Shan Tao, courtesy name Juyuan, was from Huai in Hanoi. His father was the magistrate of Wanju County. Shan Tao lost his father when he was young and grew up in a poor family, but he was talented from a young age, standing out from his peers. He enjoyed reading "Zhuangzi" and "Laozi," often retreating into solitude and avoiding social interactions. He had a good relationship with Ji Kang and Lu An, and later met Ruan Ji, becoming one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. They discussed metaphysics together and shared similar ideals. Ji Kang was later killed due to being implicated in an incident, and before he died, he told his son Ji Shao, "Shan Tao is still here; you will not be alone."
Shan Tao began his official career at the age of forty, first serving as a registrar, then as a clerk, and later as a tax officer in the county. He was later recommended as a model of filial piety and integrity, and the province appointed him to a position in Henan. One night, he kicked Shi Jian awake, saying, "It's late, why are you still sleeping? Do you know what it signifies when the Grand Tutor (referring to Sima Yi) is asleep?" Shi Jian replied, "When the Prime Minister doesn't attend court for three days, he goes home to rest with a ruler in hand, what’s there to worry about!" Shan Tao said, "Humph! Shi Sheng, if you’ve got nothing better to do, go on and hang around the horses!" After saying that, he left. Less than two years later, the Cao Shuang incident happened, and Shan Tao secluded himself again, not getting involved in worldly affairs.
Shan Tao was related to Empress Xuānmù, so he was able to meet Emperor Jǐng. Emperor Jǐng asked him, "Do you want to be an official like Jiang Taigong?" and then had the Sili recommend him for the position of scholar, appointing him as a court official. He was later promoted to be an aide to General Wang Chang of the Agile Cavalry. After a long time, he was appointed as the Prime Minister of the State of Zhao, and was later promoted to a position in the Ministry of Personnel. Emperor Wèi wrote him a letter stating, "You are honest and upright in the officialdom, with noble character. Considering that you may be short of money, I’m sending you twenty thousand coins and two hundred measures of grain." Emperor Wèi had previously rewarded Emperor Jǐng with spring clothes, which he then passed on to Shan Tao. Since Shan Tao's mother was getting on in years, Emperor Wèi also gifted him a walking stick.
In his later years, Shantao the Monk had a good relationship with Shushu and Youguan, as well as close relationships with Zhonghui and Peixiu. Since Zhonghui and Peixiu were both vying for power and profit at the time, Shantao treated them fairly and justly, allowing them to each get what they deserved, and as a result, neither of them resented him. Subsequently, Shantao was promoted to Grand General and appointed as a military officer. Zhonghui later rebelled in Shu, and Emperor Wen of Wei wanted to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. At that time, the nobles and ministers of Wei were gathered in Ye City, and Emperor Wen said to Shantao, "I will personally handle the matter in the west, and I entrust you with all subsequent matters." He then appointed Shantao as a military officer with five hundred soldiers to guard Ye City.
At the beginning of the Xianxi era, I was appointed to the New Dazi title. Later, I was promoted to the Left Chief Historian to the Prime Minister, in charge of the army of the Bieying. At that time, the Emperor learned of my high reputation in my hometown, so he sent the Crown Prince to visit me personally. The Emperor, because Prince Qi succeeded the throne of Emperor Jing and valued Prince Qi, once inquired of Peixiu, "The Grand General's reform plan has not been completed; I am just inheriting and handling the follow-up matters. So appointing Qi as the Crown Prince is to give credit to his brother, what is your opinion?" Peixiu thought this was not a good idea, so he asked for my opinion. I replied, "Deposing the eldest son and appointing the younger son goes against ritual and is not auspicious. The safety of the country often depends on this matter." And so, the Crown Prince's position was ultimately confirmed. The Crown Prince personally came to thank me. When Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he appointed me as the Grand Herald, to escort the Prince of Chenliu to Ye City. At the onset of the Taishi era, I was subsequently appointed as the Commandant of Carriages, and my title was elevated to the Earl of New Dazi.
Later, Yang Hu rose to power, and at that time, there were those who sought to frame Pei Xiu. I staunchly defended him. As a result, I offended the powerful officials and was assigned to Jizhou as the Inspector, and was additionally appointed as the General of Ningyuan. The customs in Jizhou were relatively simple and straightforward, with little in the way of talent recommendations. I carefully selected those overlooked talents, searched for worthy individuals, and promoted over thirty individuals, all of whom were quite renowned at that time. People respected me and sought to learn from my example, and the customs changed as a result. Later, I was promoted to the position of General of the Northern Army, responsible for guarding Ye City. After that, I returned to the court as a court attendant and was promoted to the role of Secretary. As my mother aged, I requested to resign. The emperor issued a decree, "Although you wish to serve your mother filially, there are distinctions in official ranks. You must temper your emotions and prioritize the affairs of the state." I wished to retire and submitted numerous memorials before my request was finally approved after a lengthy wait. I was appointed as a Counselor, and the emperor, knowing my integrity and frugality, provided me with daily provisions, along with a bed, tent, mattress, and bedding. I received a very high level of treatment, and at that time, no one could rival my status.
Later, I was appointed as the Minister of Rites, but due to illness, I did not assume my position. Unfortunately, my mother passed away, so I returned to my hometown. I was over sixty years old at that time, and during the mourning period, I devoted myself wholeheartedly, personally digging the grave and planting cypress and pine trees. The emperor issued a decree saying, "What I hope to promote is the responsibility of officials to educate. Nowadays, the customs have decayed and people's minds are unsettled. We should establish the right moral values, grounded in humility. Although Minister Shan is still in mourning, his resolve is difficult to alter. Now is the time to employ his talents. How can we allow him to have his wishes fulfilled? Let him serve as the Minister of Personnel!" I declined on the basis of mourning and illness, writing a heartfelt memorial. Just as Empress Yuan had passed away, I accompanied her coffin back to Luoyang. Due to the emperor's unwavering decree, I ultimately took office, albeit reluctantly. In the selection of officials both before and after, suitable talents were selected throughout the court.
At first, Shan Tao was appointed as the Crown Prince's Assistant Tutor and also given the position of Palace Attendant; later, he was promoted to the Minister of Personnel Affairs while concurrently overseeing personnel matters. However, he felt that he was getting old and in poor health, so he repeatedly submitted memorials requesting retirement. He wrote dozens of memorials but was unable to leave his post for a long time, and was eventually reported by the Left Chancellor, Bai Bao. The Emperor said, "Shan Tao submitted his memorial because he is ill; it's just that I haven't approved it yet. There's no problem in letting him continue to be responsible for selecting officials; why must he keep coming back to resign? Just leave him be." Despite this, Shan Tao felt uneasy and submitted another memorial, expressing his gratitude, saying, "The ancient principle of kingship is simply to be just. Your Majesty cannot make exceptions for an old minister based on personal favoritism; I never intended to trouble you repeatedly. Please approve my request as a precedent." The Emperor issued another edict, saying, "Bai Bao's complaint against you is absurd, and that's why I didn't address it right away; I just don't like that kind of fierce and overbearing attitude. You're clever enough; why let it bother you? Hurry back to work and handle those memorials!" Shan Tao was determined to retire and, citing the death of his younger brother's wife as an excuse, simply returned to his hometown. The Emperor issued another edict saying, "Minister Shan has been away for some time due to a minor illness and still hasn't returned; this is not what I want to see. Send an official to take my edict to check on him. If he truly has not recovered, send him back home in a carriage." With no choice, Shan Tao had to return to work again.
Shan Tao oversaw the selection of officials for over a decade. Whenever there was a vacancy, he would initially recommend a few candidates, and only after the emperor had shown a preference would he formally present his suggestions, always aligning with the emperor's wishes. Therefore, the individuals the emperor appointed were sometimes not his top choices, leaving everyone confused about his reasoning and viewing his personnel selections as arbitrary and lacking discernment. Some people badmouthed Shan Tao in front of the emperor, who then wrote a personal decree admonishing Shan Tao, saying: "When appointing officials, the key is to consider their abilities; you cannot disregard someone just because of their humble origins; only then can the world be at peace." However, Shan Tao continued to act according to his own principles, and it took a year for the criticisms to gradually subside. The memorials he submitted for recommending talents were organized into different categories and compiled into a book, which people at the time referred to as "Shan Gong's Notifications."
While serving as an official in the court, Shan Tao later encountered the monopolization of power by the Hou faction. He was unwilling to cooperate with the Yang family and repeatedly advised the emperor. Although the emperor understood his intentions, he was unable to alter the situation. Later, due to his advanced age and declining health, he submitted a request for retirement, stating: "I am nearly eighty years old and may pass away at any moment. If I could still contribute to the country, why would I give that up? But now, I am truly unable to continue. The world is at peace, and the people yearn for change. As long as we keep the peace, the people will naturally fall in line. We just need to actively promote good values and education to guide them; Your Majesty, you need not worry too much. I am now deaf and nearly blind, unable to take care of myself. Between ruler and subjects, and between father and son, there should be honest communication. So, I’ll be straightforward about my thoughts and hope you’ll approve my request." He then stooped down, went barefoot, and returned the official seal to the emperor.
The emperor issued a decree, saying, "There are many important matters in the country, the Wu region has just been pacified, and there are many things waiting to be done. We should work together to govern the country well. You haven't fully grasped my thoughts. Just because of a slight illness, you requested retirement. This isn't what I wanted to see! I have to work hard and cannot relax. How can you just sit this one out? We should stick to principles of fairness and not engage in false modesty." Tao persistently requested retirement, but the emperor still did not agree. The Minister of Personnel, Wei Guan, submitted a memorial, saying, "Tao's health is poor, and he has not attended court for a long time. The emperor has issued decrees many times, but he still refuses to comply. We believe that he lacks firm will and goes against the principles of being an official. Even if he is seriously ill, he should not continue to hold this position. He should be relieved of his duties." The emperor said to Wei Guan, "Tao is respected in the court for his noble character. He has always been humble, and this time his retirement request is sincere. So I have issued decrees many times to make him give up the idea of retiring and continue to assist me in governing the country. But the relevant departments do not understand my intentions and instead criticize him. This undermines the court's tradition of valuing talent and makes me appear incompetent. How can I explain to the people of the world?" Tao had no choice but to continue attending court affairs.
In the early years of the Taikang period, he was promoted to Right Attendant Officer and was also appointed as Grand Master of Splendor, with his duties as Privy Councilor and Supervisor of the Selection unchanged. Due to old age and frailty, Tao once again resolutely resigned from office. The emperor's hand-written decree said, "You have set an example for the people with noble morals, and moreover, the late emperor valued you. I rely on you to shape public morals. Why do you want to step back from politics and take the high road? Have you not understood my thoughts? Why do you say the request is sincere? You should do your best and not disappoint my expectations. If you don't reconsider, I won't be able to eat or sleep well." Tao once again submitted a resignation letter, but the emperor still did not agree.
After Wu Ping, the emperor ordered the entire country to stop conscription, to demonstrate a time of peace and prosperity. All states and counties withdrew their troops, leaving behind a hundred military officials in large states and fifty in smaller ones. This is somewhat reminiscent of our current military reforms aimed at streamlining forces. The emperor once reviewed the troops at Xuanwu Field, and when Tao was unwell, the emperor ordered that he attend in a sedan chair. The emperor also discussed the fundamental issues of military strategy with Lu Qin. Tao believed that the military preparations of states and counties should not be abolished, and his perspective was quite insightful. Many believed Tao had not studied Sun Tzu's or Wu Qi's military strategies, yet his insights aligned with those of these military strategists. The emperor praised him, saying, "This is indeed a profound insight!" Unfortunately, the emperor ultimately chose not to heed his advice.
After the Yongning era, rebellions occurred one after another, banditry was rampant, and various counties and states were unable to suppress them due to their lack of preparedness. The entire realm descended into chaos, just as Tao had foreseen. This shows that military strength should not be easily weakened; otherwise, trouble will easily arise. Later, the emperor appointed him as the Minister of State, but Tao resolutely declined. The emperor said, "You are old, highly respected, and one of the most esteemed elders in the court; that is why I have given you the position to assist in the administration. Your repeated refusals are truly touching; you should continue to assist in the administration and help me govern the country." Tao submitted a memorial saying, "I have served in the court for over thirty years, yet I have made no significant contributions. Your Majesty values me so highly, even granting me the position of Minister of State. I have heard that insufficient virtue in high positions leads to disaster from above and incurs sins below. I hope Your Majesty can appreciate my predicament and grant me retirement." The emperor said, "You have assisted in government affairs and protected the royal family; your merits have always been remembered by me. The position of Minister of State is fundamentally responsible for the country's governance; that is why I respectfully bestowed it upon you, in response to the expectations of the people. How can you be so humble and self-effacing?" The emperor directly rejected his memorial, and the envoy had no choice but to place the official hat and seal upon him. Tao said, "I am nearing death; how can I tarnish the dignity of this office!" So he sat in the sedan chair and returned home.
In the fourth year of Taikang, he passed away at the age of seventy-nine. The emperor bestowed upon him special utensils from the Eastern Garden, a full set of court robes, a piece of clothing, five hundred thousand coins, and a hundred bolts of cloth to manage the funeral. He was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Minister and granted a purple silk honey seal, a sable robe for a chamberlain, and a honey seal of green and red silk from the new Duke of Ta. A grand sacrificial ceremony was held in his honor, and he received the posthumous name of Kang. When it was time for burial, the emperor again granted him four hundred thousand coins and a hundred bolts of cloth. The Left Chief Historian Fan Guo and others submitted a memorial stating, "Tao's original house only has ten rooms, and his descendants cannot fit." The emperor then built him a house. This emperor was very considerate of his old ministers, bestowing so many gifts even after death and even helping to solve the housing problem, which can be considered a good end.
At first, Tao's family was poor, and he told his wife Han, "Let’s bear with hunger and cold for now; later when I become a high official, you'll be the lady of the manor! I just don’t know if you can handle being a lady." When he really became a high official and his life became affluent, he remained very frugal. Although in a noble position, he did not take any concubines. All the salary and rewards he received were shared with relatives and friends.
Later, Yuan Yi from Chen County had served as the magistrate of Ge County. He engaged in corruption, bribery, and flattery towards the powerful, hoping to gain a good reputation, and even sent Tao a hundred pounds of silk. Tao did not want to appear different from others because of this, so he accepted it and stored it in the attic. Later, Yuan Yi's crimes were exposed, and he was taken to the Court of Justice, where all the bribes were confiscated. Tao then turned the hundred pounds of silk over to the officials; many years passed, and the silk was covered in thick dust, yet the seal remained intact.
Tao could drink up to eight dou of wine before becoming drunk. The emperor wished to test him, so he made him drink eight dou of wine and secretly added more alcohol to it, but Tao drank as usual and stopped when he reached his capacity. Tao had five sons: Gai, Chun, Yun, Mo, and Jian.
The eldest son, named Bolun, inherited his father's title and rose to the position of Governor of Bing Province and Left Commander of the Crown Prince. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Colonel of Changshui. Bolun's son, Yanzu, served as a Colonel of the Yijun. The second son, Shirui, held positions as a Minister of Personnel and Cavalier Attendant. The third son, Zixuan, did not hold any official positions. The fourth son, Shuzhen, served as a Commandant of the Imperial Carriages; though he was in poor health and of small stature, he was exceptionally intelligent. Emperor Wu heard of his intelligence and wanted to meet him, but Shuzhen refused due to his stature. Tao felt that his son was superior to him and declined the emperor's request. The fifth son, Jichang, was wise and was appointed as a Secretary of Works.
The youngest son, Jilun, was gentle-natured and took after his father's virtues. In his twenties, Tao didn't even recognize him. Jilun exclaimed, "I am almost thirty years old, and my father still does not recognize me!" Later, he gained recognition alongside Jishao of Qiao, Liu Mo from Pei County, and Yang Zhun of Hongnong. He initially served as an Attendant of the Crown Prince, then rose to become an Imperial Clerk and later the Governor of Qingzhou. He was appointed as an attendant and later promoted to Minister. He held various positions such as General of the Army, Governor of Jingzhou, and concurrently served as Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, but he turned down the appointment and was reassigned as a Minister. In the early years of Guangxi Province, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel. In the early years of Yongjia, he served as the Governor of Yong Province and General of the West. He was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrently led the Ministry of Personnel.
Jian wanted the court ministers to recommend talented individuals they knew, aiming to expand the pathways for selecting talent. He submitted a petition saying, "I believe that since ancient times, the rise and fall of a nation hinges on its officials; as long as the right people are chosen, anything is possible. The Book of Documents states: 'Understanding how to recognize talent is called wisdom; only emperors find this difficult.' The prosperous era of Tang Yao and Yu Shun was because wise ministers like Yuan Kai were appointed; the peak of the Zhou Dynasty was due to the abundance of talent. After the Qin and Han Dynasties, the elegance gradually declined. By the Eastern Han, with a female emperor in power, many high-ranking officials were promoted from palace maids and eunuchs, signaling the start of great chaos. Therefore, people like Guo Tai and Xu Shao could discern the merits and demerits of individuals in society; people like Chen Fan and Li Gu could uphold loyalty and righteousness in the court. This way, the reputations of both the ruler and the ministers, along with examples from both ancient and modern times, could be discussed by the people. From the first year of Chuping to the end of Jian'an, over thirty years, the common people were displaced and suffered heavy casualties; this marked the height of chaos. Emperor Shun of the Liu family followed the will of heaven, gained the people's support, and received the abdication from Wei. In the early years of Taishi, he personally handled state affairs, and his ministers were diligent in their duties. At that time, the palace attendant Wang Xun and Yu Chun listened to state affairs in the East Hall of Taiji, mostly discussing the memorials concerning criminal justice, with little discussion on selecting talent. I believe we shouldn't tackle the easy matters first; we should resolve the difficult ones first. Your Majesty has just taken the throne, and everyone is eager to show their loyalty; during each audience, the noble ministers should first discuss the selection of talented individuals, sharing the names of those they’ve seen who are promising newcomers, especially those outstanding in their hometowns and capable of taking on great responsibilities, and submit their names. The officials in charge should prioritize appointing them based on the vacant positions. This aligns with the principle of promoting talent in the court and involving everyone." The court adopted his suggestion.
In the third year of Yongjia, Jian was appointed as the General of the Southern Campaign, Governor of the military affairs in the four provinces of Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Guangzhou, and was stationed in Xiangyang. At that time, there were constant wars and chaos everywhere, the realm was in disarray, and the court’s authority had greatly diminished, causing panic among the people. Jian, however, lived a carefree life, indulging in drink and pleasure. The wealthy Xi family in Jingzhou had a beautiful garden, where Jian often went to play, mostly by the pond, getting drunk at the first sip, which he named Gaoyang Pond. There were children singing a nursery rhyme at the time: "Where did Lord Shan come from? He went to Gaoyang Pond. He returned at sunset, drunk and oblivious." It was suggested that Jian be appointed to oversee the military affairs in Ning and Yi. At that time, Liu Cong's troops were approaching, and the capital was on the brink of falling; the situation was critical! Therefore, Jian sent the commander Wang Wan to lead a rescue mission, but Wang Wan was defeated by the bandit Wang Ru in Nieyang and was forced to hold the city. After Luoyang fell, Jian was similarly compelled by the bandit Yan Yi to retreat to Xiakou. There, he gathered refugees, and people from the Jianghan region flocked to his side.
At that time, Hua Yi was in rebellion in Jiangzhou, and some people advised Jian to attack him. Jian said, "Hua Yi and I have been old friends; this really puts me in a difficult position. Am I the type to exploit others' mistakes for my own gain?" At that time, many Yuefu musicians fled to the Mian-Han area to avoid the war. At a banquet, the officials wanted the musicians to perform to liven up the atmosphere, but Jian said, "The country has perished. I was unable to help; I am a sinner of the Jin Dynasty. How can I possibly have the heart to listen to music at a time like this?" With that, he cried and delivered an impassioned speech, making everyone present feel ashamed. Later, he passed away at the age of sixty, and was posthumously appointed as the General who Conquers the South and granted the title of Yitong San Si. He had a son named Xia.
Jian's son Xia, styled Yanlin, served as the magistrate of Yuyao County. At that time, the Jiangzhou region had just been established, and the legal system was still quite relaxed. Many noble families hid people as their private property. Xia strictly enforced the law, and after eighty days in office, he discovered tens of thousands of hidden people. There was a villager named Yu Xi, who should have faced the death penalty for hiding people. Xia wanted to punish Yu Xi. The powerful families resented Xia and reported him to the higher authorities, saying that Yu Xi was of noble character and should not be humiliated. They also accused Xia of constructing the county office without authorization to frame him. Xia wrote to the Interior Minister He Chong, "Please let me stay for another hundred days, capture all the fugitives, and then accept punishment, so that I have no regrets." He Chong also spoke up for him, but was unsuccessful. In the end, Xia was removed from office.
Later, he became the Prefect of Dongyang and governed the area very strictly. Emperor Kang even issued a decree saying, "Dongyang has recently detained a large number of criminals, and the sentences are very heavy. Is it because there are many criminals in this county, or because of torture that forced everyone to confess?" Xia took this in stride, and public order in Dongyang County became well-regulated. He ultimately passed away while still in office.
The historian said: To speak of being an honest official and wanting to guide the world’s atmosphere, serving one’s parents unfilially until death, wanting to educate the common people—besides the perfect Mr. Shan Tao, who else can achieve this? Since the war broke out in the Eastern Capital, the official archives have been destroyed, the West Garden is filled with the riches of the Three Dukes, and the treasury of Putao County is also filled with the wealth of the provincial government; corruption is rampant, and such wealth fills the official offices. This situation has lasted for several generations, spanning nine emperors, and bribery has become a common practice. However, the atmosphere has improved somewhat, and the reasons for this are clear. If power is entrusted to him for management, then everyone will naturally restrain themselves; if he is as close to the common people as fish are to water, then autocracy will raise suspicion. To correct past mistakes and return to the right path, with blessings spreading to the subjects and kindness reaching the world, the well-regarded "Announcement of Lord Shan" probably refers to this! A clean official like Lu Zhi pales in comparison to Shan Tao.
Wang Rong, courtesy name Jun Chong, was from Linyi in Langya. His grandfather, Wang Xiong, served as the Inspector of Youzhou; his father, Wang Hun, served as the Inspector of Liangzhou and was granted the title of Marquis of Zhengling Pavilion. Wang Rong was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, with bright, piercing eyes. He could look at the sun without blinking; when Pei Kai saw him, he remarked, "Wang Rong's eyes shine like lightning under the cliff." At six or seven years old, he watched a performance at Xuanwu Square, where ferocious beasts roared in their cages, shaking the ground and causing everyone to flee in panic, but Wang Rong stood there, unmoved and composed. Emperor Wei Ming saw this from above and found him quite remarkable. On another occasion, he was playing with a group of children by the roadside and saw a plum tree laden with fruit. The other children rushed to pick them, but Wang Rong did not go. When someone asked him why, Wang Rong replied, "This tree grows by the roadside, and there are so many fruits that they must be sour plums." And it turned out to be true.
Ruan Ji and Hun are friends. When Ruan Ji was fifteen years old, he followed Hun to the official's residence. Ruan Ji was twenty years younger than Hun, but they were very close. Every time Ruan Ji went to Hun's house, he would leave shortly after, but when he visited Hun's younger brother Rong, he would often linger for a long time. Ruan Ji said to Hun, "The elegant and carefree demeanor of Hun's younger brother is beyond your comparison. Talking to you is not as good as chatting with Arong!" Later, Hun passed away in Liangzhou, and officials sent millions of money as funeral expenses, which caused quite a stir when Rong declined to accept it.
Rong was short in stature, easygoing and unconcerned with appearances, but he had a knack for starting conversations and getting to the heart of the matter. Once, the court ministers held a purification ceremony on the banks of the Luo River during the Shangsi Festival. Someone asked Wang Ji, "What did everyone talk about during yesterday's festivities?" Wang Ji said, "Zhang Hua is good at explaining the 'Records of the Grand Historian' and the 'Book of Han'; Pei Wei talks about past and present matters, very engaging and worth listening to; Wang Rong speaks of figures like Zhang Liang and Ji Zha, whose depth and wisdom command respect." It can be seen that Wang Rong's knowledge and judgment were appreciated by everyone.
Once, Wang Rong, Ruan Ji, and Liu Chang, the Inspector of Yanzhou, were drinking together. When there was not enough wine, Ruan Ji did not pour wine for Liu Chang, who didn't seem bothered at all. Wang Rong found it odd and asked Ruan Ji the following day, "What kind of person is Liu Chang?" Ruan Ji replied, "If he's better than Liu Chang, then we have to drink with him; if not as good as Liu Chang, then we dare not not drink with him; only Liu Chang, we can not drink with him." Wang Rong often played in the bamboo forest with Ruan Ji. One time, when Wang Rong arrived late, Ruan Ji said, "Oh great, the common folks are here again, what a downer!" Wang Rong laughed and said, "You guys really have your enthusiasm easily dampened!"
When Zhong Hui attacked Shu, he stopped to say goodbye to Wang Rong and asked for advice on how to implement his strategy. Wang Rong said, "There is a saying in Taoism, 'to do something without boasting.' Success isn't hard to come by, but the real challenge is keeping it." Later, when Zhong Hui was defeated, people all agreed that Wang Rong was right.
Wang Rong inherited his father's title, was called to serve as an official in the Prime Minister's Office, and later served as a junior official in the Ministry of Personnel, Cavalry Attendant, Prefect of Hedong, and Governor of Jingzhou. He almost lost his position for allowing his subordinates to build a mansion, but he later made amends by paying a fine. He was then promoted to Governor of Yuzhou, promoted to General of Might, and ordered to attack the State of Wu. Wang Rong sent his officers Luo Shang and Liu Qiao to lead the vanguard troops to attack Wuchang, where the Wu generals Yang Yong, Sun Shu, and Liu Lang, the Prefect of Jiangxia, all surrendered. Wang Rong brought his army to the banks of the Yangtze River, where the Wu gatekeeper Meng Tai also surrendered along with the counties of Qichun and Zhu. After Wu was pacified, Wang Rong was promoted to Marquis of Anfeng County and granted an additional six thousand households in his fief, receiving six thousand bolts of silk as a reward.
After Wang Rong crossed the Yangtze River, he pacified the newly surrendered people and promoted the grace of the court. At that time, the Guanglu Xun from Wu County, Shi Wei, was known for his integrity and could not tolerate the flattery of the courtiers, so he feigned illness and went home. Wang Rong greatly admired his integrity and recommended him to the emperor. The court issued an edict appointing Shi Wei as a councilor and granted him a salary of two thousand stones to enjoy his retirement. The people of Jingzhou were very pleased and compliant. Later, Wang Rong was summoned to serve as a Shizhong. The Administrator of Nan County, Liu Zhao, bribed Wang Rong by giving him fifty pieces of fine cloth concealed in a bamboo tube. This matter was discovered by the Commandant of Justice, but since Wang Rong did not accept the bribe, he was not punished, though it sparked much discussion in the court. The Emperor told the courtiers, "Wang Rong didn't do this for personal gain; he simply didn't want to stand out!" Although the Emperor's words absolved him, those who valued integrity still looked down on him, which ultimately tarnished his reputation.
Wang Rong did not have remarkable abilities during his tenure, but he handled all affairs in an orderly manner. He was later promoted to Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Minister of Personnel, but resigned due to his mother's death. He was very filial, not bound by etiquette, drank alcohol, ate meat, and sometimes played chess, but he appeared frail and needed a cane to support himself. Pei Wei went to offer condolences to him and said to others, "If tears could harm, then Wang Rong would surely be accused of inhumanity." At that time, He Jiao was also in mourning for his father, but he strictly followed the rituals, ate in moderation, and did not show more grief than Wang Rong. The emperor said to Liu Yi, "He Jiao is grieving excessively, raising concerns." Liu Yi said, "Although He Jiao eats simple meals and sleeps on a straw mat, this merely reflects a superficial sense of filial piety. Wang Rong, on the other hand, truly practices filial piety. Your Majesty should be more concerned about him." Wang Rong had a preexisting condition that caused him to cough up blood, and his condition worsened during the mourning period. The emperor dispatched a physician, provided him with medicine, and forbade visitors from seeing him.
When Yang Jun was in power, Wang Rong was appointed as the Prince's Tutor. After Yang Jun was executed, Duke Yao of Dong'an took full power, making arbitrary decisions regarding rewards and punishments, commanding respect and authority, and intimidating the court and the people. Wang Rong advised Yao, "In the aftermath of significant events, one should think ahead strategically." Yao did not listen to his advice and as a result, he too fell out of favor. Wang Rong was later appointed as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, promoted to Grand Minister of Splendor, and given fifty guards. He was then further promoted to the Supervisor of the Left of the Secretariat, concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.
When Lao Rong first took office in the Jia Wu year, he had a rule for selecting officials: he first had to investigate the situation of the common people, govern well, and then appoint them. Later, the Chief of the Capital's Military, Fu Xian, submitted a memorial to him, saying, "The 'Book of Documents' states that 'after three years of evaluating political achievements, officials will be promoted or demoted after three evaluations.' Now, both internal and external officials have not yet reached their term, but Lao Rong has already requested to return to court. Without having had the chance to assess their performance, he has sent away the old officials and welcomed the new ones. Officials come and go on the road, which will only foster various fraudulent activities, harm agriculture, and jeopardize political affairs! Lao Rong does not follow the system of Yao and Shun's regulations but engages in those superficial and extravagant things, which corrupt the social climate. This brings not only no benefits but also great harm. He should be relieved of his position to rectify the social climate." However, Lao Rong had a good relationship with the Jia family and Guo family, so he was ultimately not held accountable and was soon promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel.
At that time, the royal political power was about to collapse. To curry favor with the nobles, Lao Rong flattered and fawned over them. When the Crown Prince was deposed, he did not say a word or offer any advice. After his son-in-law, Pei Wei, was killed, Lao Rong was also dismissed from his position. Later, Prince Qi Jiong rebelled, and Sun Xiu arrested Lao Rong. The son of Prince Zhao Lun even wanted Lao Rong to be his military advisor. At this time, the scholar Wang Yao spoke up and said, "Lao Rong is a man of many tricks and is fickle. How could he possibly serve young people?" Thus, this matter was finally settled. Later, Emperor Hui returned to the palace and appointed Lao Rong as the Minister of Personnel.
Not long after, Prince Hejian sent someone to persuade Prince Chengdu Ying, planning to join forces to kill Prince Qijiong. When the edict arrived, Jiong said to Lao Rong, "Sun Xiu rebelled, the emperor is under house arrest. I have gathered righteous troops to get rid of these traitors; this is the duty of a loyal subject, to act with integrity. The two princes were misled by slander, leading to this great disaster. Now we need your advice to resolve this crisis." Lao Rong replied, "You first raised troops to support the great cause; this has been an unprecedented feat since the founding of the country! However, you have failed to reward the soldiers in a timely manner, which has disappointed both the court and the people, causing many to waver in their loyalty. Now the two princes each have a million troops, unstoppable. If you step down now, retain your original title, and hand over power to someone more capable, this is the way to seek peace!" Jiong's advisor Ge Yu was furious upon hearing this, saying, "From the Han Dynasty to the Wei Dynasty, how many princes and ministers who stepped down were able to protect their wives and children? Such people should be killed!" This frightened all the officials in the court; Lao Rong quickly pretended to be sick and ran to the toilet to have diarrhea, just managing to avoid disaster.
It is said that at that time, the Jin Dynasty was in chaos. Wang Rong admired people like Qu Boyu, very shrewd in his dealings, lacking integrity. From the time he started selecting officials, he never promoted officials from humble backgrounds, nor pursued fame. He just went with the flow, getting by through connections, seeking wealth and promotion. Later, he became the Minister of Works; although he held a high position and power, overseeing national affairs, he left everything to his subordinates to handle. When he had some free time, he would ride a little donkey and sneak out the back gate to play. People who knew him had no clue he was a high-ranking official. Many of his former subordinates had become high officials, and they would quickly steer clear of him if they saw him on the street.
Wang Rong had a strong passion for development, acquiring land and promoting irrigation projects across the country, making the whole nation bustling. He was also very good at saving money, amassing an unknown fortune. He would spend countless hours calculating with an abacus, always feeling it was not enough. However, he was very frugal and did not enjoy much himself, which led people to say he seemed to be suffering from an incurable illness. When his daughter married Pei Wei and borrowed tens of thousands of coins, she did not repay it for a long time. When his daughter returned to her family home, Wang Rong's expression soured. His daughter quickly asked for the money back, which made Wang Rong happy. When his nephew got married, Wang Rong only gave a single garment as a wedding gift and took it back after the wedding. He consistently sold the good plums from his garden, fearing others would plant them, and he would often ruin the plum pits. Because of these things, he faced criticism from the public.
Later, he followed the emperor in a northern expedition, but the army suffered a defeat at Dangyin. Wang Rong then retreated to Ye City and followed the emperor back to Luoyang. When the court moved westward, Wang Rong escaped to Jia County. During such perilous times, he displayed remarkable courage, charging into battle fearlessly. He often gathered relatives and friends for gatherings, having a great time. In the second year of Yongxing, he died in Jia County at the age of seventy-two and was posthumously given the title "Yuan."
There was a man named Rong, who had a particularly keen eye, able to see through people's true nature. He once described Shan Tao as raw jade and unrefined gold; everyone valued him but failed to recognize his talents. In contrast, Wang Yan had an extraordinary and otherworldly presence, like the jade trees in a celestial grove, truly an extraordinary figure. The terms "raw jade and unrefined gold" and "celestial grove and crystal trees" are truly fitting! He also said that Pei Wei only relied on his strengths, Xun Xiu only used his weaknesses, and Chen Dao Ning was as stiff as a bundle of bamboo stalks. His cousin Dun had a good reputation, but he couldn't stand him. Every time Dun went to see Rong, he pretended to be ill and didn't meet him. Later, Dun indeed rebelled, which just goes to show how sharp Rong's eye was!
Once, Rong passed by Huang Gong's tavern and turned to the guests in his carriage, saying, "When I was young, I had a good time drinking here with Ji Kang and Ruan Ji, and also participated in gatherings of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. Since Ji Kang and Ruan Ji passed away, I've been tied down by the mundane. Looking back today, although the place is nearby, it feels as distant as a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers!" Thinking back on those lively days, it’s all changed now, and he felt a deep sense of nostalgia! In his early years, Sun Xiu held a minor official position in Langya and wanted the locals to assess his talents. Rong's brother Yan initially did not want to agree, but Rong persuaded him to do so. Later, Sun Xiu became successful, and those old enemies were all taken out by him, while Rong and Yan were thus saved; truly, the affairs of the world are unpredictable!
Rong's son Zi Wan had a good reputation but was especially heavy since he was a kid. Rong made him eat scraps, hoping to help him slim down, but instead, he grew fatter and died at the age of nineteen. Rong also had a concubine's son named Xing, whom he didn't think much of. In the end, he adopted his cousin's kid, the son of the Governor of Yangping, Yin.
Rong's younger brother Yan, whose courtesy name was Yifu, was strikingly handsome and possessed an elegant demeanor. When he was young, he visited Shantao, who admired him for a long time and sighed, "This old woman gave birth to such a remarkable child! However, he might be the one to bring trouble to the world in the future!" Shantao's remark was truly profound! His father was a general in the north, often having official duties to handle and needing to send reports to the court. When Yan was fourteen years old, he visited Yang Hu, a high-ranking official, in the capital to articulately present his father's matters. Despite Yang Hu's prestigious reputation and high status, Yan, at a young age, showed remarkable composure, surprising everyone. Later, Yang Jun sought to marry his daughter to him, but Yan, feeling embarrassed, pretended to be mad to escape the proposal. Upon hearing of his reputation, Emperor Wu asked Rong, "Who in this world can compare to Yifu?" Rong replied, "I have never seen anyone who can compare to him. Perhaps we have to look back to ancient times." Rong's evaluation of his younger brother was also very high. In the eighth year of Taishi, the court ordered the selection of talented individuals with extraordinary abilities who could stabilize the border regions. Wang Yan had a passion for studying the teachings of the Legalists since he was a child, so the Minister Lu Qin recommended him to be the governor of Liaodong. However, he declined the position and ceased discussing worldly matters, choosing instead to immerse himself in metaphysical studies. At a family gathering, he inadvertently angered his relatives and was struck in the face with a cup. Without a word, Wang Yan left with Wang Dao. Though displeased, he glanced in the carriage mirror and said to Wang Dao, "Look at my eyes, they've gone all wild!" After his father passed away in Beiping, he gave him a lavish burial, borrowing heavily from relatives and friends, ultimately depleting his entire family fortune. A few years later, with his family wealth entirely gone, he was forced to move to a rural area west of Luoyang.
Later, he became a prince's attendant and was promoted to the position of an official in the Ministry. Later on, he was appointed as the magistrate of Yuancheng County, where he was busy with philosophical discussions every day, while also managing the county's affairs with great efficiency. Upon returning to the court, he successively served as a Central Secretary and Minister of the Yellow Gate. During the Wei Zhengshi period, He Yan, Wang Bi, and others praised the philosophies of "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi," believing that "heaven, earth, and all things are rooted in 'nothingness.' 'Nothingness' refers to the foundation of creating all things and achieving success; it is the omnipresent foundation. Yin and Yang depend on it for transformation, all things rely on it for formation, wise men rely on it for the accomplishment of virtues, and unworthy individuals rely on it to avoid disasters. Therefore, the concept of 'nothingness' holds great significance; even without titles, one appears very noble." Wang Yan greatly admired this viewpoint. Only Pei Wei believed that this view was incorrect and wrote articles criticizing them, but Wang Yan paid no attention to it. Wang Yan not only had outstanding talent and a handsome appearance but was also exceptionally intelligent, often comparing himself to Zigong. He had a great reputation, excelling in metaphysics, and constantly discussing "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi." He often held a jade-handled zhuwei, with the color of the zhuwei matching the color of his hand. If he found any flaws in his discussions of righteousness, he would immediately correct them, earning him the nickname "the one who corrects immediately." He was hailed by both the court and the people as the "Dragon Gate of his generation," holding a prominent official position. Later scholars greatly admired him and emulated him in their studies. When selecting talents for the court, he became the standard. His proud and impractical demeanor gradually set a social trend. One time, Wang Yan lost his son, and Shan Jian visited to pay his respects. Wang Yan was grief-stricken, and Shan Jian said, "What’s there to be so sad about holding something in your arms?" Wang Yan replied, "The sage can forget emotions, while the lowest of people are completely controlled by emotions. However, the expression of emotions is precisely what connects us!" Shan Jian was convinced by his words and cried even more sorrowfully.
The Guo family, a relative of Empress Jia, relied on the empress's support and was hot-tempered and greedy, endlessly extorting wealth and meddling in others' affairs. Yan loathed her but felt powerless to rein her in. At that time, there was a hometowner, Li Yang, the governor of Youzhou, who was a well-known hero in the capital, and Guo often kept her guard up around him. Yan said to Guo, "It's not just me who thinks you're incompetent; Li Yang thinks so too." This caused Guo to tone it down a bit. Yan was fed up with Guo's greed and stinginess, so he never mentioned money to her. Guo wanted to test him, so she had a maid pile money by the bedside, intentionally getting in his way. When Yan woke up and saw the money, he told the maid, "Take this junk away!" That was how he felt.
Later, he eventually rose to the ranks of General of the Northern Army, Central Commander, and Minister of Works. His daughter married Crown Prince Minhuai and became the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince was falsely accused by Empress Jia, and Yan, fearing it would implicate him, voluntarily submitted a petition to divorce his wife. After the empress was deposed, the authorities moved to impeach Yan, saying, "Yan has been in correspondence with the Minister of Works, Liang Wang Rong, presenting letters written by the Crown Prince to the Crown Princess and Yan, detailing the false accusations. After reading the letters, Rong and others felt that the words were sincere. As a high-ranking minister of the court, Yan should fulfill his responsibilities. The Crown Prince was falsely accused and suffered, yet Yan couldn't stick by the Crown Prince and instead requested a divorce. He also hid the Crown Prince's letters and refused to surrender them. He was only looking out for himself, showing no loyalty or integrity. He should be severely punished to warn other ministers. They suggested he be sentenced to life in prison." The emperor agreed.
Yan always held Zhao Wanglun in contempt. After Zhao Wanglun usurped the throne, Yan feigned madness and foolishness, even going so far as to slash a maid with a knife as a disguise, which ultimately saved his life. After Zhao Wanglun was killed, Yan was appointed as the Prefect of Henan, later promoted to Minister of Personnel, and eventually served as Chancellor. At that time, Qi Wang Yi had merits in pacifying the chaos, but he was tyrannical and domineering, with all the ministers in court bowing before him; only Yan paid him respect with a formal bow. Later, Yan resigned from office on the grounds of illness. Chengdu Wang Ying appointed Yan as the Chief of the Central Army, and he continued to rise in rank, becoming the Minister of Personnel, leading the Ministry of Personnel, and later serving as Chancellor, Minister of Works, and Minister of Education. Despite holding a high position and considerable power, Yan was never concerned with state affairs, focusing solely on self-preservation. He told Donghai Wang Yue, "The world is in chaos now; we can only rely on local lords. We should select capable individuals, both civil and military, to serve as local officials." Thus, he arranged for his brother Cheng to go to Jingzhou and his cousin Dun to go to Qingzhou. He also told Cheng and Dun, "Jingzhou boasts the strategic advantage of the Yangtze and Han rivers, while Qingzhou is backed by mountains and by the sea; with you two brothers stationed outside and me staying in the capital, it’s like having three safe havens." Those who understood looked down on him. When Shi Le and Wang Mi rebelled and attacked the capital, the court appointed Du Yan as the commander to lead the troops, armed with the emperor's edict and the yellow seal symbolizing his authority to resist them. Du Yan dispatched General Cao Wu and General Wang Jing to fight, repelling the enemy and seizing their military supplies. Du Yan was promoted to Grand Commandant, continuing his role as Chancellor. The court conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Wuling, but he turned it down. At that time, Luoyang was in imminent danger, and many people wanted to relocate the capital to avoid the chaos, but only Du Yan sold his own horses, carriages, and cattle to calm everyone's fears.
When Sima Yue went to attack Gou Xi, Du Yan served as the military commander under the Grand Tutor as the Grand Commandant. After Sima Yue's death, everyone jointly elected Du Yan as the Marshal. Du Yan was hesitant to accept the position due to the enemy's advancing army. He said, "When I was young, I never thought about holding an official position. I just passively accepted the changes in my official roles, which brought me to this point. In this situation now, how can I be competent?" Shortly after, the army was defeated by Shi Le. Shi Le summoned court officials to meet with him and asked Du Yan about the situation of the Jin Dynasty. Du Yan explained the reasons for the defeat, asserting that it was not his fault. Shi Le was pleased and engaged him in conversation for quite a while. Du Yan admitted that he had not been very involved in politics during his youth, wanted to resign, and then advised Shi Le to proclaim himself emperor. Shi Le angrily said, "You are famous throughout the world, holding important positions, serving as a court official since you were young, and now your hair has turned white. How can you claim you’ve never participated in politics! The world is in chaos, and this is all your fault!" He then ordered his men to take Du Yan away. Shi Le asked his subordinate Kong Chang, "I’ve traveled far and wide and have never encountered someone like him. Should I spare his life?" Kong Chang said, "He is only a high-ranking official of the Jin Dynasty and will definitely not sincerely serve us. What’s so special about him?" Shi Le said, "No, we cannot show mercy to his subordinates." He then had Du Yan killed by having a hole dug in the wall in the dead of night. Before he died, Du Yan said, "Alas! Even though we may not measure up to the ancients, if we had not pursued empty fame from the beginning and devoted ourselves wholeheartedly to the country, we wouldn’t have found ourselves in this predicament today." He died at the age of fifty-six. Du Yan was handsome and held in high regard, with lofty ambitions, and never spoke of personal gain. When Wang Dun crossed the river, he would always praise Du Yan, saying, "In a crowd, Yifu shines like a pearl among the rubble." Gu Kaizhi's portrait of Du Yan also praised him: standing firm as a rock, towering a thousand feet high. His character was widely admired.
Du Yan's son Du Zixuan, styled Meizi, liked a quiet and simple life from a young age and was very talented, renowned in the same league as Wei Jie. Xun Fan appointed him as the governor of Chenliu, stationed in Weishi. Du Zixuan came from a prominent family and had a strong presence, but during that turbulent period, he was not well-liked by the common people. He planned to seek refuge with Zu Ti but was killed by bandits on the way.
Cheng, styled Pingzi, was intelligent from a young age. Although he could not yet speak, he could understand others' intentions simply by observing them. His stepmother, Guo, was greedy and miserly, wanting the maid to collect dung on the road. When Cheng was fourteen, he advised Guo that this was not a good idea. Guo flew into a rage and said to Cheng, "Your mother entrusted you, the young lad, to me, the new wife, before she passed away, not the other way around!" Saying this, she grabbed him by the collar and attempted to strike him. Cheng struggled to escape and ran away through the window.
His brother Wang Yan was well-respected in the world, and people at that time considered him a moral exemplar. He especially valued Cheng, Wang Dun, and Yu Zong, often remarked to others, "A Ping (Cheng) is first, Zi Song (Wang Dun) is second, and Chu Zhong (Yu Zong) is third." Cheng once told Wang Yan, "Brother, you appear to be a wise sage on the outside, but your true nature is too sharp and exposed." Wang Yan replied, "How could I compare to your ease and composure!" As a result, Cheng became quite famous. For any titles Cheng reviewed, Wang Yan stopped offering his opinions, simply saying, "It has already been reviewed by Pingzi (Cheng)."
Cheng, at a young age, held a prominent official position and rose through the ranks to become the Attendant Cavalry under Wang Ying of Chengdu. Wang Ying trusted a servant named Meng Jiu, who falsely accused and had the Lu brothers killed, which caused widespread outrage. Cheng revealed Meng Jiu's crimes and advised Wang Ying to kill Meng Jiu, and Wang Ying did so, earning praise from the people. After Wang Ying's downfall, Donghai Wang Yue invited Cheng to serve as the Grand Historiographer. For his contributions in welcoming the emperor back to the capital, he was granted the title of Marquis of Nanxiang and promoted to General of Establishing Might and Governor of Yongzhou, though he did not take up the position. At that time, Wang Dun, Xie Kun, Yu Ai, and Ruan Xiu were good friends of Wang Yan, known as the "Four Friends," and they were also close with Cheng, along with Guang Yi, Hu Wufu, and others who frequently gathered together. They often drank and feasted, indulging in merriment.
In the later years of Emperor Hui's reign, Wang Yan recommended Cheng for the positions of Inspector of Jingzhou, Commissioner, Commander, and concurrently Colonel of Southern Man, while Wang Dun was appointed Inspector of Qingzhou. Wang Yan then asked them about their governing strategies. Wang Dun said, "One should be adaptable and not overly reliant on pre-planned strategies." Cheng articulately shared his thoughts on governance, earning admiration from those present. Cheng went to assume his post in Jingzhou, with a crowd from the court gathered to see him off. Seeing a magpie's nest in a tree, Cheng took off his clothes, climbed the tree, and played with the bird eggs, looking carefree and unbothered, as if he were alone. Liu Kun remarked to Cheng, "Even though you appear carefree on the outside, you're really quite principled inside. It's hard to survive with such a character." Cheng remained silent.
After arriving in town, Cheng spent his days drinking and ignored everything else, even when faced with urgent situations like enemy invasions. He promoted a man named Guo Shu from Shunyang, who was in a difficult situation at the time, to be his assistant, putting him in charge of the province's affairs.
At that time, the situation in the capital was dire. Cheng was leading his troops to provide support, but halfway there, a fierce wind snapped their flagpoles. Meanwhile, Wang Jun was attacking Xiangyang. Cheng led the vanguard forces to Yicheng and sent someone to see Shan Jian, but they were captured by Yan Yi, a subordinate of Shan Jian. Yan Yi pretended to send a messenger from Xiangyang to ask Cheng, "Has Xiangyang fallen?" Cheng replied, "The city fell yesterday morning, and Shan Jian was captured too." Yan Yi secretly released Cheng and let him escape. Upon hearing that Xiangyang had fallen, Cheng disbanded his army and returned.
Later, feeling embarrassed, Cheng cooked up an excuse about food shortages and shifted the blame to his Chief Clerk, Jiang Jun. He then killed Jiang Jun, but still couldn’t muster any troops. The exiled prisoners from the Ba and Shu regions in Jingzhou and Hunan clashed with the locals, killed the county magistrate, and gathered in Lexiang. Cheng sent Wang Ji, the Intendant of Chengdu, to suppress them. The rebels sought to surrender, and Cheng pretended to agree, then attacked them at Chongzhou, taking their wives and children as spoils and drowning more than 8,000 people in the river.
As a result, tens of thousands of exiles from Yizhou and Liangzhou united in rebellion, electing Du Tao as their leader. They headed south to capture Lingling and Guiyang, raided Wuchang to the east, and defeated Wang Ji in Baling. Cheng was completely unconcerned and spent his days drinking and playing games with Wang Ji. He even killed the wealthy Li Cai and gave his estate to Guo Shu. The Prefect of Nanping, Ying Zhan, advised him repeatedly, but he ignored him.
In this way, both the higher-ups and the lower ranks feel alienated, and both inside and outside resent him, wanting to rebel. Although Cheng's actual situation is very bad, he remains quite arrogant and self-satisfied. Later, he led troops to attack Du Tuo and made camp at Zuo Tang. Wang Chong, a soldier under Shan Jian, rebelled in Yuzhou and proclaimed himself the Governor of Jingzhou. Fearing for his safety, Cheng sent Du Rui to defend Jiangling. Cheng himself fled to Chanling, and later escaped to Dazhong. Guo Shu advised him, stating, "When you were the governor, although you didn’t have any special political achievements, you didn’t lose the people's support. Now, if you gather the army of Huarong and Xiangyi, you could easily catch this little punk, why give up on it?" Cheng did not listen to his advice.
At first, the court assigned Cheng to lead the armies of Wuling and nearby counties to attack Du Tuo together, and Hu Gui, the Prefect of Tianmen, was stationed near Yiyang. As a result, Wu Cha, the internal historian of Wuling, was killed by local tribesmen, and Hu Gui withdrew because he was fighting a lone battle. The court was very angry, so Du Zeng was sent to replace Hu Gui. There was a tribesman named Yuan Sui, who used to be under Hu Gui. He pretended to avenge Hu Gui and drove Du Zeng away, who proclaimed himself the General of Pingjin. The court dispatched Sima Guanqiu Ma to confront him, but was ultimately defeated by Yuan Sui. At that point, Emperor Yuan summoned Cheng to serve as his military advisor, and Cheng complied.
At that time, Wang Dun was stationed at Jiangzhou, guarding Yuzhang, and Cheng paid him a visit. Cheng had a great reputation, a higher status than Wang Dun, and was greatly admired by the common folk. Moreover, Cheng was exceptionally skilled in martial arts, which made Wang Dun quite wary of him. Despite this, Cheng still treated Wang Dun with a casual disdain typical of old friends. This made Wang Dun even angrier, so he invited Cheng to stay overnight, secretly plotting to kill him. However, Cheng had twenty bodyguards with iron whips for protection, and he also carried a jade pillow for self-defense, so Wang Dun never found an opportunity to strike. Later, Wang Dun got Cheng's bodyguards drunk and took the jade pillow, pretending he wanted to see it. Seizing the chance, Wang Dun got off the bed and said to Cheng, "You have been exchanging letters with Du Tuo, haven't you?" Cheng replied, "The matter can be verified." Wang Dun tried to enter the inner room, but Cheng grabbed Wang Dun's clothes and yanked him down to his waist. Then Cheng climbed up onto the rafters and cursed Wang Dun, shouting, "You are so treacherous in your actions, you'll get what's coming to you!" Wang Dun ordered his henchman Lu Rong to kill Cheng. Cheng was just forty-four, and his body was sent back home. When Liu Kun heard about Cheng's death, he couldn't help but sigh, "Cheng really brought this on himself!" After Wang Dun was pacified, Cheng's former subordinate, the former official from the Imperial Library, Huan Zhi, petitioned the court on behalf of Cheng, requesting that he be honored posthumously. The court ordered the restoration of Cheng's original official position and posthumously conferred the title of "Xian" upon him. Cheng's eldest son, Zhan, had passed away young; his second son, Hui, held the position of Marshal in the Right Army. Guo Shu, styled Zhi Xing. When he was young, he asked his mother to send him to study. After a year, he returned home with a basic understanding of some important principles. His fellow townsman, the Xiaofu Fan Gui, and the Wuling Prefect Guo Jing from his clan, all believed that Guo Shu would achieve great things in the future and eventually become a pillar of the country. He initially served as the Chief of Military Affairs, but was imprisoned in the Tingwei Prison for releasing Sima Biao without authorization. Many people at the time felt that he was being treated unfairly.
Later, the provincial governor Xiahou Han summoned him to serve as a clerk in the Western Office, and later promoted him to the role of registrar. Xiahou Han was later implicated in a case and imprisoned, but Guo Shu voluntarily took responsibility to defend him, ultimately helping Xiahou Han be acquitted. Afterwards, the provincial governor Zong Dai appointed him as a deputy official, but he resigned from his position after his mother passed away. When Liu Hong became the governor of Jingzhou, he invited him to serve as his deputy. After Liu Hong's death, Guo Shu led the soldiers to support Liu Hong's son Liu Fan as their leader; together they fought against the rebel Guo Mai, ultimately defeating the rebels and preserving Jingzhou.
Wang Cheng heard of his reputation and summoned him to serve as my deputy. Wang Cheng drank all day and was indifferent to government affairs; Guo Shu often advised him. During a time of great chaos in the world, he advised Wang Cheng to nurture his character, establish authority, and ensure the safety of the province. Wang Cheng believed that chaos started in the capital, and a single province's strength alone couldn't withstand it. Although he did not adopt Guo Shu's suggestions, he greatly appreciated his loyalty and integrity. The local scholar Yu Xing once offended Wang Cheng by drinking, and Wang Cheng was very angry, ordering his men to give Yu Xing a beating. Guo Shu firmly intervened and said, "The governor is drunk; how dare you act recklessly!" Wang Cheng angrily said, "You, as my deputy, are truly crazy; how dare you say I am drunk!" So they twisted his nose and singed his eyebrows, and Guo Shu knelt there, enduring it all. Wang Cheng's anger subsided somewhat, and Yu Xing was spared from punishment as a result.
When Wang Cheng was defeated and in flight, he appointed Guo Shu as the governor of Nanjun. Wang Cheng wanted Guo Shu to escape with him to the east, but Guo Shu said, "As a high-ranking official, I cannot even reverse the situation. Seeing the lord about to flee, I cannot bear to cross the river." So he stayed at Dunkou to gather wild rice in the wetlands to sustain himself. Later, a villager stole Guo Shu's cow. When the theft was discovered, they came to apologize to Guo Shu. Guo Shu said, "You were hungry, so you ate my cow. Let’s share the remaining meat." People admired his generosity.
When Guo Shu was young, he had a good relationship with Du Zeng, who once invited him, but he did not go, which made Du Zeng resentful. Later, Wang Cheng transferred Guo Shu to be the governor of Shunyang. Du Zeng secretly sent troops to attack Guo Shu, who managed to escape.
Wang Dun invited me to join the military and later promoted me. When the governor of Xiangyang, Zhou Fang, died, Wang Dun sent Shu to monitor the army in Xiangyang. Only after Gan Zhuo arrived did Shu return. The court wanted to appoint Shu as the Right Minister, but Wang Dun detained him, refusing to let him go. Wang Dun was secretly plotting a rebellion, and Shu advised him against it, but he did not listen and even sent Shu to guard Wuchang.
The deputy of Jingzhou, Zong Dan, envied Shu's talent and often badmouthed him to Wang Hao. Wang Hao suspected that Shu and Gan Zhuo were in cahoots and secretly told Wang Dun, but Wang Dun brushed him off. The high-ranking official Miao Tan once wanted to build a camp on a piece of land in the west of Wuchang city, but Le Kai, the governor of Wuchang, told Wang Dun, "The common people have been buying land and growing vegetables on this land for a long time to support themselves. It shouldn't be taken away by force!" Wang Dun snapped back, "If Wang Chuzhong (referring to himself) doesn't go to the riverbank to play, does that mean the land in Wuchang isn’t mine, just because I’m not playing by the riverbank?!" Le Kai was so frightened he couldn’t say a word.
At this moment, Shu stood up and said, "General, please allow me to speak." Wang Dun replied, "Pingzi (referring to Shu), have you fallen sick again? Is it because I pinched your nose and scorched your eyebrows that your old illness has relapsed?" Shu said, "In ancient times, 'mad' referred to integrity, like Zhou Chang, Ji An, and Zhu Yun; they weren't insane at all. In ancient times, Emperor Yao established the 'Defamation Wood,' and Emperor Shun set up the 'Courage to Advise Drum' to make sure things were fair and just. Are you really more powerful than Yao and Shun? The way you're silencing me now is nothing like how the ancients operated!" Wang Dun asked, "What do you want to say?" Shu replied, "Miao Tan is just a petty man; he confuses your vision, forcibly seizes the land from the common people, and oppresses the weak. As Yan Zi once said, 'If a ruler thinks something is okay but the ministers disagree, they should speak up to ensure what’s right gets done.' This is why we dare not remain silent." Wang Dun immediately gave the land back to the people after hearing this, and everyone greatly admired Shu's integrity. Wang Dun appreciated Shu's straightforwardness and rewarded him with many gifts, often visiting his home. Later, Wang Dun recommended Shu to become the governor of Liangzhou. Not long after, Shu fell ill and died.
Yue Guang, styled Yanfu, was from Yuyang in Nanyang. His father, Le Fang, had once fought alongside the Wei state's General of the West Expedition, Xiahou Xuan. When Yue Guang was a child, only eight years old, Xiahou Xuan often saw him on the road and would stop to talk to him. Later, Xiahou Xuan even told Le Fang, "I just saw Yue Guang; he looks spirited and will surely become a famous person in the future. Although your family is poor, you must ensure he studies well; he will surely bring glory to your family." Le Fang passed away early. Yue Guang grew up in a poor family, moved to Shanyang, and scraped by on a meager income, and not many people recognized him.
He has an unpretentious character, foresight, very few desires, and never competes with others. He is particularly good at discussing topics, always using concise language to analyze principles, earning their respect and agreement. If he doesn't understand, he simply stays quiet. Pei Kai once invited Le Guang to discuss matters, and they talked from evening until dawn, mutually respecting each other. Pei Kai sighed and remarked, "I can't hold a candle to him!" When Wang Rong was the governor of Jingzhou, he heard that Le Guang had been appreciated by Xiahou Xuan, so he recommended him to become a junior scholar. Pei Kai also recommended Le Guang to Jia Chong, and thus Le Guang was appointed as a clerk to the Grand Commandant, later promoted to an attendant to the Crown Prince. The Minister of Works Wei Guan, a veteran of the court, had previously discussed matters with the famous scholars of the Wei Zhengshi era. Upon meeting Le Guang, he was taken aback and said, "Since those wise men passed away, I feared their profound discussions would be lost. I didn't expect to hear them from you today!" He had his sons visit Le Guang, saying, "This man is like a mirror; his words are clear and pure, like seeing a bright sky after the clouds have cleared." Wang Yan himself once said, "When I talk to others, I feel my words are concise and to the point, but after meeting Le Guang, I realized how verbose I can be." This is how Le Guang was praised and admired by those who recognized his worth.
Le Guang was later appointed as the magistrate of Yuancheng County, then promoted to Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, and further promoted to a servant of the Crown Prince, eventually climbing the ranks to become a palace attendant and Governor of Henan. Le Guang excelled in discussions but was not particularly skilled at writing. When he was about to step down as Governor of Henan, he asked Pan Yue to help him write a resignation letter. Pan Yue replied, "I can certainly craft a resignation letter that meets your needs." Le Guang then wrote two hundred sentences expressing his thoughts. Pan Yue slightly polished these words and wrote an outstanding resignation letter. Contemporaries remarked, "If Le Guang had not provided the ideas to Pan Yue, and Pan Yue had not written based on Le Guang's intentions, this letter would not have turned out so well."
There was an acquaintance who hadn't visited in a long time, so I specifically inquired about the reason. He said it was because he had been drinking here before and just as he was about to drink, he saw a snake in the cup, which made him feel extremely uneasy, and after finishing the drink, he fell ill. In fact, at that time, there was a corner on the wall of the Henan government office painted to look like a snake, and I guessed that the snake he saw in his cup was merely the shadow cast by that corner. I poured him another glass of wine and set it back in the same spot, asking him, "What do you see in the cup now?" He replied, "It's the same as just now." I explained the situation to him, and he understood right away, which made him feel better.
Wei Jie, when he was young, once asked me about dreaming, and I said it was because of thoughts and worries. Wei Jie said, "Dreams arise from places that the spirit and consciousness are unaware of; how can they be said to be due to thoughts?" I replied, "It is caused by reasons." Wei Jie thought about it for a whole month without coming to a conclusion, and as a result, he fell ill. When I heard about it, I hurried over to explain it clearly to him, and his illness got better. I sighed, "This talented fellow surely doesn’t have a terminal illness in his heart!"
I worked in the government and didn’t have any notable titles at the time, but every time I left my post, the locals missed me. When I assessed people, I always began by highlighting their strengths, so that their weaknesses would naturally become apparent. When someone made a mistake, I first tried to be tolerant and understanding, and then what’s right and wrong would become clear. Both Wang Yan and I had open hearts and did not covet fame and fortune, so we were pretty well-known back then. Therefore, when people talked about noteworthy individuals, they always mentioned Wang and me first.
When I was young, I had a good relationship with Yang Zhun from Hongnong. Yang Zhun had two sons, one named Qiao and the other named Mao, both famous. Yang Zhun first took Qiao to visit Pei Wei. Pei Wei was generous and thought Qiao was talented, saying to Yang Zhun, "Qiao will surpass you in the future; Mao will be a bit behind." He then brought Mao to see me. I am upright and sincere, and thought Mao was principled, saying to Yang Zhun, "Qiao can surpass you, but Mao is also outstanding." Yang Zhun smiled and said, "The strengths and weaknesses of my two sons are just like the strengths and weaknesses of you two." People commented that although Qiao was talented, he lacked principles, while I possessed both virtues.
At that time, Wang Cheng, Hu Wu, and others were all unrestrained, with some even being naked. When I heard about this, I laughed and said, "There's joy to be found in Confucian teachings; why act like that?" I conducted myself with decorum and treated others with respect, maintaining this style. "He who loves things when in his abode, acts with reason in his movements; all are of this kind." I encountered a turbulent period, with political turmoil, so I kept myself clean, upheld integrity, and remained true to simplicity. "In a time of turmoil in the world, with chaos in the court, maintain integrity and remain true to simplicity." People at that time could not understand my state of mind.
It is said that in the past, there were many spirits in the government offices of Henan. The previous magistrates dared not stay in the main building, but lived in the side buildings, which was not unusual at all. Once, the outer gate suddenly closed, frightening everyone except for him, who remained calm. He discovered a hole in the wall, ordered it to be dug out, and found a lynx, which he killed, and the strange occurrences ceased.
Many mourned the deposing of the Crown Prince. The Emperor issued an order that former officials were not allowed to bid farewell to him. Despite this, many officials were angered and defied the order to see him off. The Commandant of the Imperial Guards, Man Fen, ordered officials in central Henan to arrest those who bid farewell to the Crown Prince and imprison them. Everyone was worried for his safety, fearing he was in danger. Sun Yan said to Jia Mi: "In the past, when the Crown Prince was deposed for his crimes, his officials were not afraid of strict orders and took risks to bid him farewell. If they are arrested now, it will only show that the Crown Prince was wronged. It's better to let them go." Jia Mi listened to his words and was not held accountable.
Later, he was promoted to Left Deputy Minister of Personnel, and when Prince Dong'an Yao was to be appointed Deputy, he was transferred to Right Deputy, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel and replacing Wang Rong as Minister. Initially recommended by Wang Rong, he ultimately succeeded him, earning praise from contemporaries.
Wang Ying of Chengdu was his son-in-law, and later he and Prince Changsha Yi encountered misfortune together. At that time, he held a high position of power, and many people whispered slanders about him. Yi inquired about the situation, and he remained composed and replied slowly: "How could I sacrifice one daughter for five sons?" Yi still had some doubts, and he eventually died from excessive worry. When Xun Fan learned of his death, he wept for a long time. He is survived by three sons: Kai, Zhao, and Mo.
"Chengdu Wang Ying, the son-in-law of Guang, faced difficulties with Wang Yi of Changsha. While Guang held a high position, he faced slander from many. Yi asked Guang about it, and Guang remained calm and replied, 'Would Guang trade five sons for a single daughter?' Yi remained skeptical, and Guang ultimately succumbed to worry. When Xun Fan heard that Guang could not be saved, he wept. He had three sons: Kai, Zhao, and Mo."
"Kai, with the courtesy name Hong Xu, served as an official under Grand Marshal Qi Wang, involved in the military affairs under the General of Chariots and Cavalry; Zhao, with the courtesy name Hong Mao, was an official under Grand Tutor Donghai Wang; after the fall of Luoyang, the two brothers crossed the Yangtze River hand in hand; Mo, with the courtesy name Hong Fan, was the General Who Conquers the Caitiffs and the Interior Minister of Wu County."
Historical records say that the prime ministers of the Han Dynasty were serene and detached, able to grasp the key points in busy political affairs; the court historians of the Zhou Dynasty were pure and unselfish, indifferent to their salaries. Is being a prime minister really that different from being an ordinary official? Wang Yan (Jun Chong) was good at quoting classics, while Xie An (Yi Fu) admired immortals. Although they held high positions, they looked down on worldly fame and fortune, viewing them as mere fleeting clouds. Since they were so arrogant and aloof, the court inevitably descended into chaos. To win public favor, Wang Yan extorted money from all corners; Xie An only cared about preserving himself, neglecting national matters. When rebellions erupted from all directions, and barbarians attacked like dark clouds, Xie An panicked and sought to appease the rebel leaders to save his own skin, but in the end, like a collapsing wall, it became irreparable. Wang Dun (Ping Zi) was even more reckless and arrogant, feeling ashamed even in front of a mirror, ultimately losing his life and destroying himself."
Let's talk about those truly virtuous people; their attire, behavior, and speech reflect a noble character. They employ disciplined military strategies, leaving behind many teachings. But Wang Yan is perpetually disheveled, and that's just excessive! Not to mention his absurd antics of climbing trees naked and touching magpies with his bare skin, claiming it to be refined. It's truly frivolous; there's nothing charming about it! They violate the principles of what it means to be a good person, going against the teachings of the sages, only focused on their own pleasures, ultimately meeting an early demise. Yan Ying mourned for Duke Zhuang, and Lei Guang consoled the grieving guests, but they pale in comparison to the noble character of Boyi! Even the weak can accomplish great things if they have aspirations.
Praise: During the Jin Dynasty, the emperor constructed Xiantai in search of talent, like a tower that pierces the clouds, drawing in hermits from the mountains. Wang Yan, in his role as prime minister, only discusses poetry and songs while neglecting political matters. Xie An resigned twice but ultimately yielded to reality. The court was in chaos, and loyal ministers and generals were all sidelined. Wang Dun was arrogant and crafty, lacking any real skills. In contrast, Lei Guang is as noble as the clouds, both upright and transparent.
