Zheng Mao, whose courtesy name was Lin Shu, was from Kaifeng, Henan. His grandfather, Zheng Zhong, once served as the Grand Minister of Agriculture in the Han Dynasty; his father, Zheng Tai, had been the governor of Yangzhou and was well-respected. Zheng Mao lost his father at a young age, but he showed remarkable insight and judgment from a young age. When Xun You met him, he commented, "The Zheng family will not decline!" Later, Zheng Mao fled to Jiangdong with his uncle, Zheng Hun. At that time, Hua Xin was the governor of Yuzhang, and Zheng Hun took refuge with him. Hua Xin had a good relationship with Zheng Mao's father, so he raised Zheng Mao like his own son. Zheng Mao returned to his hometown at the age of seventeen. He was known for his integrity and honesty. At that time, Wei Feng from Jiyin served as a minister and was quite well-known. Zheng Mao was well-acquainted with Ren Lan from the same county. Zheng Mao believed that Wei Feng was a cunning and ruthless person who would eventually cause trouble, so he warned Ren Lan to steer clear of him. Later, Wei Feng indeed fell from grace, and everyone praised Zheng Mao for his foresight and wisdom.
When Emperor Wei Wu first appointed his sons as marquises, he carefully selected guests and friends. Zheng Mao and Xu Gan were appointed as literary scholars for the Marquis of Linzi, and later promoted to the position of Gongcao in the Sili Commandery. Wang Lang, the Minister of Works, recruited him as an assistant, and Zheng Mao recommended Xu Yun from Gaoyang, Lu Zhi from Fufeng, and Wang Ji from Donglai. Wang Lang employed them, and all of them later achieved high positions and great fame. Zheng Mao was promoted to Minister of Personnel. He was then sent out to serve as the magistrate of Liyang County, where he was well-supported by both local officials and citizens. The governor praised Liyang County during his inspection of the subordinate counties, regarding it as the best of all the counties. He was further promoted to Shangshu Youcheng and then transferred to serve as the governor of Jiyin. Upon taking office, he first acknowledged those who demonstrated filial piety and friendship, respected and honored the capable, established schools, and nurtured talented individuals. Later, he was transferred to serve as the General's aide and was promoted to Sanqi Changshi. At this time, the position of governor of Guangping became vacant, and Emperor Xuan said to Zheng Mao, "Virtuous Uncle (referring to Zheng Mao), your ancestors have had a good reputation in Yangping and Weijun, and the people have benefited from their grace. Moreover, the Lu family and Wang Ziyong and his son have also served as governors of this commandery, ensuring that there have been virtuous individuals in this commandery for generations. Therefore, I ask you to humbly accept this position once again." During Zheng Mao's tenure in Guangping, he prioritized governance based on virtue, was adept at formulating rules and regulations, and was beloved by the people of the commandery. The court summoned him to serve as Shizhong, and the citizens were reluctant to see him go, crying as they bid him farewell along the roadside. He was then promoted to Minister of the Imperial Household. When Duke Gao Guixiang ascended to the throne, Zheng Mao and Wang Su, the governor of Henan, received the emperor's carriage in Yuancheng and were granted the title of Marquis of Guangchang Pavilion. He was later transferred to serve as Guangluxun while also serving as Zongzheng.
Once upon a time, Guan Qiu Jian rebelled, and Emperor Jing personally led his troops to quell the rebellion. All the officials gathered to see him off to the east of the city, but Ma Yu stayed behind due to illness. Emperor Jing said to the leader of the army, Wang Su, "Why hasn't Zheng Guanglu (Ma Yu) arrived yet? It's really worrying." Wang Su passed this message on to Ma Yu, who quickly jumped into a carriage to catch up with the emperor, reaching a place not far from the troops. Emperor Jing chuckled and said, "I knew Hou Sheng (referring to Ma Yu) would show up!" He then invited Ma Yu into the carriage and asked him, "Do you have any strategies?" Ma Yu said, "I used to serve alongside Guan Qiu Jian at the Tai Lang office, so I know him well. He likes to play tricks, but can't accomplish big things. He had some accomplishments in Youzhou before and harbors great ambitions. Wen Qin, however, is brave but lacks intelligence. Now, if we catch the enemy off guard, although the soldiers in the Jianghuai region are elite, their defenses are weak. If we construct strong defenses to sap their morale, it would be a brilliant strategy, much like Zhou Yafu’s." Emperor Jing found his reasoning sound and promoted him to Taichang.
Later, the Duke of Gaonxiang sought to select exceptional scholars to construct Mingtang and Biyong. Ma Yu recommended Liu Yi, Liu Shi, Cheng Xian, and Yu Jun, who later rose to become key officials in the court. When the Duke of Changdao held power, Ma Yu took part in shaping national policies and was appointed the Marquis of Ancheng, with a fief consisting of one thousand households. In the early years of the Jingyuan era, Ma Yu became blind due to illness, and he made several requests for retirement, but the emperor denied his requests. He was subsequently appointed as the Grand Master of Splendor. When the fifth rank of nobility was first established, he was made Count of Miling.
After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, Mao's title was elevated to Marquis of Mi Ling. Although he had been bedridden for over ten years, many virtuous scholars recommended him at that time. During the Taishi era, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Marquis of Mi Ling, Mao, known for his pure character, adherence to the right path, integrity, honesty, and noble conduct, should be appointed to a higher position. He is now appointed as Minister of Public Works." The emperor personally sent Guo Tan, a palace guard general, to Mao's residence to bestow the official seal. Mao repeatedly declined several times, sending his son to return the seal and ribbon several times—over a dozen, in fact. He told Guo Tan, "During the Wei Dynasty, Xu Jingshan was appointed Minister of Public Works, and I was a court attendant at that time. I received a similar decree. Xu Gong told me, 'The position of the Three Excellencies should conform to the will of heaven. If an unsuitable person is chosen, it could jeopardize the country's fortunes. I dare not, in my old age, take on such a heavy responsibility and bring disgrace to the court.' In the end, he did not accept. Shouldn't I emulate those virtuous gentlemen?" Mao firmly declined, and it took a considerable time before the emperor finally approved his retirement at home as a marquis, along with attendants, official horses, bedding, mats, mattresses, and fifty thousand coins.
When he passed away at the age of eighty-five, the emperor conducted an elaborate funeral for him in the Eastern Hall, granting him precious burial items, a set of court attire, a garment, three hundred thousand coins, and one hundred pieces of silk for funeral arrangements. He was posthumously given the title "Yuan." He left behind six sons, with his eldest son, Mo, inheriting the title, while the other sons—Zhi, Shu, Xu, Cheng, and Yu—also held official positions.
Mo Ziyuan initially took on the role of secretary, responsible for reviewing and organizing old documents, removing those that were extravagant and insincere. Yu Song, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, remarked: "From now on, the official ranks are clearly distinguished." Later, he was promoted to Shangshu Lang, specifically overseeing military affairs in the campaign against Shu, and was granted the title of Marquis Within the Pass. He was later promoted to Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works. After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he and Guo Yi from Taiyuan served as Middle Privy Secretaries together. The court believed that officials surrounding the crown prince should be clearly distinguished from attendants, so Mo submitted a memorial stating: "The position of the Crown Prince is honorable, representing imperial authority, and should treat all subjects equally. The palace officials all receive orders from the court and should not be compared to officials of vassal states." His suggestion was accepted and put into practice. He later served as the Prefect of Dong Commandery, during a famine that left the people starving; Mo immediately opened the granaries to provide relief to the victims of the disaster and voluntarily resigned from his position as Prefect, requesting the court to hold him accountable. The court appreciated his concern for the country and the people, issued an imperial edict praising him, comparing him to Ji An, and publicized this act throughout the country, instructing other counties to respond similarly in such situations. He later returned to the court and served as a Cavalier Regular Attendant.
Initially, because Mo was the son of a high-ranking official, the villagers respected him but kept their distance, not daring to socialize with him. The state was looking to select talented individuals, and the officials from the twelve counties unanimously recommended him. Emperor Wen wrote a letter to Mo, saying, "I feel very ashamed that my son is being compared to those wise and talented individuals, as if I am stealing their reputation." Later, Emperor Wu went to the southern suburbs to make sacrifices and ordered Mo to ride in the imperial carriage, telling him, "Do you know why I let you ride in the imperial carriage? Previously, the state recommended you to be compared to those wise and talented individuals, and I have always felt embarrassed." Emperor Wu then asked about governance, and Mo replied, "Encouraging the people to engage in agriculture is the cornerstone of the nation; selecting talent is the method to govern the world; officials need to serve long-term to effectively manage government affairs; fair rewards and punishments for officials are ways to motivate them; advocating Confucianism is the foundation of educating the people. That's all." Emperor Wu greatly appreciated his response. Later, due to his father's passing, Mo resigned from his official position to observe the mourning period. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the Minister of Justice. At that time, the magistrate of Ge County, Yuan Yi, faced punishment for corruption, resulting in a wave of legal cases, with many officials implicated, except for Mo and his brothers, who avoided involvement due to their integrity and discretion. He was later promoted to the Minister of Rites. At one point, the Minister of Works, Shan Tao, wanted to recommend a relative to be appointed as a scholar, but he told Mo, "You are as upright as Yin Wengui; I dare not speak any further." Mo was honest, steady, gentle yet orderly in character, which defined his character.
During the reign of King Qi, he revised the ritual system and elevated the standards of sacrifices. As a result, when the Grand Sacrificial Official, Cao Zhi, and a few others presented different opinions, King Qi turned a blind eye and had them dismissed. Not long after, he was appointed Grand Herald. After his mother passed away, according to previous regulations, he could return to his position after the mourning period ended. However, he voluntarily wrote a letter requesting an extension of the mourning period. It took a considerable amount of time for it to be approved. From then on, the law was changed to allow ministers to complete the entire mourning period before returning to their positions; this change was initiated by him. After the mourning period ended, he was appointed Grand Minister of Agriculture and later promoted to the rank of Grand Commandant.
In the first year of Taikang, he passed away at the age of sixty-eight, posthumously named Cheng. The Minister of Works, Wei Guan, memorialized saying, "Yang Mo's conduct and reputation should be recorded in history. He served as nine ministers; his position did not reflect his contributions, and he should be posthumously elevated to the rank of Three Ministers." Previously, his father-in-law Yang Jun wanted to marry his daughter to his son Yang Yu, but Yang Mo said, "I often read 'The Biography of Jun Buyi' and have always admired him. I fear those in power; this principle has been passed down in our family for generations." So he refused. Yang Jun was quite upset about this. Later, Yang Jun proposed to posthumously promote Yang Mo, but due to the previous incident, it ultimately did not go through. Yang Mo was kind, generous, humble, and cautious, never proud or arrogant because of his talent and status. He was respectful to his superiors and gentle and friendly to his subordinates, even treating servants and slaves without anger. However, some still held grudges against him, leading scholars and officials to feel that it was not easy to navigate life. He had a son named Yang Qiu.
Yang Qiu, styled Ziyu. He was recruited to the Chancellor's office at a young age and later served two princes. When the King of Chengdu raised troops to attack the King of Zhao, Yang Qiu was promoted from the position of Prefect of Dunqiu to Right Minister of History for his achievements and was titled Duke of Ping Shou. He was later promoted to Imperial Attendant, Minister of State, Cavalry Commandant, Central Guard, Deputy Director of the Secretariat, and concurrently served as Minister of Personnel. He died in the second year of Yongjia and was posthumously appointed as a Grand Master of Splendid Merit, with the posthumous title of 'Yuan.' Yang Qiu's younger brother, Yang Yu, served as a Minister towards the end of the Yongjia period.
Li Yin, styled Xuanbo, was from Xiangping, Liaodong. His grandfather, Li Min, had served as the Prefect of Henei in the Han Dynasty and later resigned to return to his hometown. The Prefect of Liaodong, Gongsun Du, wanted to force him to work, so Li Min drifted out to sea on a small boat, and no one knew what happened to him in the end.
Li Yin's father, Li Xin, searched for his father for many years and even traveled beyond the Great Wall, but ultimately found nothing. He initially intended to perform mourning rituals for his grandfather but felt conflicted, believing his father might still be alive. He lived as if he were in mourning and did not marry. Later, when a friend of his father's age from the neighborhood passed away, he observed the mourning rituals.
Xu Miao, from Yan, was a fellow villager of Li Yin. He advised Li Yin, saying, "There are three unfilial acts, with having no descendants being the greatest," urging him to marry and have children. After Li Yin married and had a son, he completely abstained from marital relations and lived as if he were in mourning, experiencing great emotional pain, and passed away a few years later.
Li Yin lost his father at a young age, and his mother remarried later. As he grew up, Li Yin lived a very simple life, always appeared troubled, and continued to restrict himself with mourning rituals. Because his grandfather's fate was unknown, he specifically set up a wooden tablet to honor him.
It was because of this that Li Yin was renowned for his deep filial piety. He had an ordinary appearance, often appearing somewhat unremarkable, but his insight and thoughts were profound, and his words and actions were always well-founded.
At first, he held a minor official position in the county, known as the County Clerk. Later, he was transferred to a department at the state level as a Junior Official, then promoted to Advisor, and was also honored as a filial and incorrupt official, participating in military actions in the North. He was then promoted to the title of Duke of Leping, where he was known for his integrity and simplicity in governance. Later, he was transferred to the central government as Secretary of State, and then promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards and Libu Lang, where he was known for his fairness and integrity in selecting officials, earning great acclaim. The emperor also granted him the title of Marquis of Guanzhong, and subsequently sent him to Anfeng as the governor.
Emperor Wen valued his talents and appointed him as a General and a Zhonglang, later promoting him to the position of Inspector General. He was known for his integrity and uprightness, and all officials respected him greatly. During the war that led to the fall of Shu Han, he served as the General of the Western Command, commanding the military in the Guanzhong region. He later served as the Governor of Henan and was conferred the title of Earl of Guanglu. During the Taishi era, he was appointed as a Shangshu, and his title was elevated to that of a Marquis.
On one occasion, he submitted a memorial stating: "In ancient times, the Three High Officials would sit and discuss national affairs, participate in the administration of the six ministries, and advised the six ministers. Sometimes, they would sit under the three locust trees, also handling case hearings, examining difficult laws and regulations, and deliberating with the ministers. Your Majesty is both wise and brave, caring for national affairs, and has specially issued a decree to restore the ancient system, which even the diligent and benevolent rulers like Yao, Shun, and Zhou Wenwang could not surpass. From now on, for significant national matters, you may personally summon the ministers to hear their opinions. As for difficult issues regarding military and state affairs, they can be called to the province, allowing the Shizhong and Shangshu to discuss and resolve them together. If they are ill and unable to attend, temporary aides can be sent to check in and gather information." The emperor adopted his suggestion.
Later, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel and soon transferred to the position of Tutor to the Crown Prince. The emperor believed him to be loyal and upright, with noble character, and also appointed him to serve as the Colonel of the Sili. He repeatedly submitted requests to resign from the position of Tutor, believing that his role in teaching the Crown Prince made it inappropriate for him to also oversee the officials as the Colonel of the Sili. However, Emperor Wu believed that both positions required loyal and capable individuals, so he never approved his request.
During the years of Xianning, the Crown Prince moved to the East Palace to live. The Emperor believed that the position of Inspector of the Capital was of great responsibility, and since the Grand Tutor had to guide the Crown Prince day and night, given his poor health and the unsuitability of prolonged work, he was reassigned to the position of Attendant and promoted to Special Advisor. Soon after, he was further promoted to the Minister of Personnel, while still holding the titles of Attendant and Special Advisor. Although he held a high and powerful position, his family lived in extreme poverty and simplicity, and they had no money to buy medicine when the children fell ill. Upon learning this, the Emperor awarded him one hundred thousand coins. Later, noting that the position of Minister of Works was traditionally held by a former Chancellor, he appointed him to that position. He served in this role for five years, working diligently and meticulously, being cautious and steady, earning high praise. After the Wu state was pacified, many ministers who had contributed were due for promotions, so he submitted a request to resign from his position as Minister of Works. The Emperor did not agree, but instead sent an Attendant to deliver the imperial decree and console him, rejecting his request. With no other option, he had to remain in office.
Li Yin passed away in the third year of Taikang, and the Emperor dispatched an Imperial Censor with an edict to supervise the funeral and rituals, posthumously conferring upon him the title "Cheng." The Crown Prince had his retainer Wang Zan write the memorial, which was exceptionally well-written. Both the Emperor and Empress fondly recalled Li Yin's integrity and frugality, and thus issued a decree stating: "The former Minister of Works Li Yin and the Grand Minister Peng Guan were both loyal, honest, and frugal individuals; upon their deaths, their families left no savings. I bestow two hundred thousand coins and one thousand measures of grain upon Li Yin's family, and half of that amount to Peng Guan's family." Li Yin had three sons: Li Gu, known by his courtesy name Wanjī, served as a Cavalry Attendant, and after his father's death, his son Li Zhi succeeded to the title. Li Zhi, known by his courtesy name Yandao, advanced to the ranks of Cavalry Attendant, General of Valor, and Governor of Yangping. Li Zhenchang attained the rank of Minister of the Imperial Household. Li Xiu served as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate and as a Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.
Lu Qin, also known as Ziruo, was from Zhuo County in Fanyang. His grandfather, Lu Zhi, was an Imperial Attendant during the Han Dynasty, and his father, Lu Yu, was the Minister of Works in the Wei Kingdom. Several generations of their family were renowned for their scholarship in Confucianism. Lu Qin was upright and honest, with vision and insight, dedicating himself to the study of classics and history. He was recommended as an official known for filial piety and integrity, but he declined the position. Later, the Grand General of the Wei Kingdom, Cao Shuang, appointed him as an official under his command. When Cao Shuang's brother requested his assistance in a matter that was against the law, Lu Qin advised Cao Shuang that his brother should not interfere in matters that violate the law. Cao Shuang followed his advice and punished his brother. Later, Lu Qin was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. After Cao Shuang was executed, Lu Qin was dismissed from his position. He later became an Imperial Clerk, inherited his father's title as Marquis of Dali, and was later promoted to the Prefect of Langye. When Emperor Xuan became the Grand Tutor, he summoned Lu Qin to serve as a Cavalier Attendant to the Emperor. Later, he was appointed Prefect of Yangping, then promoted to the Commander of Huabei and General for Pacifying the South, where he made significant contributions. The court then appointed him as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Minister of Agriculture, and later promoted him to Minister of Personnel, granting him the title of Marquis of Daliang. After Emperor Wu abdicated, he appointed Lu Qin as the Commander of the Northern Mian Army, General for Pacifying the South, and bestowed upon him a chariot, two carriages for his second horse, equipment for cavalry, swords, horses from the imperial stables, armor, and thirty thousand coins. During his time guarding the border, Lu Qin was able to exercise both kindness and severity, maintaining stability in the border regions. He later returned to the court, becoming the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretaries, and was given additional titles of Palace Attendant and Commandant of the Imperial Carriages, overseeing the Ministry of Officials. Because of his honest lifestyle, the emperor granted him a special gift of one hundred rolls of silk. Lu Qin always recommended individuals based on their abilities, earning him a reputation for integrity and fairness.
Lu Qin passed away in the fourth year of Xianning. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Lu Qin was a person of integrity, noble character, and versatile in civil and military affairs, renowned throughout the world. He held important positions, handled government affairs properly, worked diligently, and never sought personal gain. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age, and we deeply mourn his loss! He is posthumously granted the title of General of the Guard and bestowed the title of Household Counselor, along with secret treasures, a complete set of court attire, one additional garment, fifty bolts of cloth, and three hundred thousand coins." He was posthumously named "Yuan." Because Lu Qin was loyal, upright, and honest, and did not seek wealth, his family was left in poverty after his death. The emperor specially granted him five hundred thousand coins to build a house for him.
The emperor issued another decree, "Former Minister of Works Wang Ji, General of the Guard Lu Qin, and General of the Dian Army Yang Xiao, these three individuals lived in poverty, and their families did not leave behind any savings after their deaths. Recently, there has been a famine, and it has come to our attention that their families are in distress, so they are each granted three hundred bushels of grain." When Lu Qin served as an official in various places, he never sought fame or fortune, only devoted himself to serving the people. His salary was all given to relatives and friends, and he never saved money. He always conducted himself in a proper manner, and after his wife passed away, he adhered to mourning customs and resided in modest accommodations. He wrote many poems, essays, and treatises, totaling dozens of pieces, under the title "The Little Way." His son Lu Fu inherited his title.
Lu Fu, styled Ziyun, initially worked as an attendant in the Crown Prince's household. Later, he suffered from a carbuncle, which rendered him unable to work. However, the court held him in high regard and appointed him in succession as National Scholar, Chief Sacrificial Official, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat, but he turned down all these appointments.
Lu Qin's younger brother, Lu Ting, styled Zihu, rose to the position of Minister of the Guards. Lu Ting's son was named Lu Zhi.
Speaking of this man named Zidao, he started as a minor official in the government, later became a Secretary, and was then assigned to Ye City as the county magistrate. At that time, Prince Ying of Chengdu was stationed in Ye City and held Zidao's talents and demeanor in high regard, regarding him as a trusted confidant and completely trusting him, appointing him as his military advisor. Later, Prince Jiong of Qi rebelled and sent word to Prince Ying of Chengdu. Ying summoned Zidao to discuss countermeasures. Zidao said, "Prince Zhao is incompetent and tyrannical, inciting the people's anger. As Your Highness commands a great army, you should strike swiftly like lightning. Those who support you will come to your side unbidden. By suppressing the rebellion, we can win without engaging in battle. However, military operations are crucial and should be approached with caution by wise leaders. We should promote capable individuals and employ talented personnel to win the hearts of the people." Ying found Zidao's advice compelling and reselected senior officials and staff, promoting Zidao to the position of military adviser and also serving as the Chief of the Left Historical Office, specifically in charge of administrative tasks. Ying's vanguard commander Zhao Xiang was defeated by Sima Lun, which instilled fear in the soldiers, leading many to suggest retreating to the capital. Zidao said, "Our army has suffered a defeat, and the enemy has just claimed victory. They are likely to underestimate us and advance carelessly. If we stop advancing, the army's morale will plummet, making it difficult to rely on them. Besides, how can there be war without victories or defeats? We should select elite soldiers and march day and night, catching the enemy off guard with surprise attacks. This is the strategy of using troops!" Ying accepted his advice.
After Sima Lun was defeated, Zidao advised Ying, saying: "The King of Qi boasts of having a million-strong army and is at a stalemate with Zhang Hong and others, yet you have successfully crossed the Yellow River, which is an incredible feat that no one else can match. Furthermore, the King of Qi should now be helping you support the court. I've heard that two great talents can't exist at the same time, and you can't have both fame and fortune. Now's the perfect time to take advantage of the Grand Empress Dowager's bad health to ask for a visit back home to see your mother, while also recommending the King of Qi, slowly uniting the hearts of the people across the land; this is the best strategy." Ying followed his advice and, under the pretext of his mother's illness, returned to his fief, handing over important responsibilities to King Qiong of Qi.
As a result, Ying earned the admiration of the people, and they rallied around him. The court made Zidao the Marquis of Wuqiang and promoted him to the position of Cavalry Commandant.
Wang Yang of Hejian, after taking Li Hanzhi's advice, wanted to get rid of the two princes and back Prince Ying as the heir, and even sent someone to let Prince Ying know. Prince Ying initially planned to agree, but later thought it better to speak frankly and advise against it, so he declined. After Wang Rong was killed, Prince Ying started feeling discontent while controlling the court from a distance and wanted to take power for himself. But since King Sima Yi of Changsha was still in the court, Prince Ying couldn't act as he pleased, so he secretly plotted to get rid of Sima Yi.
At that time, there was a rebellion led by Zhang Chang in Jingzhou. Prince Ying submitted a memorial requesting to personally lead troops to suppress it, and the court approved. After quelling Zhang Chang's rebellion, Prince Ying turned his army to attack Sima Yi. Zhi, Prince Ying's advisor, advised, "You previously pacified the rebellion and restored the royal rule, and that was a significant achievement! After everything was settled, you attributed the credit to the court, declined the rewards of the Nine Bestowments, didn't seek political power, provided relief to the famine-stricken people in Yangdi, and buried the nameless corpses in Huangqiao. These are all great merits, and the people are grateful to you! The rebels were rampant, disrupting Jingzhou and Chuzhou. Now that you have pacified these rebellions and stabilized the south, you should return to the court in triumph, station the army outside the city gates, and wear civilian clothes to enter the palace to see the emperor. That's what a true leader would do!" However, Prince Ying did not listen to him. After Ying'er passed away, Sima Fu, Prince Ying's cousin, was appointed chief of the Imperial Secretariat and stayed in Ye City to assist in handling the affairs of the palace. Later, when the emperor's carriage was damaged in Dangyin, Sima Fu sent Sima Yan to rally the army to meet the emperor. When Wang Jun attacked Ye City, Sima Yan persuaded Sima Ying to escort the emperor back to Luoyang. At that time, there were nearly 15,000 soldiers. Sima Yan got everyone organized overnight, and by daybreak, the soldiers were all lined up. However, Empress Cheng was reluctant to leave Ye City, and Sima Ying couldn't make up his mind. Not long after, the army fell apart, leaving just Sima Yan, his son Sima Mi, his nephew Sima Chen, and a thousand palace guards. Sima Yan once again urged Sima Ying to leave immediately. At that time, there was a Taoist named Huang who claimed to be a wise man, and Empress Cheng believed in him. So she had him summoned, and after downing two cups of wine, the Taoist finished and left the cups behind as he left. This finally made Sima Yan make up his mind.
At this time, the cavalry scattered again. Sima Yan searched around the camp and found several deer-drawn carts. Sima's commander, Han Xuan, also gathered more than a hundred Yellow Gate attendants. Sima Yan went in front of the emperor, and the emperor asked him, "How did it come to this defeat?" Sima Yan replied, "The enemy is still eighty miles away from Ye City, but everyone was scared and scattered all at once. The Second Prince wishes to escort Your Majesty back to Luoyang." The emperor said, "Very well." So he immediately set off in an ox cart. The Colonel of the Cavalry, Hao Chang, had previously stationed eight thousand troops in Luoyang. The emperor summoned him back, and when they reached Ji County, Hao Chang arrived with a formidable force. Sima Yan was pleased that the situation had improved, so he requested the emperor to issue a decree to share this joyous occasion with the people.
After arriving in Luoyang, Sima Yan recommended Man Fen for the position of Colonel of the Slaves. Many of those who had scattered returned, and most of the officials had also gathered. The emperor was delighted and rewarded Sima Yan with two hundred bolts of silk and one hundred pounds of cotton, a set of clothing, and a crane-patterned robe.
At the beginning, King Yuyang Wang heard that Wang Jun had raised an army, so he sent General Zhang Fang to rescue Ye. After hearing that the Chengdu army had been defeated, Zhang Fang stationed his troops in Luoyang, dared not advance, and instead permitted his soldiers to plunder. He secretly planned to move the capital to Chang'an and even intended to burn down the ancestral temples and palaces to crush people's hopes. Sima Yan advised Zhang Fang, saying, "In the past, Dong Zhuo was unrighteous and burned down Luoyang. The echoes of resentment linger even after a hundred years. Why do you want to repeat the same mistakes?" Zhang Fang then stopped. However, Zhang Fang later forced the emperor to his camp. The emperor cried as he climbed into the carriage, with only Sima Yan accompanying him, saying, "Your Majesty should listen to the General on the right today. I am but a foolish and weak man, unable to offer any assistance, only able to do my best and stay by Your Majesty's side." After staying in Zhang Fang's camp for three days, they headed west, and Sima Yan followed to Chang'an. Sima Ying was dismissed from his position, and Sima Yan was also dismissed as a result.
It is said that King Sima Yue of Donghai welcomed the emperor back to Ye, and Emperor Sima Ying returned. Zhi was appointed as the Prefect of Wei County, promoted to Left General, and stationed in the north with Emperor Sima Ying. When they arrived in Luoyang, Pingchang Company's General Ma Mo sent the vanguard commander Feng Song to intercept Emperor Sima Ying. Emperor Sima Ying returned to Chang'an, but before he arrived, he heard that Sima Yong had killed Zhang Fang and sought peace with Sima Yue. Sima Ying stayed in Huayin, while Zhi went to Chang'an, attended court to express gratitude, then returned to Wuguan to meet with Sima Ying. They fled to Nanyang, were driven away by Liu Tao, and subsequently returned to Hebei. When Sima Ying died and his men scattered, only Zhi personally attended the funeral rites, and people at the time all praised him. Sima Yue appointed Zhi as the Military Advisor and Sacrificial Wine Officer, later promoted to Guard Officer, and in the later years of Yongjia, he was further promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary. After Luoyang fell, Zhi fled with his wife and children to seek refuge with Liu Kun, the Inspector of Bingzhou.
When he arrived in Yangyi County, he was captured by Liu Can. He and his second son, Mi, and his third son, Shen, were executed in Pingyang. He also had an eldest son named Chen. His son Chen, known by the courtesy name Ziliang, was intelligent, was full of ideas, had a passion for reading the "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi," and was skilled in writing. He married Princess Xingyang, daughter of the Martial Emperor, and was appointed as the Commandant of the Imperial Guards. Before they could officially marry, the princess passed away. Later, he was recommended as a scholar by the local officials and was appointed as an aide to the Grand Commandant. After Luoyang fell, he followed his father to seek refuge with Liu Kun, and they were both captured by Liu Can. Liu Can occupied Jinyang and left Chen behind as a military advisor. Liu Kun rallied the scattered troops and led the Yilu cavalry to launch a counterattack against Liu Can. Liu Can was defeated and fled, which allowed Chen to join Liu Kun. His parents and brothers who remained in Pingyang were all killed by Liu Cong. Liu Kun became the Minister of Works and appointed Chen as his chief clerk, and later promoted him to palace attendant. Liu Kun's wife was Chen's aunt, so she was especially close to Chen and highly valued his talents.
Towards the end of the Jianxing era, he joined Duan Pidi under Liu Kun's leadership. Duan Pidi became the Governor of Youzhou and appointed Wang Chen as his Chief Aide. Later, Duan Pidi orchestrated Liu Kun's death, and shortly thereafter, he met his own end. At that time, the southern routes had been severed, and Duan Mobao was in Liaoxi, so Wang Chen went to seek refuge with him. When Emperor Yuan took the throne, Duan Mobao sent envoys to Jiangnan, and Wang Chen took this opportunity to plead Liu Kun's case through the envoy, submitting a heartfelt memorial, which led the court to order a memorial service in his honor. The court repeatedly summoned Wang Chen to serve as an Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, but he was held back by Duan Mobao, preventing him from moving south. After Duan Mobao's death, his brother Duan Liao succeeded him, and Wang Chen drifted through turmoil for nearly twenty years. Later, when Shi Jilong broke through Liaoxi, Wang Chen was captured by Shi Jilong and appointed as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Director of the Imperial Academy, and Minister of the Interior, attaining high office. Just as Ran Min was executing the Shi family, Wang Chen joined Ran Min's forces and was ultimately killed in Xiangguo; he was sixty-seven at the time, in the sixth year of Yonghe.
Wang Chen hailed from a prestigious family and was well-respected in his youth, known for his exceptional talent and noble character, earning the admiration of people at that time. Amid the chaos in the Central Plains, he, along with Cui Yue of Qinghe, Xun Chuo of Yingchuan, Pei Xian of Hedong, and Fu Chang of Beidi, all fell into enemy hands. Although they all held high positions in the Shi regime, they considered it a great disgrace. Wang Chen frequently told his children, "After I die, just say I was a Minister of the Interior during the Jin Dynasty." His writings, including "The Rites of Sacrifice," his annotations on "Zhuangzi," and his collected works, have endured through the ages.
Cui Yue, styled Daoru, was the great-grandson of Lin Zeng, the Minister of Works of Wei, and the nephew of Liu Kun's wife. He served as the Minister of Works alongside Wang Chen and later became an aide to Duan Mobo. He was later under the control of the Shi clan regime and held important positions within it. Xun Chuo, Pei Xian, and Fu Chang each have their own separate records of deeds.
Hua Biao, styled Weirong, hailed from Gaotang in Pingyuan. His father, Xin, was of noble character and served as the Grand Commandant of Wei. When Hua Biao was twenty years old, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and gradually rose to the position of Court Attendant. In the early years of Zhengyuan, Shi Bao came to court to see the emperor and lavishly praised the noble Hua Biao, saying he was as formidable as Wei Wudi Cao Cao. Everyone who heard this was terrified, and Hua Biao was afraid of attracting trouble, so he pretended to be ill and went home several times, thus avoiding a great disaster. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary, and after the establishment of the fifth rank, he was granted the title of Baron of Guanyang. He was dismissed from office for inadequate funeral preparations. During the Taishi period, he was appointed as the Tutor to the Crown Prince, later transferred to Court Attendant, and then promoted to the Minister of Ceremonies. After a few years, due to old age and frailty, he requested retirement. The emperor decreed, "Hua Biao is upright, of noble character, has served the court diligently for many years, is diligent and respectful, and never slackens. Now, due to illness, he resolutely resigns from office, and his memorial was written sincerely and earnestly. His request is now granted, appointing him as Grand Master of the Palace, granting him twenty thousand coins, and providing him with bedding and other items of the same standard as a noble, and sending someone to escort him home." Hua Biao was renowned for his honest and frugal character, and the Minister of Works Li Yin and the Chief of the Imperial Guard Wang Hong praised his integrity, simplicity, and quiet retirement, believing that regardless of his status, he managed to maintain a proper balance of closeness and distance. In August of the first year of Xianning, Hua Biao passed away at seventy-two, posthumously granted the title "Kang," and the court provided him with court attire. He had six sons: Hao, Cen, Jiao, Jian, Dan, and Jian.
Hua Biao's son, Hao, whose courtesy name was Changjun, was intelligent and agile, talented and principled. His father-in-law Lu Yu was in charge of selecting talents, but he found it difficult to decide on a suitable marriage match, so Hua Biao's son, who was thirty-five years old, had not yet obtained an official position. He later became a Chamberlain of the Imperial Court. In the early years of the Taishi era, he was promoted to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. When his father was seriously ill, he returned home to care for him. After his father's death, according to tradition, he was supposed to return to his post after the funeral, but he resolutely resigned from his position, defying the emperor's orders.
Initially, there was a man named Biao who had guests staying in Ge County. He had his son Sima Xing (Sima Xing, style name Jingyao, referred to as "Hao" in the text) register the names of these guests through the county magistrate Yuan Yi, and then substituted the identities of these guests with three slaves. Later, Yuan Yi was found guilty of bribery, and the case became complicated, so the matter of using slaves to replace guests was not mentioned again. Instead, the three slaves were handed over to Sima Xing. It's worth noting that Yuan Yi was also Lu's son-in-law.
Later, the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat Xun Xu, who had previously wanted to marry his son to Sima Xing's daughter, was rejected by Sima Xing. Xun Xu held a grudge and secretly reported to the emperor, accusing Yuan Yi of taking bribes from many people and suggesting that only his closest associate should be held responsible, pointing to Sima Xing. Due to a previous offense against him, Sima Xing was dismissed from his position during the mourning period and was stripped of his title and fiefdom.
Da Honglu He Zun reported that Sima Bing had been demoted to commoner status and should not be allowed to inherit the title. He suggested that Sima Hun, the grandson of Sima Bing, should inherit the title. The relevant officials stated, "Sima Bing was removed and stripped of his title this time according to the punishment regulations at that time. But he was previously the crown prince, his name was already written in the records. To deny him the right to inherit the title now would amount to a second punishment. When nobles commit crimes, they are usually handled according to the 'Eight Deliberations', which typically involves recognizing achievements and promoting in rank. The legitimate eldest son inheriting is not a capital offense; revoking his inheritance rights is excessively harsh, and according to the law, he should be allowed to inherit the title."
The emperor decreed, "When a noble dies, the son should inherit after a year; this is the ancient rule. He should have inherited, but instead was revoked, losing both title and official position. How can this possibly be seen as a second punishment? I punished Sima Bing to address the atmosphere of corruption; it was not in accordance with the usual legal principles. You ministers fail to grasp my intentions, instead distorting the laws and regulations, ignoring the court's rules. My decree was revoked by you, and then restored; this is simply going against each other from top to bottom!"
Therefore, the emperor ordered the dismissal of those ministers who participated in the discussion and opposed the emperor's decree, and all were punished for bribery. Sima Hun, as the grandson of the prince, should have been enfeoffed, but he hid away, cut his hair, pretended to be mad and feigned muteness, so he did not accept the enfeoffment, and he was praised by people at the time.
Old Zhang has lived near his home for over a decade, always teaching his descendants and repeatedly reciting the classics. He also compiled the key teachings from the classics and named it "Good Texts," which has been passed down through generations. He and Chen Xie constructed a pigpen beside their house. When the emperor came out to see it, his attendants explained the situation to the emperor, which moved him. Later, the emperor climbed Lingyuntai and saw from afar Old Zhang's alfalfa garden, with the garden's ridges well-kept. The emperor was filled with nostalgia. During the Taikang era, a general amnesty was proclaimed, and Old Zhang inherited his title. After a long time, he was appointed as the Gate Captain and later became the Minister of Personnel. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, Old Zhang was promoted to Palace Aide, Grand Master of Splendor, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and was also titled Duke.
Later, Yang Jun asked Old Zhang to help. When Old Zhang did not return in time, someone accused him, and he was removed from office. Not long after, he was appointed as the Prince's Tutor and also added the position of Cavalry Attendant. He conducted himself with great discipline in his duties. As he grew older and his health deteriorated, he fell seriously ill. The emperor dispatched royal physicians to care for him and promoted him to Grand Master of Splendor and Supervisor of the Palace Library. At that time, Han Shou, the Prefect of Henan, sought to arrange a marriage between his daughter and Old Zhang's grandson Tao Tao through Empress Jia, but Old Zhang refused. Empress Jia was unhappy about this, so she stopped promoting Old Zhang. Old Zhang passed away at the age of seventy-five and was posthumously honored with the title Yuan. He was survived by three sons: Hun, Hui, and Heng.
Lao Zhang's eldest son, named Jinglun, inherited his father's title and was known for his uprightness. He later became a court official and was promoted to a high-ranking position, and continued to be honored after his death. His son, Taotao, later became the Gong County Magistrate and was killed by Shi Le. Lao Zhang's second son, Jingshu, became the magistrate of Henan. He and his son were killed in Linying while fleeing the chaos of war with Xun Fan and Xun Zu. Lao Zhang's youngest son, Jingze, was known for his extensive knowledge and integrity. He married Princess Xingyang, daughter of Emperor Wu, and was appointed as Duke of Cavalry. He was later appointed as the Prince's Companion during the Yuan Kang era and was granted the title of Marquis of Guanneihou, with a fief of one hundred households. He was also appointed as the Cangcao Yuan by the Minister of Works, Wang Hun, and later promoted to Cavalry Attendant. He gradually rose through the ranks and eventually became the Cavalry Commander, Chief of the Northern Army, and later the General of the Army, in addition to his position as Cavalry Attendant.
After Emperor Min became emperor, he appointed Hua Heng as a court official, raised his rank, and granted him the title of Duke of Yuanling County. Shortly after, Liu Cong arrived at the gates of Chang'an, and the court ordered Hua Heng to serve as General of the Garrison and Prefect of Yingchuan to assist in the defense. Hua Heng recruited an army of two thousand men, but before he could go west to provide support, Chang'an fell.
At that time, the rebel forces were strong in various regions, and provinces and counties suffered consecutive defeats. Hua Heng also considered abandoning Yingchuan and fleeing to the east, but his hesitation stemmed from the fact that his brother Hua Yi had been killed by Emperor Yuan. So, he wrote a letter to the General of the Flying Cavalry, Wang Dao, who then informed the emperor. The emperor said, "The crimes committed by one brother should not implicate the other, especially when they are cousins!" He then summoned Hua Heng to the capital and appointed him as Minister of Rites. Upon arriving in the capital, Hua Heng was quickly promoted to Guard General, with the additional title of Cavalry Attendant, and was also appointed as the Chief Censor of his province.
Later he was appointed as the Minister of Rites, in charge of overseeing the suburban sacrifices. The Minister of Works Diao Xie and the National Teacher Du Yi believed that they must return to Luoyang before holding the suburban sacrifices. However, Hua Heng believed that the suburban sacrifices were held in Xuchang during the reign of Emperor Xian of Han, and they should also be held there. The Minister of Works Xun Zu and the General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Dao both agreed with Hua Heng's opinion, so the decision regarding the suburban sacrifices was made. Shortly after, Hua Heng fell ill and requested to step down. The Emperor decreed, "The duties of the Minister of Rites involve overseeing the ancestral temple sacrifices; these matters are very important. But Hua Heng, you are unwell and unable to personally carry out your duties. Confucius once said, 'If I do not participate in the sacrifices, it is as if I did not sacrifice at all,' not to mention the Minister of Rites who is in charge of the ancestral temple sacrifices! Now let you be appointed as the Minister of Justice!" Shortly after, he was further promoted to a special envoy.
During the Taining period, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, appointed as a regular attendant to the imperial guard, and also responsible for supervising the land and sea military affairs of Shitoucheng. Wang Dun submitted a petition requesting for Hua Heng to be reassigned as the Protector of the Army, but Hua Heng did not take up the position due to illness. Later, he was granted the title of Golden Purple Outstanding Official and also served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After Emperor Cheng ascended the throne, he was further appointed as a regular attendant to the imperial guard and also served as the National Teacher. During the Xianhe period, the titles and honors he received during the reign of Emperor Min were revoked, but for his contributions in suppressing Wang Dun's rebellion, he was reappointed as the Marquis of Yuanling and took on the role of Minister of Rites once more. During the rebellion of Su Jun, Hua Heng remained by the Emperor's side, accompanying the Emperor to Shitoucheng, where they faced numerous challenges, enduring hardships for more than a year.
Years ago, when Hua Heng served as the governor of the province, there was a man named Ren Rang from his hometown who was licentious and unruly, and was dismissed from his official position by Hua Heng. Later, Ren Rang sought refuge with Su Jun, and with his power, he brutally killed the innocent, but every time he saw Hua Heng, he was deeply respectful and did not dare to act unlawfully. Zhong Ya and Liu Chao were both killed by Su Jun, and Su Jun originally intended to kill Hua Heng, but Ren Rang did everything he could to protect him, which allowed Hua Heng to escape disaster.
The emperor wanted to hold a coronation ceremony and marry the empress. However, due to the previous wars, many texts were lost, and there was no guidance on how to conduct the wedding and coronation ceremonies. He (referring to Wang Heng) carefully searched for previous texts, established the rituals, and included various regulations for the suburbs, the imperial college, and the court, which were then put into use. Later, he was promoted to the position of left minister and opened a government office, while still retaining his position as a regular attendant, but he firmly declined and did not take up the post. Not long after, he passed away at sixty-nine, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of attendant, left minister, and opened a government office, with the posthumous name of Jing.
Wang Heng was renowned for his integrity and prudence, living a frugal life. Even with a high position and great power, he often wore simple clothes and ate vegetarian food, and this trait became even more pronounced in his later years. When he died, his household held little wealth, just a few hundred scrolls of books, which garnered him great respect from his contemporaries. His son Wang Jun inherited his title and later became a minister. Wang Jun's son Wang Yang rose to the position of Grand Chancellor.
Wang Qiao, courtesy name Shu Jun, was knowledgeable and famous from a young age. When Emperor Wen was the Grand Marshal, he appointed Wang Qiao as an official by his side. Later, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Gate, then further promoted to Cavalry Commandant of the Imperial Guard. In the early years of the Taishi era, the emperor bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Household Gentleman of the Crown Prince, then appointed as the Administrator of Anping. Due to his elderly parents, he did not want to leave home for his new position, so he was reassigned as a Cavalier Attendant, overseeing the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently serving as a National University Professor, and finally promoted to Attendant of the Palace.
By the end of the Taikang era, Emperor Wu was immersed in indulgences and frequently falling ill. When his health improved slightly, Wang Qiao and other courtiers jointly congratulated him, while tactfully offering counsel, "Your Majesty's health is gradually recovering, and everyone is rejoicing. We, your loyal subjects, have some private concerns and believe that neglected matters should be rectified to prevent any regrets in the future. Carefully consider the significant tasks that lie ahead to ensure the prosperity of the nation. We only hope Your Majesty will contemplate carefully, avoid regrets due to negligence, and achieve greater accomplishments. Your Majesty should strive for tranquility of mind, nurture your spirit, live in a modest dwelling, and cultivate a broad perspective. Do not indulge in worldly pleasures or disregard the advice of your subjects, so that the nation and its people will thrive!" The emperor personally replied, "I will take care of my health, do not worry." In the early years of the Yuankang era, Wang Qiao was granted the title of Marquis of Xuanchang Pavilion. After the execution of Yang Jun, he was further conferred the title of Marquis of Lexiang and promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Gate.
Pei Wei was a learned and knowledgeable man, particularly eager to write a good historical book. Later, he was appointed Secretary of the Secretariat and also held the title of Cavalier Attendant, holding an equal rank with officials of the Imperial Secretariat. The Secretary of the Secretariat held a prestigious position, in charge of the Imperial Secretariat, the Cavalier Secretariat, the Bureau of Historiography, as well as the departments of Rites and Music, Astronomy, Arithmetic, and the documents of the Southern Province and the collected works of the Imperial Academy; in short, he oversaw all matters related to written records in the court.
At first, Pei Wei felt that the "Records of the Han" were written in a disorderly manner, and he sought to revise it. After he became a Palace Attendant, responsible for handling official affairs, he came into contact with many confidential documents, so he started to work on it. He began writing from Emperor Guangwu and continued until Emperor Xiaoxian, producing a total of 195 years of history, resulting in 12 volumes of Imperial Annals, 2 volumes of Empress Annals, 10 volumes of Codes, 70 volumes of Biographies, as well as three genealogies, prefaces, and a table of contents, totaling 97 volumes. He believed Empresses should be documented alongside Emperors, rather than grouping them with the Empress Dowager as done previously, so he changed the original Empress Dowager Annals to Empress Annals and arranged the Imperial Annals in order. He also changed the original term "Records" to "Codes," taking the "Canon of Yao" as a model. Finally, he renamed the book "The Book of Han Empresses" and presented it to the Emperor. The Emperor commanded the courtiers to deliberate on it. At that time, the Secretariat Xun Xu, Prefect Pei Wei, Grand Preceptor Zhang Hua, and Palace Attendant Wang Ji all believed Pei Wei's book to be well-written, with solid content and the style of a historical book, and should be properly preserved. Later, the Grand Commandant Wang Liang of Runan and the Minister of Works Wei Guan became the Prince's Tutor, and they also recommended this book, thereby finalizing the decision.
Pei Zhi not only wrote historical texts but also composed many articles, discussions, poems, and essays, amounting to hundreds of thousands of words. His memorials on government reform, the Crown Prince's residence, border security, sacrificial ceremonies, the construction of Ming Hall and Bi Yong, dredging waterways, restoring the water conservancy projects of the Yu era, establishing the Chief Water Official, repairing the Silkworm Palace, and setting up the Changqiu Official were many of which were adopted. In the third year of the Yuan Kang era, Pei Zhi passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Shaofu, with the posthumous name "Jian."
Pei Zhi had a particular fondness for drinking and often became completely intoxicated. He had not finished writing his "Ten Classics" before his death. The Secretary Supervisor He Shao recommended Pei Zhi's son Pei Che to take over as the author, but Pei Che also passed away before completing it. Later, the Secretary Supervisor Miao Zheng recommended another son of Pei Zhi, Pei Chang, to be the author, who ultimately completed the "Ten Classics" and authored biographies of the Wei and Jin dynasties, serving alongside the author Zhang Zai in the historical office. However, during the Yongjia period, war broke out, and many books were lost; only thirty-some volumes of Pei Zhi's works survived.
Pei Zhi had three sons: Pei Yi, Pei Che, and Pei Chang. The eldest, Pei Yi, inherited the family estate and served as the Internal Minister of Chang Le. The youngest, Pei Chang, was quite talented and authored numerous articles, amounting to several tens of thousands of words. Later, during the turmoil of war, he fled to Jingzhou, where he was murdered by bandits at the age of forty.
Shi Jian, courtesy name Linbo, was from Yanci in Yeling. He came from a humble background but had lofty aspirations and was renowned for his integrity. He served in the Wei state, holding positions such as Shangshu Lang, Shiyushi, Left Minister of Shangshu, and Zhongcheng of the Inspectorate, where he repeatedly corrected errors, which instilled great trepidation among the court officials. He was later sent to Bingzhou as a governor and was granted a nominal title to serve as the General Protecting the Xiongnu. After Wei Wu Emperor usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he was bestowed the title of Tangyangzi. He later returned to the court as the Xili Jiao Wei and was later promoted to Shangshu.
At that time, Qinzhou and Liangzhou were defeated by the enemy, and the court sent Shi Jian to supervise military operations in the Longyou region. As a result, he was dismissed from his position for falsely reporting military achievements. Later, he was appointed as General of the South and Governor of Yuzhou, but once again he falsely reported the number of enemy heads he had captured during the campaign against the Wu state. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "In the past, Wei Shang, the magistrate of Yunzhong County, was punished for falsely reporting the number of enemies killed in battle, and General Tian Shun committed suicide for falsely reporting the number of enemies captured, deceiving the court and violating the law, an act that has been detested throughout history. Shi Jian is a senior minister of the court, and I have great trust in him. I did not pursue the matter when you misled the court about the situation on the western front, portraying failure as victory. You were dismissed not long ago, and I reappointed you, hoping you would correct your mistakes, but instead you deceived me along with your subordinates. Is this how a senior minister of the court should behave? The relevant departments have impeached you, but I cannot make up my mind for now. I now order you to retire to your home, never to serve again, but your title and land will not be taken from you."
After a long time, Shi Jian was appointed as a Grandee of the Palace, and once again served as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, continuously advancing until he became Chief Grandee of the Palace of Light, while also holding the position of Minister over the Masses. Historically, when the Three Excellencies took office, the court would hold a small celebration ceremony to honor the system of respecting chief ministers. This ceremony had been abolished since the end of the Wei Dynasty. It was only after Shi Jian took office that the court ordered the restoration of this ceremony, which then became a custom. In the late period of the Taikang era, he was appointed Minister of Works while also serving as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.
Emperor Wu of Han died, and Jia Chong and Zhang Shao of the Central Guard were responsible for overseeing the construction of the imperial tomb. At that time, Grand Marshal Wang Liang of Runan did not attend the funeral due to his suspicions of Grand Mentor Yang Jun, so he stayed outside the camp. Someone reported that Wang Liang intended to raise troops to attack Yang Jun, which greatly alarmed Yang Jun. He quickly informed the Empress Dowager and requested an imperial decree to order Jia Chong and Zhang Shao to lead the army to attack Wang Liang. Zhang Shao, Yang Jun's nephew by marriage, immediately led his troops to urge Jia Chong to depart quickly. Jia Chong sensed that this was wrong, so he calmed Zhang Shao and secretly sent people to observe Wang Liang's situation. They discovered that Wang Liang had taken another route back to Xuchang, so Yang Jun decided to back off. People praised Jia Chong for his wisdom. After the completion of the imperial tomb, Jia Chong was granted the title of Marquis of Chang'an. In the early years of Yuankang, he became the Grand Commander. In his eighties, he remained energetic, bold, and optimistic, much like a young man, and people at that time admired him. Shortly after, Jia Chong passed away and was posthumously honored with the title Yuan. His son Jia Lou, known by the courtesy name Chujian, inherited his title and later became the Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry.
Wen Xian, styled Changqing, was from Qi County, Taiyuan, and was a descendant of Wen Xu, the Protector of the Qiang during the Han Dynasty. His grandfather Wen Hui was the Inspector of Yangzhou in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Wen Gong was the Prefect of Jinan. The six Wen brothers were all famous, known as the "Six Dragons." Wen Xian was renowned for his intelligence from a young age, and Prince Qi You recruited him as his aide, later promoting him to the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Library. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yuzhou, then returned to the court as a Cavalry Attendant, and was promoted several times, eventually becoming a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. When Prince Qi Jiong took office, because Wen Xian had served under Prince Qi You before, Prince Qi Jiong had a close relationship with him and appointed him as Minister of Personnel.
Prior to this, Zhang Hua had been killed, and Prince Qi Jiong suggested restoring Zhang Hua's title. Some believed this was inappropriate, but Wen Xian argued, "From the emperor down to the officials, everyone has their own responsibilities, and the blame shouldn't fall on a single person. As Yanzi said: 'To die for oneself—who can bear such responsibility if it’s not for one’s closest loved ones?' Li Ke killed two illegitimate sons, Chen Qi supported Yang Sheng, and the Han Dynasty exterminated the Lü family. These matters were only resolved years later. It’s unheard of for a monarch to fulfill his wishes within a few months while still alive. During Shi Qian's reign, only Zhang Hua dared to speak out. If the court is disunited and cannot work together, it is difficult to expect him to obey orders and commands! Moreover, the Empress falsely accused his son, and he had no part in the palace turmoil, which was not his concern. The fault lies with her for falsely accusing her son; this situation should neither be resisted nor punished. Now, because Zhang Hua could not remove the Empress who falsely accused his son, he was criticized for not punishing the monarch's murderer, akin to Zhao Dun; this is unreasonable." In the end, Zhang Hua's title was restored.
Later, he followed the Emperor in attacking Prince Ying of Chengdu, earned merit and was appointed Duke of Daling County, with a land grant of 1,800 households. He was later appointed Inspector of Jizhou and promoted to General. Prince Xiaohu of Fanyang was defeated in Xuchang, and he fled to Jizhou, where Wen Xian chose to avoid him. Emperor Hui fled to Chang'an and offered him the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat, which he declined. When the Emperor returned to Luoyang, he was summoned to serve as the Director of the Central Secretariat and was also appointed Cavalier Attendant. Before he could assume office, the Emperor passed away.
After Emperor Huai ascended the throne, Wen Xian was promoted to Left Guanglu Daifu and Governor, also serving as Minister of State. Many people felt that he rose too quickly. He died shortly after taking this position and was posthumously honored as Minister of State with the title Yuan. He had three sons: Wen Zhi, Wen Yun, and Wen Yu.
Wen Zhi, styled Jingqi, served as an official in the Western Department of the Grand Tutor's Office. Wen Yun, styled Jingxian, served as an attendant to the Crown Prince. Wen Yu, styled Jingsi, married Princess Wuan Chang and eventually became Left Guanglu Daifu.
Historical records state: the central court of the Jin Dynasty inherited the wealth accumulated by their ancestors, founded a unified national endeavor, and flourished in civil and military achievements, with talents emerging in large numbers. These officials of the Wen family held important court positions due to their noble reputations or served as the emperor's assistants because of their distinguished repute. Without outstanding talents at the time, how could they have reached such positions? Unfortunately, they were not able to participate in discussions on state affairs or realize their grand visions, so their political views and suggestions were not extensively documented. However, their humility in promoting talented individuals is commendable, as exemplified by the renowned figure Lin Shuhong; their strict self-discipline is reminiscent of Xuan Bo's filial piety and respectfulness. The descendants of the Wen family have a foundation in Confucian elegance, and their noble character and esteemed reputation have endured through generations. Is this not worthy of praise? Shi Jian rose through fairness and integrity, while Wen Xian shone through intelligence and wisdom. In turbulent times, they maintained a good reputation, much like the saying, "Only after winter's chill do we recognize the resilience of pine and cypress trees," which describes people like them!
Praise: In the spirit of Mili Mingling, let there be filial piety in Guanglu. Qin embodies both knowledge and elegance, while Biao is upright and solemn. Jian's achievements are widely recognized, and Wen's reputation is marked by dignity. Together, they resonate like jade, competing in fragrance and grace.
