Ah, as the ancients said: "A noble person sacrifices his life for righteousness and will not harm righteousness for the sake of survival." They also said: "Death itself is not terrible; what is truly terrifying is the situation one faces when confronted with death." This is so true! Therefore, dying for justice is only natural; those who sacrifice their lives for justice do so without hesitation. With a heart as firm as iron and an integrity as noble as the pine and cypress, they demonstrate loyalty at year’s end, exhibit fortitude in the cold wind, and face danger and death without fear. Their names are etched in history, their images are depicted in paintings, becoming stories of excellence in history, admired by future generations for their noble character. Since the Yuan Kang period of the Jin Dynasty, there has been political chaos, darkness in court politics, disasters one after another, and extreme hardships, leading to evil and wicked people dominating, the northern tribes clashing with one another, unrest in the Central Plains, and the people suffering from continuous wars and fires of war. Although countless ungrateful people exist, there are also many who willingly sacrifice their lives for justice. Like Ji Shao, who died fighting to protect the emperor, Ka Run, who sacrificed himself for the country, Huan Xiong's righteousness exceeded that of Tian Shu, Zhou Qi's integrity surpassed that of Jie Yang, Luo Ding, who died for his former master, Xin Ji, who did not surrender to the northern tribes, Zhang Yi, who drank poison to protect his integrity, and Wang Liang, who cut off his arm to show loyalty, they are all as resolute as autumn frost, as bright and noble as the sun, sufficient to inspire future generations and uplift the social climate of the time. This is truly when loyal subjects shine in chaotic times! The deeds of Ka Run, Liu Chao, Zhong Ya, Zhou Xiao, and others have been chronicled in biographies, and I will write the deeds of the remaining ones in the "Biography of Loyalty and Righteousness" to demonstrate that loyal and righteous individuals still exist in the Jin Dynasty.
Ji Shao, courtesy name Yanzu, was the son of the Wei dynasty's Gentleman of the Household, Ji Kang. He became an orphan at the age of ten, but he was devoted to his mother and was cautious in his dealings. Because of his father's disgrace, he lived quietly at home. Later, Shantao was responsible for selecting talents, and he spoke to Emperor Wu, saying, "The 'Kang Gao' says, 'The sins of father and son do not overlap.' Ji Shao's talent can compare with Xi Que. He should be given an official position. Please let him be a Secretariat Gentleman." Emperor Wu said to Shantao, "You make it sound like he could even be a Prime Minister. Why only let him be a Gentleman?" Therefore, an edict was issued summoning Ji Shao directly as a Secretariat Gentleman.
When Ji Shao first arrived in Luoyang, someone said to Wang Rong, "I just saw Ji Shao for the first time in the crowd. He has a remarkable presence, like a crane among a flock of chickens." Wang Rong replied, "You should see his father!" Ji Shao later rose in rank and became the Prefect of Ruyin. The Minister of the Left, Pei Wei, also highly valued him, often saying, "If Yanzu were appointed as the Minister of Personnel, there would be no more buried talents in the world." The young man Dai Xi from Pei State was very talented, and he had a good relationship with Ji Shao's cousin Ji Han. People at that time all thought he would have a great future, but Ji Shao thought he wouldn't amount to much. Later, Dai Xi became the Registrar of Sizhou but was let go due to misconduct. Everyone said Ji Shao had a knack for recognizing talent. Ji Shao later rose to become the Interior Minister of Yuzhang, but he stepped down to observe a period of mourning for his mother. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou. At that time, Shi Chong was the Commander, and although he had a proud and irritable character, Ji Shao won him over with his sense of justice, and Shi Chong respected him greatly. Later, Ji Shao's eldest son passed away, so he decided to resign from his post.
During the early years of the Yuankang period, Ji Shao served as the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. At that time, Jia Mi, leveraging his family's influence, held a high position at a young age, and Pan Yue, Du Bin, and others also attached themselves to him. Jia Mi wanted to befriend Ji Shao, but Ji Shao refused him. After Jia Mi was executed, Ji Shao was in the court at the time. Because he did not associate with the evil family of Jia Mi, he was appointed as Lord of Yiyang, promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi, and concurrently served as a National Professor. After the death of the Grand Commandant and Guangling Duke Chen Zhun, the Grand Minister requested to confer a posthumous title on him. Ji Shao, however, raised objections, saying, "Posthumous titles are meant to pass down achievements to future generations. Those with great merits should have grand titles, while those with lesser merits should have smaller titles. The merits of civil and military officials are reflected in their deeds, and the names of the virtuous and fierce are revealed in their hidden aspects. Lately, the officials have been acting arbitrarily, and the posthumous titles do not reflect the actual situations. The posthumous title of Chen Zhun was incorrect; it should be 'Miao'." This matter was submitted to the Grand Minister, and although Ji Shao's opinion was not ultimately accepted, the court regarded him with caution.
Zhao Wanglun, that usurper, usurped the throne and became the Shizhong (equivalent to a close advisor to the emperor). Later, Emperor Hui regained the throne, but Zhao Wanglun continued to serve as Shizhong. Sikong Zhang Hua was killed by Zhao Wanglun, and many people were discussing the matter, considering restoring Zhang Hua's title. However, Jia Shao opposed this, saying, "As subjects, we should assist the emperor in resolving issues and alleviating concerns. Although Zhang Hua held many official positions and did some good deeds, his posthumous reputation was severely tarnished, and people near and far knew that he was the source of the turmoil. Just as the state of Zheng destroyed the coffins of the rebellious descendants of Duke You, or when the state of Lu executed those who concealed their crimes, and it was recorded in history criticizing them. Although we may be reluctant to punish him again, the situation is already very serious, so we should not restore his title, much less claim he is innocent."
When Emperor Hui had just resumed his reign, Jia Shao submitted another memorial, saying, "I have heard that if we correct the previous erroneous policies, the chariot will not tip over; if we eliminate the previous shortcomings, government affairs will not falter. To unify the country, we rely on the emperor; for various departments to operate smoothly, we rely on the concerted efforts of the ministers. This is why King Wen of Zhou was able to govern effectively, and King Cheng, King Kang, and King Mu were able to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era. We must remember the lessons of past failures, as the Book of Changes emphasizes this principle. I hope Your Majesty will not forget the Jingyang Incident, the Grand Marshal will not forget the Ying Rebellion, and the Grand General will not forget the Battle of Huangqiao, to prevent disasters and chaos from recurring."
When Prince Qi Jiong came to power, he began extensive construction projects, growing increasingly extravagant and indulgent. Wang Rong wrote a letter advising him, saying, "Emperor Yu used a simple house to demonstrate his virtues, and the Tang and Yu eras similarly utilized thatched roofs to embody their virtues. Luxurious houses and magnificent mansions do not contribute to the safety of the state. You are now demolishing the old buildings of the Tai Le Terrace to expand your mansion, consuming huge manpower and resources; how is this a priority! Now that the major issues have just been settled, the people are all looking forward to the benevolence of the court. You should scale back these unnecessary construction endeavors and seriously consider the principle of humility and frugality. Your merits in quelling the rebellion should not be abandoned, and the perils of war should not be overlooked!" Although Jiong appeared to respond humbly to Wang Rong, he ultimately disregarded his counsel.
Once, Wang Rong went to see King Qi Jiong to discuss political affairs, but he arrived while Jiong was hosting a banquet for his guests, including Dong Ai, Ge Yu, and others to discuss current affairs. Dong Ai said to King Qi Jiong, "Minister Ji (Ji Kang) is skilled in playing string and bamboo instruments; why not let him perform a piece?" Someone immediately brought a qin, but Wang Rong declined. King Qi Jiong said, "Everyone is happy today; why are you being so modest?" Wang Rong replied, "You have pacified the rebellion and supported the state; you should lead by example for future generations. Although I am mediocre in talent, I have at least served as Chancellor, wearing official robes and hats, serving in the palace. How can I play string and bamboo instruments and act as a musician? If this were your private banquet rather than an official one, I would gladly accept." King Qi Jiong was very ashamed upon hearing this. Dong Ai and others also felt embarrassed and took their leave. Shortly after, Wang Rong was dismissed from his position for reasons related to his official duties, but King Qi Jiong appointed him as Left Sima. Ten days later, King Qi Jiong was murdered.
During the chaotic times, Wang Rong fled to the palace, where a man with a crossbow in the eastern pavilion was about to take aim at him. Fortunately, he encountered the palace general Xiao Long. Xiao Long saw that Wang Rong looked dignified and not like an ordinary person, so he quickly disarmed him, saving Wang Rong from danger. Later, he returned to his hometown in Xingyang County.
Xi Shaoyi was initially appointed as the Deputy Censor, but before formally taking office, he was also appointed as the Attendant of the Palace. Later, Prince Yong of Hejian and Prince Ying of Chengdu launched an attack on the capital, claiming they were avenging Prince Yi of Changsha. The emperor's carriage was stationed in the east of the city. Prince Yi of Changsha asked everyone, "Who will be the commander for today's expedition to the west?" All the soldiers and generals in the army replied in unison, "We hope Deputy Xi will lead us into battle, even if it means death!" So Xi Shaoyi was appointed as the General of the Pacification of the West. Consequently, Prince Yi of Changsha was captured, and Xi Shaoyi returned to his position as the Attendant of the Palace.
Later, officials below the rank of prince all went to Ye City to apologize to Prince Ying, and Xi Shaoyi along with the others were dismissed from their positions and reduced to commoners. Not long after, the court called for a new northern expedition, and Xi Shaoyi was summoned again and restored to his title. Because the emperor was disturbed by the chaos of war, Xi Shaoyi hurried to the emperor's temporary residence as commanded. Just as the royal forces suffered defeat at Dangyin, all the officials and guards scattered and fled, only Xi Shaoyi remained steadfast, protecting the emperor. The battle surged to the emperor's carriage, arrows falling like rain, and Xi Shaoyi eventually died by the emperor's side, his blood splattering onto the emperor's clothes, filling the emperor with profound sorrow. After the situation was brought under control, the guards intended to cleanse the emperor's garments, but the emperor replied, "This is the blood of Deputy Xi; do not wash it away!"
When he first went on a military expedition, the court attendant Qin Zhun asked Ji Shao, "Today, facing danger, do you have a good horse?" Ji Shao replied solemnly, "The emperor is personally leading this expedition to suppress the rebels, and it should pacify the rebellion without any fighting. If the emperor's chariot is truly lost, I would willingly die. What use do I have for a good horse?" Those who heard this were deeply moved by his words. Later, Zhang Fang pressured the emperor to relocate the capital to Chang'an, and Prince Yong of Hejian recommended Ji Shao as Minister of Public Works and promoted his title to Duke. However, when the emperor returned to Luoyang, this matter was left unresolved. Prince Yue of Donghai stationed troops in Xuchang, and while passing through Yingyang, he made a special trip to Ji Shao's tomb to mourn, erected a stone monument, and submitted a memorial asking the court to posthumously grant him titles.
The emperor then posthumously appointed Ji Shao as Imperial Attendant and Grandee of the Palace, bestowed a gold seal and purple ribbon upon him, elevated his title to Marquis, granted him a plot of land for his tomb, ten households of servants, and offered young animals in sacrifice. When Yuan Di became Prime Minister and could handle state affairs independently, he believed that Ji Shao had sacrificed his life for the country with outstanding achievements. The earlier posthumous honors did not reflect his achievements, so he submitted another memorial to posthumously appoint Ji Shao as Grand Commandant and offer mature animals in sacrifice. After Yuan Di ascended the throne, Ji Shao was posthumously honored as "Loyal and Filial" and once again offered mature animals in sacrifice.
Lao Shao, in his dealings with people, was rather laid-back and didn't fuss over small details, but he was upright and had a sense of propriety, and was not chaotic. He and his cousin Han, along with four others, lived together, taking care of each other as if they were brothers. After his death, his students and former subordinates remembered him fondly, mourning at his tomb for three years, with more than thirty people in total. His eldest son Zhen shared his sense of responsibility, but sadly passed away young. Eventually, his grandson Han succeeded him in his title.
When Chengdi became emperor, he remembered Lao Shao's loyalty and appointed Han to a court position. Since Han had no brothers, he voluntarily requested to return his noble title to his family. During the Taiyuan period, Emperor Xiaowu issued a decree stating, "Commending virtues and displaying benevolence is the custom of wise emperors. Therefore, the Grand Commandant, Duke Zhongmu, held high moral standards and was renowned both during his lifetime and after his death. His noble character, unwavering righteousness, and everlasting reputation is remembered through the ages. Every time I think of his deeds, I feel sorrow. The descendants of such loyal individuals should be honored for generations to come, in order to promote his noble integrity and recognize his teachings. I hereby order a search for his clan's descendants to inherit the title and oversee the sacrifices." Therefore, Han's grandson Kuang inherited the title of Marquis of Yiyang.
Han's ancestors were known as Xi, who served as the Governor of Xuzhou; his father was named Fan, who served as an aide to the Crown Prince. Han was exceptionally studious and talented in writing. His family lived in Boqiu, Gong County, where he adopted the title "Boqiuzi," with "Gate of Benevolence" inscribed on the door and "Chamber of Prudence" written inside. King Wei of Chu invited him to serve as a counselor. Later, King Wei of Chu was assassinated, and Han was dismissed from his position. He later passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a court officer.
At that time, Hongnong Wang Cui, as he was a member of the royal family, married a princess. His family built an especially grand estate, where he hung a painting of Zhuangzi, and invited court officials to gather, asking Hanzhi to compose a eulogy. Hanzhi penned the article in one go, without revision. The beginning of the article was written as follows: "Wang Hongyuan, the emperor's son-in-law, living in a magnificent mansion, invited scholars, painted a scene of Zhuangzi fishing, and described the deeds of the ancients resigning from their official positions and retiring. Realistic figures were depicted on the carved beams, and the retiring scholars were painted in the halls. This is truly a contradiction. Rather than praise, it is more like a mourning!" The main text of the article was written as follows: "Great Zhuang Zhou, heaven has specially favored him, giving him life and talent. His mind is broad, his spirit is clear, he explores the mysteries of the universe, and he is broad-minded and transcendent. But now, the world is declining; the values of truth, goodness, and beauty have faded. There are no voices of grievance in the countryside, but the court is filled with sighs of fighting for favor and profit. People oppress each other; the young and old are out of order. So people use mystery to numb themselves, use morality to elevate themselves, recite tranquil and expansive poetry at home, and paint portraits of Lao Zhuang. Now Lord Wang is obsessed with fame and fortune, married a princess, glory and wealth, shining brightly, yet cannot find a sense of belonging. Your pond is no mountain stream, your mansion is not a thatched cottage. You rush around on the bustling streets, but paint such a picture. What does this even mean? Alas, sir, where has your noble ambition gone? Living in the mountains and valleys during your lifetime, but buried in a house with carved beams and painted pillars after death, this is truly beyond your control, to suffer disgrace even after death! I grieve for the decline of the Dao, so I wrote this article to express my sorrow." After Hongnong Wang Cui listened, a look of shame appeared on his face.
King Qi appointed him as a military officer for the western campaign, and then he inherited the title, becoming the Marquis of Wuchang. Later, King Yi of Changsha asked him to be the Cavalry Supervisor and the Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. King Yi of Changsha was engaged in battle with King Ying of Chengdu, and Ying's army became increasingly powerful. The Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat supervised the battle by day and handled government affairs by night. He said to King Yi of Changsha: "When Cao Cao was at war, he always increased his staff. In the second year of Qinglong, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Chen Jiao, also requested an increase in officials due to military matters. Now the rebel army is approaching from all sides, the royal family's routes are blocked, the situation is extremely critical, and there's nothing more urgent than this. Normally, when handling government affairs in the office, more officials are needed, let alone now when the Cavalry Supervisor goes out to supervise the battle by day and handles government affairs by night, one person doing two jobs and struggling to manage both internal and external affairs. I believe there are now one hundred thousand troops, each unit has its own commander, and command and coordination should be entrusted to the generals; there's no need for court officials to get involved." King Yi of Changsha followed his advice and increased the number of officials and clerks.
Later, Huai Di became the General of the Pacification Army and appointed him as an Attendant of the Imperial Guard. When Hui Di marched north, he was promoted to Attendant to the Imperial Secretary. However, he was defeated in battle at Dangyin and fled back to Xingyang. In the early years of Yongxing, he was appointed as the Central Attendant to the Crown Prince. Due to the blockade of the western roads, he was unable to report for duty on time. The Prince of Fanyang, Xiao, became the General Who Pacifies the South and stationed in Xuchang, appointing him as an Attendant of the Imperial Guard. Shortly after, he was given the positions of General Who Inspires Might and Prefect of Xiangcheng. Later, Prince of Fanyang, Xiao, was defeated by Liu Qiao, so he fled to General Who Guards the South, Liu Hong, in Xiangyang. Liu Hong treated him like a VIP. He was sharp and loved to recommend talented people, always wanting to propose posthumous titles for Zhao Wu and to accuse Zang Wen. During the rebellion of Chen Min and the unrest in the Jiangyang region, as well as the distant and dangerous situation in the Nanyue region, and the death of the Governor of Guangzhou, Wang Yi, Liu Hong recommended him to be the General Who Pacifies Nanyue, Governor of Guangzhou, and granted him the authority of a "Jie." Before he could depart, Liu Hong passed away, and some wanted him to stay and manage Jingzhou. With a strong personality, he had conflicts with Liu Hong's Marshal, Guo Mai, who suspected him of plotting against him and killed him in the middle of the night. He was forty-four years old at the time. After Huai Di ascended the throne, he posthumously honored him as Xian. Wang Bao, from Shunyang, was upright and incorruptible from a young age. He initially served as the Attendant of Yuzhou, and when the Prince of Qi, Jiong, became Grand Marshal, he appointed him as his Chief Clerk. When the Prince of Qi, Jiong, became arrogant and lost the people's support, Wang Bao wrote a letter to him: "I have heard that Your Highness is upright and resolute, not out of personal interests, but to pacify the sovereign, stabilize the situation, and protect the state. Therefore, subjects deceiving their sovereign cannot be adequately punished by laws; and a ruler who ignores the loyal advice of his subjects doesn't deserve to be called benevolent. I hope you can humbly accept advice, broaden your mind, and treat others sincerely, even if it's hard to hear but comes from a place of loyalty."
Young Master Bao, think carefully. The political situation of the Jin Dynasty has been steadily deteriorating, and since the Yuan Kang era, no prime minister has managed to end his term well. This is a result of the circumstances, rather than their personal failings. Now that you have pacified the rebellion and stabilized the country and your household, yet still relying on the failed strategies of the past, repeating the same mistakes in an attempt to protect yourself for a long time, this approach is truly unwise. Now the Prince of Hejian wields significant power in Guanzhong, the Prince of Chengdu is firmly established in the former Wei territory, and the Prince of Xinye has influence throughout the Jianghan region. These three princes are all powerful, control the military, and occupy strategic locations. Furthermore, you have quelled the rebellion, achieved remarkable success, and your reputation has soared. Now, with your substantial achievements and the prestige that commands respect from the monarch, you control the capital and hold great power. If you continue to expand, there may be danger; if you retreat, it will also bring disaster. Seeking stability through this means may prove challenging. I humbly offer my loyalty and my modest opinion.
After King Wu defeated King Zhou, he divided the vassals into two dukes. East of the Yellow River was under the control of the Duke of Zhou, and west of the Yellow River was under the control of the Duke of Shao. In later years, the vassals grew dominant, their influence confined to only a few states, and the powerful militaries from all corners did not dare to covet the Nine Tripods, because the populace had grown accustomed to the system in place. Now, if you can honor the system established by the Zhou Dynasty, appoint the Prince of Chengdu as the Duke of the Northern Region, commanding the vassals of the north; appoint yourself as the Duke of the Southern Region, commanding the officials of the south, each fulfilling their duties, establishing a good reputation in the local area, remaining loyal to the court, leading your subordinates to tribute to the court at the end of each year, selecting talents, and appointing capable people as officials of the emperor, then the four seas will be long-lasting and stable, and the people of the world will be fortunate. Your contributions will be as renowned as those of the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao, the perilous path will be obstructed, and the state will be preserved. I hope you can embrace Lou Jing's strategy as Emperor Gaozu did, and plan ahead like Zhang Liang, staying away from danger, and maintaining stability. It would be truly wonderful if you could consider my humble suggestion.
The letter has been sent out, but I have not received a reply. Bao wrote another letter saying:
It has been twelve days since I received news from Bao. However, the imperial edict has not been issued yet. There have been no instructions at all, and I am at a loss for what to do. This is a major matter concerning the safety of the country, and we must not take it lightly! I think of you, with such great achievements, such a renowned reputation, such noble character, and such immense power. These four qualities are burdens that no one in the world can bear; even the wisest among us tread carefully, handling numerous affairs every day, not daring to slack off.
Think of Zhou Gong, who assisted King Wu in overthrowing King Zhou and later assisted King Cheng. Although he worked diligently, with noble character, and was highly trusted by King Cheng, during his time in office, rumors spread across the four states, and he was almost driven out of the court, exiled for three years, until an auspicious sign from heaven made King Cheng realize the truth. If it weren't for divine protection, Zhou Gong's fate would have been unpredictable. Even after taking office, he had to share the rule with Duke of Shao. Do your achievements and virtues compare to those of Zhou Gong?
Since the time of Yuan Kang, disasters for prime ministers have been occurring continuously; crises always arise suddenly, without time to think, and hidden disasters may erupt at any time. How can one live in peace? The lessons of the past are clear for all to see; you have seen it yourself. If a nobleman does not consider the long term, they will surely encounter immediate disasters. When the disaster strikes, they will regret deeply!
If you adopt my plan now, let the vassal states govern themselves; let the King of Chengdu reign in Ye City in the north, and you should establish the capital in Wancheng, with a radius of a thousand miles. Then form alliances with the marquises, counts, and nobles from all regions, collectively supporting the court, and follow the tribute system of the Zhou Dynasty. If it aligns with the imperial edict, you should first consult with the King of Chengdu. Although my skills are limited, I am willing to act as a messenger.
Back in the day, ordinary individuals like the horse breeder Baili Xi from Yan and Zhao, and the merchants from Qin and Chu, were able to stabilize the two countries with their own abilities. Moreover, although my status is humble, I also understand the rules of the state, and I once served as your registrar during your uprising, so even though my position is lowly, my words might hold some weight.
Jiong said, "I have received the memorials sent before and after; I will carefully consider them before making a decision." Prince Yi of Changsha came in, saw Bao's memorial on Jiong's desk, and pointed at Jiong, saying, "This kid is trying to create rifts between brothers; why not just drag him out to Tongtuo Street and put him to death?" Jiong was not very supportive of Bao's strategy to begin with, so he obeyed Yi's words and then accused Bao in a memorial, saying, "I despise how rampant treachery and evil have become, leading to the impending downfall of the royal family and the nation. Therefore, together with Chengdu, Changsha, and Xinye, I have risen up to restore the state, only wanting to serve the royal family with all our hearts and work with relatives and close confidants. This is my solemn vow day and night, to never let the heavens down. However, Registrar Wang Bao has repeatedly sent in reports, even daring to create heretical rumors, saying that if I became the prime minister, I would definitely be in danger, believing that a crisis is imminent and bad omens are about to appear, wanting me and the Prince of Chengdu to split the kingdom and drive out all the vassal kings. He slandered the majesty of the court above and confused the people below, creating doubt and hindering unity, spreading rumors, sowing discord, pleasing both sides, slandering the court above and defaming others below, sowing discord both internally and externally, creating conflicts, which leads to mistrust. In the past, when Confucius was in Kuangdi, he executed Shao Zhengmao; when Zichan was the prime minister of Zheng, he first executed Dengxi, all because these individuals disrupted the order, like Zhao Gao, who was notoriously cunning. Bao has committed a great crime against me, disloyal and treacherous. I order him to be publicly interrogated on Dujie Street to clarify the truth!"
Before he died, the leopard said, "Hang my head on the gate of the Grand Sima, and see what it looks like when the army attacks the Qi State!" The people all sympathized with him. Not long after, King Jiong failed.
Liu Shen, style name Daozhen, was from Ji County, Hebei. His family had been a prominent family in northern China for generations. He began his career as an official in the local government, was well-educated, and had a passion for ancient texts. Grand Tutor Wei Guan recognized his abilities, brought him on as an advisor, and also appointed him as the county magistrate. Liu Shen was upright, advocated Confucianism, and cared for talented individuals. He recommended Huo Yuan for promotion to a second-rank official and defended Zhang Hua's grievances. These actions reflected his directness in both speech and conduct, and people at the time highly praised him.
Later, during the reign of King Jiong of Qi, he appointed Liu Shen as the Left Chief Historian and later promoted him to Palace Attendant (equivalent to the emperor's close attendant). At that time, Li Liu rebelled in Shu, and the court ordered Liu Shen, as a Palace Attendant, to be granted command authority, leading the governors of Yizhou (Luo Shang) and Liangzhou (Xu Xiong) to quell the rebellion of Li Liu. Liu Shen marched the state troops to Chang'an. Prince Yuyong of Hejian requested Liu Shen to remain and oversee military operations, sending Xi Wei to replace him in suppressing Li Liu. Liu Shen was subsequently appointed as the governor of Yongzhou.
Zhang Chang launched another rebellion, and the court ordered Prince Yuyong to send Liu Shen to lead ten thousand state troops, along with five thousand men from the Western Palace, to march from Lantian Pass to suppress Zhang Chang. However, Yuyong defied the imperial decree. Liu Shen personally marched the state troops to Lantian, but Yuyong forcibly stripped him of his command. Prince Yuyong ordered Liu Shen to return to Yongzhou with four hundred military personnel.
Zhang Fang is almost at Kyoto, and the imperial army has been losing battle after battle. Wang Hu and Zu Di turned to Wang Ye, saying, "Liu Shen is loyal and brave. The troops in Yongzhou are strong enough to handle Zhang Fang in Hejian. We should hurry to inform the court and have him lead the troops to launch a surprise attack against Fu Yong. If Fu Yong gets desperate, he'll definitely call for Zhang Fang to come to his aid. This is a good plan!" Wang Ye agreed with their suggestion and adopted it.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, Liu Shen immediately ordered over 10,000 soldiers from the seven nearby counties, as well as the garrison troops and soldiers from various military camps, to gather together. He also appointed Wei Bo, the Prefect of Anding; Zhang Guang, the Prefect of Xinping; and Huang Fu Dan, the military officer of Anding, to lead the vanguard to launch a surprise attack against Chang'an. At that moment, Fu Yong was stationed at Gaoping Pavilion in Zheng County, relying on the support of the eastern army. Upon hearing that Liu Shen had mobilized his troops, he quickly retreated to Weicheng and sent the Protector Yu Kui to lead over 10,000 infantry and cavalry to ambush Liu Shen at Haoshi. In the ensuing battle, Yu Kui's forces were defeated, and Fu Yong was alarmed and retreated back to Chang'an, quickly sending for Zhang Fang to rescue him. Liu Shen crossed the Wei River and set up camp. Fu Yong kept dispatching troops to engage, but each time he faced losses. Liu Shen seized the opportunity and sent Huang Fu Dan and Wei Bo with 5,000 elite soldiers to storm into Chang'an and fought their way right up to Fu Yong's camp.
However, Liu Shen's army was late to arrive, and when Fu Yong's army noticed that Huang Fu Dan had no reinforcements, the morale of Fu Yong's troops soared. Zhang Fu led his troops to aid Fu Yong, launching a fierce attack on Liu Shen's army from the side. The two sides fought fiercely in front of the mansion, and both Wei Bo and his son fell in battle, while Huang Fu Dan was captured. Fu Yong admired Huang Fu Dan's bravery and wished to spare his life. However, Huang Fu Dan refused to surrender and chose death instead, ultimately meeting his end. Ultimately, Liu Shen's army was defeated and retreated to their original camp with the remaining soldiers. Zhang Fang sent his general Dun Wei to launch a night attack on Liu Shen's camp, causing Liu Shen's army to panic and scatter, with just over a hundred men fleeing south, only to be captured by the magistrate of Chencang County.
Liu Shen said to Fu Yong, "I know my death is inevitable this time, but the duty between a ruler and his subject is more important than personal life. I cannot go against the king's orders. I have weighed the strengths of both sides and considered any means of survival. But from the moment I took up arms, I was prepared to die. Even if I'm ground to dust, I will accept it willingly." His passionate words moved those who heard him, filling them with sorrow. In his rage, Fu Yong first whipped him and then executed him by dismemberment. Many wise men believed Fu Yong was defying the court and harming loyal subjects, realizing his downfall was imminent.
Qiu Yun is from Jincheng. He and the You family have been prominent families in the area for generations. The common people in Xizhou often say, "The Qiu and You families have countless cattle and sheep. To the south is the vermilion gate, to the north is the blue tower." When Luoyang City fell, Yan Ding and others supported the Prince of Qin as the Crown Prince and ascended the throne in Chang'an. Yan Ding held significant power in the government. At that time, Qiu Yun was the Commander of the Anyi Garrison and the Prefect of Shiping. He was jealous of Yan Ding's achievements and sought power and profit. Taking advantage of the opportunity after Yan Ding killed the Prefect of Jingzhao, Liang Zong, Qiu Yun, along with Liang Zong's brother, the Prefect of Fengyi, Liang Wei, attacked Yan Ding and drove him away. At the same time, Jia Pi, the Inspector of Yongzhou, was killed by the Tuoba people, and Qiu Yun took over his position. After Emperor Min ascended the throne, he appointed Qiu Yun as the Minister of the Left in the Imperial Secretariat, General of the Army, and Colonel of the Western Qiang, in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, while also concurrently serving as the Inspector of Yongzhou.
At that time, Liu Yao, Yin Kai, and Zhao Ran led tens of thousands of troops to approach Chang'an. Qiu Yun led his army to defeat them and even captured Yin Kai on the battlefield. Liu Yao then attacked Beidi Commandery, and Qiu Yun was appointed as Grand Commandant and General of Chariots and Cavalry to rescue Qingbai City. When Liu Yao heard about it, he turned to attack Shang Commandery. Qiu Yun's army was stationed in Lingwu, and due to a lack of troops, they were hesitant to advance. Later, Liu Yao once again besieged Beidi Commandery. Qiu Chang, the Prefect of Beidi, sent a plea for help to Qiu Yun, who then led infantry and cavalry to the rescue.
When they were still dozens of miles away from Beidi City, the enemy surrounded the city, set it ablaze, and thick smoke filled the sky. The enemy deliberately spread rumors to confuse Qiu Yun, saying, "The commandery has fallen, it's almost burned to the ground, there's no hope!" Qiu Yun believed it to be true, and the soldiers were all frightened, leading to the army's collapse. A few days later, Qiu Chang managed to break out and escape to Chang'an, and Beidi Commandery was eventually lost.
It is said that Emperor Yuan Di was benevolent but lacking in authority. He showed undue favor to scoundrels like Wu Pi and Wang Yin, promoting them and bestowing titles upon them. At that time, Zhu Hui, the Prefect of Xinping; Yang Xiang, the Prefect of Shiping; Zhu Shuang, the Prefect of Fufeng; and Jiao Song, the Prefect of Anding all received important positions and power, and were even appointed as Palace Attendants. Local leaders were also awarded titles such as Silver Qing and General, as the Emperor sought to win the people's hearts.
However, these generals were arrogant and only cared about their own enjoyment, ignoring the plight of the common people, which caused the people to lose faith. As a result, the Qiang and Hu tribes grew increasingly bold, resulting in chaos throughout the Guanzhong region. Liu Yao attacked Chang'an, and many people died of starvation. Over time, the situation in Chang'an grew dire, and the Emperor was ready to surrender, lamenting, "It was Jiao Yun and Suo Jing, those two old men, who have betrayed me!" When the Emperor reached Pingyang, he was captured by Liu Cong, enduring humiliation and weeping on the ground, unable to rise. In his despair, the Emperor took his own life. Liu Cong, recognizing his loyalty, posthumously appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Duke Jianmin.
Jiao Song, a native of Anding, initially seized control of Yongzhou alongside others. Later, when Liu Yao attacked Chang'an, Emperor Yuan Di sought assistance from Jiao Song. However, Jiao Song had always held Emperor Yuan Di in contempt, saying, "I’ll only step in when he can no longer withstand the pressure." Ultimately, Chang'an fell, and Jiao Song was swiftly killed by the enemy.
Jia Hun, it's unclear which county he was from. During the Tai'an era, he served as the magistrate of Jiexiu County. When Liu Yuanhai launched his rebellion, he sent his general Qiao Xi to attack Jiexiu. Jia Hun fought fiercely and refused to surrender, saying, "I defended the city for the Jin Dynasty, but failed to keep it. How can I continue living while serving the enemy? What face do I have to live in this world?" Qiao Xi was very angry and ordered him captured and executed. Qiao Xi's subordinate Yin Song advised him, "General, you should let him go to encourage those who are loyal to the court." Qiao Xi did not listen and still killed Jia Hun.
Wang Yu, known by the courtesy name Bochun, was from Chang'an. His parents died when he was young, leaving him in dire poverty, so he herded sheep for a living. Every time he passed by a school, he was overcome with emotion. In his spare time, he would break reeds and practice writing on the ground, often forgetting the sheep and being scolded by the sheep owner. Wang Yu even thought about selling himself to make up for the lost sheep.
In the same county lived a man named Xu Zizhang, who was very intelligent and talented. Hearing about this, he admired Wang Yu's determination and repaid the money for the sheep, providing him with food and shelter, and letting him study with his son. Later, Wang Yu read extensively and mastered history and classics. He was more than eight feet tall, with a beard that was three feet long, very handsome, and had a pleasant voice. Xu Zizhang married his niece to him, built a new house for him, and gave him some family property. Wang Yu accepted these gifts without any embarrassment. However, he had a rather headstrong personality and was not very sociable. After his wife passed away, only four or five people came to pay their respects, but they were all esteemed scholars from the local community.
The governor Du Xuan appointed him as the chief scribe. Soon after, Du Xuan was unjustly demoted to be the county governor of Wannian County. Du Xuan's successor Wang You went to visit Du Xuan, but Du Xuan did not come out to greet him. Wang You was very angry and said, "You used to be a high official, and I respected you. Now you are just a small county governor, on the same level as me. Why don't you come out to greet me? Are you trying to treat me like a little sparrow, instilling fear in me like I'm facing a fierce eagle?" Wang Yu unsheathed his knife and scolded Wang You, "When a ruler disrespects a subject, it can lead to dire consequences. My superior was unjustly demoted, like a solar eclipse, and a small county governor dares to disrespect my superior! Do you think my blade is dull? Go ahead, test me!" Wang Yu almost killed him.
Du Xuan, frightened, ran down barefoot and embraced Wang Yu, finally calming the conflict. After this incident, Wang Yu's reputation spread far and wide. The Minister of Works, Wang Hun, summoned him to be his assistant and later appointed him as the county governor of Nan Wuyang. He governed with integrity and thriftiness, and all the repeat offenders fled. He was later promoted to be the Inspector General of Bingzhou. Chengdu Wang Ying was in Ye City and appointed Wang Yu as the Zhenwu General. When Liu Yuanhai became the Northern Chanyu, Wang Yu said to Wang Ying, "Liu Yuanhai has left now. I request Your Highness to let me go urge him, otherwise he might not come." Wang Ying agreed and appointed Wang Yu as the General Who Subdues the Barbarians. As a result, Liu Yuanhai captured Wang Yu, but later he was appointed as the Grand Tutor.
Wei Zhong, styled Zijie, was from Pingyang. He had a straightforward character from a young age, with a strong will that could not be changed. He loved learning, was knowledgeable, kept his word, and never broke a promise. He studied behind closed doors, focused on self-cultivation, and did not associate with the high-ranking officials of the time. On holidays or in times of misfortune, relatives and friends would come to give gifts, but he refused them all.
When he was twelve years old, his father died. He was heartbroken and so frail that he could barely stand, relying on a cane. Sikong Peixiu went to offer his condolences, as Wei Zhong knelt on the ground weeping, his grief touching everyone around him. After Peixiu came out, he told others, "This child will surely become great when he grows up!" and then sent his own son Pei Wei to befriend him. After Wei Zhong finished his mourning period, he built a small shed next to his father's grave and lived there. Pei Wei held him in high regard and visited him frequently, but Wei Zhong always declined to meet. Despite his poverty and inability to afford even basic meals, he still found joy in life.
After Pei Wei became a high-ranking official, he repeatedly recommended Wei Zhong to Sikong Zhang Hua. Zhang Hua also summoned him, but Wei Zhong declined, claiming to be ill and refusing to accept an official position. When asked why, he said, "I'm merely a poor scholar living in a humble thatched hut, never intending to become an official. Besides, Zhang Hua may seem splendid on the surface, but he is hollow inside, and Pei Wei flatters him shamelessly, disregarding propriety and integrity to attach himself to the powerful. Men like them are not worthy of the title of true gentlemen! Pei Wei has always wanted to promote me, but I fear that like a flood crashing into a mountain, even if I survive the big waves, I may be swept away by the aftermath, let alone approaching the vortex!" Later, the magistrate Chen Chu insisted that he become a magistrate.
Coincidentally, the Shanqiang launched an attack on the county town, and Chen Chu fled with his son, getting shot by three arrows. Wei Zhong braved the rain of arrows, lying on top of Chen Chu to protect him, crying out, "I’m willing to give my life to protect the magistrate; please spare him!" He himself was hit by five arrows. The Shanqiang murmured among themselves, "This is a righteous man!" and let them go. Wei Zhong carried Chen Chu back to the city. Later, he sought refuge with Liu Cong. He became the Grand General of the West and the Pacification Commissioner of the Shanqiang. In the battles against the rebellious Shanqiang people, he fought until his arrows ran out, choosing to die rather than surrender.
Xin Mian, courtesy name Boli, was from Didi in Gansu. His father, Xin Hong, was a general of the Left Guard. Xin Mian was well-educated and principled, with a strong and determined character. During the reign of Emperor Huai, he rose steadily in ranks and eventually reached the position of Imperial Attendant. After the fall of Luoyang, he accompanied the emperor to Pingyang. When Liu Cong wanted to appoint him as Minister of Rites, Xin Mian firmly refused. Liu Cong sent his Yellow Gate Attendant Qiao Du with wine and medicine to coerce him, but Xin Mian said, "How can a man of honor compromise his integrity for a few extra years of life, serving two different masters and be unable to hold his head high before Emperor Wu in the afterlife?" He was about to drink the medicine wine, but Qiao Du quickly stopped him, saying, "The emperor was just testing you; you are truly a noble person!" After saying this, he sighed and departed. Liu Cong admired his loyalty and integrity, and had a house specially built for him on the west mountain of Pingyang, sending him wine and rice every month, but Xin Mian consistently declined. At the age of eighty, Xin Mian passed away.
Xin Bin, Xin Mian's younger brother, served as an official in the Palace Secretariat during the reign of Emperor Min. When Emperor Min was besieged in Pingyang, Liu Cong made Emperor Min drink wine and then had him wash the cup, to gauge the attitudes of the officials of the Jin Dynasty. Xin Bin stood up, embraced Emperor Min, and wept uncontrollably. Liu Cong said, "Wasn’t it enough of a warning when we previously executed Yu Min and the others?" After saying this, he took Xin Bin outside and had him executed.
Liu Minyuan, courtesy name Daoguang, was a native of Beihai. He demanded strict discipline of himself, studied diligently, and was unwavering in the face of any difficulty. He enjoyed studying astronomy, calendar calculations, and yin-yang divination, and delved into the Book of Changes and the Tai Xuan Classic, but was not particularly keen on reading history books. He often told his friends, "Reading should be about understanding the principles and fundamentals; why waste time on elaborate language? The Book of Changes is the foundation of righteousness, the Tai Xuan Classic is the gateway to reason; those who understand these are my true teachers."
After the Yongjia Rebellion broke out, he fled west from Qidi. Guan Ping, from the same county, was already in his seventies and followed Liu Minyuan westward. When they reached Xingyang, they were kidnapped by bandits. Although Liu Minyuan managed to escape, he returned and said to the bandits, "This old man is alone, elderly, and in dire straits; I am willing to exchange my life for his. Please spare him!" The bandits asked, "What is the relationship between this old man and you?" Liu Minyuan replied, "He is my fellow townsman. He is poor and childless, relying on me for survival. If you intend to kill him, he wouldn’t even be enough to satisfy my hunger. Please have mercy on him!"
At this time, a bandit glared at Liu Minyuan and said, "I will not let him go. Are you afraid of not getting him back?" Liu Minyuan drew his sword and said, "Am I someone who fears death? I would rather take you down first before I die! This old man is in dire straits, and surely heaven will show him mercy. I have no blood relation with him, nor are we teacher and student or friends. It is only because he sought refuge with me that I am willing to exchange my life for his. All you leaders should be righteous and merciful; listen to my request. Why do you have the audacity to say such things!" Then, Liu Minyuan turned to the bandit leader and said, "Is there no sense of righteousness left? How can you betray the goodwill of others! You should emulate the achievements of Emperor Liu Bang and Emperor Guangwu; how can you take after Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu! You should pursue rightful means to gain power, letting everywhere sing praises of your merits. How can you tolerate such people tarnishing your reputation? You should eliminate this person for the sake of your own hegemony!"
The bandit leader was about to order Liu Minyuan's execution, but a thief leader hurriedly stopped him and said to the other bandits, "This is a righteous man! Killing him would be a violation of righteousness." So, they released Liu Minyuan and Guan Ping. Later, Liu Minyuan served under Liu Yao and rose to become Minister of the Central Secretariat and Grand Historian.
Zhou Gai, a native of Tianmen, is known for his strong and courageous personality. Although he is not keen on studying, his behavior and actions are in accordance with the principles of propriety. His uncle Zhou Ji serves as the magistrate of Yidu and is also a loyal and righteous man. It is said that Qiao Wangcheng raised troops in Xiangzhou to respond to the call for justice, and Gan Zhuo disagreed with Wang Dun's actions. Before the official decree arrived, Zhou Ji said to Zhou Gai, "I have always detested Wang Dun's arrogance and rebellion. Now that he has revolted, threatening the nation and its people. Qiao Wang is a member of the royal family, holding important territories, raising the banner of justice, vowing to attack Wuchang. Gan Zhuo in the south is also quite well-known, with the strongest military forces and weapons of today. It is said that he and Qiao Wang have agreed to rebel together. This is a moment when heroes need assistance, and it is also my time to face death. Go and fulfill my wish, express our loyalty to Qiao Wang!" Zhou Gai accepted the mission with enthusiasm, secretly went to Xiangzhou, met Qiao Wangcheng, and sincerely expressed their intentions. Qiao Wangcheng was very pleased. Coincidentally, Wang Dun sent his general Wei Yi to surround Qiao Wangcheng; the situation was dire. Zhou Gai and Zhou Qi, a county official in Xiangzhou, secretly went out to pass on the message, but they were apprehended by Wei Yi. They were tortured until death, but Zhou Gai never divulged any information, allowing Zhou Ji to evade Wang Dun's persecution. Huan Xiong is a native of Changsha who held an official position in the local government during his youth. When Qiao Wangcheng was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou, he appointed Huan Xiong as his chief secretary. When Wang Dun rebelled and Qiao Wangcheng was captured by Wang Dun's general Wei Yi, the other officials fled. Huan Xiong, along with Han Jie and Wu Yan from the West Bureau, disguised themselves as servants and accompanied Qiao Wangcheng to Wuchang. When Wei Yi saw Huan Xiong's dignified appearance and courteous demeanor, he recognized that Huan Xiong was no ordinary individual and became wary, leading to his death.
Han Jie, also a native of Changsha. He was honest and cautious, deeply respected by the people in his hometown. When Qiao Wangcheng served as the governor, he hired him as the Ritual Officer of the Yicao and later promoted him to the position of Secretary of the Xicao. When Qiao Wangcheng was captured by Wei Yi and taken to Wuchang, Han Jie and Wu Yan stayed by Qiao Wangcheng's side. After Huan Xiong was killed, their determination grew stronger. When Qiao Wangcheng was killed, Han Jie and Wu Yan personally took care of the funeral arrangements, sent the coffin back to the capital, wept and mourned day and night, and did not return until the burial was complete.
Zhou Qi was from Shaoling and held a minor official position in Xiangzhou. When Wang Dun rebelled, Qiao Wang sent Zhou Qi to seek help outside, and he and Zhou Gai were both captured by Wei Yi's men. Wei Yi interrogated Zhou Qi and even held a knife to his neck. Zhou Qi said, "The province sent me to seek help without a specified target, so I made decisions based on the situation."
Wei Yi then said to Zhou Qi, "Tell the people in the city that the Grand General has defeated Liu Wei and Dai Ruosi, Gan Zhuo is stationed in Xiangyang, and there's nothing more to say. The counties across the three provinces in the Yangtze River Basin have been pacified for a thousand miles around, and there is no possibility of reinforcements from the outside. If you say that, I’ll let you go." Zhou Qi pretended to agree. As he reached the city gates, he called out loudly, "Wang Dun's forces were defeated by the lake, Gan Zhuo has already taken Wuchang in the south, and will soon send a large force to support us. Everyone must hold on, the enemy has already scattered!" Upon hearing this, Wei Yi was furious and had him killed.
Yixiong, styled Xingchang, was from Liuyang in Changsha. When he was young, he worked as a low-ranking official in the county. Feeling that his humble background would not allow him to succeed, he removed his hat, hung it on the door of the county yamen, and walked away. He began to study law and gain experience in government affairs, cultivating relationships with influential figures and gradually building a reputation in the area. Later, he became the county's chief clerk. During Zhang Chang's rebellion, the rebel army captured the governor Wan Si and wanted to kill him. Yixiong debated the rebels on issues of right and wrong. The rebels were angry and ordered Yixiong to be taken out and beheaded. Yixiong walked over calmly. The rebels asked him questions, and he answered as before. After three times, the rebels ultimately released him. Wan Si was saved, and Yixiong became famous. He was recommended as a loyal and upright official, became the registrar of the province, and was later promoted to a higher office. Feeling that his humble background was not suitable for long-term official positions, he resigned and returned home. Later, he became the magistrate of Chongling County.
The governor, Prince Qiao, was at odds with Wang Dun and prepared to raise troops to petition the court. Prince Qiao quickly sent out proclamations listing Wang Dun's crimes and recruiting soldiers in the local area. In a few days, more than a thousand people gathered, carrying food and weapons to follow him. Prince Qiao defended the city fiercely, but the Xiangzhong region had just experienced war, with crumbling city walls and a lack of adequate weapons and supplies. Wang Dun sent Wei Yi and Li Heng to attack him. Prince Qiao inspired his troops and held out for over a month, suffering heavy casualties as soldiers fell one after another. In the end, outnumbered, the city fell, and Prince Qiao was captured by Wei Yi. Nonetheless, he remained undaunted and resolute.
After arriving in Wuchang, Wang Dun brought him a written accusation. Cheng Wang said, "What the accusation says is true. Unfortunately, my position is low, I have little power, and I am unable to save the country from danger. The royal family is about to fall apart. What’s the point of me living? If you kill me today, let me die a loyal man. That is exactly what I hope for!" Wang Dun was taken aback by what he said, realizing he had a point, so he let him go. Everyone rushed to congratulate him, but Cheng Wang just smiled and said, "Last night, I dreamt I was riding in a carriage, with meat hanging off it. Meat has tendons, and tendons are weighed in jin. There was a jin next to the carriage, so I guess I’m going to be killed!" Sure enough, not long after, Wang Dun had him killed. Everyone there felt sorry for him.
Le Dao Rong, from Danyang, was ambitious from a young age. He was diligent and eager to learn, trustworthy among his friends, always restraining himself, striving to be thorough, and exuded the qualities of a noble patriot. He once served as a soldier under Wang Dun. When Wang Dun planned to rebel and wanted to kill the loyal ministers of the court, Le Dao Rong informed Gan Zhuo about it. Gan Zhuo hesitated to act. Wang Dun then sent Le Dao Rong to summon Gan Zhuo. Although Le Dao Rong was under Wang Dun's command, he was deeply angered by Wang Dun's treachery and advised Gan Zhuo, saying, "The Emperor personally oversees state affairs, not depending solely on Liu Kui. The Emperor is worried about chaos like the Rebellion of the Seven States, and that’s why he ceded Xiangzhou to weaken the power of the feudal lords. The Wang family has held power for too long, resulting in the fragmentation of power, and they feel like they have been deprived of their power. Wang Dun is ungrateful and reckless, waging war against the Emperor. The country has shown you great kindness. If you join him in rebellion, it would be ungrateful! To live as a traitor or die a foolish ghost will bring eternal shame to your family! You should pretend to obey his orders, then quickly attack Wuchang. When Wang Dun's army hears this news, they will surely collapse without a fight, and you will easily achieve great success!" Gan Zhuo strongly agreed with him, publicly exposed Wang Dun's crimes with the military inspector Liu Chun and others, led his own army to attack Wang Dun, and sent someone to report to the court. Gan Zhuo was indecisive and suspicious due to his old age, so he waited for all the armies to attack together, delaying the deployment of troops. When they reached Zhukou, Wang Dun heard that Gan Zhuo had already set out with his troops. Wang Dun's nephew, Wang Yang, who was a soldier under Wang Dun, was sent to ask Gan Zhuo for peace and to withdraw his troops. Gan Zhuo believed him and was about to withdraw his troops. The clerk Deng Qian and Le Dao Rong advised Gan Zhuo, "General, you have already rebelled, but now you are giving up halfway, becoming a failed leader, which I believe would be detrimental to you. Your soldiers are now each seeking their own interests. Once you withdraw your troops, it will be difficult to control them." Gan Zhuo did not listen to them. Le Dao Rong wept day and night, urging Gan Zhuo out of grief and indignation until he ultimately perished.
Yu Kui is from Changsha. His younger brother, Yu Wang, whose courtesy name was Zidu. The two brothers both possess scholarly integrity, filial piety towards their parents, brotherly love, honesty, and trustworthiness. They are highly praised in their hometown, and they both enjoy commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of individuals, considering the maintenance of moral integrity their duty. When they were young, both brothers served as officials in the prefectures and counties, taking turns as district magistrates and deputy charioteers. When Emperor Yuan served as Chancellor, he recruited talents from all over the world, and many people were appointed as prefectural clerks, commonly referred to as "Bai Liu Yuan." Yu Wang was also summoned, but he felt it was beneath him and chose not to go.
When Prince Qiao came to Linzhou, he heard of Li Kui's reputation and ordered him to serve as the chief historian. However, before Li Kui took up his post, he was struck by the death of his mother. Around the same time, Wang Dun staged a rebellion. Prince Qiao went to offer condolences to Li Kui, and in the course of their conversation, he said, "I was sent here primarily to guard against Wang Dun's arrogance and tyranny. Now that Wang Dun has indeed rebelled, I have been entrusted with a mission and want to lead the army to rush to the court to aid the emperor. However, the troops are few, the food is scarce, and I have just arrived in Guizhou; I have yet to establish my authority. Your two brothers are outstanding talents in the south, renowned for their wisdom and bravery. Even in mourning attire, they can still go to the battlefield. Moreover, now that the traitors are obstructing the roads and the royal family is in imminent danger, how can we afford to delay for a funeral and forget our loyalty and duty? Do we have enough troops and supplies for battle?"
Li Kui and Li Wang replied, "Wang Dun holds an important position, but suddenly rebelled, attempting to threaten the state. This is an act that heaven and earth cannot tolerate, angering both humans and deities! Your Majesty does not look down on us for our insignificance and has even come to visit us personally. My brother and I have received the grace of the country; how can we not bravely serve! Now the court is seeking revival, and the people are hoping to restore the virtuous governance of the Jin Dynasty. Your Majesty, as a member of the royal family, follows the will of the court to punish criminals. Who wouldn't take up arms and pledge their loyalty! However, our province is quite barren and impoverished, lacking in food and weapons, with very few ships. It is difficult to launch an attack. It is best to first gather the troops to defend, then send out proclamations to various places, so that the enemy's forces will be dispersed. Then we can find a way to attack and achieve victory quickly." Prince Qiao thought they made sense and appointed Li Kui as the Chief Historian and Li Wang as the Marshal, leading the various armies.
Zheng Dan, the Prefect of Xiangdong, was Wang Dun's brother-in-law. He did not obey Prince Qiao's orders, so Prince Qiao sent Li Wang to attack him. Li Wang led an army, directly attacked the county town, killed Zheng Dan, and then showed off their strength around the city. Later, Wei Yi attacked Linzhou, and Li Wang charged into battle each time, fighting bravely, and ultimately lost his life in battle. After the city fell, Li Kui was also captured by Wei Yi. Wei Yi wanted to kill him, and Li Kui's children cried in front of him, but Li Kui said, "Everyone will die. Our whole family will die for loyalty and righteousness, and there is no regret!" After Wang Dun was pacified, the court posthumously appointed Li Kui as the Prefect of Xiangyang, Li Wang as the Prefect of Xingyang, and sent envoys to their graves to offer sacrifices.
Shen Jin, styled Shijian, was from Wukang, Huzhou, Zhejiang. His father, Shen Chong, rebelled with Wang Dun, but failed and escaped, only to be killed by his subordinate Wu Ru. Shen Jin was also supposed to be executed, but fortunately, a fellow villager named Qian Ju hid him, saving his life. Eventually, he took matters into his own hands and avenged his father.
Shen Jin has always been strong-willed since childhood. He was deeply saddened by the unclear circumstances of his father's death and has always wanted to achieve greatness to restore his family's honor. In his thirties, due to his family's past transgressions, he was unable to become an official. County Governor Wang Hu held him in high regard. Later, Wang Hu was promoted to General of Pingbei and Governor of Sizhou, and was going to Luoyang to take up his post. Shen Jin wrote to the court, saying, "This time I am going to guard the imperial tomb and defend against external enemies. Although I need to boost everyone's morale and foster unity among everyone, this is a crucial moment to clear obstacles and promote the court's benevolence. There are numerous challenges and urgent situations, and without suitable talents, we cannot succeed. There is a young man named Shen Jin from Wuxing, renowned for his noble character, integrity, and exceptional abilities, who would be more than capable. And now I am going to the west, where most of the officials and people are from Wuxing. If Shen Jin assists me with governance, it will please everyone and facilitate unity. Although Shen Jin's father, Shen Chong, had previously offended the court, their family has had no issues for a long time. I hope they might consider making an exception and granting my request." The emperor approved his request. Shen Jin was getting ready to assume his post when Wang Hu resigned due to illness.
During the Era of Peace, Murong Ke led troops to attack near Luoyang. At that time, General Chen You was stationed in Luoyang with only over two thousand men. Shen Jin was a skilled warrior and volunteered to help Chen You. Chen You appointed him as the Chief of Staff and let him recruit soldiers. He recruited over a thousand men to help Chen You in battle, achieving several victories against larger forces. However, when their supplies ran out and no reinforcements came, Chen You feared he could not hold Luoyang. At this time, the enemy attacked Xuchang, so Chen You used it as an excuse to go rescue Xuchang. In the third year of the Xingning era, he left Shen Jin and five hundred men to defend Luoyang while he led his troops east. As a result, Xuchang fell, and Chen You had to flee to Yawu. Shen Jin was determined to make a sacrifice for his country and saw his chance. Shortly after, Luoyang was captured by Murong Ke; Shen Jin was captured, but he stayed calm and collected. Murong Ke found it odd and considered sparing him. However, his subordinate, Murong Qian, said, "Although Shen Jin is talented, his ambition and demeanor would definitely not benefit us in the future. If we release him now, there would definitely be trouble later." So Shen Jin was killed. Upon returning to the camp, Murong Ke calmly said to Murong Xi, "I failed to save Bi Lu when attacking Guanggu before, and now I've killed Shen Jin after capturing Luoyang. I've let down the people." When the court heard about this, they respected Murong Ke's decision and posthumously named Shen Jin the Governor of Dongyang. Shen Jin's son, Shen Chiqian, later served as the Grand Chamberlain. Shen Chiqian's son, Shen Shuren, became the Inspector of Yizhou during the Yixi years.
Ji Yi, with the courtesy name Zuchong, hailed from Fengyi in Lianshao. His father Ji Lang was the Deputy Imperial Censor during the reign of Emperor Min. When the Western Jin court crumbled, Ji Lang sighed and said, "I lack the wisdom to plan, and the courage to die in battle. How can I bear to accompany the emperor in paying respects to those bandits in the north?" He then committed suicide. From a young age, Ji Yi was known for his lofty aspirations and integrity. In the early years of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Fu Jian captured Liang Yizhou. Huan Huo recommended Ji Yi for the position of Administrator of Weixing, and soon he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as the Administrator of Jinchang to defend against Fu Jian. Due to his successes against Fu Jian, he was appointed as an Attendant Cavalier of the Household. Fu Jian's general Wei Zhong attacked Weixing, and Ji Yi led his troops to resist, killing over seven hundred enemy soldiers and was promoted to Commander of Military Affairs of five counties. When Wei Zhong led a large army to attack Xiangyang, Ji Yi intercepted again, killing over five thousand enemy soldiers. Wei Zhong was very angry and surrounded Weixing with his troops. Ji Yi consistently demoralized the enemy. Later, enemy reinforcements continued to arrive, and Ji Yi was unable to resist. As the city was on the verge of falling, he drew his sword to take his own life, but his friend urged him, "First survive and then think of a solution. If you really can't think of one, it's not too late to die!" Ji Yi disagreed, so his friend had to snatch away his sword. Ultimately, Ji Yi was captured and chose to remain silent, fasting until his death.
General Huan Chong of the Cavalry reported to the emperor: "In the past, Ji Yizulong, who served as General of Light Chariots and Governor of Weixing, sacrificed himself to uphold his principles during the downfall of the West Court. Ji Yizulong was loyal and filial throughout his life, his heart always remained loyal to the court. When my deceased brother Huan Wen attacked Xianyang and the army was stationed by the Ba River, Ji Yizulong brought his two younger brothers on horseback to seek refuge. My brother valued his loyalty and promoted him from Governor of Xinye to Governor of Weixing. He served in military positions for a long time, was greatly respected in the border regions, and achieved significant accomplishments. Two years ago, the unruly Di people were causing chaos everywhere, sweeping downstream. Ji Yizulong alone defended an isolated city, with no soldiers under his command. He repelled fierce enemies and held the fortress, destroying enemy ships and capturing and killing thousands of people. However, the enemy concentrated their forces to lay siege for an extended period. When Xiangyang fell, the border situation was bleak, combined with the huge disparity in strength between us and the enemy, which ultimately led to the city's fall. Ji Yizulong resolved not to suffer disgrace. He took up arms, prepared to die in battle, and the soldiers persisted in resistance, so he did not fall immediately. Ultimately, he died in silence after fasting. His soldier Shi Ying later escaped from the bandits and brought back a letter written by Ji Yizulong before his death, providing a detailed account of the events. Ji Yizulong's loyalty and integrity are worth commemorating. If Your Majesty could show him favor and forgive his transgressions, it would honor his memory and bestow grace upon his soul in the afterlife!" The emperor greatly admired Ji Yizulong's loyalty and righteousness and posthumously conferred upon him the title of Inspector of Yizhou.
Wang Liang, with the courtesy name Youcheng, was originally from Danyang. He was talented and strategic at a young age and caught the eye of Wang Dun, who brought him into his service, eventually rising to the position of Wuchang Prefect. Initially, the new Prefect of New Chang, Liang Shuo, was arrogant and domineering in the Jiaozhi region, supporting Tao Xian as the Inspector of Jiaozhi. After Tao Xian's death, Wang Dun appointed Wang Ji as the Inspector, which led Liang Shuo to resist Wang Ji, declaring himself the Prefect of Jiaozhi and supporting Xiu Zhan, the son of the former Inspector Xiu Ze, to act as the state's representative. In the third year of Yongxing, Wang Dun appointed Wang Liang as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. As Wang Liang prepared to take office, Wang Dun told him, "Xiu Zhan and Liang Shuo are traitors to our nation. When you get there, arrest and kill them!"
After arriving in Jiaozhi, Xiu Zhan fled to Jiuzhen Commandery. The Guangzhou Inspector Tao Kan sent people to deceive Xiu Zhan into going to Wang Liang, who instructed his men to prevent Xiu Zhan from entering the house. When Xiu Zhan arrived, Wang Liang had him arrested. Liang Shuo was also present and said, "Xiu Zhan is the son of the former governor. Even if he is guilty, he can be released. There’s no need to execute him." Wang Liang replied firmly, "This is my order; you don't need to worry about it." After speaking, he killed Xiu Zhan. Liang Shuo left angrily. Wang Liang secretly planned to kill Liang Shuo, sending someone to assassinate him, but it was unsuccessful. As a result, Liang Shuo surrounded Wang Liang in Long Bian. Tao Kan sent troops to rescue Wang Liang, but before they arrived, Wang Liang was defeated. Liang Shuo forced Wang Liang to hand over his official seal, but Wang Liang refused, so Liang Shuo cut off Wang Liang's right arm. Wang Liang replied firmly, "I fear no death. Losing an arm is nothing!" Over ten days later, Wang Liang succumbed to his anger and resentment. Liang Shuo occupied Jiaozhou, being cruel and brutal, making life unbearable for the people. Eventually, he was eliminated by Tao Kan's army, and his severed head was sent to the capital.
Song Ju, with the courtesy name Chugu, was from Dunhuang, known for his generosity and integrity. Zhang Chonghua occupied the area of Liangzhou and appointed Song Ju as the Commandant of Wan Shu Garrison. General Shi Jilong sent his commander, Ma Qiu, to attack the Kingdom of Daxia. The military officer Liang Shi captured the governor, Song Yan, then opened the city gates and surrendered to Ma Qiu's forces. Ma Qiu sent Song Yan with a letter to meet Song Ju. Upon meeting Ma Qiu, Song Ju said to him, "I serve my father and am loyal to my sovereign, and should establish achievements and uphold righteousness. If unable to establish achievements and fulfill righteousness, one should preserve their honor. I, Song Ju, will never betray my sovereign, abandon my family, or live in dishonor!" After saying this, Song Ju tragically killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Ma Qiu said, "This is a righteous man!" and ordered a respectful and lavish burial for him. Zhang Chonghua praised Song Ju's loyalty and integrity, posthumously appointing him as General of Zhenwei.
Che Ji, with the courtesy name Wandu, was from Dunhuang. He was resolute, brave, and broad-minded. Zhang Chonghua appointed him as the County Magistrate of Jincheng, but later he was captured by Ma Qiu, one of Shi Jilong's commanders. Che Ji never submitted to Ma Qiu's demands. Ma Qiu was determined to make him surrender, so he led his troops to pressure him. Che Ji remained undaunted, saying, "Although I may not have the talent of Pang De, I have the same mission as him. My life can be sacrificed, but my aspirations must not change!" After speaking, he drew his sword and committed suicide. Ma Qiu admired his loyalty and righteousness, honoring him with a respectful burial. Later, Zhang Chonghua received his coffin, mourning for him personally and posthumously appointing him as the Commandant of Yihe.
Ding Mu, also known as Yan Yuan, was a native of Qiao. Due to his numerous military achievements, he was appointed as the Marquis of Zhending and later promoted to Prefect of Shunyang. In the fourth year of Taiyuan, he was appointed as General of Zhenwu and Inspector of Liangzhou. Before he could take up his post, he faced an attack on Shunyang by Fu Jian, and Ding Mu was defeated and captured, and was then escorted to Chang'an. Feigning illness, he refused to serve in the puppet court. Fu Jian then mobilized the full might of the nation to advance southward, and Ding Mu, along with others from Guanzhong, rose up in rebellion, planning to attack Chang'an. However, the plan was discovered, and he was executed. Before his death, he wrote a memorial and entrusted it to his wife, Lady Zhou. Later, Lady Zhou traveled to the capital to present the memorial at the palace gate. Emperor Xiaowu issued a decree saying, "The late Prefect of Shunyang and Marquis of Zhending, Ding Mu, although defeated and captured, his loyalty and integrity remained steadfast; he was upright and strong, and his spirit was like that of ancient martyrs. Upon hearing the news of his coffin just being returned, I am profoundly saddened. He shall be posthumously appointed as General Longxiang and Inspector of Yongzhou, with funeral arrangements modeled after those of Zhou Xiao. A residence will be constructed for him, and his wife will be supported, allowing her to live out her days in comfort."
Xin Gongjing, a native of the Didi people in Longxi, was a man of great talent and demeanor from a young age, surpassing his peers in both talent and grace. During the Long'an period, he served as the Prefect of Henan. When Yao Xing launched his attack, Xin Gongjing held out for over a hundred days, but due to a lack of reinforcements, the city fell, and he was captured and brought to Chang'an. Yao Xing said to him, "I intend to appoint you in charge of affairs in the southeast region; are you willing?" Xin Gongjing shot him a defiant glare and said, "I would rather be a ghost for the country than be a subject of the Qiang people!" Yao Xing was furious and imprisoned him in a secluded chamber. After three years, during the Yuanxing period, he outsmarted the guards, scaled the wall, and escaped back to Jiangdong. Emperor An admired him greatly. Huan Xuan invited him to serve as a military advisor, assigning him to an important position within the court. However, he fell ill and soon passed away.
Luo Qisheng, courtesy name Zongbo, was a talented man from Jiangxi. He started off as a minor official as an assistant to the writer, but due to his family's poverty and aging parents, he requested to be transferred to be the magistrate of Linru County. At that time, the governor Wang Ningzhi admired him and wanted him as his deputy. Later, Yin Zhongkan, stationed in Jiangling, recruited him as his chief officer. He rose through the ranks to become the Governor of Wuling.
Before taking office, Huan Xuan launched an attack against Yin Zhongkan. Panicked, Yin Zhongkan transferred Luo Qisheng to be a military advisor. Yin Zhongkan was indecisive and suspicious, which made Luo Qisheng anxious. He told his brother Luo Zunsheng, "Yin Zhongkan is kind-hearted but lacks decisiveness. This plan is doomed to fail. Success or failure is up to fate. I’m prepared to risk everything, accepting whatever fate awaits!" As Luo Qisheng predicted, Yin Zhongkan was defeated and fled. None of his officials followed him, except for Luo Qisheng. Passing by their home, Luo Zunsheng said, "Big brother, we are parting ways. Can’t we at least say goodbye with a handshake?" Luo Qisheng quickly stopped his horse, reached out his hand, and shook his brother's hand. Luo Zunsheng, with great strength, yanked Luo Qisheng off his horse and said, "There is still our elderly mother at home. Where do you think you’re going?" Luo Qisheng, tears in his eyes, said, "I’m sure I’m going to die today! Make sure to take care of our mother, and don’t let her down. If our family can be loyal and filial, what more could we ask for?" Luo Zunsheng hugged his brother, even more reluctant to part.
Yin Zhongkan waited for him on the road. Luo Qisheng shouted from afar, "Life and death together, can you wait for me?" Seeing Luo Qisheng's loyalty and selflessness, even while fleeing, Yin Zhongkan took off on horseback.
Wang Xuanzhi arrived in Jingzhou, and the local people all went to pay their respects to him. Only Yin Qisheng did not go, but instead busied himself with taking care of Zhong Kan's household affairs. Someone advised him, "Wang Xuanzhi is a suspicious and malicious person. He has not seen your loyalty yet. If you continue to refuse to pay your respects to him, you will definitely face great disaster!" Qisheng solemnly replied, "I am an official of Marquis Yin (Yin Xian) in Jingzhou. He treated me like a man of honor. However, due to my younger brother (Yin Zhongkan) being forced into a corner, I did not follow his orders and failed to eliminate those rebels, resulting in this defeat and escape. How can I have the face to ask Wang Xuanzhi for mercy now?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xuanzhi was very angry, but he held Qisheng in high regard. He first sent someone to tell Qisheng, "If you apologize to me, I will let you go." Qisheng replied, "I am an official of Marquis Yin in Jingzhou. Jingzhou is now defeated and in exile, with our lives uncertain. How can I have the face to apologize?" Wang Xuanzhi then had Qisheng arrested and asked him what he wanted to say. Qisheng replied, "When Emperor Wen killed Ji Kang, Ji Shao still remained a loyal minister of the Jin dynasty. I ask that you release my younger brother so he can take care of our elderly mother." Wang Xuanzhi agreed. He then called Qisheng in front of him and said, "We were such good friends before; why did you betray me? Now you are doomed!" Qisheng replied, "Since you have launched the Battle of Jinyang, stationed your army in Xunyang, and followed the orders of the court, we each returned to our respective stationed locations and made an oath at the altar. The blood of our alliance is not yet dry, yet you have come up with treacherous plans. I feel weak and regret not being able to eliminate those rebels sooner!" Wang Xuanzhi ultimately executed Qisheng, who was thirty-seven years old at the time, and everyone felt sorry for him. Before this, Wang Xuanzhi had given Qisheng's mother, Lady Hu, a lamb fur coat. On the day of Qisheng's execution, Wang Xuanzhi burned that coat.
Zhang Yi, a native of Wu County, had integrity when he was young. When Emperor Gong was the King of Langya, he appointed Zhang Yi as the Minister of the Interior. When Emperor Gong ascended the throne, Liu Yu, because Zhang Yi was an old subordinate of Emperor Gong and trusted him very much in peacetime, gave him a bottle of poisoned wine, secretly instructing him to poison Emperor Gong. After receiving the order, Zhang Yi sighed and said, "To poison the emperor to protect myself, what face do I have left to live in this world? It's better to die!" So he drank the poisoned wine and committed suicide.
Historical records indicate that Ji Kang was killed for his outspokenness, and Wang Yi was also convicted for defying the powerful. Contemporaries believed they had died unjustly. Ji Shao felt that he had lost the face of the Jin family, while Wang Yan was willing to die. Though both were loyal patriots, their approaches differed, yet they were praised by the world and left a good reputation in history. Isn't this a reflection of the belief that loyalty to one's ruler is the foundation of human relationships, with loyalty and filial piety being the highest virtues? Ji Shao chose to protect himself, so he preserved his filial piety; while Wang Yan chose to benefit the world, so he naturally had to be loyal. This is like orchids and osmanthus, different varieties yet equally fragrant; the "Shao" music and "Wu" music, different tunes but both beautiful and pleasant.
Some have remarked that Wang Yan's death was shrouded in mystery, inviting criticism. Yang Xiong also said similar things, but this statement is not very reliable. A monarch, much like the heavens, cannot be hated. Having enjoyed glory and wealth, one should bear the accompanying responsibilities, not just think of oneself, and be indecisive. How can one establish oneself in the world? Ji Kang's sacrifice was to preserve his integrity; that is the essence of the matter.
Praise: Heavy in righteousness, light in life, sacrificing oneself for righteousness. Firm in righteousness, enduring like strong pine, withstanding harsh frost. Blades may be vanquished, but a steadfast heart cannot be broken. Following the path of ancient sages, a fragrant stream of wisdom continues to flow.
