Zhou Lv, and others secretly followed Shi Chong's instructions, knowing that Zhuo Wenjun was defenseless. They falsely claimed that there were many fish in the lake, persuaded Zhuo Wenjun to let everyone go fishing, and then they attacked and killed Zhuo Wenjun in her bedchamber, sending her severed head to Shi Chong. Her four sons, including Fan, a San Qilang, were also murdered. During the Taiping era, she was posthumously honored with the title of General of the Valiant Cavalry and posthumously given the title of Jing. Deng Qian, styled Changzhen, was from Changsha. He had aspirations from a young age, and the people in his village respected him. He always treated people sincerely, lived uprightly, and even in many difficult moments, he could maintain his original intentions.

Later, King Qiao was appointed as the governor and made chief clerk, while Gan Zhuo was also promoted. Gan Zhuo wanted to work with him, but Deng Qian declined Gan Zhuo's offer to work together, as he needed to care for his elderly mother. Eventually, King Qiao was defeated by Wei Yi. Wei Yi suspected that the Yu Kui brothers were in league with King Qiao, so he had them all executed and urgently sought out Deng Qian. The villagers were concerned for him, but Deng Qian just smiled and said, "He just wants to use me. He has just obtained the state and county, killed many loyalists, it is his time to seek talent, how could he punish me for doing what I did!" So he went to pay a visit to Wei Yi. Wei Yi was delighted and exclaimed, "You are truly the ancient Jie Yang!" He appointed him as his deputy. Deng Qian was known for his integrity, loyalty, broad knowledge, open-mindedness, and ability to connect with others. As time went on, people grew to respect him more. The Grand Commandant Yu Liang praised him as an elder. He served successively as the governor of Wuling and Shixing, before being promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, and ultimately passed away while in office.

Bian Hong, courtesy name Wangzhi, was a man from Jiyin known for his grievances. His ancestor Bian Tong had served as the Governor of Langye. His father, Bian Cui, was renowned for his integrity, keen insight, and fairness. All six of his brothers held important positions in the court, and they were praised by the people as the "Six Dragons of the Bian Family, unmatched in virtue." "Xuanren" was Bian Cui's courtesy name. His younger brother, Bian Pou, had offended the county magistrate, who angrily revealed their family's private matters. Bian Cui was then criticized for not disciplining his son properly, leading to years of unjust blame. In the early years of Emperor Hui's reign, Bian Cui became a Gentleman of the Secretary of State. During the rule of Yang Jun, many people flattered and fawned over him, but Bian Cui stood firm and incorruptible. After Yang Jun was executed, Bian Cui was granted the title Chengyangzi and later rose to the position of Right General. Following the death of Zhang Hua, who was Bian Cui's son-in-law, Bian Cui was removed from office. When Prince Jiong of Qi took over the government, Bian Cui was appointed as a Palace Attendant and Minister of the Central Secretariat, and he was further ennobled as a Duke. However, when Prince Yi of Changsha gained power, Bian Cui stood steadfastly in court, which provoked Yi's jealousy and malicious intent towards him. Initially, when Bian Cui visited the restroom, he noticed something resembling two eyes, and shortly thereafter, he started to feel ill.

Xie Han was already quite renowned at a young age. He was invited by the governors of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, as well as Prince Qi Jiong, to take on official roles, but he declined. Later, when a family matter arose, he returned to his hometown. During the Yongjia period, he was appointed as an Official of the Imperial Library and also inherited his father's title. General Zhou Fu invited him to serve as an Attendant Gentleman, but he declined once again. When his hometown was in distress, he went to Pei Dun, the Governor of Xuzhou, who recommended Xie Han to be the county magistrate of Guangling. When Emperor Yuan stationed in Jianye, he summoned Xie Han to serve as an Attendant Gentleman, tasked with talent selection. Emperor Yuan held him in high regard. Later, he was assigned to a mission as the Chief Clerk of the Eastern Palace under Emperor Ming. After the death of his stepmother and her burial, the court reinstated his position, but he continuously declined to accept it. Emperor Yuan sent envoys to compel him to assume the position, so Xie Han submitted a memorial to explain his stance:

I am naturally introverted and not very sociable. I withdrew to pursue my own aspirations and to serve my family well. My father used to be the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. At that time, because of my prominent family background, many people actively invited me to become an official. However, I held firm to my beliefs and did not readily accept. Later, my family fell into misfortune, and I had to flee and change my identity to survive. I always had my own intentions. Later, the situation grew dire, and I found myself in Lanling. Guo Xi invited me to become an official, but I was afraid of being forced, so I sought refuge with Pei Dun in Xuzhou. Later, I secured a nominal position and wanted to stay in the county temporarily to find a place to settle. Soon I was summoned and became a langzhong. I am not driven by wealth and glory; I simply wish to fulfill my aspirations, temporarily obey the court's orders, and then request to resign. Later, when the incident involving Hua Yi occurred (referring to the Hua Yi Rebellion), I did not dare to express my thoughts to the court. After Hua Yi was killed, I fell ill. I reported my situation to the court, but have not yet received approval. When the Crown Prince marched north, there was a need for esteemed talents. Although I had no merit, I was appointed as an aide to the marshal. While I was honored, it was never my intention. However, due to the heavy responsibility, I did not dare to refuse. I learned that the West Bureau intended to appoint me as a court gentleman. In fact, I hoped to use this opportunity to sidestep an official career. Before I could share my thoughts, I unexpectedly passed away, which is truly unfortunate.

When I was nine years old, because my family was poor, my uncle's children looked down on me, and I was lonely and destitute. At the age of twelve, thanks to my stepmother Mrs. Zhang adopting me, I was able to live. I come from a humble background and lack the ability to bring honor to my family. My family often had no money, life was very difficult, and I have not experienced much happiness. I couldn't even fulfill basic etiquette, and I have always felt guilty in my heart, feeling physical discomfort. I have not made any great contributions to the country; I have tried my best for my family, but it is still very difficult. I truly cannot seek wealth and glory. If I were to be removed from my position, there could be danger in the Jiangbei region. I have still made contributions in recent years, and I really cannot only consider personal safety. Now the Eastern Commandant is so outstanding, with exceptional abilities, the military officers and advisors are all dedicated to serving the court. Whether I stay or leave, it has no impact on the overall situation. Individuals such as He Xun, Xie Duan, Gu Jing, Ding Chen, and Fu Xi have gained the emperor's favor, enjoying wealth and glory at home. I have served the court for five years, and although my contributions are not particularly notable, I have always been diligent, loyal, and obedient. Why can't the emperor empathize with my lonely and helpless situation? When the emperor saw me speak so sorrowfully, he did not force me.

After my mourning period ended, I became the crown prince's teacher. I served as a teacher and assistant, wholeheartedly assisting the crown prince, and the entire Eastern Palace held me in high regard. After the founding of the country, I was appointed as the Crown Prince's Middle Privy Counselor, then promoted to Cavalier In Regular Attendance, lecturing in the Eastern Palace. Later, I was promoted to the Prince's Consultant, and due to my heavy official duties, I requested to step down. Shortly after, I was reinstated and reassigned as the Chief Censor. I have remained loyal to my duties, and the powerful respect me while keeping their distance.

After the death of the stepmother of Huainan Xiao Zhongzheng Wang's former husband, she married his father. After his father passed away and after the mourning period was over, she wished to return to her first husband's family. Her first husband's family had a stepson who took care of her until she grew old, and eventually laid her to rest alongside her first husband. Huainan Xiao Zhongzheng Wang remarked, "Before my father died, my mother expressed a desire to leave, and my father consented." Thus, Huainan Xiao Zhongzheng Wang arranged mourning clothes for her.

The statement made by Kong Zoushang: "Even if Wangshi's father agreed to the arrangement on his deathbed, we must still adhere to propriety. There is no basis in the rituals for this. If there truly was a testament, it should adhere to the seven stipulations. At that time, he should have divorced his wife, as it is inappropriate for a wife who has severed ties to remain at home in mourning. If Wangshi's father was not in his right mind before passing away and allowed her to decide whether to stay or leave, it would certainly be a private violation of ritual. This would leave her homeless in life and unburied in death. Wangshi should use ritual to rectify her situation. Wei Ke disregarded his father's misguided orders, and Chen Qian previously wanted two maids to be buried with him, but his son refused due to violating ritual. Both the "Spring and Autumn Annals" and the "Book of Rites" praised them. Even concubines and serving maids should be handled according to ritual, let alone her mother! Wangshi's stepmother served her late husband before and after his death, and is not a wife who has severed ties. Mourning for her husband does not violate the principles of widowhood. She claims to be observing widowhood, not remarrying. The severance of ties should come after the husband's death. After her husband's death, she went to her former husband's home, choosing to leave her son and abandoning him. This situation left her without a home in life or a grave in death. By entrusting her fate to another family, she ended up buried in an unmarked grave. If she had died at Wangshi's home after his father's death, it would not be considered leaving her son. A promise made on one's deathbed is merely words. Thinking that the mother only left her son's home after living with him until death does not count as leaving her son. This constitutes severing ties between two families, deciding to leave based on subjective interpretation. Besides Wangshi, who else can make the decision to sever ties? Assuming that the children of both families are the mother's own, if the mother misses her former husband's children and wants to leave and sever ties, showing disrespect to the latter family, and returning to the former husband's family, showing disrespect to the former husband's family, she cannot leave or return, then she becomes a homeless person. Wangshi should strive to persuade at home and prevent interference from outside, to avoid such a situation. How can one neglect filial piety among close relatives yet be so particular about rituals concerning a stepmother? The stepmother is like a mother; this is the teaching of the sages. Wangshi is a pillar of the country, but he violated ritual and ethics at home. Such a thing has never occurred throughout history. He did not fulfill his duty to remember his deceased father, nor did he show filial piety to his mother. Allowing her to choose whether to remain alive and be buried like a stranger after death, it can be said that he did not observe ritual in life or death. This undermines social integrity, and he should be barred from holding any position concerning human relations."

The Attendant of the Imperial Court, the Minister of State, and the Duke of Lin Ying, all promoters of the Five Classics, should have led by example. However, they turned a blind eye to violations of etiquette and rites, without punishing them. The Grand Administrator of Yangzhou, the Attendant of the Imperial Court, and the Marquis of Pingwangting, Ye, the Grand Administrator of Huainan, and the Cavalry Attendant, Hong, all openly expressed their opinions, and both the court and the public trusted them. However, they were unable to hold them accountable for their actions according to the rules of etiquette and rites, and promote the teachings of filial piety. They were all incompetent in their positions. I request the dismissal of Zu, Ye, and Hong from their official positions, the reduction of their titles and fiefs, and the court should hold them accountable for their actions." After the memorial was presented, the Emperor granted clemency to Zu and the others, Wang Shi was sent back to his hometown to face the judgment of the public, and was barred from holding any official position for life. Zu was promoted to the Minister of Personnel. Wang Han pacified the rebellion and was promoted to General of the Central Army. After the rebellion was quelled, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Jianxing County, and shortly after, he was promoted to General Who Leads the Army. The Emperor fell seriously ill, and I was appointed as Minister of Personnel, and together with Wang Dao and others, we were tasked with assisting the young Emperor. Later, I was appointed as Right General and also as Attendant and Minister of Personnel. After the Emperor's death, Emperor Cheng ascended the throne, and all the court officials came to present the Imperial Seal to the new Emperor. However, Wang Dao, the Minister of State, was absent due to illness. I firmly stated in the court, "Isn't the Duke a subject of the state? The Emperor has just passed away, and the new Emperor has not yet formally ascended the throne. How can this be a time for a subject to be absent?" Upon hearing this, Wang Dao quickly had himself carried to the court despite his condition.

The Empress Dowager presided over the court, and Yu Liang and I handled government affairs together in the province, participating in the decision-making on important confidential matters. At that time, the court appointed Le Mo from Nanyang as the county magistrate, and Yu Yi from Yingchuan as the court inspector, but both Le Mo and Yu Yi refused the appointments on the reason that their fathers disapproved. I submitted a memorial stating, "Everyone is born of parents, and official positions are established for the purpose of handling affairs. Having parents also means considering their wishes, and taking up official positions means having the responsibilities of those positions. If everyone only cares about their own family matters, then no one will manage the country, the official system will be chaotic, and decrees will not be implemented. In this way, the teachings of our sages would be disregarded, the principles of the Five Relationships will be undermined, the relationship between ruler and subject will be fractured, and the education between superiors and subordinates will decline. Le Guang is famous for pacifying the barbarians, and Yu Min is illustrious for his loyalty and honesty. They both received the emperor's favor, but they attributed their achievements to the country. What about their descendants? How can they only think of themselves? If we follow their reasoning, then the parents of soldiers stationed at the borders should all stop their sons from enlisting. How is that reasonable? If according to Le Mo's father's wishes, who would take on the role of county magistrate? Wouldn’t that ruin social relationships? If according to Yu Yi's father's wishes, who would become the prison official? Wouldn’t that paralyze the criminal justice system? Can we allow these situations to continue? If they cannot be tolerated, then why allow Le Mo and Yu Yi to refuse appointments on the grounds of their fathers' orders! This is equivalent to saying that Le Mo can violate the law because of fatherly love, and Yu Yi can act arbitrarily because of family ties. I really don't understand using these two reasons to deceive and mislead the people. Orders should be issued immediately, private matters should not be allowed to interfere with public duties, and their refusals should be firmly rejected, as this has been the established system for a long time." The courtiers all agreed with what I said. Le Mo and Yu Yi had no choice but to accept their appointments.

At this time, Wang Dao pretended to be ill and did not attend the court, but secretly sent gifts to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Xi Jian. I reported that Wang Dao violated the law for personal gain and did not have the integrity one would expect from a high-ranking official. The Deputy Imperial Censor, Zhong Ya, showed favoritism towards Wang Dao and ignored the rules, so I also called for their dismissal. Although this matter was not ultimately resolved, it had a deterrent effect on the court officials. I handled government affairs decisively and fairly, unafraid of powerful forces; this is how I operate.

Lao Nuo was a true official; he saw himself as responsible for overseeing the realm and rectifying its customs. He worked very diligently, never shirking his duties. However, he was straightforward in character and somewhat lacking in skill, so those influential figures did not hold him in high regard, nor did he have any outstanding reputation. But the Emperor valued him highly, trusting him more than any other minister. Ruan Fu often advised him, "You always seem so tense, like you have a stone in your mouth; aren't you tired?" Nuo would say, "You high-ranking officials all emphasize noble morality and elegance, while I am meticulous; who else but me is there?"

At that time, many wealthy and influential young men looked up to Wang Cheng and Xie Kun, but Lao Nuo sternly criticized them in court, saying, "This is simply against etiquette and customs; the offense is too severe! If the court collapses, it will be because of these guys!" He even considered impeaching them. But Wang Dao and Yu Liang disagreed, so the issue was dropped. However, everyone who heard him speak admired him. At that time, Wang Dao assisted the Emperor with his merits and virtues, and the Emperor frequently visited his residence, even once paying his respects to Wang Dao's wife, Lady Cao. The Chamberlain, Kong Tan, privately reported that this was rather inappropriate. Wang Dao heard about it and said, "I, Wang Maohong, am merely an old man suffering from a chronic illness; how could I dare to conduct myself like Bian Wangzhi, who is so dignified, like Diao Xuanliang, who is astute and capable, like Dai Ruosi, who is visionary?"

Hu was a person of integrity and simplicity, his family was so poor that they were barely making ends meet. When his son was getting married, the court awarded him fifty thousand coins as a special reward, but he resolutely declined. Later, he developed ulcers on his face and requested to resign several times.

I was appointed Grand Master of Splendor by the court and also given the title of Cavalier Attendant. At that time, Yu Liang was preparing to attack Su Jun, and he stated in court, "Su Jun is ambitious and will inevitably rebel. If we attack him now, even if he does not obey orders, the resulting damage will still be manageable. If we wait a few more years and his power grows, the danger will become increasingly difficult to manage. It's like the courtiers advising Emperor Jing of Han to deal with the vassals sooner rather than later." At that time, the ministers in the court had no better way to refute him.

At that moment, I strongly opposed this and said to Yu Liang, "Su Jun holds a powerful army in his hands, and there are many desperados under his command. Moreover, his army is very close to the capital. They could arrive in just one day. If anything goes wrong, we could easily fail. You should think this through carefully for the long term; it's probably not advisable to act hastily!" But Yu Liang brushed me off. I knew we were bound to lose this fight, so I wrote to General Wen Qiao, saying, "Yuan Gui (Yu Liang) is determined to summon Su Jun and is planning this. General Wen Qiao, what do you think about this matter? Right now, I'm worried about the state of the nation. Su Jun has already shown signs of rebellion, and now urgently summoning him will only make him more arrogant, sending his thugs to attack the court. Even though the court is strong, in a real fight, we might not even be able to catch him right away! The nobles in the court feel the same way. I've had some heated arguments with them, but I can't convince them. Originally, I should have had you assist me in the court, but now I can only let you serve in an outside position. It's really regrettable! If you had been there to advise me in court back then, we could have worked together. Now, the court is on high alert inside and out, with preparations made everywhere. Even if Su Jun is tough, he might not pull it off, but there could still be some losses. What do you think we should do?" My advisor, Sima Ren Tai, suggested I get a few good horses just in case. I smiled and said, "Logically speaking, as long as we go with the flow, things will definitely succeed. If things really go south, having horses won't do us any good!" As a result, Su Jun did indeed rebel. I was appointed Minister of Works, Right General, and also took on the role of Right Guard General, with all other official positions remaining the same as before.

When Wang Dun arrived at Dongling, the court appointed Wang Dun as the Commander of Eastern Military Affairs, and granted him a nominal official title, and allowed him to also serve as General and Attendant. Wang Dun, accompanied by Guo Mo and Zhao Yin, fought a battle with Wang Jun at Xiling, but were ultimately defeated by Wang Jun. Wang Dun and Zhong Ya retreated, with casualties reaching over a thousand. Wang Dun and Zhong Ya returned their official seals and went to the palace to apologize.

Wang Jun then attacked Qingxi, and Wang Dun and his army resisted, but they were unable to stop the enemy. The enemy set the palace and temples ablaze, and the army was defeated. At that time, Wang Dun still had an unhealed wound on his back, but he gritted his teeth and led the scattered soldiers and hundreds of officials, charging into the enemy's ranks, fighting valiantly until he was killed in battle at the age of forty-eight. His two sons, Wang Zhen and Wang Xu, seeing their father die in battle, also charged into the enemy ranks and died together.

Regarding Jun Ping, the court initially intended to posthumously bestow upon him the title of Left Guanglu Doctor, and add the title of Cavalier Attendant. However, Secretary Lang Hongne offered a different perspective, saying, "Those who sacrifice their lives for the country have always been held in high regard throughout history, and the loyalty and integrity of Bian Ling deserve to be recorded in history. The current posthumous honor falls short of what everyone expects. He should be awarded a higher title, like Ding Si, to honor his loyalty and contributions."

Wang Dao Situo listened to Hongne's opinion and decided to posthumously elevate Junping to the position of General of Cavalry, and add the title of Shizhong. Hongne continued, "For children, the most important duty is to be filial to their parents; for subjects, the greatest thing is to be loyal to the sovereign. Only by being filial can one devote oneself wholeheartedly; only by being loyal can one step up in times of crisis and put their lives on the line. These are the two fundamental principles of serving as a subject, and also the highest moral behavior. Junping served in three dynasties, devoted himself to assisting the sovereign, and when the country faced danger, he always risked his life, with the fate of the nation closely tied to him. He undertook important responsibilities, held a prominent position in the court, protected the emperor, and made significant contributions, and he was both upright and outspoken in the court, demonstrating his integrity. When the rebels rose up, he fought to the death, charging into battle multiple times, and finally, father and son died on the battlefield, truly sacrificing their lives for the country! In the past, Xuman was posthumously conferred a second-class title, not to mention Junping who sacrificed himself for the country! When there are doubts about rewards, they should be given serious consideration, especially since Junping's merits are unquestionable! I believe we can refer to the examples of Xumu and Jishao, which not only comply with the rules and regulations but also meet everyone's expectations."

Therefore, the court finally decided to posthumously confer Junping as Shizhong, General of Cavalry, Kaifu Yitong San Si, and granted him the posthumous title of "Loyal and Devoted," with sacrifices offered in the ancestral temple. His son Zhen was posthumously conferred as a Gentleman of the Cavalry, and Zhen's younger brother Xu was posthumously conferred as a Commandant of the Imperial Carriages. Zhen's mother, Lady Pei, held the bodies of her two sons and wept, "Father was a loyal minister, you were filial sons, what more regrets are there!" The scholar Zhitang, upon hearing this, sighed, "The father died for the country, the son died for the father, the ideals of loyalty and filial piety come together in this family!" Later, Zhen's son Dan continued the family line.

In the sixth year of the Xiankang era, Emperor Cheng remembered Jun Ping and issued a decree: "Jun Ping was loyal and cautious in his official duties at court, sacrificing his life for the country. It is a pity that his fief was remote, his salary meager, and his wife and children lived in hardship. I am truly moved! Sufficient food should be provided to him." Later, someone dug up Jun Ping's tomb and found that although his body was stiff, his hair was still white, his face lifelike, his hands clenched into fists, and his fingernails pierced through the back of his hands. Emperor An ordered a sum of one hundred thousand coins to be allocated for the restoration of Jun Ping's tomb.

Su Xun, father of the poet Su Shi, served as the Governor of Guangzhou. Su Xun's brother, Su Huan, served as a Gentleman-in-Waiting.

Su Zhe, the son of Su Xun and the younger brother of Su Shi, was known by the courtesy name Zhongren. His father, Su Xun, was upright, honest, knowledgeable, and renowned for his mastery of Confucian principles. There was a man named Xi She in their hometown who looked down on the Su brothers because of his own talents, while the Su brothers looked down on Xi She due to their illustrious family background. They developed a mutual disdain and became rivals. Later, Xi She was arrested due to his ties with Yang Jun. At that time, Su Xun was a Gentleman-in-Waiting and was responsible for handling his case. Xi She feared he could not escape, but Su Xun upheld justice, rendered a just verdict, and ultimately spared Xi She from punishment, yet he remained unrepentant. Later, Xi She became Left Minister and brought charges against the Bian family. Su Xun, on the other hand, held the positions of Prefect of Runan and Minister of Justice.

When Su Zhe was young, he became an official. He first worked in the Department of State Affairs and then gradually rose through the ranks, becoming a palace attendant to the Crown Prince and an official. Many officials in the court praised him. When Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai, heard about him, he summoned him to serve as his chief clerk. Later, when Wang Mi attacked Luoyang, Su Zhe and Hu Wufu advised Sima Yue to resist Wang Mi, but Sima Wangyan and Pan Tao strongly opposed. Su Zhe debated passionately in court, and everyone greatly admired him. Afterwards, Su Zhe was appointed as the Governor of Runan Commandery. When Emperor Yuan was stationed in the east, he wanted Su Zhe to serve as a military strategist, but he did not agree. Later, General Shan Jian asked him to be the military commander. Soon, Wang Ru and Du Zeng rebelled one after another, and Shan Jian placed Su Zhe in charge of military affairs across the seven counties of Minbei, promoting him to the rank of Zhenwei General while concurrently appointing him as the Governor of Jiangxia, stationed in Xiakou. Su Zhe suppressed the rebellion in the Minzhong region. Later, Du Tao rebelled in Xiangzhong, and Su Zhe was appointed as the Grand Commander for the campaign. He successfully quelled Du Tao's rebellion and was granted the title of Marquis of Anling Pavilion. General Wang Dun of the Eastern Jin Dynasty sought to have him serve as a military commander.

After the re-establishment of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Su Zhe was appointed as the Left Guard of the Crown Prince's Palace. At that time, Shi Le invaded the Huai-Si region, and the court urgently needed a good general to defend against external enemies. Many ministers recommended Su Zhe, so he was appointed as the General of Conquering Barbarians and the Governor of Xu Province, stationed in Sikou. When Shi Le attacked Pengcheng, Su Zhe knew that his forces were insufficient, so he retreated to Xuyi with the General Who Conquers the North, Wang Sui. Consequently, the enemy forces grew stronger, capturing many counties north of the Huai River. Ultimately, Su Zhe was demoted three ranks for his cowardice and was left with the title of General of Eagle's Soar. Later, he was called to serve as the Grand Minister of Agriculture. Wang Dun recommended him for the position of General of Conquering Barbarians and Commander of the Stone Army. When Emperor Ming campaigned against Wang Dun, Su Zhe was appointed as the General Who Guards the South, with full authority. Afterward, he was appointed as a Minister and granted the title of Marquis of Yiyang in recognition of his achievements. He was later transferred to the position of Grandee of the Palace, and subsequently served as the Commander of the Southern Pacification General and Inspector of Xiang Province, with full authority. Shortly after, he was promoted to the General of Conquering the South, but he firmly declined the appointment.

Su Jun launched a rebellion, and Wen Qiao and Yu Liang issued orders to the local governors, ordering them to converge on the capital to quell the rebellion together. However, at that time, the Governor of Yangzhou, Tao Kan, refused to mobilize troops or supply provisions. He merely dispatched an inspector, Xun Xiu, with a few hundred men to accompany the main forces. Both the court and the public were outraged by Tao Kan's actions, and Tao Kan himself felt deeply frustrated. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, Tao Kan submitted a self-criticism in a memorial, stating that he deliberately delayed the army, hesitated in decision-making, and did not support the country at a critical moment, failing to demonstrate the responsibility expected of a minister. He requested to be taken to the Ministry of Justice in chains for punishment. However, Prime Minister Wang Dao, given the recent turmoil, chose to show him leniency and reassigned him as the General of Annan and the Governor of Guangzhou. However, due to illness, Tao Kan was unable to assume the new position. Later, the court summoned him to serve as a Grandee of the Palace while concurrently serving as the Minister of Finance. Tao Kan felt guilt for failing to suppress Su Jun, which tarnished his reputation. Not long after, he succumbed to depression. After his death, he was posthumously reinstated to his former position and posthumously honored with the title "Respectful." His son, Tao Tao, succeeded him in his title.

Liu Chao, whose courtesy name was Shiyu, hailed from Lin Yi in Langye and was a descendant of Liu Zhang, the Prince of Chengyang of the Han Dynasty. The seventh-generation descendant of Liu Zhang was granted the title of Marquis of Cixiang in Linyi County, and his descendants have been living there ever since. Liu Chao's father, Liu He, once served as the General of the Upper Army of Langye. From a young age, Liu Chao harbored lofty ambitions. He started as a small county official but gradually advanced through the ranks to become a scribe in Langye. His loyalty and caution earned him the favor of Emperor Yuan, and he often accompanied the Emperor across the river. He was subsequently promoted to the position of a Sheman in Andong Prefecture, specializing in drafting documents. After the establishment of the Prime Minister's Office, he served as a Sheman there. At that time, the world was in chaos, and Liu Chao often came into contact with confidential documents through his work. His handwriting was similar to that of the Emperor, so he firmly refused to write letters on behalf of others. Even during breaks and holidays, he turned away visitors, gradually gaining the Emperor's trust. Because of his diligent work alongside the Emperor, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Yuanxiangting, with a fief of seven hundred households, and later promoted to the position of a military officer.

Initially, Xie Chao served as a Sheman during the Zhongxing era and was later promoted to the Captain of the Cavalry and the Imperial Secretary. At that time, the court had just been established, with numerous tasks needing attention. Though his position was modest, he handled significant document work, and his cautious approach earned the Emperor's trust. Xie Chao led a very frugal life, rarely wearing fine clothes and having little savings at home. Whenever the Emperor bestowed gifts upon him, he resolutely declined, saying, "As such a humble official, how could I possibly covet rewards? Without any merit yet accepting a salary, I would surely face retribution in the future!" The Emperor appreciated his integrity and did not press him.

Not long after, Xie Chao was appointed as the county magistrate of Jurong County. He sincerely served the people and was deeply respected by them. Every year during tax collection, the officials responsible would travel from house to house to estimate the people's wealth. But Xie Chao was different. He only prepared a large box, divided by village, and let everyone write down their assets themselves, then put them into the box, which was then sent back to the county office. The people all reported truthfully, and the total tax collected ended up being higher than in previous years. Later, Xie Chao was promoted to the position of Lang of the Central Secretariat. After his father passed away, he resigned from his official position to observe a mourning period at home.

After his father's burial, just as Wang Dun was leading a rebellion, the court ordered Xie Chao to resume his position and appointed him as the General of the Eastern Forces. Later, when the six armies scattered, only Xie Chao remained steadfast in leading his troops to hold their positions, protecting the safety of the emperor. The emperor was deeply touched and allowed him to return home to take care of things. When Qian Feng rebelled, Xie Chao again gathered volunteers and followed Emperor Ming to suppress the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Xie Chao was ennobled as the Count of Lingling. Xie Chao's family was very poor, and his wife and children lived in great hardship. The emperor specially wrote a commendation for him and even rewarded him with food and rice, but he graciously declined the offer. Xie Chao needed a pure yellow ox, but couldn't find one on the market, so he requested permission to buy an ox from the government stable, and the emperor ordered the ox to be directly given to him as a reward.

After that, Xie Chao was appointed as the Prefect of Yixing. Not long after, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as a Gentleman of the Central Secretariat. He came and went, and almost no one in the court knew him. Just as the emperor passed away, Empress Mu took over the government, and Xie Chao was appointed as the Commandant of the Archers. At that time, the military academy was devoid of soldiers, and many people from Yixing were willing to follow Xie Chao. So he led them to guard the imperial palace, known as the "Gentlemen's Camp." In the early years of Xianhe, Xie Chao's mother passed away, and he resigned from his official position to mourn, wearing mourning clothes and mourning day and night. Every new moon and full moon, he would walk to his mother's grave to honor her memory, and his filial piety moved all who passed by.

When Su Jun rebelled, the court appointed Xie Chao to replace Zhao Yin as the Left Guard General. At that time, chaos engulfed the capital, and many officials sent their families to the east for refuge. Xie Chao's former colleagues wanted to help his family find safety, but he refused and instead chose to place his wife and children in the palace. Later, when the court army was defeated, Wang Dao appointed Xie Chao as the Right Guard General, allowing him to personally serve the emperor. Just as the Empress Dowager passed away, the military and palace ceremonies were thrown into disarray. Xie Chao took it upon himself to lead the soldiers in making funeral arrangements and overseeing the imperial tombs.

Su Jun moved the emperor and his entourage to Shitou City amid heavy rain, which caused the roads to wash out. Xie Chao and Zhong Ya, the Attendant, served the emperor on foot. Su Jun sent horses for them to ride, but they refused, demonstrating only their grief and dignity. Su Jun felt uneasy upon learning this but did not dare to harm them. Instead, he arranged for Xu Fang and others whom he trusted to take on various official roles, under the pretense of protecting the emperor, but in reality, to keep an eye on Xie Chao and his followers. As famine struck and rice prices soared, Su Jun and his men sent gifts of condolence, but Xie Chao turned down all of them. He remained dedicated and respectful in serving the emperor each day. At that time, the emperor was only eight years old, and even while in captivity, Xie Chao took the time to teach him the "Classic of Filial Piety" and the "Analects of Confucius."

After Wen Jiao and his companions arrived, Su Jun grew increasingly suspicious of the courtiers, while Xie Chao had won the emperor's deep favor, which only fueled Su Jun's suspicion. Later, after Wang Dao fled, Xie Chao conspired in secret with Huai De Ling Kuang Shu, Jian Kang Ling Guan Pei, and others, preparing to escape with the emperor. Before they could put their plan into action, it was exposed, and Su Jun sent Ren Rang to arrest Xie Chao and Zhong Ya. The emperor embraced them, weeping, and said, "Give me back my attendants and guards!" Ren Rang ignored the emperor's command and executed them. Once order was restored, Ren Rang and Tao Kan had been friends in the past. Tao Kan sought to plead for Ren Rang's life, so he appealed to the emperor. The emperor said, "Ren Rang killed my attendants and guards; I cannot forgive him!" So Ren Rang was killed.

Later, when it was time to relocate Xie Chao's tomb, the emperor missed him greatly and issued a decree to move Xie Chao's tomb closer to Gaixian, making it easier to visit his grave. The court posthumously appointed Xie Chao as Wei Wei and honored him with the posthumous title "Loyal." Xie Chao was known for his humility and caution, having served three emperors in significant positions of trust, but he never became arrogant or complacent because of it, so scholars respected him greatly.

His son Xie Ne inherited his family's values, was known for his caution, and served as Zhongshu Shilang and the Prefect of Xiapi. Xie Ne's son Xie Xiang was also upright and cautious, serving as a cavalier.

Zhong Ya, also known as Yan Zhou, was from Changshe, Henan. His father, Zhong Ye, held a minor position in the government and passed away early. Though he lost his father at a young age, Zhong Ya was studious and ambitious, passing the imperial examination and subsequently being appointed magistrate of Ruyang County. Following his mother's death, he resigned from his position to observe the mourning period, then resumed his duties after the mourning period. Prince Donghai, Sima Yue, invited him to serve as a military advisor, and later he was promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Library.

Later, chaos ensued, and he fled east seeking refuge. Emperor Yuan, Sima Rui, appointed him as Chancellor and Military Advisor. He was later promoted to Governor of Linhuai and General Zhenwei. Not long after, the court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant, and then further promoted him to Minister of the Right. Once, during a sacrificial ceremony at the ancestral temple, Zhong Ya submitted a memorial stating, "Your Majesty inherited the throne as the great-grandson of the Marquis of Jingzhao (Sima Yi), but the current sacrificial text refers to you as the grandson. This may be an error inherited from old customs and should be corrected. In addition, according to the rites, ancestors' brothers should be referred to as grandfathers. Emperor Jing (Sima Shi) was honored as the Emperor posthumously due to his achievements and did not enter the temple as the uncle (Sima Yi), so the references to the uncle should be removed from the sacrificial text." The Emperor issued a decree saying, "According to the rites, when worshipping the ancestral temple, descendants below the great-grandson are referred to as great-grandsons, and this is not an error inherited from old customs. The reason behind this is that the title can be used consistently across generations, so it need not be changed. As for the title of great-grandfather, it is inappropriate, as you have also pointed out." Therefore, Zhong Ya was transferred to serve as a reserve officer in the Northern Army. Later, General Wang Dun invited him to serve as a Junior Attendant, and he was later appointed as the Governor of Xuancheng.

Qian Feng rebelled, and Zhong Ya was appointed as the General of Guangwu, leading troops stationed in Qingyi. At that time, Zhou Ji, a resident of Guangde County, also participated in Qian Feng's rebellion and attacked Zhong Ya. Zhong Ya retreated to Jing County, united the local populace, and defeated Zhou Ji, ultimately executing him. After Qian Feng's rebellion was quelled, Zhong Ya was summoned by the court and appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Left. After Emperor Ming, Sima Shao, died, Zhong Ya was promoted to the Deputy Imperial Censor. At that time, although the country was still in mourning, Minister Meitao privately summoned courtesans for drinking and revelry. Zhong Ya submitted a memorial accusing him, stating: "I have heard that when Emperor Yao died, all music ceased. Even ordinary people understand to observe mourning for three years. Since then, this has been the practice for generations. When Emperor Suzong, Ming Emperor (Sima Shao), died, the entire nation should observe a month of mourning. Your Majesty donned mourning attire and wept while attending court; all officials were deeply grieved, without a trace of joy. Meitao, as a high-ranking minister, has no loyalty to the monarch and the nation, indulging in luxury at home, hosting courtesans for feasting and drinking, the sounds of music spreading throughout the streets. He should be dismissed to preserve the court's dignity. Please refer him to the Minister of Works for appropriate punishment, to rectify the court's principles." Empress Dowager Mu presided over the court and ultimately pardoned Meitao, choosing not to hold him accountable. Zhong Ya upheld the law with integrity, unafraid of the powerful, and all the officials in the court held him in great respect.

General Liu Xia, the Northern Zhonglang General, has died. His soldiers rebelled, so the court sent Guo Mo to suppress the rebellion and appointed Ying Zhan as the military inspector, granting him command authority. After the situation calmed down, Ying Zhan was promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry. Later, when Su Jun rebelled, Ying Zhan was appointed as the vanguard supervisor with command authority to lead a thousand elite soldiers to resist Su Jun. He felt his forces were too few and, not daring to engage directly, retreated. He was then appointed as a chamberlain. Not long after, the imperial army suffered a defeat, and Ying Zhan and Liu Chao protected the emperor together. Someone advised Ying Zhan to take advantage of favorable situations and retreat in dangerous ones, as ancient people did. Ying Zhan, a man of integrity, replied that he feared the historian Dong Hu would record his actions if he did so.

Before leaving, Yu Liang told Ying Zhan that everything depended on him now. Ying Zhan replied, "When the main beam of the capital falls, who cares about the rafters?" Yu Liang said, "There's no need to dwell on today's matters. You should focus on how to regain lost territory." Ying Zhan promised he would uphold Xu Linfu's reputation. When Su Jun forced the emperor to move the capital to Shitoucheng, Ying Zhan and Liu Chao wept as they followed on foot. The following year, they were both killed by Su Jun. After Su Jun was defeated, the court posthumously bestowed the title of Distinguished Official upon Ying Zhan. Because of his family's poverty, the court granted him one hundred bolts of cloth. His son, Ying Dan, achieved the rank of Middle Army Officer but passed away young.

Historical records state that Ying Zhan was diligent throughout his life, possessing a wealth of knowledge in literature and history. While serving in the court, he frequently proposed effective strategies; when governing local areas, he implemented policies that benefited the people. Like Gan Zhuo, he quelled riots, accomplished remarkable feats, defended the borders, and earned a great reputation. When rebels caused chaos, he wholeheartedly wanted to support the king. However, his plans were thwarted by others, and he hesitated, unable to see the situation clearly, ultimately leading to his own downfall. Bian Huan tied his belt tightly in the court, taking it upon himself to rectify the political situation. As if shedding his own comfort to protect the emperor, he gained fame through loyalty and righteousness. This ultimately led to his death at the hands of the king, and his son died before him. Only loyalty and filial piety remained within one family. The ancients praised loyal officials who served their country with diligence, referring to this unwavering spirit. Liu Chao served the emperor with diligence and respect, while Ying Zhan served as an upright official. When faced with rebels and a young emperor in danger, they risked their lives and faced numerous hardships and dangers, with hearts as solid as stone and integrity as steadfast as ancient pines. Although their loyal legacies were obscured, their upright conduct stood out even more. Even in perilous times, they remained respectful, sacrificing their lives for the country like Xun Xi did. What more can be said in comparison to these two! This passage begins with praise: "It praises: Zhuo presides in the south, and Zhan governs the western region. Excellently handling politics and laws while combining authority with benevolence."

Next, he had unfortunate fate and died young. He would rather die than live in shame. "Lamenting the swift turn of fate, he would rather die than live in uncertainty." Think about it, dying for the greater good is easier than living. "In pursuit of righteousness, death is easier than a life of compromise." This shows that he is a loyal official who values honor more than life. "Only for the son and the minister, honor and integrity are at stake." Similar to loyal figures like Zhongli Mei and Liu Bang, they dedicated themselves fully and ultimately sacrificed their lives. "Zhong and Liu served, loyal and upright. Exhausting their efforts, following it with death." Indeed, for their country, they all gave their utmost, even sacrificing their lives in the end.

In conclusion, this article praises a loyal and patriotic official who served his country with unwavering loyalty, died with honor, and is worthy of admiration.