Chen Qian is from Dongyang in Linyi. His father, Chen Jiao, once served as the Minister of Personnel of the Wei Kingdom. In fact, Chen Jiao was originally from the Liu family in Guangling, but he was raised by his maternal grandfather, who was from the Chen family. Chen Qian is a steady and thoughtful person, greatly strategic.
At the beginning, when Chen Jiao was the Grand Master of Writing, the Palace Attendant Liu Ye enjoyed the Emperor Ming of Wei's favor and falsely accused Chen Jiao of having too much power. Chen Jiao was very worried about this and asked Chen Qian what to do. Chen Qian replied, "The Emperor is wise and discerning, and you are a high-ranking minister. Even if the Emperor is temporarily displeased, at most he will just prevent you from holding office." Later, the Emperor did indeed regain his composure. When Chen Qian was young, he was scorned by Xiahou Xuan, but he remained calm and composed, causing Xiahou Xuan to have a different view of him.
Chen Qian started as a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing and later distinguished himself as the Administrator of Zhongshan and Anping. He was then summoned by the court and served in succession as Minister of State, Chief Clerk, and Deputy Minister of Justice, and was granted the title of Marquis of Anguo Pavilion. When the Shu Kingdom's army invaded the Longyou region, Chen Qian was ordered to lead the expedition as the Imperial Commissioner and General for the Campaign Against Shu, defeating the Shu army and returning victorious. During Zhuge Dan's rebellion, he served as the Imperial Commissioner and General for Peace in the East. After the city of Shou Chun was captured, he was appointed as the Imperial Commissioner, Commander of the Huai Army in the North, General of Peace in the East, and his title was subsequently elevated to Marquis of Guangling.
Later, he was transferred to be the Governor of Military Affairs in Yuzhou and the Governor of Yuzhou, while retaining the titles of Commissioner and General. He was then transferred to be the Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Jiangnan, and then to be the Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Jingzhou, the Grand General of the Southern Expedition, and was granted the title of Duke of Gaoping County. After Emperor Cao Mao of Wei received the abdication and ascended the throne, due to Chen Qian's contributions in assisting his ascension, he was promoted to the title of Cavalry General and granted the title of Duke of Gaoping County. He was later promoted to be the Palace Attendant, Grand General, and then was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Yangzhou, with other positions remaining unchanged, and was also granted the Yellow Seal. He captured the city of Zhili in the state of Wu and defeated the defending troops at Tuzhong. The Emperor also granted the title of Marquis of Guanzhong to Chen Qian's nephew, Chen Xing.
In the early period of the Xianning era, Chen Qian was promoted to Grand Commandant and later transferred to be the Grand Marshal. When Chen Qian attended the court, he said to the Emperor, "Both Hu Lie and Qian Hong, although brave, lack strategy, only seeking to show off their strength, and are not suitable candidates to guard the borders. They will surely bring shame to the country in the future. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully." At that time, Qian Hong was the Governor of Yangzhou and did not follow Chen Qian's orders. The Emperor thought they were attacking each other, so he summoned Qian Hong back to the court. After Qian Hong returned, he was soon appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou. Chen Qian sighed privately, believing that Qian Hong would surely fail. Later, both Hu Lie and Qian Hong indeed lost the trust of the various tribes in the Qiang and Rong areas and were killed by the enemy. It took several years of continuous military campaigns for the court to finally quell the unrest, and it was only then that the Emperor regretted not heeding Chen Qian's advice.
Xiahou Qian was very dignified from a young age, able to overlook the faults of others, and possessed a strong work ethic and outstanding achievements. He, along with Jia Chong, Shi Bao, Pei Xiu, and others, were all trusted confidants of the emperor, but Xiahou Qian's wisdom and strategies far exceeded theirs; even Jia Chong himself admits he cannot match him. He held a high-ranking official position and was greatly respected by the populace. As he reached the pinnacle of his career and advanced in age, he wished to retire. In the third year of the Xianning era, he requested to return to the court and also submitted a request for retirement. The emperor bestowed upon him ceremonial robes and issued an edict saying, "Xiahou Qian, your contributions are great, your virtues are high, you have pacified Dong Wu and governed the world, and we need you to continue utilizing your talents! Although you are not in good health and keep requesting retirement, we appreciate your dedication. Now we allow you to stay in the capital, change the position of Grand Commandant to Grand Marshal, add two more libationers, keep your staff, officials, chariots, and musicians as before, give you a hundred personal soldiers, ten hectares of land for a kitchen, fifty mu of land for a vegetable garden, ten cooks, and provide you with all kinds of daily necessities. In addition, we will give you a luxurious carriage and a team of horses, and when you enter and leave the palace, we will also provide you with musicians, akin to those for Xiao He during the Han Dynasty." Xiahou Qian repeatedly declined, stating that he was unwell and wished to retire. The emperor issued another edict saying, "Xiahou Qian, you have high virtues and broad knowledge; I often seek advice from you! We currently need your strategies to help the country develop, so you should go to work on time!" He then sent a eunuch to persuade him. Xiahou Qian still returned home, and the emperor sent a court official to persuade him to return to the mansion. Xiahou Qian insisted on retiring, and the emperor agreed, granting him a position akin to that of a royal tutor, above the Three Excellencies, and granting him several canes. He was not required to attend court, was provided with a luxurious carriage and a team of horses, and allowed to retire as Duke of Gaoping. Due to his status as a distinguished minister and his advanced age, the emperor showed him special respect, permitting him to enter the palace in his carriage and attend court.
Xiahou Qian was usually low-key and wasn't very talkative, but he came off as quite arrogant when speaking to the emperor; he was very respectful when he met the crown prince, which led people to think he was quite the flatterer. His brother and his son had some conflicts, so his brother complained to the emperor, saying that Xiahou Qian's children were acting inappropriately. Xiahou Qian wrote to request that his brother be transferred elsewhere, which tarnished his reputation.
In the second year of Yuankang, Xiahou Qian passed away at the age of eighty-one. The emperor dressed him in his ceremonial robes for burial, posthumously appointed him as Grand Tutor, and conferred the posthumous title of Wu. During the burial, the emperor personally sent him off at the Grand Marshal's Gate, crying very sadly while looking at the coffin, with the same honors as Grand Marshal Shi Bao. His son, Xiahou Yu, inherited his title.
Yu started off as a Cavalry Attendant and the Prefect of Luoyang, later rising to become a Yellow Gate Attendant, and also served as a formidable military officer in the Left Army, Grand Minister of Agriculture, and Palace Attendant. However, due to his poor relationship with his uncle, he was eventually sent away to serve as Prefect of Hebei. While he was a bit careless personally, he was quite capable at work. He passed away shortly after, and his son, Zhi, who was known as Hongxian, inherited his title and became a Cavalry Consultant. After Zhi's death, his son Cui inherited the title, but was later killed during the Yongjia era. Emperor Xiaowu permitted Yu's great-grandson to take over the title, which was later passed on to his disciple, Haozhi. After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, this title was eventually done away with.
Next, let's talk about Pei Xiu, courtesy name Jiyi, from Wenxi, Hedong. His grandfather Pei Mao was the Minister of Personnel in the Han Dynasty, and his father Pei Qian was the Minister of Personnel in the Wei Dynasty, coming from a prestigious family of officials. Pei Xiu loved learning from a young age, of noble character, and could write articles at the age of eight. His uncle Pei Hui was very famous, and there were often many guests visiting their home. When Pei Xiu was in his teens, those who visited his uncle's house would pass by Pei Xiu's house on their way out. However, because Pei Xiu's mother had a humble background, his stepmother, Xuan Shi, looked down on her. Once, she even made Pei Xiu's mother serve food to the guests, prompting everyone present to stand in sympathy. Pei Xiu's mother said, "My lowly status is for my son's sake!" After Xuan Shi found out, she never did it again. People at the time all said, "The future leader will undoubtedly be Pei Xiu!"
General Guanqiu Jian once recommended Pei Xiu to General Cao Shuang, saying, "Pei Xiu has been exceptionally intelligent since he was young, and as he grew older, he became naturally poised. He is deep and reserved, with a noble character, profound knowledge, outstanding memory, and there is no subject he is not proficient in. He is filial to his parents, loves his siblings, and has a good reputation in his hometown, known far and wide. He is truly fit to assist a wise ruler, participate in court affairs, help govern the country, and bring glory to the prosperous era. He is not only a genius like Ziqi and Gan Luo were, but also possesses good virtues like Yan Yuan, Ran Geng, and You Xia." After hearing this, Cao Shuang hired Pei Xiu as his aide, and even granted him his father's title - Marquis of Qingyang, later promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. After Cao Shuang was killed, Pei Xiu was dismissed because he was a former subordinate of Cao Shuang. After some time, he was appointed as the Minister of Justice, and later served as the General of the East and the Guard General Sima under Emperor Wen, involved in significant military matters and earning great trust. He was eventually promoted to Cavalier Attendant.
When the emperor wanted to attack Zhuge Dan, Pei Xiu followed Minister of Personnel Chen Tai and Right Grand Master of the Guanglu Zhong Hui as an official of the Xingtai to participate in military planning. After Zhuge Dan was pacified, Pei Xiu was promoted to Shangshu, granted the title of Marquis of Luyang, and his fief increased by one thousand households. Later, due to his significant contributions to the decision-making process of establishing a county in Changdao Township, he was promoted to County Marquis, his fief increased by seven hundred households, and he was promoted to Shangshu. In the early Xianxi period of the Wei Dynasty, the court implemented a series of reforms. At that time, Xun Yi was tasked with formulating rituals, Jia Chong was tasked with reforming the laws, and Pei Xiu was responsible for reforming the official system. Pei Xiu proposed the establishment of five ranks of nobility, with over six hundred individuals above the rank of Qidu being ennobled. As a result, Pei Xiu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Jichuan, with a fief of sixty li and fourteen hundred households, using Jichuan Market in Gaoyuan County as his marquisate. Initially, Emperor Wei Wen had not yet chosen a successor, and he favored Cao You, the Marquis of Wuyang. Emperor Wei Wu was worried about his ability to inherit the throne, so he asked Pei Xiu, "Are there any physical traits that can predict fortune or misfortune?" and then used some strange omens to hint at Pei Xiu. Later, Pei Xiu told Emperor Wei Wen, "The Middle Army Commander (referring to Emperor Wei Wu) has high prestige, and the celestial signs also suggest that he will inherit the throne. This is not the appearance of an ordinary courtier!" Because of these words from Pei Xiu, the identity of Emperor Wei Wu as the successor was ultimately confirmed. After Emperor Wei Wu ascended the throne, he appointed Pei Xiu as Minister of Personnel and Right Grand Master of the Guanglu, and alongside Imperial Historian Wang Shen and General Jia Chong, they established an office, and also appointed him to a position in the Yushi. After Emperor Wei Wu ascended the throne, Pei Xiu was promoted to Left Grand Master of the Guanglu, enfeoffed as the Duke of Julu County, with a fief of three thousand households.
At that time, the military officer An Yuan, Hao Xu, wrote in a letter to an old friend: "I have met Minister Pei Xiu, and I hope he can help me." Someone used this as a reason to request the removal of Pei Xiu's official position. The emperor issued a decree saying, "It is impossible for a person to make others have no ill intentions, which is something even the ancients found difficult to achieve. This issue stems from Hao Xu's social interactions; it is his fault. How can we blame Minister Pei? This matter should not be pursued any further!" Colonel Li Xi submitted another memorial, saying that Cavalry Captain Liu Shang had encroached on Minister Pei Xiu's official land, requesting a ban on Pei Xiu. The emperor once again issued a decree saying that Pei Xiu had assisted in the government's affairs and had merits to the royal family, and that his significant contributions should not be overshadowed by a minor mistake. The relevant departments should investigate Liu Shang's fault and lift the ban on Pei Xiu.
After some time, the emperor issued another decree stating, "The duties of the Three Departments are to assist the emperor in governing the world and helping to accomplish national affairs. Therefore, governing the country and discussing governance strategies rely on the wisdom and abilities of the Three Departments. If the selection of personnel is inappropriate, then this official position is meaningless. Minister Pei Xiu, with a broad mind and extensive knowledge, was valued by the late emperor and was allowed to participate in assisting in the government affairs. After I inherited the throne, he continued to assist me in achieving great accomplishments; his merits are great and can be compared to that of Zhang Liang. He should be appointed to a more important position to benefit the country's development. Let him be appointed as Minister of Works!"
Pei Xiu was well-versed in knowledge and took a keen interest in political affairs. During the abdication of power, he was always able to grasp the crux of the matter, and his decisions were in accordance with proper conduct, without any violations. Due to his official position, he came into contact with the records of mountains and rivers in "Yu Gong." These ancient records describe places that have changed over time, and later generations’ interpretations often feel forced, resulting in greater ambiguity. Therefore, Pei Xiu meticulously examined ancient literature, left gaps where there were uncertainties, and provided annotations for places that had ancient names but no longer exist, based on the current situation. He ultimately completed the "Regional Map of Yu Gong" in eighteen volumes, which he presented to the emperor, and it was stored in the royal archives. In the preface, he wrote:
The creation of maps has a long-standing history and significant importance. Since ancient times, people have recorded and passed on information through map-making, which is very important for national governance. The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties all had specific official positions responsible for the creation and management of maps, and national historical records documented these roles. After the Han dynasty destroyed the Qin dynasty, Chancellor Xiao He confiscated all maps and books from the Qin dynasty. However, the royal archives now contain neither ancient maps nor those confiscated by Xiao He, only a few scattered maps, such as the "Yudi Zhi" and "Kuaidi Zhi" from the Han dynasty. These maps lack a scale, haven't been precisely measured or verified, and do not detail notable mountains and rivers. While they can roughly indicate shapes, they aren't accurate enough to be reliable references. Some maps depict conditions in remote areas that are absurd and inconsistent with reality, making them useless as references.
After the establishment of the Great Jin Dynasty, the country was unified and tranquility was established. Beginning with the campaign against Shu, the territory was gradually expanded. Emperor Wen ordered the appropriate officials to compile and survey maps of the Wu and Shu regions. After pacifying Shu, every place the army passed through was carefully verified and documented, including distances, the challenges posed by mountains and rivers, the curvature of roads, and so on, with no errors whatsoever. Now the emperor has asked me to study the records in the "Yu Gong" regarding mountains, rivers, plains, and marshes, as well as the boundaries of the ancient Nine Provinces and the current Sixteen Provinces, counties, towns, and the alliances of ancient states, historical place names, and land and water routes, and to draw them into eighteen maps.
First of all, drawing maps demands careful consideration of six aspects. The first is the scale, used to distinguish the distances on the map. The second is orientation, used to correct the relative positions of various locations on the map. The third is mileage, used to determine the length of routes. The fourth is elevation, the fifth is direction, and the sixth is curvature; these three aspects must be assessed according to the actual terrain to evaluate the landscape's flatness and steepness. If a map has images but lacks a scale, it is impossible to judge distances; if there is a scale but no orientation, while one can determine the position of one place, the positions of others will definitely be incorrect; if there is orientation but no mileage, then in places separated by mountains and seas, the connections between various places cannot be known; if mileage is provided without indications of elevation, direction, or curvature, then the length of the route will certainly not match the actual distance, and the orientation will also be inaccurate. Therefore, these six aspects must be considered comprehensively. However, the actual distances depend on the scale, the actual relationships between positions depend on mileage, and the accuracy of length depends on the calculations of elevation, direction, and curvature. Thus, even with towering mountains and vast seas acting as barriers, even with distant frontiers and different regions, and even with complex and varied terrain, everything can be measured. As long as the orientation is accurate, the straightness, distances, and curvature will be evident.
Next is the story of Sikong Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao established the court's ceremonial system and widely implemented criminal law policies, which were largely adopted and became customary in the court. He was a famous virtuous minister during his four years in office. After taking Cold Food Powder, he was supposed to drink hot wine but instead drank cold wine, and he passed away in the seventh year of Taishi at the age of forty-eight. The court issued a decree stating, "Sikong Zhang Zhao's conduct is noble, his character is pure, he assisted the emperor, and his achievements are outstanding. He was preparing to further display his talents and become a model for future generations; unfortunately, he passed away, and we deeply regret it. He was awarded valuable items, a set of court robes, one additional garment, three hundred thousand coins, and one hundred bolts of cloth. He was posthumously honored with the title 'Yuan.'"
Finally, more about Zhang Zhao's circumstances before his death. Initially, Zhang Zhao believed that the rules and regulations of the thirty-six departments of the Ministry of Personnel were unclear, and the responsibilities of the ministers should be clarified, but he unfortunately passed away before he could submit his recommendations. When his friends sorted through his belongings, they found a draft of a petition, which addressed the pacification of the Kingdom of Wu. The petition stated, "Sun Hao is cruel and unjust, far from the rule of a wise monarch governing the world. He is weak and incompetent, only able to deceive and mislead the people, bringing disaster upon future generations, and will inevitably meet his end; the rise and fall of fortunes and misfortunes in the world are not fixed. Although I have submitted petitions many times before, I have not received clear instructions. Now that I am seriously ill and unable to get up, I leave behind this testament. I hope Your Majesty can promptly adopt my suggestion." Therefore, his friends submitted this petition to the court. The court replied, "Sikong has passed away, and we are filled with deep sorrow. Seeing his petition, although he is in a dangerous situation, he did not forget the country, demonstrating loyalty and devotion to the country. We are even more saddened and will certainly deliberate on this matter with the ministers."
At first, he was like Shi Bao and the others, all high-ranking officials of the court, and were all to be honored in the ancestral temple upon their deaths. He had two sons, one named Jun and the other named Wei. His son Jun inherited his title and rose to the position of Cavalier in Regular Attendance but died young. Jun's son Jing was not particularly bright and was granted the title of Marquis of Gaoyang, so his younger brother Wei inherited the title.
Wei, styled Yimin, was elegant, had great foresight, and was well-versed in various texts, having been famous since childhood. When Zhou Bi, the Minister of Justice, saw him, he exclaimed, "Wei is like an arsenal filled with a variety of weapons; he is truly an outstanding figure of his time!" Jia Chong, his mother's husband, recommended him in a memorial, stating, "Wei has made significant contributions in assisting the emperor, but unfortunately his eldest son has died, leaving behind young children. Wei is outstanding, with noble character, capable of ensuring the family's future prosperity." Therefore, the court issued a decree allowing him to inherit the title. Wei firmly declined but was unsuccessful. In the second year of Taikang, he was summoned to serve as a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince and was later promoted to Cavalier in Regular Attendance. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he was further appointed as the Chief Libationer of the Imperial Academy while concurrently serving as the General of the Right Army.
In the beginning, Wei's nephew Jing was among the common people. Wei used the family's achievements to secure the title of Marquis of Gaoyang Pavilion for him. Later, when Yang Jun was facing execution, Yang Jun's followers, Liu Yu, the General of the Left Army, blocked the entrance with his soldiers and met Wei. They asked him where the Grand Tutor was. Wei deceitfully claimed, "I just saw him sitting in a simple carriage at the West Yamen, heading west with two people." Liu Yu asked, "Where should I go then?" Wei said, "You'd better go to the Ministry of Justice." Liu Yu believed him and left. Not long after, the court issued a decree for Wei to replace Liu Yu as the General of the Left Army, stationed at Wanchunmen. After Yang Jun was executed, because of Wei's contributions, the court intended to grant him the title of Marquis of Wuchang, but he earnestly requested that this title be bestowed upon his nephew Jing. He argued that Jing was the legitimate eldest son and heir, who should inherit the title of Marquis of Julu, according to the late emperor's decree. He declined multiple times, but ultimately did not get his wish. The title of Marquis of Wuchang was obtained by himself, and he specifically requested that this title be given to Jing. However, because Wei's second son had gained favor at the time, the emperor did not agree. Later, Wei was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant.
There was a period of peace across the realm. Zheng Mao submitted a memorial requesting the restoration of the national academy, the engraving of stone tablets, and the copying of scriptures. The Crown Prince personally presided over the lectures, held a sacrificial ceremony in honor of Confucius, as well as banquets and archery competitions; everything was well-organized. He also had Xun Xu fulfill his father's wish to cast bells and chimes to accompany the ceremonial music for the ancestral temple. Zheng Mao was well-versed in knowledge and skilled in medicine. When Xun Xu revised the measurements, he found an ancient ruler that was more than four fen shorter than the one in use at that time. Zheng Mao submitted a memorial saying, "All systems of measurement should be revised. If it cannot be done all at once, we can start with the weights and measures used by the imperial physicians. If there are discrepancies in this area, we will lose the correct standards of Shen Nong and Qi Bo. Inaccuracies in the weight and dosage of medicines can be very harmful, even life-threatening. The ancients lived long lives, while people today have shorter lives, which may indeed be related to this issue." Unfortunately, his suggestion was not accepted. Yue Guang once engaged in a lengthy discussion with Zheng Mao, trying to persuade him with reason, but Zheng Mao's arguments were very rich, and Yue Guang smiled without saying a word. People at the time regarded Zheng Mao as a master of eloquence.
Noticing Empress Dowager Jia's dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince, Zheng Mao submitted a petition to elevate the title of the Crown Prince's birth mother, Lady Xie Shufei, and requested an increase in palace guards, adding three thousand soldiers, making the guard of the Eastern Palace ten thousand strong. He was promoted to the position of Shangshu, with his position as Zhongshu unchanged, and was additionally granted the title of Guanglu Daifu. Every time he received an official position, he repeatedly declined and submitted memorials over ten times, widely citing examples of success and failure from ancient and modern times to explain his thoughts, leaving those who read his memorials with a sense of unease.
Zheng Mao was deeply concerned about Jia Hou's misrule, so he discussed with Sikong Zhang Hua and Shizhong Jia Mo the idea of removing Jia Hou and making Xie Shufei empress. Zhang Hua and Jia Mo both said, "The emperor has no intention of removing Jia Hou. If we act on our own, the emperor will not agree. Moreover, the princes are in their prime, and with factional disputes, it could trigger a catastrophe, putting our lives at risk and endangering the realm, which would be of no benefit to the country." Zheng Mao replied, "Your concerns are indeed valid. However, a foolish and tyrannical person fears nothing, and chaos could break out at any moment. What should we do then?" Zhang Hua said, "You two are still relatively trusted by the emperor, so you should diligently advise him and warn him of the principles of fortune and misfortune, hoping to prevent any major upheaval. Fortunately, the realm is still relatively peaceful, and perhaps we can get through this year safely." Thus, the plan was set aside. Zheng Mao urged his cousin, Lord Guangcheng, every day to advise Jia Hou to treat the crown prince kindly. Someone advised Zheng Mao, saying, "Since you can speak openly with the inner court, if your words are ineffective, then you should pretend to be ill and step down. If you cannot do either of these two things, even if you submit petitions ten times, it will be difficult to avoid disaster." Zheng Mao pondered for a long time but in the end, he chose not to take action.
He was promoted to the position of Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and he retained his position as Palace Attendant. Although Wei was a relative of the Empress, he had always been highly respected nationwide. No one thought he had risen to power through nepotism; rather, they were concerned he might refuse the position. Not long after, the Emperor appointed Wei to manage the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, but Wei resolutely declined. However, the Emperor insisted. Wei submitted a memorial saying, "Jia Mo has just passed away, and now you want me to take his place. This would elevate the status of relatives and suggest favoritism. In Han Dynasty history, only Emperors Xiaowen, Guangwu, and Ming did not favor their relatives. Their royal families thrived because they governed wisely! In the past, Duke Mu did not accept invitations that violated etiquette. I cannot accept such unreasonable appointments!" He then submitted another memorial, stating, "Jiu Yao served Emperor Shun, Yi Yin served King Tang of Shang, Jiang Taigong served King Wen of Zhou, Xiao He and Zhang Liang served Emperor Gaozu of Han. They all made outstanding contributions and were remembered in history. Their successors, such as Jiu Shan, Fu Shuo, Zu Ji, and Fan Zhong, also led to the prosperity of the country. Some of these people came from humble backgrounds, some were commoners. Isn't this a testament to valuing talent? Look at recent years; people do not learn from the experience of their predecessors but become mired in personal interests and appoint numerous relatives, leading to unrest in the country. In the past, Shu Guang advised the Crown Prince not to appoint his uncle to an official position, and later generations regarded this as an understanding of etiquette. Moreover, does the court need relatives at all? Since there are many talented individuals, priority should be given to those without family relationships to ensure fairness and justice. The Han Dynasty's decision not to use King Feng Ye as an example." After the memorials were submitted, the Emperor issued generous edicts to reassure him.
At that time, Chen Zhun's son Kuang and Han Wei's son Song were both serving by the side of the Prince. Wei advised, "The Prince is the future emperor, so the people around him must be chosen from exceptional individuals to help him grow better. Kuang and Song are still young and do not yet understand the ways of the world. The Prince should show a mature and stable demeanor, yet there are children serving by his side now. How does this show the dignity of the royal family?" Wei and Zhang Hua strongly opposed the Crown Prince's deposition, and this incident is recorded in "The Biography of Zhang Hua."
Wei was very concerned about the loose social atmosphere at the time and the lack of emphasis on Confucianism. Although He Yan and Ruan Ji had reputations outside, they were merely loud talkers who ignored etiquette and laws, only seeking enjoyment of wealth and glory without taking things seriously. As for people like Wang Yan, who had even greater reputations and higher statuses, they did not care about national affairs, and everyone imitated each other, resulting in a decline in social values. Therefore, Wei wrote "On the Reverence for the Unchanging" to explain his views and correct this negative trend. He said: First of all, everything has its foundation, which is the basic principle of development. There are numerous species of living beings, each with its own characteristics. The variety of life forms is what defines living organisms. The interactions between various things are the key reasons behind the development and changes of things.
Different species have different attributes, and those with limitations cannot be self-sufficient, so they must rely on external assistance. Therefore, the survival of living beings follows certain rules, often referred to as "principle." This principle manifests as "being." What "being" requires is "resources." The combination of resources is termed "suitable." Choosing what suits oneself is referred to as "emotion." Even though people's wisdom and talents differ, and their careers and paths are different, their fundamental purposes for survival and adaptation to the environment are the same. Various principles can coexist harmoniously, which explains the distinctions of status. Success or failure hinges on one's experiences, which is why there is fortune and misfortune. Therefore, wise individuals understand that desires should not be excessive, and interactions with all things should be done in moderation. By observing changes in things, summarizing patterns, and setting goals, one can achieve success. The approach to life should be rooted in benevolence and harmony, the foundation of character lies in respect and frugality, the guiding principle in interactions is humility and courtesy, and avoiding excessive indulgence and wastefulness paves the way for success! Therefore, establishing a sound system, comforting the people, educating all beings, and setting an example is the essential approach for wise governance.
If one is arrogant and overbearing, acting recklessly, it will lead to calamity. Therefore, an expansion of desires will quickly invite disaster, indulgence in emotions will lead to the breeding of hatred, tyranny will provoke conflict, and the pursuit of personal gain will invite foreign invasion. This can be seen as a struggle for survival that ultimately undermines the very essence of existence. The ignorant and uninformed, frightened by these calamities, seek reasons for conflict. They only see the negative aspects of things but fail to recognize the benefits of simplification and reduction, thus promoting the theory of "valuing the insignificant" and advocating the notion of "devaluing the valuable." "Devaluing the valuable" will inevitably rely on external factors; relying on external factors will inevitably lead to neglecting the system, neglecting the system will lead to a relaxation of vigilance, and relaxing vigilance will lead to forgetting etiquette. Without the institution of etiquette, governance becomes impossible. The people's loyalty to their rulers is like water taking the shape of its container. Thus, the thoughts and feelings of the people depend on what they are accustomed to; once accustomed, they will accept it wholeheartedly, and upon acceptance, they will consider it a matter of course. Therefore, rulers must carefully choose educational content, arrange policies and laws, and manage all affairs, delineating the living areas of the people and assigning them four different roles, so that those who follow orders can live and work peacefully, forgetting their differences and having no thoughts of changing their aspirations. Moreover, those in high positions, who harbor lofty ideals and use them for education! This marks the dividing line between foolishness and wisdom, which deserves serious reflection. Alas, human desires can be reduced, but it is impossible to eliminate them completely. Excessive consumption can be restrained, but it cannot be said to be entirely unimportant. Look at those who speak with great confidence, articulating tangible principles, while enthusiastically praising the virtues of emptiness.
The principles that are visible and tangible can still find evidence; but where can one find evidence for such empty principles? Their eloquent words sound pleasing, and those seemingly plausible statements can easily confuse people. When everyone is left confused by what they hear, they end up believing in their claims. Even if someone internally disagrees, they cannot argue against them, and are led by their rhythm, ultimately having to speak of the empty principles, which are truly hard to refute.
When one person leads with this claim, many follow suit, and as it spreads further, no one opposes it. What is the result? Everyone begins to underestimate actual work, disregard achievements and contributions, while elevating idleness to a noble status and belittling those with real talent and knowledge. People, after all, pursue fame and fortune, so those who are articulate promote this rhetoric loudly; those who are not good with words also echo them, and thus this notion becomes popular.
Therefore, those people use "emptiness" to boast about their supposed profundity, claiming it reflects elegance and transcendence; officials do not seriously handle political affairs, saying it is elegant and transcendent; in dealing with people and the world, they do not uphold integrity and ethics, claiming it is open-minded and cheerful. As a result, the spirit of striving for progress becomes increasingly diminished.
Some people exploit this opportunity to disregard the rituals of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, neglect their appearance and behavior, disregard the order of seniority and junior status, and blur the lines between nobility and lowliness. In more serious cases, they may even appear disheveled, behave recklessly, and treat such reckless behavior as noble, leading to the corruption of the spirit of gentlemanliness!
Laozi's "Tao Te Ching," comprising five thousand words, critiques the various chaos and evils in society, advocating for the philosophy of tranquility and wu wei, which evokes a sense of ease and freedom. This is consistent with the concepts of "loss," "humility," "stillness," and "moderation" in the "I Ching." However, tranquility and wu wei, as well as maintaining one's true nature, do not imply nihilism; the hexagrams of "loss" and "stillness" are pathways for the cultivation of a gentleman, but rather not the core philosophy of the "I Ching." Although Laozi was well-versed in many texts, he stated "there is existence in non-existence," offering a unique perspective rooted in emptiness. But is this truly the right approach? Since one lives in this world, one should preserve life, and the way to safeguard life is to align with the natural order. If one indulges in immediate pleasures and neglects their responsibilities, it will lead to calamity; if one pursues false fame and forgets the fundamentals, they will lose their human nature. Thus, the decision to act or not is tied to life and death. Some things that appear to exist may not, while some things that appear to not exist may indeed be real. Therefore, Laozi expounded on the principle of aligning with natural laws and wrote articles that extol "emptiness" to dispel misguided notions, maintain inner peace, and guide those who have strayed from the right path back to it, thereby clarifying the hearts of people. Thus, although he used "emptiness" as his argument, his purpose was to preserve "existence," which is why he said, "My writing is not good enough." This is merely a way of expressing his thoughts, just a viewpoint. If one asserts that the highest principle is to embrace "non-action," it risks becoming biased and potentially harmful.
Many knowledgeable scholars in ancient times, without clinging to any particular viewpoint, conducted in-depth discussions on the thoughts of Laozi. Although Ban Gu criticized Laozi, he did not completely negate his ideas. Sun Qing and Yang Xiong, while generally critical of Laozi, also recognized certain merits. However, discussions about emptiness were on the rise, with various theories emerging and each explaining their own viewpoints. From the formation of the universe to all things in the world, the appreciation for "emptiness" was strikingly unanimous. Due to the prevalence of this viewpoint, people came to view any reasoning that supported "existence" as shallow and inferior. As a result, the study of ethics and practical knowledge began to decline. Mr. Wei (pronounced 'kuí') was shocked to see this situation and therefore wrote articles to explain his own views and refute those who extolled emptiness. He faced considerable criticism, with some dismissing it as a mere whim. Visitors requested that he write articles refuting the fallacies of nihilism. If one cannot provide a correct explanation for everything, then the concept of "non-action" cannot stand. After careful consideration upon returning home, Mr. Wei realized that although a noble person should be indifferent to fame and fortune and not pursue a prominent status, the purpose of speaking out is to illuminate the truth. However, the age of sages and saints feels far removed, with various viewpoints being complex. As long as it bears some resemblance to the classics and helps to promote and develop ancient texts, benefiting society, then it should be spoken out; how can one possibly remain silent? Even if they are merely superficial insights, I feel compelled to express them.
What does that first sentence mean? It means that without "nothing," there can be no "something," so the original "something" is generated from itself. However, because it is self-generated, it must possess substance, and with that substance come defects and losses. Thus, "something" inherently contains "nothing," which represents its defect. Therefore, to preserve the integrity of "something," one cannot separate it from "nothing"; to adhere to the principles of "something," one cannot ignore "non-action." A person's thoughts aren't the things themselves, but when dealing with things, one must rely on thoughts; but that doesn’t mean thoughts don't exist when dealing with things. A craftsman isn't a tool, but creating tools relies on a craftsman; but one cannot say that the craftsman doesn't exist just because tools are being made. So, if you want to get fish in the deep pool, just resting won't get you anywhere; if you want to catch birds on the high wall, just sitting quietly won't catch them; if you want to use bows and fishing bait accurately, just pretending to understand isn't enough. These examples show that those who achieve "something" are all part of "something," so what benefits does "nothing" provide to what already exists? Wang Yan and his crew took turns attacking him, trying to give him a hard time, but they couldn't make him give in. He even wrote a book titled "Debating Skills," explaining deep principles from both ancient and modern times, but unfortunately, he ran into trouble before he could finish it.
At first, King Zhao Lun was in cahoots with Jia Hou, which fueled Wang Lun's intense hatred for Jia Chong. Wang Lun repeatedly requested a promotion, but both Jia Chong and Zhang Hua firmly disagreed, so Wang Lun held a deep-seated hatred for him. Wang Lun secretly schemed to usurp the throne, wanting to eliminate the important ministers in the court first, and then kill Jia Chong under the guise of deposing Jia Hou. At that time, Jia Chong was just thirty-four years old. Wang Lun also wanted to kill Jia Chong's two sons, Song and Gai. Prince Yong of Liang and Prince Yue of Donghai contended that Jia Chong's father, Jia Xiu, had performed meritorious service for the royal family and merited a place in the ancestral temple, so Jia Chong's two sons were not killed, but were merely exiled to a distant location. Later, Emperor Hui was reinstated, reinstated Jia Chong's official position, performed ministerial rites for his burial, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Cheng." Jia Song inherited the title and rose to the position of minister in the Imperial Secretariat; Jia Gai later followed his cousin Jia Kai and became a Cavalier Attendant, but both ultimately met their demise at the hands of the bandit Chen Wu.
Pei Kai, styled Shuzhe, was the son of the Inspector of Jizhou in the Wei Kingdom. Pei Kai was intelligent and insightful from a young age and became famous early on, notably for his expertise in the "Laozi" and "Yijing." In his youth, he was celebrated alongside Wang Rong. Zhong Hui recommended him to Emperor Wen of Wei, who appointed him as the Chancellor's Chief Clerk. He was later promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Library. When Jia Chong was revising laws and regulations, he appointed Pei Kai as the Clerk of the Law, tasked with the review. After the matter was completed, the Emperor commanded Pei Kai to present and discuss the findings before the court, given his exceptional expressiveness, captivating everyone present.
After Emperor Wu became the General Who Pacifies the Army, he carefully selected his staff and appointed Pei Kai as a military advisor. When the position of the Ministry of Personnel Affairs was vacant, Emperor Wen asked Zhong Hui for a suitable candidate. Zhong Hui said, "Pei Kai is efficient in handling affairs, and Wang Rong is concise and to the point in his work. Both of them are suitable." So Pei Kai became a Minister of Personnel. Pei Kai was elegant in temperament, handsome in appearance, well-versed in various books, especially proficient in Confucian classics. He was referred to as "Jade Man" by people of that era and was said to "leave people feeling refreshed and uplifted" upon their encounter with him. Later, he was promoted to the Gentleman of the Imperial Library, and when he entered the court, people showed great respect and changed their attitudes.
When Emperor Wu had just ascended the throne, he used divination to predict the rise and fall of the dynasty, but only received one hexagram. The emperor was very unhappy, and the ministers all wore unpleasant expressions and dared not speak. Pei Kai, with a calm attitude and gentle tone, said, "I have heard that when heaven is aligned, it is peaceful; when earth is unified, it is tranquil; and when the ruler is unified, the realm enjoys peace." Emperor Wu was very pleased to hear this, and the ministers all cheered. Not long after, Pei Kai was appointed as Cavalier Attendant, and later promoted to Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, the Prefect of Henan, and subsequently returned to court as the Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry and the General of the Right Army, finally rising to the position of Palace Attendant.
Shi Chong, the son of a distinguished official, was talented but had different ambitions from Pei Kai, so they did not interact. Sun Jishu, the Commandant of Changshui, once drank with Shi Chong, whose behavior was quite arrogant and brazen. Shi Chong wanted to report him and have him dismissed from his post. When Pei Kai heard about this, he said to Shi Chong, "You get others drunk and then blame them for not following the rules; isn't that contradictory?" Upon hearing Pei Kai's words, Shi Chong reconsidered his stance.
This person has a big-hearted personality and gets along with everyone. He's not one to be frugal and often associates with high-ranking officials and nobles, accepting the gifts they give him. However, he immediately gives away things like carriages and clothes to the poor, keeping nothing for himself. Once, when he built a new house, his cousin Yan was quite fond of it, so he just gave the house to him. The Liang King and Zhao King were powerful figures at the time, and he borrowed a million coins a year from each of them to distribute among his relatives. Some folks criticized him, and he said, "It's only right to take a little from the rich to help the poor!" He doesn't care at all how others evaluate him; this is just how he conducts himself and his affairs.
Like Shan Tao and He Qiao, he's a well-respected minister. The emperor once asked him, "I'm following the will of heaven and starting fresh to govern the realm. How is the current atmosphere in the world? What is good and what is bad?" He replied, "Your Majesty, you are ordained by heaven, and the world follows you. The reason it doesn't measure up to the wisdom of Yao and Shun is mainly because Jia Chong and his cronies are still around. We should bring in talented people from everywhere to promote the right path so no one sees you as having any personal motives." At that time, Ren Kai and Yu Chun also spoke ill of Jia Chong to the emperor, who then sent Jia Chong off to Guanzhong as a governor. Jia Chong married off his daughter to the crown prince, and that wrapped things up. After pacifying the State of Wu, the emperor began to focus on creating a time of peace and prosperity, often gathering the ministers to talk about state matters. He talked to the emperor about how the ancient Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors governed and the ups and downs of the Han and Wei dynasties. The emperor really appreciated it, and everyone there admired him a lot.
His son married Yang Jun's daughter, but he usually looked down on Yang Jun and had a poor relationship with him. After Yang Jun came into power, he was appointed as the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and later became the Crown Prince's tutor, enjoying a life of leisure, indifferent to affairs of state. After Yang Jun was killed, due to this familial connection, he was arrested and faced punishment. That day, events unfolded unexpectedly; bloodshed was rampant, and everyone was scared. But he remained unflappable and composed, even finding pen and paper to write letters to his friends. Thanks to the timely intervention of Fu Zhi, he was saved from death, but was subsequently dismissed from his post. The Grand Preceptor Wei Guan and the Grand Preceptor Liang both said that he was upright and did not flatter, so he should be rewarded. Therefore, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linhai, with a fief supporting two thousand households. Later, he succeeded King Wei of Chu as the commander of the Northern Army, and was also appointed Cavalier in Regular Attendance. Wei resented Wei Guan and Liang for recommending Kai, and upon hearing this, Kai hesitated to accept the appointment and instead became a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Wei Guan's daughter married Jia Kai's eldest son Jia Yu, and later Jia Yu also married Wei Guan's daughter. Jia Kai was fearing that his family might face trouble after becoming related to Wei Guan's clan, so he requested to be transferred elsewhere. He was appointed as the General of Annan, with the title of General, and the Commander of the various military forces in Jingzhou. Just as he was preparing to depart, Sima Wei issued a false imperial edict to execute Wei Guan and Jia Liang (Jia Liang's daughter married Jia Kai). Sima Wei, because Jia Kai had previously usurped his command, and because Jia Kai was also related to Jia Liang and Wei Guan, secretly sent troops to attack Jia Kai. Jia Kai had long been aware of Sima Wei's resentment towards him, and upon hearing the news, he entered the city alone and sought refuge in the home of his father-in-law, Wang Hun. He and Jia Liang's children moved from place to place eight times in one night to escape this disaster.
After Sima Wei was executed, Jia Kai was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and as a court official, overseeing confidential affairs together with Zhang Hua and Wang Rong. Jia Kai suffered from severe indigestion and was not fond of serving in the court. Wang Hun advocated for him, saying, "Jia Kai has been promoted by the late emperor and has received your majesty's favor; this is the time for him to serve loyally. However, Jia Kai's character does not like to compete with others. When he was a chamberlain, he asked to be appointed as the governor of Henei; later, as an attendant, he asked to be appointed as the governor of Henan; he had a conflict with Yang Jun and requested to be the Commander of the Imperial Guards; after being transferred to the Eastern Palace, he was ranked below his colleagues and preferred a more leisurely life, which anyone with insight could see. Now that Jia Kai is in poor health, I am very worried. With the position of the Minister of Rites vacant, I believe he is capable of handling it. Now that Zhang Hua is in the Secretariat and Wang Rong is in the Department of State Affairs, they are sufficient to manage state affairs, and there is no need to bring Jia Kai back to court. There are not many famous ministers; he should be allowed to rest and recuperate, and we should not go against his wishes, so that he can better serve the country." The emperor did not listen to him and only promoted Jia Kai to the position of Minister of Rites and the title of Chancellor of the Three Offices.
When Jia Kai was seriously ill, the emperor sent Wang Yan, a court attendant, to visit him. Jia Kai turned and said to Wang Yan, "We actually do not know each other." Wang Yan was deeply impressed by Jia Kai's striking presence. Jia Kai had a keen eye for talent. When he first arrived in Henan, Le Guang was residing in the border region and had not yet become famous. After meeting him, Jia Kai held him in high regard and recommended him to the court. Jia Kai once assessed certain individuals as follows: Xiahou Xuan was "solemn as if entering an ancestral temple, with only ceremonial instruments in sight"; Zhong Hui was "like observing a heavily fortified armory, only seeing the spears and halberds in front"; Fu Gu was "as if soaring high, unseen by all"; and Shan Tao was "like standing atop a mountain, gazing down into the depths, distant and profound."
In the beginning, Jia Kai steamed glutinous rice at home; some turned into the size of fists, some turned blood-red, and some took the shape of turnip seeds. That year, Jia Kai passed away at the age of fifty-five, posthumously honored with the title Yuan. He had five sons: Jia Yu, Jia Zan, Jia Xian, Jia Li, and Jia Xun. Jia Yu, whose courtesy name was Zuming, inherited his father's title at a young age, achieving the rank of Cavalry Attendant, and was posthumously honored with the title Jian.
Guobao, whose real name was Pei Zan, courtesy name Guobao, was serving as a Gentleman of the Palace Library at that time. He had a noble temperament and graceful demeanor, earning the respect of everyone he met. Wang Sui greatly valued him and often spent time with him. Wang Sui's father, Wang Rong, asked him, "Guobao didn't even know you at first; why do you keep going to him?" Wang Sui replied, "Even if Guobao doesn’t recognize me, I know in my heart what kind of person he truly is." Later, Yang Jun was killed, and Pei Zan was also killed by bandits amid the chaos of war.
Pei Xian, styled Jingsi, was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and enjoyed associating with adventurous spirits. However, as he grew older, he abandoned his frivolous ways, becoming serious and devoted himself to studying Confucianism. For several years, he secluded himself at home, immersing himself in his studies. Xie Kun from Chen County and Yu Ai from Yingchuan were both renowned talents at the time, and they greatly admired Pei Xian, remarking to each other, "Pei Xian is upright and open-minded, with broad knowledge. We honestly have no idea what kind of person his father was; as for his unwavering adherence to his principles, unaffected by worldly matters, it might even surpass his father's."
At first, he served as a scholar in the Eastern Palace, and later he was promoted to the positions of Minister of the Yellow Gate, Minister of Personnel, and Imperial Secretary. The King of Donghai, Yuan, appointed him as the Governor of Yuzhou and General of the Northern Army, granting him the authority of a temporary envoy. After Wang Jun took power, he appointed him as the Minister of State. Towards the end of the Yongjia period, Wang Jun was defeated by Shi Le, and figures like Zao Song hurried to Shi Le's camp to plead for forgiveness, bringing gifts and bribes in a steady stream. Only Xian and Xun Chuo calmly remained at home.
Shi Le had long heard of their reputation, so he summoned them and said, "Wang Jun was cruel and ruthless in Youzhou, and everyone hates him; even ghosts and gods resent him. I respectfully uphold the emperor's edicts to save the people, and those former officials have happily submitted to me to celebrate and show their gratitude. Yet you two arrogantly defy my authority, are dishonest, and untrustworthy, like the Fengfeng clan, who faced execution. Who is to be held accountable for this?" Xian, calm in demeanor, responded with tears, "Our family has enjoyed the favor of the Jin dynasty for generations and has received generous treatment. Although Wang Jun is rough, he is still part of the remnants of the Jin dynasty. While we admire your wisdom, we find it difficult to go against our conscience. Furthermore, when King Wu attacked Zhou, he still honored Shang Rong; he did not abandon Shang Rong, and I have not heard that Shang Rong would surrender to Zhou! Since you do not wish to use moral persuasion and insist on governing the world through punishment, then I accept the fate of the Fengfeng clan. Please hand me over to the relevant authorities for disposal." With that, he did not bow to Shi Le and walked away.
Shi Le greatly admired him and treated him with guest etiquette. Shi Le investigated the officials and relatives of Wang Jun, whose family had immense wealth, while Xian and Xun Chuo had merely a hundred pieces of cloth and a few dozen measures of rice and salt. After hearing this, Shi Le said to his chief officer Zhang Bin, "I may not be pleased to have Youzhou, but I am delighted to have these two talents!" He then appointed him as Attendant Minister and later sent him to be the Prefect of Changle. When Shi Le became emperor, before he had a chance to establish a system, he had Xian and Wang Bo establish the court etiquette together. Xian then established the rules and regulations, with the same standards as those of the emperor. Shi Le was very pleased and appointed him as the Grand Master of the Court, and later promoted him to Minister of Works.
During Shi Le's reign, he treated Pei Xian with even more respect. Pei Xian had two sons: Pei Yi and Pei Jie, both famous for their literary talents. Pei Jie served under Shi Le as the Crown Prince's Assistant and Cavalry Attendant. Pei Yi and Pei Jie were both generous and chivalrous, enjoying drinking and discussing notable figures. They had conflicts with Xing Yu, a man from Hejian, who secretly rode Pei Jie's horse to flee to Duan Liao, but was soon caught. Xing Yu falsely accused Pei Jie of having instructed him to inform Duan Liao that Shi Le was planning to attack the Xianbei, and to prepare accordingly. At that time, Shi Le was indeed planning an attack on the Liao Kingdom, so Xing Yu's words aligned with Shi Le's thoughts. Shi Le then executed both Pei Yi and Pei Jie, and Pei Xian was subsequently dismissed from his position. Shortly after, Shi Le reappointed him as the Grand Master of Splendor on the Right, Minister of Works, Grand Tutor, and granted him the title of Duke of Anding.
Throughout his tenure as an official, Pei Xian did not achieve any notable political accomplishments, but he was low-key and steady, never caring about worldly matters. It was only because of his high moral standing and esteemed reputation that he was respected wherever he went. In the end, he passed away during the Shi family's rule and was succeeded by his relative Pei Zhi's son, Pei Mai.
Pei Kai's elder brother is named Pei Li, and his second brother is named Pei Kang; the brothers are all well-known. Pei Kang's son, Pei Dun, became a high-ranking official at a young age. During the Yongjia period, he was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou and appointed Sima Ao as his chief clerk. Sima Ao advised Pei Dun to assert his authority through harsh punishments, forcibly conscripting many men into the army and executing those who disobeyed orders. He served for three years, and the people were filled with resentment. The King of Donghai, Sima Yue, was Pei Dun's brother-in-law. After Sima Yue passed away, the cavalry commander Man Heng took the conscripted men back to their homes. Soon after, Liu Yuanhai sent generals Wang Sang and Zhao Gu to attack Pengcheng; several cavalry reached Xiapi, and both civil and military officials could no longer endure the harsh policies, fleeing in all directions. Pei Dun and Sima Ao fled to Huaiyin, while their families were taken captive by bandits. Sima Ao then deceived Pei Dun into surrendering to Zhao Gu. Zhao Gu’s wife, Pei Dun’s daughter, was particularly favored. Pei Dun wept before his daughter, but Zhao Gu ultimately killed Pei Dun.
Pei Dun's younger brother, Pei Shao, styled Daoqi. When Emperor Yuan served as the General of Eastern Command, he appointed Pei Shao as chief clerk and Wang Dao as a military advisor; the two had a very good relationship. Later, Pei Shao was summoned to serve as an advisor to the Crown Prince and was promoted to a regular attendant, serving as an envoy with authority over military affairs in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Huai Bei. He followed Sima Yue on campaigns, ultimately dying in service. Later, when Wang Dao was appointed as Minister of Works, he sighed upon taking office, saying, "If Pei Daoqi and Liu Wangqiao were still alive, I wouldn’t have been able to attain this position." Wang Dao's son, Wang Zhongyu, had the same character as Pei Kang, and out of nostalgia, Wang Dao changed his son's name to Wang Jingyu.
Kai's younger brother Chuo, styled Jishu, was tall and handsome, becoming the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and the Captain of the Long Water. He held a significant position and was a high-ranking official, definitely a key member of the court.
Xia, the son of Chuo, is especially skilled at articulating profound ideas. His voice is clear and pleasant, which is as soothing to listen to as the harmonious sound of a zither. Once, he was chatting and discussing with Guo Xiang from Henan, and everyone present was utterly spellbound by his talent. On another occasion, while playing chess at General Zhou Fu's place in Pingdong, Zhou Fu's deputy was in charge of serving drinks. Xia did not drink immediately, and when the deputy got drunk, he flew into a rage and yanked Xia down to the ground! Xia calmly stood up, returned to his seat, and his expression remained unchanged; he continued playing chess as if nothing had happened. His demeanor is remarkably calm and composed, and he possesses an extraordinary peace of mind. Later, King Yue of Donghai summoned him to serve as his chief clerk, but unfortunately, he was killed by the king's son, which is truly a loss for such a gifted individual.
At first, the Pei and Wang families were particularly powerful during the Wei and Jin dynasties. People back then claimed that eight members of the Pei family matched up with eight members of the Wang family: Pei Hui compared to Wang Xiang, Pei Kai to Wang Yan, Pei Kang to Wang Sui, Pei Chuo to Wang Cheng, Pei Zan to Wang Dun, Pei Xia to Wang Dao, Pei Wei to Wang Rong, and Pei Miao to Wang Xuan. This saying implies that the talents and statuses of these Pei family members are roughly on par with those of the corresponding Wang family members.
Historical records evaluate that the Zhou dynasty was said to be filled with talent, while the Han dynasty claimed to select talents effectively. These claims can be likened to celestial phenomena and validated like seals. At that time, there was a shortage of notable figures, and many people were mutually recognized based on their abilities, bringing honor to their families. Isn't this akin to Chen Qian's claims? Pei Xiu's talent outshone that of his peers, earning him a reputation as a leader; Pei Kai was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and had a very clear vision. Both were celebrated statesmen of the Jin dynasty, each possessing remarkable qualities.
Praise: When the world recognizes talent, talent flourishes. Gao Ping is astute and gifted, embodying this renowned capability. Julu possesses innate talent, often referred to as a precious asset. Wa Huang forges stones, revealing profound mysteries. There exist established principles, passed down through the family, that embody grace.
