Wang Gong, style name Xiaobo, is the son of Grand Master Wang Yun and the older brother of Empress Ding. He was famous at a young age, known for his integrity and exceptional talent, and was regarded as a future prime minister. He had a close relationship with Wang Chen; both were well-respected and admired Liu Yan's character. Xie An often said, "Wang Gong, this person, in the future could be my uncle (the emperor's uncle)." Once, when he followed his father back to the capital from Kuaiji, Wang Chen went to visit him and noticed that Wang Gong was sitting on a six-foot-long bamboo mat, which looked quite comfortable, so he wanted it. Wang Gong handed it over without hesitation, and then Wang Chen recommended him to higher authorities. Wang Chen was taken aback by this, and Wang Gong said, "I've never had anything to spare in my life." He was just that simple.
At first, he took a position as a junior official in the Ministry of Works and lamented, "If I don't become a prime minister, how can I showcase my talents and ambitions?" So he resigned on the pretext of illness. Not long after, he became the Chief Secretary, then was promoted to Gentleman of the Palace Library, but before he could take office, his father passed away. After the mourning period, he was appointed as a Ministry of Personnel official and later promoted to General of Might. During the Taiyuan era, he succeeded Shen Jia as the Prefect of Danyang, and later became the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Crown Prince's Advisor.
Emperor Xiaowu attached great importance to the elder brother of Gong Hou. At that time, Yuan Yuezhi from Chen County was engaging in some schemes with Prince Daozi of Kuaiji. Gong Hou informed the emperor about this, which led to Yuan Yuezhi's execution. Daozi once hosted a banquet for the ministers in the Eastern Palace, and Prefect Xie Shi became intoxicated and started singing some lewd songs. Gong Hou solemnly said, "You hold an important position in the prince's mansion, yet you sing such obscene songs. How can your subordinates look up to you?" Xie Shi was quite displeased. The wife of the Internal Historian of Huaili, Pei Shi, knew some health preservation methods, often wore yellow clothes, and dressed like a fairy. Daozi particularly liked her and even let her chat with the guests, which many found quite embarrassing. Gong Hou bluntly said, "I've never heard of a Prime Minister's residence allowing women to act so shamelessly." The people present were uneasy, and Daozi also felt embarrassed. Later, the emperor wanted to promote some prestigious individuals to serve as a barrier, so he appointed Gong Hou's brother as the Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of Yanzhao, Qing, Ji, You, Bing, Xu, Jinling, and Pingbei, the General of Pacifying the North, the Inspector of Yanzhao two provinces, and granted him a ceremonial title, allowing him to guard Jingkou. Initially, if the position of Commander-in-Chief was designated with "North," it was often seen as unlucky, so individuals like Huan Chong, Wang Tanzhi, and Diao Yi were reluctant to take on the position of General of Pacifying the North. Gong Hou's brother requested a change of military title, claiming it was out of humility, but in reality, he disliked the title, so it was changed to General of the Front. Later, Murong Chui invaded Qingzhou, and Gong Hou's brother sent out a diversionary force to resist, which ended in defeat, and his rank was lowered to Assistant General of the State.
After the emperor's death, Xie Daozi, the Prince of Kuaiji, took control of the power, especially favoring Wang Guobao and entrusting him with significant authority. Xie An always spoke frankly and bluntly, which left Xie Daozi feeling both fearful and angry. When Xie An attended the emperor's funeral and the morning court ended, he sighed and said, "Although the pillars of the palace are still new, I already feel the sorrow expressed in 'Shu Li'." At that time, Wang Guobao's younger brother Wang Guoxu advised him to set an ambush to kill Xie An while he was meeting with Prince Xie in the palace. However, Wang Guobao did not agree. Xie Daozi sought to unify both internal and external factions, privately expressing trust in Xie An, hoping to eliminate old grudges. But Xie An repeatedly refused to acquiesce, always speaking forcefully and harshly when discussing politics. Xie Daozi knew it was difficult to cooperate with Xie An, so he agreed to Wang Guoxu's plan, thus planting the seeds of a national crisis.
Some advised Xie An to use troops to kill Wang Guobao while he was in the capital, but Yu Kai was Wang Guobao's ally with strong military force. Xie An was too afraid to take action, so he returned to his post. Before leaving, he said to Xie Daozi, "The emperor passed away at a young age, and the position of prime minister is one that even Yi Yin and Duke of Zhou would find hard to fulfill. I hope that Your Highness will personally handle state affairs, listen to honest opinions, stay away from flattery, and dismiss treacherous villains." His tone was very severe, which made Wang Guobao and others even more afraid. The court appointed Xie An as General of Peace in the North, but he declined the offer. So he planned to kill Wang Guobao, sending envoys to reach out to Yin Zhongkan and Huan Xuan. Yin Zhongkan pretended to agree with him. Xie An felt elated upon receiving the reply; therefore, he submitted a memorial to the court.
"After General Wang Guobao continuously advanced through connections, he did not show gratitude and instead misused his power, endangering the state. After the late emperor passed away, he actually broke into the palace at night, attempting to forge a will. Fortunately, the wise and decisive Empress Dowager and Prince of Kuaiji thwarted his conspiracy. He also took control of the army in the Eastern Palace, slandered and framed two imperial princes, even more vicious than enemies. He colluded with his brother Wang Guoxu, instigating each other. This is clear evidence of disloyalty and treachery! I am wholeheartedly loyal, willing to sacrifice my life without hesitation, so I have repeatedly been falsely accused by villains. Thanks to the wisdom of the late emperor, their slanders did not succeed. In the past, Zhao Yang raised troops to eliminate the treacherous villains around the monarch. Although my abilities are humble, how can I forget this principle?" After the memorial was submitted to the court, security was tightened both inside and outside. Wang Guobao and Wang Guoxu were in a panic and didn't know what to do; acting on Wang Xun's advice, they requested to resign from their positions. Xie Daozi arrested Wang Guobao, sentenced him to death, and publicly executed Wang Guoxu in the marketplace, showing deep regret. Xie An then returned to the capital. Gong Gong initially raised his concerns in the memorial, worried things wouldn't go as planned, so he first reassigned Wang Xin, the Left Minister of Works, to serve as the Secretary of Wu State, ordering him to muster troops in the east. After Guobao's death, Gong Gong ordered Wang Xin to withdraw his troops and step down. Furious, Wang Xin led his troops to confront Gong Gong. Gong Gong sent Liu Laozhi to defeat him, then submitted a memorial asking to be demoted, but the emperor did not agree."
King Qiao Sima Shangzhi also told Daozi that the power of the feudal lords was too strong, and the power of the prime minister was too weak. Therefore, more forces should be nurtured to protect oneself. Daozi agreed, so Shangzhi appointed his Sima Wang Yu as the governor of Jiangzhou, and also assigned jurisdiction over the four counties in Yuzhou to Wang Yu. This made Yu Kai very angry, so he sent his son Yu Hong to tell Duke Gong, "The brothers Shangzhi are consolidating their power, trying to suppress local powers by using the authority of the court, killing the chicken to warn the monkeys. The situation is becoming more dangerous. We should make plans early while their plot is not fully mature." Duke Gong agreed and shared this plan with Yin Zhongkan and Huan Xuan. They all agreed and elected Duke Gong as the leader, agreeing to march on the capital together.
At that time, there were suspicions and opposition both inside and outside the court, and the checkpoints were very strict. Yin Zhongkan's letter was sent by Yu Kai, written on fine silk in a diagonal pattern, hidden in an arrow tube, sealed with lacquer, and then passed on to Duke Gong by Yu Kai. When Duke Gong opened the letter, the words on the silk were crooked and illegible, so he thought Yu Kai was playing a trick on him. He also remembered that Yin Zhongkan did not attend the alliance meeting last year and there was no news from him now, so he decided to raise troops early. His Sima Liu Laozhi advised him, "General, your actions now, based on your nephew's identity, upholding loyalty and integrity, and the esteemed position of Duke Xiang's consort, the people's hopes are pinned on you. In the past, you have already killed Guobao, Wang Xu, and even wrote a letter to Wang Xin, which proves your loyalty to Duke Xiang. Although some of the recent appointments by the court may not be appropriate, it is not a major mistake. What loss does it cause you to assign Yu Kai's four counties to Wang Yu? Do you want to have another battle of Jinyang?" Duke Gong did not listen and submitted a memorial calling for an attack on Wang Yu and the brothers Sima Shangzhi. The envoys sent by the court, Yuan Xian, Wang Xun, Xie Yan, and others, did everything they could to dissuade him.
I dreamed that Wang Gong was sitting in prison. The next morning, I said to him, "If the plan succeeds, I will appoint you as an official in the Northern Court." Then Wang Gong led his troops, commanded by Yan Yanshen, to occupy Zhuli. Yuan Xian sent someone to persuade Wang Gong, promising great rewards. Wang Gong killed Yan Yanshen and surrendered.
That day, Wang Gong sent his son-in-law Gao Yazhi and son Jing Xuan to meet Gong Yao's army. They launched an attack on Gong Yao's cavalry, defeated them, and then closed the city gates. Gong Yao and his brother Lu fled to Qu'a. Gong Yao, who had not ridden a horse in quite some time, had sores on the insides of his thighs and could not run anymore. Yin Que, a resident of Qu'a and a former soldier under Gong Yao, hid him in a boat under a reed mat, preparing to send him to join Huan Xuan.
At Changtang Lake, they met a merchant named Qian Qiang, who had a longstanding grudge against Yin Que and reported him to the county magistrate. The magistrate arrested Wang Gong and dispatched him to the capital. When Situ Daozi heard that Wang Gong was arriving soon, he came out to speak with him and personally reprimand him, but did not execute him. By this time, Huan Xuan and others had arrived at Shitoucheng and, fearing Wang Gong might cause trouble, had him executed in Nitang, Jiankang. Wang Gong's five sons, his brother Shuang, Shuang's son, the secretary, and his allies Meng Pu, Zhang Ke, and others were all killed.
Wang Gong was known for his integrity and strong sense of righteousness. Whenever he read the "Zuo Zhuan" and came across the phrase "obeying the king's orders without fail," he would pause to reflect and sigh. However, he lacked generosity of spirit and failed to seize opportunities. During his time in the Northern Court, although he governed with simplicity and benevolence, his noble status made him arrogant, leading to strained relationships with his subordinates. He was not skilled in military affairs and was particularly devout in Buddhism, often burdening the people with labor to build temples and pursue grandeur, leading to widespread discontent among the populace.
Before facing execution, he still recited Buddhist scriptures, tidied his beard, remained calm, without a trace of fear, and said to the executioner: "I have poor discernment of people, which is why I find myself in this predicament. But at heart, is my loyalty to the state not genuine? I only hope that future generations will remember me, Wang Gong!" He possessed no wealth, only books, which made many discerning people feel regretful.
She was beautiful, with a good temperament, and everyone liked her. Some remarked that she was "as graceful as a willow in the spring moonlight." Once, she strolled through the snow in a crane-feather cloak, and Meng Chang saw her, exclaiming, "She is truly a celestial being!" When she first started working, she met her former colleague Dai Qizhi, who was serving as an official in Hushu at that time. She quietly told Dai Qizhi, "I have a baby boy who hasn't reached a month old yet, now with a wet nurse; could you help me get him to Huannan County?" Dai Qizhi sent the child to Xiakou. Huan Xuan adopted him and conferred upon him a memorial hall. Later, when Huan Xuan was in power, he petitioned for her innocence, and the court posthumously granted her the titles of Senior Grandee and Grand Protector, and conferred upon her the posthumous title of Zhongjian. Her husband was also posthumously appointed as Grand Minister, her son and grandson were appointed as Cavalry Commanders, and another Yin Que became a Cavalry Aide. Hu Puwei and Qian Qiang were executed as well. Her youngest son, Tan Heng, went on to become a Censor during the Yixi period.
Yu Kai was the grandson of General of the Western Campaign, Yu Liang, and the Governor of Kuaiji, Yu Xi. He was initially appointed as a Palace Attendant, later replacing his brother Yu Zhun as the General of the Western Army and the Inspector of Yuzhou, and was granted the power of acting as a military governor, stationed at Liyang. In the early years of the Long'an era, he was promoted to Left General. At that time, King Sima Daozi of Kuaiji feared the military power held by Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan, and others, so he sent Wang Yu to Jiangzhou to take charge of the four counties of Yuzhou as well in order to restrain them. Yu Kai submitted a memorial arguing that Jiangzhou was not a strategically important location, and there were enemies to the north of the Western Capital, so it was inappropriate to send Wang Yu to oversee the area. The court did not agree with his request. Feeling dissatisfied, Yu Kai sent his son Yu Hong to persuade Wang Gong, informing him that Prince Qiao, Sima Shang's brother, had amassed power greater than that of Guobao (referring to Xie An). Wang Gong was already wary of Sima Shang, so they conspired together to raise troops. The details are recorded in Wang Gong's biography. The court subsequently dispatched Sima Shang to quell Yu Kai. Yu Kai sent the Administrator of Runan, Duan Fang, to resist Sima Shang. They clashed at Cihu Lake, where Duan Fang was defeated and subsequently killed, and Yu Kai fled to join Huan Xuan. Later, they made an oath at Chaisang, jointly submitted a petition for their defense, and the court pardoned Huan Xuan and others, but they did not pardon Wang Gong and Yu Kai. Therefore, Yu Kai sought refuge under Huan Xuan, who appointed him as the Governor of Wuchang. Yu Kai, fearing Huan Xuan's inevitable failure, secretly sent someone to contact the Crown Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yuanxian, saying, "If the court moves against Huan Xuan, I will surely support you from within." As a result, when Huan Xuan gained power, Yu Kai's plot was exposed, and he was killed by Huan Xuan.
Liu Laozhi, with the courtesy name Daokan, was a native of Pengcheng, Xuzhou. His great-grandfather Liu Xi, for his exceptional skills in archery, served Emperor Wu and successively held the positions of Governor of Beidi and Governor of Yanmen. His father Liu Jian was also a formidable warrior, serving as General of the Conquering Forces. Their family was renowned for their bravery throughout generations. Liu Laozhi had a ruddy complexion, and his eyebrows and eyes were particularly spirited, exuding a sense of calm and cunning.
In the early years of the Taiyuan era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xie An dispatched Xie Xuan to guard Guangling. At that time, the Former Qin, under Fu Jian's leadership, was gaining power. Xie Xuan recruited valiant warriors, and Liu Laozhi was selected along with He Qian from Donghai, Zhuge Kan from Langya, Gao Heng from Le'an, Liu Gui from Dongping, Tian Luo from Xihe, and Sun Wuzhong from Jinling. Xie Xuan appointed Liu Laozhi as a staff officer, allowing him to lead the elite troops at the forefront. They achieved repeated victories in battles, earning the nickname "Northern Army," that instilled fear in their enemies. Later, Fu Jian sent the general Ju Nan to invade the south, and Xie Xuan led He Qian and others to confront. Liu Laozhi defeated Ju Nan's supply convoy in Xuyi, captured their ships, and was later promoted to General of Eagle Rising and Governor of Guangling.
At that time, General Huan Chong was attacking Xiangyang, and Hu Bin, the Administrator of Xuan Cheng, led his troops to support Huan Chong in Shouyang. Liu Laozhi led two thousand soldiers as reinforcements for Hu Bin. In the Battle of Huai Fei, Fu Jian sent his brother Fu Rong and the valiant general Zhang Hao to capture Shouyang. Xie Xuan commanded Hu Bin and Liu Laozhi to intercept them. The two armies faced off at Xie Shi, reluctant to engage. Fu Jian then sent General Liang Cheng to lead twenty thousand troops to camp at Luo Jian. Xie Xuan sent Liu Laozhi to lead five thousand elite soldiers to resist. They were ten miles away from the enemy, with Liang Cheng positioned his troops by the Jian River. Liu Laozhi led his officers Liu Xi, Zhuge Qiu, and others to charge directly across the river, killing Liang Cheng and his brother Liang Yun on the battlefield, and cutting off their escape route. The enemy infantry and cavalry were in chaos, rushing to jump into the Huai River, resulting in over ten thousand killed or captured, and all their weapons and equipment seized. Fu Jian soon faced a crushing defeat and retreated to Chang'an, with his remaining forces establishing camps and fortifications everywhere. Liu Laozhi then pacified Qiaocheng and stationed Dai Bao, the Prefect of Anfeng. He was promoted to Longxiang General and the military officer of Pengcheng, granted the title of Lord of Wugang County with a fief of five hundred households. Liu Laozhi then stationed in Juancheng, subduing those who resisted, and many cities in Henan heard his name and pledged their allegiance one after another.
Fu Jian's son Fu Pi was forced to surrender in Yecheng by Murong Chui. Hearing this, Lao Zhi immediately led his troops to rescue him. When Murong Chui heard that Lao Zhi's army was coming, he fled north from Xincheng. Lao Zhi and the Prefect of Pei County, Tian Cizi, pursued relentlessly, pursuing for two hundred li until they reached Wuqiao Marsh. In the chaos of trying to seize supplies, the troops became disorganized and were ultimately defeated by Murong Chui, resulting in heavy losses for Lao Zhi's army, with countless soldiers killed or wounded. In a crucial moment, Lao Zhi leaped over a five-zhang deep trench on horseback to narrowly escaped. Fu Pi also arrived to support them, and they entered Linzhang, gathering the scattered soldiers and restoring the army's morale.
As a result of this defeat, Lao Zhi was recalled. After a while, he was appointed as the General of Longxiang to guard Huaiyin. Later, he was sent to defend Pengcheng and also served as the Prefect. A bandit named Liu Li proclaimed himself emperor at Huangqiu, and Lao Zhi led troops to eliminate him. Fu Jian's general Zhang Yu sent troops to attack Jinxiang, besieging the Prefect of Taishan, Yang Mai. Lao Zhi dispatched his aide, Xiang Qinzhi, to rescue him, successfully driving away Zhang Yu's army. However, when Murong Chui's rebel general Zhai Zhao arrived to aid Zhang Yu, Lao Zhi had to pull back his troops. After Zhai Zhao retreated, Lao Zhi went on to pacify Taishan, pursuing Zhai Zhao to Juancheng. Zhai Zhao fled to Hebei, and Lao Zhi seized Zhang Yu, bringing him back to Pengcheng.
Another bandit, Sima Hui, gathered a band of followers at Matou Mountain. Lao Zhi sent his aide, Zhu Langzhi, to take him down. At the same time, Murong clan members were plundering Linqiu, and the Prefect of Gaoping, Xu Hanyuan, requested help from Lao Zhi. However, Lao Zhi couldn't arrive in time and was dismissed from his post because of his cowardice.
Wang Gong wanted to attack Wang Guobao, so he appointed Liu Laozhi as his military officer, assigned him to oversee the internal affairs of Nanpeng City, and also gave him the title of Assistant General of Fuguo. Wang Gong sent Liu Laozhi to attack Wang Xin, and after winning, appointed Liu Laozhi as the Prefect of Jinling. Wang Gong had always looked down on Liu Laozhi's abilities and status. When the order to attack Wang Guobao reached the capital, the court killed Wang Guobao and Wang Xu. Wang Gong felt powerful and accomplished; even though he relied on Liu Laozhi as his right-hand man, he treated him with little respect despite being a military general. Liu Laozhi harbored a deep resentment towards Wang Gong. Later, Wang Gong was promoted, and Yuan Xian sent the Prefect of Lujiang, Gao Su, to persuade Liu Laozhi to betray Wang Gong, promising him a position equal to Wang Gong's if he succeeded, and Liu Laozhi agreed. Wang Gong's aide He Danzhi informed Wang Gong of this plot. Liu Laozhi and He Danzhi had a grudge, so Wang Gong dismissed it as unbelievable and paid it little mind. Wang Gong then held a banquet for Liu Laozhi, publicly acknowledged him as an elder brother, gave him elite soldiers and the best weapons, and made him the vanguard. When they arrived at the bamboo grove, Liu Laozhi betrayed Wang Gong and defected to the imperial court. After Wang Gong's death, Liu Laozhi took over his position and became the military governor of Yanzhao, Qing, Ji, You, Bing, Xu, Yangzhou, and Jinling. Liu Laozhi was originally just a minor general, but he suddenly took Wang Gong's position, which caused resentment among everyone. He promoted his trusted followers like Xu Qianzhi to consolidate his power. At that time, Yang Qianqi and Huan Xuan led their troops toward the capital. Liu Laozhi defended Wang Gong in a memorial to the court, requesting his own execution. Liu Laozhi hurried to the capital and set up camp at Xinting. Upon receiving the imperial order, Huan Xuan's forces withdrew, and Liu Laozhi returned to guard Jingkou.
Sun En rebelled and took Kuaiji (present-day Shaoxing), so Lao Zhi sent General Huan Bao to lead troops to rescue the Sanwu territories and sent his son Jing Xuan to support from behind. When the troops arrived at Qu'e (modern Danyang, Jiangsu), the Prefect of Wu County, Huan Qian, had already fled. Lao Zhi personally led his troops eastward, directly petitioned the court to engage in battle, and then set off. When they arrived at Wu County (modern Suzhou), he and General Wei Xie Yan fought alongside each other against the rebel army, winning many battles and killing many enemies, advancing all the way to the border of Zhejiang. The court promoted him to the rank of General of the Vanguard and put him in charge of military affairs in Wu County.
At that time, Xie Yan was stationed in Wucheng (modern Huzhou, Zhejiang) and sent Sima Gao Su to assist Lao Zhi. Lao Zhi led a large army across the river, which made Sun En flee to the sea. Lao Zhi returned to defend his position, while Sun En retreated to Kuaiji, where he killed Xie Yan. The court then promoted Lao Zhi to the rank of General of the North, putting him in charge of military affairs in Kuaiji and five other counties. He led his troops east and stationed them in Shangyu (modern Shangyu, Zhejiang), also sending troops to garrison various counties. Sun En once again captured Wu County and killed Prefect Yuan Shansong. Lao Zhi sent Captain Liu Yu to attack Sun En, who once again fled to the sea.
After some time, Sun En suddenly arrived at Jingkou (modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu) from the sea, leading a hundred thousand troops and thousands of warships, with an impressive display of force! Lao Zhi was at Shanyin (modern Shaoxing, Zhejiang) at the time and quickly sent Liu Yu from Haiyan (modern Haiyan, Zhejiang) to the rescue, and he himself led a large army. Liu Yu had fewer than a thousand troops, but they engaged the rebel army and achieved victory! When Sun En heard that Lao Zhi had returned to Jingkou, he fled to Yuzhou (modern Taicang, Jiangsu), where he was ultimately defeated by Jing Xuan, Liu Yu, and their forces. Ultimately, Sun En was killed, and Lao Zhi's reputation soared even higher.
In the early 400s AD, the court planned to launch an attack against Huan Xuan and appointed Liu Laozhi as the commander of the vanguard and general for the Western Expedition, overseeing the affairs of Jiangzhou. Yuan Xian sent a messenger to inquire about Liu Laozhi's plans for the campaign against Huan Xuan. Liu Laozhi regarded Huan Xuan as young and capable, and he commanded a formidable army in the Chu region, fearing that he could not defeat him. Moreover, he worried that if he defeated Huan Xuan, his accomplishments would overshadow Yuan Xian. He hesitated and ultimately had no choice but to lead the Northern Mansion's army to camp in Liezhou.
Huan Xuan dispatched He Mu to persuade Liu Laozhi: "Throughout history, especially in troubled times, there have been examples of mutual trust between rulers and their advisors, such as King Zhao of Yan and Le Yi, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, but they ultimately failed to achieve lasting success, as both rulers died prematurely. Even if they achieve success, they might still meet a fatal end. As the saying goes, 'When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the crafty rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.' For instance, Fan Li fled from the state of Yue, and Han Xin was executed by Liu Bang. Even those heroes and overlords dared not fully trust their loyal subjects, let alone those cruel, stupid, mediocre people? Since the beginning of time, how many have managed to survive in such chaotic times? Individuals like Guan Zhong, who assisted Duke Huan of Qi, and Yong Chi, who served Han Gaozu, managed to protect themselves, especially considering your old grievances with Huan Xuan! Now, if you defeat Huan Xuan, your entire family could be wiped out; even if you win, your clan might face the same fate. Do you want to make it back in one piece? It’s wiser to rethink your strategy, safeguard your wealth, so that you remain as solid as gold and stone; your reputation will endure for generations, which is far better than meeting a disgraceful end and becoming the laughingstock of the world! Think it over yourself!"
Liu Laozhi considered himself to have a powerful army, believing that his skills and strategies were sufficient to dominate the Jiangzhou region. At that time, Prince Qiao Sima Shangzhi had already been defeated and the morale of the people was low. Gradually, he accepted He Mu's advice and sent messengers to reach out to Huan Xuan. His nephew He Wuji and Liu Yu strongly advised him against it, but he did not listen. Soon after, he ordered Jing Xuan to surrender to Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan was delighted and hosted a feast with Jing Xuan, while secretly plotting his demise. Huan Xuan even brought out calligraphy and paintings for Jing Xuan to admire, to lull him into a false sense of security. Jing Xuan was unaware, and Huan Xuan's subordinates were all secretly laughing at each other.
After Yuan Xian's failure, Huan Xuan appointed Laozhi as the General Who Conquers the East and the Governor of Kuaiji. Laozhi sighed and said, "From the beginning, he took away my military power; disaster is about to come!" At that time, Huan Xuan was based at Xiangfu. Jing Xuan advised Laozhi to attack Huan Xuan, but Laozhi hesitated. He then moved to Bandu, intending to go north to join the Governor of Guangling, Gao Yazhi, to secure the northern bank of the river against Huan Xuan, and then gather everyone for a meeting.
The military officer Liu Xi said, "The worst thing you can do is rebel. General, you have rebelled against Wang Yunzhou in the past, recently against Sima Langjun, and now you want to rebel against Duke Huan. How can a person succeed in rebelling three times?" After Liu Xi finished speaking, he hurried out, causing many advisors to panic and flee. Jing Xuan had previously gone back to Jingkou to handle family affairs, which caused him to return late. Laozhi thought that Jing Xuan had been killed by Liu Xi, so he took his own life. Shortly after, Jing Xuan arrived, too late to grieve, and hurried to seek refuge with Gao Yazhi. The generals buried Laozhi's body and sent the coffin back to Dantu.
Huan Xuan ordered the coffin to be broken open, Laozhi's head to be chopped off, and his body to be displayed for all to see. Later, Liu Yu rose up in rebellion to vindicate Laozhi and restore his official position.
Jing Xuan, Lao Zhi's eldest son, was not as clever and cunning as his father, but he excelled in craftsmanship. When Sun En rebelled, he fought alongside his father and achieved significant military accomplishments. Later, he became an official in Yuan Xian's administration and then served as an adviser to Huan Xuan. After his father Lao Zhi's defeat in battle, he fled to Murong Chao with Gao Ya from Guangling. One night, he dreamt of swallowing a soil pill, and upon waking, he felt elated, saying, "Having swallowed him, I'm sure I'll be able to return to my own territory!" Soon after, Huan Xuan was defeated, and he returned to the capital alongside Sima Xiuzhi. He was appointed as the General of the Guarding State and the Prefect of Jinling. Later, he and Zhuge Changmin triumphed over Huan Xin at Shaobi, and he was promoted to General Jianwei, Governor of Jiangzhou, stationed in Xunyang. He also defeated Huan Liang and Fu Hong several times in Xiangzhong, achieving major victories each time. After Emperor An resumed power, he was appointed as the Champion General, the Interior Minister of Xuancheng, and also served as the Prefect of Xiangcheng. When Qiao Zong launched his rebellion, he was appointed as the Commander of the Shu Expeditionary Army and the Acting Commander, leading a western expedition with General Zang Xi of Ningshuo. Jing Xuan set out from Baidi City, capturing cities and forts effortlessly along the way. When the army reached Huangshou, they faced off against the army of Qiao Daofu for over sixty days. Eventually, the army suffered an outbreak of plague and ran out of food, which forced them to retreat. As a result, he faced accusations from court officials, leading to his dismissal. After some time, he was appointed as an adviser to the Central Army, promoted to Champion General, and later rose to the position of Guardian of the Barbarians, Prefect of Anfeng, and Interior Minister of Liangguo. When Lu Xun rebelled, he participated in the southern expedition as the Champion General. After Lu Xun was defeated, he was promoted to Left Guard General and Cavalry Commandant, and later to General Conquering the Barbarians and Governor of Qingzhou. He was then transferred to Jizhou, where he was ultimately killed by his aide, Sima Dao.
Yin Zhongkan hails from Chen Jun. His grandfather Yin Rong held the positions of Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Minister of Personnel; his father Yin Shi served as a Cavalry Consultant, Prefect of Jinling, and was granted the title of Lord of Shayang. Zhongkan is a gifted orator and a skilled writer. He often says that if he doesn't read the "Tao Te Ching" for three days, his tongue feels like lead. His eloquence rivals that of Han Kangbo, and he is highly respected by everyone. He was appointed as an assistant in the Imperial Library. When General Xie Xuan was stationed in Jingkou, he wanted Zhongkan to serve as his consultant. Later, he was appointed as a Ministerial Clerk, but he declined. Xie Xuan then appointed him as his chief historian, demonstrating significant trust in him. Yin Zhongkan wrote a letter to Xie Xuan:
Following the fall of the Hu dynasty, countless women and children from the Central Plains were sold to Jiangdong. Families were separated, suffering year-round, their grievances rising to the heavens, causing great sorrow. Although such things are common during times of war, it serves as a warning to future generations, but this is not the Emperor’s intent to show grace and care for the people! The court ministers have started to tackle this issue, intending to rescue them from dire straits, but the situation has become truly lamentable! I hope that you can use noble principles to inspire them, make wise decisions to guide them, extend compassion to the people, use laws to prohibit violence, so that those who come to Jin may find joy in their hearts, so that the emaciated can slowly regain their strength, so that compassion and righteousness can coexist with conflict, so that ethics and achievements can thrive together. This is what we hope for from you!
Recently, I heard that most of the people caught in this raid were primarily driven by hunger. Middle-aged men sought to save their children, while young people aimed to protect their parents. Travelers on the road would share their food with one another, and those at home were lamenting and hoping for rescue. However, in the blink of an eye, they were caught, separated from their loved ones, which is truly heart-wrenching. In the past, Meng Sun once caught a fawn while hunting and asked Qin Xi to take it back. The fawn's mother followed, crying in sorrow. Unable to bear the sight, Meng Sun released the fawn and pardoned Qin Xi, allowing him to teach his own son. If even animals cannot bear to be separated, how can we expect people to? The fierce owl, while eating mulberries, still produces a melodious sound! Though labeled as barbarians, do they truly lack emotions? As long as you can touch their feelings, they can be influenced. We must ensure that no one in the border areas is driven by petty gains, and the strong must not exploit the weak. As soon as your voice of compassion resonates, it will undoubtedly echo across the desert, and the enemies' followers will surely surrender. Why worry that the Yellow River’s waters won’t nourish the fields or that the Han Gu Pass remains closed?
Profound indeed.
He was appointed Prefect of Jinling, but failed to report the birth of his child during his tenure, nor did he bury his deceased parents for an extended period. He used his own parents as collateral to redeem those who had defected. The edicts he issued were both reasonable and compassionate.
His father had been ill for many years, and Zhong Kan took care of him tirelessly, even studying medicine and becoming proficient in it. He brewed medicine himself, weeping as he worked, ultimately losing sight in one eye. He mourned profoundly during the period of mourning and was renowned for his filial devotion. After the mourning period, Emperor Xiaowu appointed him as the Prince's Chief Attendant, showing great affection and favor towards him.
Zhong Kan's father used to have exceptionally sharp ears and could hear the sound of ants crawling under the bed, mistaking it for cows fighting. "Father once suffered from acute hearing, heard ants moving under the bed, and thought it was cows fighting." The emperor had heard about this incident before, but did not know who it was. At this moment, the emperor casually asked Zhong Kan, "Who has this kind of illness?" Zhong Kan stood up crying and said, "I am just an ordinary person; I do not dare to be arrogant." "I only move forward or retreat with humility." The emperor felt ashamed after hearing this.
Later, Zhong Kan became a Huangmen Lang, and the emperor's favor and trust in him grew. The emperor once showed him a poem he had written, which said, "Do not laugh at others' lack of talent with your own talent." The emperor felt that the Prince of Kuaiji was not a reliable minister to assist in state affairs, so he promoted his own trusted advisor to guard the border, appointing Zhong Kan as the military commander of Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Ningzhou, General of Zhenwei, the Governor of Jingzhou, and granting him the authority to act independently, allowing him to guard Jiangling.
As Zhong Kan's departure approached, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Thinking about your leaving makes me feel uncomfortable. I have always regarded you as a pillar of the court, but now I have to send you to the land of Jingchu, which is indeed unfortunate!" "Your departure will leave a sour taste in people's mouths. I have always thought of you as a treasure of the court, but now you are going to Jingchu, which is indeed unfortunate!" This was the extent of the emperor's favor and closeness towards him.
Although Zhong Kan had a good reputation, many felt that he was not qualified to serve as the Governor of Shanzhou. Nevertheless, he continued to be highly regarded by the court, being appointed to high positions, and both the court and the people hoped he would achieve great success. However, after taking up his post, he neglected major issues and instead focused on small favors and acts of kindness, which endeared him to the local people, whether they were Han Chinese or ethnic minorities.
Earlier that day, Zhong Kan was playing by the river and saw a floating coffin, so he fished it out and buried it. A few days later, the small ditch in front of his house had miraculously transformed into a riverbank. That night, someone visited Zhong Kan, claiming to be Xu Boxuan, and said, "Thank you for your grace; I have nothing to repay you." Zhong Kan asked him, "What is the auspicious sign of the riverbank that suddenly appeared in front of my house?" The man replied, "The appearance of a bank in the water is called a shoal, and you are about to be appointed as the governor of a province." After saying that, he disappeared. Later, he was indeed appointed as the governor of Jingzhou.
In Guiyang, there was a man named Huang Qin, whose father had passed away a long time ago, but he pretended to wear mourning clothes, claiming to be going to meet his father's coffin. According to the law, pretending that one's parents have died would result in the death penalty, and the officials in the prefecture initially planned to enforce the law against him. However, Zhong Kan said, "The law stipulates that pretending one's parents have died and receiving the most severe punishment is because the parents are still alive but falsely claimed to be dead, which is a great violation of filial piety. That is why the strictest punishment is used. Huang Qin's situation is different; his father has indeed passed away, the grave is in his hometown, and it has been a long time. He is only pretending to meet the coffin; though it's a significant deception, it is fundamentally different from falsely claiming that one's parents are alive." So he spared his life. He also allowed the adoption of different surnames, although it is not allowed by law, but if the descendants have no heirs, they are only allowed to be responsible for worship and not to establish a separate household to avoid military service. His subordinates all admired him.
At that time, the court sought to mobilize Guo Quan, the governor of Yizhou, and the governor of Jianwei, Bian Bao, encouraged Guo Quan to rebel. Zhong Kan ended up killing him and reported it to the court. The court believed Zhong Kan hadn't seen this coming, so they demoted him to the rank of Yingyang General. The Ministry of Personnel ordered each of the three counties in Liangzhou, which fell under Yizhou's jurisdiction, to send a thousand troops to garrison Han Zhong, but Yizhou was unwilling to comply with this order. So Zhong Kan submitted a memorial to the court, stating:
It is said that, in ancient times, in order to consolidate national defense and divide territories, each had its own rationale. The strategic terrain of Jiange Pass is absolutely crucial to the Shu region! The three counties of Baxi, Zitong, and Dangqu are far from Hanzhong, all within Jiange Pass. Their rise and fall are closely linked to Shu territory. However, they are under the jurisdiction of Liangzhou. Liangzhou aims to dominate Jiange Pass and open up a convenient route for transporting troops. Since the court moved south, the situation in the Minshan and Qionglai areas has changed significantly. Therefore, when Li Shi just pacified the rebellion, he assigned these three counties to Yizhou to strengthen the defense upstream, like building a solid defense line as in the Book of Changes. This strategy was meticulously planned and spanned several years. Liangzhou, due to its vast jurisdiction, wanted to reclaim these three counties, completely forgetting the principle of feudal lords maintaining their own territories and setting up defenses, disregarding the actual situation inside and outside the terrain, only emphasizing their lack of troops and complaining about their hardships.
Now that the Huayang area has stabilized, Longxi has also submitted to the court, and the remaining forces in Guanzhong are killing each other, Liangzhou requests to reclaim these three counties on this basis. Yizhou originally governed these three counties, and both sides were in a deadlock. As a result, the counties of Baxi and Dangqu fell to foreign tribes; the cities lay deserted, and the populace fled in all directions, while the fertile land fell into the hands of the foreign tribes. Now it seems that the long-term strategy should be to consolidate the key passes and strengthen defense. Moreover, the foreign tribes are powerful, and our troops are weak. If management is chaotic and orders are inconsistent, then Jiange Pass will not be able to hold, and it will be even harder to control those foreign tribes. This is a critical matter concerning border security and the safety of the upstream territories!
In the past, the military forces of the three counties were well-equipped, with about three hundred civil and military officials used to support Liangzhou. Now, due to the invasion of barbarians, the soldiers have suffered heavy losses, with only two soldiers remaining for every ten, and even basic survival is hard to maintain due to desertion and loss. If we reluctantly obey the order to support Liangzhou, both public and private interests are likely to incur unbearable losses. In that case, the defense of Jiange will be undermanned, and orders cannot be effectively issued from Yizhou, which would only nominally control the situation, potentially undermining the fundamental principles of feudal governance and long-term statecraft. Therefore, I think we should add five hundred civil and military officials to Liangzhou, bringing the total to one thousand five hundred, with the remainder staying the same. If there is an emergency in Liangzhou, the Shu region should provide full support.
After the memorial was submitted to the court, the court approved it.
When Huan Xuan was in South County, he discussed the Four Scholars who assisted the Han Dynasty. He said that Emperor Xiaohui ascended to the throne, but Emperor Hui was weak, and Empress Lü was cruel. These old gentlemen risked their lives to go to the Han Dynasty to rescue the Han from its crisis. However, the two families—Liu and Lü—each wielded their own power, competing with each other, and hatred was bound to arise. I wonder how ordinary men of ambition like the Four Scholars managed to avoid disaster? Perhaps seclusion is the only way to stay safe! He penned these thoughts in an article and sent it to Zhong Kan.
Zhong Kan replied, "Whether to live a life of seclusion or pursue fame, to remain silent or to speak out, these do not reflect the true intentions of a virtuous person. The key lies in the different eras in which one finds themselves, which naturally leads to different strategies being adopted. As long as righteousness is not compromised, the world can find peace, and those who uphold benevolence and righteousness will surely feel something. People like the Four Haos, legendary figures known for their virtue, who cultivate their aspirations in the deep mountains and old forests, possess noble morals that no one else can match. Despite the harsh rule of the Qin Dynasty, they were able to navigate it with ease and without fear; even though Emperor Gaozu of Han was mighty, they paid no heed to his recruitment efforts. They were simply moved by a principle, responding naturally, much like the etiquette observed among guests, without any disputes. Emperor Xiaohui was able to find peace as a result, but could not reciprocate their kindness; Emperor Wen of Han was able to stabilize the vassal states, without any complaints.
Furthermore, as conflicts escalate, if rulers do not come from the same family, the people will harbor dissent; if the throne lacks a stable heir, people will act on their own, seeking to assert themselves. Moreover, the Han Dynasty rose to power through military force, and people did not yet understand benevolence and righteousness. To combat evil, one must uphold orthodoxy. The world is like a vast vessel; if chaos arises, it can become as tumultuous as the sea. Are those who drive chariots doing it for the sake of one person's rise and fall? As long as we can promote benevolence and righteousness, matters of bending or sacrificing oneself, honor or disgrace, are all secondary. The principles and circumstances differ; do you still have any doubts?"
He also said that the power of the Lü clan was strong, almost endangering the Liu clan's rule. If Emperor Wen of Han had ascended the throne, this danger would not have existed. However, fortunes and misfortunes are unpredictable, making it hard to say for sure. At that time, the world had just stabilized, power lay in the hands of the elite, and Emperor Gaozu distributed land to his descendants, solid as a rock. There were also many important ministers assisting the state, so how could those trivial official positions and wealth possibly shake things? Perhaps this was foreseen by the Four Wise Men, and now it cannot be argued. We can only say that we should learn from the generosity of ancient sages and have a far-sighted vision. Rectify the fundamentals, and even if there cannot be a complete absence of danger, danger can be easily controlled. If a situation of conflict is opened, although it may not be unstable, stability is difficult to guarantee. This is the fundamental principle of good governance, cherished by sages of the past and present.
Huan Xuan was persuaded by Xie Zong.
It is said that Xie Zong served as an official in Jingzhou, and during those years, the heavens were not favorable, with both droughts and floods, causing widespread hunger among the common people. Xie Zong himself only ate five bowls of rice for each meal, with no leftovers in the bowl. He would even pick up and eat a grain of rice that fell on the ground. Although he appeared very frugal on the surface, this was simply his nature: he was very humble and down-to-earth. He often told his sons, "When others see me become a state official, they think I can live a good life from now on, but being an official is not easy! Being poor is normal for a scholar, how can one forget their roots just for the sake of promotion and wealth? Remember this!" Later, a major flood struck Shu, and thousands of homes in Jiangling were swept away. Because the embankment was not repaired, Xie Zong was demoted from the position of governor to General of Ningyuan. After Emperor An ascended the throne, he was promoted again to General of the Chariots and Cavalry, but he firmly refused the position.
At first, Huan Xuan wanted to win the support of Wang Gong, so he found Xie Zhongkan and wanted him to support Wang Gong's leadership, under the pretext of restoring Jin Yang to help Huan Wen gain merit. Xie Zhongkan appeared to agree. But he knew in his heart that Wang Gong was in Jingkou, less than two hundred miles away from the capital, while he was far away in Jingzhou, unable to connect his troops and couldn't provide any assistance. So he agreed on the surface with Wang Gong, but actually had no intention of sending troops. When he heard that Wang Gong had already killed Wang Guobao and others, he eventually declared he would send troops, and sent General Longxiang Yang Quanqi to Baling. Consequently, Sima Daozi, the King of Kuaiji, sent someone to stop him, so Xie Zhongkan was forced to withdraw his troops.
Earlier, Huan Xuan resigned and returned to his hometown. Xie Zhongkan was quite wary of his abilities and influence, so he sought to gain his favor. Huan Xuan, on the other hand, wanted to use Xie Zhongkan's troops, so he actively sought to please him. In dealing with Wang Guobao, Xie Zhongkan fell into Huan Xuan's trap and secretly conspired with the Governor of Yongzhou, Chi Hui, as well as his cousin Xie Yi, the Commandant of the Southern Barbarians, and Jiang Ji, the Prefect of Nanjun. However, Chi Hui, Xie Yi, and Jiang Ji were reluctant to collaborate with him, so Xie Zhongkan had no option but to have Yang Quanqi take Jiang Ji's place, and Xie Yi voluntarily resigned.
Wang Gong and the Inspector of Yuzhou, Yu Kai, teamed up to lead their forces against the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Wang Yu, and Prince Qiao, Shang Zhi. Zhongkan then called everyone together to discuss, stating, "Last year, the court executed Guobao (referring to Wang Gong) on its own accord, Wang Gong's reputation and prestige are already very strong, and now that he is rising again, he will surely succeed. And we were slow in our actions last year, we have already lost his trust, so we should quickly organize our troops, set out soon, and join in his victory." Thus, he dispatched Quanqi to lead five thousand naval troops as the vanguard, with Huan Xuan following closely behind. Zhongkan himself commanded twenty thousand troops and set out afterward.
Quan Qi and Huan Xuan arrived at Pen Port, and Wang Yu escaped, fleeing to Linchuan. Huan Xuan sent a small army to chase after him and captured Wang Yu. Quan Qi and his group continued to advance, reaching Hengjiang, where Yu Kai was defeated and fled to Huan Xuan. Prince Qiao and his group also fled, and Prince Qiao's brother, Shang Hui, who led the navy, was completely wiped out. Huan Xuan's forces reached Shitoucheng, while Zhong Kan made his way to Wuhu. Suddenly, news arrived that Wang Gong had died, and Liu Laozhi rebelled against Wang Gong, leading the Northern Army to camp at Xinting. Huan Xuan's army was terrified, having lost all will to fight, turned their troops around, and camped at Caizhou.
Just as the court had quelled the rebellions of Gong and Kai, the situation in the west was uncertain. Zhong Kan and his tens of thousands of troops were roaming near the capital, facing immense pressure internally and externally. Huan Xuan's cousin, Huan Xiu, went to speak with King Daozi of Kuaiji, saying, "The western army can be persuaded to surrender; I understand their intentions. As long as great rewards are promised to Quan Qi, no one will hesitate to turn against Zhong Kan." Daozi accepted this suggestion and appointed Xie Xuan as the Governor of Jiangzhou, Huan Quanqi as the Governor of Yongzhou, demoted Zhong Kan to Guangzhou, appointed Huan Xiu as the Governor of Jingzhou, and sent Zhong Kan's uncle, Tai Chang Mao, to deliver the decree and lead the troops back.
Zhong Kan was furious to learn he had been demoted. He felt that although Wang Gong had failed, his own troops were enough to make a difference, so he ordered Xie Xuan and his men to march quickly. Xie Xuan and his men were pleased to have gained the court's favor, but were torn about whether to follow the court's orders. At this time, Zhong Kan's brother Yu was the Sima of Quanqi. He secretly went to Zhong Kan at night and told him that Quanqi had accepted the court's appointment and joined Huan Xiu. Zhong Kan was thrown into a panic upon hearing this, and immediately turned back south of Wuhu. He sent someone to Xie Xuan and his men to warn, "If you don't disperse and return to camp, when the main army arrives at Jiangling, I'll have you all killed!" Liu Xi, who originally belonged to Quanqi with two thousand men, also followed Zhong Kan back. Xie Xuan and his men were terrified and hurried after Zhong Kan, catching up with him in Xunyang.
As Zhong Kan lost power, he turned to Xie Xuan for support, and despite their mutual distrust, they managed to maintain their alliance. Zhong Kan and Quanqi offered their children as hostages and formed an alliance in Xunyang, with Xie Xuan chosen as their leader. They ignored the court's orders, advocated for Wang Gong, and demanded the execution of Liu Laozhi, Prince Qiao Shangzhi, and others. The court was deeply concerned about this. So the court sent a stern edict to Zhong Kan, saying, "Recently, General, you have been implicated in some matters, raising alarm among both the court and the public. But let's put the past behind us; both sides should forget about it. Lead your troops back, follow the court's orders, and the court will reassess your position based on the current circumstances. Your sense of honor has genuinely impressed us, so now we restore your original position, allowing you to continue to guard your territory, lay down your arms, and take some time to recuperate, to ensure stability both inside and outside. Therefore, we send Tai Chang Mao to express our intentions." Zhong Kan and his men accepted the edict and returned to their respective posts.
After a while, Huan Xuan prepared to attack Yang Quanqi. He first went to tell Yin Zhongkan, "I’m about to march to the Mian River to confront Yang Quanqi. The army is already stationed at the river mouth. If he isn’t colluding with you, you can take him out; if he is, I’ll lead my army straight across the river." Yin Zhongkan sent his brother Yin Wei and younger brother Yin Yu to lead seven thousand naval troops to the river mouth. Huan Xuan sent Guo Quan and Fu Hong to attack them, and Yin Yu and the others were defeated and fled. Huan Xuan set up camp at Baling and stockpiled supplies there. Later, Huan Xuan defeated Yang Guang at Xiakou. Yin Zhongkan lost the food and supplies at Baling, and all the other generals were defeated, causing panic in Jiangling City. A severe famine hit the city, and people could only rely on sesame seeds for sustenance. Yin Zhongkan quickly called for Yang Quanqi to come to his aid. Yang Quanqi led his troops to cross the river and attack Huan Xuan but was defeated and fled back to Xiangyang. Yin Zhongkan fled to Zengcheng, where he was captured by Huan Xuan's pursuers and forced to commit suicide, dying in Zaxi. His disciples Dao Hu and army officer Luo Qisheng were also killed. Yin Zhongkan was a devout follower of the Celestial Master Dao in his youth, generously serving the gods, but he neglected kindness and righteousness, being stingy when it came to helping those in need. When Huan Xuan attacked, he was still busy praying. Though he had a knack for winning people over and personally diagnosing and treating the sick, his military strategies were intricate and cunning, but he lacked foresight, which ultimately led to his downfall.
Yin Jianzhi, son of Yin Zhongkan, transported his father's coffin back to Jiankang, buried him in Dantu, and then lived next to the tomb. After the righteous banner was raised, he led his servants and guests to follow the righteous army in pursuit of Huan Xuan. After Huan Xuan's death, Yin Jianzhi even consumed his flesh. In the battle against Huan Zhen, the righteous army faced defeat, and Yin Jianzhi fell in battle. His brother Yin Kuangzhi inherited his father's excellent qualities and became the magistrate of Jian County.
Yang Quanqi, hailing from Hongnong Huayin, was a descendant of Yang Zhen, the Grand Commandant during the Han Dynasty. His great-grandfather, Yang Zhun, served as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. From Yang Zhen to Yang Zhun, seven generations were highly respected. His grandfather, Yang Lin, was renowned for his talent in his youth, but died at the hands of the barbarians during the war. His father, Yang Liang, served as an official in the usurping Wei Dynasty in his youth, later surrendered to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and eventually became the Inspector of Liangzhou, known for his integrity and competence. Yang Quanqi was steady and brave, while his brother Yang Guang and younger brother Yang Siping were rough and brutal. He considered his family lineage prestigious, unmatched in the Jiangnan region, and even felt angry when his family was compared to Wang Xun. However, people at that time ostracized him because he arrived late in the Jiangnan region and did not meet the standards of marriage and officialdom of the aristocratic families, which made him always resentful and determined to establish his reputation.
According to accounts, Quanqi began his career in the military at a young age. During the Xiankang period, he led the army stationed at Chenggu. Fu Jian's general Pan Meng defended Tanghuilei, but Quanqi emerged victorious against him, and Pan Meng's army surrendered. Later, Quanqi was appointed as General Guangwei and Prefect of Henan, stationed in Luoyang. Subsequently, Fu Jian's general Dou Chong led his army to attack the Prefect of Pingyang, Zhang Yuanxi, at Huangtianwu, and Quanqi successfully repelled Dou Chong.
Next, Quan Qi entered Hucheng City and proceeded to Tongguan, engaging in battles all the way and achieving victory in every one, killing and capturing thousands, with more than nine hundred households surrendering. He returned to Luoyang with the spoils of victory; his official rank was also elevated, and he was appointed as the General of Longxiang. Unfortunately, he fell ill later on and was reassigned as the Prefect of Xinye, while also holding the title of Marshal of Jianwei. Later, he was reassigned as the Prefect of Tangyi, overseeing military affairs in Shitou, but due to illness, he resigned from his position. Yin Zhongkan, the Governor of Jingzhou, recognized his talents, appointed him as his military advisor, and had him take over as the magistrate of Nanchun from Jiang Ji.
Yin Zhongkan and Huan Xuan led troops in response to the call of Wang Gong and Yu Kai. Yin Zhongkan actually did not understand military affairs, so he left all military matters to the Quan Qi brothers. They led five thousand troops as the vanguard, following Huan Xuan. When they arrived at Shitou City, Wang Gong had already passed away, Yu Kai had been defeated, and the court was unaware of Huan Xuan's army's movements, so Quan Qi was appointed to replace Chi Hui as the Commander of the military forces in the three provinces of Liang, Yong, and Qin, as well as the Governor of Yongzhou. Later, Yin Zhongkan and Huan Xuan both underwent personnel changes, and they returned to Xunyang together to form an alliance against the imperial decree. Not long after, the court reinstated Yin Zhongkan to his original position, so they each returned to their respective stations.
Initially, Huan Xuan had no plans to follow the court's orders. He aimed to become the Governor of Yongzhou himself and planned to transfer Xi Hui to Guangzhou. Xi Hui was afraid that Huan Xuan would come to attack him, so he asked his subordinates for advice. Everyone said, "If Quan Qi comes, we will all fight for him with all our might! But if it's Huan Xuan who comes, it would be hard to fend him off." Xi Hui knew that Quan Qi was coming to replace him, so he discussed with Luqiu Xian, the Prefect of Nanyang, and prepared to resist militarily. Quan Qi considered that things might not work out, so he announced that Huan Xuan was coming through the Mian River, and he himself would act as the vanguard. Xi Hui's subordinates believed this claim and gave up on resisting. Xi Hui's army scattered and surrendered; Quan Qi entered the government office, executed Luqiu Xian, and then allowed Xi Hui to return to the capital. After that, Quan Qi reassured the soldiers and looked after the people, repaired the city walls, reorganized the army, and won the hearts of the people.
Quan Qi and Zhong Kan had a long-standing feud with Huan Xuan. Quan Qi had tried several times to attack Huan Xuan, but Zhong Kan consistently held him back. Huan Xuan reported to the court, saying their relationship was bad and he wanted to expand his military power. The court also wanted to use the conflict between them, so they appointed Huan Wei as the Chief of the Southern Barbarians. Quan Qi was angry and afraid, so he set up camp with his troops, ostensibly to support Luoyang, but actually planning to attack Huan Xuan with Zhong Kan. Zhong Kan appeared to be united with Quan Qi, but he harbored doubts and urged him against acting impulsively. He even sent his brother Yu to the north to station troops, attempting to keep him under control. Quan Qi, realizing he was outnumbered and couldn't act independently, had no choice but to withdraw his troops.
In the third year of the Long'an era, Huan Xuan finally mustered his forces to launch an attack against Quan Qi, beginning with an assault on Zhong Kan. At first, Zhong Kan received a letter from Huan Xuan and promptly sent someone to summon Quan Qi for assistance. Quan Qi said, "How can we resist the enemy without food? You better come over; let's defend Xiangyang together." Fearing that Quan Qi might not come, he deceived him, claiming, "I have collected a lot of food recently; it's enough." Quan Qi believed him and led his troops there. With eight thousand well-equipped infantry and cavalry, they arrived, but Zhong Kan provided them with nothing but meager rations. Quan Qi was furious and said, "We are doomed!" Then Zhong Kan disappeared. Meanwhile, Huan Xuan was stationed at Lingkou, and Quan Qi and his brother Quan Guang attacked Huan Xuan together. Fearing the might of Quan Qi's forces, Huan Xuan let his troops cross the Ma River. The next day, Quan Qi led ten thousand elite troops, including Yin Dao Hu, to fight by boat. Huan Xuan successfully held them back, preventing any advance. Along the way, they diverted to attack Guo Quan and almost captured him. Just then, Huan Xuan's reinforcements arrived, forcing Quan Qi to retreat. Most of his troops were captured, leaving him to escape alone back to Xiangyang. Huan Xuan's army pursued them to Xiangyang, where both Quan Qi and his brother Quan Guang were executed. Their severed heads were sent to the capital and displayed at Zhuque Gate. Quan Qi's younger brother Quan Si Ping, cousins Quan Shang Bao and Quan Zi Jing all fled to the frontier regions. Later, when Liu Yu led a rebellion, they returned to the court and subsequently served as officials in various provinces and prefectures.
It is said that Zijing, an impatient and decisive person. Previously, he and Quan Qi tried to persuade Yin Zhongkan to kill Yin Yi, but Yin Zhongkan refused. Zijing drew his sword and attempted to kill Yin Yi himself, but Yin Zhongkan had a tough time stopping him. Later, when he became the governor of Liangzhou, he often felt frustrated and lacked a sense of accomplishment.
Once passing by Xiangyang, he found that many of Lu Zongzhi's guards used to associate with Quan Qi, which only intensified his anger, changing his expression. Lu Zongzhi's subordinate, counselor Liu Qianqi, criticized him on the spot, and Zijing flew into a rage, drew his sword, and killed Liu Qianqi on the spot! Lu Zongzhi naturally reported to the court, and as a result, Zijing was beheaded. Later, Si Ping and Shang Bao were also killed because of this, and the Yang family also faced misfortune and was utterly destroyed.
Historical records say: the road for the common people is blocked, and the path for loyal ministers has also been blocked. Cast off that old hat and put on new shoes! Zijing was not sincerely assisting the ruler, nor can he be considered a loyal minister. His accomplishments raised suspicions about him, and his power bred distrust, and in the end, he died in battle, truly a case of loss outweighing gain. If local officials make mistakes, chaos will ensue in the region; they may claim to support the court, but secretly think of rebellion. Although Wang Gong spoke frankly and advised, somewhat resembling those loyal ministers of ancient times, the national treasure was still killed, and the uprising in Jinyang still occurred. Therefore, Yin Zhongkan escaped a disaster by luck, Quan Qi behaved improperly, everyone's goals were not aligned, and the army was not united; these factors were enough to cause death, but not enough to quell the rebellion.
Summary of the last paragraph: Xiao Bo (referring to Yin Zhongkan) wanted to make a name for himself, while Lao Zhi (referring to Lu Zongzhi) was in command of the army. Wang Gong incited trouble, and Liu Qianqi met an unjust death. The Yin and Yang families clashed fiercely over power and profit. Yujun (referring to Zijing) was seething with anger and got involved in this conflict. Ah, these people have different ambitions and motivations; this marks the beginning of chaos, which has little to do with the ministers' responsibilities.
