Liu Kun, courtesy name Yue Shi, was from Weichang, Hebei Province, and a descendant of the Prince Jing of Zhongshan in the Han Dynasty. His grandfather, Liu Mai, was very talented in governing the country, serving as a Minister of State and a Cavalier Attendant. His father, Liu Fan, was known for his integrity and frugality, attaining the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies. Liu Kun was handsome from a young age, and alongside his fellow Fanyang natives, he was famous for his bold character. At the age of twenty-six, he took a position in the Imperial Secretariat.
At that time, the General for Conquering the Barbarians, Shi Chong, had a particularly luxurious villa in Jingujian, Henan Province, which was the most luxurious villa of its time. He often invited guests to come here and engage in poetry writing every day. Liu Kun also frequently attended these gatherings, and his poetry received acclaim. During that period, the Imperial Secretary, Jia Mi, held great power, and people in the capital sought to win his favor. Individuals such as Shi Chong, Ouyang Jian, Lu Ji, and Lu Yun all served Jia Mi because of their talents, and Liu Kun and his brothers were also among them, collectively referred to as the "Twenty-Four Friends." Later, the Grand Commandant, Gao Mi, brought him on as an advisor, and he gradually rose through the ranks to become a Compiler, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, and a Gentleman of the Imperial Library.
After Zhao Wang Lun came to power, he appointed Liu Kun as the Supervisor of the Imperial Archives, and later promoted him to the Counselor of the Household. Interestingly, Zhao Wang Lun's son was Liu Kun's brother-in-law, so the entire Liu family was favored by Zhao Wang Lun. After Zhao Wang Lun usurped the throne, his son was made Crown Prince, and Liu Kun served as the Prince's Chamberlain. Later, the Three Princes rose in rebellion against Zhao Wang Lun, and Liu Kun was appointed as the Champion General, leading thirty thousand elite soldiers to fight against Chengdu Wang Ying, which led to a devastating defeat at the Battle of Huangqiao, where they were forced to burn the river bridge to save themselves.
When King Qi Jiong took power, he specially pardoned Liu Kun because his father and brother were very prestigious. He appointed his brother, Liu Yu, as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and Liu Kun himself was appointed as the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, later promoted to the Left Chief Historian. After King Qi Jiong's failure, King Fangyang Xiao stationed in Xuchang summoned Liu Kun to serve as a General.
It is said that when Emperor Hui arrived in Chang'an, Prince Donghai Sima Yue wanted to bring the Emperor over, so he appointed Shi Fan, the father of Shi Chong, as the Protector of Huai Bei and the Governor of Yuzhou.
At that time, Liu Qiao was attacking King Fangyang Xiao in Xuchang, and Shi Chong and the Prefect of Runan, Du Yu, led troops to aid King Fangyang Xiao. Before they arrived, King Fangyang Xiao had already been defeated, and he and Shi Chong fled to Hebei. Shi Chong's parents were captured by Liu Qiao.
Shi Chong persuaded the Inspector of Jizhou, Wen Xian, to transfer Jizhou to King Fangyang Xiao. After King Fangyang Xiao became the Inspector of Jizhou, he dispatched Shi Chong to Youzhou to request assistance from Wang Jun. Wang Jun gave him eight hundred cavalry, and they crossed the Yellow River and defeated Prince Dongping Sima Mao at Linqiu. Then they pursued Liu Qiao south, finally rescuing Shi Chong's parents.
Subsequently, Shi Chong killed Shi Chao and subdued Lu Lang, and finally led the various armies to welcome the Emperor back to Chang'an. In recognition of his great achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guangwu, with a fief of two thousand households.
In the year 307 AD, I was appointed as the Inspector of Bingzhou, with the additional title of Zhenwei General, and also concurrently appointed as the General of the Xiongnu. Before setting off, I submitted a memorial to the court stating, "I am of humble qualifications and limited abilities. It is only by good fortune that I have obtained this position. I set off at the end of September. The road was steep and dangerous, and the Xiongnu blocked the roads and raided. I often triumphed against larger forces with fewer troops, advancing at the risk of my life. The hardships and dangers I faced along the way were truly overwhelming, and I finally reached Hukou Pass."
Since I set foot on this land, I have seen the people here living in dire straits, with refugees everywhere on the roads, fewer than two out of every ten people are alive. Those who remain here, in order to survive, even sell their children, abandon each other, with countless lives lost and injuries sustained, bones littering the ground, wails of despair filling the air, breaking people's hearts. Everywhere there are tens of thousands of Xiongnu people, surrounding the mountains, at risk of being robbed with every step, enemies visible at every turn. Only Hukou Pass can barely provide some food. Both of these routes are the most dangerous in the world, where a handful of people can easily block the roads, resulting in countless casualties among both officials and civilians. I am clinging to this isolated city, unable to even gather firewood, having exhausted our oxen and lacking essential farming tools. My capabilities are limited, and I am overwhelmed by this dire situation, consumed by worry; I can't sleep at night or eat.
Thinking carefully, although Bingzhou is located on the border, it is not far from the capital, with the south leading to Henan, the east connecting Sizhou and Jizhou, the north defending against foreign tribes, and the west guarding against strong enemies. This region is known for producing excellent bows, arrows, warhorses, and elite soldiers! We must receive support from the court in order to protect this place. So I petitioned the court, requesting 5 million bushels of grain, 5 million pieces of silk, and 5 million catties of cotton for Bingzhou. I hope Your Majesty will approve my request promptly." The court eventually agreed to my request.
Ma Teng of Dongying Company fled from Jinyang to seek refuge in Ye City, resulting in a famine in Bingzhou, with the common folk fleeing south alongside Sima Teng, leaving less than twenty thousand people. Everywhere there were bandits and outlaws, the roads were impassable. Sima Kun finally recruited over a thousand people and fought their way back to Jinyang. Consequently, the government office and prison in Jinyang were reduced to ashes, bodies everywhere, the survivors, starved and emaciated, looked like specters, with thorns and wolves prowling everywhere. Sima Kun and his men cleared the thorns, buried the dead, and rebuilt the government office, marketplace, and prison.
Bandits and robbers often came to attack, and there were battles at the city gate every day. The common people farmed with shields in hand, weeding while keeping their bows drawn to guard. Sima Kun pacified the people well, which earned him the support of the people. At that time, Liu Yuanhai was over three hundred miles away from Lishi, near Jinyang. Sima Kun secretly sent agents to sow discord among Liu Yuanhai's ragtag army, and over 10,000 troops surrendered. Frightened, Liu Yuanhai quickly fled to Puzi City to hide. Shortly after Sima Kun took office, more and more refugees began to appear, and the sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking filled the air. His father, Sima Fan, also rushed from Luoyang to support him. Many refugees flocked to Sima Kun, as he had a talent for calming people's fears, but his main weakness was a lack of control. In one day, there might be several thousand people who sought refuge with him, but there were also many who left.
Sima Kun was fond of luxury and pleasure, often indulging in extravagance. Though he occasionally tried to rein himself in, he quickly indulged again. In Henan, there was a man named Xu Run who was musically talented and thrived among the powerful. Shi Le took a particular liking to him, appointing him as the magistrate of Jinyang. Riding on Shi Le's favor, Xu Run grew arrogant and frequently meddled in his affairs. At that time, there was a man named Linghu Sheng, who served as a valiant and principled guard, who repeatedly urged Shi Le to dismiss Xu Run, but Shi Le refused to heed his advice.
Earlier, because of helping Dong Yungong to achieve merit, Shan Le had his brother appointed as the Duke of Daijun and gathered forces with Liu Xi in Zhongshan. Wang Jun felt that Shan Le had encroached on his territory and repeatedly led troops to attack him. Shan Le was unable to defeat them, and his reputation and strength both declined significantly. At this time, Xu Run ran to Shan Le and falsely accused Linghu Sheng, saying, "Linghu Sheng wants to advise you to proclaim yourself emperor!" Without thoroughly checking, Shan Le killed Linghu Sheng. Shan Le's mother said, "You can’t properly develop and grow, competing with those heroes and legends; how can that possibly work? If this continues, disaster will definitely fall on us!" Shan Le didn't listen at all.
Linghu Sheng's son, Linghu Ni, escaped to Liu Cong and recounted the details of the matter. Liu Cong was thrilled and quickly appointed Linghu Ni as a guide. Just then, the Prefect of Shida, Xi Chun, surrendered to Liu Cong, and the Yanmen Wuman rebelled again. Shan Le personally led his elite troops to suppress the rebellion. Liu Cong sent his son Liu Can and Linghu Ni to take advantage of the opportunity to attack Jinyang. The Prefect of Taiyuan, Gao Qiao, also surrendered to Liu Cong, and Shan Le's parents were killed. Shan Le, together with Yi Lu, launched a full-scale attack on Liu Can, achieving a significant victory, killing around fifteen to sixteen thousand of Liu Can's troops. Shan Le pursued the victory but ultimately could not secure a win. Yi Lu felt that Liu Cong could not be defeated for the time being, so he left his generals Ji Dan, Duan Fan, and others to guard Jinyang, and he himself left with cattle, sheep, carts, and horses.
Shan Le was determined to seek revenge, but his strength was too weak. He could only stand beside the corpses, tears streaming down his face, comforting the wounded soldiers before moving to Yangyi City to recruit the scattered civilians. After Emperor Min ascended the throne, he appointed Shan Le as Grand General and Commander of the Northern Military, and also conferred upon him the title of Cavalier Attendant and the honor of a ceremonial festival. Shan Le submitted a thank-you letter, saying:
"Your Majesty is magnanimous and has forgiven my faults, yet remembers my insignificant contributions. Your grace has allowed me to rise to a high position. Upon reading the imperial edict, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I have heard that Duke Wen of Jin appointed Xi Hu as the marshal and eventually achieved hegemony; Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang appointed Han Xin as a general and eventually achieved imperial status. They both had deep cultural knowledge and decisive military abilities, which enabled them to achieve great success in the south and expand territories in the north. As for myself, with my mediocre abilities, I aspire to emulate the wise men of the past, but worry about not being able to shoulder such heavy responsibilities and fear that I may mess things up.
Thinking back, Cao Mo almost failed in Ke Meng but turned the situation around in the end; Feng Yi also suffered defeat in Mianchi, but later achieved great success. They were able to turn failure into success and make up for their mistakes with contributions. Your Majesty has given me many chances, forgiven my faults, but I have not achieved anything to repay your kindness. Although I am not as good as them, I have learned from these stories and recognize the importance of humility, which I believe I can uphold.
The reason I dare to accept your trust is to dedicate my life to serving the country, even if it means dying on the battlefield, I am ready to do so, and fulfill my duty as a loyal subject on the battlefield. As for the honor you have bestowed upon me, I am truly at a loss for words to express my gratitude. Later, the courtiers Shi Lan and the Palace Guard Wang Chun also came, bringing your imperial edict. As I read the edict, tears uncontrollably streamed down my face.
I have heard that the rise and fall of nations has been a constant throughout history. Heaven looks unfavorably upon incompetent rulers and never regrets bringing disaster. When those barbarians invaded the Central Plains, brutally trampling our country, disrupting ancestral sacrifices, causing chaos among officials, dishonoring the imperial palace, and leaving the tombs unfinished, the entire nation grieved for the late emperor. But Your Majesty, with your wisdom and martial skill, revitalized the country in times of decline, restored order to the realm, and restored laws and order across the realm."
However, Your Majesty, you are out there, even far away in the outskirts of Qin, thinking about honoring your ancestors with sacrifices, yet you cannot return to your hometown. I've held important positions for years, yet I feel I've done little of note. Although signs of national crisis have already appeared, I have not earned any merit. Previously, due to the needs of the situation, I was temporarily given official posts and titles, but I did not achieve any military accomplishments. Instead, I made many mistakes, and I should have faced punishment as a warning to others. So I previously wrote to Your Majesty to share my thoughts openly, hoping to restore the official positions of the previous dynasty, even if it were just a minor role, and hoping Your Majesty would forgive my three defeats and acknowledge the merits I had once achieved, giving me the opportunity to kill enemies on the battlefield for my country; even if I die in battle, I would have no complaints.
Yet Your Majesty has shown me great favor, promoted me beyond expectations, appointed me as the General, and also as the Marquis, allowing me to participate in expeditions. When I received the appointment, I felt both surprised and anxious, worried I'd disappoint your expectations and bring shame to the court. In ancient times, Shen Baoxu did not listen to the advice of Boju and eventually achieved great success; Wu Zixu did not listen to the advice of Cheng Fu and ultimately helped the state of Wu defeat the state of Chu. Although I am foolish and rude, I wouldn't dare compare myself to those ancient figures, but I am duty-bound to bear arms, charge into battle, and serve my country. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, and I hereby present my thoughts in this memorial.
After Qu Yun's defeat and Liu Yao's execution of Zhao Ran, Wang Jun submitted another memorial, stating:
That treacherous Liu Cong actually dared to lead his savage troops to attack, advancing all the way to Luoyang, leading to widespread fear and outrage across the nation! Fortunately, the Prime Minister, Sima Bao of Nanyang, as well as the Grand Commandant, Sima Gui of Liangzhou, joined forces from two provinces to defend the court. Champion General Sima Yun and Protector General Sima Chen also led six armies to fight off the invaders. Ultimately, we scored a resounding victory, taking countless prisoners and slaying many foes! Our banners flew proudly in the face of the Jin army, and the war drums thundered across both banks of the Yellow River. The Hangu Pass at Mount Xiong is no longer under Liu Cong's threat, and peace has returned to the Longxi region, all thanks to the Emperor's brilliant and martial leadership! Everyone in the country is filled with gratitude, and I am truly overwhelmed with excitement!
I reported earlier that I would meet with the Xianbei's Yilu in Pingyang in March this year. Unexpectedly, Shi Le, this Jie from the Xiongnu, suddenly attacked Jicheng on March 3rd. Grand Marshal Wang Jun, the Duke of Boling, actually fell for his deception and was captured by Shi Le. Shi Le became even more arrogant as a result and wanted to come and attack me. My cities and fortresses are terrified and only want to defend themselves. Moreover, there was almost a rebellion in Yilu's realm, but thanks to Yilu's vigilance, the rebellion was promptly quelled. As a result, I am caught between the north and south, unable to mount a proper defense. Lately, I've been restless and sighing all the time! Shi Le now occupies Xiangguo, separated from me by a mountain. His cavalry can set off in the morning and reach my city by night, and he has a large number of disorganized rabble under his command. Shi Le has already conquered seven out of the eight northeastern provinces, and those rewarded by the late emperor are now only me. So Shi Le is constantly thinking of how to deal with me, always looking for opportunities to attack. My soldiers can't even take off their armor, and the common people can't work the fields. Although the court has spread its net wide, the benefits have yet to reach me. I stand alone against the enemy. If I stay put, I'll end up like Ji Cong; if I take the initiative, Shi Le will attack me from behind. It's a real dilemma, truly a tough spot! I am full of anger and frustration, but I can only stay here, plotting how to deal with the enemy. Now that the autumn harvest is over and the enemy's warhorses are well-fed, the frontline troops have also arrived. I intend to lead my troops into battle at once. I'm at odds with these two foes, and as long as Liu Cong and Shi Le are not defeated, I have no hope of returning home. I hope the emperor will show me mercy, let me do my part, die in battle, and leave this world without regrets.
Three years later, the emperor sent the Grand Herald Zhao Lian with an imperial decree to appoint Shi Le as the Minister of State, while also serving as the military commander for the provinces of Bing, Ji, and You. Shi Le requested to resign as Minister of State but accepted the appointment as military commander and agreed to a time to team up with Yi Lu to confront Liu Cong. Shortly after, Yi Lu and his son started scheming against one another; both Yi Lu and his nephew fell ill and died, causing their tribe to disband. Shi Le's son, Shi Zun, who had been held hostage by Yi Lu, was joined by everyone. At this time, Shi Zun, Ji Dan, and others led the remaining 30,000 troops of Yi Lu, along with 100,000 livestock, to join Shi Le. This allowed Shi Le to grow even stronger; he set out from Pingcheng with only a few hundred cavalry to pacify and integrate them.
Coincidentally, at this time, Shi Le attacked Leping, and Han Ju, the Prefect of Leping, sought Shi Le's assistance. However, Shi Le believed his troops had just been organized and wanted to take advantage of this momentum to assert his strength against Han Ju. Ji Dan advised, "Even though these folks are subjects of the Jin Dynasty, they have long lived in remote areas and haven't felt much of the court's favor and trust. It is difficult to manage them with conventional methods. Now we should first collect the leftover grain from the Xianbei, raid some of the remaining livestock from the Hu people, close the city gates, defend the strategic positions, and allow the soldiers to farm and recuperate. We should wait for them to submit and understand the court's grace and virtue before using them; only then will we succeed." Shi Le did not listen to him, sending out all his troops and ordering Ji Dan to lead 20,000 infantry and cavalry as vanguard, with himself as the rearguard. Shi Le had previously secured the strategic position and laid an ambush for Ji Dan, defeating him and annihilating the entire army, which sent everyone into a panic. Shortly after, they encountered hot and dry weather, and Shi Le found himself cornered, unable to hold his ground.
The Inspector of Youzhou, the Xianbei Duan Pidi, repeatedly sent envoys to invite Shi Le, seeking to jointly support the court. Shi Le led his army to Youzhou, entered Ji City via the Feihu Road. After meeting Shi Le, Duan Pidi held him in great esteem, and they became sworn brothers, forming an alliance.
At that time, Chang'an in the west was lost, and Emperor Yuan declared himself emperor in Jiangnan. Shi Chong sent his Chief Clerk Wen Qiao to persuade him to become emperor. Subsequently, 180 military leaders and tribal chiefs from the Hebei region jointly submitted a memorial, the details of which are recorded in the "Records of Yuan." The Emperor's reply was as follows: "As bandits run rampant, the country is in imminent danger, and the people hope for stability, not knowing where to turn. Therefore, I had to accept the throne to respond to the expectations of the world, hoping to restore sage governance and clear away shame. I do not seek power for its own sake. This is my sincere intention, known to all. You have received imperial favor, reached the highest position among subjects, loyal and upright, moving heaven and earth. Your counsel has helped us through difficult times. Though separated by thousands of miles, our hearts are connected, as if close at hand. You should pacify the people, defeat the enemy, and keep me informed of any developments."
In the first year of Jianwu, Shi Chong and Shi Le agreed to launch a joint campaign against Shi Hu (should be Shi Hu, error in the original text). Shi Le appointed Shi Chong as Grand Commander, and Shi Chong wrote to the local garrison commanders to assemble in Xiangguo. Shi Chong and Shi Le arrived in Gu'an, waiting for other armies to arrive. However, Shi Le's brother, Shi Mobo, received a large bribe from Shi Hu and failed to join them, sabotaging their plan. Due to insufficient troops, Shi Chong and Shi Le had to retreat. That year, the Emperor promoted Shi Chong to Palace Attendant and Grand Commander, while retaining his other titles, and rewarded him with a famous sword. Shi Chong replied, "I will personally wear this treasured sword and take the heads of the enemies."
Shi Le's younger brother, Shi Pidi, hastened to the funeral, and Shi Le sent his son, Shi Shizi Qun, to accompany him. However, halfway there, Murong Mobo intercepted Shi Pidi with his troops, forcing him to flee in terror, and Shi Shizi Qun was also captured by Murong Mobo. Murong Mobo treated Shi Shizi Qun with great courtesy, promising to appoint Shi Le as the Inspector of Youzhou and ally with him to attack Shi Pidi. Murong Mobo even secretly sent letters to Shi Le, requesting his cooperation. However, Shi Pidi's scouts intercepted the letter. At that time, Shi Le was stationed in a small town near the old city of Zhongbei, completely unaware of what was happening.
Later, Shi Le went to see Shi Pidi, who showed him the intercepted letter, saying, "I trust you completely, which is why I am telling you about this." Shi Le replied, "I formed an alliance with you to restore the royal family and rely on your strength to cleanse the country's shame. Even if my son's letter was intercepted, I will never betray our alliance over a matter concerning my son." Shi Pidi held Shi Le in high regard and initially did not intend to harm him, planning to let him return to his station.
Shi Pidi's younger brother, Shi Shujun, was a knowledgeable and resourceful person, earning Shi Pidi's trust. He advised Shi Pidi, "We, the Xiongnu, were able to conquer the people of the Jin Dynasty because they feared our military power. Now that our own people are in discord, this presents their best opportunity. If we support Shi Le's rise to power, our entire family will be doomed!" After hearing his brother's words, Shi Pidi eventually detained Shi Le. Shi Le's eldest son, Shi Zun, in fear for his life, along with Shi Le's Left Chief Historian, Yang Qiao, and the Governor of Bingzhou, Ru Sui, barricaded themselves inside. When persuasion failed, Shi Pidi ordered an attack on them. Shi Le's general, Long Jimeng, lacking supplies, ultimately had no choice but to kill Yang Qiao and Ru Sui before surrendering.
At the outset, when Shi Le departed from Taiyuan, he foresaw danger and felt ashamed for the country's unresolved humiliation. He knew that barbarians were hard to influence with morality, so he hoped to take a chance with genuine sincerity. Whenever he met with his generals and subordinates, he spoke with fervor, lamenting his dire circumstances and expressing a desire to lead his troops to die in the enemy's camp. Unfortunately, this plan never came to fruition, and he was ultimately captured by Shi Bao. He knew his death was inevitable, yet he remained composed. Before his death, he wrote a five-character poem to his friend Lu Chan:
(Poem)
In my hand, I hold this exquisite jade, a treasure originally from Jing Mountain. Consider Jiang Taigong, who was merely an old fisherman by the Wei River. Deng Yu was deeply grateful for Emperor Guangwu's patronage, traveling great distances to seek his refuge. Liu Bang was trapped in Baideng Mountain, saved by Zhang Liang; Xiang Yu at the Hongmen Banquet was also fortunate to have Zhang Liang mediate. Duke Huan was able to achieve hegemony with the assistance of five wise ministers; Xiao Bai was able to dominate Qi with the help of Guan Zhong. Those princes who attained hegemony were indifferent to party struggles and personal vendettas! Late at night, I lie in bed tossing and turning, sighing and thinking about traveling the world with them. I have been frail and aged for many years; why can't I dream of Duke Zhou? Who claims that sages can escape sorrow merely through optimism? Confucius was deeply saddened when he heard about the death of Lin; during his western tour, Kong Qiu also wept. My achievements have not yet been established, but the sun has already set. Time waits for no one; I drift away like a passing cloud. Ripe fruits are blown off by the strong wind, and blooming flowers also wither in late autumn. On the narrow mountain road, the canopy collapses, and the chariot drawn by horses overturns. I never thought that the iron will, tempered like steel, can ultimately become as fragile as a mere thread.
This poem conveys Kun's lofty ambitions and deep frustrations; he reflects on the achievements of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping in serving emperors, using this as motivation for Lu Zhen. However, Lu Zhen typically lacks grand ambitions, merely responding with some commonplace verses and entirely missing Kun's point. Thus, Kun writes him another poem and tells him, "Your previous poem spoke of the ambitions of emperors, which isn't something a subject should express!"
However, once Su Jun's rebellion was suppressed, Sima Cheng, a key figure among Su Jun's remaining followers, still wielded significant power, and there were many of Su Jun's followers in the court. Tensions between Su Jun's remaining followers and the court escalated, leading to fierce infighting within the court, while Su Jun's remaining party also feared Wang Dun's power. After Su Jun was killed, the power led by Wang Dun gradually grew stronger, purging court officials. However, once Su Jun's rebellion was suppressed, tensions flared between Wang Dun and the court officials. To solidify his power, Wang Dun started purging dissenters. During Su Jun's rebellion, significant conflicts arose between his remaining followers and the court officials; therefore, he purged court officials to strengthen his grip on power.
After Su Jun's rebellion, his loyalists in the court remained powerful and were embroiled in serious conflicts with the court ministers. Therefore, Wang Dun feared these loyalists and initiated a purge of the ministers to consolidate his own power and eliminate potential threats.
Shi Chong was imprisoned for over a month due to his loyalty to the Jin dynasty and his high standing. People from all around lamented his fate. Shi Chong conspired in secret with Bi Lu Song, the Prefect of Daijun, Wang Ju, the Prefect of Yanmen County, and Han Ju, the Rear General, to manufacture weapons and plan an attack on Shi Le. Han Ju's daughter, who was a concubine of Shi Le's son, discovered the conspiracy and informed Shi Le. Consequently, Shi Le arrested Wang Ju, Bi Lu Song, and their accomplices, all of whom were executed. At this point, Wang Dun discreetly sent someone to instruct Shi Le to eliminate Shi Chong. Fearing opposition, Shi Le falsely claimed he was acting on orders to arrest Shi Chong. Upon hearing that Wang Dun had sent someone, Shi Chong turned to his son and said, "Chu Zhong (Wang Dun's style name) has sent someone without telling me; he must want to kill me. Life and death are in fate's hands; I only regret that I cannot avenge my enemies. I have no face to show my parents!" After saying this, he cried uncontrollably. Eventually, Shi Le strangled Shi Chong, who was just forty-eight years old. His four children were also killed. Due to Shi Le's formidable influence, the court was preparing to have him lead the campaign against Shi Le, so they did not investigate the cause of Shi Chong's death.
Three years later, Lu Chen and Cui Yue, former associates of Shi Chong, submitted a petition for him, stating: "It is said that effective governance requires setting a good example and prioritizing border security. Furthermore, key positions like the Governor of Sizhou, who wields the power of life and death, must uphold righteousness and eradicate corruption. In my view, during the chaotic times of Emperor Hui, the former Sikong and Marquis of Guangwu, Xie Kun, confronted the turmoil in the harem and did everything he could to serve the royal family, demonstrating exceptional loyalty and righteousness. He personally led the army into battle, capturing Shi Chao and Lu Lang, thereby stabilizing the state. The credit for bringing the Emperor back to the capital belongs to Xie Kun, a testament to his loyalty."
Later, Xie Teng, the Inspector of Bingzhou and Duke Dongling, relocated from the desolate and impoverished Jinchuan area to Linzhang. Taiyuan and Xihe were both relocated to Sanwei. Xie Kun accepted the appointment as Inspector of Bingzhou and inherited the difficult situation left by Xie Teng. When he took office, there were few people left, confronting a perilous situation in a hard-to-govern region. He recruited refugees and pacified the Rongdi tribes, gradually restoring the vitality of both public and private sectors over the years. When the capital was lost, rebels were everywhere, and the border was in urgent need; if Xie Kun only wanted to live in comfort, he could have chosen to exploit Bingzhou's treacherous terrain, closed the gates, accumulated strength, and waited for an opportunity. Yet he was passionate, loyal, and principled, feeling troubled by the emperor's humiliation and his own inaction, so he launched expeditions everywhere. As a result, the Tuge forces took advantage of the situation, broke through Jinyang City, and Xie Kun's parents were killed, and his family faced devastating consequences. If Xie Kun had heeded the advice of the locals and prioritized self-preservation, perhaps the court would not have punished him, and his family could have been preserved. When the Yilu rebellion was quelled and the Jin people surrendered, Xie Kun accepted their surrender in Pingcheng. General Ji Dan believed that while these individuals were from Jin, they had long been in remote areas and were difficult to manage, so they should not be easily used. Xie Kun humbly agreed, his loyalty evident in his words. If he had followed Ji Dan's advice and settled for a life of compromise, he could have remained safely in Bingzhou and avoided death in Yanji. Xie Kun believed that although he held an important position, he was unable to handle national affairs, so he had no reason to shoulder the burden alone. Therefore, after the emperor ascended the throne, he submitted multiple memorials requesting resignation, expressing his sincerity. He then sent the Attendant of the Palace, Xie Xu, and Dan with the emperor's edict and seal, departing simultaneously with envoy Rong Shaoqi from Pidi.
Pi Di was worried that Xie Kun, as a royal minister, would seize his power, and his resentment grew increasingly evident. Xie Kun knew this and believed the situation couldn't last, so he sent his wife and children to the capital, placing them under the emperor's protection. If the court summoned him, he would serve as an ordinary soldier; if Pi Di did evil, his family would be spared. He secretly conveyed this message to Xie Dan and requested the court to meet and protect them on the way. Wang Cheng fled from Pingyang and reported that Prince Nanyang Bao was claiming power in Longyou and had a strong army that would attack Guanzhong. Upon hearing this, Pi Di hesitated and detained Rong Shao, planning to send Honglu Bian Miao to see Bao, fearing that Xie Dan would go alone to the south and would inform him of the situation, so he did not allow him to lead the way. Xie Kun's sincerity ultimately went unanswered.
After Pi Di's brother died and his son was young, he sought to usurp his country under the guise of mourning. He felt guilty about deceiving the state and harming the people, fearing that his family would not forgive his crimes, so he secretly plotted a rebellion to kill his uncle Lin and his brother Mobo in order to seize their country. Pi Di's confidant informed Lin and Mobo, who sent people to stop him, which allowed Pi Di to escape by the skin of his teeth. The people thought Pi Di was dead and relied on Xie Kun. If Xie Kun had wanted to eliminate Pi Di at that time, he could have easily captured him without much effort. From then on, there was discord, and Pi Di wanted to move all the Hu people and Jin people to Shanggu. Xie Kun strongly opposed this and advised him to move to Yanci, which was closer to the court. Pi Di did not listen and instead orchestrated the deaths of Xie Kun's parents, four children, and two cousins.
Before Xie Kun was killed, he knew that Pi Di must have evil intentions. He said to us, "I have received great favor from the country, but I cannot repay it. Although my talents and strategies may be lacking, it is also due to my unfortunate circumstances. Who among us can escape death? Life and death are fated. It is just regrettable that I cannot serve one side, nor can I be loyal to His Majesty." His words were heartfelt and inspiring to those around him. After Pi Di killed Xie Kun, he slandered him, saying that Xie Kun wanted to seize the throne and was plotting against the country.
Kun, he had no arrogant, cruel, or brutal thoughts whatsoever. Nor did he show any signs of fear of being killed. In such chaotic and tumultuous times, when surrounded by a group of people of different identities, he managed to remain so composed! Even the most foolish servants or the most naïve of slaves wouldn't act this way, let alone someone like Kun, who was both talented and principled!
It's truly unbelievable! Just think about it, the situation back then was incredibly dangerous, everything was in chaos, and the people around him were all different, yet he could still remain so calm, not panicking at all. His composure was astonishingly steady! Even the most ordinary, inexperienced servants wouldn't manage this, let alone someone like Kun, who was both talented and principled! He is genuinely admirable!
Pi Di killed Wang Dun, claiming to have executed the secret decree of the emperor. Wang Dun was indeed guilty, and the emperor ordered his execution. He should have been publicly executed in the market, for all to scorn him together, rather than letting this despicable man kill the minister who assisted the emperor. Everyone understands this. However, forging an imperial decree constitutes a serious crime, and even a minor offense must be severely punished; even if one has made gains by forging imperial orders, no leniency should be given, because the rise and fall of the country fundamentally depends on this, and plugging this loophole is absolutely necessary. Yet Pi Di acted without restraint, arrogantly and recklessly, killing innocent people, forging royal commands, harming important court officials, tarnishing the reputation of the court, and violating royal laws. Is this tolerable? Absolutely not! If the emperor continues to turn a blind eye and fail to uphold justice, then those lawless individuals will emulate Pi Di, killing at will and doing as they please. How will the emperor handle them then?
War requires brave generals; peace requires cunning ministers. As the ancients said, "When there are fierce beasts on the mountain, the wormwood is left unpicked." This is absolutely true. North of the Yellow River, south of Youzhou and Bingzhou, those villains feared only Wang Dun. After Wang Dun's murder, those wicked individuals were all jubilant, wreaking havoc in the Central Plains without any restraint, causing sighs from the people both within and beyond China!
I earnestly request Your Majesty's wise and enlightened judgment. A great cause is emerging, and laws are being established to govern the realm. Wang Dun was wrongfully killed, which brings me great sorrow, yet I have yet to hear of any investigation by the court into this matter. In the past, three elders from Huguan accused Crown Prince Wei, and Gu Yong and Liu Xiang defended Chen Tang. This was all to clarify right and wrong, so that Your Majesty may understand the truth. For generations, my family has enjoyed the court's special favor, serving by Your Majesty's side and participating in court affairs. However, we have not been able to fulfill our duties faithfully, but instead found ourselves working alongside Wang Dun in remote regions. We look up to the loyalty and righteousness of ancient figures like Gu Yong and Liu Xiang, and have brought this matter to the court's attention in hopes that Your Majesty will discern the truth and provide a just judgment.
Wen Qiao, the Crown Prince's son, also petitioned the Emperor on behalf of Liu Kun. The Emperor finally decreed: "The late Grand Commandant and Marquis of Guangwu, Liu Kun, was loyal and upright, possessing talents to benefit the world. It is indeed a loss for the nation that he was unable to fulfill his ambitions. Due to previous military engagements, we were unable to hold a proper ceremony for him in time. Now, we will send someone to Youzhou to conduct the ceremony according to the proper rites." Liu Kun was posthumously honored with the titles of attendant and Grand Commandant, and was given the posthumous title of "Min."
When Liu Kun was young, he was ambitious and talented, skilled at befriending those more capable than himself, though somewhat showy. He was friends with Zu Di of Fanyang. Upon hearing that Zu Di had been appointed by the court, he wrote to his relatives and friends, saying, "I am poised and ready to eliminate the rebels. I am afraid that Zu Di will achieve success before me." They encouraged each other at the time, with great ambitions. While in Jin Yang, they were once surrounded by Hu cavalry, leaving the people in the city in great distress. Liu Kun climbed up to the city tower under the moonlight, playing a hauntingly beautiful tune on his flute. When the enemy heard it, they sighed sadly. In the middle of the night, he played a Hu flute, making the enemy weep even more for their homeland. As dawn broke, he played once more, and the enemy fled. Liu Kun had a son named Liu Qun. Liu Qun, also known as Gongdu, was very young when he became a protégé of the Marquis of Guangwu. He followed his father in Jin Yang, facing warfare and leading troops into battle on numerous occasions. He was upright, prudent, decisive, and well-loved by his troops. After Liu Kun met his end at the hands of Shi Le, Liu Kun's subordinates, including Lu Chen, supported Liu Qun. Wen Qiao made multiple appeals to the court, saying, "My nephew Liu Qun, my younger brothers Cui Yue and Lu Chen, are all in the chaos of war, hoping for the court's summons. I believe these individuals possess talent and deserve compassion in such turbulent times. If the court can summon them and let them carry on their ancestors' legacy, it will be a rare act of grace." In the second year of Xian Kang, Emperor Cheng issued an edict summoning Liu Qun and others, but the Mo brothers, valuing their talents, falsely asserted that the roads were perilous, preventing them from departing.
After Shi Jilong conquered Liaoxi, Liu Qun, Lu Chen, and Cui Yue were captured by the nomads. Shi Jilong treated them well and appointed Liu Qun as Chancellor of the Central Secretariat. Liu Qun was not killed until after Ran Min's defeat. At that time, Shi Le and Shi Jilong executed many officials and ministers. Only a few among those promoted eventually became high-ranking officials, including Pei Xian from Hedong, Shi Pu from Bohai, Zheng Xi from Xingyang, Xun Chuo from Yingchuan, Fu Chang from Beidi, as well as Liu Qun, Cui Yue, Lu Chen, and a dozen others.
There was a man named Liu Yu, courtesy name Qingsun, who was both handsome and talented, rivaling the fame of Guo Kun, the nephew of the renowned Guo Yi at the time. People in Luoyang would say, "In the flourishing city of Luoyang, the most impressive figures are Qingsun and Yueshi (referring to Guo Kun)." Later, he was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
His brothers had always looked down on Sun Xiu. However, when Prince Zhao Lun came into power, Sun Xiu gained great power, and Liu Yu and his brothers were all dismissed from their positions. Interestingly, Liu Yu's sister married Huai, Lun's son, who was on bad terms with Sun Xiu. As a result, Liu Yu was reappointed as the Cavalier Attendant. Later, when Prince Qi Jiong rose to power, he promoted Liu Yu to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
When King Yue of Donghai and King Xiao of Fanyang rebelled, Liu Yu was appointed as the Governor of Yingchuan. Prince Yong of Hejian sent Liu Qiao to Xuchang to suppress Xiao, and forged an edict stating: "Governor Liu Yu of Yingchuan threatened King Xiao of Fanyang, defied the imperial decree, formed factions, illegally occupied counties, and gathered forces. The Liu brothers, due to their relationship with the King of Zhao, have been bullying and cruel, deserving of death long ago, but were spared due to amnesty. These scoundrels have shown no remorse and have grown increasingly arrogant, even appointing Gou Xi as the Governor of Yanzhou, openly defying the imperial decree. I command General Hong of Zhen Nan, General Shì, the King of Pengcheng, and General Zhun of Zhengdong to lead their troops and quickly march to Xuchang to fight alongside Liu Qiao. I also appoint General Zhang Fang as the Grand Commander, leading General Lü Lang and Prefect Diao Mo of Yangping with a hundred thousand troops, also rushing to Xuchang, to utterly eradicate the Liu brothers. Whoever dares to rebel against the imperial decree will face punishment along with their entire families! Whoever kills the Liu brothers and brings their heads will be rewarded with the title of Marquis of three thousand households and five thousand bolts of silk!"
After King Xiao of Fanyang was defeated, Liu Yu fled with him to Hebei. Once Xiao had secured his position in Ye City, he appointed Liu Yu as General Conquering the Barbarians and Prefect of Weijun.
After Xiao's death, King Yue of Donghai wanted to summon Liu Yu. Some advised against it, saying, "Liu Yu is currently in a difficult situation; getting close to him may bring bad luck." However, Yue still summoned Liu Yu. Liu Yu discreetly observed the distribution of military forces across the country, as well as the supplies, livestock, weapons, and waterways in the warehouses, all silently noted in his heart.
At that time, there were many things happening in the court. Every time there was a meeting, from Pan Tao on down, no one knew what to do. After Liu Yu met King Yue, he responded fluently and eloquently. King Yue of Donghai was very impressed with him and immediately appointed him as the Left Minister. After King Yue took charge of political affairs, he made Liu Yu his chief assistant. The halls were filled with guests, official documents piled up high, and thousands of documents from all corners arrived daily. Liu Yu worked day and night tirelessly, never once slacking off, often burning the midnight oil. Everyone was very pleased with him and rallied around him. He tackled political affairs with speed and precision, and people at the time admired his talents, comparing him to the great Chen Zun. People at the time said that the Yue Mansion had three great talents: Pan Tao had great talent, Liu Yu had long talent, and Pei Miao had clear talent. The executions of Miao Bo, Wang Yan, and others were all suggested by Liu Yu. Wang Yan's favorite concubine, Jing Shi, was skilled in singing and dancing. Before Wang Yan was even laid to rest, Liu Yu proposed to her. Before the marriage took place, he was whisked away by the Grand Commandant Wang Jun. The Censor-in-Chief Fu Xuan accused him in a memorial, but King Yue didn’t even consult Liu Yu and instead dismissed Wang Jun from his position. Later, Liu Yu persuaded King Yue to appoint Sima Kun to guard Bingzhou, serving as an important stronghold for King Yue in the north. Before Luoyang City fell, Liu Yu died from a festering sore on his finger at the age of forty-seven. He was posthumously honored with the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, previously elevated to the rank of Marquis of Dingxiang, and posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Zhen. His son Liu Yan succeeded him in title.
Liu Yan, courtesy name Shiren. He was initially summoned as an official of the Grand Commandant's office, later promoted to Official of the Ministry of Rites. He resigned to fulfill the mourning rites for his father. After completing the mourning period, he inherited his father's title and was summoned by the Grand Tutor and King of Donghai to serve as the Registrar of the office. He was later promoted to Central Attendant to the Crown Prince and then appointed as the Administrator of Yangping. After Luoyang fell, he defected to Sima Kun, who appointed him as the General Who Aids the State and Administrator of Wei Commandery. Sima Kun prepared to attack Shi Le, allowing Liu Yan to lead a thousand elite soldiers as General of the Northern Army and Inspector of Yanzhou, stationed at Linqiu. Liu Yan killed Wang Sang, defeated Zhao Gu, and gathered seven thousand soldiers. Later attacked by Shi Le, Liu Yan resisted fiercely, forcing Shi Le to retreat. Emperor Yuan appointed him as Commander and General of the Rear, granting him the command insignia. Later besieged by Shi Jilong, he sought help from Shao Xu and Duan Yang. Duan Yang's cavalry came to his rescue, forcing Shi Jilong to retreat. Liu Yan followed Duan Yang to camp at Yanci, where he was eventually killed.
His younger brother Yin led troops alongside Shi Le's son Shi Kun but encountered Wuhuan bandits and died in battle. Yin's younger brother Yichu served as a secretary under Prince of Donghai Sima Yue and was killed in the same battle as Shi Kun. Yichu's brother Qi, as well as Qi's brother Shu, and Shi Kun's son Shi Qun, were all caught up in the chaos of the war and later surrendered to Shi Jilong. Qi served as Director of the Bureau of Documents under Shi Jilong, then returned to the Jin dynasty, where Emperor Mu appointed him General of the Vanguard and also gave him the position of Attendant Official. In the ninth year of Yonghe, he joined General of the Central Army Yin Hao in a northern campaign but was defeated by Yao Xiang, which led to Qi's death. Shu served as Chamberlain to the Palace Attendants under Shi Jilong, returned to the Jin dynasty with Qi, and was appointed General of Agile Cavalry.
Zu Ti, courtesy name Shi Zhi, was a native of Qiu County in Fanyang. For several generations, his ancestors held the position of an official with a rank of 2,000 stones, part of an established aristocratic family in northern China. His father, Zu Wu, served as an adviser to the Prince of Jin and the Commandant of Shanggu. Zu Ti lost his father when he was young and had six brothers. His elder brothers, Zu Gai, Zu Na, and others, were all intelligent and capable. Zu Ti had a straightforward personality, not particularly concerned about his appearance. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, he still couldn't recognize many characters, which worried his brothers. However, he was generous and righteous, giving food and cloth to the poor in the countryside at his brothers' suggestion, gaining the respect of the local community. He later explored both ancient and modern texts, frequently visiting the capital, where people recognized his abilities to support the realm. He once resided in Yangping. At the age of twenty-four, he was nominated for the position of Filial and Incorrupt candidate in Yangping County, and the Commandant of Justice twice recommended him as a Cultivated Talent, but he declined both times. He served as a registrar in Sizhou with the Minister of Works, Liu Kun, with whom he shared a close bond, often sleeping in the same bed. One night, upon hearing a rooster crow, Zu Ti kicked Liu Kun and said, "That’s no ordinary rooster crow!" before getting up to dance. Both Zu Ti and Liu Kun were ambitious and frequently discussed significant events, staying up late chatting and saying to each other, "If chaos breaks out in the world and heroes rise up, let's rendezvous in the Central Plains!" This distant nephew of Xie An began his career as Grand Marshal Clerk under Prince Qi Jiong, then as the Protector of the Cavalry Sacrificial Wine under Prince Changsha Yi, before being promoted to registrar, eventually rising to the position of Junior Attendant to the Crown Prince and Attendant Officer of Prince Yuzhang. He accompanied Emperor Hui on a northern expedition, but faced defeat at Dangyin and returned to Luoyang in disappointment. Later, as the court moved west to Chang'an, several local lords from the eastern territories, such as Prince Xia of Fanyang, Prince Lue of Gaomi, and Duke Mo of Pingchang, all came to ask for his help, but he turned down all their requests.
Later, King Donghai Yue appointed him as a military officer and advisor, concurrently as the governor of Yin. When his mother passed away, Zu Di did not take up his post. When Luoyang was in complete chaos, Zu Di fled with hundreds of relatives and friends to the area around the Huai River and Sishui. He used his own horses and carriages to transport elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people, while he walked alongside them, sharing the medicine, clothes, and food he brought with everyone. He was also quite strategic, so both young and old respected him and elected him as their leader.
Upon arriving at Siku, Emperor Yuan heard about it and quickly appointed him as the governor of Xuzhou. Not long after, he was transferred to the court to serve as a military advisor and a military consultant, working in Jingkou, Dantu. Zu Di had always wanted to restore the Jin Dynasty. The guests and followers under his command were all short-tempered and tough individuals, but he treated them like his own brothers. At that time, there was a famine in Yangzhou, and many people turned to stealing and looting. Zu Di reassured them, saying, "The harvest in Nantang will improve soon!" If someone was caught by the government for theft, Zu Di would protect and rescue them.
Some people said that Zu Di was too indulgent with them, but he didn't care. At that time, the court was preoccupied with pacifying the south, with no time to focus on the northern expedition. Zu Di advised Emperor Yuan, saying, "The chaos in the Jin Dynasty isn't due to the emperor being incompetent and the people being resentful, but because the feudal lords are fighting for power and profit, warring against each other, giving the opportunity for foreign invasion, leading to great suffering in the Central Plains. Now the people have suffered enough, and everyone wants to rise up against the oppression. If Your Majesty could order a military campaign and let me lead the troops, those local heroes will surely rally to the cause, and those who have lost hope will find new hope. In this way, we can reclaim our honor and serve our country! Your Majesty, you must consider this carefully!"
Emperor Yuan listened to Zu Ti's words and appointed him as the General of Valiant Might and the Governor of Yuzhou, providing him with military provisions for one thousand troops and three thousand bolts of fabric, but he was not provided with armor or weapons, allowing him to recruit his own soldiers. Zu Ti led over a hundred households of refugees across the Yangtze River. When they reached the middle of the river, he struck the oars with all his might and then swore an oath to everyone, "If Zu Ti cannot recover the Central Plains, it will be as unyielding as this Yangtze River!" His expression and tone were filled with passion, and everyone was moved to tears. Zu Ti set up camp in Jiangyin, began forging and crafting weapons, and did not continue his advance until he had recruited over two thousand men.
At first, Northern General Liu Yan clashed with Shi Le, but at that time, Zhang Ping, Fan Ya, and others who had been stranded in Wuli were in Qiaoxian. Liu Yan appointed Zhang Ping as the Governor of Yuzhou and Fan Ya became the Prefect of Qiaojun. Dong Zhan, Yu Wu, Xie Fu, and more than a dozen other leaders, each with hundreds of men under their command, all followed Zhang Ping's orders. Later, Zu Ti deceived Xie Fu into capturing Zhang Ping. Xie Fu was lured into meeting Zhang Ping, where he ultimately killed him, then presented Zhang Ping's head to Zu Ti. The Emperor was delighted by Zu Ti's accomplishments, so he sent supplies to him, but the supplies didn't arrive because the journey was too long, leading to hunger among Zu Ti's troops. Eventually, Zu Ti captured Taiqiu.
Fan Ya sent someone to launch a night raid on Zu Ti, charging into Zu Ti's camp wielding a large knife, shouting, and heading straight for Zu Ti's tent, throwing Zu Ti's army into disarray. Zu Ti ordered his troops to stand firm, and his subordinate Dong Zhao engaged the enemy, driving them away. Zu Ti pursued them, but the remaining forces under Zhang Ping joined Fan Ya in attacking Zu Ti. Chen Chuan, the owner of Pengbei Dock, self-styled himself as General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Chenliu. Zu Ti sent a messenger to request aid from Chen Chuan, who sent a general named Li Tou to his aid, enabling Zu Ti to seize Qiao Cheng. Initially, after Fan Ya took control of Qiao County, Zu Ti felt his forces were insufficient and sought help from Wang Han, who dispatched Huan Xuan to assist him. After Zu Ti captured Qiao Cheng, Huan Xuan and his troops withdrew. Upon hearing this, Shi Jilong surrounded Qiao Cheng with his forces. Wang Han sent Huan Xuan to rescue Zu Ti, and upon hearing this, Shi Jilong withdrew. Huan Xuan stayed to assist Zu Ti in subduing the remaining rebellious strongholds. Li Tou's men fought valiantly and earned numerous accolades. Once, they captured a good horse, which Li Tou admired but was reluctant to claim. Xie An, understanding his feelings, gifted him the horse. Li Tou was immensely grateful and frequently remarked, "If I could work with such a person, I could die without regrets!" Xie An's brother Xie Chuan, enraged by this, killed Li Tou. Li Tou's relative Feng Chong led four hundred people to seek refuge with Xie An. This only fueled Xie Chuan's anger further, so he sent Wei Shuo to plunder the various counties of Yuzhou, capturing numerous women, children, vehicles, and horses. Xie An dispatched Wei Ce to intercept them at Gushui, recovering all the stolen goods and returning them to their rightful owners, demonstrating the army's integrity.
Xie Chuan, feeling very frightened, sought refuge with Shi Le. Xie An launched an attack against Xie Chuan, and Shi Le dispatched Shi Jilong with an army of fifty thousand soldiers to rescue Xie Chuan. Xie An employed a cunning strategy to defeat Shi Jilong, forcing him to retreat to Yuzhou, while Xie Chuan was moved back to Xiangguo. Tao Bao and others were left behind to defend Xie Chuan's original city, stationed at Xitai. Xie An sent Han Qian and others to guard Dongtai. In that same city, the enemy grazed their cattle through the south gate, while Xie An's army opened the east gate, leading to a standoff for forty days. Xie An filled cloth bags with dirt to resemble rice, had over a thousand people carry them to the platform, and had a few men feign exhaustion and take a rest along the way. The enemy pursued them and discarded the "rice," thinking Xie An's soldiers were well-fed while their own were hungry, losing their morale.
Shi Le sent Liu Yetang with a thousand donkeys to transport grain to Tao Bao, but Xie An dispatched Han Qian, Feng Tie, and others to intercept them at the Bian River, capturing them all. Tao Bao managed to escape at night and retreated to Dongyancheng, while Han Qian was stationed in Fengqiu to apply pressure. Feng Tie defended the Second Platform, while Xie An guarded Yongqiu, repeatedly sending troops to intercept Shi Le, leading to a dwindling garrison. Scouts frequently captured individuals from Puyang, whom Xie An treated kindly before sending them back. In gratitude for his kindness, five hundred households from their village surrendered to Xie An. Shi Le then sent ten thousand elite cavalry to intercept Xie An, but was ultimately defeated, leading to the surrender of his garrison. During this time, Zhao Gu, Shangguan Si, Li Ju, Guo Mo, and others were engaged in conflict with one another, but Xie An sent envoys to mediate, appealing to both reason and emotion, and they all accepted Xie An's restraint.
Xie An cares for the people, respects his subordinates, and even those of low status are favored by him. As a result, the territory south of the Yellow River came under Jin rule. Previously, some had taken refuge with the Hu at He Shang Bao. Xie An permitted them to align with both sides simultaneously and sent a small number of troops to pretend to attack them, to show that they had not fully surrendered. The local lords were very grateful to Xie An, and if the Hu people had any conspiracies, they would secretly inform Xie An. Xie An's previous victories were also due to this reason. Even for minor accomplishments, rewards were promptly given. Xie An lived a frugal life, encouraged everyone to engage in agriculture and cultivate mulberry trees, restrained himself and served the public, did not hoard wealth, and his descendants all worked in the fields and gathered firewood. He even gathered dried bones to perform sacrificial rites for them, which moved the people greatly.
Once, Xie An hosted a banquet for the elders of the village. The elders sat in the center, deeply moved to the point of tears, and said, "We are old, and we have encountered an official who is like a parent to us. We have no regrets even if we die!" Then they sang, "Fortunate to escape captivity and meet a kind father in our later years, forgetting the toils with dark wine and dried fruits, how can we not sing songs of thanks and dance?" This is how Xie An gained the people's affection. Consequently, Liu Kun extolled Xie An's virtues in a letter to his family and friends. The court appointed Xie An as General of the West.
Shi Le didn't dare to make any moves on Henan, but he sent people to Chenggao County to repair the tomb of Zu Di's mother. He also wrote to Zu Di, hoping to establish trade with him. Zu Di didn't reply to the letter but agreed to the trade anyway. As a result, they ended up making a huge profit—ten times what they had before! Now, the country and the people are prosperous, and the army has also become much stronger. They were preparing to cross the Yellow River and completely conquer Jizhou and Shuozhou, but the court wanted to appoint Dai Ruosi as the commander. Zu Di thought that Dai Ruosi, being from Wudi, although he had some fame, had a narrow vision and lacked a grand strategy. After working hard to clear the obstacles and reclaim the land in Henan, Dai Ruosi, who arrived with an air of superiority, wanted to take command, which made Zu Di very unhappy.
Moreover, he heard that Wang Dun and Liu Kui were having tense relations, and he estimated that there might end up falling apart within the court. The great success that seemed imminent was likely to be ruined. Zu Di was angry and anxious, fell ill, and decided to take his wife and kids back to their hometown at Da Mushan in Runan. At that time, the folks in the Central Plains thought Zu Di should have pressed his advantage and taken Wulao, but instead, he moved his family to such a risky spot. Some people advised him, but he did not listen. Even though he felt frustrated, Zu Di did not give up his plan to conquer the north and was busy fixing up Wulao City. To the north of Wulao City was the Yellow River, and to the west was Chenggao, with a very broad view. Zu Di worried that there weren’t any solid defenses in the south and they could be attacked by the enemy, so he sent his nephew Zu Ji, the governor of Runan, along with Zhang Chang, the governor of Ruyang, and Zhou Hong, the interior minister of Xinchai, to build defensive works. Before they could finish the defenses, Zu Di's health took a turn for the worse.
Before, Hua Tan and Yu Chan went to ask the fortune-teller Dai Yang. Dai Yang said, "In September, Zu Yuzhou will die." Earlier, a comet appeared in the sky above Yuzhou, and Chen Xun from Liyang also told people, "A great general in the northwest will die this year." Zu Di himself saw the comet and sighed, "It's coming for me! Just when I was about to pacify Hebei, the heavens are out to get me. This is truly not a blessing for our great country!" Shortly after, Zu Di passed away in Yongqiu at fifty-six. The people of Yuzhou, both men and women, grieved as if they had lost their own parents. The people of Qiaoliang even erected a shrine in his honor. The court posthumously awarded him the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. Wang Dun had always wanted to rebel, but he feared Zu Di. Only after Zu Di's death did he dare to act. Later, Zu Di's brother Zu Yue took over his command of the army. Zu Yue's exploits are documented elsewhere. Zu Di's elder brother, Zu Na, was also a formidable figure.
Zu Na was upright, of noble character, eloquent, and wrote well. He was especially filial; coming from a poor family, he often cooked meals to support his mother. When General Pingbei Wang Dun heard about this, he sent him two maids and appointed him as a Lang in the imperial secretariat. Someone joked, "The price of a servant is higher than that of a maid!" Zu Na said, "Is Bai Li Xi worth less than five sheep skins?" Later, he was promoted to the rank of San Gong Lang in the Ministry of Personnel, and continued to rise through the ranks, becoming the Prince's Chief of Staff. During his tenure, he frequently rectified errors and made significant contributions to the nation.
When Prince Qi Jiong staged a rebellion, Prince Zhao Lun captured Jiong's brother, Prince Beihai Shi, and the brother of the former chamberlain Dong Zuo, Dong Ai, wanting to kill them together with Jiong. They were all imprisoned but quickly submitted petitions for mercy. The emperor showed mercy and released them. Later, he rose to the position of Middle Guardian, became the Prince's Advisor, and was granted the title Duke of Jinchang. When Luoyang was in turmoil, he fled to the southeast.
Emperor Yuan appointed him as the Prime Minister and invited him to serve as the Military Counselor and Sacrificial Official. He was quite fond of playing chess, so Wang Yin advised him, "Great Yu valued time as if it were gold; how could there be time to play chess?" He replied, "I play chess just to escape my worries!" Wang Yin said, "I have heard that in ancient times, if people encountered a good opportunity, they would use their achievements to realize their ambitions; if they missed their chance, they would use their writings to achieve their ambitions. In ancient times, there were people like this, and it should be the same now. The Jin Dynasty has not yet formally compiled its history, the world is in chaos, and the past is almost forgotten. In your youth, you lived in five major cities and held various official positions, witnessing so many ups and downs and successes and failures. Why not write them down and put them in order? Ying Zhongyuan wrote 'Customs and Traditions', Cui Zizhen wrote 'Political Discourses', Cai Boyu wrote 'Exhortation to Learning', Shi You wrote 'Urgent Chapters'. These books have been passed down, and although they have passed away, their reputation lives on. Although I may not have much talent, I still have aspirations. If I die without leaving a reputation, it would be a pity. So, I have been working hard! Moreover, official histories can document successes and failures, and writing can alleviate worries. Isn't this a win-win situation? Why do you have to play chess to forget your worries?" He sighed after listening to Wang Yin's words and said, "I want to, but I feel inadequate!" Then, he told the emperor, "In ancient times, even small states had historians. How can our large country not have historians?" He then recommended Wang Yin, saying that he was "upright and honest, quick to learn and think, knowledgeable in the Five Classics and historical books, and always eager to learn and accept others' opinions. If he were to write the history of our time, assessing the merits and flaws of individuals, he would truly be a talented person!" The emperor asked the Military Advisor Zhong Ya, and Zhong Ya said, "Although Wang Yin has the talent for writing history, it is not yet the time." This proposal was set aside. However, the establishment of historians was first proposed by him.
At first, brothers Wang Yue and Wang Na had a very good relationship as they were the same mother. However, after Wang Na's mother passed away, Wang Yue married a stepmother, and the relationship between the two brothers became somewhat strained. Feeling somewhat unfair, Wang Na secretly told the emperor, saying, "Wang Yue is ambitious and has ulterior motives. He needs to be watched closely. Now that he serves by the emperor's side, he might rebel one day." Some say that Wang Na, out of jealousy of Wang Yue's favor, deliberately tried to create discord between them, and this eventually reached Wang Yue. Consequently, Wang Yue developed a deep-seated hatred for Wang Na, and the court began to ignore Wang Na.
After being sidelined at home, Wang Na immersed himself in reading and studying historical texts. When Wang Yue finally rebelled, everyone in the court recognized how astute Wang Na's judgment had been. Wang Qiao, who held Wang Na in high regard because they were from the same hometown, visited him. Wang Qiao held a high position in the court at the time and strongly advocated for Wang Na due to his talent and insight, which resulted in Wang Na's appointment as a high-ranking official.
Once, Wang Na asked Mei Tao, "How effective is the monthly character evaluation in your village called 'Yuedan Ping'?" Mei Tao replied, "Praise the good, criticize the bad; this method works quite well." Wang Na said, "That's still not enough." At that time, Wang Yin was also present and interjected, "The 'Book of Documents' says 'it takes three years of performance evaluation and three assessments to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, good and evil.' How can you judge good and bad in just one month?" Mei Tao said, "That's the official assessment system; 'Yuedan Ping' is a private evaluation among the people." Wang Yin continued, "The 'Book of Changes' says 'a family that accumulates virtue will have blessings, a family that accumulates evil will have calamities.' When it says 'family,' isn't it referring to the government? It must be accumulated over a long period of time for good and evil to manifest. What's the difference between public and private judgment? The ancients said that a righteous person may encounter misfortune; that's the retribution of their ancestors, while a cruel person may prosper; that's the credit of their ancestors. The consequences of good and evil take generations to show; how can you see that in just one month? If you have to judge every month, then Yan Hui eating coarse grains might be accused of corruption; thief Zhi being frugal in his youth might be accused of integrity. Planting in the morning and harvesting in the evening, good and evil are not yet determined!" Mei Tao and Zhong Ya were still talking about other things when Wang Na refuted them, saying, "You are from the Ruying area, quick-witted like a sharp awl; I am from the Youji region, slow-minded like a wooden mallet. I’m using this clumsy wooden mallet to hit your sharp awl, and in the end, it’ll be ruined." Mei Tao and Zhong Ya both said, "That is a divine awl; it cannot be struck by a wooden mallet." Wang Na said, "If there's a divine awl, then there’s got to be a divine mallet that can break it!" Zhong Ya was left speechless. Eventually, Wang Na passed away at home.
The historian said: When Liu Kun was young, he had no special ambitions. He was merely a frivolous and cunning individual serving as a minor official in the Jia family and working under Ma Lun. As for Zu Di, he was poor and destitute when he was young, living in a valley. However, he would rise and practice swordplay at the sound of a rooster crowing, thinking about the wars in the Central Plains. He felt fortunate to be living in such chaotic times. Reflecting on his original aspirations, he was, in fact, someone who sought fame and fortune.
When the fortunes of the Jin Dynasty declined and the court lost control, all three empresses fled, one after another, enduring calamities as if trapped in a pigpen. Six ethnic minority groups fought amongst themselves like venomous snakes, and there was chaos everywhere. During this time, those who had been content with the status quo began to change their minds, became ambitious, and started to showcase their talents and unleash their potential. They seized the opportunity in troubled times, worked hard, contributed to the country in crisis, faced danger fearlessly, stood firm like resilient pines, and achieved great success, achieving widespread fame. As the ancients wisely said, "In chaotic times, true loyalty is recognized." They were the ones being referred to!
The Jin Dynasty did not receive divine protection and had just begun to resort to the use of force. Although Xie Shi resisted with all his might and treated people of different ethnicities sincerely, he ended up being imprisoned alone in the face of powerful enemies, which was truly disheartening. Shi Le's son, Shi Zhiye, once almost restored the dynasty, reclaiming half of the country. However, disasters struck again, and he was defeated by the enemy, which was indeed a great loss!
A commendation: Xie Shi, your exceptional talent stands out. You have demonstrated loyalty to the nation during critical moments, fought valiantly against foes, and traversed the lands between the Fen and Jin Rivers, engaging in battle with the Hu. Yet, you fell victim to the deception of the Duan clan. Alas, it appears you have come to a dead end! Zu Ti, your unmatched courage and grand aspirations have been clear since your youth. In these chaotic times, you have pressed forward with courage, swearing to eradicate treachery. Unfortunately, neighboring smaller states exploited the chaos, permitting the seeds of rebellion to take root. As calamities befall us, how can we cleanse the shame of our nation?
